agency-020•Wyoming Administrative Rules 020 — Environmental Quality, Dept. of
Wyoming Administrative Rules 020 — Environmental Quality, Dept. of
agency-020Wyo. Code R. 020Regulation
66 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program
Chapter 1 Authorities, Definitions and General Provisions
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.1.06292018 § 1 Authority
These rules and regulations are adopted by the Governor pursuant to the authority provided by W.S. 35-11-1207(a) (West 2007).
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.1.06292018 § 2 Definitions (applicable to AML Division)
(a) "Adversely affected" means a harmful or unfavorable impact that can be directly connected to mining or mining practices.
(b) "Appraisal" means an appraisal which meets the quality of practices found in the handbook on "Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions" (Interagency Land Acquisition Conference 2000).
(c) "Certified In Lieu Funds" means:
(i) Those moneys distributed to the state by the Office of Surface Mining from the general funds of the United States Treasury in lieu of moneys allocated to the state share of the Fund from AML fees collected after October 1 2007.
(ii) Certified In Lieu Funds are separate and distinct from the Prior Balance Replacement Funds that are distributed by the Office of Surface Mining from the balance owed the state from AML fees collected prior to October 1, 2007 but were not appropriated by Congress to be returned to the state.
(iii) Certified In Lieu Funds are not restricted in their use but priority shall be given to the eligible reclamation and remediation categories listed in Chapter 5 with eligible coal sites given priority over other projects.
(d) "Competitive bidding" means, at a minimum:
(i) Publication of a notice once a week for four weeks in a local newspaper, describing the land to be sold and stating the appraised value, any applicable restrictive covenants, and the time and place of the sale; and
(ii) Provisions for sealed bids to be submitted prior to the sale date followed by an oral auction open to the public.
(e) "Continuing reclamation responsibility'' means responsibility for reclamation by the operator, permittee, or agent of the permittee, or by the state as a result of bond forfeiture. Bond forfeiture will render lands or water ineligible only if the amount forfeited is sufficient to pay the total cost of the necessary reclamation.
(f) "Emergency" means a sudden danger or impairment that presents a high probability of substantial physical harm to the health, safety, or general welfare of the people before the danger can be abated under normal program operation procedures. This shall be supported by a written finding from the Director.
(g) "Enhancement" means improvements necessary to meet local, state or federal public health, safety or standard operations requirements but does not include areal expansions, additions or substitutions.
(h) "Left or abandoned in either an unreclaimed or inadequately reclaimed condition" means:
(i) Lands where all mining processes ceased and no permit existed as of August 3, 1977, (lands and waters affected by mineral mining and processing practices and under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service shall utilize the effective date of August 28, 1974, whereas lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management shall utilize the effective date of November 26, 1980) or as a result of bond forfeiture where the forfeited bond is insufficient to pay the total cost of reclamation; and
(ii) Lands or water which continue in their present condition to substantially degrade the environment, prevent or damage the beneficial use of land or water resources, or endanger the health or safety of the public.
(i) "Mineral" means clays, stone, sand, gravel, metalliferous and nonmetalliferous ores, and any solid material or substance extracted in solid form from natural deposits on or in the earth, excluding coal and those minerals which occur naturally in liquid or gaseous form, such as oil and gas development and production.
(j) "Prior Balance Replacement Funds" means:
(i) The state share of the AML Fees collected before October 1, 2007 but were not paid to the State because Congress did not appropriate them;
(ii) The moneys are distributed to the State in seven equal payments starting in the Federal fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007; and
(iii) The funds may only be used for those purposes the State legislature establishes giving priority to addressing the impacts of mineral development.
(k) "Program" means the State Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program established in accordance with title IV of P.L. 95-87 by W.S. 35-11-1201 through 1207 (West 2007), including the State Reclamation Plan and annual projects to carry out the purposes of the program.
(1) "Reclamation" means, for the purpose of the division, restoration, reclamation, abatement, control or prevention of adverse effects of mining.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.1.06292018 § 3 Definitions applicable to the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program
In addition to the definitions contained in W.S. 35-11-1301 (West 2007) the following definitions apply to the program:
(a) "Aggregate" means the total amount of funds available in the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program at any given time to pay for claims of which the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program has been notified and which are in the process of settlement.
(b) "Fair market" value means a value as determined by either the local tax assessor, an appraisal by a licensed appraiser, or a market analysis by a licensed realtor.
(c) "Fixture" means sidewalks, driveways, utilities and other physical improvements permanently affixed to the realty which enhance use and enjoyment of the realty which are either owned by or the responsibility of the insured, excluding land, trees, plants and crops.
(d) "Known subsidence areas" means lands beneath which m1rung has occurred and such mining has been documented in public records, or where there is physical evidence of subsidence.
(e) "Loss" means physical damage to a structure or the adverse effect to the utility of a structure as defined by W.S. 35-11-1301(a)(iii) (West 2007).
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.1.06292018 § 4 General Provisions
AML will:
(a) Make all determinations and findings which are required under the program in writing.
(b) When conducting mine subsidence mitigation:
(i) Coordinate activities with the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program and offer insurance to those properties identified under Chapter 7, Section 3 for the duration of the project in accordance with that Chapter. Failure of the property owner to accept the insurance will make them ineligible for consideration for repairs if in the event damage from subsidence occurs;
(ii) Undertake all reasonable and necessary steps to reclaim the land including single family lots; and
(iii) Repair any improvements to the land that AML has to remove or otherwise impact in the process of reclaiming and/or mitigating the subsidence. This provision is restricted to repairs to the improvements on the land that is being mitigated for subsidence.
(c) Submit thru the Director to the Governor a reclamation plan. This plan shall be updated and resubmitted at a minimum of every five years. The plan shall include:
(i) The proposed reclamation and costs of coal and noncoal hazards; and
(ii) An estimate the availability of funds to be devoted to the Public
Facilities Program described in Chapter 6.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.1.06292018 § 5 Public Records
(a) These rules incorporate by reference the following rules and regulations, in effect as of September 6, 2016:
(i) Wyoming Department of Administration and Information, Director's Office, Chapter 2, Uniform Procedures, Fees, Costs, and Charges for Inspection, Copying, and Producing Public Records, available at https://rules.wyo.gov.
(b) These rules do not incorporate later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(c) All incorporated matter is available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov or from (307) 777-7937.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Chapter 2 Rights of Entry for Studies, Exploration, or Reclamation
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.2.12152009 Rights of Entry for Studies, Exploration, or Reclamation
The document referenced in the rules database link is not available in an electronic format. If you are in need of this rule, please contact the Secretary of State's Office at: Rules Registrar Wyoming Secretary of State's Office Ph. 307.777.7378 Email: Rules@wyo.gov
History
- Effective 2009-12-15
Chapter 3 Land Acquisition, Management, and Disposal
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.3.12152009 Land Acquisition, Management, and Disposal
The document referenced in the rules database link is not available in an electronic format. If you are in need of this rule, please contact the Secretary of State's Office at: Rules Registrar Wyoming Secretary of State's Office Ph. 307.777.7378 Email: Rules@wyo.gov
History
- Effective 2009-12-15
Chapter 4 Liens for Reclamation on Private Lands
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.4.12152009 Liens for Reclamation on Private Lands
The document referenced in the rules database link is not available in an electronic format. If you are in need of this rule, please contact the Secretary of State's Office at: Rules Registrar Wyoming Secretary of State's Office Ph. 307.777.7378 Email: Rules@wyo.gov
History
- Effective 2009-12-15
Chapter 5 Eligibility and Priority of Reclamation Projects
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.5.12152009 Eligibility and Priority of Reclamation Projects
The document referenced in the rules database link is not available in an electronic format. If you are in need of this rule, please contact the Secretary of State's Office at: Rules Registrar Wyoming Secretary of State's Office Ph. 307.777.7378 Email: Rules@wyo.gov
History
- Effective 2009-12-15
Chapter 6 Public Facilities Projects
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.6.12152009 Public Facilities Projects
The document referenced in the rules database link is not available in an electronic format. If you are in need of this rule, please contact the Secretary of State's Office at: Rules Registrar Wyoming Secretary of State's Office Ph. 307.777.7378 Email: Rules@wyo.gov
History
- Effective 2009-12-15
Chapter 7 Mine Subsidence Insurance Program
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 1 General
(a) This chapter establishes rules and regulations for a program of insurance administered by the Abandoned Mine Land Division to insure structures in Wyoming from damage resulting from mine subsidence.
(b) These rules incorporate by reference the following rules and regulations, in effect as of September 6, 2016:
(i) Wyoming Department of Administration and Information, Director's Office, Chapter 2, Uniform Procedures, Fees, Costs, and Charges for Inspection, Copying, and Producing Public Records, available at https://rules.wyo.gov.
(c) These rules do not incorporate later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(d) All incorporated matter is available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov or from (307) 777-7937.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 2 Rights of Subrogation
In the event of a loss, an insured person's rights to recover from another become the rights of the State up to the amount of the covered loss and the insured person must protect these rights and assist representatives of the State in enforcing them.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 3 Notice to Property Owners
(a) The division and their consultants, using best engineering and professional judgment based on analysis of the potential impact, shall identify surrounding properties that may reasonably be at risk from subsidence damage due to AML mitigation work.
(b) Prior to initiating subsidence mitigation work, the division's contractor shall notify the owner of all property identified in (a) and offer to purchase subsidence insurance for the property for the duration of the project.
(c) If accepted, the property owner must allow the property to be inspected to establish baseline conditions and allow the property to be inspected at any reasonable time during the project.
(d) This offer will be made to protect the state from subsidence damage claims for the duration of the project.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 4 Contract Terms and Conditions
(a) Coverage shall be for a term of one year and shall renew upon payment of the premium unless cancelled or non-renewed pursuant to Section 11.
(b) Excluded from coverage are:
(i) Existing and unrepaired mine subsidence loss, except that structures damaged prior to June 11, 1986 shall be covered under the conditions enumerated in W.S. 35-11-1302 (a) (i) through (v).
(ii) Any damage not due to mine subsidence.
(iii) Bodily injury or death.
(iv) Damage to contents not attached to and part of the structure, personal property or automobiles (owned or non-owned) or motorized vehicles whether used to service the premises or not.
(v) Except as provided in this paragraph, additional living expenses or the interruption of rental income incurred by an insured person. Reasonable additional living expenses can be covered where a residential structure will be unlivable during a reasonable repair period, or a professional engineer or engineer in a public office having authority to make such decisions finds that there is imminent threat to life as a result of a loss.
(vi) Loss to land, trees, plants and crops.
(vii) Loss to structures vacant or unoccupied· for more than 180 days unless the owner has made arrangements for the upkeep and inspection of the structure on a monthly basis.
(viii) Loss to mobile homes except as covered in Section 10.
(ix) Loss to structures excluded under Section 11.
(x) Loss to structures that were not constructed according to local building codes in effect at the time the structure was built or placed into service.
(c) In order to be accepted for insurance the property owner shall allow inspections of the insured structure. The purpose of the inspections shall be to determine structural integrity and to document the extent of any existing damage from mine subsidence. Failure by the property owner to allow an inspection of the structure or structures, both external and internal, will result in the division rejecting the property owner's request for insurance. Cost of the inspection shall be borne by the division.
(d) Insured structures shall be subject to reinspection. All reasonable attempts to notify the property owner shall be made prior to a reinspection. Cost of the reinspection shall be borne by the division.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 5 Premiums
(a) Premium rates may be established by an actuarial evaluation of the mine subsidence risk in Wyoming. Premiums shall be calculated to cover the expenses of administration, the cost of anticipated claims and establishment of a reserve to cover catastrophic losses and ensure solvency of the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program.
(b) Based upon actuarial evaluation premium rates for residential structures shall be set by the Governor within the range of $1.75 and $2.25 per thousand of coverage, and $2.75 and $3.25 per thousand for coverage on commercial structures.
(c) Premiums shall be payable on an annual basis.
(d) Premiums shall be paid by the State of Wyoming or its contractors if the property has been identified, in accordance with Section 3 of this Chapter, as in an area that may reasonably be at risk from subsidence due to AML mitigation work.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 6 Deductibles
The deductible per loss on residential structures shall be 1 percent of the amount of the coverage purchased but in no event shall the deductible be less than $250 or more than $500. The deductible per loss on commercial structures shall be 1 percent of the amount of coverage purchased but in no event shall the deductible be less than $250 or more than $1,000. After a deductible has been met in any calendar year, no further deductibles shall be charged to any subsequent losses occurring during the remainder of that calendar year. No deductible shall be assessed for property owners who qualify for retroactive coverage under W.S. 35-11-1302(a).
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 7 Coverage Limits
(a) Except as provided by this Section, the maximum amount of insurance available for all losses to an insured residential or commercial structure shall be
$275,000.00 per loss.
(b) Structures shall not be insured for more than their estimated fair market value.
(c) Structures shall not be insured for less than 75 percent of estimated fair market value unless limited by (a) above.
(d) Each structure which occupies the realty may be separately insured at the rate established in Section 5 for an amount not to exceed their fair market value but not more than the amount in (a) above nor less than the amount in (c) above.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 8 Claims Adjustment Procedures
(a) Losses shall be reported to the Administrator within ninety days from the time loss occurs but no claims will be accepted after the date a policy has been canceled or terminated. The Administrator will verify that the coverage is in force and assign an adjuster to determine the cause and extent of the loss, document the damage, and if requested by the insured, assist the insured in obtaining repair cost estimates and in completing the proof of loss.
(b) The authority and limits for settling losses after payment of the deductible shall be:
(i) The Subsidence Insurance Program Manager with the concurrence of the Abandoned Mine Land Administrator up to $25,000.
(ii) The Administrator with the concurrence of the Director, over
$25,000 up to the policy maximum.
(c) Drafts or checks used to pay for losses shall be in such form that endorsement by the insured will constitute a full release to the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program and the State.
(d) Losses shall be settled for the cost to repair the structure to its condition prior to subsidence damage or the amount of insurance on the structure, whichever is less.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 9 Mobile Homes
Mobile homes shall be eligible for coverage provided they are anchored to the ground or are mounted upon a foundation and are connected to water, sewer, and electrical utilities and the home was installed according to local codes in effect at the time the structure was installed and/or constructed.
(a) The anchorage's capacity must prevent uplifting and overturning due to wind or seismic activity. Screw-in soil anchors are not considered a permanent anchorage.
(b) The anchorage must be attached to a footing sufficiently sized to prevent overloading of the soil-bearing capacity and which also avoids soil settlement. The footing shall be reinforced concrete to be considered permanent.
(c) The base of the footing must extend below the maximum frost penetration depth for the area.
(d) The foundation must enclose a crawl space with a continuous wall (whether bearing or non-bearing) that separates the crawl space from the backfill, and prohibits vermin and water from entering the enclosed area.
(e) The anchorage must have sufficient capacity in both the transverse and longitudinal directions to prevent sliding due to wind and/or seismic activity.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 10 Structures to be Excluded
Structures for which construction begins in known subsidence areas after the effective date of the mine subsidence insurance program are excluded from the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program, unless:
(a) The structure has been constructed in accordance with local codes specific for subsidence prone areas; or
(b) If there are no local codes specific for subsidence prone areas the property owner can produce evidence that:
(i) There is a reduced risk that the structure will sustain a loss due to mine subsidence; or
(ii) The structures are constructed to tolerate the anticipated effects of subsidence.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 11 Cancellation and Non-Renewal of Coverage
(a) The insured may cancel coverage by providing the Administrator a thirty day written notice.
(b) The Administrator after providing an insured thirty days written notice may cancel or refuse to renew coverage under one or more of the following conditions:
(i) Misrepresentation, concealment or fraud: any material fact or circumstance which a person intentionally conceals or misrepresents, either in an effort to obtain insurance coverage or as a result of a loss.
(ii) Exhaustion of the coverage amount appearing on the certificate of insurance.
(iii) Exhaustion of the total amount of funds available to the mine subsidence insurance program.
(iv) Refusal to permit re-inspection of an insured structure.
(c) A policy shall be cancelled if the full renewal premium is not paid within thirty days of the premium due date as it appears on the renewal premium notice.
(d) Policies shall be automatically cancelled if the aggregate becomes exhausted. Losses that have been reported will be settled on a pro-rata basis.
(e) An individual policy shall be automatically cancelled if a single claim exhausts the coverage limits as established in Section 7.
(f) Any refund of premium due an insured upon cancellation shall be paid on a pro-rata basis.
(g) Notice of a refusal to renew shall be furnished the insured person by mail at least thirty days prior to the renewal date.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0001.7.06292018 § 12 Limit of Liability
The liability of the State of Wyoming is limited to the amount of funds available for the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
67 Air Quality
Chapter 1 Common Provisions
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.1.02142013 Common Provisions
WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
AIR QUALITY DIVISION
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 1
Common Provisions
Section 1. Introduction to common provisions.
(a) Chapter 1 includes common provisions which apply to sources of air contaminants throughout Wyoming unless otherwise stipulated. Section 2 describes the authority by which the Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations are promulgated, and Section 3 contains the applicable definitions pertaining to this chapter. Section 4 discusses how it is unlawful to dilute or conceal emissions, and Section 5 explains the provisions for unavoidable equipment malfunctions. Section 6 discusses credible evidence for purposes of submitting compliance certifications, and Section 7 establishes greenhouse gas permitting requirements detailed in Chapter 6, Sections 3 and 4.
Section 2. Authority.
(a) In accordance with the Environmental Quality Act, WS 35-11-101 et seq., the following Air Quality Standards and Regulations are hereby promulgated by the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council.
Section 3. Definitions.
(a) The definitions contained in the Environmental Quality Act, WS 35-11-103 et seq., shall be applicable, where appropriate. The following terms as used in these standards and regulations shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:
"Administrator" means Administrator of the Division of Air Quality, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"Air contaminant" shall mean dust, fumes, mist, smoke, other particulate matter, vapor, gas or any combination of the foregoing, but shall not include steam or water vapor.
"Air pollution" shall mean the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more air contaminants in such quantities and duration as is materially injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life or property, or unreasonably interferes with the enjoyment of life or property.
"Animal matter" shall mean any product or derivative of animal life.
"Board" shall mean the Air Quality Advisory Board.
"Control equipment" shall mean any device, contrivance, or system which prevents or reduces emissions.
"Control officer" shall mean the Director of the State Department of Environmental Quality, or the Administrator of the Air Quality Division, or any employee of the Division designated by the Administrator, or any local health officer or employee designated by the Administrator.
"Council" shall mean the Environmental Quality Council.
"Department" shall mean the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"Director" shall mean the Director of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"Division" shall mean the Air Quality Division, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"Emission" shall mean a release into the outdoor atmosphere of air contaminants.
"Equivalent method" shall mean any procedure, practice, policy, system or device which can be demonstrated to produce a result adequate for the purpose required in these regulations and consistent with specified reference methods.
"Existing equipment" shall mean equipment installed prior to the effective date of an applicable regulation.
"Existing source" means any stationary or portable source other than a new source.
"Facility" shall mean any property, real or personal, which may incorporate one or more sources of air pollution and shall include but not be limited to processing plants, manufacturing plants, power generator plants, refining plants, mining operations, lumber mills, ore processing plants, construction material processing operations, etc.
"Fuel burning equipment" shall mean any furnace, boiler apparatus, stack, or appurtenances thereto used in the process of burning fuel or other combustible material for the purpose of producing heat or power by indirect heat transfer.
"Fugitive emissions" means those emissions which could not reasonably pass through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening.
"Greenhouse gases (GHGs)" means the air pollutant defined as the aggregate group of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
"Incinerator" shall mean any equipment, device or contrivance used for the destruction of garbage, rubbish or other wastes by burning, but not wood wastes burned in devices commonly called tepee burners, silos, truncated cones, wigwam burners and other such burners used commonly by the wood products industry.
"Initial start-up" shall mean that point in time when a source or group of sources actually begins operation for the purpose of generating goods or services as an end product or as an intermediate product. Start-up of a source to check functional operation of the "machinery" shall not be construed as initial start-up.
"Installation" shall mean any property, real or personal, including but not limited to processing equipment, manufacturing equipment, fuel burning equipment, incinerators, or any other equipment, or construction, capable of creating or causing emissions.
"Maximum design production rate" shall mean the maximum production rate at which a source is designed for continuous or batch operation.
"Modification" shall mean any physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, an affected facility which increases the amount of any air pollutant (to which any state standards applies) emitted by such facility or which results in the emission of any such air pollutant not previously emitted.
"Motor vehicle" shall mean those vehicles carrying people or goods on public streets or highways.
"Multiple chamber incinerator" shall mean any article, machine, equipment, contrivance, structure or part of a structure used to dispose of combustible refuse by burning, consisting of two or more combustion furnaces in series physically separated by walls, interconnected by gas passage ports or ducts and employing adequate parameters necessary for maximum combustion of the material to be burned.
"New equipment" shall mean:
(i) Any equipment, installation, construction article, machine or contrivance ordered, constructed or installed after the effective date of an applicable regulation;
(ii) Any equipment replaced or altered or processes changed in such a manner after the effective date of an applicable regulation as to have an effect of increasing the production of air contaminants;
(iii) Any equipment moved after the effective date of this regulation to another premise involving a change of address when said move will cause or would be expected to cause an increase in the production of air contaminants;
(iv) Any equipment purchased and to be operated after the effective date of this regulation by a new owner or when a new lessee desires to operate such equipment.
"New source" shall mean any stationary or portable source, the construction or modification of which is commenced after the effective date of regulations prescribing a standard of performance applicable to such source.
"Odor" shall mean that property of an emission which stimulates the sense of smell.
"Opacity" means the degree to which emissions reduce the transmission of light and obscure the view of an object in the background. For continuous opacity monitoring systems, opacity means the fraction of incident light that is attenuated by an optical medium.
"Operating day" shall mean a fixed 24-hour period during which fossil fuel is combusted by fuel-burning equipment for at least 18 hours.
"Owner or operator" shall mean any person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises a facility, building, structure, or installation which directly or indirectly result or may result in emissions of any air contaminant.
"Particulate matter":
(i) "Particulate matter" shall mean any airborne finely divided solid or liquid material with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 100 micrometers.
(ii) "Particulate matter emissions" shall mean all finely divided solid or liquid material, other than uncombined water, emitted to the ambient air as measured by applicable reference methods, specified in 40 CFR part 60, Appendix A, or an equivalent or alternative method approved by the EPA Administrator.
(iii) "PM10" shall mean particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers as measured by a reference method based on Appendix J of 40 CFR part 50, and designated in accordance with 40 CFR part 53.
(iv) "PM10 emissions" shall mean finely divided solid or liquid material, with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers emitted to the ambient air as measured by an applicable reference method, or an equivalent or alternate method approved by the EPA Administrator.
(v) "Total suspended particulates (TSP)" shall mean particulate matter as measured by the method described in Appendix B to 40 CFR part 50.
(vi) "PM2.5" shall mean particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers as measured by a reference method based on Appendix L of 40 CFR part 50, and designated in accordance with 40 CFR part 53.
(vii) "PM2.5 emissions" shall mean finely divided solid or liquid material, with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers emitted to the ambient air as measured by an applicable reference method, or an equivalent or alternate method approved by the EPA Administrator.
"Person" means any individual, partnership, firm, association, municipality, public or private corporation, sub-division or agency of the state, trust, estate or any other legal entity.
"Premises" shall mean any property, piece of land or real estate or building.
"Process weight" shall mean the total weight of all materials introduced into any specific process which may cause emissions. Solid fuels charged will be considered as part of the process weight but liquids and gaseous fuels, combustion air, and water will not. However, water included as part of the normal charge to a beet pulp dryer process shall be considered as part of the process weight.
"Reduction" shall mean any heated process, including rendering, cooking, drying, dehydrating, digesting, evaporating, and protein concentrating.
"Salvage operation" shall mean any operation conducted in whole or in part for the salvaging or reclaiming of any product or material.
"Source" shall mean any property, real or personal, or person contributing to air pollution.
"Stack or chimney" shall mean any flue, conduit or duct arranged to conduct emissions.
"Standard conditions" shall mean a temperature of 68° Fahrenheit and pressure reduced to 29.92 inches of mercury at sea level.
"Trade wastes" shall mean solid, liquid, or gaseous material resulting from construction or the prosecution of any business, trade or industry, or any demolition operation including but not limited to wood, plastics, cartons, grease, oil, chemicals and cinders.
"Wood waste burners" shall mean devices commonly called tepee burners, silos, truncated cones, wigwam burners, and other such burners commonly used by the wood product industry for the disposal by burning of wood wastes.
Section 4. Diluting and concealing emissions.
(a) No person shall cause or permit the installation or use of any device, contrivance or operational schedule which, without resulting in reduction of the total amount of air contaminant released to the atmosphere, shall dilute or conceal an emission from a source.
(b) Subsection (a) of this regulation shall not apply to the control of odors.
Section 5. Unavoidable equipment malfunction.
(a) Unavoidable Equipment Malfunction.
(i) Any source believing that any emissions in excess of established regulation limits or standards resulted from an unavoidable equipment malfunction shall notify the Division within 24 hours of the incident via telephone, electronic mail, fax, or other similar method. A detailed description of the circumstances of the incident as described in paragraph 5(a)(i)(A) of this section, including a corrective program directed at preventing future such incidents, must be submitted within 14 days of the onset of the incident.
(A) In the incident report noted above, the source shall include any relevant evidence, including, but not necessarily limited to, evidence that (1) there was an equipment malfunction beyond the reasonable control of the owner or operator; (2) the excess emissions could not have been avoided by better operation, maintenance or improved design of the malfunctioning component; (3) to the maximum extent practicable, the source maintained and operated the air pollution control equipment and process equipment, in a manner consistent with good practice for minimizing emissions, including minimizing any bypass emissions; (4) any necessary repairs were made as quickly as practicable, using off-shift labor and overtime as needed and possible; (5) all practicable steps were taken to minimize the potential impact of the excess emissions on ambient air quality; and (6) the excess emissions are not part of a recurring pattern that may have been caused by inadequate operation or maintenance, or inadequate design of the malfunctioning component.
(ii) The burden of proof is on the owner or operator of the source to provide sufficient information to demonstrate that an unavoidable equipment malfunction occurred.
(b) Enforcement Discretion.
(i) The Division may elect not to pursue enforcement after considering whether excess emissions resulted from an unavoidable equipment malfunction. The Division will evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, the information submitted pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)(A) of this section to determine whether to pursue enforcement action. The Administrator may extend the 14-day time period for the submission of the incident report for cause.
Section 6. Credible evidence.
(a) For the purpose of submitting compliance certifications or establishing whether or not a person has violated or is in violation of any standard in the Wyoming State Implementation Plan, nothing in the Wyoming State Implementation Plan shall preclude the use, including the exclusive use, of any credible evidence or information relevant to whether a source would have been in compliance with applicable requirements if the appropriate performance or compliance test or procedure had been performed.
Section 7. Greenhouse gases.
(a) Sources that directly emit, or have the potential to emit the pollutant Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) shall be subject to operating permit requirements as specified in Chapter 6, Section 3, and subject to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit requirements as specified in Chapter 6, Section 4.
(b) Notwithstanding the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2(a)(i) and (iii), a preconstruction permit under Chapter 6, Section 2 is not required for the pollutant Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) unless the facility or source is also required to obtain a permit for GHGs under Chapter 6, Section 4.
(c) All Greenhouse Gas Regulations adopted in Chapter 1, Sections 1(a), 3(a) and 7; Chapter 6, Sections 1(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 14; and Chapter 7, Section 3(a) are repealed upon the occurrence of any one (1) of the following events:
(i) The United States Congress enacts a law prohibiting the United States Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases; or
(ii) A federal court issues a final judgment prohibiting the United States Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources.
(d) As used in this section, the term "final judgment" means a judgment issued by a federal court that is no longer subject to potential or ongoing appeal to any federal court with jurisdiction over the court judgment.
(e) The effective date of such repeal shall be the date the Governor certifies to the Secretary of State the occurrence of any act which repeals Wyoming Statute Ann. § 35- 11-213 (e) through (k).
History
- Effective 2013-02-14
Chapter 2 Ambient Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 1 Introduction to Ambient Standards
(a) This Chapter establishes standards of ambient air quality necessary to protect public health and welfare. Such standards are subject to revision. The term "ambient air" refers to that portion of the atmosphere, external to buildings, to which the general public has access. Section 12 incorporates by reference all Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) cited in this chapter, including their Appendices.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 2 Ambient Standards for Particulate Matter
(a) PM10: The ambient air standards for PM10 particulate matter are:
(i) 150 micrograms per cubic meter — 24-hour average concentration with not more than one expected exceedance per year.
(A) Attainment of the 24-hour standard is determined in accordance with Appendix K of 40 CFR Part 50.
(ii) 50 micrograms per cubic meter — annual arithmetic mean.
(A) Attainment of the annual standard is determined in accordance with Appendix 1 of this chapter.
(iii) For the purpose of determining attainment of the standards, particulate matter shall be measured in the ambient air as PM10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers), by a reference method based on 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J and designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53 or an equivalent or alternate method designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53.
(b) PM2.5: The primary ambient air quality standards for PM2.5 particulate matter are:
(i) 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) annual arithmetic mean concentration and 35 µg/m3 24-hour average concentration measured in the ambient air as PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers) by either:
(A) A reference method based on 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix L, and designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53; or
(B) An equivalent method designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53.
(ii) The primary annual PM2.5 standard is met when the annual arithmetic mean concentration, as determined in accordance with 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix N, is less than or equal to 9.0 µg/m3.
(iii) The primary 24-hour PM2.5 standard is met when the 98th percentile 24-hour concentration, as determined in accordance with 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix N, is less than or equal to 35 µg/m3.
(c) PM2.5: The secondary ambient air quality standards for PM2.5 particulate matter are:
(i) 15 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) annual arithmetic mean concentration and;
(ii) 35 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) — 98th percentile 24-hour average concentration.
(iii) Attainment of the annual and 24-hour standards is determined in accordance with Appendix N of 40 CFR Part 50.
(iv) For the purpose of determining attainment of the standards, particulate matter shall be measured in the ambient air as PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers), by a reference method based on 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix L and designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, or an equivalent or alternate method designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53.
(d) Ambient air, for the area bounded by Townships 40 through 52 North, and Ranges 69 through 73 West, inclusive, of the Sixth Principal Meridian, Campbell and Converse Counties, in the Powder River Coal Basin, is defined as that portion of the atmosphere, external to buildings, to which the general public has access. For surface mining operations, the application of this definition will be limited to only those lands that are necessary to conduct mining operations as determined by the Administrator of the Wyoming Air Quality Division.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 3 Ambient Standards for Nitrogen Oxides
(a) The level of the primary annual ambient air quality standard for oxides of nitrogen is 53 parts per billion (ppb, which is 1 part in 1,000,000,000), annual average concentration, measured in the ambient air as nitrogen dioxide.
(b) The level of the primary 1-hour ambient air quality standard for oxides of nitrogen is 100 ppb, 1-hour average concentration, measured in the ambient air as nitrogen dioxide.
(c) The level of the secondary ambient air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide is 0.053 parts per million (ppm, which is 1 part in 1,000,000), annual arithmetic mean concentration.
(d) The levels of the standards shall be measured by:
(i) A reference method based on 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix F; or
(ii) A Federal equivalent method (FEM) designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53.
(e) The annual primary standard is met when the annual average concentration in a calendar year is less than or equal to 53 ppb, as determined in accordance with Appendix S of 40 CFR Part 50 for the annual standard.
(f) The 1-hour primary standard is met when the three-year average of the annual 98th percentile of the daily maximum 1-hour average concentration is less than or equal to 100 ppb, as determined in accordance with Appendix S of 40 CFR Part 50 for the 1-hour standard.
(g) The secondary standard is attained when the annual arithmetic mean concentration in a calendar year is less than or equal to 0.053 ppm, rounded to three decimal places (fractional parts equal to or greater than 0.0005 ppm must be rounded up). To demonstrate attainment, an annual mean must be based upon hourly data that are at least 75 percent complete or upon data derived from manual methods that are at least 75 percent complete for the scheduled sampling days in each calendar quarter.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 4 Ambient Standards for Sulfur Oxides
(a) The level of the primary 1-hour annual ambient air quality standard for oxides of sulfur is 75 parts per billion (ppb, which is 1 part in 1,000,000,000), measured in the ambient air as sulfur dioxide (SO2).
(i) The 1-hour primary standard is met at an ambient air quality monitoring site when the three-year average of the annual (99th percentile) of the daily maximum 1-hour average concentrations is less than or equal to 75 ppb, as determined in accordance with Appendix T of 40 CFR Part 50.
(ii) The level of the standard shall be measured by a reference method based on 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix A or A-1, or by a Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53.
(b) The level of the secondary 3-hour ambient air quality standard for oxides of sulfur is 0.5 parts per million (ppm, which is 1 part in 1,000,000), not to be exceeded more than once per calendar year. The 3-hour averages shall be determined from successive nonoverlapping 3-hour blocks starting at midnight each calendar day and shall be rounded to 1 decimal place (fractional parts equal to or greater than 0.05 ppm shall be rounded up).
(i) Sulfur oxides shall be measured in the ambient air as sulfur dioxide by the reference method described in Appendix A of 40 CFR Part 50 or by an equivalent method designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53.
(ii) To demonstrate attainment, the second-highest 3-hour average must be based upon hourly data that are at least 75 percent complete in each calendar quarter. A 3-hour block average shall be considered valid only if all three hourly averages for the 3-hour period are available. If only one or two hourly averages are available, but the 3-hour average would exceed the level of the standard when zeros are substituted for the missing values, subject to the rounding rule of paragraph (b) of this section, then this shall be considered a valid 3-hour average. In all cases, the 3-hour block average shall be computed as the sum of the hourly averages divided by 3.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 5 Ambient Standards for Carbon Monoxide
(a) The ambient air standard for carbon monoxide, measured by nondispersive infrared spectrometry, as described in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix C, or by an equivalent method designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, is:
(i) 10 milligrams per cubic meter (9 ppm) — maximum 8-hour concentration not to be exceeded more than once per year;
(ii) 40 milligrams per cubic meter (35 ppm) — maximum 1-hour concentration not to be exceeded more than once per year.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 6 Ambient Standards for Ozone
(a) The level of the 8-hour primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for ozone (O3) is 0.070 parts per million (ppm, which is 1 part in 1,000,000), daily maximum 8-hour average, measured by a reference method based on Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 50 and designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53 or an equivalent method designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53.
(b) The 8-hour primary and secondary standard ozone ambient air quality standards are met at an ambient air quality monitoring site when the 3-year average of the annual fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone concentration is less than or equal to 0.070 ppm, as determined in accordance with 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix P.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 7 Ambient Standards for Hydrogen Sulfide
(a) The ambient air standards for hydrogen sulfide, measured by the mercuric chloride method, methylene blue method, or by an equivalent method are:
(i) 70 micrograms H2S per cubic meter, ½-hour average not to be exceeded more than 2 times per year;
(ii) 40 micrograms H2S per cubic meter, ½-hour average not to be exceeded more than 2 times in any five consecutive days.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 8 Ambient Standards for Suspended Sulfates
(a) The ambient air standards for suspended sulfate measured as a sulfation rate by the lead peroxide method are:
(i) 0.25 milligrams SO3 per 100 square centimeters per day, maximum annual average;
(ii) 0.50 milligrams SO3 per 100 square centimeters per day, maximum 30-day value.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 9 Ambient Standards for Fluorides
(a) The ambient air standards for fluorides, measured as hydrogen fluoride through methods approved by the Administrator are:
(i) Statewide Standard:
Averaging Maximum Allowable Concentration
Time for Averaging Time
12 hours 3.0 µg/m3
24 hours 1.8 µg/m3
7 days 0.5 µg/m3
30 days 0.4 µg/m3
(ii) Regional Standard:
Averaging Maximum Allowable Concentration
Time for Averaging Time
12 hours 10.0 µg/m3
24 hours 4.0 µg/m3
7 days 1.8 µg/m3
30 days 1.2 µg/m3
The Regional Standard applies to the area encompassing the following lands in Sweetwater County, Wyoming:
T19N R104W, E1/2 Section 31 & Sections 32, 33, 34, 35, 36;
T19N R103W, Section 31;
T18N R105W, S1/2 Section 1 & Sections 12, 13, 24, 25, 35, 36;
T18N R104W, All Sections 1 through 36;
T18N R103W, Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30, 31, 32, 33;
T17N R105W, Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26;
T17N R104W, Sections 1 through 30;
T17N R103W, Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30
(b) The standards for fluoride in forage for animal consumption measured as fluorine, dry weight basis, are:
Averaging Maximum Allowable Concentration
Time for Averaging Time
One year 30 ppm
60 days 60 ppm
30 days 80 ppm
The concentration of fluoride in forage shall be determined through sampling and analysis methods approved by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 10 Ambient Standards for Lead
(a) The primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for lead (Pb) and its compounds are 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter, arithmetic mean concentration over a 3-month period, measured in the ambient air as Pb either by:
(i) A reference method based on 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix G (Reference Method for the Determination of Lead in Suspended Particulate Matter Collected From Ambient Air), and designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53 or;
(ii) An equivalent method designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53.
(b) The primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for Pb are met when the maximum arithmetic 3-month mean concentration for a 3-year period, as determined in accordance with Appendix R (Interpretation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Lead) of 40 CFR Part 50, is less than or equal to 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 11 Ambient Standards for Odors
(a) The ambient air standard for odors from any source shall be limited to:
(i) An odor emission at the property line which is undetectable at seven dilutions with odor free air as determined by a scentometer as manufactured by the Barnebey-Cheney Company or any other instrument, device, or technique designated by the Division as producing equivalent results. The occurrence of odors shall be measured so that at least two measurements can be made within a period of one hour, these determinations being separated by at least 15 minutes.
(b) No person shall operate or use any device, machine, equipment, or other contrivance for the reduction of animal matter unless all gases, vapors and gas entrained effluents from such facility are incinerated at a temperature of not less than 1200 degrees Fahrenheit for a period not less than 0.3 second, or processed by condensation or such manner as determined by the Division to be equally or more effective for the purpose of controlling such emissions.
(i) A person incinerating or processing gases, vapors, or gas entrained effluents pursuant to this rule shall provide, properly install, and maintain in good working order and in operation, devices as specified by the Division for indicating temperature, pressure, or other operating conditions.
(ii) Effective odor control devices, systems, or measures shall be installed and operated such that no vent, exhaust pipe, blowoff pipe, or opening of any kind shall discharge into the outdoor air any odorous matter, vapors, gases, or dusts, or any combination thereof, which create odors in areas adjacent to the plant in excess of the limits described in Chapter 2, Section 11(a)(i) of this regulation.
(c) Odor producing materials shall be stored, transported, and handled in a manner that:
(i) Odors produced from such materials are confined and that accumulation of such materials resulting from spillage or other escape is prevented.
(d) Whenever dust, fumes, gases, mist, odorous matter, vapors, or any combination thereof escape from a building used for processing animal matter in such manner and amount as to cause a violation of Subsection (a)(i) of this regulation, the Division may require that the building or buildings in which processing, handling, and storage are done be tightly closed and ventilated in such a manner that all airborne effluent materials leaving the building be treated by an effective means for removal or destruction of odorous matter before release to the open air.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 12 Incorporation by Reference
(a) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). All Code of Federal Regulations
(CFRs) cited in this chapter, including their Appendices, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, are incorporated by reference. Copies of the CFR are available for public inspection and can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at: https://deq.wyoming.gov. Copies of the CFR can also be obtained at cost from Government Institutes, 15200 NBN Way, Building B, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214, or online at: https://ecfr.gov.
APPENDIX 1
INTERPRETATION OF THE ANNUAL STATE
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD FOR PM10
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 1 0. General
(a) This appendix explains the computations necessary for analyzing particulate matter data to determine attainment of the annual standard. For the primary standard, particulate matter is measured in the ambient air as PM10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers) by a reference method based on 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J, and designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, or by an equivalent method designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53. The required frequency of measurements is specified in 40 CFR Part 58.
(b) The terms used in this appendix are defined as follows:
"Average" refers to an arithmetic mean. The particulate matter standard is expressed in terms of the annual arithmetic mean.
"Daily value" for PM10 refers to the 24-hour average concentration of PM10 calculated or measured from midnight to midnight (local time).
"Expected annual value" is the number approached when the annual values from an increasing number of years are averaged, in the absence of long-term trends in emissions or meteorological conditions.
"Year" refers to a calendar year.
(c) Although the discussion in this appendix focuses on monitored data, the same principles apply to modeling data, subject to EPA modeling guidelines.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 2 0. Attainment Determinations
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 2 1. Annual Primary Standard
(a) The annual primary standard is attained when the expected annual arithmetic mean PM10 concentration is less than or equal to the level of the standard. In the simplest case, the expected annual arithmetic mean is determined by averaging the annual arithmetic mean PM10 concentrations for the past 3 calendar years. Because of the potential for incomplete data and the possible seasonality in PM10 concentrations, the annual mean shall be calculated by averaging the four quarterly means of PM10 concentrations within the calendar year. The equations for calculating the annual arithmetic mean are given in Section 3.0 of this appendix. Situations in which 3 years of data are not available and possible adjustments for unusual events or trends are discussed in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 of this appendix. The expected annual arithmetic mean is rounded to the nearest 1 μg/m3 before comparison with the annual standard (fractional values equal to or greater than 0.5 are to be rounded up).
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 2 2. Data Requirements
(a) A minimum of 75 percent of the scheduled PM10 samples per quarter are required.
(b) To demonstrate attainment of the annual standard at a monitoring site, the monitor must provide sufficient data to perform the required calculations of Section 3.0 of this appendix. The amount of data required varies with the sampling frequency, data capture rate and the number of years of record. In all cases, 3 years of representative monitoring data that meet the 75 percent criterion of the previous paragraph should be utilized, if available, and would suffice. More than 3 years may be considered, if all additional representative years of data meeting the 75 percent criterion are utilized. Data not meeting these criteria may also suffice to show attainment; however, such exceptions will have to be approved by the Air Quality Division Administrator.
(c) There are less stringent data requirements for showing that a monitor has failed an attainment test and thus has recorded a violation of the particulate matter standard. Although it is generally necessary to meet the minimum 75 percent data capture requirement per quarter to use the computational equations described in Section 3.0 of this appendix, this criterion does not apply when less data is sufficient to unambiguously establish nonattainment. The following examples illustrate how nonattainment can be demonstrated when a site fails to meet the completeness criteria. Nonattainment of the annual standard can be demonstrated on the basis of quarterly mean concentrations developed from observed data combined with one-half the minimum detectable concentration substituted for missing values. Expected annual values must exceed the levels allowed by the standard.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 2 3. Adjustment for Exceptional Events and Trends
(a) An exceptional event is an uncontrollable event caused by natural sources of particulate matter or an event that is not expected to recur at a given location. Inclusion of such a value in the computation of exceedances or averages could result in inappropriate estimates of their respective expected annual values. To reduce the effect of unusual events, more than 3 years of representative data may be used. Alternatively, other techniques, such as the use of statistical models or the use of historical data could be considered so that the event may be discounted or weighted according to the likelihood that it will recur. The use of such techniques is subject to the approval of the Air Quality Division Administrator.
(b) In cases where long-term trends in emissions and air quality are evident, mathematical techniques should be applied to account for the trends to ensure that the expected annual values are not inappropriately biased by unrepresentative data. In the simplest case, if 3 years of data are available under stable emission conditions, this data should be used. In the event of a trend or shift in emission patterns, either the most recent representative year(s) could be used or statistical techniques or models could be used in conjunction with previous years of data to adjust for trends. The use of less than 3 years of data, and any adjustments are subject to the approval of the Air Quality Division Administrator.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 3 0. Computational Equations for Annual Standard
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 3 1. Calculation of the Annual Arithmetic Mean
(a) An annual arithmetic mean value for PM10 is determined by averaging the quarterly means for the 4 calendar quarters of the year. The following equation is to be used for calculation of the mean for a calendar quarter:
Equation 1
(b) The quarterly mean, expressed in μg/m3, must be rounded to the nearest tenth (fractional values of 0.05 should be rounded up).
(c) The annual mean is calculated by using the following equation:
Equation 2
(d) The average of quarterly means must be rounded to the nearest tenth (fractional values of 0.05 should be rounded up).
(e) The use of quarterly averages to compute the annual average will not be necessary for monitoring or modeling data which results in a complete record, i.e., 365 days per year.
(f) The expected annual mean is estimated as the average of three or more annual means. This multi-year estimate, expressed in μg/m3, shall be rounded to the nearest integer for comparison with the annual standard (fractional values of 0.5 should be rounded up).
Example 1
Using Equation 1, the quarterly means are calculated for each calendar quarter. If the quarterly means are 52.4, 75.3, 82.1, and 63.2 μg/m3, then the annual mean is:
= (1/4)x(52.4+75.3+82.1+63.2) = 68.25 or 68.3.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.2.12272024 § 3 2. Adjustments for Non-scheduled Sampling Days
(a) An adjustment in the calculation of the annual mean is needed if sampling is performed on days in addition to the days specified by the systematic sampling schedule.
The quarterly averages would be calculated by using the following equation:
Equation 3
(b) If one sample value is recorded in each stratum, Equation 3 reduces to a simple arithmetic average of the observed values as described by Equation 1.
Example 2
(c) During one calendar quarter, 9 observations were recorded. These samples were distributed among 7 sampling strata, with 3 observations in one stratum. The concentrations of the 3 observations in the single stratum were 202, 242, and 180 μg/m3. The remaining 6 observed concentrations were 55, 68, 73, 92, 120, and 155 μg/m3. Applying the weighting factors specified in Equation 3, the quarterly mean is:
q = (1/7)x[(1/3)x(202+242+180)+155+68+73+92+120+155] = 110.1
(d) Note that these values are rounded to the nearest 1 μg/m3 for the calculation of means.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Chapter 3 General Emission Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.3.12272024 § 1 Introduction to General Emission Standards
(a) This Chapter establishes limits on the quantity, rate, or concentration of emissions of air pollutants, including any requirements which limit the level of opacity, prescribe equipment, set fuel specifications, or prescribe operation or maintenance procedures. These general emission standards may be superseded by specific emission standards required in other chapters of the Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations (WAQSR). Section 9 incorporates by reference all Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), including their Appendices, cited in this Chapter and all American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards cited in this chapter.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.3.12272024 § 2 Emission Standards for Particulate Matter
(a) Visible emissions of any contaminant discharged into the atmosphere from any single new source of emission whatsoever as determined by a qualified observer shall be limited to 20 percent opacity;
Provided, that:
(i) An owner or operator of an affected facility of the type described in Chapter 3, Section 2(h)(i) that has a heat input of not less than 2500 x 106 Btu per hour, may request the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division Administrator (Administrator) to determine opacity of emissions from such affected facility during initial performance tests required by Chapter 3, Section 2(i) or during other performance tests thereafter.
(ii) Upon receipt from such owner or operator of the written report of the results of the performance tests required by WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2(i) or later performance tests, the Administrator will make a finding concerning compliance with opacity and other applicable standards. If the Administrator finds that the affected facility is in compliance with all applicable standards for which performance tests are conducted but fails to meet an applicable opacity standard, he shall notify the owner or operator and advise him that he may petition the Administrator within ten days of receipt of notification to make appropriate adjustment to the opacity standard for such affected facility.
(iii) The Administrator will grant a petition upon a satisfactory demonstration by the owner or operator that the affected facility and associated air pollution control equipment was operated and maintained in a manner to minimize the opacity of emissions during the performance tests; that the performance tests were performed under the conditions prescribed by the Administrator; and that the affected facility and associated air pollution control equipment were incapable of being adjusted or operated to meet the applicable opacity standard at or near the facility's designed capacity.
(iv) The Administrator will establish an opacity standard for such affected facility meeting the above requirements at a level at which the source will be able, as indicated by the performance and opacity tests, to meet the opacity standard at all times during which the source is meeting the mass or concentration emission standard and during which the facility and air pollution equipment is being operated properly and maintained to minimize the opacity of emissions and mass emission rate.
(b) Visible emissions of any contaminant discharged into the atmosphere from any single existing source of emission whatsoever as determined by a qualified observer shall be limited to 40 percent opacity. This limitation shall not apply to existing incinerators or wood waste burners.
(c) The emissions of visible air pollutants from gasoline engines shall be eliminated except for periods not exceeding five consecutive seconds.
(d) The emissions of visible air pollutants from stationary or portable diesel engines as determined by a qualified observer shall be limited to 30 percent opacity below 7500 feet elevation except for periods not exceeding ten consecutive seconds.
(e) Unless restricted by more stringent emission limits established elsewhere in the WAQSR or permit conditions, any single source may discharge for a period or periods aggregating not more than 6 minutes in any hour contaminants;
(i) Having an equivalent opacity of not more than 40 percent as determined by a qualified observer.
(f) Fugitive Dust. Sources operating within the State of Wyoming are required to control fugitive dust emissions. The following control measures or any equivalent method approved by the Administrator shall be considered appropriate for minimizing fugitive dust:
(i) Construction/Demolition Activities.
(A) Any person engaged in clearing or leveling of land, earthmoving, excavation, or movement of trucks or construction equipment over access haul roads or cleared land shall take steps to minimize fugitive dust from those activities. Such control measures may include frequent watering and/or chemical stabilization.
(B) Any person engaged in demolition activities including razing of homes, buildings, or other structures; or removing paving material from roads and/or parking areas shall take steps to minimize fugitive dust from such activities. Such control measures may include frequent watering and/or chemical stabilization.
(C) Any person who is engaged in construction or demolition activities which tracks earth or other materials onto paved streets shall promptly remove such material by water or other means.
(D) Any person engaged in sandblasting or similar operations shall take steps to minimize fugitive dust from such activities. Such control measures may include the installation and use of hoods, fans and fabric filters to enclose and vent the handling of dusty materials.
(ii) Handling and Transporting of Materials.
(A) Any person owning, operating or maintaining a new or existing material storage, handling and/or hauling operation shall minimize fugitive dust from such an operation. Control measures may include the application of asphalt, oil, water or suitable chemicals on unpaved roads, material stockpiles and other surfaces which can give rise to airborne dusts. Control measures for material handling may also include installation and use of hoods, fans and fabric filters to enclose and vent dusty materials.
(B) When transporting materials likely to give rise to airborne dust, open bodied trucks shall be covered when in motion.
(iii) Agricultural Practices.
(A) Any person engaged in agricultural practices, such as tilling of land and application of fertilizers shall operate in a manner to minimize fugitive dust emissions.
(g) The emission of particulate matter from any new source shall be limited as indicated in Table I. The emission of particulate matter from any existing source shall be limited as indicated in Table II.
(i) Process weight per hour means the total weight of all materials introduced into any specific process that may cause any emissions of particulate matter, including solid fuels, but excluding liquids or gases and used solely as fuels, and excluding air introduced for purposes of combustion, and excluding the weight of any water, water vapor or steam that may be introduced as part of the total materials. However, water contained as part of the normal input to a beet pulp dryer process shall be included as part of the process weight per hour. The process weight rate per hour referred to in this section shall be based upon the maximum design production rate of the equipment unless otherwise restricted by enforceable limits on potential to emit.
(ii) For a cyclical or batch operation, the process weight per hour is derived by dividing the total process weight by the number of hours in one complete operation from the beginning of any given process to the completion thereof, excluding any time during which the equipment is idle.
(iii) For a continuous operation, the process weight per hour is derived by dividing the process weight for a typical period of time.
(iv) Emission tests related to this regulation shall be measured in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3, Section 2(h)(iv).
TABLE I
PROCESS
WEIGHT
RATE
(lbs/hr)
EMISSION
RATE
(lbs/hr)
50
0.36
100
0.55
500
1.53
1,000
2.25
5,000
6.34
10,000
9.73
20,000
14.99
60,000
29.60
80,000
31.19
120,000
33.28
160,000
34.85
200,000
36.11
400,000
40.35
1,000,000
46.72
Interpolation of the data in Table I for the process weight rates up to 60,000 lbs/hr shall be accomplished by the use of the equation:
E = 3.59 P0.62 P ≤ 30 tons/hr
and interpolation and extrapolation of the data for process weight rates in excess of 60,000 lbs/hr shall be accomplished by use of the equation:
E = 17.31 P0.16 P > 30 tons/hr
Where: E = Emissions in pounds per hour.
P = Process weight rate in tons per hour.
TABLE II
PROCESS WEIGHT
RATE
RATE OF
EMISSION
PROCESS WEIGHT
RATE
RATE OF
EMISSION
lb/hr
tons/hr
lb/hr
lb/hr
tons/hr
lb/hr
100
0.05
0.551
16,000
8
16.5
200
0.10
0.877
18,000
9
17.9
400
0.20
1.40
20,000
10
19.2
600
0.30
1.83
30,000
15
25.2
800
0.40
2.22
40,000
20
30.5
1,000
0.50
2.58
50,000
25
35.4
1,500
0.75
3.38
60,000
30
40.0
2,000
1.00
4.10
70,000
35
41.3
2,500
1.25
4.76
80,000
40
42.5
3,000
1.50
5.38
90,000
45
43.6
3,500
1.75
5.96
100,000
50
44.6
4,000
2.00
6.52
120,000
60
46.3
5,000
2.50
7.58
140,000
70
47.8
6,000
3.00
8.56
160,000
80
49.0
7,000
3.50
9.49
200,000
100
51.2
8,000
4.00
10.4
1,000,000
500
69.0
9,000
4.50
11.2
2,000,000
1,000
77.6
10,000
5.00
12.0
6,000,000
3,000
92.7
12,000
6.00
13.6
Interpolation of the data in Table II for process weight rates up to 60,000 lb/hr shall be accomplished by use of the equation E = 4.10 P0.67, and interpolation and extrapolation of the data for process weight rates in excess of 60,000 lb/hr shall be accomplished by use of the equation:
E = 55.0 P0.11- 40, where E = rate of emission in lb/hr
and P = process weight rate in tons/hr
Notwithstanding any other provision of Table II, any existing air contaminant source utilizing an air pollution control device having a collection efficiency of 99.5 percent or better, shall be deemed to be in compliance with all provisions of this regulation. Such efficiency shall be determined by a professional engineer licensed to practice in Wyoming and all expenses incurred in such determination shall be defrayed by the person responsible for the emission.
(h) The emissions of particulate matter from existing sources where fuel burning equipment is used for indirect heating shall be limited as shown in Figure 1 and shall be applicable to equipment burning solid fuel.
The emissions of particulate matter from new sources where fuel burning equipment is used for indirect heating shall be limited to 0.10 pound per million Btu input (0.18 grams per million calories) maximum 2-hour average. Except to the extent that an opacity standard has been established for an affected facility pursuant to Chapter 3, Section 2(a)(i) through (iv) hereof, the visible emissions of particulate matter from new sources where fuel burning equipment is used for indirect heating shall be no greater than 20 percent opacity, except that 40 percent opacity shall be permitted for not more than 2 minutes in any hour. This regulation is not applicable to residential or commercial fuel burning equipment with a heat input of less than 10 x 106 Btu/hr and used exclusively to produce building heat.
(i) This regulation applies to installations in which fuel is burned for the primary purpose of producing steam, hot water, or hot air or other indirect heating of liquids, gases, or solids, and, in the course of doing so, the products of combustion do not come into direct contact with process materials. Fuels include those such as coal, coke, lignite, fuel oil, and wood, but do not include refuse. When any products or byproducts of a manufacturing process are burned for the same purpose or in conjunction with any fuel, the same maximum emission limitations shall apply.
(ii) For purposes of this regulation, the heat input shall be the aggregate heat content of all fuels whose products of combustion pass through a stack or stacks, or the heat input value used shall be the equipment manufacturer or designer's guaranteed maximum input, whichever is greater. The total heat input of all fuel burning units at a plant or on a premise shall be used for determining the maximum allowable amount of particulate matter which may be emitted.
(iii) The amount of particulate matter emitted shall be measured by test Methods 1 through 5, Appendix A, 40 CFR part 60. The Administrator may require that variations to said methods be included or that entirely different methods be utilized if he determines that such variations or different methods are necessary in order for the test data to reflect the actual emission rate of particulate matter.
(i) The emission of particulate matter from any incinerator shall be limited to:
(i) 0.20 pound per 100 pounds (2 grams per kilogram) of refuse charged as determined by a source test method approved by the Administrator for stationary sources as described in Section 2(h)(ii) of this chapter; and
(ii) A shade or density equal to but not greater than 20 percent opacity as determined by a qualified observer.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.3.12272024 § 3 Emission Standards for Nitrogen Oxides
(a) The emission standards for nitrogen oxides, measured in accordance with Method 7 of 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A-4, or by an equivalent method are:
(i) The emission of nitrogen oxides from new gas fired fuel burning equipment calculated as nitrogen dioxide shall be limited to 0.20 pound per million Btu (0.36 grams per million gram calories) of heat input.
(ii) The emission of nitrogen oxides from existing gas fired fuel burning equipment calculated as nitrogen dioxide shall be limited to 0.23 pound per million Btu (0.41 grams per million gram calories) of heat input.
(iii) The emission of nitrogen oxides from new oil fired fuel burning equipment calculated as nitrogen dioxide shall be limited to 0.30 pounds per million Btu (0.54 grams per million gram calories) of heat input for units having a heat input of 1.0 million Btu per hour (250 million gram calories/hour) or greater and 0.60 pounds per million Btu (1.08 grams per million gram calories) of heat input for units having a heat input less than 1.0 million Btu per hour (250 million gram calories/hour).
(iv) The emission of nitrogen oxides from existing oil fired fuel burning equipment calculated as nitrogen dioxide shall be limited to 0.46 pound per million Btu (0.83 grams per million gram calories) of heat input for units having a heat input of 250 million Btu per hour (62.5 billion gram calories/hour) or greater and 0.60 pound per million Btu (1.08 grams per million gram calories) of heat input for units having a heat input less than 250 million Btu per hour (62.5 billion gram calories/hour).
(v) The emission of nitrogen oxides from new nitric acid manufacturing plants, calculated as nitrogen dioxide shall be limited to 3 pounds per ton (1.5 kilograms per metric ton) of acid produced, maximum 2-hour average.
(vi) The emission of nitrogen oxides from new solid fossil fuel (except lignite) fired fuel burning equipment calculated as nitrogen dioxide shall be limited to 0.70 pounds per million Btu (1.26 grams per million gram calories) heat input.
(vii) The emission of nitrogen oxides from existing solid fossil fuel (except lignite) fired fuel burning equipment calculated as nitrogen dioxide shall be limited to 0.75 pounds per million Btu (1.35 grams per million gram calories) heat input.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.3.12272024 § 4 [Reserved]
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.3.12272024 § 5 Emission Standards for Carbon Monoxide
(a) The emission of carbon monoxide in stack gases from any stationary source shall be limited as may be necessary to prevent ambient standards described in WAQSR Chapter 2, Section 5 from being exceeded. Measures considered appropriate for such control are:
(i) Treatment of the waste gas stream by installation and use of a direct flame afterburner or other means which will achieve the required reduction as approved by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.3.12272024 § 6 Emission Standards for Volatile Organic Compounds
(a) The term "volatile organic compounds" (VOCs) is defined in 40 CFR Part 51.100(s), 51.100(s)(1), and 51.100(s)(5), incorporated by reference under Section 9(a) of this chapter.
(b) VOC emissions shall be limited through the application of Best Available Control Technology (BACT) in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 2 of these regulations. Notwithstanding the above, whenever acceptable control of VOC emissions from vapor blowdown, emergency relief systems, or VOC emissions generated from oil and gas production, storage, exploration, development, or processing operations is specified pursuant to these regulations as a flare, the flare shall not exceed a 20 percent opacity emission standard. If acceptable control of VOC emissions is specified as a smokeless flare, the definition given in subsection (i) of this section applies.
(i) For the purposes of this section, "smokeless flare" means a flare designed for and operated with no visible emissions except for periods not to exceed a total of 5 minutes during any 2 consecutive hours.
(ii) Each flare subject to Chapter 3, Section 6(b) must be equipped and operated with an automatic igniter or a continuous burning pilot which must be maintained in good working order.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.3.12272024 § 7 Emission Standards for Hydrogen Sulfide
(a) Any exit process gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide which is discharged to the atmosphere from any source shall be vented, incinerated, flared or otherwise disposed of in such a manner that ambient sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide standards described in Chapter 2, Sections 4 and 7 are not exceeded.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.3.12272024 § 8 Emission Standards of Asbestos for Demolition, Renovation, Manufacturing, Spraying and Fabricating
(a) Applicability. The provisions of this section are applicable to those sources specified in paragraphs (g) through (n), (q), and (r).
(b) Definitions. All terms that are used in this section and are not defined below are given the same meaning as in Chapter 1, Section 3 of these regulations.
"Active waste disposal site" means any disposal site other than an inactive site.
"Adequately wet" means sufficiently mix or penetrate with liquid to prevent the release of particulates. If visible emissions are observed coming from asbestos-containing material, then that material has not been adequately wetted. However, the absence of visible emissions is not sufficient evidence of being adequately wet.
"Asbestos" means the asbestiform varieties of serpentinite (chrysotile), riebeckite (crocidolite), cummingtonite-grunerite, anthophyllite, and actinolite-tremolite.
"Asbestos-containing waste materials" means mill tailings or any waste that contains commercial asbestos and is generated by a source subject to the provisions of this section. This term includes filters from control devices, friable asbestos waste material, and bags or other similar packaging contaminated with commercial asbestos. As applied to demolition and renovation operations, this term also includes regulated asbestos-containing material waste and materials contaminated with asbestos including disposable equipment and clothing.
"Asbestos tailings" means any solid waste that contains asbestos and is a product of asbestos mining or milling operations.
"Asbestos waste from control devices" means any waste material that contains asbestos and is collected by a pollution control device.
"Category I nonfriable asbestos-containing material (ACM)" means asbestos-containing packings, gaskets, resilient floor covering, and asphalt roofing products containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method specified in 40 CFR Part 763 Appendix E, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy.
"Category II nonfriable ACM" means any material, excluding Category I nonfriable ACM, containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the methods specified in 40 CFR Part 763 Appendix E, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy, that, when dry, cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
"Commercial asbestos" means any material containing asbestos that is extracted from ore and has value because of its asbestos content.
"Cutting" means to penetrate with a sharp-edged instrument and includes sawing, but does not include shearing, slicing, or punching.
"Demolition" means the wrecking or taking out of any load-supporting structural member of a facility together with any related handling operations or the intentional burning of any facility.
"Emergency renovation operation" means a renovation operation that was not planned but results from a sudden, unexpected event that, if not immediately attended to, presents a safety or public health hazard, is necessary to protect equipment from damage, or is necessary to avoid imposing an unreasonable financial burden. This term includes operations necessitated by nonroutine failures of equipment.
"Fabricating" means any processing (e.g., cutting, sawing, drilling) of a manufactured product that contains commercial asbestos, with the exception of processing at temporary sites (field fabricating) for the construction or restoration of facilities. In the case of friction products, fabricating includes bonding, debonding, grinding, sawing, drilling, or other similar operations performed as part of fabricating.
"Facility" means any institutional, commercial, public, industrial, or residential structure, installation, or building (including any structure, installation, or building containing condominiums or individual dwelling units operated as a residential cooperative, but excluding residential buildings having four or fewer dwelling units); any ship; and any active or inactive waste disposal site. For the purposes of this definition, any building, structure, or installation that contains a loft used as a dwelling is not considered a residential structure, installation, or building. Any structure, installation or building that was previously subject to this section is not excluded, regardless of its current use or function.
"Facility component" means any part of a facility including equipment.
"Friable asbestos material" means any material containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method specified in 40 CFR Part 763 Appendix E, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy, that, when dry, can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. If the asbestos content is less than 10 percent as determined by a method other than point counting by polarized light microscopy (PLM), verify the asbestos content by point counting using PLM.
"Fugitive source" means any source of emissions not controlled by an air pollution control device.
"Glove bag" means a sealed compartment with attached inner gloves used for the handling of asbestos-containing materials. Properly installed and used, glove bags provide a small work area enclosure typically used for small-scale asbestos stripping operations. Information on glove-bag installation, equipment and supplies, and work practices is contained in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) final rule on occupational exposure to asbestos (29 CFR § 1926.1101(g)(5)(ii)).
"Grinding" means to reduce to powder or small fragments and includes mechanical chipping or drilling.
"In poor condition" means the binding of the material is losing its integrity as indicated by peeling, cracking, or crumbling of the material.
"Inactive waste disposal site" means any disposal site or portion of it where additional asbestos-containing waste material has not been deposited within the past year.
"Installation" means any building or structure or any group of buildings or structures at a single demolition or renovation site that are under the control of the same owner or operator (or owner or operator under common control).
"Leak-tight" means that solids or liquids cannot escape or spill out. It also means dust-tight.
"Malfunction" means any sudden and unavoidable failure of air pollution control equipment or process equipment or of a process to operate in a normal or usual manner so that emissions of asbestos are increased. Failures of equipment shall not be considered malfunctions if they are caused in any way by poor maintenance, careless operation, or any other preventable upset conditions, equipment breakdown, or process failure.
"Manufacturing" means the combining of commercial asbestos--or, in the case of woven friction products, the combining of textiles containing commercial asbestos--with any other material(s), including commercial asbestos, and the processing of this combination into a product. Chlorine production is considered a part of manufacturing.
"Natural barrier" means a natural object that effectively precludes or deters access. Natural barriers include physical obstacles such as cliffs, lakes or other large bodies of water, deep and wide ravines, and mountains. Remoteness by itself is not a natural barrier.
"Nonfriable asbestos-containing material" means any material containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method specified in 40 CFR Part 763 Appendix E, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy, that, when dry, cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
"Nonscheduled renovation operation" means a renovation operation necessitated by the routine failure of equipment, which is expected to occur within a given period based on past operating experience, but for which an exact date cannot be predicted.
"Outside air" means the air outside buildings and structures, including, but not limited to, the air under a bridge or in an open air ferry dock.
"Owner or operator of a demolition or renovation activity" means any person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises the facility being demolished or renovated or any person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises the demolition or renovation operation, or both.
"Particulate asbestos material" means finely divided particles of asbestos or material containing asbestos.
"Planned renovation operations" means a renovation operation, or a number of such operations, in which some regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM) will be removed or stripped within a given period of time and that can be predicted. Individual nonscheduled operations are included if a number of such operations can be predicted to occur during a given period of time based on operating experience.
"Regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM)" means: (a) Friable asbestos material, (b) Category I nonfriable ACM that has become friable, (c) Category I nonfriable ACM that will be or has been subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting, or abrading, or (d) Category II nonfriable ACM that has a high probability of becoming or has become crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by the forces expected to act on the material in the course of demolition or renovation operations regulated by this chapter.
"Remove" means to take out RACM or facility components that contain or are covered with RACM from any facility.
"Renovation" means altering a facility or one or more facility components in any way, including the stripping or removal of RACM from a facility component. Operations in which load-supporting structural members are wrecked or taken out are demolitions.
"Resilient floor covering" means asbestos-containing floor tile, including asphalt and vinyl floor tile, and sheet vinyl floor covering containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using polarized light microscopy according to the method specified in 40 CFR Part 763 Appendix E, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy.
"Strip" means to take off RACM from any part of a facility or facility components.
"Structural member" means any load supporting member of a facility, such as beams and load supporting walls; or any nonload-supporting member, such as ceilings and nonload-supporting walls.
"Visible emissions" means any emissions, which are visually detectable without the aid of instruments, coming from RACM or asbestos-containing waste material, or from any asbestos milling, manufacturing, or fabricating operation. This does not include condensed, uncombined water vapor.
"Waste generator" means any owner or operator of a source covered by this section whose act or process produces asbestos-containing waste material.
"Waste shipment record" means the shipping document, required to be originated and signed by the waste generator, used to track and substantiate the disposal of asbestos-containing waste material.
"Working day" means Monday through Friday and includes holidays that fall on any of the days Monday through Friday.
(c) Units and Abbreviations: Used in this section are abbreviations and symbols of units of measure. These are defined as follows:
(i) System International (SI) Units of Measure:
g = gram
kg = kilogram
m = meter
m2 = square meter
m3 = cubic meter
(ii) Other Units of Measure:
C = Celsius (centigrade)
F = Fahrenheit
ft2 = square feet
ft3 = cubic feet
yd2 = square yards
min = minute
oz = ounces
(d) Address: All requests, reports, applications, submittals, and other communications to the Administrator pursuant to this section shall be submitted to the following address:
(i) Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, 200 West 17th St., Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002.
(e) [Reserved]
(f) Circumvention: No owner or operator shall build, erect, install, or use any article, machine, equipment, process, or method, the use of which conceals an emission which would otherwise constitute a violation of an applicable standard. Such concealment includes, but is not limited to, the use of gaseous dilutants to achieve compliance with a visible emissions standard, and the piecemeal carrying out of an operation to avoid coverage by a standard that applies only to operations larger than a specified size.
(g) Standard for Waste Disposal for Non-Facility Owners and Operators.
(i) All owners and operators conducting an asbestos abatement project, including an abatement project on a residential building, shall be responsible for complying with Federal requirements and State standards for packaging, transportation, and delivery to an approved waste disposal facility as provided in paragraph (m) of this section. A non-facility is any other facility not defined under the definition of "facility" including residential buildings having four or fewer dwelling units.
(h) Standard for Manufacturing.
(i) Applicability. This paragraph applies to the following manufacturing operations using commercial asbestos.
(A) The manufacture of cloth, cord, wicks, tubing, tape, twine, rope, thread, yarn, roving, lap, or other textile materials.
(B) The manufacture of cement products.
(C) The manufacture of fireproofing and insulating materials.
(D) The manufacture of friction products.
(E) The manufacture of paper, millboard, and felt.
(F) The manufacture of floor tile.
(G) The manufacture of paints, coatings, caulks, adhesives, and sealants.
(H) The manufacture of plastics and rubber materials.
(I) The manufacture of chlorine utilizing asbestos diaphragm technology.
(J) The manufacture of shotgun shell wads.
(K) The manufacture of asphalt concrete.
(ii) Standard. Each owner or operator of any of the manufacturing operations to which this paragraph applies shall either:
(A) Discharge no visible emissions to the outside air from these operations or from any building or structure in which they are conducted or from any fugitive sources; or
(B) Use the methods specified by paragraph (o) of this section to clean emissions containing asbestos material from these operations before they escape to, or are vented to, the outside air.
(C) Monitor each potential source of asbestos emissions from any part of the manufacturing facility, including air cleaning devices, process equipment, and buildings housing material processing and handling equipment, at least once each day during daylight hours for visible emissions to the outside air during periods of operation. The monitoring shall be by the visual observation of at least 15 seconds duration per source of emissions.
(D) Inspect each air cleaning device at least once each week for proper operation and for changes that signal potential for malfunctions, including, to the maximum extent possible without dismantling other than opening the device, the presence of tears, holes, and abrasions in filter bags and for dust deposits on the clean side of bags. For air cleaning devices that cannot be inspected on a weekly basis according to this paragraph, submit to the Administrator, and revise as necessary, a written maintenance plan to include, at a minimum, the following:
(I) Maintenance schedule.
(II) Recordkeeping plan.
(E) Maintain records of the results of visible emission monitoring and air cleaning device inspections using a format similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and include the following:
(I) Date and time of each inspection.
(II) Presence or absence of visible emissions.
(III) Condition of fabric filters, including presence of any tears, holes and abrasions.
Figure 1. Record of Visible Emission Monitoring
Date of
Inspection
(MM/DD/YY)
Time of
Inspection
(a.m./p.m.)
Control Device or
fugitive emission
source designation
or number
Visible Emissions
Observed (yes/no)
Corrective Action
taken
Daily
Operating
Hours
Inspector's
Initials
Figure 2. Air Pollution Control Device Inspection Checklist
-
Control Device Designation or Number:____________________________________________
-
Date of Inspection: __________ __________ __________ __________
-
Time of Inspection: __________ __________ __________ __________
-
Is Control Device
Operating Properly
(yes or no) __________ __________ __________ __________
- Abrasions in bags
(yes or no) __________ __________ __________ __________
- Dust on Clean Side
of bags (yes or no) __________ __________ __________ __________
- Other Signs of
Malfunctions or
Potential Mal-
functions (yes or no) __________ __________ __________ __________
- Describe Other Malfunctions or Signs of Potential Malfunctions:
- Describe Corrective Action(s) Taken:
- Date and Time
Corrective
Action Taken: __________ __________ __________ __________
- Inspected By:
(Print/Type Name) (Title) (Signature) (Date)
(Print/Type Name) (Title) (Signature) (Date)
(IV) Presence of dust deposits on clean side of fabric filters.
(V) Brief description of corrective actions taken, including date and time.
(VI) Daily hours of operation for each air cleaning device.
(F) Furnish upon request, and make available at the affected facility during normal business hours for inspection by the Administrator, all records required under this paragraph.
(G) Retain a copy of all monitoring and inspection records for at least 2 years.
(H) Submit quarterly a copy of the visible emission monitoring records to the Administrator if visible emissions occurred during the report period. Quarterly reports shall be postmarked by the 30th day following the end of the calendar quarter.
(i) Standard for Demolition and Renovation.
(i) Applicability. To determine which requirements of paragraphs (i)(i), (i)(ii), and (i)(iii) apply to the owner or operator of a demolition or renovation activity and prior to the commencement of the demolition or renovation, thoroughly inspect the affected facility or part of the facility where the demolition or renovation operation will occur for the presence of asbestos, including Category I and Category II nonfriable ACM. The requirements of paragraphs (i)(ii) and (i)(iii) apply to each owner or operator of a demolition or renovation activity, including the removal of RACM as follows:
(A) In a facility being demolished, all the requirements of paragraphs (i)(ii) and (i)(iii) apply, except as provided in paragraph (i)(i)(C), if the combined amount of RACM is:
(I) At least 80 linear meters (260 linear feet) on pipes or at least 15 square meters (160 square feet) on other facility components, or
(II) At least 1 cubic meter (35 cubic feet) off facility components where the length or area could not be measured previously.
(B) In a facility being demolished, only the notification requirements of paragraphs (i)(ii)(A), (B), (C)(I) and (IV), and (D)(I) through (D)(IX) and (XVI) apply, if the combined amount of RACM is:
(I) Less than 80 linear meters (260 linear feet) on pipes and less than 15 square meters (160 square feet) on other facility components, and
(II) Less than one cubic meter (35 cubic feet) off facility components where the length or area could not be measured previously or there is no asbestos.
(C) If the facility is being demolished under an order of a State or local government agency, issued because the facility is structurally unsound and in danger of imminent collapse, only the requirements of paragraphs (i)(ii)(A), (i)(ii)(B), (i)(ii)(C)(III), (i)(ii)(D) (except (i)(ii)(D)(VIII)), (i)(ii)(E), and (i)(iii)(D) through (i)(iii)(I) apply.
(D) In a facility being renovated, including any individual nonscheduled renovation operation, all the requirements of paragraphs (i)(ii) and (i)(iii) apply if the combined amount of RACM to be stripped, removed, dislodged, cut, drilled, or similarly disturbed is:
(I) At least 80 linear meters (260 linear feet) on pipe or at least 15 square meters (160 square feet) on other facility components, or
(II) At least 1 cubic meter (35 cubic feet) off facility components where the length or area could not be measured previously.
(III) To determine whether paragraph (i)(i)(D) applies to planned renovation operations involving individual nonscheduled operations, predict the combined additive amount of RACM to be removed or stripped during a calendar year or January 1 through December 31.
(IV) To determine whether paragraph (i)(i)(D) applies to emergency renovation operations, estimate the combined amount of RACM to be removed or stripped as a result of the sudden, unexpected event that necessitated the renovation.
(E) In a facility being renovated, only the notification requirements of paragraphs (i)(ii)(A), (B), (C)(I) and (IV), and (D)(I) through (IX) and (XVI) apply, if the combined amount of RACM is:
(I) Less than 80 linear meters (260 linear feet) on pipes or less than 15 square meters (160 square feet) on other facility components, and
(II) Less than 1 cubic meter (35 cubic feet) off facility components where the length or area could not be measured previously or there is no asbestos.
(ii) Notification Requirements. Each owner or operator of a demolition or renovation activity to which this section applies shall:
(A) Provide the Administrator with written notice of intention to demolish or renovate. Delivery of the notice by U.S. Postal Service, commercial delivery service, or hand delivery is acceptable.
(B) Update notice, as necessary, including when the amount of asbestos affected changes by at least 20 percent.
(C) Postmark or deliver the notice as follows:
(I) At least 10 working days before asbestos stripping or removal work or any other activity begins (such as site preparation that would break up, dislodge or similarly disturb asbestos material), if the operation is described in paragraphs (i)(i)(A) and (D) (except (i)(i)(D)(III) and (i)(i)(D)(IV)). If the operation is as described in paragraph (i)(i)(B), notification is required 10 working days before demolition begins.
(II) At least 10 working days before the end of the calendar year preceding the year for which notice is being given for renovations described in paragraph (i)(i)(D)(III).
(III) As early as possible before, but not later than, the following working day if the operation is a demolition ordered according to paragraph (i)(i)(C) or, if the operation is a renovation described in paragraph (i)(i)(D)(IV).
(IV) For asbestos stripping or removal work in a demolition or renovation operation, described in paragraphs (i)(i)(A) and (D) (except (i)(i)(D)(III) and (i)(i)(D)(IV)), and for a demolition described in paragraph (i)(i)(B), that will begin on a date other than the one contained in the original notice, notice of the new start date must be provided to the Administrator as follows:
(1.) When the asbestos stripping or removal operation or demolition operation covered by this paragraph will begin after the date contained in the notice,
a. Notify the Administrator of the new start date by telephone as soon as possible before the original start date, and
b. Provide the Administrator with a written notice of the new start date as soon as possible before, and no later than, the original start date. Delivery of the updated notice by the U.S. Postal Service, commercial delivery service, or hand delivery is acceptable.
(2.) When the asbestos stripping or removal operation or demolition operation covered by this paragraph will begin on a date earlier than the original start date,
a. Provide the Administrator with a written notice of the new start date at least 10 working days before asbestos stripping or removal work begins.
b. For demolitions covered by paragraph (i)(i)(B), provide the Administrator written notice of a new start date at least 10 working days before commencement of demolition. Delivery of updated notice by U.S. Postal Service, commercial delivery service, or hand delivery is acceptable.
(3.) In no event shall an operation covered by this paragraph begin on a date other than the date contained in the written notice of the new start date.
(D) Include the following in the notice:
(I) An indication of whether the notice is the original or a revised notification.
(II) Name, address, and telephone number of both the facility owner and operator and the asbestos removal contractor owner or operator.
(III) Type of operation: demolition or renovation.
(IV) Description of the facility or affected part of the facility including the size (square meters [square feet] and number of floors), age, and present and prior use of the facility.
(V) Procedure, including analytical methods, employed to detect the presence of RACM and Category I and Category II nonfriable ACM.
(VI) Estimate of the approximate amount of RACM to be removed from the facility in terms of length of pipe in linear meters (linear feet), surface area in square meters (square feet) on other facility components, or volume in cubic meters (cubic feet) if off the facility components. Also estimate the approximate amount of Category I and Category II nonfriable ACM in the affected part of the facility that will not be removed before demolition.
(VII) Location and street address (including building number or name and floor or room number, if appropriate), city, county, and state, or the facility being demolished or renovated.
(VIII) Scheduled starting and completion dates of asbestos removal work (or any other activity, such as site preparation that would break up, dislodge, or similarly disturb asbestos material) in a demolition or renovation; planned renovation operations involving individual nonscheduled operations shall only include the beginning and ending dates of the report period as described in paragraph (i)(i)(D)(III).
(IX) Scheduled starting and completion dates of demolition or renovation.
(X) Description of planned demolition or renovation work to be performed and method(s) to be employed, including demolition or renovation techniques to be used and description of affected facility components.
(XI) Description of work practices and engineering controls to be used to comply with the requirements of this section, including asbestos removal and waste-handling emission control procedures.
(XII) Name and location of the waste disposal site where the asbestos-containing waste material will be deposited.
(XIII) A certification that the individuals supervising and performing the stripping and removal described by this notification have received the training required by paragraph (i)(iii)(H).
(XIV) For facilities described in paragraph (i)(i)(C), the name, title, and authority of the State or local government representative who has ordered the demolition, the date that the order was issued, and the date on which the demolition was ordered to begin. A copy of the order shall be attached to the notification.
(XV) For emergency renovations described in paragraph (b)(xii) of this section, the date and hour that the emergency occurred, a description of the sudden, unexpected event, and an explanation of how the event caused an unsafe condition, or would cause equipment damage or an unreasonable financial burden.
(XVI) Description of procedures to be followed in the event that unexpected RACM is found or Category II nonfriable ACM becomes crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder.
(XVII) Name, address, and telephone number of the waste transporter.
(E) The information required in paragraph (i)(ii)(D) must be reported using a form similar to that shown in Figure 3.
(iii) Procedures for Asbestos Emission Control. Each owner or operator of a demolition or renovation activity to whom this paragraph applies, according to paragraph (i)(i), shall comply with the following procedures:
(A) Remove all RACM from a facility being demolished or renovated before any activity begins that would break up, dislodge, or similarly disturb the material or preclude access to the material for subsequent removal. RACM need not be removed before demolition if:
(I) It is Category I nonfriable ACM that is not in poor condition and is not friable.
(II) It is on a facility component that is encased in concrete or other similarly hard material and is adequately wet whenever exposed during demolition; or
(III) It was not accessible for testing and was, therefore, not discovered until after demolition began and, as a result of the demolition, the material cannot be safely removed. If not removed for safety reasons, the exposed RACM and any asbestos-contaminated debris must be treated as asbestos-containing waste material and adequately wet at all times until disposed of.
(IV) They are Category II nonfriable ACM and the probability is low that the materials will become crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder during demolition.
(B) When a facility component that contains, is covered with, or is coated with RACM is being taken out of the facility as a unit or in sections:
(I) Adequately wet all RACM exposed during cutting or disjointing operations; and
(II) Carefully lower each unit or section to the floor and to ground level, not dropping, throwing, sliding, or otherwise damaging or disturbing the RACM.
(C) When RACM is stripped from a facility component while it remains in place in the facility, adequately wet the RACM during the stripping operation.
(I) In renovation operations, wetting is not required if:
(1.) The owner or operator has obtained prior written approval from the Administrator based on a written application that wetting to comply with this paragraph would unavoidably damage equipment or present a safety hazard; and
Figure 3
STATE OF WYOMING
NOTIFICATION OF DEMOLITION AND RENOVATION
I. FACILITY DESCRIPTION (INCLUDE BUILDING NAME, NUMBER, AND FLOOR OR ROOM NUMBER)
BLDG NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE"
CONTACT:
SITE DESCRIPTION (type of material being removed)
II. FACILITY INFORMATION (IDENTIFY OWNER, REMOVAL CONTRACTOR, AND OTHER OPERATOR)
OWNER NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:
CONTACT:
TEL:
REMOVAL CONTRACTOR:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:
CONTACT:
TEL:
OTHER OPERATOR:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:
CONTACT:
TEL:
BUILDING SIZE:
NUM OF FLOORS:
AGE IN YEARS:
PRESENT USE:
PRIOR USE:
III. TYPE OF OPERATION (D=DEMO O=ORDERED DEMO R=RENOVATION E=EMER. RENOVATION):
IV. IS ASBESTOS PRESENT? (YES/NO)
V. PROCEDURE, INCLUDING ANALYTICAL METHOD, IF APPROPRIATE, USED TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS MATERIAL:
VI. SCHEDULED DATES ASBESTOS REMOVAL (MM/DD/YY) START: COMPLETE:
VII. SCHEDULED DATES DEMO/RENOVATION (MM/DD/YY) START: COMPLETE:
VIII. SCHEDULED WORK HOURS: START: COMPLETE:
IX. APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF ASBESTOS, INCLUDING:
-
REGULATED ACM TO BE REMOVED
-
CATEGORY I ACM NOT REMOVED
-
CATEGORY II ACM NOT REMOVED
RACM
TO BE
REMOVED
NONFRIABLE ASBESTOS
MATERIAL TO BE REMOVED
NONFRIABLE ASBESTOS
MATERIAL NOT TO BE REMOVED
CAT I
CAT II
CAT I
CAT II
PIPES
SURFACE AREA
VOL. RACM OFF FACILITY COMPONENT
X. DESCRIPTION OF PLANNED DEMOLITION OR RENOVATION WORK, AND METHOD(S) TO BE USED:
XI. DESCRIPTION OF WORK PRACTICES AND ENGINEERING CONTROLS TO BE USED TO PREVENT EMISSIONS OF ASBESTOS AT THE DEMOLITION
AND RENOVATION SITE:
Figure 3. NOTIFICATION OF DEMOLITION AND RENOVATION (continued)
XII. TYPE OF NOTIFICATION (O=ORIGINAL R=REVISED C=CANCELED):
WPR Notice?
XIII. WASTE TRANSPORTER #1
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:
CONTACT PERSON:
TELEPHONE:
WASTE TRANSPORTER #2
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:
CONTACT PERSON:
TELEPHONE:
XIV. WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
NAME:
LOCATION:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:
TELEPHONE:
CONTACT PERSON:
XV. IF DEMOLITION ORDERED BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY, PLEASE IDENTIFY THE AGENCY BELOW:
NAME:
TITLE:
AUTHORITY:
DATE OF ORDER (MM/DD/YY):
DATE ORDERED TO BEGIN (MM/DD/YY):
XVI. FOR EMERGENCY RENOVATIONS
DATE AND HOUR OF EMERGENCY (MM/DD/YY):
DESCRIPTION OF THE SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED EVENT:
EXPLANATION OF HOW THE EVENT CAUSED UNSAFE CONDITIONS OR WOULD CAUSE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE OR AN UNREASONABLE FINANCIAL
BURDEN:
XVII. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE EVENT THAT UNEXPECTED ASBESTOS IS FOUND OR PREVIOUSLY NONFRIABLE
ASBESTOS MATERIAL BECOMES CRUMBLED, PULVERIZED, OR REDUCED TO POWDER.
XVIII. I CERTIFY THAT AN INDIVIDUAL TRAINED IN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS REGULATION (40 CFR PART 61, SUBPART M) WILL BE ON-SITE DURING THE DEMOLITION OR RENOVATION AND EVIDENCE THAT THE REQUIRED TRAINING HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THIS PERSON WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS (REQUIRED 1 YEAR AFTER PROMULGATION).
__________________________________________________ ____________________ (SIGNATURE OF OWNER/OPERATOR) (DATE)
XIX. I CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS CORRECT.
__________________________________________________ ____________________ (SIGNATURE OF OWNER/OPERATOR) (DATE)
(2.) The owner or operator uses one of the following emission control methods:
a. A local exhaust ventilation and collection system designed and operated to capture the particulate asbestos material produced by the stripping and removal of the asbestos materials. The system must exhibit no visible emissions to the outside air or be designed and operated in accordance with the requirements in paragraph (o).
b. A glove-bag system designed and operated to contain the particulate asbestos material produced by the stripping of the asbestos materials.
c. Leak-tight wrapping to contain all RACM prior to dismantlement.
(II) In renovation operations where wetting would result in equipment damage or a safety hazard, and the methods allowed in paragraph (i)(iii)(C)(I) cannot be used, another method may be used after obtaining written approval from the Administrator based upon a determination that it is equivalent to wetting in controlling emissions or to the methods allowed in paragraph (i)(iii)(C)(I).
(III) A copy of the Administrator's written approval shall be kept at the worksite and made available for inspection.
(D) After a facility component covered with, coated with, or containing RACM has been taken out of the facility as a unit or in sections pursuant to paragraph (i)(iii)(B), it shall be stripped or contained in leak-tight wrapping, except as described in paragraph (i)(iii)(E). If stripped, either:
(I) Adequately wet the RACM during stripping; or
(II) Use a local exhaust ventilation and collection system designed and operated to capture the particulate asbestos material produced by the stripping. The system must exhibit no visible emissions to the outside air or be designed and operated in accordance with the requirements in paragraph (o).
(E) For large facility components such as reactor vessels, large tanks, and steam generators, but not beams (which must be handled in accordance with paragraphs (i)(iii)(B), (C), and (D)), the RACM is not required to be stripped if the following requirements are met:
(I) The component is removed, transported, stored, disposed of, or reused without disturbing or damaging the RACM.
(II) The component is encased in a leak-tight wrapping.
(III) The leak-tight wrapping is labeled according to paragraphs (m)(iv) during all loading and unloading operations and during storage.
(F) For all RACM, including material that has been removed or stripped:
(I) Adequately wet the material and ensure that it remains wet until collected and contained or treated in preparation for disposal in accordance with paragraph (m).
(II) Carefully lower the material to the ground and floor, not dropping, throwing, sliding, or otherwise damaging or disturbing the material.
(III) Transport the material to the ground via leak-tight chutes or containers if it has been removed or stripped more than 50 feet above ground level and was not removed as units or in sections.
(IV) RACM contained in leak-tight wrapping that has been removed in accordance with paragraphs (i)(iii)(D) and (i)(iii)(C)(I)(2.)c. need not be wetted.
(G) When the temperature at the point of wetting is below 0°C (32°F):
(I) The owner or operator need not comply with paragraph (i)(iii)(B)(I) and the wetting provisions of paragraph (i)(iii)(C).
(II) The owner or operator shall remove facility components containing, coated with, or covered with RACM as units or in sections to the maximum extent possible.
(III) During periods when wetting operations are suspended due to freezing temperatures, the owner or operator must record the temperature in the area containing the facility components at the beginning, middle, and end of each workday and keep daily temperature records available for inspection by the Administrator during normal business hours at the demolition or renovation site. The owner or operator shall retain the temperature records for at least 2 years.
(H) No RACM shall be stripped, removed, or otherwise handled or disturbed at a facility regulated by this section unless the individuals supervising and performing the operation have been trained in the provisions of this regulation and the means of complying with them. Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA) training will be acceptable to meet this requirement. Every year, the individuals supervising and performing asbestos operations shall receive refresher training in the provisions of this regulation. The required training shall include as a minimum: applicability; notifications; material identification; control procedures for removals including, at least, wetting, local exhaust ventilation, negative pressure enclosures, glove-bag procedures, and High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters; waste disposal work practices; reporting and recordkeeping; and asbestos hazards and worker protection. Evidence that the required training has been completed shall be posted and made available for inspection by the Administrator at the demolition or renovation site.
(I) For facilities described in paragraph (i)(i)(C), adequately wet the portion of the facility that contains RACM during the wrecking operation.
(J) If a facility is demolished by intentional burning, all RACM including Category I and Category II nonfriable ACM must be removed in accordance with the NESHAP before burning.
(j) Standard for Spraying.
The owner or operator of an operation in which asbestos-containing materials are spray applied shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) For spray-on application on buildings, structures, pipes, and conduits do not use material containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method specified in 40 CFR Part 763 Appendix E, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy, except as provided in paragraph (j)(iii).
(ii) For spray-on application of materials that contain more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method specified in 40 CFR Part 763 Appendix E, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy, on equipment and machinery, except as provided in paragraph (j)(iii):
(A) Notify the Administrator at least 20 days before beginning the spraying operation. Include the following information in the notice:
(I) Name and address of owner or operator.
(II) Location of spraying operation.
(III) Procedures to be followed to meet the requirements of paragraph (j).
(B) Discharge no visible emissions to the outside air from spray-on application of the asbestos-containing material or use the methods specified by paragraph (o) to clean emissions containing particulate asbestos material before they escape to, or are vented to, the outside air.
(iii) The requirements of paragraphs (j)(i) and (j)(ii) do not apply to the spray-on application of materials where the asbestos fibers in the materials are encapsulated with a bituminous or resinous binder during spraying and the materials are not friable after drying.
(k) Standard for Fabricating.
(i) Applicability. This section applies to the following fabrication operations using commercial asbestos:
(A) The fabrication of cement building products.
(B) The fabrication of friction products, except those operations that primarily install asbestos friction materials on motor vehicles.
(C) The fabrication of cement on silicate board for ventilation hoods; ovens; electrical panels; laboratory furniture, bulkheads, partitions, and ceilings for marine construction; and flow control devices for the molten metal industry.
(ii) Standard. Each owner or operator of any of the fabricating operations to which this section applies shall either:
(A) Discharge no visible emissions to the outside air from any of the operations or from any building or structure in which they are conducted or from any other fugitive sources; or
(B) Use the methods specified by paragraph (o) to clean emissions containing particulate asbestos material before they escape to, or are vented to, the outside air.
(C) Monitor each potential source of asbestos emissions from any part of the fabricating facility, including air cleaning devices, process equipment, and buildings that house equipment for material processing and handling, at least once a day, during daylight hours, for visible emissions to the outside air during periods of operation. The monitoring shall be by visual observation of at least 15 seconds duration per source of emission.
(D) Inspect each air cleaning device at least once each week for proper operation and for changes that signal the potential for malfunctions, including, to the maximum extent possible without dismantling other than opening the device, the presence of tears, holes, and abrasions in the filter bags and for dust deposits on the clean side of bags. For air cleaning devices that cannot be inspected on a weekly basis according to this paragraph, submit to the Administrator, and revise as necessary, a written maintenance plan to include, at a minimum, the following:
(I) Maintenance schedule.
(II) Recordkeeping plan.
(E) Maintain records of the results of visible emission monitoring and air cleaning device inspections using a format similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and include the following:
(I) Date and time of each inspection.
(II) Presence or absence of visible emissions.
(III) Condition of fabric filters, including presence of any tears, holes, and abrasions.
(IV) Presence of dust deposits on clean side of fabric filters.
(V) Brief description of corrective actions taken, including date and time.
(VI) Daily hours of operation for each air cleaning device.
(F) Furnish upon request and make available at the affected facility during normal business hours for inspection by the Administrator, all records required under this paragraph.
(G) Retain a copy of all monitoring and inspection records for at least 2 years.
(H) Submit quarterly a copy of the visible emission monitoring records to the Administrator if visible emissions occurred during the report period. Quarterly reports shall be postmarked by the 30th day following the end of the calendar quarter.
(l) Standard for Insulating Materials. No owner or operator of a facility may install or reinstall on a facility component any insulating materials that contain commercial asbestos if the materials are either molded and friable or wet-applied and friable after drying. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to spray-applied insulating materials regulated under paragraph (j).
(m) Standard for Waste Disposal for Non-facilities, Manufacturing, Demolition, Renovation, Spraying, and Fabricating. Each owner or operator of any source covered under the provisions of paragraphs (g), (h), (i), (j), or (k) shall meet the requirements of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid & Hazardous Waste Division, or, at a minimum, the requirements of the following:
(i) Discharge no visible emissions to the outside air during the collection, processing (including incineration), packaging, or transporting of any asbestos-containing waste material generated by the source, or use one of the emission control and waste treatment methods specified in paragraphs (m)(i)(A) through (D).
(A) Adequately wet asbestos-containing waste material as follows:
(I) Mix control device asbestos waste to form a slurry; adequately wet other asbestos-containing waste material; and
(II) Discharge no visible emissions to the outside air from collection, mixing, wetting, and handling operations, or use the methods specified by paragraph (o) to clean emissions containing particulate asbestos material before they escape to, or are vented to, the outside air; and
(III) After wetting, seal all asbestos-containing waste material in leak-tight containers while wet; or, for materials that will not fit into containers without additional breaking, put materials into leak-tight wrapping; and
(IV) Label the containers or wrapped materials specified in paragraph (m)(i)(A)(III) using warning labels specified by Occupational Safety and Health Standards of the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under 29 CFR § 1910.1001(j)(4) or § 1926.1101(k)(8). The labels shall be printed in letters of sufficient size and contrast so as to be readily visible and legible.
(V) For asbestos-containing waste material to be transported off the facility site, label containers or wrapped materials with the name of the waste generator and the location at which the waste was generated.
(B) Process asbestos-containing waste material into nonfriable forms as follows:
(I) Form all asbestos-containing waste material into nonfriable pellets or other shapes;
(II) Discharge no visible emissions to the outside air from collection and processing operations, including incineration, or use the method specified by paragraph (o) to clean emissions containing particulate asbestos materials before they escape to, or are vented to, the outside air.
(C) For facilities demolished where the RACM is not removed prior to demolition, adequately wet asbestos-containing waste material at all times after demolition and keep wet during handling and loading for transport to a disposal site. Asbestos-containing waste materials covered by this paragraph do not have to be sealed in leak-tight containers or wrapping but may be transported and disposed of in bulk.
(D) Use an alternative emission control and waste treatment method that has received prior written approval by the Administrator.
(E) As applied to demolition and renovation, the requirements of paragraph (m)(i) do not apply to Category I and Category II nonfriable ACM waste that did not become crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder.
(ii) All asbestos-containing waste material shall be deposited as soon as is practical by the waste generator at:
(A) A waste disposal site operated in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (q), or
(B) An EPA-approved site that converts RACM and asbestos-containing waste material into nonasbestos (asbestos-free) material according to the provisions of paragraph (r).
(C) The requirements of paragraph (m)(ii) do not apply to Category I nonfriable ACM that is not RACM.
(iii) Mark vehicles used to transport asbestos-containing waste material during the loading and unloading of waste so that the signs are visible. The markings must:
(A) Be displayed in such a manner and location that a person can easily read the legend.
(B) Conform to the requirements for 51 cm X 36 cm (20 in X 14 in) upright format signs specified in 29 CFR § 1910.145(d)(2) and this paragraph; and
(C) Display the following legend in the lower panel with letter sizes and styles of a visibility at least equal to those specified below.
Legend
DANGER
ASBESTOS DUST HAZARD
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD
Authorized Personnel Only
Notation
2.5 cm (1 inch) Sans Serif, Gothic or Block
2.5 cm (1 inch) Sans Serif, Gothic or Block
1.9 cm (3/4 inch) Sans Serif, Gothic or Block
14 Point Gothic
Spacing between any two lines must be at least equal to the height of the upper of the two lines.
(iv) For All Asbestos-Containing Waste Material Transported Off the Facility Site:
(A) Maintain waste shipment records, using a form similar to that shown in Figure 4, and include the following information:
(I) The name and telephone number of the disposal site operator.
(II) The name and physical site location of the disposal site.
(III) The date transported.
(IV) The name, address, and telephone number of the transporter(s).
Figure 4. Waste Shipment Record
GENERATOR
- Work site name and mailing address
Owner's name
Owner's
telephone no.
- Operator's name and address
Operator's
telephone no.
- Waste disposal site (WDS) name, mailing address, and physical site location
WDS
telephone no.
-
Name and address of responsible agency
-
Description of materials
-
Containers
No. Type
- Total quantity
m3 (yd3)
-
Special handling instructions and additional information
-
OPERATOR'S CERTIFICATION: I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described above by proper shipping name and are classified, packed, marked, and labeled, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport by highway according to applicable international and government regulations.
Printed/typed name & title
Signature
Month Day Year
Transporter
- Transporter 1 (Acknowledgment of receipt of materials)
Printed/typed name & title
Address and telephone no.
Signature
Month Day Year
- Transporter 2 (Acknowledgment of receipt of materials)
Printed/typed name & title
Address and telephone no.
Signature
Month Day Year
Disposal Site
-
Discrepancy indication space
-
Waste disposal site owner or operator: Certification of receipt of asbestos materials covered by this manifest except as noted in item 12.
Printed/typed name & title
Signature
Month Day Year
(V) A certification that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described by proper shipping name and are classified, packed, marked, and labeled, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport by highway according to applicable international and governmental regulations.
(B) Provide a copy of the waste shipment record, described in paragraph (m)(iv)(A), to the disposal site owners or operators at the same time as the asbestos-containing waste material is delivered to the disposal site.
(C) For waste shipments where a copy of the waste shipment record, signed by the owner or operator of the designated disposal site, is not received by the waste generator within 35 days of the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter, contact the transporter and/or the owner or operator of the designated disposal site to determine the status of the waste shipment.
(D) Report in writing to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, if a copy of the waste shipment record, signed by the owner or operator of the designated waste disposal site, is not received by the waste generator within 45 days of the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter. Include in the report the following information:
(I) A copy of the waste shipment record for which a confirmation of delivery was not received, and
(II) A cover letter signed by the waste generator explaining the efforts taken to locate the asbestos waste shipment and the results of those efforts.
(E) Retain a copy of all waste shipment records, including a copy of the waste shipment record signed by the owner or operator of the designated waste disposal site, for at least 2 years.
(v) Furnish upon request, and make available for inspection by the Administrator, all records required under this section.
(n) Standard for Inactive Waste Disposal Sites for Manufacturing and Fabricating Operations. Each owner or operator of any inactive waste disposal site that was operated by sources covered under paragraphs (h) or (k) and received deposits of asbestos-containing waste material generated by the sources, shall meet the requirements of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid & Hazardous Waste Division, or at a minimum:
(i) Comply With One of the Following:
(A) Either discharge no visible emissions to the outside air from an inactive waste disposal site subject to the paragraph; or
(B) Cover the asbestos-containing waste material with at least 15 centimeters (6 inches) of compacted nonasbestos-containing material, and grow and maintain a cover of vegetation on the area adequate to prevent exposure of the asbestos-containing waste material. In desert areas where vegetation would be difficult to maintain, at least 8 additional centimeters (3 inches) of well-graded, nonasbestos crushed rock may be placed on top of the final cover instead of vegetation and maintained to prevent emissions; or
(C) Cover the asbestos-containing waste material with at least 60 centimeters (2 feet) of compacted nonasbestos-containing material, and maintain it to prevent exposure of the asbestos-containing waste; or
(D) For inactive waste disposal sites for asbestos tailings, a resinous or petroleum-based dust suppression agent that effectively binds dust to control surface air emissions may be used instead of the methods in paragraphs (n)(i)(A), (B), and (C). Use the agent in the manner and frequency recommended for the particular asbestos tailings by the manufacturer of the dust suppression agent to achieve and maintain dust control. Obtain prior written approval of the Administrator to use other equally effective dust suppression agents. For purposes of this paragraph, any used, spent, or other waste oil is not considered a dust suppression agent.
(ii) Unless a natural barrier adequately deters access by the general public, install and maintain warning signs and fencing as follows, or comply with paragraph (n)(i)(B) or (n)(i)(C).
(A) Display warning signs at all entrances and at intervals of 100 m (328 feet) or less along the property line of the site or along the perimeter of the sections of the site where asbestos-containing waste material was deposited. The warning signs must:
(I) Be posted in such a manner and location that a person can easily read the legend;
(II) Conform to the requirements of 51 cm x 36 cm (20" x 14") upright format signs specified in 29 CFR § 1910.145(d)(4) and this paragraph; and
(III) Display the following legend in the lower panel with letter sizes and styles of a visibility at least equal to those specified in this paragraph.
Legend
ASBESTOS WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
DO NOT CREATE DUST
Breathing Asbestos is Hazardous to Your Health
Notation
2.5 cm (1 inch) Sans Serif, Gothic or Block
1.9 cm (3/4 inch) Sans Serif, Gothic or Block
14 point Gothic
Spacing between any two lines must be at least equal to the height of the upper of the two lines.
(B) Fence the perimeter of the site in a manner adequate to deter access by the general public.
(C) When requesting a determination on whether a natural barrier adequately deters public access, supply information enabling the Administrator to determine whether a fence or a natural barrier adequately deters access by the general public.
(iii) The owner or operator may use an alternative control method that has received prior approval of the Administrator rather than comply with the requirements of paragraph (n)(i) or (n)(ii).
(iv) Notify the Administrator in writing at least 45 days prior to excavating or otherwise disturbing any asbestos-containing waste material that has been deposited at a waste disposal site under this section, and follow the procedures specified in the notification. If the excavation will begin on a date other than the one contained in the original notice, notice of the new start date must be provided to the Administrator at least 10 working days before excavation begins and in no event shall excavation begin earlier than the date specified in the original notification. Include the following information in the notice:
(A) Scheduled starting and completion dates.
(B) Reason for disturbing the waste.
(C) Procedures to be used to control emissions during the excavation, storage, transport, and ultimate disposal of the excavated asbestos-containing waste material. If deemed necessary, the Administrator may require changes in the emission control procedures to be used.
(D) Location of any temporary storage site and the final disposal site.
(v) Within 60 days of a site becoming inactive and after the effective date of this subpart, record, in accordance with State law, a notation on the deed to the facility property and on any other instrument that would normally be examined during a title search; this notation will in perpetuity notify any potential purchaser of the property that:
(A) The land has been used for the disposal of asbestos-containing waste material;
(B) The survey plot and record of the location and quantity of asbestos-containing waste disposed of within the disposal site required in paragraph (q)(vi) have been filed with the Administrator; and
(C) The site is subject to WAQSR Chapter 3, Section 8 and to 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M.
(o) Air Cleaning.
(i) The owner or operator who uses air cleaning, as specified in paragraphs (h)(ii)(B), (i)(iii)(C)(I)(2.)a., (i)(iii)(D)(II), (j)(ii)(B), (k)(ii)(B), (m)(i)(A)(II), (m)(i)(B)(II) and (r)(v) shall:
(A) Use fabric filter collection devices, except as noted in paragraph (o)(ii), doing all of the following:
(I) Ensuring that the airflow permeability, as determined by ASTM Method D737-04 Test Method for Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics, does not exceed 9 m3/min/m2 (30 ft3/min/ft2) for woven fabrics or 11 m3/min/m2 (35 ft3/min/ft2) for felted fabrics, except that 12 m3/min/m2 (40 ft3/min/ft2) for woven and 14 m3/min/m2 (45 ft3/min/ft2) for felted fabrics is allowed for filtering air from asbestos ore dryers;
(II) Ensuring that felted fabric weighs at least 475 grams per square meter (14 ounces per square yard) and is at least 1.6 millimeters (one-sixteenth inch) thick throughout; and
(III) Avoiding the use of synthetic fabrics that contain fill yarn other than that which is spun.
(B) Properly install, use, operate, and maintain all air-cleaning equipment authorized by this paragraph. Bypass devices may be used only during upset or emergency conditions and then only for so long as it takes to shut down the operation generating the particulate asbestos material.
(C) For fabric filter collection devices installed after January 10, 1989, provide for easy inspection for faulty bags.
(ii) There are the following exceptions to paragraph (o)(i)(A):
(A) After January 10, 1989, if the use of fabric creates a fire or explosion hazard, or the Administrator determines that a fabric filter is not feasible, the Administrator may authorize as a substitute the use of wet collectors designed to operate with a unit contacting energy of at least 9.95 kilopascals (40 inches water gage pressure).
(B) Use a HEPA filter that is certified to be at least 99.97 percent efficient for 0.3 micron particles.
(C) The Administrator may authorize the use of filtering equipment other than described in paragraphs (o)(i)(A) and (o)(ii)(A) and (B) if the owner or operator demonstrates to the Administrator's satisfaction that it is equivalent to the described equipment in filtering particulate asbestos material.
(p) Reporting.
(i) Any new source to which this section applies (with the exception of sources subject to paragraphs (i), (j), and (l)), which has an initial startup date preceding the effective date of this revision, shall provide the following information to the Administrator postmarked or delivered within 90 days of the effective date. In the case of a new source that does not have an initial startup date preceding the effective date, the information shall be provided, postmarked or delivered, within 90 days of the initial startup date. Any owner or operator of an existing source shall provide the following information to the Administrator within 90 days of the effective date of this subpart unless the owner or operator of the existing source has previously provided this information to the Administrator. Any changes in the information provided by any existing source shall be provided to the Administrator, postmarked or delivered, within 30 days after the change.
(A) A description of the emission control equipment used for each process; and
(I) If the fabric device uses a woven fabric, the airflow permeability in m3/min/m2 and; if the fabric is synthetic, whether the fill yarn is spun or not spun; and
(II) If the fabric filter device uses a felted fabric, the density in g/m2, the minimum thickness in inches and the airflow permeability in m3/min/m2.
(B) If a fabric filter device is used to control emissions,
(I) The airflow permeability in m3/min/m2 (ft3/min/ft2) if the fabric filter device uses a woven fabric, and, if the fabric is synthetic, whether the fill yarn is spun or not spun; and
(II) If the fabric filter device uses a felted fabric, the density in g/m2 (oz/yd2), the minimum thickness in millimeters (inches), and the airflow permeability in m3/min/m2 (ft3/min/ft2).
(C) If a HEPA filter is used to control emissions, the certified efficiency.
(D) For sources subject to paragraph (m):
(I) A brief description of each process that generates asbestos-containing waste material;
(II) The average volume of asbestos-containing waste material disposed of measured in m3/day (yd3/day);
(III) The emission control methods used in all stages of waste disposal; and
(IV) The type of disposal site or incineration site used for ultimate disposal, the name of the site operator, and the name and location of the disposal site.
(E) For sources subject to paragraphs (n) and (q):
(I) A brief description of the site; and
(II) The method or methods used to comply with the standard, or alternate procedures to be used.
(ii) The information required by paragraph (p)(i) must accompany the information required by 40 CFR Part 61, subpart A, 61.10. Active waste disposal sites subject to paragraph (q) shall also comply with this provision. Demolition and renovation, spraying, and insulating materials are exempted from the requirements of 40 CFR Part 61.10(a). The information described in this paragraph must be reported using the format of Appendix A of CFR 40 Part 61 as a guide.
(q) Standard for Active Waste Disposal Sites. Each owner or operator of an active waste disposal site that receives asbestos-containing waste material from a source covered under paragraphs (m) or (r) shall meet the requirements of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid & Hazardous Waste Division, or at a minimum the following:
(i) Either there must be no visible emissions to the outside air from any active waste disposal site where asbestos-containing waste material has been deposited, or the requirements of paragraph (q)(iii) or (q)(iv) must be met.
(ii) Unless a natural barrier adequately deters access by the general public, either warning signs and fencing must be installed and maintained as follows, or the requirements of paragraph (q)(iii)(A) must be met.
(A) Warning signs must be displayed at all entrances and at intervals of 100 m (330 ft) or less along the property line of the site or along the perimeter of the sections of the site where asbestos-containing waste material is deposited. The warning signs must:
(I) Be posted in such a manner and location that a person can easily read the legend;
(II) Conform to the requirements of 51 cm x 36 cm (20" x 14") upright format signs specified in 29 CFR § 1910.145(d)(4) and this paragraph; and
(III) Display the following legend in the lower panel with letter sizes and styles of a visibility at least equal to those specified below.
Legend
ASBESTOS WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
DO NOT CREATE DUST
Breathing Asbestos is Hazardous to Your Health
Notation
2.5 cm (1 inch) Sans Serif, Gothic or Block
1.9 cm (3/4 inch) Sans Serif, Gothic or Block
14 point Gothic
Spacing between any two lines must be at least equal to the height of the upper of the two lines.
(B) The perimeter of the disposal site must be fenced in a manner adequate to deter access by the general public.
(C) Upon request and supply of appropriate information, the Administrator will determine whether a fence or a natural barrier adequately deters access by the general public.
(iii) Rather than meet the no visible emission requirement of paragraph (q)(i), at the end of each operating day, or at least once every 24-hour period while the site is in continuous operation, the asbestos-containing waste material that has been deposited at the site during the operating day or previous 24-hour period shall:
(A) Be covered with at least 15 centimeters (6 inches) of compacted nonasbestos-containing material, or
(B) Be covered with a resinous or petroleum-based dust suppression agent that effectively binds dust and controls wind erosion. Such an agent shall be used in the manner and frequency recommended for the particular dust by the dust suppression agent manufacturer to achieve and maintain dust control. Other equally effective dust suppression agents may be used upon prior approval by the Administrator. For purposes of this paragraph, any used, spent, or other waste oil is not considered a dust suppression agent.
(iv) Rather than meet the no visible emission requirement of paragraph (q)(i), use an alternative emissions control method that has received prior written approval by the Administrator.
(v) For all asbestos-containing waste material received, the owner or operator of the active waste disposal site shall:
(A) Maintain waste shipment records, using a form similar to that shown in Figure 4, and include the following information:
(I) The name, address, and telephone number of the waste generator.
(II) The name, address, and telephone number of the transporter(s).
(III) The quantity of the asbestos-containing waste material in cubic meters (cubic yards).
(IV) The presence of improperly enclosed or uncovered waste, or any asbestos-containing waste material not sealed in leak-tight containers.
(V) The date of the receipt.
(B) Upon discovering the presence of a significant amount of improperly enclosed or uncovered waste, report in writing by the following working day to the local, State, or EPA Regional office responsible for administering the asbestos NESHAP program for the waste generator (identified in the waste shipment record), and, if that office is outside the State of Wyoming, also report in writing by the following working day to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division. Submit a copy of the waste shipment record along with the report.
(C) As soon as possible and no longer than 30 days after receipt of the waste, send a copy of the signed waste shipment record to the waste generator.
(D) Upon discovering a discrepancy between the quantity of waste designated on the waste shipment records and the quantity actually received, attempt to reconcile the discrepancy with the waste generator. If the discrepancy is not resolved within 15 days after receiving the waste, immediately report in writing to the local, State, or EPA Regional office responsible for administering the asbestos NESHAP program for the waste generator (identified in the waste shipment record), and, if that office is outside the State of Wyoming, also report in writing to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division. Describe the discrepancy and attempts to reconcile it, and submit a copy of the waste shipment record along with the report.
(E) Retain a copy of all records and reports required by this paragraph for at least 2 years.
(vi) Maintain, until closure, records of the location, depth and area, and quantity in cubic meters (cubic yards) of asbestos-containing waste material within the disposal site on a map or diagram of the disposal area.
(vii) Upon closure, comply with all the provisions of paragraph (n).
(viii) Submit to the Administrator, upon closure of the facility, a copy of records of asbestos waste disposal locations and quantities.
(ix) Furnish upon request, and make available during normal business hours for inspection by the Administrator, all records required under this paragraph.
(x) Notify the Administrator in writing at least 45 days prior to excavating or otherwise disturbing any asbestos-containing waste material that has been deposited at a waste disposal site and is covered. If the excavation will begin on a date other than the one contained in the original notice, notice of the new start date must be provided at least 10 working days before excavation begins and in no event shall excavation begin earlier than the date specified in the original notification. Include the following information in the notice.
(A) Scheduled starting and completion dates.
(B) Reason for disturbing the waste.
(C) Procedures to be used to control emissions during the excavation, storage, transport, and ultimate disposal of the excavated asbestos-containing waste material. If deemed necessary, the Administrator may require changes in the emission control procedures to be used.
(D) Location of any temporary storage site and the final disposal site.
(r) Standard for Operations That Convert Asbestos-Containing Waste Material Into Nonasbestos (Asbestos-Free) Material. Each owner or operator of an operation that converts RACM and asbestos-containing waste material into nonasbestos (asbestos-free) material shall:
(i) Obtain the prior written approval of the Administrator to construct the facility. To obtain approval, the owner or operator shall provide the Administrator with the following information:
(A) Application to construct pursuant to 40 CFR § 61.07.
(B) In addition to the information requirements of 40 CFR § 61.07(b)(3), a
(I) Description of waste feed handling and temporary storage.
(II) Description of process operating conditions.
(III) Description of the handling and temporary storage of the end product.
(IV) Description of the protocol to be followed when analyzing output materials by transmission electron microscopy.
(C) Performance test protocol, including provisions for obtaining information required under paragraph (r)(ii).
(D) The Administrator may require that a demonstration of the process be performed prior to approval of the application to construct.
(ii) Conduct a Start-up Performance Test. Test Results Shall Include:
(A) A detailed description of the types and quantities of nonasbestos material, RACM, and asbestos-containing waste material processed, e.g., asbestos cement products, friable asbestos insulation, plaster, wood, plastic, wire, etc. Test feed is to include the full range of materials that will be encountered in actual operation of the process.
(B) Results of analyses, using polarized light microscopy, that document the asbestos content of the wastes processed.
(C) Results of analyses, using transmission electron microscopy, that document that the output materials are free of asbestos. Samples for analysis are to be collected as 8-hour composite samples (one 200-gram (7-ounce) sample per hour), beginning with the initial introduction of RACM or asbestos-containing waste material and continuing until the end of the performance test.
(D) A description of operation parameters, such as temperature and residence time, defining the full range over which the process is expected to operate to produce nonasbestos (asbestos-free) materials. Specify the limits for each operating parameter within which the process will produce nonasbestos (asbestos-free) materials.
(E) The length of the test.
(iii) During the initial 90 days of operation,
(A) Continuously monitor and log the operating parameters identified during start-up performance tests that are intended to ensure the production of nonasbestos (asbestos-free) output material.
(B) Monitor input materials to ensure that they are consistent with the test feed materials described during start-up performance tests in paragraph (r)(ii)(A).
(C) Collect and analyze samples, taken as 10-day composite samples (one 200-gram (7-ounce) sample collected every 8 hours of operation) of all output material for the presence of asbestos. Composite samples may be for fewer than 10 days. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shall be used to analyze the output material for the presence of asbestos. During the initial 90-day period, all output materials must be stored on-site until analysis shows the material to be asbestos-free or disposed of as asbestos-containing waste material according to paragraph (m).
(iv) After the initial 90 days of operation,
(A) Continuously monitor and record the operating parameters identified during start-up performance testing and any subsequent performance testing. Any output produced during a period of deviation from the range of operating conditions established to ensure the production of nonasbestos (asbestos-free) output materials shall be:
(I) Disposed of as asbestos-containing waste material according to paragraph (m), or
(II) Recycled as waste feed during process operation within the established range of operation conditions, or
(III) Stored temporarily on-site in a leak-tight container until analyzed for asbestos content. Any product material that is not asbestos-free shall be either disposed of as asbestos-containing waste material or recycled as waste feed to the process.
(B) Collect and analyze monthly composite samples (one 200-gram (7-ounce) sample collected every 8 hours of operation) of the output material. Transmission electron microscopy shall be used to analyze the output material for the presence of asbestos.
(v) Discharge no visible emissions to the outside air from any part of the operation, or use the methods specified in paragraph (o) to clean emissions containing particulate asbestos material before they escape to, or are vented to, the outside air.
(vi) Maintain Records On-site and Include the Following Information:
(A) Results of start-up performance testing and all subsequent performance testing, including operating parameters, feed characteristic, and analyses of output materials.
(B) Results of the composite analyses required during the initial 90 days of operation under paragraph (r)(iii).
(C) Results of the monthly composite analyses required under paragraph (r)(iv).
(D) Results of continuous monitoring and logs of process operating parameters required under paragraph (r)(iii) and (iv).
(E) The information on waste shipments received as required in paragraph (q).
(F) For output materials where no analyses were performed to determine the presence of asbestos, record the name and location of the purchaser or disposal site to which the output materials were sold or deposited, and the date of sale or disposal.
(G) Retain records required by paragraph (r)(vi) for at least 2 years.
(vii) Submit the Following Reports to the Administrator:
(A) A report for each analysis of product composite samples performed during the initial 90 days of operation.
(B) A quarterly report, including the following information concerning activities during each consecutive 3-month period:
(I) Results of analyses of monthly product composite samples.
(II) A description of any deviation from the operating parameters established during performance testing, the duration of the deviation, and steps taken to correct the deviation.
(III) Disposition of any product produced during a period of deviation, including whether it was recycled, disposed of as asbestos-containing waste material, or stored temporarily on-site until analyzed for asbestos content.
(IV) The information on waste disposal activities as required in paragraph (q).
(viii) Nonasbestos (asbestos-free) output material is not subject to any of the provisions of this section. Output materials in which asbestos is detected, or output materials produced when the operating parameters deviated from those established during the start-up performance testing, unless shown by TEM analysis to be asbestos-free, shall be considered to be asbestos-containing waste and shall be handled and disposed of according to paragraphs (m) and (q) or reprocessed while all of the established operating parameters are being met.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.3.12272024 § 9 Incorporation by Reference
(a) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). All Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), including their Appendices, cited in this Chapter, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, are incorporated by reference. Copies of the CFR are available for public inspection and can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at: http://deq.wyoming.gov/. Copies of the CFR can also be obtained at cost from Government Institutes, 15200 NBN Way, Building B, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214, or online at https://ecfr.gov.
(b) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). All ASTM standards cited in this Chapter, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, are incorporated by reference. Copies of the ASTM standards are available for public inspection and can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at: http://deq.wyoming.gov/. Copies can also be obtained at cost from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, Post Office Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, or online at http://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/index.html
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Chapter 4 State Performance Standards for Specific Existing Sources
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.4.12272024 § 1 Introduction to State Performance Standards for Specific Existing Sources
(a) This chapter establishes state performance standards for specific existing sources. Most of the sections under this chapter were required by the Environmental Protection Agency under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. Each of the standards listed has an accompanying New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) under Chapter 5, Section 2 which applies to new sources. Section 6 incorporates by reference all Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) cited in this chapter, including their Appendices.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.4.12272024 § 2 Existing Sulfuric Acid Production Units
(a) Sulfuric Acid Mist. Any existing facility producing sulfuric acid by the contact process by burning elemental sulfur, alkylation acid, hydrogen sulfide, organic sulfides, mercaptans, or acid sludge shall limit the atmospheric discharge of acid mist in the effluent to not more than 0.50 pounds per ton of acid produced (0.25 kgm per metric ton)--maximum 2-hour average, expressed as H2SO4. Reference method: Method 8, Appendix A, 40 CFR Part 60 or an equivalent method.
(b) Sulfur Dioxide. Any existing facility producing sulfuric acid by the contact process by burning elemental sulfur, alkylation acid, hydrogen sulfide, organic sulfides, mercaptans, or acid sludge shall limit the atmospheric discharge of sulfur dioxide in the effluent to not more than 2,000 ppm--maximum 2-hour average.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.4.12272024 § 3 Existing Nitric Acid Manufacturing Plants
(a) The emission of nitrogen oxides from existing nitric acid manufacturing plants, calculated as nitrogen dioxide shall be limited to 5.5 pounds per ton (2.8 kilograms per metric ton) of acid produced, maximum 2-hour average.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.4.12272024 § 4 [Reserved]
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.4.12272024 § 5 Existing Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators
Scope:
This section contains emission limits, compliance times and general requirements for the control of certain designated pollutants from hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerator(s) (HMIWI) in accordance with sections 111 and 129 of the Clean Air Act and 40 CFR Part 60, subpart B. These rules supersede the provisions of 40 CFR Part 60.24(f) of subpart B.
(a) Definitions.
Terms used but not defined in this section have the meaning given them in the Clean Air Act and in 40 CFR Part 60, subparts A, B, and Ec.
"Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area or SMSA" means any areas listed in OMB Bulletin No. 93-17 entitled "Revised Statistical Definitions for Metropolitan Areas" dated June 30, 1993 (incorporated by reference, see 40 CFR Part 60.17).
(b) Applicability.
(i) Except as provided in paragraphs (ii) through (viii) of this subsection, the designated facility to which this regulation applies is each individual HMIWI:
(A) For which construction was commenced on or before June 20, 1996, or for which modification was commenced on or before March 16, 1998.
(B) For which construction was commenced after June 20, 1996, but no later than December 1, 2008, or for which modification is commenced after March 16, 1998 but no later than April 6, 2010.
(ii) A combustor is not subject to this subsection during periods when only pathological waste, low-level radioactive waste, and/or chemotherapeutic waste (all defined in 40 CFR Part 60.51c) is burned, provided the owner or operator of the combustor:
(A) Notifies the Department of Environmental Quality - Air Quality Division (AQD) Administrator and EPA Administrator of an exemption claim; and
(B) Keeps records on a calendar quarter basis of the periods of time when only pathological waste, low-level radioactive waste, and/or chemotherapeutic waste is burned.
(iii) Any co-fired combustor (defined in 40 CFR Part 60.51c) is not subject to this subsection if the owner or operator of the co-fired combustor:
(A) Notifies the AQD Administrator and EPA Administrator of an exemption claim;
(B) Provides an estimate of the relative weight of hospital waste, medical/infectious waste, and other fuels and/or wastes to be combusted; and
(C) Keeps records on a calendar quarter basis of the weight of hospital waste and medical/infectious waste combusted, and the weight of all other fuels and wastes combusted at the co-fired combustor.
(iv) Any combustor required to have a permit under Section 3005 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act is not subject to this subsection.
(v) Any combustor which meets the applicability requirements under 40 CFR Part 60 subpart Cb, Ea, or Eb (standards or guidelines for certain municipal waste combustors) is not subject to this subsection.
(vi) Any pyrolysis unit (defined in 40 CFR Part 60.51c) is not subject to this subsection.
(vii) Cement kilns firing hospital waste and/or medical/infectious waste are not subject to this subsection.
(viii) Physical or operational changes made to an existing HMIWI unit solely for the purpose of complying with emission limits under this subsection are not considered a modification and do not result in an existing HMIWI unit becoming subject to the provisions of 40 CFR Part 60, subpart Ec (see 40 CFR Part 60.50c).
(ix) Beginning September 15, 2000, designated facilities subject to this subsection shall operate pursuant to a permit issued under Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations (WAQSR) Chapter 6, Section 3.
(x) The requirements of 40 CFR Part 60 subpart Ce as promulgated on September 15, 1997, shall apply to the designated facilities defined in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this subsection until the applicable compliance date of the requirements of 40 CFR Part 60 subpart Ce, as amended on October 6, 2009. Upon the compliance date of the requirements of 40 CFR Part 60 subpart Ce, designated facilities as defined in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this subsection are no longer subject to the requirements of 40 CFR Part 60 subpart Ce, as promulgated on September 15, 1997, but are subject to the requirements of 40 CFR Part 60 subpart Ce, as amended on October 6, 2009.
(xi) The authorities listed under 40 CFR Part 60.50c(i) shall be retained by the EPA Administrator and not be transferred to a state.
(c) Emissions Limits.
(i) Emissions limits for each HMIWI facility defined below shall be:
(A) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) subject to the emissions limits as promulgated on September 15, 1997, the requirements listed in Table 1A of this subsection, except as provided in paragraph (ii) of this subsection.
Table 1A. Emissions Limits for Small, Medium, and Large HMIWI at Designated Facilities as Defined in Subsection (b)(i)(A)
Pollutant
Units
(7 percent oxygen,
dry basis)
Emission Limits
Averaging Time1
Method for Demonstrating Compliance2
HMIWI Size
Small
Medium
Large
Particulate matter
Milligrams per dry standard cubic meter (mg/dscm) (grains per dry standard cubic foot (gr/dscf)).
115 (0.05)
69 (0.03)
34 (0.015)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 5 of appendix A-3 of Part 60, or EPA Reference Method 26A or 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Carbon monoxide
Parts per million by volume (ppmv).
40
40
40
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 10 or 10B of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Dioxins/furans
Nanograms per dry standard cubic meter total dioxins/furans (ng/dscm) (grains per billion dry standard cubic feet (gr/109 dscf)) or ng/dscm TEQ (gr/109 dscf).
125 (55) or
2.3 (1.0)
125 (55) or
2.3 (1.0)
125 (55) or
2.3 (1.0)
3-run average (4-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 23 of appendix A-7 of Part 60.
Hydrogen chloride
ppmv or percent reduction.
100 or 93%
100 or 93%
100 or 93%
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 26 or 26A of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Sulfur dioxide
ppmv
55
55
55
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 6 or 6C of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Nitrogen oxides
ppmv
250
250
250
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 7 or 7E of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Lead
mg/dscm (grains per thousand dry standard cubic feet (gr/103 dscf)) or percent reduction.
1.2 (0.52) or
70%
1.2 (0.52) or
70%
1.2 (0.52) or
70%
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Cadmium
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf) or percent reduction.
0.16 (0.07) or 65%
0.16 (0.07) or 65%
0.16 (0.07) or 65%
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Mercury
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf) or percent
reduction.
0.55 (0.24) or 85%
0.55 (0.24) or 85%
0.55 (0.24) or 85%
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
1 Except as allowed under 40 CFR § 60.56c(c) for HMIWI equipped with CEMS.
2 Does not include CEMS and approved alternative non-EPA test methods allowed under 40 CFR § 60.56c(b).
(B) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) subject to the emissions limits as amended on October 6, 2009, the requirements listed in Table 1B of this subsection, except as provided in paragraph (ii) of this subsection.
(C) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(B), the more stringent of the requirements listed in Table 1B of this subsection and Table 1A of 40 CFR Part 60 subpart Ec.
Table 1B. Emissions Limits for Small, Medium, and Large HMIWI at Designated Facilities as Defined in Subsections (b)(i)(A) and (b)(i)(B)
Pollutant
Units
(7 percent oxygen,
dry basis)
Emission Limits
Averaging Time1
Method for Demonstrating Compliance2
HMIWI Size
Small
Medium
Large
Particulate matter
Milligrams per dry standard cubic meter (mg/dscm) (grains per dry standard cubic foot (gr/dscf)).
66 (0.029)
46 (0.020)
25 (0.011)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 5 of appendix A-3 of Part 60, or EPA Reference Method 26A or 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Carbon monoxide
Parts per million by volume (ppmv).
20
5.5
11
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 10 or 10B of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Dioxins/furans
Nanograms per dry standard cubic meter total dioxins/furans (ng/dscm) (grains per billion dry standard cubic feet (gr/109 dscf)) or ng/dscm TEQ (gr/109 dscf).
16 (7.0) or 0.013 (0.0057)
0.85 (0.37) or 0.020 (0.0087)
9.3 (4.1) or 0.054 (0.024)
3-run average (4-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 23 of appendix A-7 of Part 60.
Hydrogen chloride
ppmv
44
7.7
6.6
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 26 or 26A of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Sulfur dioxide
ppmv
4.2
4.2
9.0
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 6 or 6C of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Nitrogen oxides
ppmv
190
190
140
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 7 or 7E of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Lead
mg/dscm (grains per thousand dry standard cubic feet (gr/103 dscf)).
0.31 (0.14)
0.018 (0.0079)
0.036 (0.016)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Cadmium
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf).
0.017 (0.0074)
0.013 (0.0057)
0.0092 (0.0040)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Mercury
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf).
0.014 (0.0061)
0.025 (0.011)
0.018 (0.0079)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
1 Except as allowed under 40 CFR § 60.56c(c) for HMIWI equipped with CEMS.
2 Does not include CEMS and approved alternative non-EPA test methods allowed under 40 CFR § 60.56c(b).
(ii) Any small HMIWI constructed on or before June 20, 1996, which is located more than 50 miles from the boundary of the nearest Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (defined in subsection (a) of these regulations) and which burns less than 2,000 pounds per week of hospital waste and medical/infectious waste shall meet the emissions limits required in paragraphs (c)(ii)(A) and (B) of this subsection, as applicable. The 2,000 lb/week limitation does not apply during performance tests.
(A) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) subject to the emissions limits as promulgated on September 15, 1997, the requirements listed in Table 2A of this subsection.
Table 2A. Emissions Limits for Small HMIWI Which Meet the Criteria Under Subsection (c)(ii)(A)
Pollutant
Units
(7 percent oxygen,
dry basis)
HMIWI Emission Limits
Averaging Time1
Method for Demonstrating Compliance2
Particulate matter
mg/dscm (gr/dscf)
197 (0.086)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 5 of appendix A-3 of Part 60, or EPA Reference Method 26A or 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Carbon monoxide
ppmv
40
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 10 or 10B of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Dioxins/furans
ng/dscm total dioxins/furans (gr/109 dscf) or ng/dscm TEQ (gr/109 dscf)
800 (350) or 15 (6.6)
3-run average (4-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 23 of appendix A-7 of Part 60.
Hydrogen chloride
ppmv
3,100
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 26 or 26A of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Sulfur dioxide
ppmv
55
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 6 or 6C of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Nitrogen oxides
ppmv
250
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 7 or 7E of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Lead
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf)
10 (4.4)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Cadmium
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf)
4 (1.7)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Mercury
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf)
7.5 (3.3)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
1 Except as allowed under 40 CFR § 60.56c(c) for HMIWI equipped with CEMS.
2 Does not include CEMS and approved alternative non-EPA test methods allowed under 40 CFR § 60.56c(b).
(B) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) subject to the emissions limits as amended on October 6, 2009, the requirements listed in Table 2B of this subsection.
Table 2B. Emissions Limits for Small HMIWI Which Meet the Criteria Under Subsection (c)(ii)(B)
Pollutant
Units
(7 percent oxygen,
dry basis)
HMIWI Emission Limits
Averaging Time1
Method for Demonstrating Compliance2
Particulate matter
mg/dscm (gr/dscf)
87 (0.038)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 5 of appendix A-3 of Part 60, or EPA Reference Method 26A or 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Carbon monoxide
ppmv
20
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 10 or 10B of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Dioxins/furans
ng/dscm total dioxins/furans (gr/109 dscf) or ng/dscm TEQ (gr/109 dscf)
240 (100) or 5.1 (2.2)
3-run average (4-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 23 of appendix A-7 of Part 60.
Hydrogen chloride
ppmv
810
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 26 or 26A of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Sulfur dioxide
ppmv
55
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 6 or 6C of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Nitrogen oxides
ppmv
130
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 7 or 7E of appendix A-4 of Part 60.
Lead
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf)
0.50 (0.22)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Cadmium
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf)
0.11 (0.048)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
Mercury
mg/dscm (gr/103 dscf)
0.0051 (0.0022)
3-run average (1-hour minimum sample time per run).
EPA Reference Method 29 of appendix A-8 of Part 60.
1 Except as allowed under 40 CFR § 60.56c(c) for HMIWI equipped with CEMS.
2 Does not include CEMS and approved alternative non-EPA test methods allowed under 40 CFR § 60.56c(b).
(iii) Stack opacity requirements for each HMIWI facility defined below shall be:
(A) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) subject to the emissions limits as promulgated on September 15, 1997, the requirements in 40 CFR Part 60.52c(b)(1) of subpart Ec.
(B) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) subject to the emissions limits as amended on October 6, 2009 and a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(B), the requirements in 40 CFR Part 60.52c(b)(2) of subpart Ec.
(d) Operator Training and Qualification Requirements. The owner or operator of a designated facility shall comply with the operator training and qualification requirements listed in 40 CFR Part 60.53c of subpart Ec. Compliance with these requirements shall occur according to the schedule specified in subsection (i)(v).
(e) Waste Management Plan. The owner or operator of a designated facility shall prepare a waste management plan in accordance with the requirements listed in 40 CFR Part 60.55c of subpart Ec.
(f) Inspection Requirements.
(i) Each small HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(ii) and each HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsections (c)(i)(B) and (C) shall undergo an initial equipment inspection within one year following EPA approval of the State plan, but not later than October 6, 2014.
(A) At a minimum, an inspection shall include the following:
(I) Inspect all burners, pilot assemblies, and pilot sensing devices for proper operation; clean pilot flame sensor, as necessary;
(II) Ensure proper adjustment of primary and secondary chamber combustion air, and adjust as necessary;
(III) Inspect hinges and door latches, and lubricate as necessary;
(IV) Inspect dampers, fans, and blowers for proper operation;
(V) Inspect HMIWI door and door gaskets for proper sealing;
(VI) Inspect motors for proper operation;
(VII) Inspect primary chamber refractory lining; clean and repair/replace lining as necessary;
(VIII) Inspect incinerator shell for corrosion and/or hot spots;
(IX) Inspect secondary/tertiary chamber and stack, clean as necessary;
(X) Inspect mechanical loader, including limit switches, for proper operation, if applicable;
(XI) Visually inspect waste bed (grates), and repair/seal, as appropriate;
(XII) For the burn cycle that follows the inspection, document that the incinerator is operating properly and make any necessary adjustments;
(XIII) Inspect air pollution control device(s) for proper operation, if applicable;
(XIV) Inspect waste heat boiler systems to ensure proper operation, if applicable;
(XV) Inspect bypass stack components;
(XVI) Ensure proper calibration of thermocouples, sorbent feed systems and any other monitoring equipment; and
(XVII) Generally observe that the equipment is maintained in good operating condition.
(B) Within 10 operating days following an equipment inspection all necessary repairs shall be completed unless the owner or operator obtains written approval from the AQD Administrator establishing a date whereby all necessary repairs of the designated facility shall be completed.
(ii) Each small HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(i) and each HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsections (c)(i)(B) and (C) shall undergo an equipment inspection annually (no more than 12 months following the previous annual equipment inspection), as outlined in paragraph (i) of this subsection.
(iii) Each small HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(ii)(B) and each HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsections (c)(i)(B) and (C) shall undergo an initial air pollution control device inspection, within one year following EPA approval of the State plan, but not later than October 6, 2014.
(A) At a minimum, an inspection shall include the following:
(I) Inspect air pollution control device(s) for proper operation, if applicable;
(II) Ensure proper calibration of thermocouples, sorbent feed systems, and any other monitoring equipment; and
(III) Generally observe that the equipment is maintained in good operating condition.
(B) Within 10 operating days following an air pollution control device inspection, all necessary repairs shall be completed unless the owner or operator obtains written approval from the AQD Administrator establishing a date whereby all necessary repairs of the designated facility shall be completed.
(iv) Each small HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(ii)(B) and each HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsections (c)(i)(B) and (C) shall undergo an air pollution control device inspection, as applicable, annually (no more than 12 months following the previous annual air pollution control device inspection), as outlined in paragraph (iii) of this subsection.
(g) Compliance, Performance Testing, and Monitoring Requirements.
(i) Except as provided in paragraph (ii) of this subsection, requirements for compliance and performance testing of a designated facility are listed in 40 CFR Part 60.56c of subpart Ec, with the following exclusions:
(A) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) subject to the emissions limits in subsection (c)(i)(A), the test methods listed in 40 CFR Part 60.56c(b)(7) and (8), the fugitive emissions testing requirements under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(b)(14) and (c)(3), the CO CEMS requirements under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(4), and the compliance requirements for monitoring listed in 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(5)(ii) through (v), (c)(6), (c)(7), (e)(6) through (10), (f)(7) through (10), (g)(6) through (10), and (h).
(B) For a designated facility as defined in subsections (b)(i)(A) and (B) subject to the emissions limits in subsections (c)(i)(B) and (C), the annual fugitive emissions testing requirements under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(3), the CO CEMS requirements under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(4), and the compliance requirements for monitoring listed in 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(5)(ii) through (v), (c)(6), (c)(7), (e)(6) through (10), (f)(7) through (10), and (g)(6) through (10). Sources subject to the emissions limits under subsections (c)(i)(B) and (C) may, however, elect to use CO CEMS as specified under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(4) or bag leak detection systems as specified under 40 CFR Part 60.57c(h).
(ii) Except as provided in paragraphs (ii)(A) and (B) of this subsection, each small HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(ii) shall meet the performance testing requirements listed in 40 CFR Part 60.56c of subpart Ec. The 2,000 lb/week limitation under subsection (c)(ii) does not apply during performance tests.
(A) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(ii)(A), the test methods listed in 40 CFR Part 60.56c(b)(7), (8), (12), (13) (Pb and Cd), and (14), the annual PM, CO, and HCl emissions testing requirements under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(2), the annual fugitive emissions testing requirements under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(3), the CO CEMS requirements under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(4), and the compliance requirements for monitoring listed in 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(5) through (7), and (d) through (k) do not apply.
(B) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(B) subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(ii)(B), the annual fugitive emissions testing requirements under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(3), the CO CEMS requirements under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(4), and the compliance requirements for monitoring listed in 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(5)(ii) through (v), (c)(6), (c)(7), (e)(6) through (10), (f)(7) through (10), and (g)(6) through (10) do not apply. Sources subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(ii)(B) may, however, elect to use CO CEMS as specified under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(c)(4) or bag leak detection systems as specified under 40 CFR Part 60.57c(h).
(iii) Each small HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(ii) that is not equipped with an air pollution control device shall meet the following compliance and performance testing requirements:
(A) Establish maximum charge rate and minimum secondary chamber temperature as site-specific operating parameters during the initial performance test to determine compliance with applicable emission limits.
(B) Following the date on which the initial performance test is completed or is required to be completed under 40 CFR Part 60.8, whichever date comes first, ensure that the designated facility does not operate above the maximum charge rate or below the minimum secondary chamber temperature measured as 3-hour rolling averages (calculated each hour as the average of the previous 3 operating hours) at all times. Operating parameter limits do not apply during performance tests. Operation above the maximum charge rate or below the minimum secondary chamber temperature shall constitute a violation of the established operating parameters(s).
(C) Except as provided in paragraph (iii)(D) of this subsection, operation of the designated facility above the maximum charge rate and below the minimum secondary chamber temperature (each measured on a 3-hour rolling average) simultaneously shall constitute a violation of the PM, CO, and dioxin/furan emissions limits.
(D) The owner or operator of a designated facility may conduct a repeat performance test within 30 days of violation of applicable operating parameter(s) to demonstrate that the designated facility is not in violation of the applicable emissions limit(s). Repeat performance tests conducted pursuant to this paragraph must be conducted under process and control device operating conditions duplicating as nearly as possible those that indicated a violation under paragraph (iii)(C) of this subsection.
(iv) Any HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsections (c)(i) and (ii), except as provided for under paragraph (v) of this subsection, shall meet monitoring requirements listed in 40 CFR Part 60.57c of subpart Ec.
(v) Small HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c)(ii) that are not equipped with an air pollution control device shall meet the following monitoring requirements:
(A) Install, calibrate (to manufacturers' specifications), maintain, and operate a device for measuring and recording the temperature of the secondary chamber on a continuous basis, the output of which shall be recorded, at a minimum, once every minute throughout operation.
(B) Install, calibrate (to manufacturers' specifications), maintain, and operate a device which automatically measures and records the date, time, and weight of each charge fed into the HMIWI.
(C) The owner or operator of a designated facility shall obtain monitoring data at all times during HMIWI operation except during periods of monitoring equipment malfunction, calibration, or repair. At a minimum, valid monitoring data shall be obtained for 75 percent of the operating hours per day for 90 percent of the operating hours per calendar quarter that the designated facility is combusting hospital waste and/or medical/infectious waste.
(vi) The owner or operator of a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) or (B) subject to emissions limits under subsection (c)(i)(B), (i)(C), or (ii)(B) may use the results of previous emissions tests to demonstrate compliance with the emissions limits, provided that the conditions in paragraphs (vi)(A) through (C) of this subsection are met:
(A) The designated facility's previous emissions tests must have been conducted using the applicable procedures and test methods listed in 40 CFR Part 60.56c(b) of subpart Ec. Previous emissions test results obtained using EPA-accepted voluntary consensus standards are also acceptable.
(B) The HMIWI at the designated facility shall currently be operated in a manner (e.g., with charge rate, secondary chamber temperature, etc.) that would be expected to result in the same or lower emissions than observed during the previous emissions test(s), and the HMIWI may not have been modified such that emissions would be expected to exceed (notwithstanding normal test-to-test variability) the results from previous emissions test(s).
(C) The previous emissions test(s) must have been conducted in 1996 or later.
(h) Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements.
(i) Except as provided in paragraphs (i)(A) and (B) of this subsection, any designated facility shall meet the reporting and recordkeeping requirements listed in 40 CFR Part 60.58c(b) through (g) of subpart Ec.
(A) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) subject to emissions limits under subsection (c)(i)(A) or (ii)(A), excluding 40 CFR Part 60.58c(b)(2)(ii) (fugitive emissions), (b)(2)(viii) (NOx reagent), (b)(2)(xvii) (air pollution control device inspections), (b)(2)(xviii) (bag leak detection system alarms), (b)(2)(xix) (CO CEMS data), and (b)(7) (siting documentation).
(B) For a designated facility as defined in subsection (b)(i)(A) or (B) subject to emissions limits under subsection (c)(i)(B), (C), or (ii)(B), excluding 40 CFR Part 60.58c(b)(2)(xviii) (bag leak detection system alarms), (b)(2)(xix) (CO CEMS data), and (b)(7) (siting documentation).
(ii) The owner or operator of each HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsection (c) shall be required to:
(A) As specified in subsection (f), maintain records of the annual equipment inspections that are required for each HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsections (c)(i)(B), (C), and (ii), and the annual air pollution control device inspections that are required for each HMIWI subject to the emissions limits under subsections (c)(i)(B), (C), and (ii)(B), any required maintenance, and any repairs not completed within 10 days of an inspection or the timeframe established by the AQD Administrator; and
(B) Submit an annual report containing information recorded under paragraph (ii)(A) of this subsection no later than 60 days following the year in which data were collected. Subsequent reports shall be sent no later than 12 calendar months following the previous report (once the unit is subject to permitting requirements under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 3, the owner or operator must submit these reports semiannually). The report shall be signed by the facilities manager.
(i) Compliance Times.
(i) Except as provided in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of this subsection, all designated facilities shall comply with all requirements of this plan within one year of EPA's approval of this plan, or by October 6, 2014, whichever occurs first.
(ii) Except as provided in paragraphs (iii) and (iv) of this subsection, designated facilities shall comply with all requirements of the State plan on or before the date one year after EPA approval of the State plan, but not later than October 6, 2014, regardless of whether a designated facility is identified in the State plan inventory required by 40 CFR Part 60.25(a) of subpart B.
(iii) Any designated facility demonstrating measurable and enforceable incremental steps of progress towards compliance, planning to install the necessary air pollution control equipment, must be in compliance on or before the date three years after EPA approval of the State plan, but not later than October 6, 2014, for the emissions limits as amended on October 6, 2009. Measurable and enforceable activities necessary for this demonstration shall include:
(A) Date for submitting a petition for site-specific operating parameters under 40 CFR Part 60.56c(j) of subpart Ec.
(B) Date for obtaining services of an architectural and engineering firm regarding the air pollution control device(s):
(C) Date for obtaining design drawings of the air pollution control device(s):
(D) Date for ordering the air pollution control device(s):
(E) Date for obtaining the major components of the air pollution control device(s):
(F) Date for initiation of site preparation for installation of the air pollution control device(s):
(G) Date for initiation of installation of the air pollution control device(s);
(H) Date for initial startup of the air pollution control device(s); and
(I) Date for initial compliance test(s) of the air pollution control devices(s).
(iv) A designated facility petitioning the AQD Administrator for extensions beyond the compliance times required in paragraph (ii) of this subsection shall:
(A) Submit the following information in time to allow the AQD Administrator adequate time to grant or deny the extension within one year after EPA approval of the State plan, but not later than October 6, 2014:
(I) Documentation of the analyses undertaken to support the need for an extension, including an explanation of why up to three years after EPA approval of the State plan is sufficient time to comply, while within one year after EPA approval of the State plan is not sufficient. The documentation shall also include an evaluation of the option to transport the waste offsite to a commercial medical waste treatment and disposal facility on a temporary or permanent basis; and
(II) Documentation of measurable and enforceable incremental steps of progress to be taken towards compliance with the emissions limits.
(B) The AQD Administrator will grant or deny all extensions; and
(C) If an extension is granted, the designated facility shall comply with the emissions limits on or before the date three years after EPA approval of the State plan, but not later than October 6, 2014, for the emissions limits as amended on October 6, 2009.
(v) A designated facility shall comply with subsection (d) - Operator Training and Qualification Requirements and subsection (f) - Inspection Requirements by the date one year after EPA approval of a State plan, but not later than October 6, 2014.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.4.12272024 § 6 Incorporation by Reference
(a) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). All Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) cited in this chapter, including their Appendices, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, are incorporated by reference. Copies of the CFR are available for public inspection and copies can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at https://deq.wyoming.gov/. Copies of the CFR can also be obtained at cost from Government Institutes, 15200 NBN Way, Building B, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214, or online at https://ecfr.gov.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Chapter 5 National Emission Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.5.12272024 § 1 Introduction to National Emission Standards
(a) This Chapter incorporates emission control regulations developed by the Environmental Protection Agency for specific source categories. The State of Wyoming, Air Quality Division adopts these federal regulations in order to maintain administrative authority with regards to the standards. In this chapter, Section 2 contains New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) which regulate criteria pollutant emissions from specific categories of new sources; Section 3 contains National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) which regulates hazardous air pollutant emissions from specific categories of new and existing sources; and Section 4 incorporates by reference all Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), including their Appendices, cited in this Chapter and all American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards cited in this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.5.12272024 § 2 New Source Performance Standards
(a) General: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations on Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources, designated in Chapter 5, Section 2(b) and as amended by the word or phrase "substitutions" given in Chapter 5, Section 2(c), are incorporated into these regulations. The specific documents containing the complete text of the regulations are found in 40 CFR Part 60.
(b) Designated Standards of Performance: The following Standards of Performance are incorporated by reference under Section 4(a) of this Chapter.
40 CFR Part 60, subpart D - Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-
Fired Steam Generators
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Da - Standards of Performance for Electric
Utility Steam Generating Units
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Db - Standards of Performance for Industrial-
Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating
Units
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Dc - Standards of Performance for Small
Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam
Generating Units
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Ea - Standards of Performance for Municipal
Waste Combustors for Which Construction
is Commenced After December 20, 1989
and on or Before September 20, 1994
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Eb - Standards of Performance for Large
Municipal Waste Combustors for Which
Construction is Commenced After
September 20, 1994 or for Which
Modification or Reconstruction is
Commenced After June 19, 1996
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Ec - Standards of Performance for New
Stationary Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste
Incinerators
40 CFR Part 60, subpart F - Standards of Performance for Portland
Cement Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart G - Standards of Performance for Nitric Acid
Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Ga - Standards of Performance for Nitric Acid
Plants for Which Construction,
Reconstruction, or Modification
Commenced After October 14, 2011
40 CFR Part 60, subpart H - Standards of Performance for Sulfuric Acid
Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart I - Standards of Performance for Hot Mix
Asphalt Facilities
40 CFR Part 60, subpart J - Standards of Performance for Petroleum
Refineries
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Ja - Standards of Performance for Petroleum
Refineries for Which Construction,
Reconstruction, or Modification
Commenced After May 14, 2007
40 CFR Part 60, subpart K - Standards of Performance for Storage
Vessels for Petroleum Liquids for Which
Construction, Reconstruction, or
Modification Commenced After
June 11, 1973, and Prior to May 19, 1978
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Ka - Standards of Performance for Storage
Vessels for Petroleum Liquids for Which
Construction, Reconstruction, or
Modification Commenced After
May 18, 1978, and Prior to July 23, 1984
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Kb - Standards of Performance for Volatile
Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including
Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) for
Which Construction, Reconstruction, or
Modification Commenced After July 23,
1984
40 CFR Part 60, subpart T - Standards of Performance for the Phosphate
Fertilizer Industry: Wet-Process Phosphoric
Acid Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart U - Standards of Performance for the Phosphate
Fertilizer Industry: Superphosphoric Acid
Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart V - Standards of Performance for the Phosphate
Fertilizer Industry: Diammonium Phosphate
Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart W - Standards of Performance for the Phosphate
Fertilizer Industry: Triple Superphosphate
Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart X - Standards of Performance for the Phosphate
Fertilizer Industry: Granular Triple
Superphosphate Storage Facilities
40 CFR Part 60, subpart Y - Standards of Performance for Coal
Preparation and Processing Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart DD - Standards of Performance for Grain
Elevators
40 CFR Part 60, subpart GG - Standards of Performance for Stationary Gas
Turbines
40 CFR Part 60, subpart HH - Standards of Performance for Lime
Manufacturing Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart NN - Standards of Performance for Phosphate
Rock Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart UU - Standards of Performance for Asphalt Processing and Asphalt Roofing Manufacture
40 CFR Part 60, subpart VV - Standards of Performance for Equipment
Leaks of VOC in the Synthetic Organic
Chemicals Manufacturing Industry for
Which Construction, Reconstruction, or
Modification Commenced After January 5,
1981, and on or Before November 7, 2006
40 CFR Part 60, subpart VVa - Standards of Performance for Equipment
Leaks of VOC in the Synthetic Organic
Chemicals Manufacturing Industry for
Which Construction, Reconstruction, or
Modification Commenced After November
7, 2006
40 CFR Part 60, subpart WW - Standards of Performance for the Beverage
Can Surface Coating Industry
40 CFR Part 60, subpart XX - Standards of Performance for Bulk Gasoline
Terminals
40 CFR Part 60, subpart AAA - Standards of Performance for New
Residential Wood Heaters
40 CFR Part 60, subpart GGG - Standards of Performance for Equipment
Leaks of VOC in Petroleum Refineries for
Which Construction, Reconstruction, or
Modification Commenced After January 4,
1983, and on or Before November 7, 2006
40 CFR Part 60, subpart GGGa - Standards of Performance for Equipment
Leaks of VOC in Petroleum Refineries for
Which Construction, Reconstruction, or
Modification Commenced After November
7, 2006
40 CFR Part 60, subpart JJJ - Standards of Performance for Petroleum Dry
Cleaners
40 CFR Part 60, subpart KKK - Standards of Performance for Equipment
Leaks of VOC From Onshore Natural Gas
Processing Plants for Which Construction,
Reconstruction, or Modification
Commenced After January 20, 1984, and
on or Before August 23, 2011
40 CFR Part 60, subpart LLL - Standards of Performance for SO2 Emissions From Onshore Natural Gas
Processing for Which Construction,
Reconstruction, or Modification
Commenced After January 20, 1984, and
on or Before August 23, 2011
40 CFR Part 60, subpart OOO - Standards of Performance for Nonmetallic
Mineral Processing Plants
40 CFR Part 60, subpart QQQ - Standards of Performance for VOC
Emissions From Petroleum Refinery
Wastewater Systems
40 CFR Part 60, subpart UUU - Standards of Performance for Calciners and
Dryers in Mineral Industries
40 CFR Part 60, subpart WWW - Standards of Performance for Municipal
Solid Waste Landfills
40 CFR Part 60, subpart XXX - Standards of Performance for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills That Commenced Construction, Reconstruction, or Modification After July 17, 2014
40 CFR Part 60, subpart AAAA - Standards of Performance for Small
Municipal Waste Combustion Units for
Which Construction is Commenced After
August 30, 1999 or for Which Modification
or Reconstruction is Commenced After June
6, 2001
40 CFR Part 60, subpart CCCC - Standards of Performance for Commercial
and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration
Units
40 CFR Part 60, subpart EEEE - Standards of Performance for Other Solid Waste Incineration Units for Which Construction is Commenced After December 9, 2004, or for Which Modification or Reconstruction is Commenced on or After June 16, 2006
40 CFR Part 60, subpart IIII - Standards of Performance for Stationary
Compression Ignition Internal Combustion
Engines
40 CFR Part 60, subpart JJJJ - Standards of Performance for Stationary
Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines
40 CFR Part 60, subpart KKKK - Standards of Performance for Stationary
Combustion Turbines
40 CFR Part 60, subpart OOOO - Standards of Performance for Crude Oil
and Natural Gas Production,
Transmission and Distribution
40 CFR Part 60, subpart OOOOa - Standards of Performance for Crude Oil and
Natural Gas Facilities for which
Construction, Modification, or
Reconstruction Commenced after September
18, 2015
40 CFR Part 60, subpart OOOOb - Standards of Performance for Crude Oil and Natural
Gas Facilities for Which Construction, Modification or Reconstruction Commenced After December 6, 2022
40 CFR Part 60, subpart QQQQ - Standards of Performance for New Residential Hydronic Heaters and Forced-Air Furnaces
40 CFR Part 60, subpart TTTT - Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units
(i) Designated Appendices. The following appendices are incorporated by reference under Section 4(a) of this Chapter.
40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A - Test Methods
40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B - Performance Specifications
40 CFR Part 60, Appendix C - Determination of Emission Rate Change
40 CFR Part 60, Appendix D - Required Emission Inventory Information
40 CFR Part 60, Appendix F - Quality Assurance Procedures
40 CFR Part 60, Appendix I - Removable Label and Owner's Manual
(c) Word or Phrase Substitutions: In the standards designated in Chapter 5, Section 2(b) substitute:
(i) Chapter 1, Section 4 for 60.12
(ii) Chapter 5, Section 2 for Subpart A
(iii) Chapter 5, Section 2(e)(i) for 60.2
(iv) Chapter 5, Section 2(e)(ii) for 60.3
(v) Chapter 5, Section 2(g) for 60.7
(vi) Chapter 5, Section 2(h) for 60.8
(vii) Chapter 5, Section 2(i) for 60.11
(viii) Chapter 5, Section 2(j) for 60.13
(ix) Chapter 5, Section 2(k) for 60.14
(x) Chapter 5, Section 2(l) for 60.15
(xi) Chapter 5, Section 2(m) for 60.18
(xii) Chapter 5, Section 2(n) for 60.19
(xiii) Chapter 6, Section 2(b)(i) for 60.5 and 60.6
(xiv) Chapter 6, Section 2(i) for 60.7(a)(2) and (3)
(xv) Chapter 6, Section 2(j) for 60.8(a) and (d)
(xvi) Section 35-11-1101 Environmental Quality Act for 60.9
(d) Applicability: The provisions of Chapter 5, Section 2 are applicable to the owner or operator of any stationary source which contains an affected facility, the construction or modification of which is commenced after the date of publication of any proposed standard as designated in the applicable subparts of the Standards of Performance referenced in Chapter 5, Section 2(b) and contained in 40 CFR Part 60.
(i) In addition to complying with the provisions of this section, the owner or operator of an affected facility may be required to obtain an operating permit issued to stationary sources by the Administrator pursuant to Title V of the Clean Air Act (Act) as amended November 15, 1990 (42 U.S.C. 7661). For more information about obtaining an operating permit see Chapter 6, Section 3.
(e) Definitions and Abbreviations: The following terms are explicitly defined for use in this section. As used in this section, all terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given to them in Chapter 1, Section 3.
(i) Definitions:
"Act" means the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.).
"Administrator" means the Administrator of the Division of Air Quality, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, except for those authorities which cannot be delegated to the state, in which case "administrator" means both the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Administrator of the Division of Air Quality, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"Affected facility" means, with reference to a stationary source, any apparatus to which a standard is applicable.
"Alternative method" means any method of sampling and analyzing for an air pollutant which is not a reference or equivalent method but which has been demonstrated to the Administrator's satisfaction to, in some specific cases, produce results adequate for his determination of compliance.
"Capital expenditure" means an expenditure for a physical or operational change to an existing facility which exceeds the product of the applicable "annual asset guideline repair allowance percentage" specified in the latest edition of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 534 and the existing facility's basis, as defined by section 1012 of the Internal Revenue Code. However, the total expenditure for a physical or operational change to an existing facility must not be reduced by any "excluded additions" as defined in IRS Publication 534, as would be done for tax purposes.
"Clean coal technology demonstration project" means a project using funds appropriated under the heading ‘Department of Energy-Clean Coal Technology', up to a total amount of $2,500,000,000 for commercial demonstrations of clean coal technology, or similar projects funded through appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency.
"Commenced" means, with respect to the definition of new source in section 111(a)(2) of the Act, that an owner or operator has undertaken a continuous program of construction or modification or that an owner or operator has entered into a contractual obligation to undertake and complete, within a reasonable time, a continuous program of construction or modification.
"Construction" means fabrication, erection, or installation of an affected facility.
"Continuous monitoring system" means the total equipment, required under the emission monitoring sections, used to sample and condition (if applicable), to analyze, and to provide a permanent record of emissions or process parameters.
"Electric utility steam generating unit" means any steam electric generating unit that is constructed for the purpose of supplying more than one-third of its potential electric output capacity and more than 25 MW electrical output to any utility power distribution system for sale. Any steam supplied to a steam distribution system for the purpose of providing steam to a steam-electric generator that would produce electrical energy for sale is also considered in determining the electrical energy output capacity of the affected facility.
"Equivalent method" means any method of sampling and analyzing for an air pollutant which has been demonstrated to the Administrator's satisfaction to have a consistent and quantitatively known relationship to the reference method, under specified conditions.
"Excess emissions and monitoring systems performance report" is a report that must be submitted periodically by a source in order to provide data on its compliance with stated emission limits and operating parameters, and on the performance of its monitoring systems.
"Existing facility" means, with reference to a stationary source, any apparatus of the type for which a standard is promulgated in this section, and the construction or modification of which was commenced before the date of proposal of that standard; or any apparatus which could be altered in such a way as to be of that type.
"Isokinetic sampling" means sampling in which the linear velocity of the gas entering the sampling nozzle is equal to that of the undisturbed gas stream at the sample point.
"Issuance" of an operating permit will occur, in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 3.
"Malfunction" means any sudden, infrequent, and not reasonably preventable failure of air pollution control equipment, process equipment, or a process to operate in a normal or usual manner. Failures that are caused in part by poor maintenance or careless operation are not malfunctions.
"Monitoring device" means the total equipment, required under the monitoring of operations sections, used to measure and record (if applicable) process parameters.
"Nitrogen oxides" means all oxides of nitrogen except nitrous oxide, as measured by test methods set forth in this section.
"One-hour period" means any 60-minute period commencing on the hour.
"Opacity" means the degree to which emissions reduce the transmission of light and obscure the view of an object in the background.
"Operating permit" or "Part 70 permit" means any permit or group of permits covering a source under Chapter 6, Section 3 that is issued, renewed, amended or revised pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3.
"Owner or operator" means any person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises an affected facility or a stationary source of which an affected facility is a part.
"Particulate matter" means any finely divided solid or liquid material, other than uncombined water, as measured by the reference methods specified under each subpart, or an equivalent or alternative method.
"Permit program" means the comprehensive State operating permit system established pursuant to Title V of the Act (42 U.S.C. 7661) and regulations in Chapter 6, Section 3.
"Proportional sampling" means sampling at a rate that produces a constant ratio of sampling rate to stack gas flow rate.
"Reactivation of a very clean coal-fired electric utility steam generating unit" means any physical change or change in the method of operation associated with the commencement of commercial operations by a coal-fired utility unit after a period of discontinued operation where the unit:
(A) Has not been in operation for the two-year period prior to the enactment of the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990, and the emissions from the unit continue to be carried in the permitting authority's emissions inventory at the time of enactment;
(B) Was equipped prior to shut-down with a continuous system of emissions control that achieves a removal efficiency for sulfur dioxide of no less than 85 percent and a removal efficiency for particulates of no less than 98 percent;
(C) Is equipped with low-NOx burners prior to the time of commencement of operations following reactivation; and
(D) Is otherwise in compliance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
"Reference method" means any method of sampling and analyzing for an air pollutant as specified in the applicable subpart.
"Repowering" means replacement of an existing coal-fired boiler with one of the following clean coal technologies: atmospheric or pressurized fluidized bed combustion, integrated gasification combined cycle, magnetohydrodynamics, direct and indirect coal-fired turbines, integrated gasification fuel cells, or as determined by the Administrator of EPA, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, a derivative of one or more of these technologies, and any other technology capable of controlling multiple combustion emissions simultaneously with improved boiler or generation efficiency and with significantly greater waste reduction relative to the performance of technology in widespread commercial use as of November 15, 1990. Repowering shall also include any oil and/or gas-fired unit which has been awarded clean coal technology demonstration funding as of January 1, 1991, by the Department of Energy.
"Run" means the net period of time during which an emission sample is collected. Unless otherwise specified, a run may be either intermittent or continuous within the limits of good engineering practice.
"Shutdown" means the cessation of operation of an affected facility for any purpose.
"Six-minute period" means any one of the 10 equal parts of a one-hour period.
"Standard" means a standard of performance proposed or promulgated under this section.
"Standard conditions" means a temperature of 293°K (68°F) and a pressure of 101.3 Kilopascals of Hg (29.92 in. of Hg).
"Start-up" means the setting in operation of an affected facility for any purpose.
"State" means the Wyoming Air Quality Division which has been delegated authority to implement:
(A) The provisions of this section; and/or
(B) The permit program established under 40 CFR Part 70.
"Stationary source" means any building, structure, facility, or installation which emits or may emit any air pollutant.
"Volatile organic compounds" means any organic compound which participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions; or which is measured by a reference method, an equivalent method, an alternative method, or which is determined by procedures specified under any subpart.
(ii) Abbreviations:
A ampere
A.S.T.M. American Society for Testing and Materials
Btu British thermal unit
cal calorie
CdS Cadmium sulfide
cfm cubic feet per minute
CO carbon monoxide
CO2 carbon dioxide
°C degree Celsius (centigrade)
°F degree Fahrenheit
°K degree Kelvin
°R degree Rankine
dscm dry cubic meter(s) at standard conditions
dscf dry cubic feet at standard conditions
eq equivalents
g gram(s)
gal gallon(s)
g eq gram equivalents
gr grain(s)
HCl hydrochloric acid
Hg mercury
hr hour(s)
H2O water
H2S hydrogen sulfide
H2SO4 sulfuric acid
Hz hertz
in inch(es)
J joule
k 1,000
kg kilogram(s)
l liters
lb pound(s)
lpm Liter(s) per minute
m meter(s)
meq milliequivalent(s)
mg milligram(s)
Mg megagram - 106 gram
min minute(s)
ml milliliter(s)
mm millimeter(s)
mol. wt. molecular weight
mv millivolt
N newton
N nitrogen
ng nanogram - 10-9 gram
nm nanometer(s) - 10-9 meter
NO nitric oxide
NO2 nitrogen dioxide
NOx nitrogen oxides
O2 oxygen
Pa pascal
ppb parts per billion
ppm parts per million
psia pounds per square inch absolute
s second
sec second
SO2 sulfur dioxide
SO3 sulfur trioxide
STD at standard conditions
µg microgram(s) - 10-6 gram
V volt
W watt
(f) Permit Requirements: Compliance with the provisions of this section shall in no way relieve the owner or operator of responsibility for compliance with other applicable sections of these regulations. The permit requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2 are specifically applicable to affected facilities subject to the requirements of this section.
(g) Notification and Recordkeeping:
(i) Any owner or operator subject to the provisions of this section shall furnish the Administrator written notification as follows:
(A) A notification of the date construction (or reconstruction as defined under Chapter 1, Section 3) of an affected facility is commenced postmarked no later than 30 days after such date. This requirement shall not apply in the case of mass-produced facilities which are purchased in completed form.
(B) A notification of any physical or operational change to an existing facility which may increase the emission rate of any air pollutant to which a standard applies, unless that change is specifically exempted under an applicable subpart or in Chapter 5, Section 2(k). This notice shall be postmarked 60 days or as soon as practicable before the change is commenced and shall include information describing the precise nature of the change, present and proposed emission control systems, productive capacity of the facility before and after the change, and the expected completion date of the change. The Administrator may request additional relevant information subsequent to this notice.
(C) A notification of the date upon which demonstration of the continuous monitoring system performance commences in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 2(j)(iii). Notification shall be postmarked not less than 30 days prior to such date.
(D) A notification of the anticipated date for conducting the opacity observations required by Chapter 5, Section 2(i)(v) of this section. The notification shall be postmarked not less than 30 days prior to such date.
(E) A notification that continuous opacity monitoring system data results will be used to determine compliance with the applicable opacity standard during a performance test required by Chapter 5, Section 2(h) in lieu of Method 9 observation data as allowed by Chapter 5, Section 2(i)(v)(D). This notification shall be postmarked not less than 30 days prior to the date of the performance test.
(ii) Any owner or operator subject to the provisions of this section shall maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any start-up, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility; any malfunction of the air pollution control equipment; or any periods during which a continuous monitoring system or monitoring device is inoperative.
(iii) Each owner or operator required to install a continuous monitoring system (CMS) or monitoring device shall submit an excess emissions and monitoring systems performance report (excess emissions are defined in applicable subparts) and/or a summary report form (see paragraph E of this section) to the Administrator semiannually, except when: more frequent reporting is specifically required by an applicable subpart; or the CMS data are to be used directly for compliance determination, in which case quarterly reports shall be submitted; or the Administrator, on a case-by-case basis, determines that more frequent reporting is necessary to accurately assess the compliance status of the source. All reports shall be postmarked by the 30th day following the end of each calendar half (or quarter, as appropriate). Written reports of excess emissions shall include the following information:
(A) The magnitude of excess emissions computed in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 2(j)(viii), any conversion factor(s) used, and the date and time of commencement and completion of each time period of excess emissions. The process operating time during the reporting period.
(B) Specific identification of each period of excess emissions that occurs during start-ups, shutdowns, malfunctions of the affected facility. The nature and cause of any malfunction (if known), the corrective action taken or preventative measures adopted.
(C) The date and time identifying each period during which the continuous monitoring system was inoperative except for zero and span checks and the nature of the system repairs or adjustments.
(D) When no excess emissions have occurred or the continuous monitoring system(s) have not been inoperative, repaired, or adjusted, such information shall be stated in the report.
(E) The summary report form shall contain the information and be in the format shown in Form B unless otherwise specified by the Administrator. One summary report form shall be submitted for each pollutant monitored at each affected facility.
(I) If the total duration of excess emissions for the reporting period is less than 1 percent of the total operating time for the reporting period and CMS downtime for the reporting period is less than 5 percent of the total operating time for the reporting period, only the summary report form shall be submitted and the excess emission report described in paragraph (iii) of this subsection need not be submitted unless requested by the Administrator.
(II) If the total duration of excess emissions for the reporting period is 1 percent or greater of the total operating time for the reporting period or the total CMS downtime for the reporting period is 5 percent or greater of the total operating time for the reporting period, the summary report form and the excess emission report described in paragraph (iii) of this subsection shall both be submitted.
Form B
EXCESS EMISSION SUMMARY REPORT
Emission Data Summary
CMS Performance Summary
I. Duration of Excess Emissions in
Reporting Period Due to:
A. Startup/Shutdown
B. Control Equipment Problems
C. Process Problems
D. Other Known Causes
E. Unknown Causes
I. CMS Downtime in Reporting
Period Due to:
A. Monitor Equipment Malfunctions
B. Non-Monitor Equipment Malfunctions
C. Quality Assurance Calibration
D. Other Known Causes
E. Unknown Causes
II. Total Duration of Excess
Emission
II. Total CMS Downtime
III. Total Duration of Excess
Emissions x 100 divided by
Total Source Operating Time
minus Total CMS Downtime
III. Total CMS Downtime x 100 divided by
Total Source Operating Time
Total time of excess emission events due to emergency/abnormal operations__________.
NOTE:
- Only report excess emissions which occur when the unit/process is operating. Include all excess emissions in
the Emission Data Summary including those excess emissions associated with startup/shutdown and those
excess emissions associated with Chapter 1, Section 5 (Emergency/Abnormal) operations. Report times in
hours for gaseous monitors and in tenths of an hour for opacity monitors. Include detailed excess
emission information and causes in the Excess Emission Table (Form C).
- Only report CEM downtime which occurs while the unit/process is operating. Report time in hours to one
decimal point. Include detailed CEM downtime and causes in the Monitor Outage Table (Form D).
- Include an explanation of what corrective actions were taken for total excess emissions or monitor downtime
for the quarter (Emission Data Summary and CMS Performance Summary, Item III) greater than 5%. (See
Instructions for further details.)
On a separate page, describe any changes since last quarter in CMS, process or controls. I certify that the information contained in this report is true, accurate, and complete.
Name
Signature
Title
Date
(iv) (A) Notwithstanding the frequency of reporting requirements specified in paragraph (iii) of this subsection, an owner or operator who is required by an applicable subpart to submit excess emissions and monitoring systems performance reports (and summary reports) on a quarterly (or more frequent) basis may reduce the frequency of reporting for that standard to semiannual if the following conditions are met:
(I) For 1 full year (e.g., 4 quarterly or 12 monthly reporting periods) the affected facility's excess emissions and monitoring systems reports submitted to comply with a standard under this section continually demonstrate that the facility is in compliance with the applicable standard;
(II) The owner or operator continues to comply with all recordkeeping and monitoring requirements specified in this section and the applicable standard; and
(III) The Administrator does not object to a reduced frequency of reporting for the affected facility, as provided in paragraph (iv)(B) of this subsection.
(B) The frequency of reporting of excess emissions and monitoring systems performance (and summary) reports may be reduced only after the owner or operator notifies the Administrator in writing of the intent to make such a change and the Administrator does not object to the intended change. In deciding whether to approve a reduced frequency of reporting, the Administrator may review information concerning the source's entire previous performance history during the required recordkeeping period prior to the intended change, including performance test results, monitoring data, and evaluations of an owner or operator's conformance with operation and maintenance requirements. Such information may be used by the Administrator to make a judgment about the source's potential for noncompliance in the future. If the Administrator disapproves the owner or operator's request to reduce the frequency of reporting, the Administrator will notify the owner or operator in writing within 45 days after receiving notice of the owner or operator's intention. The notification from the Administrator to the owner or operator will specify the ground on which the disapproval is based. In the absence of a notice of disapproval within 45 days, approval is automatically granted.
(C) As soon as monitoring data indicate that the affected facility is not in compliance with any emission limitation or operating parameter specified in the applicable standard, the frequency of reporting shall revert to the frequency specified in the applicable standard, and the owner or operator shall submit an excess emissions and monitoring systems performance report (and summary report, if required) at the next appropriate reporting period following the noncomplying event. After demonstrating compliance with the applicable standard for another full year, the owner or operator may again request approval from the Administrator to reduce the frequency of reporting for that standard as provided for in paragraphs (iv)(A) and (iv)(B) of this subsection.
(v) Any owner or operator subject to the provisions of this section shall maintain a file of all measurements, including continuous monitoring system, monitoring device, and performance testing measurements; all continuous monitoring system performance evaluations; all continuous monitoring system or monitoring device calibration checks; adjustments and maintenance performed on these systems or devices; and all other information required by this section recorded in a permanent form suitable for inspection. The file shall be retained for at least two years following the date of such measurements, maintenance, reports, and record.
(vi) Individual subparts of 40 CFR Part 60 may include specific provisions which clarify or made inapplicable the provisions set forth in this section.
(h) Performance Tests:
(i) The owner or operator of an affected facility shall conduct performance test(s) within the times specified in Chapter 6, Section 2(j) and furnish the Administrator a written report of the results of such performance test(s).
(ii) Performance tests shall be conducted and data reduced in accordance with the test methods and procedures contained in each applicable subpart unless the Administrator (1) specifies or approves, in specific cases, the use of a reference method with minor changes in methodology; (2) obtains approval from the EPA Administrator for use of an equivalent method; (3) obtains approval from the EPA Administrator for use of an alternative method the results of which he had determined to be adequate for indicating whether a specific source is in compliance; (4) waives the requirement for performance tests because the owner or operator of a source has demonstrated by other means to the Administrator's satisfaction that the affected facility is in compliance with the standard; or (5) approves shorter sampling times and smaller sample volumes when necessitated by process variables or other factors. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to abrogate the Administrator's authority to require other testing.
(iii) Performance tests shall be conducted under such conditions as the Administrator shall specify to the plant operator based on representative performance of the affected facility. The owner or operator shall make available to the Administrator such records as may be necessary to determine the conditions of the performance tests. Operations during periods of start-up, shutdown, and malfunction shall not constitute representative conditions for the purpose of a performance test nor shall emissions in excess of the level of the applicable emission limit during periods of start-up, shutdown, and malfunction be considered a violation of the applicable emission limit unless otherwise specified in the applicable standard.
(iv) The owner or operator of an affected facility shall provide, or cause to be provided, performance testing facilities as follows:
(A) Sampling ports adequate for test methods applicable to such facility. This includes:
(I) Constructing the air pollution control system such that volumetric flow rates and pollutant emission rates can be accurately determined by applicable test methods and procedures and;
(II) Providing a stack or duct free of cyclonic flow during performance tests, as demonstrated by applicable test methods and procedures;
(B) Safe sampling platform(s);
(C) Safe access to sampling platform(s);
(D) Utilities for sampling and testing equipment.
(v) Unless otherwise specified in the applicable subpart, each performance test shall consist of three separate runs using the applicable test method. Each run shall be conducted for the time and under the conditions specified in the applicable standard. For the purpose of determining compliance with an applicable standard, the arithmetic means of results of the three runs shall apply. In the event that a sample is accidentally lost or conditions occur in which one of the three runs must be discontinued because of forced shutdown, failure of an irreplaceable portion of the sample train, extreme meteorological conditions, or other circumstances, beyond the owner or operator's control, compliance may, upon the Administrator's approval, be determined using the arithmetic mean of the results of the two other runs.
(i) Compliance With Standards and Maintenance Requirements:
(i) Compliance with standards in this section, other than opacity standards, shall be determined by performance tests established by Chapter 5, Section 2(h), unless otherwise specified in the applicable standard.
(ii) Compliance with opacity standards in this section shall be determined by conducting observations in accordance with Reference Method 9 in 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A or any alternative method that is approved by the EPA Administrator, or as provided in paragraph (v)(D) of this section. For purposes of determining initial compliance, the minimum total time of observations shall be 3 hours (30 6-minute averages) for the performance test or other set of observations (meaning those fugitive-type emission sources subject only to an opacity standard).
(iii) The opacity standards set forth in this section shall apply at all times except during periods of start-up, shutdown, malfunction, and as otherwise provided in the applicable standard.
(iv) At all times, including periods of start-up, shutdown, and malfunction, owners and operators shall, to the extent practicable, maintain and operate any affected facility including associated air pollution control equipment in a manner consistent with good air pollution control practice for minimizing emissions. Determination of whether acceptable operating and maintenance procedures are being used will be based on information available to the Administrator which may include, but is not limited to, monitoring results, opacity observations, review of operating and maintenance procedures, and inspection of the source.
(v) (A) For the purpose of demonstrating initial compliance, opacity observations shall be conducted concurrently with the initial performance test required in Chapter 5, Section 2(h) unless one of the following conditions apply. If no performance test under Chapter 5, Section 2(h) is required, then opacity observations shall be conducted within 60 days after achieving the maximum production rate at which the affected facility will be operated but no later than 180 days after initial start-up of the facility. If visibility or other conditions prevent the opacity observations from being conducted concurrently with the initial performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h), the source owner or operator shall reschedule the opacity observations as soon after the initial performance test as possible, but not later than 30 days thereafter, and shall advise the Administrator of the rescheduled date. In these cases, the 30-day prior notification to the Administrator required in Chapter 5, Section 2(g)(i)(D) shall be waived. The rescheduled opacity observations shall be conducted (to the extent possible) under the same operating conditions that existed during the initial performance test conducted under Chapter 5, Section 2(h). The visible emissions observer shall determine whether visibility or other conditions prevent the opacity observations from being made concurrently with the initial performance test in accordance with procedures contained in Reference Method 9 of 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A. Opacity reading of portions of plumes which contain condensed, uncombined water vapor shall not be used for purposes of determining compliance with opacity standards. The owner or operator of an affected facility shall make available, upon request by the Administrator, any records as may be necessary to determine the conditions under which the visual observations were made and shall provide evidence indicating proof of current visible observer emission certification. Except as provided in paragraph (v)(D) of this section, the results of continuous monitoring by transmissometer which indicate that the opacity at the time visual observations were made was not in excess of the standard are probative but not conclusive evidence of the actual opacity of an emission, provided that the source shall meet the burden of proving that the instrument used meets (at the time of the alleged violation) Performance Specification 1 in 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B, has been properly maintained and (at the time of the alleged violation) that the resulting data have not been altered in any way.
(I) The inability of an owner or operator to secure a visible emissions observer shall not be considered a reason for not conducting the opacity observations concurrent with the initial performance test.
(B) The owner or operator of an affected facility to which an opacity standard in this section applies shall conduct opacity observations in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 2(i)(ii), shall record the opacity of emissions, and shall report to the Administrator the opacity results along with the results of the initial performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h).
(C) An owner or operator of an affected facility using a continuous opacity monitor (transmissometer) shall record the monitoring data produce during the initial performance test required by Chapter 5, Section 2(h) and furnish the Administrator a written report of the monitoring results along with Method 9 and Chapter 5, Section 2(h) performance test results.
(D) An owner or operator of an affected facility subject to an opacity standard may submit, for compliance purposes, continuous opacity monitoring system (COMS) data results produced during any performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h) in lieu of Method 9 observation data. If an owner or operator elects to submit COMS data for compliance with the opacity standard, he shall notify the Administrator of that decision in writing, at least 30 days before any performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h) is conducted. Once the owner or operator of an affected facility has notified the Administrator to that Effect, the COMS data results will be used to determine opacity compliance during subsequent tests required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h) until the owner or operator notifies the Administrator in writing to the contrary. For the purpose of determining compliance with the opacity standard during a performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h) using COMS data the minimum total time of COMS data collection shall be the averages of all 6-minute continuous periods within the duration of the mass emission performance test. Results of the COMS opacity determinations shall be submitted along with the results of the performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h). The owner or operator of an affected facility using a COMS for compliance purposes is responsible for demonstrating that the COMS meets the requirements specified in Chapter 5, Section 2(j)(iii) of this section, that the COMS has been properly maintained and operated, and that the resulting data have not been altered in any way. If COMS data results are submitted for compliance with the opacity standard for a period of time during which Method 9 data indicates noncompliance, the Method 9 data will be used to determine opacity compliance.
(E) Upon receipt from an owner or operator of the written reports of the results of the performance tests required by Chapter 5, Section 2(h), the opacity observation results and observer certification required by Chapter 5, Section 2(i)(v)(A) and the COMS results, if applicable, the Administrator will make a finding concerning compliance with opacity and other applicable standards. If COMS data results are used to comply with an opacity standard, only those results are required to be submitted along with the performance test results required by Chapter 5, Section 2(h). If the Administrator finds that an affected facility is in compliance with all applicable standards for which performance tests are conducted in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 2(h) of this section but during the time such performance tests are being conducted fails to meet any applicable opacity standard, he shall notify the owner or operator and advise him that he may petition the Administrator within 10 days of receipt of notification to make appropriate adjustment to the opacity standard for the affected facility. The notifications received requesting adjustments to the opacity standard of the affected facility will be forwarded to EPA for resolution.
(vi) Special provisions set forth under an applicable subpart in 40 CFR Part 60 shall supersede any conflicting provisions in this section.
(vii) For the purpose of submitting compliance certifications or establishing whether or not a person has violated or is in violation of any standard in this section, nothing in this section shall preclude the use, including the exclusive use, of any credible evidence or information, relevant to whether a source would have been in compliance with the applicable requirements if the appropriate performance or compliance test or procedure had been performed.
(j) Monitoring Requirements:
(i) For the purposes of this section, all continuous monitoring systems required under applicable subparts shall be subject to the provisions of this section upon promulgation of performance specifications for continuous monitoring systems under 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B and, if the continuous monitoring system is used to demonstrate compliance with emission limits on a continuous basis, 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix F, unless otherwise specified in an applicable subpart or by the Administrator. Appendix F is applicable December 4, 1987.
(ii) All continuous monitoring systems and monitoring devices shall be installed and operational prior to conducting performance tests under Chapter 5, Section 2(h). Verification of operational status shall, as a minimum, include completion of manufacturer's written requirements or recommendations for installation, operation, and calibration of the device.
(iii) If the owner or operator of an affected facility elects to submit COMS data for compliance with the opacity standard as provided under Chapter 5, Section 2(i)(v)(D), he shall conduct a performance evaluation of the COMS as specified in Performance Specification 1, 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B, before the performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h) is conducted. Otherwise, the owner or operator of an affected facility shall conduct a performance evaluation of the COMS or continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) during any performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h) or within 30 days thereafter in accordance with the applicable performance specification in 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B. The owner or operator of an affected facility shall conduct COMS or CEMS performance evaluations at such other times as may be required by the Administrator.
(A) The owner or operator of an affected facility using a COMS to determine opacity compliance during any performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h) and as described in Chapter 5, Section 2(i)(v)(D) shall furnish the Administrator two or, upon request, more copies of a written report of the results of the COMS performance evaluation described in paragraph (iii) of this section at least 10 days before the performance test required under Chapter 5, Section 2(h) is conducted.
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (iii)(A) of this section, the owner or operator of an affected facility shall furnish the Administrator within 60 days of completion two or, upon request, more copies of a written report of the results of the performance evaluation.
(C) These continuous monitoring system performance evaluations, except as provided in paragraph (x) of this section shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements and procedures contained in the applicable performance specification of 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B as follows:
(I) Continuous monitoring systems for measuring opacity of emissions installed on or after March 30, 1983 shall comply with all the provisions and requirements in Performance Specification 1. Continuous monitoring systems for measuring opacity of emissions installed before March 30, 1983 are required to comply with the provisions and requirements of Performance Specification 1 except for the following:
(1.) Section 4 - Installation specifications.
(2.) Paragraphs 5.1.4 - Optical alignment sight, 5.1.6 - Access to external optics, 5.1.7 - Automatic zero compensation indicator, and 5.1.8 - Slotted tube of Section 5 - Design and Performance Specification 1.
(3.) Paragraph 6.4 - Optical alignment sight of Section 6. Design specifications verification procedure.
If an existing opacity monitoring system is replaced on or after March 30, 1983, the new opacity monitoring system shall comply with the requirements of Performance Specification 1, except the new monitoring system may be located at the same measurement location as for the replaced monitoring system. If a new measurement location is to be determined at the time of replacement, the new location must meet the requirements of Performance Specification 1.
(II) Continuous monitoring systems for measuring nitrogen oxides emissions shall comply with Performance Specification 2.
(III) Continuous monitoring systems for measuring sulfur dioxide emissions shall comply with Performance Specification 2.
(IV) Continuous monitoring systems for measuring the oxygen content or carbon dioxide content of effluent gases shall comply with Performance Specification 3.
(iv) (A) Owners and operators of all continuous emission monitoring systems installed in accordance with the provisions of this section shall check the zero (or low-level value between 0 and 20 percent of span value) and span (50 to 100 percent of span value) calibration drifts at least once daily in accordance with a written procedure. The zero and span shall, as a minimum, be adjusted whenever the 24-hour zero drift or 24-hour span drift exceeds two times the limits of the applicable performance specifications in 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B. The system must allow the amount of excess zero and span drift measured at the 24-hour interval checks to be recorded and quantified, whenever specified. For continuous monitoring systems measuring opacity of emissions, the optical surfaces exposed to the effluent gases shall be cleaned prior to performing the zero and span drift adjustments except that for systems using automatic zero adjustments, the optical surfaces shall be cleaned when the cumulative zero compensation exceeds 4 percent opacity.
(B) Unless otherwise approved by the Administrator, owners and operators shall adhere to the following procedures for continuous monitoring systems measuring opacity of emissions. Minimum procedures shall include a method for producing a simulated zero opacity condition and an upscale (span value) opacity condition using a certified neutral density filter or other related technique to produce a known obscuration of the light beam. Such procedures shall provide a system check of the analyzer internal optical surfaces and all electronic circuitry including the lamp and photodetector assembly.
(v) Except for system breakdown, repairs, calibration checks, and zero and span adjustments required under paragraph (iv) of this section, all continuous monitoring systems shall be in continuous operation and shall meet minimum frequency of operation requirements as follows:
(A) All continuous monitoring systems referenced by paragraphs (iii)(A) and (B) of this section for measuring opacity of emissions shall complete a minimum of one cycle of sampling and analyzing for each successive ten-second period and one cycle of data recording for each successive six-minute period.
(B) All continuous monitoring systems referenced by paragraphs (iii)(A) and (B) of this section for measuring emissions, except opacity shall complete a minimum of one cycle of operation (sampling, analyzing, and data recording) for each successive 15-minute period.
(vi) All continuous monitoring systems or monitoring devices shall be installed such that representative measurements of emissions or process parameters from the affected facility are obtained. Owners and operators shall use additional procedures contained in the applicable Performance Standards for 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B for location of continuous monitoring systems.
(vii) When the effluents from a single affected facility or two or more affected facilities subject to the same emission standards are combined before being released to the atmosphere, the owner or operator may install applicable continuous monitoring systems on each effluent or on the combined effluent. When the affected facilities are not subject to the same emissions standards, separate continuous monitoring systems shall be installed on each effluent. When the effluent from one affected facility is released to the atmosphere through more than one point, the owner or operator shall install applicable continuous monitoring systems on each separate effluent unless the installation of fewer systems is approved by the Administrator. When more than one continuous monitoring system is used to measure the emissions from one affected facility (e.g., multiple breechings, multiple outlets), the owner or operator shall report the results as required from each continuous monitoring system.
(viii) Owners or operators of all continuous monitoring systems for measurement of opacity shall reduce all data to six-minute averages, and shall reduce all data for systems other than opacity to one-hour averages for the time period as defined under Chapter 5, Section 2(c)(i). Six-minute opacity averages shall be calculated from 36 or more data points equally spaced over each six-minute period. For systems other than opacity, one-hour averages shall be computed from four or more data points equally spaced over each one-hour period. Data recorded during periods of system breakdowns, repairs, calibration checks, and zero and span adjustments shall not be included in the data averages computed under this paragraph. An arithmetic or integrated average of all data may be used. The data output of all continuous monitoring systems may be recorded in reduced or non-reduced form (e.g., ppm pollutant and percent O2 or lb/million Btu of pollutant). All excess emissions shall be converted into units of the standard using the applicable conversion procedures specified in subparts. After conversion into units of the standard, the data may be rounded to the same number of significant digits used in subparts to specify the applicable standard (e.g., rounded to the nearest one percent opacity).
(ix) Upon written application by an owner or operator, the Administrator may approve alternatives to any monitoring procedures or requirements of this section including, but not limited to the following:
(A) Alternative monitoring requirements when installation of a continuous monitoring system or monitoring device specified by this section would not provide accurate measurements due to liquid water or other interferences caused by substances with the effluent gases.
(B) Alternative monitoring requirements when the affected facility is infrequently operated.
(C) Alternative monitoring requirement to accommodate continuous monitoring systems that require additional measurements to correct for stack moisture conditions.
(D) Alternative locations for installing continuous monitoring systems or monitoring devices when the owner or operator can demonstrate that installation at alternate locations will enable accurate and representative measurements.
(E) Alternative methods of converting pollutant concentration measurements to units of the standards.
(F) Alternative procedures for performing daily checks of zero and span drift that do not involve use of span gases or test cells.
(G) Alternatives to the A.S.T.M. test methods or sampling procedures specified by any subpart.
(H) Alternative continuous monitoring systems that do not meet the design or performance requirements in Performance Specification 1 of 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B, but adequately demonstrate a definite and consistent relationship between its measurements and the measurements of opacity by a system complying with the requirements in Performance Specification 1. The Administrator may require that such demonstration be performed for each affected facility.
(I) Alternative monitoring requirements when the effluent from a single affected facility or the combined effluent from two or more affected facilities are released to the atmosphere through more than one point.
(x) An alternative to the relative accuracy test specified in Performance Specification 2 of 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B may be requested as follows:
(A) An alternative to the reference method tests for determining relative accuracy is available for sources with emission rates demonstrated to be less than 50 percent of the applicable standard. A source owner or operator may petition the Administrator to waive the relative accuracy test in Section 7 of Performance Specification 2 and substitute the procedures in Section 10 if the results of the performance test conducted according to the requirements in Chapter 5, Section 2(h) of this section or other tests performed following the criteria in Chapter 5, Section 2(h) demonstrate that the emission rate of the pollutant of interest in the units of the applicable standard is less than 50 percent of the applicable standard. For sources subject to standards expressed as control efficiency levels, a source owner or operator may petition the Administrator to waive the relative accuracy test and substitute the procedures in Section 10 of Performance Specification 2 if the control device exhaust emission rate is less than 50 percent of the level needed to meet the control efficiency requirement. The alternative procedures do not apply if the continuous emission monitoring system is used to determine compliance continuously with the applicable standard. The petition to waive the relative accuracy test shall include a detailed description of the procedures to be applied. Included shall be location and procedure for conducting the alternative, the concentration or response levels of the alternative RA materials, and the other equipment checks included in the alternative procedure. The Administrator will review the petition for completeness and applicability. The determination to grant a waiver will depend on the intended use of the CEMS data (e.g., data collection purposes other than NSPS) and may require specifications more stringent than in Performance Specification 2 (e.g., the applicable emission limit is more stringent than NSPS).
(B) The waiver of CEMS relative accuracy test will be reviewed and may be rescinded at such time following successful completion of the alternative RA procedure that the CEMS data indicate the source emissions approaching the level of the applicable standard. The criterion for reviewing the waiver is the collection of CEMS data showing that emissions have exceeded 70 percent of the applicable standard for seven consecutive averaging periods as specified by the applicable regulation(s). For sources subject to standards expressed as control efficiency levels, the criterion for reviewing the waiver is the collection of CEMS data showing that exhaust emissions have exceeded 70 percent of the level needed to meet the control efficiency requirement for seven consecutive averaging periods as specified by the applicable regulation(s). It is the responsibility of the source operator to maintain records and determine the level of emissions relative to the criterion on the waiver of relative accuracy testing. If this criterion is exceeded, the owner or operator must notify the Administrator within 10 days of such occurrence and include a description of the nature and cause of increasing emissions. The Administrator will review the notification and may rescind the waiver and require the owner or operator to conduct a relative accuracy test of the CEMS as specified in Section 7 of Performance Specification 2.
(k) Modification:
(i) Except as provided under paragraphs (iv) and (v) of this section, any physical or operational change to an existing facility which results in an increase in the emission rate to the atmosphere of any pollutant to which a standard applies shall be considered a modification. Upon modification, an existing facility shall become an affected facility for each pollutant to which a standard applies and for which there is an increase in the emission rate to the atmosphere.
(ii) Emission rate shall be expressed as kg/hr of any pollutant discharged into the atmosphere for which a standard is applicable. The Administrator shall use the following to determine emission rate:
(A) Emission factors as specified in the latest issue of "Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors", EPA Publication No. AP-42, or other emission factors determined by the Administrator to be superior to AP-42 emission factors, in cases where utilization of emission factors demonstrate that the emission level resulting from the physical or operational change will either clearly increase or clearly not increase.
(B) Material balances, continuous monitor data, or manual emission tests in cases where utilization of emission factors as referenced in paragraph (ii)(A) of this section does not demonstrate to the Administrator's satisfaction whether the emission level resulting from the physical or operational change will either clearly increase or clearly not increase, or where an owner or operator demonstrates to the Administrator's satisfaction that there are reasonable grounds to dispute the result obtained by the Administrator utilizing emission factors as referenced in paragraph (ii)(A) of this section. When the emission rate is based on results from manual emission tests or continuous monitoring systems, the procedures specified in 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix C shall be used to determine whether an increase in emission rate has occurred. Tests shall be conducted under such conditions as the Administrator shall specify to the owner or operator based on representative performance of the facility. At least three valid test runs must be conducted before and at least three after the physical or operational change. All operating parameters which may affect emissions must be held constant to the maximum feasible degree for all test runs.
(iii) The addition of an affected facility to a stationary source as an expansion to that source or as a replacement for an existing facility shall not by itself bring within the applicability of this section any other facility within that source.
(iv) The following shall not, by themselves, be considered modifications under this section:
(A) Maintenance, repair, and replacement which the Administrator determines to be routine for a source category, subject to the provisions of paragraph (iii) of this section and Chapter 5, Section 2(I).
(B) An increase in production rate of an existing facility, if that increase can be accomplished without a capital expenditure on that facility.
(C) An increase in the hours of operation.
(D) Use of an alternative fuel or raw material if, prior to the date any standard under this section becomes applicable to that source type, as provided by Chapter 5, Section 2(d), the existing facility was designed to accommodate that alternative use. A facility shall be considered to be designed to accommodate an alternative fuel or raw material if that use could be accomplished under the facility's construction specifications, as amended, prior to the change. Conversion to coal required for energy considerations as specified in section 111(a)(8) of the Act, shall not be considered a modification.
(E) The addition or use of any system or device whose primary function is the reduction of air pollutants, except when an emission control system is removed or is replaced by a system which the Administrator determines to be less environmentally beneficial.
(F) The relocation or change in ownership of an existing facility.
(v) Special provisions set forth under an applicable subpart shall supersede any conflicting provisions of Chapter 5, Section 2(k).
(vi) Within 180 days of the completion of any physical or operational change subject to the control measures specified in paragraphs 2(k)(i) of this section, compliance with all applicable standards must be achieved.
(vii) No physical change, or change in the method of operation, at an existing electric utility steam generating unit shall be treated as a modification for the purposes of this subsection provided that such change does not increase the maximum hourly emissions of any pollutant regulated under this subsection above the maximum hourly emissions achievable at that unit during the 5 years prior to the change.
(viii) Repowering projects that are awarded funding from the Department of Energy as permanent clean coal technology demonstration projects (or similar projects funded by EPA) are exempt from the requirements of this section provided that such change does not increase the maximum hourly emissions of any pollutant regulated under this section above the maximum hourly emissions achievable at that unit during the five years prior to the change.
(ix) (A) Repowering projects that qualify for an extension under section 409(b) of the Clean Air Act are exempt from the requirements of this section, provided that such change does not increase the actual hourly emissions of any pollutant regulated under this section above the actual hourly emissions achievable at that unit during the 5 years prior to the change.
(B) This exemption shall not apply to any new unit that:
(I) Is designated as a replacement for an existing unit;
(II) Qualifies under section 409(b) of the Clean Air Act for an extension of an emission limitation compliance date under section 405 of the Clean Air Act; and
(III) Is located at a different site than the existing unit.
(x) The installation, operation, cessation, or removal of a temporary clean coal technology demonstration project is exempt from the requirements of this section. A temporary clean coal control technology demonstration project, for the purposes of this section is a clean coal technology demonstration project that is operated for a period of 5 years or less, and which complies with the State implementation plan for the state in which the project is located and other requirements necessary to attain and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards during the project and after it is terminated.
(xi) The reactivation of a very clean coal-fired electric utility steam generating unit is exempt from the requirements of this section.
(l) Reconstruction:
(i) An existing facility, upon reconstruction, becomes an affected facility, irrespective of any change in emission rate.
(ii) "Reconstruction" means the replacement of components of an existing facility to such an extent that:
(A) The fixed capital cost of the new components exceeds 50 percent of the fixed capital cost that would be required to construct a comparable entirely new facility, and
(B) It is technologically and economically feasible to meet the applicable standards set forth in this section.
(iii) "Fixed capital cost" means the capital needed to provide all the depreciable components.
(iv) If an owner or operator of an existing facility proposes to replace components, and the fixed capital cost of the new components exceeds 50 percent of the fixed capital cost that would be required to construct a comparable entirely new facility, he shall notify the Administrator of the proposed replacements. The notice must be postmarked 60 days (or as soon as practicable) before construction of the replacements is commenced and must include the following information:
(A) Name and address of the owner or operator.
(B) The location of the existing facility.
(C) A brief description of the existing facility and the components which are to be replaced.
(D) A description of the existing air pollution control equipment and the proposed air pollution control equipment.
(E) An estimate of the fixed capital cost of the replacements and of constructing a comparable entirely new facility.
(F) The estimated life of the existing facility after the replacements.
(G) A discussion of any economic or technical limitations the facility may have in complying with the applicable standards of performance after the proposed replacements.
(v) The Administrator will determine, within 30 days of the receipt of the notice required by paragraph (iv) of this section and any additional information he may reasonably require, whether the proposed replacement constitutes reconstruction.
(vi) The Administrator's determination under paragraph (v) shall be based on:
(A) The fixed capital cost of the replacements in comparison to the fixed capital cost that would be required to construct a comparable entirely new facility;
(B) The estimated life of the facility after the replacements compared to the life of a comparable entirely new facility;
(C) The extent to which the components being replaced cause or contribute to the emissions from the facility and
(D) Any economic or technical limitations on compliance with applicable standards of performance which are inherent in the proposed replacements.
(vii) Individual subparts may include specific provisions which refine and delimit the concept of reconstruction set forth in this section.
(m) General Control Device Requirements:
(i) This section contains requirements for control devices used to comply with applicable subparts of Chapter 5, Section 2. The requirements are placed here for administrative convenience and only apply to facilities covered by subparts referring to this section.
(ii) Flares:
(A) General Design:
(I) Flares shall be designed for and operated with no visible emissions as determined by the methods specified in paragraph (D), except for periods not to exceed a total of 5 minutes during any 2 consecutive hours.
(II) Flares shall be operated with flame present at all times, as determined by the methods specified in paragraph (D).
(III) Flares shall be used only with the net heating value of the gas being combusted being 300 Btu/Scf (11.2 MJ/scm) or greater if the flare is steam-assisted or air-assisted or with the net heating value of the gas being combusted being 200 Btu/scf (7.45 MJ/scm) or greater if the flare is nonassisted. The net heating value of the gas being combusted shall be determined by the methods specified in paragraph (D).
(IV) Steam-assisted and nonassisted flare shall be designed for and operated with an exit velocity as determined by the methods specified in paragraph (D)(IV), less than 60 ft/sec (18.3 m/sec) except as follows:
(1.) Steam-assisted and nonassisted flares designed for and operated with an exit velocity, as determined by the methods specified in paragraph (D)(IV) equal to or greater than 60 ft/sec (18.3 m/sec) but less than 400 ft/sec (122 m/sec) are allowed if the net heating value of the gas being combusted is greater than 1000 Btu/scf (37.3 MJ/scm).
(2.) Steam-assisted and nonassisted flares designed for and operated with an exit velocity as determined by the methods specified in paragraph (D)(IV), less than the velocity Vmax, as determined by the method specified in paragraph (D)(V), and less than 400 ft/sec (122 m/sec) are allowed.
(V) Air-assisted flares shall be designed and operated with an exit velocity less than the velocity, Vmax, as determined by the method specified in paragraph (D)(VI).
(VI) Flares used to comply with this section shall be steam-assisted, air-assisted or nonassisted.
(B) Owners or operators of flares used to comply with the provisions of this section shall monitor these control devices to ensure that they are operated and maintained in conformance with their designs. Applicable subparts will provide provisions stating how owners or operators of flares shall monitor these control devices.
(C) Flares used to comply with the provisions of an applicable subpart shall be operated at all times when emissions may be vented to them.
(D) Determinations:
(I) Reference Method 22 shall be used to determine the compliance of flares with the visible emission provisions of this section. The observation period is 2 hours and shall be used according to Method 22.
(II) The presence of a flare pilot flame shall be monitored using a thermocouple or any other equivalent device to detect the presence of a flame.
(III) The net heating value of the gas being combusted in a flare shall be calculated using the following equation:
where:
HT = Net heating value of the sample, MJ/scm; where the net enthalpy per mole of offgas is based on combustion at 25°C and 760 mm Hg, but the standard temperature for determining the value corresponding to one mole is 20°C.
K = Constant,
Where the standard temperature of is 20°C
Ci = Concentration of sample component i in ppm on a wet basis, as measured for organics by reference method 18 and measured for hydrogen and carbon monoxide by ASTM D1946-90 (2006) Standard Practice for Analysis of Reformed Gas by Gas Chromatography.
Hi = Net heat of combustion of sample component i, kcal/g mole at 25°C and 760 mm Hg. The heats of combustion may be determined using ASTM D4809-00 (2005) Standard Test Method for Heat of Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter (Precision Method) if published values are not available or cannot be calculated.
(IV) The actual exit velocity of a flare shall be determined by dividing the volumetric flowrate (in units of standard temperature and pressure), as determined by reference methods 2, 2A, 2C, or 2D as appropriate; by the unobstructed (free) cross sectional area of the flare tip.
(V) The maximum permitted velocity Vmax, for flares complying with paragraph (A)(IV)(2.) shall be determined by the following equation:
Vmax = Maximum permitted velocity, m/sec
28.8 = Constant
31.7 = Constant
HT = The net heating value as determined in paragraph (D)(III)
(VI) The maximum permitted velocity, Vmax, for air-assisted flares shall be determined by the following equation:
Vmax = Maximum permitted velocity m/sec
8.706 = Constant
0.7084 = Constant
HT = The net heating value as determined in paragraph (D)(III)
(n) General Notification and Reporting Requirements:
(i) For the purposes of this section, time periods specified in days shall be measured in calendar days, even if the word "calendar" is absent, unless otherwise specified in an applicable requirement.
(ii) For the purposes of this section, if an explicit postmark deadline is not specified in an applicable requirement for the submittal of a notification, application, report, or other written communication to the Administrator, the owner or operator shall postmark the submittal on or before the number of days specified in the applicable requirement. For example, if a notification must be submitted 15 days before a particular event is scheduled to take place, the notification shall be postmarked on or before 15 days preceding the event; likewise, if a notification must be submitted 15 days after a particular event takes place, the notification shall be delivered or postmarked on or before 15 days following the end of the event. It is acceptable to use reliable non-government mail carriers that provide indications of verifiable delivery of information required to be submitted to the Administrator, similar to the postmark provided by the U.S. Postal Service, or alternative means of delivery agreed to by the permitting authority.
(iii) Notwithstanding time period or postmark deadlines specified in this section for the submittal of information to the Administrator by an owner or operator, or the review of such information by the Administrator, such time periods or deadlines may be changed by mutual agreement between the owner or operator and the Administrator. Procedures governing the implementation of this provision are specified in paragraph (vi) of this subsection.
(iv) The owner or operator may change the dates by which periodic reports under this section shall be submitted (without changing the frequency of reporting) to be consistent with the schedule specified in Chapter 5, Section 2, by mutual agreement between the owner or operator and the Administrator. The allowance in the previous sentence applies beginning 1 year after the affected facility is required to be in compliance with the applicable subpart in 40 CFR Part 63. Procedures governing the implementation of this provision are specified in paragraph (vi) of this subsection.
(v) If an owner or operator supervises one or more stationary sources affected by standards set under this section and standards set under 40 CFR Part 61, Chapter 5, Section 3 or both, may be arranged by mutual agreement between the owner or operator and the Administrator a common schedule on which periodic reports required by each applicable standard shall be submitted throughout the year. The allowance in the previous sentence applies in each state beginning 1 year after the stationary source is required to be in compliance with the applicable subpart in this section, or 1 year after the stationary source is required to be in compliance with the applicable 40 CFR Part 61 or Chapter 5, Section 3, whichever is latest. Procedures governing the implementation of this provision are specified in paragraph (vi) of this subsection.
(vi) (A) (I) Until an adjustment of a time period or postmark deadline has been approved by the Administrator under paragraphs (vi)(B) and (vi)(C) of this subsection, the owner or operator of an affected facility remains strictly subject to the requirements of this section.
(II) An owner or operator shall request the adjustment provided for in paragraphs (vi)(B) and (vi)(C) of this subsection each time changes to an applicable time period or postmark deadline specified in this section are desired.
(B) Notwithstanding time periods or postmark deadlines specified in this section for the submittal of information to the Administrator by an owner or operator, or the review of such information by the Administrator, such time periods or deadlines may be changed by mutual agreement between the owner or operator and the Administrator. An owner or operator who wishes to request a change in a time period or postmark deadline for a particular requirement shall request the adjustment in writing as soon as practicable before the subject activity is required to take place. The owner or operator shall include in the request whatever information is considered useful to convince the Administrator that an adjustment is warranted.
(C) If, in the Administrator's judgment, an owner or operator's request for an adjustment to a particular time period or postmark deadline is warranted, the Administrator will approve the adjustment. The Administrator will notify the owner or operator in writing of approval or disapproval of the request for an adjustment within 15 calendar days of receiving sufficient information to evaluate the request.
(D) If the Administrator is unable to meet a specified deadline, the owner or operator will be notified of any significant delay and inform the owner or operator of the amended schedule.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.5.12272024 § 3 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(a) General: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations on national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP), established pursuant to section 112 of the Act as amended November 15, 1990, and amended by the word or phrase "substitutions" given in Chapter 5, Section 3(c) are incorporated into these regulations. The specific documents containing the complete text of the regulations are found in 40 CFR Part 63. The standards designated in Chapter 5, Section 3(b) regulate specific categories of stationary sources that emit (or have the potential to emit) one or more of the hazardous air pollutants listed pursuant to section 112(b) of the Act, and presented in subsection (c)(i)(A) of Chapter 5, Section 3.
(b) Designated National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: The following standards for hazardous air pollutants, as revised and published in 40 CFR Part 63, are incorporated by reference under Section 4(a) of this Chapter.
40 CFR Part 63, subpart A - General Provisions
40 CFR Part 63, subpart D - Regulations Governing Compliance
Extensions for Early Reductions of
Hazardous Air Pollutants
40 CFR Part 63, subpart F - National Emission Standards for
Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants
From the Synthetic Organic
Chemical Manufacturing Industry
40 CFR Part 63, subpart G - National Emission Standards for
Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants
From the Synthetic Organic
Chemical Manufacturing Industry
for Process Vents, Storage Vessels,
Transfer Operations, and Wastewater
40 CFR Part 63, subpart H - National Emission Standards for
Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants
for Equipment Leaks
40 CFR Part 63, subpart M - National Perchloroethylene Air
Emission Standards for Dry
Cleaning Facilities
40 CFR Part 63, subpart N - National Emission Standards for
Chromium Emissions From Hard
and Decorative Chromium
Electroplating and Chromium
Anodizing Tanks
40 CFR Part 63, subpart R - National Emission Standards for Gasoline Distribution Facilities
(Bulk Gasoline Terminals and
Pipeline Breakout Stations)
40 CFR Part 63, subpart T - National Emission Standards for
Halogenated Solvent Cleaning
40 CFR Part 63, subpart AA - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants From
Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing
Plants
40 CFR Part 63, subpart BB - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants From
Phosphate Fertilizers Production
Plants
40 CFR Part 63, subpart CC - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants From
Petroleum Refineries
40 CFR Part 63, subpart HH - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants From
Oil and Natural Gas Production
Facilities
40 CFR Part 63, subpart JJ - National Emission Standards for
Wood Furniture Manufacturing
Operations
40 CFR Part 63, subpart OO - National Emission Standards for
Tanks - Level 1
40 CFR Part 63, subpart PP - National Emission Standards for
Containers
40 CFR Part 63, subpart QQ - National Emission Standards for
Surface Impoundments
40 CFR Part 63, subpart RR - National Emission Standards for
Individual Drain Systems
40 CFR Part 63, subpart SS - National Emission Standards for
Closed Vent Systems, Control
Devices, Recovery Devices and
Routing to a Fuel Gas System
or a Process
40 CFR Part 63, subpart TT - National Emission Standards for
Equipment Leaks - Control Level 1
40 CFR Part 63, subpart UU - National Emission Standards for
Equipment Leaks - Control Level
2 Standards
40 CFR Part 63, subpart VV - National Emission Standards for
Oil-Water Separators and Organic- Water Separators
40 CFR Part 63, subpart WW - National Emission Standards for
Storage Vessels (Tanks) - Control
Level 2
40 CFR Part 63, subpart YY - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for
Source Categories: Generic
Maximum Achievable Control
Technology Standards
40 CFR Part 63, subpart EEE - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants from
Hazardous Waste Combustors
40 CFR Part 63, subpart HHH - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants From
Natural Gas Transmission and
Storage Facilities
40 CFR Part 63, subpart LLL - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants From the
Portland Cement Manufacturing
Industry
40 CFR Part 63, subpart UUU - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for
Petroleum Refineries: Catalytic
Cracking Units, Catalytic
Reforming Units, and Sulfur
Recovery Units
40 CFR Part 63, subpart VVV - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Publicly
Owned Treatment Works
40 CFR Part 63, subpart AAAA - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants:
Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
40 CFR Part 63, subpart EEEE - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Organic
Liquids Distribution (Non-Gasoline)
40 CFR Part 63, subpart KKKK - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Surface
Coating of Metal Cans
40 CFR Part 63, subpart TTTT - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for Leather
Finishing Operations
40 CFR Part 63, subpart YYYY - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for
Stationary Combustion Turbines
40 CFR Part 63, subpart ZZZZ - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for
Stationary Reciprocating Internal
Combustion Engines
40 CFR Part 63, subpart AAAAA - National Emissions Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for Lime
Manufacturing Plants
40 CFR Part 63, subpart DDDDD - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major
Sources: Industrial, Commercial,
and Institutional Boilers and Process
Heaters
40 CFR Part 63, subpart GGGGG - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Site
Remediation
40 CFR Part 63, subpart MMMMM - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Flexible
Polyurethane Foam Fabrication
Operations
40 CFR Part 63, subpart NNNNN - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants:
Hydrochloric Acid Production
40 CFR Part 63, subpart UUUUU - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal-
and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam
Generating Units
40 CFR Part 63, subpart BBBBBB - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source
Category: Gasoline Distribution
Bulk Terminals, Bulk Plants, and
Pipeline Facilities
40 CFR Part 63, subpart CCCCCC - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline Dispensing Facilities
40 CFR Part 63, subpart JJJJJJ - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for
Industrial, Commercial, and
Institutional Boilers Area Sources
40 CFR Part 63, subpart WWWWWW - National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Area
Source Standards for Plating and
Polishing Operations
40 CFR Part 63, subpart XXXXXX - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Area Source Standards for Nine Metal Fabrication and Finishing Source Categories
(i) Designated Appendices: The following appendices are incorporated by reference under Section 4(a) of this Chapter.
40 CFR Part 63, Appendix A - Test Methods
40 CFR Part 63, Appendix B - Sources Defined For Early Reduction Provisions
40 CFR Part 63, Appendix C - Determination of the Fraction Biodegraded (Fbio) in a Biological Treatment Unit
40 CFR Part 63, Appendix D - Alternative Validation Procedure for EPA Waste and Wastewater Methods
40 CFR Part 63, Appendix E - Monitoring Procedure for Nonthoroughly Mixed Open Biological Treatment Systems at Kraft Pulp Mills Under Unsafe Sampling Conditions
(c) Initial Applicability Determination For This Section.
(i) The provisions of this section apply to the owner or operator of any stationary source that:
(A) Emits or has the potential to emit any hazardous air pollutant listed in or pursuant to section 112(b) of the Act, and identified below:
CAS Number
Chemical Name
75070
Acetaldehyde
60355
Acetamide
75058
Acetonitrile
98862
Acetophenone
53963
2-Acetylaminofluorene
107028
Acrolein
79061
Acrylamide
79107
Acrylic acid
107131
Acrylonitrile
107051
Allyl chloride
92671
4-Aminobiphenyl
62533
Aniline
90040
o-Anisidine
1332214
Asbestos
71432
Benzene (including benzene from gasoline)
92875
Benzidine
98077
Benzotrichloride
100447
Benzyl chloride
92524
Biphenyl
117817
Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
542881
Bis(chloromethyl)ether
75252
Bromoform
106945
1-bromopropane (1-BP)
106990
1,3-Butadiene
156627
Calcium cyanamide
133062
Captan
63252
Carbaryl
75150
Carbon disulfide
56235
Carbon tetrachloride
463581
Carbonyl sulfide
120809
Catechol
133904
Chloramben
57749
Chlordane
7782505
Chlorine
79118
Chloroacetic acid
532274
2-Chloroacetophenone
108907
Chlorobenzene
510156
Chlorobenzilate
67663
Chloroform
107302
Chloromethyl methyl ether
126998
Chloroprene
1319773
Cresols/Cresylic acid (isomers and mixture)
95487
o-Cresol
108394
m-Cresol
106445
p-Cresol
98828
Cumene
94757
2,4-D, salts and esters
3547044
DDE
334883
Diazomethane
132649
Dibenzofurans
96128
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane
84742
Dibutylphthalate
106467
1,4-Dichorobenzene(p)
91941
3,3-Dichlorobenzidene
111444
Dichloroethyl ether (Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether)
542756
1,3-Dichloropropene
62737
Dichlorvos
111422
Diethanolamine
121697
N,N-Diethyl aniline (N,N-Dimethylaniline)
64675
Diethyl sulfate
119904
3,3-Dimethoxybenzidine
60117
Dimethyl aminoazobenzene
119937
3,3-Dimethyl benzidine
79447
Dimethyl carbamoyl chloride
68122
Dimethyl formamide
57147
1,1-Dimethyl hydrazine
131113
Dimethyl phthalate
77781
Dimethyl sulfate
534521
4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol, and salts
51285
2,4-Dinitrophenol
121142
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
123911
1,4-Dioxane (1,4-Diethyleneoxide)
122667
1,2-Diphenylhydrazine
106898
Epichlorohydrin (l-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane)
106887
1,2-Epoxybutane
140885
Ethyl acrylate
100414
Ethyl benzene
51796
Ethyl carbamate (Urethane)
75003
Ethyl chloride (Chloroethane)
106934
Ethylene dibromide (Dibromoethane)
107062
Ethylene dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane)
107211
Ethylene glycol
151564
Ethylene imine (Aziridine)
75218
Ethylene oxide
96457
Ethylene thiourea
75343
Ethylidene dichloride (1,1-Dichloroethane)
50000
Formaldehyde
76448
Heptachlor
118741
Hexachlorobenzene
87683
Hexachlorobutadiene
77474
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
67721
Hexachloroethane
822060
Hexamethylene-1, 6-diisocyanate
680319
Hexamethylphosphoramide
110543
Hexane
302012
Hydrazine
7647010
Hydrochloric acid
7664393
Hydrogen fluoride (Hydrofluoric acid)
123319
Hydroquinone
78591
Isophorone
58899
Lindane (all isomers)
108316
Maleic anhydride
67561
Methanol
72435
Methoxychlor
74839
Methyl bromide (Bromomethane)
74873
Methyl chloride (Chloromethane)
71556
Methyl chloroform (1,1,1-Trichloroethane)
60344
Methyl hydrazine
74884
Methyl iodide (Iodomethane)
108101
Methyl isobutyl ketone (Hexone)
624839
Methyl isocyanate
80626
Methyl methacrylate
1634044
Methyl tert butyl ether
101144
4,4-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline)
75092
Methylene chloride (Dichloromethane)
101688
Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)
101779
4,4-Methylenedianiline
91203
Naphthalene
98953
Nitrobenzene
92933
4-Nitrobiphenyl
100027
4-Nitrophenol
79469
2-Nitropropane
684935
N-Nitroso-N-methylurea
62759
N-Nitrosodimethylamine
59892
N-Nitrosomorpholine
56382
Parathion
82688
Pentachloronitrobenzene (Quintobenzene)
87865
Pentachlorophenol
108952
Phenol
106503
p-Phenylenediamine
75445
Phosgene
7803512
Phosphine
7723140
Phosphorus
85449
Phthalic anhydride
1336363
Polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclors)
1120714
1,3-Propane sultone
57578
beta-Propiolactone
123386
Propionaldehyde
114261
Propoxur (Baygon)
78875
Propylene dichloride (1,2-Dichloropropane)
75569
Propylene oxide
75558
1,2-Propylenimine (2-Methyl aziridine)
91225
Quinoline
106514
Quinone
100425
Styrene
96093
Styrene oxide
1746016
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
79345
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
127184
Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene)
7550450
Titanium tetrachloride
108883
Toluene
95807
2,4-Toluene diamine
584849
2,4-Toluene diisocyanate
95534
o-Toluidine
8001352
Toxaphene (chlorinated camphene)
120821
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
79005
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
79016
Trichloroethylene
95954
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
88062
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
121448
Triethylamine
1582098
Trifluralin
540841
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
108054
Vinyl acetate
593602
Vinyl bromide
75014
Vinyl chloride
75354
Vinylidene chloride (1,1-Dichloroethylene)
95476
o-Xylenes
108383
m-Xylenes
106423
p-Xylenes
0
Antimony Compounds
0
Arsenic Compounds (inorganic including arsine)
0
Beryllium Compounds
0
Cadmium Compounds
0
Chromium Compounds
0
Cobalt Compounds
0
Coke Oven Emissions
0
Cyanide Compounds *1
0
Glycol ethers *2
0
Lead Compounds
0
Manganese Compounds
0
Mercury Compounds
0
Fine mineral fibers *3
0
Nickel Compounds
0
Polycylic Organic Matter *4
0
Radionuclides (including radon) *5
0
Selenium Compounds
NOTE: For all listings above which contain the word "compounds" and for glycol ethers, the following applies: Unless otherwise specified, these listings are defined as including any unique chemical substance that contains the named chemical (i.e., antimony, arsenic, etc.) as part of that chemical's infrastructure.
*1 X'CN where X=H' or any other group where a formal dissociation may occur. For example KCN or Ca(CN)2
*2 Includes mono- and di- ethers of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol R-(OCH2CH2)n-OR' where
n = 1, 2, or 3
R = alkyl C7 or less; or
R = phenyl or alkyl substituted phenyl;
R' = H or alkyl C7 or less; or
OR' consisting of carboxylic acid ester, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, or sulfonate.
*3 Includes mineral fiber emissions from facilities manufacturing or processing glass, rock, or slag fibers (or other mineral derived fibers) of average diameter 1 micrometer or less.
*4 Includes organic compounds with more than one benzene ring, and which have a boiling point greater than or equal to 100°C.
*5 A type of atom which spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay.
and,
(B) Is subject to any standard, limitation, prohibition, or other federally enforceable requirement established pursuant to 40 CFR Part 63.
(ii) In addition to complying with the provisions of this section, the owner or operator of any such source may need to obtain a permit for modification or construction in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 2 of the WAQSR. The owner or operator may also need to obtain an operating permit issued in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 3 of the WAQSR.
(d) General provisions for the subparts listed in Chapter 5, Section 3(b) are contained in Subpart A of 40 CFR Part 63 and are incorporated by reference under Section 4(a) of this chapter, unless superseded by requirements in the specific subparts.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.5.12272024 § 4 Incorporation by Reference
(a) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). All Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), including their Appendices, cited in this Chapter, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, are incorporated by reference. Copies of the CFR are available for public inspection and can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at: https://deq.wyoming.gov. Copies of the CFR can also be obtained at cost from Government Institutes, 15200 NBN Way, Building B, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214, or online at https://ecfr.gov.
(b) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). All ASTM standards cited in this Chapter, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, are incorporated by reference. Copies of the ASTM standards are available for public inspection and can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at: https://deq.wyoming.gov. Copies can also be obtained at cost from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, Post Office Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, or online at https://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/index.html
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Chapter 6 Permitting Requirements
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.6.12272024 Permitting Requirements
Permitting Requirements
CHAPTER 6
Section 1. Introduction to permitting requirements.
(a) Chapter 6 establishes permitting requirements for all sources constructing and/or operating in the State of Wyoming. Section 2 covers general air quality permitting requirements for construction and modification as well as minor source permits to operate. Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 2(a)(i) and (iii), a preconstruction permit under Section 2 is not required for the pollutant Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) unless the facility or source is also required to obtain a permit for GHGs under Chapter 6, Section 4. Section 3 is the state operating permit program required under Title V of the Clean Air Act. Section 4 is the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) program. The Section 5 language regarding permitting requirements for major sources of hazardous air pollutants for which a MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology) standard has been established under section 112 of the Clean Air Act has been removed from Chapter 6, and is now covered under Chapter 5, Section 3. Section 6 covers permitting requirements for major sources of hazardous air pollutants for which a MACT standard has not been established under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. Section 7 establishes the terms under which clean air resource allocations expire. Section 8 is reserved. Section 9 establishes Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) requirements and provides guidelines for identifying sources subject to BART. Sections 10, 11 and 12 are reserved. Section 13 covers permitting requirements for new and modified major stationary sources located in a nonattainment area. Section 14 incorporates by reference all Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) cited in this chapter, including their Appendices.
Section 2. Permit requirements for construction, modification, and operation.
(a) (i) Any person who plans to construct any new facility or source, modify any existing facility or source, or to engage in the use of which may cause the issuance of or an increase in the issuance of air contaminants into the air of this state shall obtain a construction permit from the State of Wyoming, Department of Environmental Quality before any actual work is begun on the facility.
(ii) Any facility or source required to obtain a permit for construction or modification under this section must, if subject to the provisions of Chapter 6, Section 3 of these regulations, submit an application to the Division for a Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit within twelve (12) months of commencing operation.
(iii) Facilities or sources not subject to the provisions of Chapter 6, Section 3 of these regulations shall obtain a Chapter 6, Section 2 operating permit from the Department, pursuant to this section, for operation after a 120-day start-up period.
(iv) A permit to operate is also required for the operation of an existing portable source in each new location. However, a permit to construct is required for each new location that is a new source or facility and for each new or modified portable source or facility.
(v) Permit Fees: Persons applying for a permit under this section, or waiver from permit requirements under Chapter 6, Section 2(k)(viii), shall pay a fee to cover the Department's cost of reviewing and acting on permit applications in accordance with paragraph (o) of this section.
(vi) Facilities or sources subject to the provisions of Chapter 6, Section 5 or Chapter 6, Section 6 shall submit the permit application as required by Chapter 6, Section 5(a)(iii) or by Chapter 6, Section 6(h)(iv) as part of the permit application submitted in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 2(b)(i).
(b) (i) The owner of the facility or the operator of the facility authorized to act for the owner is responsible for applying for and obtaining a permit to construct and/or operate. The application shall be made on forms provided by the Division of Air Quality and each application shall be accompanied by site information, plans descriptions, specifications, and drawings showing the design of the source, the nature and amount of the emissions, and the manner in which it will be operated and controlled. A detailed schedule for the construction or modification of the facility shall be included. A separate application is required for each source. Any additional information, plans, specifications, evidence, or documentation that the Administrator of the Division of Air Quality may require shall be furnished upon request. The applicant shall conduct such continuous Ambient Air Quality monitoring analyses as may be determined by the Administrator to be necessary in order to assure that adequate data are available for purposes of establishing existing concentration levels of all affected pollutants. As a guideline, such data should be gathered continuously over a period of one calendar year preceding the date of application. Upon petition of the applicant, the Administrator will review the proposed monitoring programs and advise the applicant if such is approvable or modifications are required.
(ii) For portable sources or facilities, the Division may authorize the owner or operator to utilize a "self issuance" operating permit system for new locations which are not new sources or facilities. For purposes of this paragraph, a new source or facility is a source or facility for which operation or construction commenced after May 29, 1974, and for which a permit has not previously been issued.
The Division shall provide to authorized owners or operators of portable sources, forms upon which the self-issued permits are to be recorded. The owner or operator shall, at a minimum provide, as appropriate the permit number previously issued to the portable source or facility, the new location for which the permit is issued, the duration of operation of the new location, the production rate at the new location and the production at the new location in addition to any other information that the Administrator may require. Such permit shall be executed and a copy provided to the Air Quality Division prior to operation at the new location.
All conditions previously issued for the operation of the portable facility continue as applicable conditions for operation at subsequent locations.
(c) No approval to construct or modify shall be granted unless the applicant shows, to the satisfaction of the Administrator of the Division of Air Quality that:
(i) The proposed facility will comply with all rules and regulations of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality, and with the intent of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(ii) The proposed facility will not prevent the attainment or maintenance of any ambient air quality standard.
(A) A facility will be considered to cause or contribute to a violation of an ambient air quality standard if the projected impact of emissions from the facility exceed the following significance levels at any locality that does not or would not meet the applicable standard:
| | AVERAGING TIME (HOURS) | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | POLLUTANT | ANNUAL (μg/m3) | 24 (μg/m3) | 8 (mg/m3) | 3 (μg/m3) | 1 (mg/m3) | | SO2 | 1.0 | 5 | --- | 25 | --- | | PM10 | 1.0 | 5 | --- | --- | --- | | NOx | 1.0 | --- | --- | --- | --- | | CO | --- | --- | 0.5 | --- | 2 |
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 6, Section 2(c)(ii)(A) above, no facility with the potential to emit 100 tons per year or more of PM10 (including sources of fugitive dust) shall be allowed to construct within the City of Sheridan designated PM10 nonattainment area until such time as the area is redesignated to an attainment area for PM10 ambient standards in accordance with section 107 of the Clean Air Act. In addition, no existing facility with the potential to emit 100 TPY or more of PM10 within the Sheridan designated PM10 nonattainment area shall be allowed to modify operations to increase potential PM10 emissions by 15 tons per year or more (including sources of fugitive dust), until such time as the area is redesignated by EPA as an attainment area for PM10 ambient standards. For the purpose of this paragraph, "potential to emit" shall have the same meaning as in Chapter 6, Section 4.
(iii) The proposed facility will not cause significant deterioration of existing ambient air quality in the Region as defined by any Wyoming standard or regulation that might address significant deterioration.
(iv) The proposed facility will be located in accordance with p roper land use planning as determined by the appropriate state or local agency charged with such responsibility.
(v) The proposed facility will utilize the Best Available Control Technology with consideration of the technical practicability and economic reasonableness of reducing or eliminating the emissions resulting from the facility. For large mining operations, specific measures normally required and to be considered include but are not limited to:
(A) The paving of access roads;
(B) The treating of major haul roads with a suitable dust suppressant;
(C) The treatment of temporary haul roads;
(D) The use of silos, trough barns, or similar enclosed containers for the storage of large volumes of material awaiting load out and shipment;
(E) The treatment of active work areas; and
(F) The treatment of temporary ore stockpiles.
(vi) The proposed facility will have provisions for measuring the emissions of significant air contaminants as determined by the Administrator of the Division of Air Quality.
(vii) The proposed facility will achieve the performance specified in the application for the permit to construct or modify.
(viii) The proposed facility will not emit any air pollutant in amounts which will (i) prevent attainment or maintenance by any other state of any such national primary or secondary Ambient Air Quality Standard or (ii) interfere with measures required by the Federal Clean Air Act to be included in the applicable Implementation Plan for any other state to prevent significant deterioration of air quality or to protect visibility.
(d) In meeting the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2(c) above pertaining to compliance with an applicable Ambient Air Quality Standard or increment, the degree of emission limitation required shall not be affected by (a) so much of the stack height of any source as exceeds good engineering practice stack height or (b) any other dispersion technique.
(i) For purposes of this requirement, "good engineering practice stack height" means the height equal to or less than:
(A) 30 meters as measured from the ground-level elevation at the base of the stack, or
(B) H + 1.5L where H is the height of nearby structure(s) measured from the ground level elevation at the base of the stack and L is the lesser dimension (height or width) of, the source, or nearby structure, provided that the Administrator may require the use of a field study or fluid model to verify good engineering practice stack height for the source, or
(C) Such other height as is demonstrated by a fluid model or a field study approved by the Administrator, which ensures that emissions from a stack do not result in excessive concentrations in the immediate vicinity of the source as a result of atmospheric downwash, eddies, or wakes which may be created by the source, nearby structures or nearby terrain features.
(ii) For purposes of this requirement, "dispersion technique" means any technique which attempts to affect the concentration of a pollutant in the ambient air by:
(A) Using that portion of a stack which exceeds good engineering practice stack height, or
(B) Varying the rate of emission of a pollutant according to atmospheric conditions or ambient concentrations of that pollutant, or
(C) Increasing the final exhaust gas plume rise by manipulating source process parameters, exhaust gas parameters, stack parameters, or combining exhaust gases from several existing stacks into one stack, or other selective manipulation of exhaust gas streams so as to increase the exhaust gas plume rise.
(iii) For purposes of this requirement, "dispersion technique" does not include:
(A) The reheating of a gas stream, following use of a pollution control system, for the purpose of returning the gas to the temperature at which it was originally discharged from the facility generating the gas stream, or
(B) The merging of exhaust gas streams where the source owner or operator demonstrates that the facility was originally designed and constructed with such merged streams.
(iv) For the purposes of this requirement, "emission limitation" means a requirement established by the Administrator which limits the quantity, rate, or concentration of emissions of air pollutants on a continuous basis, including any requirements which limit the level of opacity, prescribe equipment, set fuel specifications, or prescribe operation or maintenance procedures for a source to assure continuous emission reduction.
(v) "Nearby" as used in Chapter 6, Section 2(d)(i) is defined for a specific structure or terrain feature, and
(A) For purposes of applying the formula provided in Chapter 6, Section 2(d)(i)(B) means that distance up to five times the lesser of the height or the width dimension of a structure, but not greater than one half mile (0.8 km), and
(B) For conducting demonstrations under Chapter 6, Section 2(d)(i)(C) means not greater than one half mile (0.8 km), except that the portion of a terrain feature may be considered to be nearby which falls within a distance of up to 10 times the maximum height of the feature, not to exceed 2 miles if such feature achieves a height one half mile from the stack that is at least 40 percent of the GEP stack height determined by the formula provided in Chapter 6, Section 2(d)(i)(B) or 26 meters, whichever is greater, as measured from the ground-level elevation at the base of the stack. The height of the structure of terrain feature is measured from the ground-level elevation at the base of the stack.
(vi) "Excessive concentration" is defined for the purpose of determining good engineering practice stack height under Chapter 6, Section 2(d)(i)(C) and means,
(A) For sources seeking credit for stack height exceeding that established under Chapter 6, Section 2(d)(i)(B), a maximum ground-level concentration due to emissions from a stack due in whole or part to downwash, wakes, and eddy effects produced by nearby structures or nearby terrain features which individually is at least 40 percent in excess of the maximum concentration experienced in the absence of such downwash, wakes, or eddy effects and which contributes to a total concentration due to emissions from all sources that is greater than an ambient air quality standard. For sources subject to the prevention of significant deterioration (Chapter 6, Section 4), an excessive concentration alternatively means a maximum ground-level concentration due to emissions from a stack due in whole or part to downwash, wakes, or eddy effects produced by nearby structures or nearby terrain features which individually is at least 40 percent in excess of the maximum concentration experienced in the absence of such downwash, wakes, or eddy effects and greater than a prevention of significant deterioration increment. The allowable emission rate to be used in making demonstrations under this section shall be prescribed by the new source performance standard that is applicable to the source category unless the owner or operator demonstrates that this emission rate is infeasible. Where such demonstrations are approved by the Administrator, an alternative emission rate shall be established in consultation with the source owner or operator.
(vii) After the Administrator has reached a proposed decision to approve or disapprove a permit application in which the source relies on a good engineering practice stack height that exceeds the height allowed by Chapter 6, Section 2(d)(i)(A) or (B) the Administrator will notify the public of the availability of the demonstration study and proved the opportunity for public hearing. Specific notification of the Administrator's decision, availability of the demonstration and opportunity for public hearing will be included as part of the public notice required in Chapter 6, Section 2(m) of these regulations.
(e) No permit to operate may be granted until the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator of the Division of Air Quality that:
(i) The facility is complying with the Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations applicable at the time the permit to construct or modify was granted and with the intent of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, 1973.
(ii) The facility has been constructed or modified in accordance with the requirements and conditions contained in the permit to construct or modify.
(f) The Administrator of the Division of Air Quality may impose any reasonable conditions upon an approval to construct, modify, or operate including, but not limited to, conditions requiring the source to be provided with:
(i) Sampling and testing facilities as the Administrator may require;
(ii) Safe access to the sampling facilities;
(iii) Instrumentation to monitor and record emission data; and
(iv) Ambient Air Quality monitoring which, in the judgment of the Administrator, is necessary to determine the effect which emissions from a source may have, or is having, on air quality in any area which may be affected by emissions from such source.
(g) The Administrator will review each application within 30 days and notify the applicant as to whether or not the application is complete. If the application is complete, the Administrator will propose approval, conditional approval or denial and will publish such proposal within 60 days of the determination that the application is complete. If the application is not complete, the application will be considered inactive and additional information as necessary will be requested. A complete application shall include all materials and analyses which the Administrator determines are necessary for the Division to review the facility as a source of air pollution.
(h) A permit to construct or modify shall remain in effect until the permit to operate the facility for which the application was filed is granted or denied or the application is canceled. However, an approval to construct or modify shall become invalid if construction is not commenced within 24 months after receipt of such approval or if construction is discontinued for a period of 24 months or more. The Administrator may extend such time period(s) upon a satisfactory showing that an extension is justified. This provision does not apply to the time period between construction of the approved phases of a phased construction project; however, each phase must commence construction within 24 months of the projected and approved commencement date for such phase. Notwithstanding the above, a permit containing a case-by-case MACT determination pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 6 shall expire if construction or reconstruction has not commenced within 18 months of issuance, unless the Division has granted an extension which shall not exceed an additional 12 months.
(i) Any owner or operator subject to the provisions of this regulation shall furnish the Administrator written notification as follows:
(i) A notification of the anticipated date of initial start-up of each source not more than 60 days or less than 30 days prior to such date.
(ii) A notification of the actual date of initial start-up of each source within 15 days after such date.
(j) Within 30 days after achieving the maximum design production rate for which the permit is approved and at which each source will be operated, but not later than 90 days after initial start-up of such source, the owner or operator of such source shall conduct a performance test(s) in accordance with methods and under operating conditions approved by the Administrator and furnish the Administrator a written report of the results of each performance test.
(i) Such test shall be at the expense of the owner or operator.
(ii) The Administrator may monitor such test and may also conduct performance tests.
(iii) The owner or operator of a source shall provide the Administrator 15 days prior notice of the performance test to afford the Administrator the opportunity to have an observer present.
(iv) The Administrator may waive the requirement for performance tests if the owner or operator of a source has demonstrated by other means to the Administrator's satisfaction that the source is being operated in compliance with all State and Federal Regulations which are part of the applicable plan.
(v) If the maximum design production rate for which the permit is approved is not achieved within 90 days of initial start-up, testing will be conducted on a schedule to be defined by the Administrator. This schedule may require that the source be tested at the production rate achieved within 90 days of initial start-up and again when maximum design production rate is achieved.
(k) Approval to construct or modify shall not be required for:
(i) The installation or alteration of an air pollutant detector, air pollutants recorder, combustion controller, or combustion shutoff.
(ii) Air conditioning or ventilating systems not designed to remove air pollutants generated by or released from equipment.
(iii) Fuel burning equipment other than a smokehouse generator which has a heat input of not more than 25 million BTU per hour (6.25 billion gm-cal/hr) and burns only gaseous fuel containing not more than 20 grains total sulfur per 100 std. ft3; has a heat input of not more than 10 million BTU/hr (2.5 billion gm-cal/hr) and burns any other fuel.
(iv) Mobile internal combustion engines.
(v) Laboratory equipment used exclusively for chemical or physical analyses.
(vi) The installation of air pollution control equipment which is not a part of a project which requires a construction or modification permit under Chapter 6, Section 2 or 4 of these regulations.
(vii) Gasoline storage tanks at retail establishments.
(viii) Such other minor sources which the Administrator determines to be insignificant in both emission rate and ambient air quality impact.
Notwithstanding the above exemptions, any facility which is a major emitting facility pursuant to the definition in Chapter 6, Section 4 shall comply with the requirements of both Chapter 6, Sections 2 and 4.
(l) Approval to construct or modify shall not relieve any owner or operator of the responsibility to comply with all local, state and federal rules and regulations.
(m) After the Administrator has reached a proposed decision based upon the information presented in the permit application to construct or modify, the Division of Air Quality will advertise such proposed decision in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the source is proposed. This advertisement will indicate the general nature of the proposed facility, the proposed approval/disapproval of the permit, and a location in the region where the public might inspect the information submitted in support of the requested permit and the Air Quality Division's analysis of the effect on air quality. A copy of the public notice required above will be sent as appropriate to (a) the applicant, (b) the U.S. EPA, (c) any affected comprehensive regional land use planning agency, (d) affected county commissioners, (e) any state or federal land manager or Indian governing body whose lands may be significantly affected by emissions from the proposed facility. The public notice will include notification of the opportunity for a public hearing and will indicate the anticipated degree of increment consumption if the source is subject to Chapter 6, Section 4 of these Regulations. The public will be afforded a 30-day period in which to make comments and recommendations to the Division of Air Quality. A public hearing may be called if sufficient interest is generated or if any aggrieved party so requests in writing within the 30-day comment period. After considering all comments, including those presented at any hearings held, the Administrator will reach a decision and notify the appropriate parties.
(n) (i) Within 30 days of receipt of a permit application for a new major emitting facility or major modification which is subject to the provisions of Chapter 6, Section 4, but not later than 60 days prior to public notice issued under Chapter 6, Section 2(m) above, the Administrator shall provide written notification to all Federal Class I Area Federal Land Managers of such proposed new major emitting facility or major modification whose emissions may affect the Federal Class I Area or affect visibility in such Area. This notification must contain a copy of all information relevant to the permit application including an analysis of the anticipated impacts on air quality and visibility in any Federal Class I Area.
(ii) Within 30 days of receipt of advance notification of a permit application for a new source or facility which may be subject to Chapter 6, Section 4, and which may affect visibility in a Federal Class I Area, the Administrator shall notify the affected Federal Land Manager of such advance notification.
(o) A permit fee will be assessed on the owner or operator (applicant), based on the cost to the Department in reviewing and acting on permit applications submitted to the Division under this section.
(i) Fees for Reviewing the Application: The Department shall provide written notice of the fee to the applicant at such time as the Administrator of the Division reaches a proposed decision on the application under paragraph (m) of this section.
(A) The fee shall include all costs incurred by the Department in reviewing the application to this point in the permit process including the costs of advertising such decision and providing public notice.
(B) The fee is due upon receipt of the written notice unless the fee assessment is appealed pursuant to W.S. 35-11-211(d).
(C) Payment of this fee shall be required before the issuance of any permit under this section.
(ii) Fees for Issuing Permit: An additional fee shall be assessed and written notice provided to the applicant for any additional costs incurred by the Department (after the date of public notice) in reaching a final decision, including the costs of holding public hearings, reviewing public comments, and issuing permits.
(iii) Portable sources or facilities shall be assessed a fee of $150.00 for operation in each new location. This fee shall be submitted with each "self issuance" permit submitted to the Division for operation under Chapter 6, Section 2(a)(iv) and Chapter 6, Section 2(b) of these regulations. For portable sources or facilities which are not authorized to use the "self issuance" permits, the fee assessment shall be $300.00 for operation at each new location.
Section 3. Operating permits.
(a) Applicability. The following sources are subject to the operating permit requirements of this section:
(i) Any major source;
(ii) Any source, including an area source, subject to a standard, limitation, or other requirement under section 111 of the Act and Chapter 5, Section 2 of the WAQSR;
(iii) Any source, including an area source, subject to a standard or other requirement under section 112 of the Act, except that a source is not required to obtain a permit solely because it is subject to regulations or requirements under section 112(r) of the Act;
(iv) Any "affected source" subject to the acid rain provisions of Title IV of the Act;
(v) Any stationary source subject to preconstruction review requirements pursuant to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration of Chapter 6, Section 4 of the WAQSR;
(vi) Any other stationary source in a source category that the EPA may designate by regulation pursuant to the authority granted under the Act;
(vii) The following sources are specifically exempt from operating permit requirements of this section:
(A) Sources subject to Chapter 5, Section 2, Subpart AAA - Standards of Performance for New Residential Wood Heaters; and
(B) Sources subject to the asbestos standards for demolition and renovation of Chapter 3, Section 8.
(viii) Permitted sources which are not subject to the requirements of this section must obtain an operating permit under Chapter 6, Section 2 of the WAQSR;
(ix) Research and Development Activities. Emissions from research and development facilities which are support facilities collocated with another source under common ownership or control must be included (along with other emissions from the source) in determining the applicability of Chapter 6, Section 3 if fifty (50) percent or more of the output from the research and development facility is used by the main activity at the source. Otherwise, research and development operations may be considered as separate and discrete stationary sources in determining whether such operations are subject to Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit requirements.
(x) Emissions Units and Chapter 6, Section 3 Sources.
(A) For major sources, the Division shall include in the permit all applicable requirements for all relevant emissions units in the major source;
(B) For any nonmajor source subject to the Chapter 6, Section 3 program under paragraph Chapter 6, Section 3(a), the Division shall include in the permit all applicable requirements applicable to emissions units that cause the source to be subject to the Chapter 6, Section 3 program.
(xi) Fugitive Emissions. Fugitive emissions from a Chapter 6, Section 3 source shall be included in the permit application and the Chapter 6, Section 3 permit in the same manner as stack emissions, regardless of whether the source category in question is included in the list of sources contained in the definition of major source.
(b) Definitions. The following definitions apply to Chapter 6, Section 3. Unless defined differently below, the meaning of the terms used in this section is the same as in Chapter 1, Section 3; Chapter 5, Section 2; Chapter 6, Section 4 of the WAQSR.
"Act" means the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
"Affected source" shall have the meaning given to it in regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act for the acid rain program.
"Affected states" are all states:
(i) Whose air quality may be affected and that are contiguous to the State of Wyoming where an operating permit, permit modification or permit renewal subject to the provisions of this section is being proposed; or
(ii) That are within fifty miles of the permitted source.
"Affected unit" shall have the meaning given to it in the regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act.
"Alternative operating scenario (AOS)" means a scenario authorized by the Division in an operating permit that involves a change in a source subject to this section for a particular emissions unit, that either results in the unit being subject to one or more applicable requirements which differ from those applicable to the emissions unit prior to implementation of the change or renders inapplicable one or more requirements previously applicable to the emissions unit prior to implementation of the change.
"Applicable requirement" means all of the following as they apply to emissions units at a source subject to this section (including requirements with future effective compliance dates that have been promulgated or approved by the EPA or the State through rulemaking at the time of issuance of the operating permit):
(i) Any standard or other requirement provided for in the Wyoming implementation plan approved or promulgated by the EPA under Title I of the Act that implements the relevant requirements of the Act, including any revisions to the plan promulgated in 40 CFR part 52;
(ii) Any standards or requirements in the WAQSR which are not a part of the approved Wyoming implementation plan and are not federally enforceable;
(iii) Any term or condition of any preconstruction permits issued pursuant to regulations approved or promulgated through rulemaking under Title I, including parts C or D of the Act and including Chapter 5, Section 2 and Chapter 6, Sections 2 and 4 of the WAQSR;
(iv) Any standard or other requirement promulgated under section 111 of the Act, including section 111(d) and Chapter 5, Section 2 of the WAQSR;
(v) Any standard or other requirement under section 112 of the Act, including any requirement concerning accident prevention under section 112(r)(7) of the Act and including any regulations promulgated by the EPA and the State pursuant to Section 112 of the Act;
(vi) Any standard or other requirement of the acid rain program under Title IV of the Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder;
(vii) Any requirements established pursuant to section 504(b) or section 114(a)(3) of the Act concerning enhanced monitoring and compliance certifications;
(viii) Any standard or other requirement governing solid waste incineration, under section 129 of the Act;
(ix) Any standard or other requirement for consumer and commercial products, under section 183(e) of the Act (having to do with the release of volatile organic compounds under ozone control requirements);
(x) Any standard or other requirement of the regulations promulgated to protect stratospheric ozone under Title VI of the Act, unless the EPA has determined that such requirements need not be contained in a Title V permit;
(xi) Any national ambient air quality standard or increment or visibility requirement under part C of Title I of the Act, but only as it would apply to temporary sources permitted pursuant to section 504(e) of the Act;
(xii) Any state ambient air quality standard or increment or visibility requirement of the WAQSR;
(xiii) Nothing under the definition of "Applicable requirement" in paragraph (b) of this section shall be construed as affecting the allowance program and Phase II compliance schedule under the acid rain provision of Title IV of the Act.
"Approved replicable methodology (ARM)" means an operating permit term that:
(i) Specifies a protocol which is consistent with and implements an applicable requirement, or requirement of this section, such that the protocol is based on sound scientific and/or mathematical principles and provides reproducible results using the same inputs; and
(ii) Require the results of that protocol to be recorded and used for assuring compliance with such applicable requirement, any other applicable requirement implicated by implementation of the ARM, or requirement of this section, including where an ARM is used for determining applicability of a specific requirement to a particular change.
"Commencement of operation" means the setting into operation of a new or modified source (subject to the provisions of this section) for any purpose.
"Department" means the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality or its Director.
"Designated representative" or "alternate designated representative" shall have the meaning given to it in the regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act.
"Division" means the Air Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality or its Administrator.
"Draft permit" means the version of a permit for which the Division offers public notice and an opportunity for public comment and hearing.
"Emissions allowed under the permit" means a federally enforceable permit term or condition determined at issuance to be required by an applicable requirement that establishes an emissions limit (including a work practice standard) or a federally enforceable emissions cap that the source has assumed to avoid an applicable requirement to which the source would otherwise be subject.
"Emissions unit" means any part or activity of a stationary source that emits or has the potential to emit any regulated air pollutant or any pollutant listed under section 112(b) of the Act. This term is not meant to alter or affect the definition of the term "unit" for purposes of Title IV of the Act.
"EPA" means the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the Administrator's designee.
"Final permit" means the version of an operating permit under this section issued by the Division that has completed all review procedures required by Chapter 6, Section 3(d) and Section 3(e).
"Fugitive emissions" means those emissions which could not reasonably pass through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening.
"General permit" means an operating permit under this section that meets the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(i).
"Greenhouse gases (GHGs)" means the air pollutant defined as the aggregate group of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
"Major source" means any stationary source (or any group of stationary sources that are located on one or more contiguous or adjacent properties, and are under common control of the same person or persons under common control) belonging to a single major industrial grouping and this is described in paragraphs (i), (ii), or (iii) of this definition. For the purpose of defining "major source", a stationary source or group of stationary sources shall be considered part of a single industrial grouping if all of the pollutant emitting activities at such source or group of sources on contiguous or adjacent properties belong to the same Major Group (i.e., all have the same two-digit code) as described in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1987.
(i) A major source under section 112 of the Act, which is defined as:
(A) For pollutants other than radionuclides, any stationary source or group of stationary sources located within a contiguous area and under common control that emits or has the potential to emit, in the aggregate, 10 tons per year (tpy) or more of any hazardous air pollutant which has been listed pursuant to section 112(b) of the Act, 25 tpy or more of any combination of such hazardous air pollutants, or such lesser quantity as the EPA may establish by rule. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, emissions from any oil or gas exploration or production well (with its associated equipment) and emissions from any pipeline compressor or pump station shall not be aggregated with emissions from other similar units, whether or not such units are in a contiguous area or under common control, to determine whether such units or stations are major sources; or
(B) For radionuclides, "major source" shall have the meaning specified by the EPA by rule.
(ii) A major stationary source of air pollutants, as defined in section 302 of the Act, that directly emits or has the potential to emit, 100 tpy or more of any air pollutant including any major source of fugitive emissions of any such pollutant, as determined by rule by the EPA, except that a source that meets this definition for only GHGs and no other air pollutant, shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this section. Emissions of air pollutants regulated solely due to section 112(r) of the Act shall not be considered in determining whether a source is a "major source" for purposes of Chapter 6, Section 3 applicability. The fugitive emissions of a stationary source shall not be considered in determining whether it is a major stationary source unless the source belongs to one of the following categories of stationary sources:
(A) Stationary sources listed under the definition for "Major stationary source", item (a), in Chapter 6, Section 4(a) of the WAQSR; or
(B) Any other stationary source category, which as of August 7, 1980 is being regulated under section 111 or 112 of the Act.
(iii) A major stationary source as defined in part D of Title I of the Act (in reference to sources located in nonattainment areas).
"Operating permit" means any permit or group of permits covering a source under this section that is issued, renewed, amended, or revised pursuant to this section.
"Permit modification" means a revision to an operating permit that meets the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vi).
"Permit revision" means any permit modification or administrative permit amendment.
"Potential to emit" means the maximum capacity of a stationary source to emit any air pollutant under its physical and operational design. Any physical or operational limitation on the capacity of a source to emit an air pollutant, including air pollution control equipment and restrictions on hours of operation or on the type or amount of material combusted, stored or processed, shall be treated as part of its design if the limitation is enforceable by the EPA and the Division. This term does not alter or affect the use of this term for any other purposes under the Act, or the term "capacity factor" as used in Title IV of the Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Proposed permit" means the version of a permit that the Division proposes to issue and forwards to the EPA for review.
"Regulated air pollutant" means the following:
(i) Nitrogen oxides (NOx) or any volatile organic compound;
(ii) Any pollutant for which a national ambient air quality standard has been promulgated;
(iii) Any pollutant that is subject to any standard established in Chapter 5, Section 2 of the WAQSR or section 111 of the Act;
(iv) Any Class I or II substance subject to a standard promulgated under or established by Title VI of the Act; or
(v) Any pollutant subject to a standard promulgated under section 112 or other requirements established under section 112 of the Act, including sections 112(g), (j), and (r) of the Act, including the following:
(A) Any pollutant subject to requirements under section 112(j) of the Act. If the EPA fails to promulgate a standard by the date established pursuant to section 112(e) of the Act, any pollutant for which a subject source would be major shall be considered to be regulated on the date 18 months after the applicable date established pursuant to section 112(e) of the Act; and
(B) Any pollutant for which the requirements of section 112(g)(2) of the Act have been met, but only with respect to the individual source subject to section 112(g)(2) requirement.
(vi) Pollutants regulated solely under section 112(r) of the Act are to be regulated only with respect to the requirements of section 112(r) for permits issued under this section.
"Regulated pollutant (for fee calculation)", which is used only for purposes of Chapter 6, Section 3(f), means any "regulated air pollutant" except the following:
(i) Carbon monoxide;
(ii) Any pollutant that is a regulated air pollutant solely because it is a Class I or II substance subject to a standard promulgated under or established by Title VI of the Act; or
(iii) Any pollutant that is a regulated air pollutant solely because it is subject to a standard or regulation under section 112(r) of the Act.
"Renewal" means the process by which a permit is reissued at the end of its term.
"Responsible official" means one of the following:
(i) For a Corporation:
(A) A president, secretary, treasurer, or vice-president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision-making functions for the corporation; or
(B) A duly authorized representative of such person if the representative is responsible for the overall operation of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities applying for or subject to a permit and either:
(I) The facilities employ more than 250 persons or have gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25 million (in second quarter 1980 dollars); or
(II) The delegation of authority to such representative is approved in advance by the Division.
(ii) For a Partnership or Sole Proprietorship: a general partner or the proprietor, respectively;
(iii) For a Municipality, State, Federal, or Other Public Agency: Either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For the purposes of this part, a principal executive officer of a federal agency includes the chief executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency; or
(iv) For Affected Sources:
(A) The designated representative or alternate designated representative in so far as actions, standards, requirements, or prohibitions under Title IV of the Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder are concerned; and
(B) The designated representative, alternate designated representative, or responsible official under the definition for "Responsible official" in Chapter 6, Section 3(b) for all other purposes under this section.
"Section 502(b)(10) changes" are changes that contravene an express permit term. Such changes do not include changes that would violate applicable requirements or contravene federally enforceable permit terms and conditions that are monitoring (including test methods), recordkeeping, reporting or compliance certification requirements.
"Source" means any stationary source or area source (if subject to a standard, limitation or other requirement under section 111 or 112 of the Act).
"State" means any non-Federal permitting authority, including any local agency, interstate association, or statewide program. "State" shall have its conventional meaning where such meaning is clear from the context.
"Stationary source" means any building, structure, facility, or installation that emits or may emit any regulated air pollutant or any pollutant listed under section 112(b) of the Act.
"tpy CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e)" shall represent an amount of GHGs emitted, and shall be computed by multiplying the mass amount of emissions (tpy), for each of the six greenhouse gases in the pollutant GHGs, by the gas's associated global warming potential published at Table A-1 to Subpart A of 40 CFR part 98--Global Warming Potentials, and summing the resultant value for each to compute a tpy CO2e. Prior to July 21, 2014, the mass of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide shall not include carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the combustion or decomposition of non-fossilized and biodegradable organic material originating from plants, animals, or micro-organisms (including products, by-products, residues and waste from agriculture, forestry and related industries as well as the non-fossilized and biodegradable organic fractions of industrial and municipal wastes, including gases and liquids recovered from the decomposition of non-fossilized and biodegradable organic material). Table A-1 to Subpart A of 40 CFR part 98 is adopted by reference.
"WAQSR" means the Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations promulgated under the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. § 35-11-101 et seq.
(c) Permit Applications. Any stationary source or group of stationary sources subject to this section shall submit a timely and complete permit application in accordance with this paragraph.
(i) Timely Application.
(A) A timely application for a source applying for an operating permit under this section for the first time is one that is submitted to the Division within twelve (12) months after the source becomes subject to this section.
(B) Every stationary source or group of stationary sources which are subject to this section under paragraph (a), and which is required to obtain a construction or modification permit under Chapter 5, Section 2 or Chapter 6, Section 2 or 4 of the WAQSR or section 112(g) of the Act shall file a complete application to obtain an operating permit within twelve (12) months after commencing operation. Where an existing operating permit would prohibit such construction or change in operation, the owner or operator must obtain a permit revision before commencing operation.
(C) For the purpose of an operating permit renewal, a timely application is one that is submitted at least six (6) months, but no earlier than eighteen (18) months, prior to the date of the permit expiration.
(D) Transition Period. Initial operating permit applications for sources subject to this section shall be submitted as follows:
(I) Permit applications for operating natural gas compressor engines, operating natural gas sweetening plants, and operating natural gas processing plants subject to the standards of performance of Subpart KKK of Chapter 5, Section 2 of the WAQSR, shall be submitted within four (4) months of the EPA's approval of this operating permit program, but not later than November 15, 1995. This requirement for the early submittal of permit applications includes only major sources as defined in Chapter 6, Section 3(b).
(II) Permit applications for all other operating sources subject to this section shall be submitted within twelve (12) months of the EPA's approval of this operating permit program, but not later than November 15, 1995.
(III) Applications for affected facilities addressing State and federal requirements, other than Title IV acid rain program requirements, shall be submitted to the Division within twelve (12) months of EPA approval of the operating permit program, but no later than November 15, 1995. Applications for phase II acid rain permits and all other acid rain permits for affected facilities shall be submitted in accordance with the acid rain permit application deadlines of Chapter 11, Section 2(c)(i)(B).
(IV) All sources listed at Chapter 6, Section 3(a) that are not major sources, affected sources, or solid waste incineration units required to obtain a permit pursuant to section 129(e) of the Act, shall submit a permit application pursuant to this section at such time as the EPA requires such sources to obtain an operating permit in final regulations promulgated pursuant to Title V of the Act.
(ii) Complete Application.
(A) Operating permit applications shall be submitted on the Division's standard operating permit application forms and any required EPA Title IV acid rain permit forms. The information which must be included in the permit application is specified below:
(I) Identifying information, including company name and address (or plant name and address if different from the company name), owner's name and agent, and telephone number and names of plant site manager/contact.
(II) A description of the source's processes and products (by Standard Industrial Classification Code) including those associated with any proposed AOS identified by the source.
(III) The following emissions related information:
(1.) All emissions of pollutants for which the source is major, and all emissions of regulated air pollutants. The permit application shall describe all emissions of regulated air pollutants emitted from any emissions unit. Sufficient information shall be provided to verify which requirements are applicable to the source, and other information necessary to collect any permit fees owed under the fee schedule developed pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(f).
The source shall not be required to furnish the above information for insignificant activities and emission levels such as maintenance, cleaning and painting, welding, chemical storage and transfer, and other activities which are incidental to the source's primary business activity and which result in emissions of less than one ton per year of a regulated pollutant not included in the section 112(b) list of hazardous air pollutants or emissions less than 1,000 pounds per year of a pollutant regulated pursuant to listing under section 112(b) of the Act. Provided however, such emission levels of hazardous air pollutants do not exceed exemptions based on insignificant emission levels established by EPA through rulemaking for modification under section 112(g) of the Act. The source shall list such insignificant activities, proposed for exclusion, in its application and certify that emissions from each of these activities are less than the above quantities. Activities and emissions which have applicable requirements shall not be excluded from the operating permit application.
(2.) Identification and description of all emission points and fugitive emission sources in sufficient detail to establish the basis for fees and applicability of requirements of the Act and the WAQSR.
(3.) Emission rates in tons per year and in such terms as are necessary to establish compliance consistent with the applicable emission standard and reference test method. For emissions units subject to an annual emissions cap, tpy can be reported as part of the aggregate emissions associated with the cap, except where more specific information is needed, including where necessary to determine and/or assure compliance with the applicable requirement.
(4.) The following information to the extent it is emissions related: fuels, fuel use, raw materials, production rates, and operating schedules.
(5.) Identification and description of air pollution control equipment and compliance monitoring devices or activities.
(6.) Limitations on source operations affecting emissions or any work practice standards, where applicable, for all regulated pollutants.
(7.) Other information required by any applicable requirements (including information related to stack height limitations pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 2).
(8.) Calculations on which the information in items (1.) through (7.) is based.
(IV) The following air pollution control requirements:
(1.) Citation and description of all applicable requirements; and
(2.) Description of or reference to any applicable test method for determining compliance with each applicable requirement and permit limitation.
(V) Other specific information that may be necessary to implement, and enforce other requirements of the Act and the WAQSR or to determine the applicability of such requirements.
(VI) An explanation of any proposed exemptions from otherwise applicable requirements.
(VII) Additional information as determined to be necessary by the Division to define proposed AOSs identified by the source pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(I) or to define permit terms and conditions implementing Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(J). The permit application shall include documentation demonstrating that the source has obtained authorization(s) required under the applicable requirements relevant to any proposed AOSs, or a certification that the source has submitted all relevant materials to the appropriate permitting authority for obtaining such authorization(s).
(VIII) A compliance plan that contains the following:
(1.) A description of the compliance status of the source with respect to all applicable requirements.
(2.) A description as follows:
a. For applicable requirements with which the source is in compliance, a statement that the source will continue to comply with such requirements.
b. For applicable requirements that will become effective during the permit term, a statement that the source will meet such requirements on a timely basis.
c. For requirements for which the source is not in compliance at the time of permit issuance, a narrative description of how the source will achieve compliance with such requirements.
d. For applicable requirements associated with a proposed AOS, a statement that the source will meet such requirements upon implementation of the AOS. If the proposed AOS would implicate an applicable requirement that will become effective during the permit term, a statement that the source will meet such requirements on a timely basis.
(3.) A compliance schedule as follows:
a. For applicable requirements with which the source is in compliance, a statement that the source will continue to comply with such requirements.
b. For applicable requirements that will become effective during the permit term, a statement that the source will meet such requirements on a timely basis. A statement that the source will meet in a timely manner applicable requirements that become effective during the permit term shall satisfy this provision, unless a more detailed schedule is expressly required by the applicable requirement.
c. A schedule of compliance for sources that are not in compliance with all applicable requirements at the time of permit issuance. Such a schedule shall include a schedule of remedial measures, including an enforceable sequence of actions with milestones, leading to compliance with any applicable requirements for which the source will be in noncompliance at the time of permit issuance. This compliance schedule shall resemble and be at least as stringent as that contained in any judicial consent decree or administrative order to which the source is subject. Any such schedule of compliance shall be supplemental to, and shall not sanction noncompliance with, the applicable requirements on which it is based.
d. For applicable requirements associated with a proposed AOS, a statement that the source will meet such requirements upon implementation of the AOS. If a proposed AOS would implicate an applicable requirement that will become effective during the permit term, a statement that the source will meet such requirements on a timely basis. A statement that the source will meet in a timely manner applicable requirements that become effective during the permit term will satisfy this provision unless a more detailed schedule is expressly required by the applicable requirement.
(4.) A schedule for submission of certified progress reports where applicable no less frequently than every six months for sources required to have a schedule of compliance to remedy a violation.
(5.) The compliance plan content requirements specified in this paragraph shall apply and be included in the acid rain portion of a compliance plan for an affected source, except as specifically superseded by regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act with regard to the schedule and method(s) the source will use to achieve compliance with the acid rain emissions limitations.
(IX) Requirements for compliance certification, including the following:
(1.) A certification of compliance with all applicable requirements by a responsible official consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(iv) and section 114(a)(3) of the Act;
(2.) A statement of methods used for determining compliance, including a description of monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements and test methods;
(3.) A schedule for submission of compliance certifications during the permit term, to be submitted no less frequently than annually, or more frequently if specified by the underlying applicable requirement or this Division; and
(4.) A statement indicating the source's compliance status with any applicable enhanced monitoring and compliance certification requirements of the Act.
(X) The use of nationally standardized forms for acid rain portions of permit applications and compliance plans, as required by regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act.
(B) Confidential Information. As provided in sections 35-11-1101(a) and 35-11-205(d) of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, upon a satisfactory showing that records, reports or information or particular parts thereof, other than emission and pollution data, if made public would divulge trade secrets, the records, reports or information or particular portions thereof shall be treated as confidential by the Division. The Division may also request under Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(F)(V) that the applicant provide this information directly to the EPA.
(I) An applicant who submits information which it desires to be held confidential may do so by stamping the information as "Confidential" and submitting it in a separate envelope marked "Confidential".
(iii) Duty to Supplement. Any applicant who fails to submit any relevant facts or who has submitted incorrect information in a permit application shall, upon becoming aware of such failure or incorrect submittal, promptly submit such supplementary facts or corrected information. In addition, an applicant shall provide additional information as necessary to address any requirements that become applicable to the source after the date it filed a complete application but prior to release of a draft permit.
(iv) Certification. Any application form, report, or compliance certification submitted pursuant to the WAQSR shall require certification by a responsible official of truth, accuracy, and completeness. This certification and any other certification required under this section shall state that, based on information and belief formed after reasonable inquiry, the statements and information in the document are true, accurate, and complete.
(d) Permit Issuance, Renewal, Reopenings, and Revisions.
(i) Action on Application.
(A) A permit, permit revision, or renewal may be issued only if all of the following conditions have been met:
(I) The Division has received a complete application for a permit, permit modification, or permit renewal, except that a complete application need not be received before issuance of a general permit under Chapter 6, Section 3(i);
(II) Except for modifications qualifying for minor permit modification procedures under Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vi), the Division has complied with the requirements for public participation specified in this section;
(III) The Division has complied with the requirements for notifying and responding to affected States as required in this section;
(IV) The conditions of the permit provide for compliance with all applicable requirements and requirements of this section; and
(V) The EPA has received a copy of the proposed permit and any notices required under this section, and has not objected to the issuance of the permit within the time period specified in this section.
(B) Except for permits issued during the initial transitional period or under regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act for permitting affected units under the acid rain program, the Division shall take final action on each permit application, including a request for a permit modification or renewal within 18 months after receiving a complete permit application.
(C) Within 60 days of the receipt of the application, the Division shall provide notice of whether the application is complete. Unless additional information is requested subject to the application or if the applicant is otherwise notified of incompleteness, the application shall be deemed complete after this 60-day period. A completeness determination will not be made for minor permit modifications under Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vi)(A) and (B).
(D) The Division shall provide a statement that sets forth the legal and factual basis for the draft permit conditions (including references to the applicable statutory or regulatory provisions). The Division will provide this statement to the EPA and any other person who requests it.
(E) The submittal of a complete permit application shall not affect the requirement that any source have a preconstruction permit under Chapter 6, Section 2 or 4 of the WAQSR.
(ii) Requirement for a Permit. Except as provided in this paragraph or in Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(iii), no source requiring an operating permit under Chapter 6, Section 3 may operate after the time that it is required to submit a timely and complete application, except in compliance with a permit issued under this section. If a source submits a timely and complete application for permit issuance (including for renewal), the source's failure to have an operating permit is not a violation of this section until the Division takes final action on the permit application, except as noted in this paragraph. This protection shall cease to apply after a completeness determination made pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(i)(C), if the applicant fails to submit by the deadline specified in writing by the Division any additional information identified as being needed to process the application.
(iii) Changes for Which No Permit Revision is Required.
(A) A source may change operations without a permit revision, as allowed under section 502(b)(10) of the Act and W.S. § 35-11-206(f)(iii), provided that:
(I) The change is not a modification under any provision of Title I of the Act and does not violate applicable acid rain requirements under Title IV of the Act;
(II) The change has met the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2 and is not a modification under Chapter 5, Section 2 or Chapter 6, Section 4 of the WAQSR and the changes do not exceed the emissions allowed under the permit (whether expressed therein as a rate of emissions or in terms of total emissions); and
(III) The source provides the EPA and the Division with written notification at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the proposed change. The source, the EPA, and the Division shall attach such notice to their copy of the relevant permit.
(1.) For each such change, the written notification required shall include a brief description of the change within the permitted source, the date on which the change will occur, any change in emissions, and any permit term or condition that is no longer applicable as a result of the change.
(2.) The permit shield described in Chapter 6, Section 3(k) shall not apply to any change made pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(iii).
(iv) Permit Renewal and Expiration.
(A) Permits being renewed are subject to the same procedural requirements, including those for public participation, and affected State and EPA review, that apply to initial permit issuance.
(B) Permit expiration terminates the source's right to operate unless a timely and complete renewal application has been submitted consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(ii) and Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(i)(C).
(v) Administrative Permit Amendments.
(A) An "administrative permit amendment" is a permit revision that can accomplish one or more of the following changes:
(I) Corrects typographical errors;
(II) Identifies a change in the name, address, or phone number of any person identified in the permit, or provides a similar minor administrative change at the source;
(III) Requires more frequent monitoring or reporting by the permittee;
(IV) Allows for a change in ownership or operational control of a source where the Division determines that no other change in the permit is necessary, provided that a written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage and liability between the current and new permittees has been submitted to the Division;
(V) Incorporates into the operating permit the requirements from preconstruction review permits issued pursuant to Chapter 6, Sections 2 and 4 of the WAQSR, provided that the process for issuing the preconstruction permit meets procedural requirements substantially equivalent to those that would be applicable under Chapter 6, Section 3(d) and (e) if the change were subject to review as an operating permit modification, and that the permit meets compliance requirements substantially equivalent to those of Chapter 6, Section 3(h); or
(VI) Incorporates any other type of change which the EPA has determined as part of the approved operating permit program to be similar to Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(v)(A)(I) through (V) above.
(B) Administrative permit amendments for purposes of the acid rain portion of the permit shall be governed by regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act.
(C) An administrative permit amendment may be made by the Division consistent with the following:
(I) The Division shall take final action on a request for an administrative permit amendment within 60 days from the receipt of the request, and may incorporate such changes without providing notice to the public or affected States provided that it designates any such permit revisions as having been made pursuant to this paragraph.
(II) The Division shall submit a copy of the revised permit to the EPA.
(III) The source may implement the changes addressed in the request for an administrative amendment immediately upon submittal of the request.
(D) The Division may, upon taking final action granting a request for an administrative permit amendment, allow coverage by the permit shield in Chapter 6, Section 3(k) for administrative permit amendments made pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(v)(A)(V) which meet the relevant requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(d), 3(h), and 3(e) for significant permit modifications.
(vi) Permit Modification. A permit modification is any revision to an operating permit which cannot be accomplished as an administrative permit amendment under Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(v). A permit modification for purposes of the acid rain portion of the permit shall be governed by regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act.
(A) Minor Permit Modification Procedures.
(I) Criteria.
(1.) Minor permit modification procedures shall be used only for those permit modifications that:
a. Do not violate any applicable requirement;
b. Do not involve significant changes to existing monitoring, reporting, or recordkeeping requirements in the permit;
c. Do not require or change a case-by-case determination of an emission limitation or other standard, or a source-specific determination for temporary sources of ambient impacts, or a visibility or increment analysis;
d. Do not seek to change a permit term or condition for which there is no corresponding underlying applicable requirement and that the source has assumed in order to avoid an otherwise applicable requirement. Such terms and conditions include:
-
A federally enforceable emissions cap assumed to avoid classification as a modification under any provision of Title I of the Act;
-
An alternative emissions limit approved pursuant to regulations promulgated under section 112(i)(5) of the Act concerning early reductions of hazardous air pollutants; and
-
A federally enforceable emissions cap assumed to avoid being subject to provisions of this section pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(m) regarding synthetic minors.
e. Are not modifications under any provision of Title I of the Act; and
f. Are not required to be processed as a significant modification.
(2.) Notwithstanding Chapter 6, Sections 3(d)(vi)(A) and 3(d)(vi)(B), minor permit modification procedures may be used for permit modifications involving the use of economic incentives, marketable permits, emissions trading, and other similar approaches, to the extent that such minor permit modification procedures are explicitly provided for in the implementation plan.
(3.) Qualifying for a minor permit modification under this section does not relieve a source of its responsibility to obtain a modification permit under the preconstruction permit requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2 of the WAQSR.
(II) Application. An application requesting the use of minor permit modification procedures shall meet the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(ii) and shall include the following:
(1.) A description of the change, the emissions resulting from the change, and any new applicable requirements that will apply if the change occurs;
(2.) The source's suggested draft permit;
(3.) Certification by a responsible official, consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(iv), that the proposed modification meets the criteria for use of minor permit modification procedures and a request that such procedures be used; and
(4.) Completed forms for the Division to use to notify the EPA and affected States as required under Chapter 6, Section 3(e).
(III) EPA and Affected State Notification. Within 5 working days of receipt of a complete permit modification application, the Division shall meet its obligation under Chapter 6, Sections 3(e)(i)(A) and 3(e)(ii)(A) to notify the EPA and affected States of the requested permit modification. The Division shall promptly send any notice required under Chapter 6, Section 3(e)(ii)(B) to the EPA.
(IV) Timetable for Issuance. The Division may not issue a final minor permit modification until after the EPA's 45-day review period or until EPA has notified the Division that EPA will not object to issuance of the permit modification, whichever is first, although the Division can approve the permit modification prior to that time. Within 90 days of the Division's receipt of an application under minor permit modification procedures or 15 days after the end of the EPA's 45-day review period under Chapter 6, Section 3(e)(ii)(D), whichever is later, the Division shall:
(1.) Issue the permit modification as proposed;
(2.) Deny the permit modification application;
(3.) Determine that the requested modification does not meet the minor permit modification criteria and should be reviewed under the significant modification procedures; or
(4.) Revise the draft permit modification and transmit to the EPA the new proposed permit modification as required by Chapter 6, Section 3(e)(i).
(V) Source's Ability to Make Change.
(1.) The Division will allow the source to make the change proposed in its minor permit modification application immediately after it files such application. After the source makes the change allowed by the preceding sentence, and until the Division takes any of the actions specified in Chapter 6, Sections 3(d)(vi)(A)(IV)(1.) through (3.), the source must comply with both the applicable requirements governing the change and the proposed permit terms and conditions. During this time period, the source need not comply with the existing permit terms and conditions it seeks to modify; however, if the source fails to comply with its proposed permit terms and conditions during this time period, the existing permit terms and conditions it seeks to modify may be enforced against it.
(VI) Permit Shield. The permit shield under Chapter 6, Section 3(k) does not extend to minor permit modifications.
(B) Group Processing of Minor Permit Modifications. The Division may process groups of a source's applications for certain modifications eligible for minor permit modification processing.
(I) Criteria. Group processing of modifications may be used only for those permit modifications:
(1.) That meet the criteria for minor permit modification procedures under Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vi)(A)(I)(1.); and
(2.) That are collectively below a threshold of 10 percent of the emissions allowed under the permit for the emissions unit for which the change is requested, 20 percent of the applicable definition of major source in Chapter 6, Section 3(b), or 5 tons per year, whichever is least.
(II) Application. An application requesting the use of group processing procedures shall meet the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(ii) and shall include the following:
(1.) A description of the change, the emission resulting from the change, and any new applicable requirements that will apply if the change occurs.
(2.) The source's suggested draft permit.
(3.) Certification by a responsible official, consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(iv) that the proposed modification meets the criteria for use of group processing procedures and a request that such procedures be used.
(4.) A list of the source's other pending applications awaiting group processing, and a determination of whether the requested modification, aggregated with these other applications, equals or exceeds the threshold levels of this section.
(5.) Certification, consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(iv), that the source has notified EPA of the proposed modification. Such notification need only contain a brief description of the requested modifications.
(6.) Completed forms for the Division to use to notify the EPA and affected States as required under Chapter 6, Section 3(e).
(III) EPA and Affected State Notification. On a quarterly basis or within 5 business days of receipt of an application demonstrating that the aggregate of a source's pending applications equals or exceeds the threshold level of this section, whichever is earlier, the Division shall meet its obligation under Chapter 6, Sections 3(e)(i)(a) and 3(e)(ii)(a) to notify the EPA and affected States of the requested permit modifications. The Division shall send any notice required under Chapter 6, Section 3(e)(ii)(B) to the EPA.
(IV) Timetable for Issuance. The provisions of Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vi)(A)(IV) shall apply to modifications eligible for group processing, except that the Division shall take one of the actions specified in Chapter 6, Sections 3(d)(vi)(A)(IV)(1.) through (4.) within 180 days of receipt of the application or 15 days after the end of the EPA's 45-day review period, whichever is later.
(V) Source's Ability to Make Change. The provisions of Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vi)(A)(V) apply to modifications eligible for group processing.
(VI) Permit Shield. The permit shield under Chapter 6, Section 3(k) does not extend to modifications eligible for group processing.
(C) Significant Modification Procedures.
(I) Criteria. Significant modification procedures shall be used for applications requesting permit modifications that do not qualify as minor permit modifications or as administrative amendments. Every significant change in existing monitoring permit terms or conditions and every relaxation of reporting or recordkeeping permit terms or conditions shall require a permit modification under this paragraph. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the permittee from making changes consistent with this section that would render existing permit compliance terms and conditions irrelevant.
(II) Significant permit modifications shall meet all requirements of this section including those for applications, public participation, review by affected States, and review by EPA, as they apply to permit issuance and permit renewal. The Division shall complete review on the majority of significant permit modifications within 9 months after receipt of a complete application.
(vii) Reopening for Cause.
(A) Every operating permit issued shall contain provisions specifying the conditions under which the permit will be reopened prior to the expiration of the permit. A permit shall be reopened and revised under any of the following conditions:
(I) Additional applicable requirements under the Act or the WAQSR become applicable to a major source subject to Chapter 6, Section 3 with a remaining permit term of 3 or more years. Such reopening shall be completed not later than 18 months after promulgation of the applicable requirement. No reopening is required if the effective date of the requirement is later than the date on which the permit is due to expire, unless the original permit or any of its terms and conditions has been extended.
(II) Additional requirements (including excess emissions requirements) become applicable to an affected source under the acid rain program. Upon approval of the EPA, excess emissions offset plans shall be deemed to be incorporated into the permit.
(III) The Division or the EPA determines that the permit contains a material mistake or that inaccurate statements were made in establishing the emissions standards or other terms or conditions of the permit.
(IV) The Division or the EPA determines that the permit must be revised or revoked to assure compliance with applicable requirements.
(B) Proceedings to reopen and issue a permit shall follow the same procedures as apply to initial permit issuance and shall affect only those parts of the permit for which cause to reopen exists. Such reopening shall be made as expeditiously as practicable.
(C) Reopenings under Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vii)(A) shall not be initiated before a notice of such intent is provided to the source by the Division at least 30 days in advance of the date that the permit is to be reopened, except that the Division may provide a shorter time period in the case of an emergency.
(viii) Reopenings for Cause by the Environmental Protection Agency.
(A) If the EPA finds that cause exists to terminate, modify or revoke and reissue a permit pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vii), the EPA will notify the Division and the permittee of such finding in writing.
(B) The Division shall, within 90 days after receipt of such notification, forward to EPA a proposed determination of termination, modification, or revocation and reissuance, as appropriate. The EPA may extend this 90-day period for an additional 90 days if a new or revised permit application is necessary or if the Division must require the permittee to submit additional information.
(C) The EPA shall review the proposed determination from the Division within 90 days of receipt.
(D) The Division shall have 90 days from receipt of an EPA objection to resolve the objection and to terminate, modify or revoke and reissue the permit in accordance with the EPA's objection.
(E) If the Division fails to submit a proposed determination or fails to resolve any EPA objection, the EPA will terminate, modify, or revoke and reissue the permit after taking the following actions:
(I) Providing at least 30 day's notice to the permittee in writing of the reasons for any such action; and
(II) Providing the permittee an opportunity for comment on the EPA's proposed action and an opportunity for a hearing.
(ix) Public Participation. Except for modification qualifying for minor permit modification procedures, all permit proceedings, including initial permit issuance, significant modifications, and renewals, shall provide procedures for public notice including offering an opportunity for public comment and a hearing on the draft permit. These procedures shall include the following:
(A) Notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the source is located or in a State publication designed to give general public notice; to persons on a mailing list developed by the Division, including those who request in writing to be on the list; and by other means if necessary to assure adequate notice to the affected public;
(B) The notice shall identify the affected source; the name and address of the permittee; the name and address of the Division; the activity or activities involved in the permit action; the emissions change involved in any permit modification; the name, address, and telephone number of a person from whom interested persons may obtain additional information, including copies of the permit draft, the application, all relevant supporting materials, and all other materials available to the Division that are relevant to the permit decision; a brief description of the comment procedures; and the time and place of any hearing that may be held, including a statement of procedures to request a hearing (unless a hearing has already been scheduled);
(C) The Division shall provide such notice and opportunity for participation by affected States as provided in Chapter 6, Section 3(e);
(D) Timing. The Division shall provide for a 30-day period for public comment and shall give notice of any public hearing at least 30 days in advance of the hearing.
(E) The Division shall keep a record of the commenters and also of the issues raised during the public participation process so that the EPA may fulfill its obligation under section 505(b)(2) of the Act to determine whether a citizen petition may be granted, and such records shall be available to the public.
(e) Permit Review by the Environmental Protection Agency and Affected States.
(i) Information Provided to the Environmental Protection Agency.
(A) The Division shall provide a copy of the permit application (including the compliance plan) directly to the EPA, or the Division may require that the applicant requiring a permit under this section submit a copy of the application directly to the EPA.
(B) The Division shall provide to the Administrator of the EPA a copy of each proposed permit and each final operating permit.
(C) The Division shall keep all records associated with applications and permits under this section for a period of five years.
(ii) Review by Affected States.
(A) The Division shall give notice of each draft permit to any affected State at the time notice is provided to the public under Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(ix), except to the extent Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vi)(A) allows the time of the notice to be different for minor permit modification procedures.
(B) The Division, as part of the submittal of the proposed permit to the EPA, or for a minor permit modification procedure, as soon thereafter as possible, shall notify the EPA and any affected State in writing of any refusal to accept all recommendations for the proposed permit that the affected State submitted during the public comment period. The notice shall include the Division's reasons for not accepting any such recommendation. The Division is not required to accept recommendations that are not based on applicable requirements or the requirements of this section.
(iii) EPA Objection.
(A) No permit shall be issued if the Administrator of the EPA objects to its issuance in writing within 45 days of receipt of the proposed permit and all necessary supporting information.
(B) Any EPA objection under Chapter 6, Section 3(e)(ii)(C) shall include a statement of reasons for the objection and a description of the terms and conditions that the permit must include to respond to the objections. The EPA shall provide the permit applicant with a copy of the objection.
(C) Failure of the Division to do any of the following shall also constitute grounds for an objection:
(I) Comply with Chapter 6, Sections 3(e)(i)(A) and (B), and Chapter 6, Sections 3(e)(ii)(A) and (B);
(II) Submit any information necessary to adequately review the proposed permit; or
(III) Process the permit under the procedures approved to meet the public participation requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(ix) except for minor permit modifications.
(D) If the Division fails, within ninety (90) days after the date of an objection under Chapter 6, Section 3(e)(ii)(C), to revise and submit a proposed permit in response to the objection, the EPA will issue or deny the permit in accordance with the requirements of the federal program promulgated under Title V of the Act.
(iv) Public Petitions to the EPA. If the EPA does not object in writing under paragraph (C) of this subsection, any person may petition the EPA within 60 days after the expiration of the 45-day review period to make such an objection. Any such petition shall be based only on objections to the permit that were raised with reasonable specificity during the public comment period provided for in Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(ix), unless the petitioner demonstrates that it was impracticable to raise such objections within such period, or unless the grounds for such objection arose after such period. If the EPA objects to the permit as a result of a petition filed under this paragraph, the Division shall not issue the permit until the EPA's objection has been resolved, except that a petition for review does not stay the effectiveness of a permit or its requirements if the permit was issued after the end of the 45-day review period and prior to the EPA objection. If a permit has been issued, the Division may thereafter issue only a revised permit that satisfies the EPA objection. In any case, the source will not be in violation of the requirement to have submitted a timely and complete application.
(v) No operating permit (including a permit renewal or revision) will be issued until affected States and EPA have had an opportunity to review the proposed permit as required under this section.
(f) Fees.
(i) Fee Requirement. Any source required to obtain a permit under this section shall, as a condition of continued operation, submit an annual fee to the Department.
(ii) Fee Payment. The Department shall give written notice of the amount of fee to be assessed and the basis for such fee assessment to the owner or operator of the source annually. The assessed fee is due on receipt of the notice unless the fee assessment is appealed pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-211(d). If any part of the fee assessment is not appealed it shall be paid to the Department on receipt of the written notice. Any remaining fee which may be due after completion of the appeal is immediately due and payable upon issuance of the council's decision.
(iii) Basis of Fee to Support the Program.
(A) Fees shall be assessed annually for each operating source, based on emissions of each regulated pollutant in an amount sufficient to cover all reasonable direct and indirect costs of the Department in developing, implementing and administering the operating permit program of this section, including the Department's Small Business Assistance Program. The permit fee will cover all reasonable direct and indirect program costs including cost of:
(I) Reviewing and acting on permit applications, permit renewals, permit reopenings, and permit revisions;
(II) Implementing and enforcing the terms and conditions of a permit (not including any court costs or other costs associated with any enforcement action) which include but is not limited to the following:
(1.) Source inspections including the witnessing and review of stack emission tests;
(2.) Ambient monitoring data review and reporting;
(3.) Continuous emission monitoring (CEM) reports and data review;
(4.) Complaint investigations;
(5.) Special purpose monitoring;
(6.) Ambient and CEM systems audits;
(7.) EPA reporting and data entry;
(III) Emissions and ambient monitoring;
(IV) Regulation preparation and guidance;
(V) Modeling analyses and demonstrations;
(VI) Preparing emission and source inventories and tracking emissions;
(VII) Fee assessment, billing and fiscal management;
(VIII) All other permit-related functions performed by the Department;
(IX) Development and administration of Department Small Business Assistance Program; and
(X) Informational management activities.
(B) Exclusions.
(I) No fee will be assessed for emissions of a regulated pollutant in excess of 4,000 tons per year at a source.
(II) For purposes of fee assessment, only under this section, the term "regulated pollutant" shall not include carbon monoxide, asbestos as regulated in Chapter 3, Section 8 of the WAQSR, residential wood smoke as regulated under Chapter 5, Section 2, Subpart AAA, or any substance which would be regulated only because it is listed or regulated under section 112(r) of the Act, prevention of accidental releases for hazardous air pollutants.
(III) Fugitive emissions of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) emissions, provided however, that portion of TSP which is PM10 particulate matter will be estimated and assessed fees.
(iv) Fee Determination.
(A) Fees for individual sources shall be computed by multiplying the total annual emissions, in tons up to a maximum of 4,000 tons per year of each regulated pollutant emitted by the source, by the dollar per ton fee calculated as follows:
x = F ÷ T
Where: x = dollars per ton of emissions for each
regulated pollutant emitted.
F = total annual fee target.
T = total number of tons state-wide of all
regulated pollutants listed in the most recent
annual emissions inventory for all sources
subject to this section.
(B) Annual Fee Target. The annual fee target shall be computed as follows:
Annual fee target (F) = (LA - NSR) ÷ 2
Where: LA = The amount of funds appropriated from the permit fee fund by the legislature for the operation and implementation of the construction and modification permit programs and the operating permit program for a two-year period. This appropriation includes any carry over in the fund from previous budget periods.
NSR = Projected costs of reviewing and issuing
construction and modification permits under
the Division's new source review program
pursuant to Chapter 6, Sections 2 and 4 of
the WAQSR for the two-year budget period.
(C) Individual source fees shall be the greater of fees calculated pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(f)(iv)(A) or $500.00.
(D) A fee of $250.00 shall be required for the operation of a temporary source at each new location.
(E) Any affected unit which is utilized in an EPA-approved Phase I substitution plan under section 404 of the Act during the years of 1995-1999 (inclusive) shall be subject to an annual fee of $35,000, in lieu of a fee based on actual emissions under Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(v), for each year that it participates in such a substitution plan for the purpose of covering the portion of direct and indirect costs described in Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(iii)(A) attributed to administrating the program for those affected units.
(v) Fees Shall Be Based on Actual Emissions.
(A) Actual emissions for purposes of assessing fees are, in order of decreasing accuracy:
(I) Emissions measured by a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) that converts pollutant concentrations to mass emission rates and that meets the requirements for CEMS installation, operation, and certification of the WAQSR or any regulation promulgated by EPA under the Act. Actual emissions are the total emissions measured by the CEMS for the year plus estimated emissions during times when the CEMS was not operational.
(II) Emissions measured by periodic stack emission tests which have been accepted by the Division as being representative of normal source operation. Actual emissions are the hourly emission rates multiplied by the annual hours of operation.
(III) Emissions estimated by the utilization of data from the manufacturer of an internal combustion engine or turbine. Actual emissions are the hourly emission rates multiplied by the annual hours of operation.
(IV) Emissions estimated by utilization of the EPA document AP-42, "Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors", or Division-approved source-specific emission factors. Actual emissions are the hourly emission rates multiplied by the annual hours of operation.
(B) The methodology selected for the determination of actual emissions for fee assessment by the Division shall be equivalent to methods specified in any Chapter 6, Section 2 permit that the source may hold for initial applications applied for under this section, or emissions as verified by methods prescribed in a permit issued under this section. Actual emissions for sources for which no permit has previously been issued or for which no method has been prescribed in the permit shall be determined by the Division utilizing the most accurate method available as enumerated above under Chapter 6, Section 3(f)(v)(A).
(C) Actual emissions may, at the source's choice, be presumed to be allowable emissions as determined by applicable requirements (standards and regulations) or by permit unless there is evidence that actual emissions are in excess of allowable emissions.
(D) Particulate Emissions: Until such time as continuous measurement of particulate mass emission rates from stacks becomes available or required, particulate mass emission rates for purposes of fee assessment will be based on allowable emission rates.
(E) Fugitive emission rates, for purposes of fee assessment, will be determined by EPA AP-42 emission factors, or by Division-approved emission factors, in the case of emissions from surface coal mines and other similar sources of fugitive dust emissions. The use of alternative emission factors which are source specific must be well documented and approved for use by the Division prior to the date on which emission inventories are due to be submitted to the Division.
(F) Emissions in excess of applicable requirements or permit limits due to equipment malfunction and/or failure, or process start-up and shutdowns, to the extent that such emissions are quantifiable through recognized engineering calculations or emissions and process monitoring, shall be included in source emission inventories and assessed a fee.
(G) Fees shall be assessed against owners or operators of sources applying for any permit under this section and annually thereafter for the duration of the permit. Emission inventories for sources subject to this section shall be submitted to the Division for fee assessment and compliance determinations within sixty (60) days following the end of the calendar year.
(I) During the initial year of the operating permit program, sources required to apply for a permit under this section shall be assessed fees which include operations for the calendar year 1994.
(II) Fees shall be based on calendar year source operations.
(III) New sources applying for initial permits under this section shall pay a fee based on emissions occurring since the commencement of operation for the previous calendar year and annually thereafter.
(vi) Failure to Pay Fees. Failure to pay fees owed the Department is a violation of this section and W.S. § 35-11-203 and may be cause for the revocation of any permit issued to the source.
(g) Small Business Assistance Program.
(i) Any source operated or owned by a business which qualifies as a small business under the Department Small Business Assistance Program may apply for assistance in complying with the requirements of this section.
(h) Permit Content.
(i) Standard Permit Requirements. Each permit issued under this section shall include the following elements:
(A) Emission limitations and standards, including those operational requirements and limitations that are applied to assure compliance with all applicable requirements at the time of permit issuance. Such requirements and limitations may include ARMs identified by the source in its operating permit application as approved by the Division, provided that no ARM shall contravene any terms needed to comply with an otherwise applicable requirement or require of this section or circumvent any applicable requirements that would apply as a result of implementing the ARM.
(I) The permit shall specify and reference the origin of and authority for each term or condition, and identify any difference in form as compared to the applicable requirement upon which the term or condition is based.
(II) The permit shall state that, where an applicable requirement of the Act is more stringent than any applicable requirement of regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act, both provisions shall be incorporated into the permit and shall be enforceable by the EPA and the Division.
(III) In addition to the requirements in Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(A)(I) and (II), the permit shall include emission limitations and standards which are a part of the WAQSR and are more stringent than those of any requirements of the Act. However, such requirements shall not be federally enforceable.
(B) Permit Duration. The Division shall issue permits for a fixed term of five years for all sources except in such circumstances as provided in W.S. § 35-11-206(f)(i), where a permit may be issued for a shorter term.
(C) Monitoring and Related Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements.
(I) Each permit shall contain the following requirements with respect to monitoring:
(1.) All emissions monitoring and analysis procedures or test methods required under the applicable monitoring and testing requirements, including any procedures and methods promulgated pursuant to Title IV and sections 504(b) or 114(a)(3) of the Act. If more than one monitoring or testing requirement applies, the permit may specify a streamlined set of monitoring or testing provisions provided the specified monitoring or testing is adequate to assure compliance at least to the same extent as the monitoring or testing applicable requirements that are not included in the permit as the result of such streamlining;
(2.) Where the applicable requirement does not require periodic testing or instrumental or noninstrumental monitoring (which may consist of recordkeeping designed to serve as monitoring), periodic monitoring sufficient to yield reliable data from the relevant time period that are representative of the source's compliance with the permit, as reported pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(III). Such monitoring requirements shall assure use of terms, test methods, units, averaging periods, and other statistical conventions consistent with the applicable requirement. Recordkeeping provisions may be sufficient to meet the requirements of this paragraph; and
(3.) As necessary, requirements concerning the use, maintenance, and, when appropriate, installation of monitoring equipment or methods.
(II) With respect to recordkeeping, the permit shall incorporate all applicable recordkeeping requirements and require, where applicable, the following:
(1.) Records of monitoring information that include the following:
a. The date, place as defined in the permit, and time of sampling or measurements;
b. The date(s) the analyses were performed;
c. The company or entity that performed the
analyses;
d. The analytical techniques or methods used;
e. The results of such analyses; and
f. The operating conditions as they existed at the time of sampling or measurement.
(2.) Retention of records of all monitoring data and support information for a period of at least five years from the date of the monitoring sample, measurement, report, or application. Support information includes all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip-chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, and copies of all reports required by the permit.
(III) With respect to reporting, the permit shall incorporate all applicable reporting requirements and require the following:
(1.) Submittal of Reports of Any Required Monitoring at Least Every Six Months. All instances of deviations from permit requirements must be clearly identified in such reports. All required reports must be certified by a responsible official consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(iv).
(2.) Prompt reporting of deviations from permit requirements, including those attributable to upset conditions as defined in the permit, the probable cause of such deviations, and any corrective actions or preventive measures taken. The Division shall define "prompt" in relation to the degree and type of deviation likely to occur and the applicable requirements.
(IV) To meet the requirements of Title IV of the Act, for affected sources under the acid rain program, the permit shall incorporate all provisions for monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting promulgated in 40 CFR part 75.
(D) A permit condition prohibiting emissions exceeding any allowances that the source lawfully holds under Title IV of the Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(I) No permit revision shall be required for increases in emissions that are authorized by allowances acquired pursuant to the acid rain program, provided that such increases do not require a permit revision under any other applicable requirement.
(II) No limit shall be placed on the number of allowances held by the source. The source may not, however, use allowances as a defense for noncompliance with any other applicable requirement.
(III) Any such allowance shall be accounted for according to the procedures established in regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act.
(E) A severability clause to ensure the continued validity of the various permit requirements in the event of a challenge to any portion(s) of the permit.
(F) Provisions Stating the Following:
(I) Duty to Comply. The permittee must comply with all conditions of the operating permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the Act, Article 2 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and the WAQSR and is grounds for enforcement action; for permit termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; or for denial of a permit renewal application.
(II) Need to Halt or Reduce Activity is Not a Defense. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of the permit.
(III) Permit Actions. The permit may be modified, revoked, reopened, and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the permittee for a permit modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or of a notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition.
(IV) Property Rights. The permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege.
(V) Duty to Provide Information. The permittee shall furnish to the Division, within a reasonable time, any information that the Division may request in writing to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating the permit or to determine compliance with the permit. Upon request, the permittee shall also furnish to the Division copies of records required to be kept by the permit, including information claimed and shown to be confidential under Section 35-11-1101(a) of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act. Upon request by the Division, the permittee shall also furnish confidential information directly to EPA along with a claim of confidentiality.
(G) A provision to ensure that any source under this section pays fees to the Division consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(f) and the fee schedule developed by the Division and approved by the joint appropriations committee of the Wyoming State Legislature.
(H) Emissions Trading. A provision stating that no permit revision shall be required, under any approved economic incentives, marketable permits, emissions trading and other similar programs or processes for changes that are provided for in the permit.
(I) Terms and conditions for reasonably anticipated AOSs identified by the source in its application as approved by the Division. Such terms and conditions:
(I) Shall require the source, contemporaneously with making a change from one AOS to another, to record in a log at the permitted source a record of the AOS under which it is operating;
(II) May extend the permit shield described in Chapter 6, Section 3(k) to all terms and conditions under each such AOS; and
(III) Must ensure that the terms and conditions of each such AOS meet all applicable requirements and the requirements of this section. The Division shall not approve a proposed AOS into the operating permit until the source has obtained all authorizations required under any applicable requirement relevant to that AOS.
(J) Terms and conditions, if the permit applicant requests them, for the trading of emissions increases and decreases in the permitted source, to the extent that the applicable requirements, including the State Implementation Plan, provide for trading such increases and decreases without a case-by-case approval of each emissions trade. Such terms and conditions:
(I) Shall include all terms required under Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i) and (iii) to determine compliance;
(II) May extend the permit shield described in Chapter 6, Section 3(k) to all terms and conditions that allow such increases and decreases in emissions; and
(III) Must meet all applicable requirements and requirements of this section.
(ii) Federally-Enforceable Requirements.
(A) All terms and conditions in an operating permit under this section, including any provisions designed to limit a source's potential to emit, are enforceable by the EPA and citizens under the Act.
(B) Notwithstanding paragraph (A) above, the Division shall specifically designate as not being federally enforceable under the Act any terms and conditions included in the permit that are not required under the Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(iii) Compliance Requirements. All operating permits under this section shall contain the following elements with respect to compliance:
(A) Consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C), compliance certification, testing, monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements sufficient to assure compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit. Any document (including reports) required by an operating permit under this section shall contain a certification by a responsible official that meets the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(iv).
(B) Inspection and entry requirements that require that, upon presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, the permittee shall allow the Division or an authorized representative to perform the following:
(I) Enter upon the permittee's premises where a source is located or emissions related activity is conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of the permit.
(II) Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the conditions of the permit.
(III) Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and air pollution control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under the permit.
(IV) As authorized by the Act, sample or monitor, at reasonable times, any substances or parameters for the purpose of assuring compliance with the permit or applicable requirements.
(C) A schedule of compliance consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(ii)(A)(VIII).
(D) Progress reports consistent with an applicable schedule of compliance and Chapter 6, Section 3(c)(ii)(A)(VIII) to be submitted at least semiannually, or at a more frequent period if specified in the applicable requirement or by the Division. Such progress reports shall contain the following:
(I) Dates for achieving the activities, milestones, or compliance required in the schedule of compliance, and dates when such activities, milestones or compliance were achieved; and
(II) An explanation of why any dates in the schedule of compliance were not or will not be met, and any preventive or corrective measures adopted.
(E) Requirements for compliance certification with terms and conditions contained in the permit, including emission limitations, standards, or work practices. Permits shall include each of the following:
(I) The frequency (not less than annually or such more frequent period as specified in the applicable requirement or by the Division) of submissions of compliance certifications;
(II) A means for assessing or monitoring the compliance of the source with its emissions limitations, standards, and work practices;
(III) A requirement that the compliance certification include the following (provided that the identification of applicable information may cross-reference the permit or previous reports as applicable):
(1.) The identification of each term or condition of the permit that is the basis of the certification;
(2.) The status of compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit for the period covered by the certification, based on the method or means designated in Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(iii)(E)(III)(4.). The certification shall identify each deviation and take it into account in the compliance certification. The certification shall also identify as possible exceptions to compliance any periods during which compliance is required and in which an excursion or exceedance as defined in Chapter 7, Section 3 occurred;
(3.) Whether compliance was continuous or intermittent;
(4.) The identification of the method(s) or other means used by the owner or operator for determining the compliance status with each term and condition during the certification period, and whether such methods or other means provide continuous or intermittent data. Such methods and other means shall include, at a minimum, the methods and means required under Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C). If necessary, the owner or operator also shall identify any other material information that must be included in the certification to comply with section 113(c)2 of the Clean Air Act, which prohibits knowingly making a false certification or omitting material information;
(5.) Such other facts as the Division may require to determine the status of the source;
(IV) A requirement that all compliance certifications be submitted to the EPA as well as to the Division.
(F) Such other provisions as the Division may require.
(i) General Permits.
(i) Issuance. The Division may, after notice and opportunity for public comment and hearing pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(ix), issue a general permit covering numerous similar sources. Any general permit shall comply with all requirements applicable to other operating permits under this section and shall identify criteria by which sources may qualify for the general permit. To sources that qualify, the Division shall grant the conditions and terms of the general permit. Notwithstanding the shield provisions of Chapter 6, Section 3(k), the source shall be subject to enforcement action for operation without an operating permit under this section if the source is later determined not to qualify for the conditions and terms of the general permit. General permits shall not be authorized for affected sources under the acid rain program unless otherwise provided in regulations promulgated under Title IV of the Act.
(ii) Application. Sources under this section that would qualify for a general permit must apply to the Division for coverage under the terms of the general permit or must apply for an operating permit consistent with Chapter 6, Section 3(c). The Division may provide for general permit applications which deviate from the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(c) provided that such applications meet the requirements of Title V of the Act and include all information necessary to determine qualification for, and to assure compliance with, the general permit. The Division may grant a source's request for authorization to operate under a general permit without repeating the notice and comment procedures required under Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(ix), but such issuance shall not be a final action for purposes of judicial review.
(j) Temporary Sources (Portable Sources). The Division may issue a single permit authorizing emissions from similar operations by the same source owner or operator at multiple temporary locations. The operations must be temporary and involve at least one change of location during the term of the permit. No affected source shall be permitted as a temporary source. Permits for temporary sources shall include the following:
(i) Conditions that will assure compliance with all applicable requirements at all authorized locations;
(ii) Requirements that the owner or operator notify the Division at least ten days in advance of each change in location; and
(iii) Conditions that assure compliance with all other provisions of this section.
(k) Permit Shield.
(i) Except as provided in this section, the Division may expressly include in an operating permit a provision stating that compliance with the conditions of the permit shall be deemed compliance with any applicable requirements as of the date of permit issuance, provided that:
(A) Such applicable requirements are included and are specifically identified in the permit; or
(B) The Division, in acting on the permit application or revision, determines in writing that other requirements specifically identified are not applicable to the source, and the permit includes the determination or a concise summary thereof.
(ii) An operating permit under this section that does not expressly state that a permit shield exists shall be presumed not to provide such a shield.
(iii) Nothing in this paragraph or in any operating permit under this section shall alter or affect the following:
(A) The provisions of section 303 of the Act (emergency orders), including the authority of the EPA under that section.
(B) The liability of an owner or operator of a source for any violation of applicable requirements prior to or at the time of permit issuance.
(C) The applicable requirements of the acid rain program, consistent with section 408(a) of the Act.
(D) The ability of the EPA to obtain information from a source pursuant to section 114 of the Act, or the Division to obtain information pursuant to Section 35-11-110 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(l) [Reserved].
(m) Permits for Synthetic Minors.
(i) Applicability. A source may apply under this section for a permit or for a condition to a permit to limit emissions below any threshold level which would otherwise subject the source to an applicable requirement or to the provisions of this section utilizing the source's potential to emit. With respect to a condition or permit so issued, the source will not have to comply with the other provisions of this section with the exception of the following:
(A) The payment of a fee based on tons of emissions emitted pursuant to the fee schedule developed under Chapter 6, Section 3(f);
(B) The emissions limit specified in the permit shall be federally enforceable and enforceable by the Division; and
(C) Compliance with any applicable requirements specified in the permit or elsewhere in the WAQSR.
(ii) Use of General Permits. General permits issued in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 3(i) may be utilized by the Division to permit numerous similar synthetic minor sources.
(iii) Use of Chapter 6, Section 2 Permit. A source may apply for a permit under Chapter 6, Section 2 of the WAQSR to qualify as a synthetic minor, provided the permit is federally enforceable.
Section 4. Prevention of significant deterioration.
(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
"Actual emissions" means the actual rate of emissions of a regulated NSR pollutant from an emissions unit, as determined in accordance with paragraphs (i) through (iii) of this definition, except that this definition shall not apply for calculating whether a significant emissions increase has occurred, or for establishing a PAL under paragraph (b)(xv) of this section. Instead, the definitions for "Projected actual emissions" and "Baseline actual emissions" of this section shall apply for those purposes.
(i) In general, actual emissions as of a particular date shall equal the average rate, in tons per year, at which the unit actually emitted the pollutant during a consecutive 24-month period which precedes the particular date and which is representative of normal source operation. The Division shall allow the use of a different time period upon a determination that it is more representative of normal source operation. Actual emissions shall be calculated using the unit's actual operating hours, production rates, and types of materials processed, stored, or combusted during the selected time period.
(ii) The Division may presume that source-specific allowable emissions for the unit are equivalent to the actual emissions of the unit.
(iii) For any emissions unit that has not begun normal operations on the particular date, actual emissions shall equal the potential to emit of the unit on that date.
"Administrator" means Administrator of the Division of Air Quality, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"Allowable emissions" means the emission rate of a stationary source calculated using the maximum rated capacity of the source (unless the source is subject to enforceable permit conditions which limit the operating rate or hours of operation, or both) and the most stringent of the following:
(i) Applicable standards set forth in Chapter 5, Section 2 or Section 3 of these regulations and other new source performance standards and national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants promulgated by the EPA but not yet adopted by the State of Wyoming.
(ii) Any other applicable emission limit in these regulations.
(iii) The emission rate agreed to by the owner or operator as an enforceable permit condition.
"Baseline actual emissions" means the rate of emissions, in tons per year, of a regulated NSR pollutant, as determined in accordance with paragraphs (i) through (iv) of this definition.
(i) For any existing electric utility steam generating unit, baseline actual emissions means the average rate, in tons per year, at which the unit actually emitted the pollutant during any consecutive 24-month period selected by the owner or operator within the 5-year period immediately preceding when the owner or operator begins actual construction of the project. The Division shall allow the use of a different time period upon a determination that it is more representative of normal source operation.
(A) The average rate shall include fugitive emissions to the extent quantifiable, and emissions associated with startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions.
(B) The average rate shall be adjusted downward to exclude any non-compliant emissions that occurred while the source was operating above an emission limitation that was legally enforceable during the consecutive 24-month period.
(C) For a regulated NSR pollutant, when a project involves multiple emissions units, only one consecutive 24-month period must be used to determine the baseline actual emissions for the emissions units being changed. A different consecutive 24-month period can be used for each regulated NSR pollutant.
(D) The average rate shall not be based on any consecutive 24-month period for which there is inadequate information for determining annual emissions, in tons per year, and for adjusting this amount if required by paragraph (i)(B) of this definition.
(ii) For an existing emissions unit (other than an electric utility steam generating unit), baseline actual emissions means the average rate, in tons per year, at which the emissions unit actually emitted the pollutant during any consecutive 24-month period selected by the owner or operator within the 10-year period immediately preceding either the date the owner or operator begins actual construction of the project, or the date a complete permit application is received by the Division for a Chapter 6, Section 4 permit, whichever is earlier, except that the 10-year period shall not include any period earlier than November 15, 1990.
(A) The average rate shall include fugitive emissions to the extent quantifiable, and emissions associated with startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions.
(B) The average rate shall be adjusted downward to exclude any non-compliant emissions that occurred while the source was operating above an emission limitation that was legally enforceable during the consecutive 24-month period.
(C) The average rate shall be adjusted downward to exclude any emissions that would have exceeded an emission limitation with which the major stationary source must currently comply, had such major stationary source been required to comply with such limitations during the consecutive 24-month period; however, if an emission limitation is part of a maximum achievable control technology standard that the EPA Administrator proposed or promulgated under 40 CFR 63, the baseline actual emissions need only be adjusted if the Division has taken credit for such emissions reductions in an attainment demonstration or maintenance plan consistent with the requirements of 40 CFR 51.165(a)(3)(ii)(G).
(D) For a regulated NSR pollutant, when a project involves multiple emissions units, only one consecutive 24-month period must be used to determine the baseline actual emissions for the emissions units being changed. A different consecutive 24-month period can be used for each regulated NSR pollutant.
(E) The average rate shall not be based on any consecutive 24-month period for which there is inadequate information for determining annual emissions, in tons per year, and for adjusting this amount if required by paragraphs (ii)(B) and (C) of this definition.
(iii) For a new emissions unit, the baseline actual emissions for purposes of determining the emissions increase that will result from the initial construction and operation of such unit shall equal zero; and thereafter, for all other purposes, shall equal the unit's potential to emit.
(iv) For a PAL for a stationary source, the baseline actual emissions shall be calculated for existing electric utility steam generating units in accordance with the procedures contained in paragraph (i) of this definition, for other existing emissions units in accordance with the procedures contained in paragraph (ii) of this definition, and for a new emissions unit in accordance with the procedures contained in paragraph (iii) of this definition.
"Baseline area" means any intrastate area (and every part thereof) designated as attainment or unclassifiable under the Federal Clean Air Act in which a major source or major modification establishing the minor source baseline date would construct or would have an air quality impact for the pollutant for which the baseline date is established as follows: Equal to or greater than 1 μg/m3 (annual average) for SO2, NO2, or PM10; or equal to or greater than 0.3 µg/m3 (annual average) for PM2.5.
(i) The following baseline areas have been designated as separate particulate matter attainment areas under section 107 of the Clean Air Act:
(A) The Powder River Basin Area, described as that area bounded by Township 40 through 52 North, and Range 69 through 73 West, inclusive of the Sixth Principal Meridian, Campbell and Converse Counties, excluding the areas defined as the Pacific Power and Light attainment area and the Hampshire Energy attainment area.
(B) The Pacific Power and Light Area, described as that area bounded by the NW¼ of Section 27, T50N, R71W, Campbell County, Wyoming.
(C) The Hampshire Energy Area, described as that area bounded by Section 6 excluding the SW¼; E½ Section 7; Section 17 excluding the SW¼; Section 14 excluding the SE¼; Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 of T48N, R70W and Section 26 excluding the NE¼; SW¼ Section 23; Sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 of T49N, R70W, Campbell County, Wyoming.
(D) The Kennecott-Puron Area, described as the area bounded by the W½SW¼ Section 18, W½NW¼, NW¼SW¼ Section 19, T47N, R70W, S½ Section 13, N½, N½SW¼, N½SE¼ Section 24 T47N, R71W, Campbell County, Wyoming.
(E) The remainder of the State of Wyoming.
(ii) Any baseline area established originally for the TSP increments shall remain in effect and shall apply for purposes of determining the amount of available PM10 increments.
"Baseline concentration" means that ambient concentration level which exists in the baseline area at the time of the applicable minor source baseline date. A baseline concentration is determined for each pollutant for which a minor source baseline date is established and shall include:
(i) The actual emissions, as defined in this section, representative of sources in existence on the applicable minor source baseline date, except as provided in paragraph (iv) of this definition;
(ii) The allowable emissions of major stationary sources which commenced construction before the major source baseline date, but were not in operation by the applicable minor source baseline date;
(iii) Contributions due to emissions from any emitting source or modification which (1) is not listed in Chapter 6, Section 4(a) under the definition for "Major stationary source", item (a) and qualified as "major" prior to August 7, 1980 only because fugitive emissions were included in determining potential to emit, (2) submitted a complete permit application under Chapter 6, Section 4(b) or the Federal Clean Air Act prior to August 7, 1980, and (3) was in existence as of the minor source baseline date;
(iv) The following will not be included in the baseline concentration and will affect the applicable maximum allowable increment:
(A) Actual emissions, as defined in this section, from any major stationary source on which construction commenced after the major source baseline date; and
(B) Actual emissions increases and decreases, as determined in accordance with the definition for "Actual emissions" in this section, at any stationary source occurring after the minor source baseline date.
"Begin actual construction" means, in general, initiation of physical on‑site construction activities on an emissions unit which are of a permanent nature. Such activities include, but are not limited to, installation of building supports and foundations, laying of underground pipework, and construction of permanent storage structures. With respect to a change in method of operation this term refers to those onsite activities, other than preparatory activities, which mark the initiation of the change.
"Best available control technology" means an emission limitation (including a visible emission standard) based on the maximum degree of reduction of each pollutant subject to regulation under these Standards and Regulations or regulation under the Federal Clean Air Act, which would be emitted from or which results for any proposed major stationary source or major modification which the Administrator, on a case‑by‑case basis, taking into account energy, environmental, and economic impacts and other costs, determines is achievable for such source or modification through application or production processes and available methods, systems, and techniques, including fuel cleaning or treatment or innovative fuel combustion techniques for control of such pollutant. If the Administrator determines that technological or economic limitations on the application of measurement methodology to a particular emissions unit would make the imposition of an emission standard infeasible, he may instead prescribe a design, equipment, work practice or operational standard or combination thereof to satisfy the requirement of Best Available Control Technology. Such standard shall, to the degree possible, set forth the emission reduction achievable by implementation of such design, equipment, work practice, or operation and shall provide for compliance by means which achieve equivalent results. Application of BACT shall not result in emissions in excess of those allowed under Chapter 5, Section 2 or Section 3 of these regulations and any other new source performance standard or national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants promulgated by the EPA but not yet adopted by the State of Wyoming.
"Clean coal technology" means any technology, including technologies applied at the precombustion, combustion, or post combustion stage, at a new or existing facility which will achieve significant reduction in air emissions of sulfur dioxide or oxides of nitrogen associated with the utilization of coal in the generation of electricity, or process steam which was not in widespread use as of November 15, 1990.
"Clean coal technology demonstration project" means a project using funds appropriated under the heading "Department of Energy-Clean Coal Technology", up to a total amount of $2,500,000,000 for commercial demonstration of clean coal technology, or similar projects funded through appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency. The Federal contribution for a qualifying project shall be at least 20 percent of the total cost of the demonstration project.
"Commenced", as applied to construction of a major stationary source or major modification, means that the owner or operator has obtained a Construction Permit required by Chapter 6, Section 2 and either has (i) begun, or caused to begin, a continuous program of actual on‑site construction of the source or (ii) entered into binding agreements or contractual obligations, which cannot be canceled or modified without substantial loss to the owner or operator, to undertake a program of construction of the source to be completed within a reasonable time.
"Complete" means, in reference to an application for a permit, that the application contains all the information necessary for processing the application. Designating an application complete for purposes of permit processing does not preclude the Division from requesting or accepting any additional information.
"Construction" means any physical change or change in the method of operation (including fabrication, erection, installation, demolition, or modification of an emissions unit) which would result in a change in emissions.
"Continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS)" means all of the equipment that may be required to meet the data acquisition and availability requirements of this section, to sample, condition (if applicable), analyze, and provide a record of emissions on a continuous basis.
"Continuous emissions rate monitoring system (CERMS)" means the total equipment required for the determination and recording of the pollutant mass emissions rate (in terms of mass per unit of time).
"Continuous parameter monitoring system (CPMS)" means all of the equipment necessary to meet the data acquisition and availability requirements of this section, to monitor process and control device operational parameters (for example, control device secondary voltages and electric currents) and other information (for example, gas flow rate, O2 or CO2 concentrations), and to record average operational parameter value(s) on a continuous basis.
"Electric utility steam generating unit" means any steam electric generating unit that is constructed for the purpose of supplying more than one-third of its potential electric output capacity and more than 25 MW electrical output to any utility power distribution system for sale. Any steam supplied to a steam distribution system for the purpose of providing steam to a steam-electric utility steam generator that would produce electrical energy for sale is also considered in determining the electrical energy output capacity of the affected facility.
"Emissions unit" means any part of a stationary source that emits or would have the potential to emit any regulated NSR pollutant and includes an electric utility steam generating unit as defined in this section. For purposes of this section, there are two types of emissions units as described in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this definition.
(i) A new emissions unit is any emissions unit that is (or will be) newly constructed and that has existed for less than 2 years from the date such emissions unit first operated.
(ii) An existing emissions unit is any emissions unit that does not meet the requirements in paragraph (i) of this definition.
"Enforceable" means all limitations and conditions which are enforceable under provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and/or are federally enforceable by the Administrator of the EPA, including those requirements developed pursuant to 40 CFR parts 60 and 61, requirements within the State Implementation Plan, and any permit requirements established pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21 or under regulations approved pursuant to 40 CFR 51.18 or 51.166.
"Federal Land Manager" means, with respect to any lands in the United States, the Secretary of the Department with authority over such lands.
"Fugitive emissions" means those emissions which could not reasonably pass through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening.
"Greenhouse gases (GHGs)", the air pollutant defined as the aggregate group of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride, shall not be subject to regulation except as provided in paragraph (iii) of this definition.
(i) For purposes of paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of this definition, the term "tpy CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e)" shall represent an amount of GHGs emitted, and shall be computed as follows:
(A) Multiplying the mass amount of emissions (tpy), for each of the six greenhouse gases in the pollutant GHGs, by the gas's associated global warming potential published at Table A-1 to Subpart A of 40 CFR part 98--Global Warming Potentials. Table A-1 to Subpart A of 40 CFR part 98 is adopted by reference.
(B) Sum the resultant value from paragraph (i)(A) of this definition for each gas to compute a tpy CO2e.
(C) Prior to July 21, 2014, the mass of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide shall not include carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the combustion or decomposition of non-fossilized and biodegradable organic material originating from plants, animals, or micro-organisms (including products, by-products, residues and waste from agriculture, forestry and related industries as well as the non-fossilized and biodegradable organic fractions of industrial and municipal wastes, including gases and liquids recovered from the decomposition of non-fossilized and biodegradable organic material).
(ii) The term "emissions increase" as used in paragraph (iii) of this definition shall mean that both a significant emissions increase (as calculated using the procedures in (b)(i)(J) of this section) and a significant net emissions increase (as "net emissions increase" and "significant" are defined in this section) occur. For the pollutant GHGs, an emissions increase shall be based on tpy CO2e, and shall be calculated assuming the pollutant GHGs is a regulated NSR pollutant, and "significant" is defined as 75,000 tpy CO2e instead of applying the provisions in paragraphs (ii) or (iii) of the definition of "significant" in this section.
(iii) The pollutant GHGs is subject to regulation if the stationary source is:
(A) A new major stationary source for a regulated NSR pollutant that is not GHGs, and also will emit or will have the potential to emit 75,000 tpy CO2e or more; or
(B) An existing major stationary source for a regulated NSR pollutant that is not GHGs, and also will have an emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant, and an emissions increase of 75,000 tpy CO2e or more; or,
(C) A new stationary source that will emit or have the potential to emit 100,000 tpy CO2e; or
(D) An existing stationary source that emits or has the potential to emit 100,000 tpy CO2e, when such stationary source undertakes a physical change or change in the method of operation that will result in an emissions increase of 75,000 tpy CO2e or more.
"High terrain" means any area having an elevation 900 feet or more above the base of the stack of a source.
"Indian Governing Body" means the governing body of any tribe, band, or group of Indians subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and recognized by the United States as possessing power of self‑Government.
"Indian Reservation" means any federally recognized reservation established by treaty, agreement, executive order, or act of Congress.
"Innovative control technology" means any system of air pollution control that has not been adequately demonstrated in practice, but would have a substantial likelihood of achieving greater continuous emissions reduction than any control system in current practice or of achieving at least comparable reductions at lower cost in terms of energy, economics, or non air quality environmental impacts.
"Lowest achievable emission rate (LAER)" means, for any source, the more stringent rate of emissions based on the following:
(i) The most stringent emissions limitation which is contained in the implementation plan of any State for such class or category of stationary source, unless the owner or operator of the proposed stationary source demonstrates that such limitations are not achievable; or
(ii) The most stringent emissions limitation which is achieved in practice by such class or category of stationary sources. This limitation, when applied to a modification, means the lowest achievable emissions rate for the new or modified emissions units within a stationary source. In no event shall the application of the term permit a proposed new or modified stationary source to emit any pollutant in excess of the amount allowable under an applicable new source standard of performance.
"Low terrain" means any area other than high terrain.
"Major modification" means any physical change in or change in the method of operation of a major stationary source that would result in: a significant emissions increase (as defined in the definition for "Significant emissions increase" in this section) of a regulated NSR pollutant (as defined in the definition for "Regulated NSR pollutant" in this section); and a significant net emissions increase of that pollutant from the major stationary source. Any significant emissions increase (as defined in the definition for "Significant emissions increase" in this section) from any emissions units or net emissions increase (as defined in the definition for "Net emissions increase" in this section) at a major stationary source that is significant for volatile organic compounds or NOx shall be considered significant for ozone.
(i) A physical change or change in the method of operation shall not include:
(A) Routine maintenance, repair and replacement.
(B) Use of an alternative fuel by reason of an order under section 125 of the Federal Clean Air Act;
(C) An increase in the hours of operation or in the production rate, if such increase does not exceed the operating design capacity of the major stationary source unless such change would be prohibited by, or inconsistent with, an enforceable permit issued by the Division;
(D) Use of an alternative fuel or raw material by reason of an order in effect under sections 2(a) and (b) of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 (or any superseding legislation), or by reason of a natural gas curtailment plan in effect pursuant to the Federal Power Act;
(E) Use of an alternative fuel or raw material, if prior to January 6, 1975, the source was capable of accommodating such fuel or material unless such change would be prohibited by, or inconsistent with, an enforceable permit issued by the Division, or if the source is approved to use such fuel or material through an enforceable permit issued under these regulations;
(F) Change in ownership of the stationary source;
(G) The use of municipal solid waste as an alternative fuel at a steam generating plant;
(H) The installation, operation, cessation or removal of a temporary clean coal technology demonstration project, provided that the project complies with:
(I) The Wyoming State Implementation Plan, and
(II) Other requirements necessary to attain and maintain the national ambient air quality standards during the project and after it is terminated.
(I) The installation or operation of a permanent clean coal technology demonstration project that constitutes repowering, provided that the project does not result in an increase in the potential to emit of any regulated pollutant emitted by the unit. This exemption shall apply on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis.
(J) The reactivation of a very clean coal-fired electric utility steam generating unit.
(ii) This definition shall not apply with respect to a particular regulated NSR pollutant when the major stationary source is complying with the requirements under paragraph (b)(xv) of this section for a PAL for that pollutant. Instead, the definition in paragraph (b)(xv)(B) for "PAL major modification" of this section shall apply.
"Major source baseline date" means:
(i) In the case of PM10 and sulfur dioxide, January 6, 1975; and
(ii) In the case of nitrogen dioxide, February 8, 1988.
(iii) In the case of PM2.5, October 20, 2010.
"Major stationary source" means (a) any of the following stationary sources of air pollutants which emit, or have the potential to emit, one hundred tons per year or more of any air pollutant for which standards are established under these Standards and Regulations or under the Federal Clean Air Act, except for sources of GHGs addressed separately under (e) of this definition: fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants of more than two hundred and fifty million British thermal units per hour heat input, coal cleaning plants (with thermal dryers), kraft pulp mills, Portland Cement plants, primary zinc smelters, iron and steel mill plants, primary aluminum ore reduction plants (with thermal dryers), primary copper smelters, municipal incinerators capable of charging more than two hundred and fifty tons of refuse per day, hydrofluoric, sulfuric, and nitric acid plants, petroleum refineries, lime plants, phosphate rock processing plants, coke oven batteries, sulfur recovery plants, carbon black plants (furnace process), primary lead smelters, fuel conversion plants, sintering plants, secondary metal production plants, chemical process plants (which does not include ethanol production facilities that produce ethanol by natural fermentation included in NAICS codes 325193 or 312140), fossil fuel boilers (or combinations thereof) of more than two hundred and fifty million British thermal units per hour heat input, petroleum storage and transfer plants with a capacity exceeding three hundred thousand barrels, taconite ore processing plants, glass fiber processing plants, charcoal production plants. (b) Such term also includes any stationary source which emits, or has the potential to emit, two hundred and fifty tons per year or more of any air pollutant for which standards are established under these Standards and Regulations or under the Federal Clean Air Act, except for sources of GHGs addressed separately under (e) of this definition. (c) Such term also includes any physical change that would occur at a stationary source not otherwise qualifying under this definition if the change would constitute a major stationary source by itself. (d) A major source which is major for volatile organic compounds or NOx is considered to be major for ozone. (e) Such term also includes any source of greenhouse gases as defined in Chapter 6, Section 4(a), but only if: the greenhouse gases are subject to regulation under subsection (iii) of that definition, and the source's potential to emit greenhouse gases exceeds 100 tpy on a mass basis if listed under (a) of this definition of "Major stationary source" or 250 tpy on a mass basis if listed under (b) of this definition of "Major stationary source."
"Minor source baseline date" means the earliest date after August 7, 1977 for PM10 and sulfur dioxide, and after February 8, 1988 for nitrogen oxides, and after October 20, 2011 for PM2.5 on which a major stationary source or major modification submits a complete permit application under Chapter 6, Section 4(b) or under the Federal Clean Air Act.
(i) The minor source baseline date for sulfur dioxide for the State of Wyoming is February 2, 1978.
(ii) The minor source baseline date for nitrogen oxides for the State of Wyoming is February 26, 1988.
(iii) The minor source baseline date for PM10 is as follows:
(A) For the Powder River Basin Area - March 6, 1997;
(B) For the Pacific Power and Light Area - June 18 1980;
(C) For the Hampshire Energy Area - September 30, 1982;
(D) For the Kennecott-Puron Area - February 27, 1995;
(E) For the rest of the State of Wyoming - February 22, 1979.
(iv) The minor source baseline date for PM2.5 is as follows:
(A) For Laramie County - March 1, 2012;
(B) For the City of Cheyenne - March 1, 2012;
(C) For Carbon County - May 1, 2012;
(D) For Sweetwater County - December 12, 2012.
(v) The baseline date is established for each pollutant for which increments or other equivalent measures have been established, if:
(A) The area in which the proposed source or modification would construct is designated as attainment or unclassifiable under the Federal Clean Air Act for the pollutant on the date of its complete application; and
(B) In the case of a major stationary source, the pollutant would be emitted in significant amounts, or in the case of a major modification, there would be a significant net emissions increase of the pollutant.
(vi) The baseline date is not established by the permit application for an emitting source or modification which (1) is not listed in Chapter 6, Section 4(a) under the definition for "Major stationary source", item (a), (2) qualified as "major" prior to August 7, 1980 only because fugitive emissions were included in determining potential to emit, and (3) submitted a complete permit application under Chapter 6, Section 4(b) or the Federal Clean Air Act prior to August 7, 1980.
(vii) Any minor source baseline date established originally for the TSP increments shall remain in effect and shall apply for purposes of determining the amount of available PM10 increments.
"Net emissions increase" means, with respect to any regulated NSR pollutant emitted by a major stationary source, the amount by which the sum of the following exceeds zero:
(i) The increase in emissions from a particular physical change or change in the method of operation at a stationary source as calculated pursuant to paragraph (b)(i)(J) of this section;
(ii) Any other increases and decreases in actual emissions at the major stationary source that are contemporaneous with the particular change and are otherwise creditable. Baseline actual emissions for calculating increases and decreases under this paragraph (ii) shall be determined as provided in the definition for "Baseline actual emissions", except that paragraphs (i)(C) and (ii)(D) of the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" shall not apply.
(iii) An increase or decrease in actual emissions is contemporaneous with the increase from the particular change only if it occurs between:
(A) The date five years before construction on the particular change commences; and
(B) The date that the increase from the particular change occurs.
(iv) An increase or decrease in actual emissions is creditable only if:
(A) The Division has not relied on it in issuing a Chapter 6, Section 4 permit for the source, which is in effect when the increase in actual emissions from the particular change occurs.
(v) An increase or decrease in actual emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, or nitrogen oxides that occurs before the applicable minor source baseline date is creditable only if it is required to be considered in calculating the amount of maximum allowable increases remaining available.
(vi) An increase in actual emissions is creditable only to the extent that the new level of actual emissions exceeds the old level.
(vii) A decrease in actual emissions is creditable only to the extent that:
(A) The old level of actual emissions or the old level of allowable emissions, whichever is lower, exceeds the new level of actual emissions;
(B) It is enforceable as a practical matter at and after the time that actual construction on the particular change begins;
(C) It has approximately the same qualitative significance for public health and welfare as that attributed to the increase from the particular change; and
(viii) An increase that results from a physical change at a source occurs when the emissions unit on which construction occurred becomes operational and begins to emit a particular pollutant. Any replacement unit that requires shakedown becomes operational only after a reasonable shakedown period, not to exceed 180 days.
(ix) The definition of "Actual emissions" of this section, shall not apply for determining creditable increases and decreases.
"Potential to emit" means the maximum capacity of a stationary source to emit a pollutant under its physical and operational design. Any physical or operational limitation on the capacity of the source to emit a pollutant, including air pollution control equipment and restrictions on hours of operation or the type or amount of material combusted, stored, or processed, shall be treated as part of its design if the limitation or the affect it would have on emissions is enforceable. Secondary emissions do not count in determining the potential to emit of a stationary source.
"Predictive emissions monitoring system (PEMS)" means all of the equipment necessary to monitor process and control device operational parameters (for example, control device secondary voltages and electric currents) and other information (for example, gas flow rate, O2 or CO2 concentrations), and calculate and record the mass emissions rate (for example, lb/hr) on a continuous basis.
"Project" means a physical change in, or change in method of operation of, an existing major stationary source.
"Projected actual emissions" means the maximum annual rate, in tons per year, at which an existing emissions unit is projected to emit a regulated NSR pollutant in any one of the 5 years (12-month period) following the date the unit resumes regular operation after the project, or in any one of the 10 years following that date, if the project involves increasing the emissions unit's design capacity or its potential to emit that regulated NSR pollutant, and full utilization of the unit would result in a significant emissions increase, or a significant net emissions increase at the major stationary source.
(i) In determining the projected actual emissions under the above paragraph of this section (before beginning actual construction), the owner or operator of the major stationary source:
(A) Shall consider all relevant information, including but not limited to, historical operational data, the company's own representations, the company's expected business activity and the company's highest projections of business activity, the company's filings with the State or Federal regulatory authorities, and compliance plans approved by the Division;
(B) Shall include fugitive emissions to the extent quantifiable and emissions associated with startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions;
(C) Shall exclude, in calculating any increase in emissions that results from the particular project, that portion of the unit's emissions following the project that an existing unit could have accommodated during the consecutive 24-month period used to establish the baseline actual emissions under the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" of this section and that are also unrelated to the particular project, including any increased utilization due to product demand growth; or,
(D) In lieu of using the method set out in paragraphs (i)(A) through (C) of this definition, may elect to use the emissions unit's potential to emit, in tons per year, as defined under the definition of "Potential to emit" of this section.
"Reactivation of a very clean coal-fired electric utility steam generating unit" means any physical change or change in the method of operation associated with the commencement of commercial operations by a coal-fired utility unit after a period of discontinued operation where the unit:
(i) Has not been in operation for the two-year period prior to the enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, and the emissions from such unit continue to be carried in the State of Wyoming's emissions inventory at the time of enactment;
(ii) Was equipped prior to shut-down with a continuous system of emissions control that achieves a removal efficiency for sulfur dioxide of no less than 85 percent and a removal efficiency for particulates of not less than 98 percent;
(iii) Is equipped with low-NOX burners prior to the time of commencement of operations following reactivation; and
(iv) Is otherwise in compliance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
"Regulated NSR pollutant", for purposes of this section, means the following:
(i) Any pollutant for which a national ambient air quality standard has been promulgated. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A) PM2.5 emissions and PM10 emissions shall include gaseous emissions from a source or activity which condense to form particulate matter at ambient temperatures. On or after January 1, 2011, such condensable particulate matter shall be accounted for in applicability determinations and in establishing emissions limitations for PM2.5 and PM10 in PSD permits. Compliance with emissions limitations for PM2.5 and PM10 issued prior to this date shall not be based on condensable particulate matter unless required by the terms and conditions of the permit or the applicable implementation plan. Applicability determinations made prior to this date without accounting for condensable particulate matter shall not be considered in violation of this subsection unless the applicable implementation plan required condensable particulate matter to be included;
(B) Any pollutant identified under this paragraph as a constituent or precursor to a pollutant for which a national ambient air quality standard has been promulgated. Precursors identified by the EPA Administrator for purposes of NSR are the following:
(I) Volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides are precursors to ozone in all attainment and unclassifiable areas.
(II) Sulfur dioxide is a precursor to PM2.5 in all attainment and unclassifiable areas.
(III) Nitrogen oxides are presumed to be precursors to PM2.5 in all attainment and unclassifiable areas, unless the State demonstrates to the EPA Administrator's satisfaction or EPA demonstrates that emissions of nitrogen oxides from sources in a specific area are not a significant contributor to that area's ambient PM2.5 concentrations.
(IV) Volatile organic compounds are presumed not to be precursors to PM2.5 in any attainment or unclassifiable area, unless the State demonstrates to the EPA Administrator's satisfaction or EPA demonstrates that emissions of volatile organic compounds from sources in a specific area are a significant contributor to that area's ambient PM2.5 concentrations.
(ii) Any pollutant that is subject to any standard promulgated under section 111 of the Federal Clean Air Act;
(iii) Any Class I or II substance subject to a standard promulgated under or established by Title VI of the Federal Clean Air Act;
(iv) Any pollutant that otherwise is subject to regulation under the Federal Clean Air Act; except that any or all hazardous air pollutants either listed in section 112 of the Federal Clean Air Act or added to the list pursuant to section 112(b)(2) of the Federal Clean Air Act, which have not been delisted pursuant to section 112(b)(3) of the Federal Clean Air Act, are not regulated NSR pollutants unless the listed hazardous air pollutant is also regulated as a constituent or precursor of a general pollutant listed under section 108 of the Federal Clean Air Act.
(v) [Reserved.]
"Replacement unit" means an emissions unit for which all the criteria listed in this section are met. No creditable emission reductions shall be generated from shutting down the existing emissions unit that is replaced.
(i) The emissions unit is a reconstructed unit within the meaning of
40 CFR part 60.15(b)(1), or the emissions unit completely takes the place of an existing emissions unit.
(ii) The emissions unit is identical to or functionally equivalent to the replaced emissions unit.
(iii) The replacement does not change the basic design parameter(s) (as discussed in 40 CFR part 51.166(y)(2)) of the process unit.
(iv) The replaced emissions unit is permanently removed from the major stationary source, otherwise permanently disabled, or permanently barred from operation by a permit that is enforceable as a practical matter. If the replaced emissions unit is brought back into operation, it shall constitute a new emissions unit.
"Repowering" means replacement of an existing coal-fired boiler with one of the following clean coal technologies: atmospheric or pressurized fluidized bed combustion, integrated gasification combined cycle, magnetohydrodynamics, direct and indirect coal-fired turbines, integrated gasification fuel cells, or as determined by the Administrator of EPA, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, a derivative of one or more of these technologies, and any other technology capable of controlling multiple combustion emissions simultaneously with improved boiler or generation efficiency and with significantly greater waste reduction relative to the performance of technology in widespread commercial use as of November 15, 1990.
(i) Repowering shall also include any oil and/or gas-fired unit which has been awarded clean coal technology demonstration funding as of January 1, 1991, by the Department of Energy.
(ii) The Administrator shall give expedited consideration to permit applications for any source that satisfies the requirements of this subsection and is granted an extension under section 409 of the Clean Air Act.
"Secondary emissions" means emissions which occur as a result of the construction or operation of a major stationary source or major modification, but do not come from the major stationary source or major modification itself. For the purposes of this section, secondary emissions must be specific, well defined, quantifiable, and impact the same general areas as the stationary source or modification which causes the secondary emissions. Secondary emissions include emissions from any offsite support facility which would not be constructed or increase its emissions except as a result of the construction or modification of the major stationary source or major modification. Secondary emissions do not include any emissions which come directly from a mobile source, such as emissions from the tailpipe of a motor vehicle or from a train.
"Significant" means:
(i) In reference to a net emissions increase or the potential of a source to emit any of the following pollutants, a rate of emissions that would equal or exceed any of the following rates:
POLLUTANT AND EMISSIONS RATE
Carbon monoxide: 100 tons per year (tpy)
Nitrogen oxides: 40 tpy
Sulfur dioxide: 40 tpy
Particulate matter: 25 tpy of particulate matter emissions; 15 tpy of PM10 emissions
PM2.5: 10 tpy of direct PM2.5 emissions;
40 tpy of sulfur dioxide emissions;
40 tpy of nitrogen oxide emissions
unless demonstrated not to be a PM2.5 precursor under the definition
of "Regulated NSR pollutant" in Section 4(a) of this chapter
Ozone: 40 tpy of volatile organic compounds
or nitrogen oxides
Lead: 0.6 tpy
Fluorides: 3 tpy
Sulfuric acid mist: 7 tpy
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S): 10 tpy
Total reduced sulfur (including H2S): 10 tpy
Reduced sulfur compounds (including H2S): 10 tpy
Municipal waste combustor organics
(measured as total tetra- through octa-chlorinated
dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans): 3.2 x 10-6 megagrams per year (3.5
x 10-6 tons per year)
Municipal waste combustor metals
(measured as particulate matter): 14 megagrams per year (15 tons per
year)
Municipal waste combustor acid gases
(measured as sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride): 36 megagrams per year (40 tons per
year)
Municipal solid waste landfill emissions
(measured as nonmethane organic compounds): 45 megagrams per year (50 tons per year)
(ii) "Significant" means, in reference to a net emissions increase or the potential of a source to emit a pollutant subject to these regulations and regulations under the Clean Air Act, that paragraph (i) above does not list, any emissions rate.
(iii) Notwithstanding paragraph (i) above, "significant" means any emissions rate or any net emissions increase associated with a major stationary source or major modification which would construct within 10 kilometers of a Class I Area, and have an impact on such area equal to or greater than 1 μg/m3 (24‑hour average).
"Significant emissions increase" means, for a regulated NSR pollutant, an increase in emissions that is significant (as defined in paragraph (i) of the definition of "Significant" in this section) for that pollutant.
"Stationary source" means any structure, building, facility, equipment, installation or operation (or combination thereof) which emits or may emit any air pollutant subject to these regulations or regulations under the Federal Clean Air Act.
"Structure, building, facility, equipment, installation, or operation" means all of the pollutant-emitting activities which belong to the same industrial grouping, are located on one or more contiguous or adjacent properties, and are under the control of the same person (or persons under common control) except the activities of any vessel. Pollutant-emitting activities shall be considered as part of the same industrial grouping if they belong to the same Major Group (i.e., which have the same two-digit code) as described in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1972, as amended by the 1977 Supplement (U.S. Government Printing Office stock numbers 4101-0066 and 003-005-00176-0, respectively).
"Temporary clean coal technology demonstration project" means a clean coal technology demonstration project that is operated for a period of 5 years or less, and which complies with the Wyoming State Implementation Plan and other requirements necessary to attain and maintain the national ambient air quality standards during the project and after it is terminated.
"Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)" is defined in Chapter 3, Section 6(a) of these regulations.
(b) Any person who plans to construct any major stationary source or undertake a major modification of an existing stationary source shall be subject to the conditions outlined below.
(i) (A) (I) The review of the stationary source for the construction or modification permit(s) required under Chapter 6, Section 2 of these regulations shall apply and shall be expanded so as to include analysis of the predicted impact of the allowable and secondary emissions from the stationary source on the ambient air quality in areas affected by such emissions. An analysis of the predicted impact of emissions from the stationary source is required for all pollutants for which standards have been established under these regulations or under the Federal Clean Air Act and which are emitted in significant amounts. An analysis of the impact of other pollutants may be required by the Administrator. Such analysis shall identify and quantify the impact on the air quality in the area of all emissions not included in the baseline concentrations including, but not limited to, those emissions resulting from the instant application and all other permits issued in the area. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the total deterioration of air quality from the baseline concentrations; however, projections of deterioration due to general non‑stationary source growth in the area predicted to occur after the date of application is not required. A permit to construct pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 2 shall be issued only if the conditions of Chapter 6, Section 2 are complied with and if the predicted impact (over and above the baseline concentration) of emissions defined above is less than the maximum allowable increment shown in Table 1 for the classification of the area in which the impact is predicted, and if the ambient standard for the pollutant(s) is not exceeded.
Table 1
Maximum Allowable Increments of Deterioration ‑ μg/m3
Pollutant Class I Class II
Particulate Matter:
PM2.5, annual arithmetic mean 1 4
PM2.5, 24-hr maximum* 2 9
PM10, annual arithmetic mean 4 17
PM10, 24-hour maximum* 8 30
Sulfur Dioxide:
Annual arithmetic mean 2 20
24‑hour maximum* 5 91
3‑hour maximum* 25 512
Nitrogen Dioxide
Annual arithmetic mean 2.5 25
*Maximum allowable increment may be exceeded once per year at any receptor site.
(II) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b)(i)(A)(I) above, the following concentrations shall be excluded in determining compliance with maximum allowable increases:
(l.) Concentrations attributable to the increase in emissions from stationary sources which have converted from the use of petroleum products, natural gas, or both by reason of an order in effect under sections 2(a) and (b) of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 (or any superseding legislation) over the emissions from such sources before the effective date of such an order. No such exclusion shall apply for more than five years after the later of such effective dates;
(2.) Concentrations attributable to the increase in emissions from sources which have converted from using natural gas by reason of natural gas curtailment plan in effect pursuant to the Federal Power Act over the emissions from such sources before the effective date of such plan. No such exclusion shall apply for more than 5 years after the later of such effective date;
(3.) Concentrations of particulate matter attributable to the increase in emissions from construction or other temporary emission‑related activities of new or modified sources;
(4.) The increase in concentrations attributable to new sources outside the United States over the concentrations attributable to existing sources which are included in the baseline concentrations; and
(5.) Concentrations attributable to the temporary increase in emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, or nitrogen oxides from stationary sources as specified below.
a. The temporary emissions do not occur for more than 2 years.
b. The 2-year time period is not renewable.
c. Such temporary emissions are not eligible for exclusion if they would impact a Class I Area or an area where the applicable increment is known to be violated or an area where they would cause or contribute to a violation of the applicable ambient air quality standard.
d. At the end of the temporary emission time frame, emissions from the stationary source causing these temporary emissions shall not exceed those levels occurring at such source prior to such temporary emission.
(B) In addition to the analyses required under Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(i)(A) above,
(I) The owner or operator shall provide an analysis of the impairment to visibility, soils and vegetation that would occur as a result of the source or modification and general commercial, residential, industrial, and other growth associated with the source or modification. The owner or operator need not provide an analysis of the impact on vegetation having no significant commercial or recreational value.
(II) The owner or operator shall provide an analysis of the air quality impact projected for the area as a result of general commercial, residential, industrial and other growth associated with the source or modification.
(C) The requirements for demonstration of compliance with applicable increments of Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(i)(A)(I), the additional analysis requirements of Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(i)(B) and the ambient air quality analysis requirements of Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(i)(E) shall not apply to a proposed major stationary source or modification with respect to a particular pollutant if the Administrator determines that:
(I) The increase in allowable emissions of that pollutant from the stationary source or the net emissions increase of that pollutant from a modification would be temporary and would impact no Class I Area and no area where an applicable increment is known to be violated; or
(II) The stationary source was in existence on March 1, 1978, and that the maximum allowable emission increases only impact Class II Areas, and that after application of BACT, the increase in allowable emissions of each pollutant would be less than 50 tons per year.
(D) Fugitive emissions, to the extent quantifiable, will be considered in calculating the potential to emit of the stationary source or modification only for:
(I) Sources listed in Chapter 6, Section 4(a) under the definition of "Major stationary source", item (a).
(II) Any other stationary source category which, as of August 7, 1980, is being regulated under section 111 or 112 of the Clean Air Act.
(III) And such other sources as the Environmental Quality Council may later determine.
(E) An application subject to this section shall contain an analysis of ambient air quality in the area that would be affected by the stationary source or modification as required below:
(I) For each pollutant that the source would have the potential to emit in a significant amount.
(II) For the modification, each pollutant for which it would result in a significant net emissions increase.
(III) For pollutants for which National Ambient Air Quality Standards have been established, the analysis shall contain continuous air quality monitoring data gathered for purposes of determining whether emissions of that pollutant would cause or contribute to a violation of the standard or any maximum allowable increase.
(IV) In general, the required continuous air quality monitoring data shall have been gathered over a period of one year immediately preceding receipt of the application. The Administrator may provide that the monitoring period specification may be reduced to a minimum of four months if he is satisfied that a complete and adequate analysis can be accomplished with monitoring data gathered over a period shorter than one year.
(V) All monitoring conducted pursuant to the requirements of this section shall meet the requirements of Appendix B of 40 CFR part 58.
(VI) The requirements for pre‑construction monitoring specified above and under Chapter 6, Section 2(b) with respect to monitoring for a particular pollutant may be waived by the Administrator upon petition from an applicant if:
(1.) The emissions increase of the pollutant from a new stationary source or the net emissions increase of the pollutant from a modification would cause, in any area, air quality impacts less than the following amounts:
a. Carbon Monoxide ‑ 575 μg/m3, 8‑hour average;
b. Nitrogen Dioxide ‑ 14 μg/m3, annual average;
c. PM2.5 - 4 µg/m3, 24-hour average;
d. PM10 - 10 μg/m3 of PM10, 24‑hour average;
e. Sulfur Dioxide ‑ 13 μg/m3, 24‑hour average;
f. Ozone (No de minimis air quality level is provided for ozone; however, any net emissions increase of 100 tons per year or more of volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides subject to PSD would be required to perform an ambient impact analysis, including the gathering of air quality data.)
g. Lead ‑ 0.1 μg/m3, 3-month average;
h. Fluorides ‑ 0.25 μg/m3, 24‑hour average;
i. Total Reduced Sulfur ‑ 10 μg/m3, 1‑hour average;
j. Hydrogen Sulfide ‑ 0.2 μg/m3, 1‑hour average;
k. Reduced Sulfur Compounds ‑ 10 μg/m3, 1‑hour average; or
(2.) The concentrations of the pollutant in the area that the source or modification would affect are less than the concentrations listed in paragraph (b)(i)(E)(VI)(1.) of this section; or
(3.) The pollutant is not listed in paragraph (b)(i)(E)(VI)(1.) of this section.
(F) The Administrator may require an applicant subject to the provisions of this section to conduct an approved visibility monitoring program in any Class I Area which may be impacted by emissions from the proposed stationary source.
(G) At such time that a particular source or modification becomes a major stationary source or major modification solely by virtue of a relaxation in any enforceable limitation which was established after August 7, 1980 on the capacity of the source or modification otherwise to emit a pollutant, then all of the provisions of Chapter 6, Sections 2 and 4 shall apply to the source or modification as though construction had not yet commenced on the source or modification.
(H) The following specific provisions apply to projects at existing emissions units at a major stationary source (other than projects at a source with a PAL) in circumstances where the owner or operator elects to use the method specified in paragraphs (i)(A) through (C) of the definition for "Projected actual emissions" for calculating projected actual emissions.
(I) Before beginning actual construction of the project, the owner or operator shall document and maintain a record of the following information:
(1.) A description of the project;
(2.) Identification of the emissions unit(s) whose emissions of a regulated NSR pollutant could be affected by the project; and
(3.) A description of the applicability test used to determine that the project is not a major modification for any regulated NSR pollutant, including the baseline actual emissions, the projected actual emissions, the amount of emissions excluded under paragraph (i)(C) of the definition for "Projected actual emissions" in Section 4(a) and an explanation for why such amount was excluded, and any netting calculations, if applicable.
(II) Before beginning actual construction, the owner or operator shall provide the information set out in paragraph (b)(i)(H)(I) of this section to the Division as a Chapter 6, Section 2 permit application.
(III) The owner or operator shall monitor the emissions of
any regulated NSR pollutant that could increase as a result of the project and that is emitted by any emissions unit identified in paragraph (b)(i)(H)(I)(2.) of this section; and calculate and maintain a record of the annual emissions, in tons per year on a calendar year basis, for a period of 5 years following resumption of regular operations after the change, or for a period of 10 years following resumption of regular operations after the change if the project increases the design capacity or potential to emit of that regulated NSR pollutant at such emissions unit.
(IV) The owner or operator shall submit a report to the Division within 60 days after the end of each year during which records must be generated under paragraph (b)(i)(H)(III) of this section setting out the unit's annual emissions during the calendar year that preceded submission of the report.
(I) The owner or operator of the source shall make the information required to be documented and maintained pursuant to paragraph (b)(i)(H) of this section available for review upon request for inspection by the Division or the general public pursuant to the requirements contained in 40 CFR 70.4(b)(3)(viii).
(J) (I) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(xv) of this section, and consistent with the definition of "Major modification" contained in Section 4(a), a project is a major modification for a regulated NSR pollutant if it causes two types of emissions increases - a significant emissions increase (as defined in the definition for "Significant emissions increase" in Section 4(a)), and a significant net emissions increase (as defined in the definitions for "Net emissions increase" and "Significant" in Section 4(a)). The project is not a major modification if it does not cause a significant emissions increase. If the project causes a significant emissions increase, then the project is a major modification only if it also results in a significant net emissions increase.
(II) The procedure for calculating (before beginning actual construction) whether a significant emissions increase (i.e., the first step of the process) will occur depends upon the type of emissions units being modified, according to paragraphs (b)(i)(J)(III) through (V) of this section. The procedure for calculating (before beginning actual construction) whether a significant net emissions increase will occur at the major stationary source (i.e., the second step of the process) is contained in the definition for "Net emissions increase" in Section 4(a). Regardless of any such preconstruction projections, a major modification results if the project causes a significant emissions increase and a significant net emissions increase.
(III) Actual-to-Projected-Actual Applicability Test For Projects That Only Involve Existing Emissions Units. A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the difference between the projected actual emissions (as defined in the definition for "Projected actual emissions" in Section 4(a)) and the baseline actual emissions (as defined in paragraphs (i) and (ii) in the definition of "Baseline actual emissions" in Section 4(a)) for each existing emissions unit, equals or exceeds the significant amount for that pollutant (as defined in the definition of "Significant" in Section 4(a)).
(IV) Actual-to-Potential Test For Projects That Only Involve Construction of a New Emissions Unit(s). A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the difference between the potential to emit (as defined in the definition for "Potential to emit" in Section 4(a)) from each new emissions unit following completion of the project and the baseline actual emissions (as defined in paragraph (iii) for the definition of "Baseline actual emissions" in Section 4(a)) of these units before the project equals or exceeds the significant amount for that pollutant (as defined in the definition of "Significant" in Section 4(a)).
(V) Hybrid Test For Projects That Involve Multiple Types of Emissions Units. A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the emissions increases for each emissions unit, using the method specified in paragraphs (b)(i)(J)(III) and (IV) of this section as applicable with respect to each emissions unit, for each type of emissions unit equals or exceeds the significant amount for that pollutant (as defined in the definition of "Significant" in Section 4(a)).
(ii) (A) The required permit shall not be issued unless the proposed major stationary source or major modification would meet an emission limit(s) or equipment standard(s) specified by the Administrator to represent the application of Best Available Control Technology for each pollutant regulated under these Standards and Regulations and under the Federal Clean Air Act and having the potential to emit in significant amounts. For phased construction projects, the determination of BACT shall be reviewed and modified as appropriate at the latest, most reasonable time no later than 18 months prior to commencement of each phase of the proposed project. At such time, the owner or operator of the applicable stationary source may be required to demonstrate the adequacy of any previous determination of best available control technology for the stationary source.
(B) In the case of a major modification, the requirements for Best Available Control Technology shall apply only to each new or modified emissions unit at which a net emissions increase of the pollutant would occur.
(C) (I) The applicant for a permit for a source subject to this section may petition the Administrator to approve a system of innovative control technology.
(II) The Administrator, with the approval of the governor(s) of other affected state(s) may approve the employment of a system of innovative control technology if:
(1.) The proposed control system would not cause or contribute to an unreasonable risk to public health, welfare, or safety in its operation or function;
(2.) The owner or operator agrees to achieve a level of continuous emissions reduction equivalent to that which would have been required under paragraphs (ii)(A) and (B) above by a date specified by the Administrator. Such date shall not be later than 4 years from the time of startup or 7 years from permit issuance.
(3.) The major stationary source or major modification would meet the requirements equivalent to those in paragraphs (b)(i)(A)(I), (b)(ii)(A), and (b)(ii)(B) above based on the emission rate that the stationary source employing the system of innovative control technology would be required to meet on the date specified by the Administrator.
(4.) The source or modification would not before the date specified by the Administrator:
a. Cause or contribute to any violation of an applicable National Ambient Air Quality Standard, or
b. Impact any Class I Area, or
c. Impact any area where an applicable increment is known to be violated.
(5.) All other applicable requirements including those for public participation have been met.
(III) The approval to employ a system of innovative control technology shall be withdrawn by the Administrator if:
(1.) The proposed system fails by the specified date to achieve the required continuous emissions reduction rate, or
(2.) The proposed system fails before the specified date so as to contribute to an unreasonable risk to public health, welfare, or safety, or
(3.) The Administrator decides at any time that the proposed system is unlikely to achieve the required level of control or to protect the public health, welfare, or safety.
(IV) If the source or modification fails to meet the required level of continuous emissions reduction within the specified time period or if the approval is withdrawn in accordance with (III) above, the Administrator may allow the source or modification up to an additional three years to meet the requirement for the application of BACT through use of a demonstrated system of control.
(iii) Temporary particulate matter emissions such as those associated with the construction phase of the source shall not be included in the determination on the issuance or denial of a required permit and shall not be taken into account when determining compliance with the maximum allowable increments in Table 1; however, Best Available Control Technology shall be applied to abate such temporary emission.
(iv) All applications of air quality modeling required under paragraph (b)(i) above shall be based on the applicable models, databases, and other requirements specified in Appendix W of 40 CFR part 51 (Guideline on Air Quality Models). Where an air quality model specified in Appendix W of 40 CFR part 51 (Guideline on Air Quality Models) is inappropriate, the model may be modified or another model substituted. Such a modification or substitution of a model may be made on a case-by-case basis or, where appropriate, on a generic basis for a specific State of Wyoming program. Written approval of the EPA Administrator must be obtained for any modification or substitution. In addition, use of a modified or substituted model must be subject to notice and opportunity for public comment under procedures set forth in Chapter 6, Section 2(g).
(v) In any case where the federal official charged with direct responsibility for management of any lands within a Class I Area, or the Administrator of EPA or the governor of an adjacent state containing such a Class I Area, files a notice alleging that emissions from a proposed source or major modification may cause or contribute to a change in the air quality in such area and identifying the potential adverse impact of such change, a permit shall not be issued unless the owner or operator of such source demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides will not cause or contribute to concentrations which exceed the maximum allowable increases for the Class I Area in question.
(vi) (A) In any case where a Federal Land Manager demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the emissions from such source will have an adverse impact on the air quality‑related values (including visibility) of such Class I Areas, notwithstanding the fact that the change in air quality resulting from emissions from such source will not cause or contribute to concentrations which exceed the maximum allowable increases for Class I Areas, a permit shall not be issued.
(B) However, in the case where the Federal Land Manager provides to the Division at least 30 days prior to the Public Notice issued pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 2(m) of these regulations, an analysis of the impact of the emissions on visibility in a Federal Class I Area, the Division must consider such analysis in making its proposed decision. If the Federal Land Manager's analysis concludes that an adverse impact on visibility in the Federal Class I Area will occur but the Administrator determines that the analysis does not demonstrate to his satisfaction that such an adverse impact on visibility will occur, the Administrator shall in the Public Notice issued pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2(m), explain his decision or give notice as to where the explanation can be obtained.
(vii) In any case where the owner or operator of such source demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Federal Land Manager, and the Federal Land Manager so certifies, that the emissions from such source will have no adverse impact on the air quality‑related values of such Class I Areas (including visibility) notwithstanding the fact that the change in air quality resulting from emissions from such source will cause or contribute to concentrations which exceed the maximum allowable increases for Class I Areas, the Administrator may issue a permit.
(viii) In the case of a permit issued pursuant to subsection (vii), such source shall comply with such emission limitation under such permit as may be necessary to assure that emissions of sulfur oxides, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides from such source, will not cause or contribute to concentrations of such pollutant which exceeds the following maximum allowable increases over the baseline concentration for such pollutants:
Maximum Allowable Increase (micrograms per cubic meter) Particulate matter:
PM2.5, annual arithmetic mean 4
PM2.5, 24-hr maximum 9
PM10, annual arithmetic mean 17
PM10, 24-hour maximum 30
Sulfur dioxide:
Annual arithmetic mean 20
Twenty‑four‑hour maximum 91
Three‑hour maximum 325
Nitrogen dioxide:
Annual arithmetic mean 25
(ix) (A) In any case where the owner or operator of a proposed major stationary source or major modification who has been denied a certification under subparagraph (vii) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Governor of Wyoming (hereinafter the Governor), after notice and public hearing, and the Governor finds, that the source cannot be constructed by reason of any maximum allowable increases for sulfur dioxide for periods of twenty‑four hours or less applicable to any Class I Area and, in the case of federal Mandatory Class I Areas, that a variance under this clause will not adversely affect the air quality related values of the area (including visibility), the Governor, after consideration of the Federal Land Manager's recommendation (if any) and subject to his concurrence, may grant a variance from such maximum allowable increase. If a variance is granted, a permit may be issued to such source pursuant to the requirements of this subparagraph provided other requirements of this section are met.
(B) In the case of a permit issued pursuant to subparagraph (ix)(A), such source shall comply with such emission limitations under such permit as may be necessary to assure that emissions of sulfur oxides from such source will not (during any day on which the otherwise applicable maximum allowable increases are exceeded) cause or contribute to concentrations which exceed the following maximum allowable increases for such areas over the baseline concentration for such pollutant and to assure that such emissions will not cause or contribute to concentrations which exceed the otherwise applicable maximum allowable increases for periods of exposure of 24 hours or less on more than 18 days during any annual period.
Maximum Allowable Increase
(micrograms per cubic meter)
Period of exposure:
Low terrain areas:
24‑hr maximum 36
3‑hr maximum 130
High terrain areas:
24‑hr maximum 62
3‑hr maximum 221
(x) Notwithstanding other requirements of this section, a portable source which is a major stationary source and which has otherwise received a construction permit under Chapter 6, Sections 2 and 4 shall not be required to obtain additional relocation permits under this section if:
(A) Emissions from the source would not exceed allowable emissions; and
(B) Such relocation would impact no Class I Area and no area where an applicable increment is known to be violated; and
(C) Notice is given to the Division at least 10 days prior to such relocation identifying the proposed new location and the probable duration of operation at such location; and
(D) Emissions at the new location will be temporary.
(xi) After a final decision is made on an application for a source subject to this section, the final decision will be transmitted in writing to the applicant and the final decision and all comments received by the Division during the public comment period will be made available for public inspection in the same location where the application and analysis was posted. A copy of each permit application for each source or modification subject to this section and impacting a Federal Class I Area will be transmitted to EPA. EPA will be provided with notice of each action taken by the Division on such application.
(xii) [Reserved.]
(xiii) [Reserved.]
(xiv) [Reserved.]
(xv) Actuals Plantwide Applicability Limitations (PALs).
(A) Applicability.
(I) The Division may approve the use of an actuals PAL for any existing major stationary source if the PAL meets the requirements in paragraphs (b)(xv)(A) through (O) of this section. The term "PAL" shall mean "actuals PAL" throughout paragraph (b)(xv) of this section.
(II) Any physical change in or change in the method of operation of a major stationary source that maintains its total source-wide emissions below the PAL level, meets the requirements in paragraphs (b)(xv)(A) through (O) of this section, and complies with the PAL permit:
(1.) Is not a major modification for the PAL pollutant;
(2.) Does not have to be approved through a Chapter 6, Section 4 permit; and
(3.) Is not subject to the provisions in paragraph (b)(i)(G) of this section (restrictions on relaxing enforceable emission limitations that the major stationary source used to avoid applicability of Chapter 6, Section 4).
(III) Except as provided under paragraph (b)(xv)(A)(II)(3.) of this section, a major stationary source shall continue to comply with all applicable Federal or State of Wyoming requirements, emission limitations, and work practice requirements that were established prior to the effective date of the PAL.
(B) Definitions. The following definitions shall be used for actuals PALs consistent with paragraphs (b)(xv)(A) through (O) of this section. When a term is not defined in these paragraphs, it shall have the meaning given in Section 4(a) of this section or in the Clean Air Act.
"Actuals PAL for a major stationary source" means a PAL based on the baseline actual emissions (as defined in the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" in Section 4(a)) of all emissions units (as defined in the definition for "Source" in Section 4(a)) at the source, that emit or have the potential to emit the PAL pollutant.
"Allowable emissions" has the same meaning as in the definition for "Allowable emissions" in Section 4(a), except as this definition is modified according to paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this definition.
(i) The allowable emissions for any emissions unit shall be calculated considering any emission limitations that are enforceable as a practical matter on the emissions unit's potential to emit.
(ii) An emissions unit's potential to emit shall be determined using the definition of "Potential to emit" in Section 4(a), except that the words "or enforceable as a practical matter" should be added after "enforceable".
"Major emissions unit" means:
(i) Any emissions unit that emits or has the potential to emit 100 tons per year or more of the PAL pollutant in an attainment area; or
(ii) Any emissions unit that emits or has the potential to emit the PAL pollutant in an amount that is equal to or greater than the major source threshold for the PAL pollutant as defined by the Clean Air Act for nonattainment areas. (For example, in accordance with the definition of major stationary source in section 182(c) of the Clean Air Act, an emissions unit would be a major emissions unit for VOC if the emissions unit is located in a serious ozone nonattainment area and it emits or has the potential to emit 50 or more tons of VOC per year.)
"PAL effective date" generally means the date of issuance of the PAL permit; however, the PAL effective date for an increased PAL is the date any emissions unit that is part of the PAL major modification becomes operational and begins to emit the PAL pollutant.
"PAL effective period" means the period beginning with the PAL effective date and ending 10 years later.
"PAL major modification" means, notwithstanding the definitions for "Major modification" and "Net emissions increase" of Section 4(a), any physical change in or change in the method of operation of the PAL source that causes it to emit the PAL pollutant at a level equal to or greater than the PAL.
"PAL permit" means the Chapter 6, Section 2 or Section 4 permit issued by the Division that establishes a PAL for a major stationary source.
"PAL pollutant" means the pollutant for which a PAL is established at a major stationary source.
"Plantwide applicability limitation (PAL)" means an emission limitation expressed in tons per year, for a pollutant at a major stationary source, that is enforceable as a practical matter and established source-wide in accordance with paragraphs (b)(xv)(A) through (O) of this section.
"Significant emissions unit" means an emissions unit that emits or has the potential to emit a PAL pollutant in an amount that is equal to or greater than the significant level (as defined in the definition for "Significant" in Section 4(a) or in the Clean Air Act, whichever is lower) for that PAL pollutant, but less than the amount that would qualify the unit as a major emissions unit as defined in paragraph (b)(xv)(B) for the definition of "Major emissions unit" of this section.
"Small emissions unit" means an emissions unit that emits or has the potential to emit the PAL pollutant in an amount less than the significant level for that PAL pollutant, as defined in the definition for "Significant" in Section 4(a) or in the Clean Air Act, whichever is lower.
(C) Permit Application Requirements. As part of a permit application requesting a PAL, the owner or operator of a major stationary source shall submit the following information in paragraphs (b)(xv)(C)(I) through (III) of this section to the Division for approval.
(I) A List of All Emissions Units at the Source Designated as Small, Significant or Major Based on Their Potential to Emit. In addition, the owner or operator of the source shall indicate which, if any, Federal or State of Wyoming applicable requirements, emission limitations, or work practices apply to each unit.
(II) Calculations of the Baseline Actual Emissions (With Supporting Documentation). Baseline actual emissions are to include emissions associated not only with operation of the unit, but also emissions associated with startup, shutdown, and malfunction.
(III) The calculation procedures that the major stationary source owner or operator proposes to use to convert the monitoring system data to monthly emissions and annual emissions based on a 12-month rolling total for each month as required by paragraph (b)(xv)(M)(I) of this section.
(D) General Requirements For Establishing PALs.
(I) The Division may establish a PAL at a major stationary source, provided that at a minimum, the requirements in paragraphs (b)(xv)(D)(I)(1.) through (7.) of this section are met.
(1.) The PAL shall impose an annual emission limitation in tons per year, that is enforceable as a practical matter, for the entire major stationary source. For each month during the PAL effective period after the first 12 months of establishing a PAL, the major stationary source owner or operator shall show that the sum of the monthly emissions from each emissions unit under the PAL for the previous 12 consecutive months is less than the PAL (a 12-month average, rolled monthly). For each month during the first 11 months from the PAL effective date, the major stationary source owner or operator shall show that the sum of the preceding monthly emissions from the PAL effective date for each emissions unit under the PAL is less than the PAL.
(2.) The PAL shall be established in a PAL permit that meets the public participation requirements in paragraph (b)(xv)(E) of this section.
(3.) The PAL permit shall contain all the requirements of paragraph (b)(xv)(G) of this section.
(4.) The PAL shall include fugitive emissions, to the extent quantifiable, from all emissions units that emit or have the potential to emit the PAL pollutant at the major stationary source.
(5.) Each PAL shall regulate emissions of only one pollutant.
(6.) Each PAL shall have a PAL effective period of 10 years.
(7.) The owner or operator of the major stationary source with a PAL shall comply with the monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements provided in paragraphs (b)(xv)(L) through (N) of this section for each emissions unit under the PAL through the PAL effective period.
(II) At no time (during or after the PAL effective period) are emissions reductions of a PAL pollutant that occur during the PAL effective period creditable as decreases for purposes of offsets under 40 CFR part 51.165(a)(3)(ii) unless the level of the PAL is reduced by the amount of such emissions reductions and such reductions would be creditable in the absence of the PAL.
(E) Public Participation Requirements For PALs. PALs for existing major stationary sources shall be established, renewed, or increased, through a procedure that is consistent with Chapter 6, Section 2. This includes the requirement that the Division provide the public with notice of the proposed approval of a PAL permit and at least a 30-day period for submittal of public comment. The Division must address all material comments before taking final action on the permit.
(F) Setting the 10-Year Actuals PAL Level.
(I) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(xv)(F)(II) of this section, the actuals PAL level for a major stationary source shall be established as the sum of the baseline actual emissions (as defined in the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" in Section 4(a)) of the PAL pollutant for each emissions unit at the source; plus an amount equal to the applicable significant level for the PAL pollutant under the definition of "Significant" in Section 4(a) or under the Clean Air Act, whichever is lower. When establishing the actuals PAL level, for a PAL pollutant, only one consecutive 24-month period must be used to determine the baseline actual emissions for all existing emissions units; however, a different consecutive 24-month period may be used for each different PAL pollutant. Emissions associated with units that were permanently shut down after this 24-month period must be subtracted from the PAL level. The Division shall specify a reduced PAL level(s) (in tons/yr) in the PAL permit to become effective on the future compliance date(s) of any applicable Federal or State of Wyoming regulatory requirement(s) that the Division is aware of prior to issuance of the PAL permit. For instance, if the source owner or operator will be required to reduce emissions from industrial boilers in half from baseline emissions of 60 ppm NOx to a new rule limit of 30 ppm, then the permit shall contain a future effective PAL level that is equal to the current PAL level reduced by half of the original baseline emissions of such unit(s).
(II) For newly constructed units (which do not include modifications to existing units) on which actual construction began after the 24-month period, in lieu of adding the baseline actual emissions as specified in paragraph (b)(xv)(F)(I) of this section, the emissions must be added to the PAL level in an amount equal to the potential to emit of the units.
(G) Contents of the PAL Permit. The PAL permit shall contain, at a minimum, the information in paragraphs (b)(xv)(G)(I) through (X) of this section.
(I) The PAL pollutant and the applicable source-wide emission limitation in tons per year.
(II) The PAL permit effective date and the expiration date of the PAL (PAL effective period).
(III) Specification in the PAL permit that if a major stationary source owner or operator applies to renew a PAL in accordance with paragraph (b)(xv)(J) of this section before the end of the PAL effective period, then the PAL shall not expire at the end of the PAL effective period. It shall remain in effect until a revised PAL permit is issued by the Division.
(IV) A requirement that emission calculations for compliance purposes include emissions from startups, shutdowns and malfunctions.
(V) A requirement that, once the PAL expires, the major stationary source is subject to the requirements of paragraph (b)(xv)(I) of this section.
(VI) The calculation procedures that the major stationary source owner or operator shall use to convert the monitoring system data to monthly emissions and annual emissions based on a 12-month rolling total for each month as required by paragraph (b)(xv)(C)(I) of this section.
(VII) A requirement that the major stationary source owner or operator monitor all emissions units in accordance with the provisions under paragraph (b)(xv)(M) of this section.
(VIII) A requirement to retain the records required under paragraph (b)(xv)(M) of this section on site. Such records may be retained in an electronic format.
(IX) A requirement to submit the reports required under paragraph (b)(xv)(N) of this section by the required deadlines.
(X) Any other requirements that the Division deems necessary to implement and enforce the PAL.
(H) PAL Effective Period and Reopening of the PAL Permit.
(I) PAL Effective Period. The PAL effective period shall be 10 years.
(II) Reopening of the PAL Permit.
(1.) During the PAL effective period, the Division shall reopen the PAL permit to:
a. Correct typographical/calculation errors made in setting the PAL or reflect a more accurate determination of emissions used to establish the PAL;
b. Reduce the PAL if the owner or operator of the major stationary source creates creditable emissions reductions for use as offsets under 40 CFR part 51.165(a)(3)(ii); and
c. Revise the PAL to reflect an increase in the PAL as provided under paragraph (b)(xv)(K) of this section.
(2.) The Division may reopen the PAL permit for the following:
a. Reduce the PAL to reflect newly applicable Federal requirements (for example, NSPS) with compliance dates after the PAL effective date;
b. Reduce the PAL consistent with any other requirement, that is enforceable as a practical matter, and that the Division may impose on the major stationary source; and
c. Reduce the PAL if the Division determines that a reduction is necessary to avoid causing or contributing to a NAAQS or PSD increment violation, or to an adverse impact on an AQRV that has been identified for a Federal Class I Area by a Federal Land Manager and for which information is available to the general public.
(3.) Except for the permit reopening in paragraph (b)(xv)(H)(II)(1.)a. of this section for the correction of typographical/calculation errors that do not increase the PAL level, all reopenings shall be carried out in accordance with the public participation requirements of paragraph (b)(xv)(E) of this section.
(I) Expiration of a PAL. Any PAL that is not renewed in accordance with the procedures in paragraph (b)(xv)(J) of this section shall expire at the end of the PAL effective period, and the requirements in paragraphs (b)(xv)(I)(I) through (V) of this section shall apply.
(I) Each emissions unit (or each group of emissions units) that existed under the PAL shall comply with an allowable emission limitation under a revised permit established according to the procedures in paragraphs (b)(xv)(I)(I)(1.) and (2.) of this section.
(1.) Within the time frame specified for PAL renewals in paragraph (b)(xv)(J)(II) of this section, the major stationary source shall submit a proposed allowable emission limitation for each emissions unit (or each group of emissions units, if such a distribution is more appropriate as decided by the Division) by distributing the PAL-allowable emissions for the major stationary source among each of the emissions units that existed under the PAL. If the PAL had not yet been adjusted for an applicable requirement that became effective during the PAL effective period, as required under paragraph (b)(xv)(J)(V) of this section, such distribution shall be made as if the PAL had been adjusted.
(2.) The Division shall decide whether and how the PAL-allowable emissions will be distributed and issue a revised permit incorporating allowable limits for each emissions unit, or each group of emissions units, as the Division determines is appropriate.
(II) Each emissions unit(s) shall comply with the allowable emission limitation on a 12-month rolling basis. The Division may approve the use of monitoring systems (source testing, emission factors, etc.) other than CEMS, CERMS, PEMS or CPMS to demonstrate compliance with the allowable emission limitation.
(III) Until the Division issues the revised permit incorporating allowable limits for each emissions unit, or each group of emissions units, as required under paragraph (b)(xv)(I)(I)(2.) of this section, the source shall continue to comply with a source-wide, multi-unit emissions cap equivalent to the level of the PAL emission limitation.
(IV) Any physical change or change in the method of operation at the major stationary source will be subject to Chapter 6, Section 4 requirements if such change meets the definition of "Major modification" in Section 4(a).
(V) The major stationary source owner or operator shall continue to comply with any State of Wyoming or Federal applicable requirements (BACT, RACT, NSPS, etc.) that may have applied either during the PAL effective period or prior to the PAL effective period except for those emission limitations that had been established pursuant to paragraph (b)(i)(G) of this section, but were eliminated by the PAL in accordance with the provisions in paragraph (b)(xv)(A)(II)(3.) of this section.
(J) Renewal of a PAL.
(I) The Division shall follow the procedures specified in paragraph (b)(xv)(E) of this section in approving any request to renew a PAL for a major stationary source, and shall provide both the proposed PAL level and a written rationale for the proposed PAL level to the public for review and comment. During such public review, any person may propose a PAL level for the source for consideration by the Division.
(II) Application Deadline. A major stationary source owner or operator shall submit a timely application to the Division to request renewal of a PAL. A timely application is one that is submitted at least 6 months prior to, but not earlier than 18 months from, the date of permit expiration. This deadline for application submittal is to ensure that the permit will not expire before the permit is renewed. If the owner or operator of a major stationary source submits a complete application to renew the PAL within this time period, then the PAL shall continue to be effective until the revised permit with the renewed PAL is issued.
(III) Application Requirements. The application to renew a PAL permit shall contain the information required in paragraphs (b)(xv)(J)(III)(1.) through (4.) of this section.
(1.) The information required in paragraphs (b)(xv)(C)(I) through (III) of this section.
(2.) A proposed PAL level.
(3.) The sum of the potential to emit of all emissions units under the PAL (with supporting documentation).
(4.) Any other information the owner or operator wishes the Division to consider in determining the appropriate level for renewing the PAL.
(IV) PAL Adjustment. In determining whether and how to adjust the PAL, the Division shall consider the options outlined in paragraphs (b)(xv)(J)(IV)(1.) and (2.) of this section; however, in no case may any such adjustment fail to comply with paragraph (b)(xv)(J)(IV)(3.) of this section.
(1.) If the emissions level calculated in accordance with paragraph (b)(xv)(F) of this section is equal to or greater than 80 percent of the PAL level, the Division may renew the PAL at the same level without considering the factors set forth in paragraph (b)(xv)(J)(IV)(2.) of this section; or
(2.) The Division may set the PAL at a level that it determines to be more representative of the source's baseline actual emissions, or that it determines to be appropriate considering air quality needs, advances in control technology, anticipated economic growth in the area, desire to reward or encourage the source's voluntary emissions reductions, or other factors as specifically identified by the Division in its written rationale.
(3.) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b)(xv)(J)(IV)(1.) and (2.) of this section:
a. If the potential to emit of the major stationary source is less than the PAL, the Division shall adjust the PAL to a level no greater than the potential to emit of the source; and
b. The Division shall not approve a renewed PAL level higher than the current PAL, unless the major stationary source has complied with the provisions of paragraph (b)(xv)(K) of this section (increasing a PAL).
(V) If the compliance date for a State of Wyoming or Federal requirement that applies to the PAL source occurs during the PAL effective period, and if the Division has not already adjusted for such requirement, the PAL shall be adjusted at the time of PAL permit renewal or Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit renewal, whichever occurs first.
(K) Increasing a PAL During the PAL Effective Period.
(I) The Division may increase a PAL emission limitation only if the major stationary source complies with the provisions in paragraphs (b)(xv)(K)(I)(1.) through (4.) of this section.
(1.) The owner or operator of the major stationary source shall submit a complete application to request an increase in the PAL limit for a PAL major modification. Such application shall identify the emissions unit(s) contributing to the increase in emissions so as to cause the major stationary source's emissions to equal or exceed its PAL.
(2.) As part of this application, the major stationary source owner or operator shall demonstrate that the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the small emissions units, plus the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the significant and major emissions units assuming application of BACT equivalent controls, plus the sum of the allowable emissions of the new or modified emissions unit(s), exceeds the PAL. The level of control that would result from BACT equivalent controls on each significant or major emissions unit shall be determined by conducting a new BACT analysis at the time the application is submitted, unless the emissions unit is currently required to comply with a BACT or LAER requirement that was established within the preceding 10 years. In such a case, the assumed control level for that emissions unit shall be equal to the level of BACT or LAER with which that emissions unit must currently comply.
(3.) The owner or operator obtains a Chapter 6, Section 4 permit for all emissions unit(s) identified in paragraph (b)(xv)(K)(I)(1.) of this section, regardless of the magnitude of the emissions increase resulting from them (that is, no significant levels apply). These emissions unit(s) shall comply with any emissions requirements resulting from the Chapter 6, Section 4 process (for example, BACT), even though they have also become subject to the PAL or continue to be subject to the PAL.
(4.) The PAL permit shall require that the increased PAL level shall be effective on the day any emissions unit that is part of the PAL major modification becomes operational and begins to emit the PAL pollutant.
(II) The Division shall calculate the new PAL as the sum of the allowable emissions for each modified or new emissions unit, plus the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the significant and major emissions units (assuming application of BACT equivalent controls as determined in accordance with paragraph (b)(xv)(K)(I)(2.) of this section), plus the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the small emissions units.
(III) The PAL permit shall be revised to reflect the increased PAL level pursuant to the public notice requirements of paragraph (b)(xv)(E) of this section.
(L) Monitoring Requirements for PALs.
(I) General Requirements.
(1.) Each PAL permit must contain enforceable requirements for the monitoring system that accurately determines plantwide emissions of the PAL pollutant in terms of mass per unit of time. Any monitoring system authorized for use in the PAL permit must be based on sound science and meet generally acceptable scientific procedures for data quality and manipulation. Additionally, the information generated by such system must meet minimum legal requirements for admissibility in a judicial proceeding to enforce the PAL permit.
(2.) The PAL monitoring system must employ one or more of the four general monitoring approaches meeting the minimum requirements set forth in paragraphs (b)(xv)(L)(II)(1.) through (4.) of this section and must be approved by the Division.
(3.) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(xv)(L)(I)(2.) of this section, you may also employ an alternative monitoring approach that meets paragraph (b)(xv)(L)(I)(1.) of this section if approved by the Division.
(4.) Failure to use a monitoring system that meets the requirements of this section renders the PAL invalid.
(II) Minimum Performance Requirements For Approved Monitoring Approaches. The following are acceptable general monitoring approaches when conducted in accordance with the minimum requirements in paragraphs (b)(xv)(L)(III) through (IX) of this section:
(1.) Mass balance calculations for activities using coatings or solvents;
(2.) CEMS;
(3.) CPMS or PEMS; and
(4.) Emission factors.
(III) Mass Balance Calculations. An owner or operator using mass balance calculations to monitor PAL pollutant emissions from activities using coating or solvents shall meet the following requirements:
(1.) Provide a demonstrated means of validating the published content of the PAL pollutant that is contained in or created by all materials used in or at the emissions unit;
(2.) Assume that the emissions unit emits all of the PAL pollutant that is contained in or created by any raw material or fuel used in or at the emissions unit, if it cannot otherwise be accounted for in the process; and
(3.) Where the vendor of a material or fuel, which is used in or at the emissions unit, publishes a range of pollutant content from such material, the owner or operator must use the highest value of the range to calculate the PAL pollutant emissions unless the Division determines there is site-specific data or a site-specific monitoring program to support another content within the range.
(IV) CEMS. An owner or operator using CEMS to monitor PAL pollutant emissions shall meet the following requirements:
(1.) CEMS must comply with applicable Performance Specifications found in 40 CFR part 60, Appendix B; and
(2.) CEMS must sample, analyze, and record data at least every 15 minutes while the emissions unit is operating.
(V) CPMS or PEMS. An owner or operator using CPMS or PEMS to monitor PAL pollutant emissions shall meet the following requirements:
(1.) The CPMS or the PEMS must be based on current site-specific data demonstrating a correlation between the monitored parameter(s) and the PAL pollutant emissions across the range of operation of the emissions unit; and
(2.) Each CPMS or PEMS must sample, analyze, and record data at least every 15 minutes, or at another less frequent interval approved by the Division, while the emissions unit is operating.
(VI) Emission Factors. An owner or operator using emission factors to monitor PAL pollutant emissions shall meet the following requirements:
(1.) All emission factors shall be adjusted, if appropriate, to account for the degree of uncertainty or limitations in the factors' development;
(2.) The emissions unit shall operate within the designated range of use for the emission factor, if applicable; and
(3.) If technically practicable, the owner or operator of a significant emissions unit that relies on an emission factor to calculate PAL pollutant emissions shall conduct validation testing to determine a site-specific emission factor within 6 months of PAL permit issuance, unless the Division determines that testing is not required.
(VII) A source owner or operator must record and report maximum potential emissions without considering enforceable emission limitations or operational restrictions for an emissions unit during any period of time that there is no monitoring data, unless another method for determining emissions during such periods is specified in the PAL permit.
(VIII) Notwithstanding the requirements in paragraphs (b)(xv)(L)(III) through (VIII) of this section, where an owner or operator of an emissions unit cannot demonstrate a correlation between the monitored parameter(s) and the PAL pollutant emissions rate at all operating points of the emissions unit, the Division shall, at the time of permit issuance:
(1.) Establish default value(s) for determining compliance with the PAL based on the highest potential emissions reasonably estimated at such operating point(s); or
(2.) Determine that operation of the emissions unit during operating conditions when there is no correlation between monitored parameter(s) and the PAL pollutant emissions is a violation of the PAL.
(IX) Re-validation. All data used to establish the PAL pollutant must be re-validated through performance testing or other scientifically valid means approved by the Division. Such testing must occur at least once every 5 years after issuance of the PAL.
(M) Recordkeeping Requirements.
(I) The PAL permit shall require an owner or operator to retain a copy of all records necessary to determine compliance with any requirement of paragraph (b)(xv) of this section and of the PAL, including a determination of each emissions unit's 12-month rolling total emissions, for 5 years from the date of such record.
(II) The PAL permit shall require an owner or operator to retain a copy of the following records, for the duration of the PAL effective period plus 5 years:
(1.) A copy of the PAL permit application and any applications for revisions to the PAL; and
(2.) Each annual certification of compliance pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3 and the data relied on in certifying the compliance.
(N) Reporting and Notification Requirements. The owner or operator shall submit semi-annual monitoring reports and prompt deviation reports to the Division in accordance with the applicable Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit program. The reports shall meet the requirements in paragraphs (b)(xv)(N)(I) through (III) of this section.
(I) Semi-annual Report. The semi-annual report shall be submitted to the Division within 30 days of the end of each reporting period. This report shall contain the information required in paragraphs (b)(xv)(N)(I)(1.) through (7.) of this section.
(1.) The identification of owner and operator and the permit number.
(2.) Total annual emissions (tons/year) based on a 12-month rolling total for each month in the reporting period recorded pursuant to paragraph (b)(xv)(M)(I) of this section.
(3.) All data relied upon, including, but not limited to, any Quality Assurance or Quality Control data, in calculating the monthly and annual PAL pollutant emissions.
(4.) A list of any emissions units modified or added to the major stationary source during the preceding 6-month period.
(5.) The number, duration, and cause of any deviations or monitoring malfunctions (other than the time associated with zero and span calibration checks), and any corrective action taken.
(6.) A notification of a shutdown of any monitoring system, whether the shutdown was permanent or temporary, the reason for the shutdown, the anticipated date that the monitoring system will be fully operational or replaced with another monitoring system, and whether the emissions unit monitored by the monitoring system continued to operate, and the calculation of the emissions of the pollutant or the number determined by method included in the permit, as provided by paragraph (b)(xv)(L)(VII) of this section.
(7.) A signed statement by the responsible official (as defined by the applicable Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit program) certifying the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the information provided in the report.
(II) Deviation Report. The major stationary source owner or operator shall promptly submit reports of any deviations or exceedance of the PAL requirements, including periods where no monitoring is available. A report submitted pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(III)(2.) shall satisfy this reporting requirement. The deviation reports shall be submitted within the time limits prescribed by Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(III)(2.). The reports shall contain the following information:
(1.) The identification of owner and operator and the permit number;
(2.) The PAL requirement that experienced the deviation or that was exceeded;
(3.) Emissions resulting from the deviation or the exceedance; and
(4.) A signed statement by the responsible official (as defined by the applicable Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit program) certifying the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the information provided in the report.
(III) Re-validation Results. The owner or operator shall submit to the Division the results of any re-validation test or method within three months after completion of such test or method.
(O) Transition Requirements.
(I) The Division shall not issue a PAL that does not comply with the requirements in paragraphs (b)(xv)(A) through (O) of this section after the Administrator has approved regulations incorporating these requirements into Chapter 6, Section 4.
(II) The Division may supersede any PAL which was established prior to the date of approval of this regulation by the Administrator of EPA with a PAL that complies with the requirements of paragraphs (b)(xv)(A) through (O) of this section.
(xvi) If any provision of this section, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this section, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
(xvii) Transition:
(A) The requirements for BACT in Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(ii) and the requirements for air quality analysis in Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(i) shall not apply to a major stationary source or major modification that was subject to Chapter 6, Section 4, as effective on January 25, 1979, if the owner or operator of the source submitted an application for a permit under these regulations before August 7, 1980, and the Administrator subsequently determines that the application submitted before that date was complete. Instead, the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 4 as in effect on January 25, 1979, apply to any such source or modification.
(B) The requirements for air quality monitoring in paragraph (b)(i)(E) shall not apply to a particular source or modification that was subject to Chapter 6, Section 4, as effective on January 25, 1979, if the owner or operator of the source or modification submits an application for a permit under these regulations on or before June 8, 1981, and the Administrator subsequently determines that the application submitted before that date was complete with respect to the requirements for ambient air quality data analyses as in effect on January 25, 1979. Instead, the latter requirements shall apply to such source or modification.
(C) The requirements for air quality monitoring in paragraph (b)(i)(E) shall not apply to a particular source or modification that was not subject to Chapter 6, Section 4, as effective on January 25, 1979, if the owner or operator of the source or modification submits an application for a permit under these regulations before June 8, 1981, and the Administrator subsequently determines that the application as submitted before that date was complete except with respect to the requirements in paragraph (b)(i)(F).
(D) The requirements for air quality monitoring for PM10 in paragraphs (b)(i)(E)(I) through (IV) of this section, effective February 13, 1989, shall not apply to a particular source or modification, if the owner or operator of the source or modification submits an application for a permit under Chapter 6, Section 4 on or before June 1, 1988 and the Administrator subsequently determines that the application submitted before that date was complete, except with respect to the requirements for monitoring particulate matter.
(E) The requirements for air quality monitoring of PM10 in paragraphs (b)(i)(E)(IV) through (b)(i)(E)(V) of this section, effective February 13, 1989, shall apply to a particular source or modification if the owner or operator of the source or modification submits an application for a permit under this section after June 1, 1988 and no later than December 1, 1988. The data shall have been gathered over at least the period from February 1, 1988 to the date the application becomes otherwise complete in accordance with the provisions set forth under paragraph (b)(xvii)(G) of this section, except that the Administrator may provide that the monitoring period specification may be reduced to a minimum of four months if he is satisfied that a complete and adequate analysis can be accomplished with monitoring data gathered over that shorter period of time.
(F) For any application under this section that becomes complete except as to the requirements of paragraphs (b)(i)(E)(III) and (b)(i)(E)(IV) pertaining to PM10, after December 1, 1988 and no later than August 1, 1989, the data that paragraph (b)(i)(E)(III) requires will have been gathered over at least the period from August 1, 1988 to the date the application becomes otherwise complete. The Administrator may provide that the monitoring period specification may be reduced to a minimum of four months if he is satisfied that a complete and adequate analysis can be accomplished with monitoring data gathered over that shorter period of time.
(G) With respect to any requirements for air quality monitoring of PM10 specified under paragraphs (b)(xvii)(D) and (b)(xvii)(E) of this section, effective February 13, 1989, the owner or operator of the source or modification shall use a monitoring method approved by the Administrator and shall estimate the ambient concentrations of PM10 using the data collected by such approved monitoring method in accordance with estimating procedures approved by the Administrator.
(H) The requirement to demonstrate compliance with the maximum allowable increment for nitrogen dioxide shall not apply to a major stationary source or major modification that was subject to Chapter 6, Section 4, as effective on February 8, 1988, if the owner or operator of the source or modification submits an application for a permit under these regulations on or before October 30, 1990 and the Administrator subsequently determines that the application submitted before that date was complete.
(I) The requirement to demonstrate compliance with the maximum allowable increment for PM10 shall not apply to a major stationary source or major modification that was subject to Chapter 6, Section 4, as effective on June 3, 1993, if the owner or operator of the source or modification submits an application for a permit under these regulations on or before the effective date of this regulation revision and the Administrator subsequently determines that the application submitted before that date was complete. Instead, the requirement to demonstrate compliance with the maximum allowable increment for TSP, as in effect at the time the application was submitted, shall apply:
Maximum Allowable Increments of Deterioration ‑ μg/m3
Pollutant Class I Class II
Particulate Matter:
TSP, Annual geometric mean 5 19
TSP, 24‑hour maximum* 10 37
*Maximum allowable increment may be exceeded once per year at any receptor site.
(c) All national parks, national wilderness areas, and national memorial parks in Wyoming as of January 25, 1979, shall be designated Class I and may not be redesignated. All other areas of the State of Wyoming shall be designated Class II as of the effective date of this regulation.
(d) Redesignation. All redesignation of areas within the State of Wyoming shall be accomplished through the process of establishment of Standards and Regulations set forth in the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(i) The following areas may be redesignated only as Class I or Class II areas:
(A) An area which exceeds 10,000 acres in size and is a national monument, a national primitive area, a national preserve, a national recreational area, a national wild and scenic river, a national wildlife refuge, a national lakeshore; and
(B) A national park or national wilderness area which exceeds 10,000 acres in size and is established after the effective date of this regulation.
(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (c) above, any area may be redesignated as Class I or II, with the approval of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (iii) below; provided, however, that lands within the exterior boundaries of reservations of federally recognized Indian tribes may be redesignated to any class, but only by the appropriate Indian governing body.
(iii) (A) At least one public hearing must be held in accordance with the provisions for adoption of regulations as set forth in the Administrative Procedures Act and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(B) At least 30 days prior to the public hearing, a description and analysis of the health, environmental, economic, social and energy effects of the proposed redesignation shall be prepared and made available for public inspection. Any person petitioning the Department or Council to redesignate an area shall be responsible for preparing or submitting such description and analysis. Such persons shall also be responsible for revising this required documentation to the extent necessary to satisfy the Administrator of the U.S. EPA. The notice of the public hearing shall contain appropriate notification of the availability of the description and analysis of the proposed redesignation.
(C) Agencies from neighboring states, Indian governing bodies, Federal Land Managers, and local governments whose land may be affected by the proposed redesignation shall be notified at least 30 days prior to the hearing.
(D) Prior to proposing a redesignation, the Division and the Air Quality Advisory Board shall consult with the elected leadership of local and other substate general purpose governments in the area covered by the redesignation.
(E) Prior to public notice of the proposed redesignation the Division shall provide written notice to any Federal Land Manager who may be responsible for any federal lands within the area proposed for such redesignation and shall afford adequate opportunity (but not in excess of 60 days) to confer with the State respecting the intended notice of designation. The Federal Land Manager shall be offered the opportunity to submit written comments and recommendations with respect to such intended notice of redesignation. In redesignating any area with respect to which the federal land manager has submitted written comments and recommendations, the Division will publish a list of any inconsistency between such redesignation and such recommendation with an explanation of such inconsistency (together with the reasons for making such redesignation against the recommendation of the Federal Land Manager).
(F) The Council shall review and examine the description and analysis prepared pursuant to subparagraph (iii)(B) above prior to any redesignation.
(iv) (A) If an area has been proposed for redesignation to a more stringent class, no permit to construct may be granted to a source which may cause an impact in the area proposed for redesignation and for which an application to construct is received by the Division after the filing of the petition for redesignation with the Environmental Quality Council until the proposed redesignation has been acted upon; however, approval may be granted if, in the Administrator's judgment, the proposed source would not violate the applicable increments of the proposed redesignation. Such approval shall be withheld only so long as in the Administrator's judgment, the petitioner is expeditiously proceeding toward development of the "description and analysis" required under (iii)(B) above, and provided that such "description and analysis" is complete and submitted to the Council for action on the petition within 18 months of the filing of the initial petition. Upon good cause shown, the Council may extend the foregoing deadline.
(B) Where an application for a permit to construct a source has been received by the Division prior to the receipt by the Council of a petition for redesignation of an area to a more stringent class and where such source may cause an impact in the area proposed for redesignation, the permit application shall be processed considering the classification of an area which existed at the time of permit application. For purposes of establishing a priority date under this Chapter 6, Section 4(d)(vi)(B), (1) such permit application is not required to meet the provisions for completeness in Chapter 6, Section 2, and (2) the time frames in Chapter 6, Section 2(g) for action on applications shall not apply.
However, a priority date established under Chapter 6, Section 4(d)(vi)(B), shall remain in effect only so long as in the Administrator's judgment, the applicant is expeditiously proceeding toward the development and submittal of such other information and data as required to make the application complete under the provisions of Chapter 6, Section 2, and provided that such other information and data is submitted to, and judged to be complete by the Administrator within 18 months of the filing of the initial permit application. Upon good cause shown, the Administrator may extend the foregoing deadline.
Section 5. Permit requirements for construction and modification of NESHAPs sources.
Permit requirements for construction and modification of NESHAP sources are no longer covered under Chapter 6, Section 5. Refer to Chapter 5, National Emission Standards, Section 3, National emission standards for hazardous air pollutants.
Section 6. Permit requirements for case-by-case maximum achievable control technology (MACT) determination.
(a) Applicability. The requirements of this section carry out section 112(g)(2)(B) of the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990.
(b) Overall Requirements. The requirements of this section apply to any owner or operator who constructs or reconstructs a major source of hazardous air pollutants after the effective date of this section unless the major source in question has been specifically regulated or exempted from regulation under a standard issued pursuant to section 112(d), section 112(h), or section 112(j) and incorporated in 40 CFR part 63 or Chapter 5, Section 3, or the owner or operator of such major source has received all necessary air quality permits for such construction or reconstruction project before the effective date of this section.
(c) Exclusion for Electric Utility Steam Generating Units. The requirements of this section do not apply to electric utility steam generating units unless and until such time as these units are added to the source category list pursuant to section 112(c)(5) of the Act.
(d) Exclusion for Stationary Sources in Deleted Source Categories. The requirements of this section do not apply to stationary sources that are within a source category that has been deleted from the source category list pursuant to section 112(c)(9) of the Act.
(e) Exclusion for Research and Development Activities. The requirements of this section do not apply to research and development activities, as defined in Chapter 6, Section 6(f)(xiii).
(f) Definitions:
Terms used in this section that are not defined in this section have the meaning given to them in the Act and in Chapter 5, Section 3.
(i) "Affected source" means the stationary source or group of stationary sources which, when fabricated (on site), erected, or installed meets the definition of "construct a major source" or the definition of "reconstruct a major source" contained in this section.
(ii) "Affected States" are all States:
(A) Whose air quality may be affected and that are contiguous to the State of Wyoming where a MACT determination is made in accordance with this Section; or
(B) Whose air quality may be affected and that are within 50 miles of the major source for which a MACT determination is made in accordance with this section.
(iii) "Available information" means, for purposes of identifying control technology options for the affected source, information contained in the following information sources as of the date of approval of the MACT determination by the Division:
(A) A relevant proposed regulation, including all supporting information;
(B) Background information documents for a draft or proposed regulation;
(C) Data and information available for the EPA Control Technology Center developed pursuant to section 113 of the Act;
(D) Data and information contained in the EPA Aerometric Informational Retrieval System including information in the MACT data base;
(E) Any additional information that can be expeditiously provided by EPA; and
(F) For the purpose of determinations by the Division, any additional information provided by the applicant or others, and any additional information considered available by the Division.
(iv) "Construct a major source" means:
(A) To Fabricate, erect, or install at any greenfield site a stationary source or group of stationary sources which is located within a contiguous area and under common control and which emits or has the potential to emit 10 tons per year of any HAPs or 25 tons per year of any combination of HAP, or
(B) To fabricate, erect, or install at any developed site a new process or production unit which in and of itself emits or has the potential to emit 10 tons per year of any HAP or 25 tons per year of any combination of HAP, unless the process or production unit satisfies criteria in paragraphs (B)(I) through (VI) of this definition.
(I) All HAP emitted by the process or production unit that would otherwise be controlled under the requirements of this section will be controlled by emission control equipment which was previously installed at the same site as the process or production unit;
(II) (1.) The Division has determined within a period of 5 years prior to the fabrication, erection, or installation of the process or production unit that the existing emission control equipment represented best available control technology (BACT), toxics-best available control technology (T-BACT), under Chapter 6, Section 2, or MACT based on State air toxic rules for the category of pollutants which includes those HAPs to be emitted by the process or production unit; or
(2.) The Division determines that the control of HAP emissions provided by the existing equipment will be equivalent to that level of control currently achieved by other well-controlled similar sources (i.e., equivalent to the level of control that would be provided by a current BACT, T-BACT, or State air toxic rule MACT determination);
(III) The Division determines that the percent control efficiency for emissions of HAP from all sources to be controlled by the existing control equipment will be equivalent to the percent control efficiency provided by the control equipment prior to the inclusion of the new process or production unit;
(IV) The Division has provided notice and an opportunity for public comment concerning its determination that criteria in paragraphs (B)(I), (B)(II), and (B)(III) of this definition apply and concerning the continued adequacy of any prior BACT, T-BACT, or State air toxic rule MACT determination;
(V) If any commenter has asserted that a prior BACT, T-BACT, or State air toxic rule MACT determination is no longer adequate, the Division has determined that the level of control required by that prior determination remains adequate; and
(VI) Any emission limitations, work practice requirements, or other terms and conditions upon which the above determinations by the Division are applicable requirements under Chapter 6, Section 3 and either have been incorporated into any existing operating permit for the affected facility or will be incorporated into such permit upon issuance.
(v) "Control technology" means measures, processes, methods, systems, or techniques to limit the emission of hazardous air pollutants through process changes, substitution of materials or other modifications;
(A) Reduce the quantity of, or eliminate emissions of, such pollutants through process changes, substitution of materials or other modifications;
(B) Enclose systems or processes to eliminate emissions;
(C) Collect, capture or treat such pollutants when released from a process, stack, storage or fugitive emissions point;
(D) Are design, equipment, work practice, or operational standards (including requirements for operator training or certification) as provided in 42 U.S.C. 7412(h); or
(E) Are a combination of paragraphs (A) through (D) of this definition.
(vi) "Electric utility steam generating unit" means any fossil fuel fired combustion unit of more than 25 megawatts that serves a generator that produces electricity for sale. A unit that co-generates steam and electricity and supplies more than one-third of its potential electric output capacity and more than 25 megawatts electric output to any utility power distribution system for sale shall be considered an electric utility steam generating unit.
(vii) "Greenfield site" means a contiguous area under common control that is an undeveloped site.
(viii) "List of Source Categories" means the Source Category List required by section 112(c) of the Act.
(ix) "Maximum achievable control technology (MACT) emission limitation for new sources" means the emission limitation which is not less stringent than the emission limitation achieved in practice by the best controlled similar source, and which reflects the maximum degree of reduction in emissions that the Division, taking into consideration the cost of achieving such emission reduction, and any non-air quality health and environmental impacts and energy requirements, determines is achievable by the constructed or reconstructed major source.
(x) "Notice of MACT Approval" means a Chapter 6, Section 2 permit issued by a Division containing all federally enforceable conditions necessary to enforce the application and operation of MACT or other control technologies such that the MACT emission limitation is met.
(xi) "Process or production unit" means any collection of structures and/or equipment, that processes, assembles, applies, or otherwise uses material inputs to produce or store an intermediate or final product. A single facility may contain more than one process or production unit.
(xii) "Reconstruct a major source" means the replacement of components at an existing process or production unit that in and of itself emits or has the potential to emit 10 tons per year of any HAP or 25 tons per year of any combination of HAP, whenever:
(A) The fixed capital cost of the new components exceeds 50 percent of the fixed capital cost that would be required to construct a comparable process or production unit; and
(B) It is technically and economically feasible for the reconstructed major source to meet the applicable maximum achievable control technology emission limitation for new sources established under this section.
(xiii) "Research and development activities" means activities conducted at a research or laboratory facility whose primary purpose is to conduct research and development into new processes and products, where such source is operated under the close supervision of technically trained personnel and is not engaged in the manufacture of products for sale or exchange for commercial profit, except in a de minimis manner.
(xiv) "Similar source" means a stationary source or process that has comparable emissions and is structurally similar in design and capacity to a constructed or reconstructed major source such that the source could be controlled using the same control technology.
(g) Prohibition. After the effective date of this section no person may begin actual construction or reconstruction of a major source of HAP unless:
(i) The major source in question has been specifically regulated or exempted from regulation under a standard issued pursuant to section 112(d), section 112(h) or section 112(j) in 40 CFR part 63, and the owner and operator has fully complied with all procedures and requirements for preconstruction review established by that standard, including any applicable requirements set forth in Chapter 5, Section 3; or
(ii) The Division has made a final and effective case-by-case determination pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6, Section 6(h) such that emissions from the constructed or reconstructed major source will be controlled to a level no less stringent than the maximum achievable control technology emission limitation for new sources.
(h) Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Determinations for Constructed and Reconstructed Major Sources.
(i) Applicability. The requirements of this section apply to an owner or operator who constructs or reconstructs a major source of HAP subject to a case-by-case determination of maximum achievable control technology pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 6(g).
(ii) Requirements for Constructed and Reconstructed Major Sources. When a case-by-case determination of MACT is required by Chapter 6, Section 6(g), the owner and operator shall obtain from the Division an approved MACT determination in conjunction with the required Chapter 6, Section 2 permit according to the requirements listed in Chapter 6, Section 6(h)(iv).
(iii) Principles of MACT Determinations. The following general principles shall govern preparation by the owner or operator of each permit application or other application requiring a case-by-case MACT determination concerning construction or reconstruction of a major source, and all subsequent review of and actions taken concerning such an application by the Division:
(A) The MACT emission limitation or MACT requirements recommended by the applicant and approved by the Division shall not be less stringent than the emission control which is achieved in practice by the best controlled similar source, as determined by the Division.
(B) Based upon available information, as defined in this section, the MACT emission limitation and control technology (including any requirements under Chapter 6, Section 6(h)(iii)(C)) recommended by the applicant and approved by the Division shall achieve the maximum degree of reduction in emissions of HAP which can be achieved by utilizing those control technologies that can be identified from the available information, taking into consideration the costs of achieving such emission reduction and any non-air quality health and environmental impacts and energy requirements associated with the emission reduction.
(C) The applicant may recommend a specific design, equipment, work practice, or operational standard, or a combination thereof, and the Division may approve such a standard if the Division specifically determines that it is not feasible to prescribe or enforce an emission limitation under the criteria set forth in section 112(h)(2) of the Act.
(D) If EPA has either proposed a relevant emission standard pursuant to section 112(d) or section 112(h) of the Act or adopted a presumptive MACT determination for the source category which includes the constructed or reconstructed major source, then the MACT requirements applied to the constructed or reconstructed major source shall have considered those MACT emission limitations and requirements of the proposed standard or presumptive MACT determination.
(iv) Application Requirements for a Case-By-Case MACT Determination.
(A) An application for a MACT determination, in conjunction with an application for a permit pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 2, shall specify a control technology selected by the owner or operator that, if properly operated and maintained, will meet the MACT emission limitation or standard as determined according to the principles set forth in Chapter 6, Section 6(h)(iii).
(B) In each instance where a constructed or reconstructed major source would require additional control technology or a change in control technology, the application for a MACT determination shall contain the following information:
(I) The name and address (physical location) of the major source to be constructed or reconstructed;
(II) A brief description of the major source to be constructed or reconstructed and identification of any listed source category or categories in which it is included;
(III) The expected commencement date for the construction or reconstruction of the major source;
(IV) The expected completion date for construction or reconstruction of the major source;
(V) The anticipated date of start-up for the constructed or reconstructed major source;
(VI) The HAP emitted by the constructed or reconstructed major source, and the estimated emission rate for each such HAP, to the extent this information is needed by the Division to determine MACT;
(VII) Any federally enforceable emission limitations applicable to the constructed or reconstructed major source;
(VIII) The maximum and expected utilization of capacity of the constructed or reconstructed major source, and the associated uncontrolled emission rates for that source, to the extent this information is needed by the Division to determine MACT;
(IX) The controlled emissions for the constructed or reconstructed major source in tons/yr at expected and maximum utilization of capacity, to the extent this information is needed by the Division to determine MACT;
(X) A recommended emission limitation for the constructed or reconstructed major source consistent with the principles set forth in paragraph (iii) of this section;
(XI) The selected control technology to meet the recommended MACT emission limitation, including technical information on the design, operation, size, estimated control efficiency of the control technology (and the manufacturer's name, address, telephone number, and relevant specifications and drawings, if requested by the Division);
(XII) Supporting documentation including identification of alternative control technologies considered by the applicant to meet the emission limitation, and analysis of cost and non-air quality health environmental impacts or energy requirements for the selected control technology; and
(XIII) Any other relevant information required pursuant to Section 33.
(C) In each instance where the owner or operator contends that a constructed or reconstructed major source will be in compliance, upon startup, with case-by-case MACT under this section without a change in control technology, the application for a MACT determination shall contain the following information:
(I) The information described in Chapter 6, Section 6(h)(iv)(B)(I) through (iv)(B)(X); and
(II) Documentation of the control technology in place.
(v) Administrative Procedures for Review of the Notice of MACT Approval.
(A) The administrative procedures for review shall follow the procedures specified in Chapter 6, Section 2(g) for the permit review and approval or denial process.
(vi) Notice of MACT Approval.
(A) The Notice of MACT Approval will contain a MACT emission limitation (or a MACT work practice standard if the Division determines it is not feasible to prescribe or enforce an emission standard) to control the emissions of HAP. The MACT emission limitation or standard will be determined by the Division and will conform to the principles set forth in Chapter 6, Section 6(h)(iii) of this section.
(B) The Notice of MACT Approval will specify any notification, operation and maintenance, performance testing, monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The Notice of MACT Approval shall include:
(I) In addition to the MACT emission limitation or MACT work practice standard established under this section, additional emission limits, production limits, operational limits or other terms and conditions necessary to ensure Federal enforceability of the MACT emission limitation;
(II) Compliance certifications, testing, monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping requirements that are consistent with the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(h);
(III) In accordance with section 114(a)(3) of the Act, monitoring shall be capable of demonstrating continuous compliance during the applicable reporting period. Such monitoring data shall be of sufficient quality to be used as a basis for enforcing all applicable requirements established under this section, including emission limitations;
(IV) A statement requiring the owner or operator to comply with all applicable requirements contained in Chapter 5, Section 3.
(C) All provisions contained in the Notice of MACT Approval shall be federally enforceable upon the effective date of issuance of such notice, as provided by Chapter 6, Section 6(h)(ix).
(D) The Notice of MACT Approval shall expire if construction or reconstruction has not commenced within 18 months of issuance, unless the Division has granted an extension which shall not exceed an additional 12 months.
(vii) Opportunity for Public Comment on the Notice of MACT Approval.
(A) The opportunity for public comment shall follow the procedures specified in Chapter 6, Section 2(m) for the permit review and approval process.
(viii) EPA Notification. The Division shall send a copy of the final Notice of MACT Approval issued pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 2 and this section to the EPA through the appropriate Regional Office, and to all other State and local air pollution control agencies having jurisdiction in affected States.
(ix) Effective Date. The effective date of a MACT determination shall be the date of issuance of the Chapter 6, Section 2 permit to construct or reconstruct.
(x) Compliance Date. On and after the date of start-up, a constructed or reconstructed major source which is subject to the requirements of this section shall be in compliance with all applicable requirements specified in the MACT determination.
(xi) Compliance With MACT Determinations.
(A) An owner or operator of a constructed or reconstructed major source that is subject to a MACT determination shall comply with all requirements in the final Notice of MACT Approval, including but not limited to any MACT emission limitation or MACT work practice standard, and any notification, operation and maintenance, performance testing, monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements.
(B) An owner or operator of a constructed or reconstructed major source which has obtained a MACT determination shall be deemed to be in compliance with Chapter 6, Section 6(g) only to the extent that the constructed or reconstructed major source is in compliance with all requirements set forth in the final Notice of MACT Approval issued pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 2 and this section. Any violation of such requirements by the owner or operator shall be deemed by the Division and by EPA to be a violation of the prohibition on construction or reconstruction in Chapter 6, Section 6(g) for whatever period the owner or operator is determined to be in violation of such requirements, and shall subject the owner or operator to appropriate enforcement action.
(xii) Reporting to EPA. Within 60 days of the issuance of a final Notice of MACT Approval issued pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 2 and this section, the Division shall provide a copy of such notice to the Administrator, and shall provide a summary in a compatible electronic format for inclusion in the MACT data base.
(i) Requirements for Constructed or Reconstructed Major Sources Subject to a Subsequently Promulgated MACT Standard or MACT Requirement.
(i) If EPA promulgates an emission standard under section 112(d) or section 112(h) of the Act or the Division issues a determination under section 112(j) of the Act that is applicable to a stationary source or group of sources which would be deemed to be a constructed or reconstructed major source under this section before the date that the owner or operator has obtained a final and legally effective MACT determination pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 6(h), the owner or operator of the source(s) shall comply with the promulgated standard or determination rather than any MACT determination under this section by the Division, and the owner or operator shall comply with the promulgated standard by the compliance date in the promulgated standard.
(ii) If EPA promulgates an emission standard under section 112(d) or section 112(h) of the Act or the Division makes a determination under section 112(j) of the Act that is applicable to a stationary source or group of sources which was deemed to be a constructed or reconstructed major source under this section and has been subject to a prior case-by-case MACT determination pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 6(h), and the owner and operator obtained a final and legally effective case-by-case MACT determination prior to the promulgation date of such emission standard, then the Division shall (if the initial operating permit has not yet been issued) issue an initial operating permit which incorporates the emission standard or determination, or shall (if the initial operating permit has been issued) revise the operating permit according to the reopening procedures in Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vii) to incorporate the emission standard or determination.
(A) The EPA may include in the emission standard established under section 112(d) or section 112(h) of the Act a specific compliance date for those sources which have obtained a final and legally effective MACT determination under this section and which have submitted the information required by Chapter 6, Section 6(h) to the EPA before the close of the public comment period for the standard established under section 112(d) of the Act. Such date shall assure that the owner or operator shall comply with the promulgated standard as expeditiously as practicable, but not longer than 8 years after such standard is promulgated. In that event, the Division shall incorporate the applicable compliance date in the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit.
(B) If no compliance date has been established in the promulgated 112(d) or 112(h) standard or section 112(j) determination, for those sources which have obtained a final and legally effective MACT determination under this section, then the Division shall establish a compliance date in the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit that assures that the owner or operator shall comply with the promulgated standard or determination as expeditiously as practicable, but not longer than 8 years after such standard is promulgated or a section 112(j) determination is made.
(iii) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this section, if EPA promulgates an emission standard under section 112(d) or section 112(h) of the Act or the Division issues a determination under section 112(j) of the Act that is applicable to a stationary source or group of sources which was deemed to be a constructed or reconstructed major source under this section and which is the subject of a prior case-by-case MACT determination pursuant to subsection (h), and the level of control required by the emission standard issued under section 112(d) or section 112(h) or the determination issued under section 112(j) is less stringent than the level of control required by any emission limitation or standard in the prior MACT determination, the Division is not required to incorporate any less stringent terms of the promulgated standard in the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit applicable to such source(s) and may in its discretion consider any more stringent provisions of the prior MACT determination to be applicable legal requirements when issuing or revising such an operating permit.
Section 7. Clean air resource allocation expiration.
(a) (i) Any owner or operator of a facility which ceases operation shall not be entitled to the continued use of the clean air resource necessary to accommodate the emissions from such facility if such cessation of operation extends beyond a day 5 years after the date of cessation of such operation.
(ii) Within 60 days after determining that a facility has ceased operation, the Administrator shall notify in writing the affected owner or operator that this section is applicable. The notice shall further advise the owner or operator of the proposed expiration date for the facility's entitlement to use its allocated air resource and provide the operator or owner the opportunity to review the Administrator's decision.
Within 60 days after receiving the notice, the owner or operator of the facility shall notify the Administrator if it intends to operate the facility in the future. Failure to so notify the Administrator will constitute a rebuttable presumption that the owner or operator has permanently and purposefully ceased operation of the facility with no intent to operate in the future. The continuous five-year period shall not begin earlier than 60 days prior to receipt by the owner or operator of the notice from the Administrator.
(iii) Prior to revoking an air allocation, the Administrator shall provide notice to the affected owner or operator and if requested by the owner or operator will hold a public hearing pursuant to the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Department on the impending expiration of the entitlement to use the allocated clean air resource. Said notice shall be served no later than six months prior to the proposed expiration date. The Administrator's decision issued as a result of the hearing may be appealed to the Environmental Quality Council in the manner set forth in the Environmental Quality Act and the applicable rules and regulations.
(iv) The Administrator may extend the 5-year time period for non-use upon a satisfactory showing that the owner or operator intends and can demonstrate firm plans to operate the facility in the future.
(v) The transfer of ownership of a facility shall not affect the entitlement for use by the facility of the clean air resource. Such a transfer of ownership does not extend the expiration date defined in paragraph (a)(i).
(vi) For purposes of this section "operation" means to function in a manner which directly contributes to the accomplishment of the primary purpose of the facility. The definition of operation of a mining facility shall include: (i) all of the primary activities associated with mining, such as ore and overburden removal, topsoil stripping and haulage, reclamation and associated construction activities, and (ii) activities and commitments accepted by the Department as "interim stabilization" measures which qualify the mine for "temporary cessation and a resultant extension of reclamation obligations" under the regulations of the Land Quality Division of the Department.
(b) (i) In a case where an owner or operator permanently and purposefully ceases operation with no expressed intent to operate the facility in the future, the associated clean air resource allocation is not reserved to the owner or operator and immediately reverts to the state.
(ii) Prior to such revocation the Administrator shall provide notice to the affected owner or operator and if requested by such owner or operator will hold a public hearing pursuant to the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Department.
(c) Start-up and operation of a facility after a period of non-use which lasts at least 5 years shall be considered to represent the operation of a new facility and shall be subject to the permit requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2. The provisions of Chapter 6, Section 4 may also be applicable.
(d) Brief periods of facility operation which are clearly designed to circumvent the intent of this section shall not be considered as operation under the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) above. For purposes of this section, operation must be for commercial purposes (which does not include temporary operation for period testing or maintenance of the facility in a standby status).
Section 8. [Reserved.]
Section 9. Best available retrofit technology (BART).
(a) Applicability. The provisions of this regulation apply to existing stationary facilities, as defined in Section 9(b) of this chapter.
(b) Definitions.
"Adverse impact on visibility" means visibility impairment which interferes with the management, protection, preservation, or enjoyment of the visitor's visual experience of the Federal Class I area. This determination must be made on a case-by-case basis taking into account the geographic extent, intensity, duration, frequency and time of visibility impairments, and how these factors correlate with 1) times of visitor use of the Federal Class I area, and 2) the frequency and timing of natural conditions that reduce visibility. This term does not include effects on integral vistas.
"Applicable technology" means a commercially available control option that has been or is soon to be deployed (e.g., is specified in a permit) on the same or a similar source type or a technology that has been used on a pollutant-bearing gas stream that is the same or similar to the gas stream characteristics of the source.
"Available technology" means that a technology is licensed and available through commercial sales.
"Average cost effectiveness" means the total annualized costs of control divided by annual emissions reductions (the difference between baseline annual emissions and the estimate of emissions after controls). For the purposes of calculating average cost effectiveness, baseline annual emissions means a realistic depiction of anticipated annual emissions for the source. The source or the Division may use State or Federally enforceable permit limits or estimate the anticipated annual emissions based upon actual emissions from a representative baseline period.
"BART alternative" means an alternative measure to the installation, operation, and maintenance of BART that will achieve greater reasonable progress toward national visibility goals than would have resulted from the installation, operation, and maintenance of BART at BART-eligible sources within industry source categories subject to BART requirements.
"Best available retrofit technology (BART)" means an emission limitation based on the degree of reduction achievable through the application of the best system of continuous emission reduction for each pollutant that is emitted by an existing stationary facility. The emission limitation must be established, on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the technology available, the costs of compliance, the energy and non air quality environmental impacts of compliance, any pollution control equipment in use or in existence at the source or unit, the remaining useful life of the source or unit, and the degree of improvement in visibility which may reasonably be anticipated to result from the use of such technology.
"Deciview" means a measurement of visibility impairment. A deciview is a haze index derived from calculated light extinction, such that uniform changes in haziness correspond to uniform incremental changes in perception across the entire range of conditions, from pristine to highly impaired. The deciview haze index is calculated based on the following equation (for the purposes of calculating deciview, the atmospheric light extinction coefficient must be calculated from aerosol measurements):
Deciview haze index = 10 lne (bext/10 Mm-1)
Where bext = the atmospheric light extinction coefficient, expressed in inverse megameters (Mm-1).
"Existing stationary facility" means any of the following stationary sources of air pollutants, including any reconstructed source, which was not in operation prior to August 7, 1962, and was in existence on August 7, 1977, and has the potential to emit 250 tons per year or more of any visibility impairing air pollutant. In determining potential to emit, fugitive emissions, to the extent quantifiable, must be counted.
(i) Fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants of more than 250 million British thermal units (BTU) per hour heat input that generate electricity for sale.
(A) Boiler capacities shall be aggregated to determine the heat input of a plant.
(B) Includes plants that co-generate steam and electricity and combined cycle turbines.
(ii) Coal cleaning plants (thermal dryers).
(iii) Kraft pulp mills.
(iv) Portland cement plants.
(v) Primary zinc smelters.
(vi) Iron and steel mill plants.
(vii) Primary aluminum ore reduction plants.
(viii) Primary copper smelters.
(ix) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 250 tons of refuse per day.
(x) Hydrofluoric, sulfuric, and nitric acid plants.
(xi) Petroleum refineries.
(xii) Lime plants.
(xiii) Phosphate rock processing plants. Includes all types of phosphate rock processing facilities, including elemental phosphorous plants as well as fertilizer production plants.
(xiv) Coke oven batteries.
(xv) Sulfur recovery plants.
(xvi) Carbon black plants (furnace process).
(xvii) Primary lead smelters.
(xviii) Fuel conversion plants.
(xix) Sintering plants.
(xx) Secondary metal production facilities. Includes nonferrous metal facilities included within Standard Industrial Classification code 3341, and secondary ferrous metal facilities in the category "iron and steel mill plants".
(xxi) Chemical process plants. Includes those facilities within the 2-digit Standard Industrial Classification 28, including pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
(xxii) Fossil fuel boilers of more than 250 million BTUs per hour heat input.
(A) Individual boilers greater than 250 million BTU/hr, considering federally enforceable operational limits.
(B) Includes multi-fuel boilers that burn at least fifty percent fossil fuels.
(xxiii) Petroleum storage and transfer facilities with a capacity exceeding 300,000 barrels.
(A) 300,000 barrels refers to total facility-wide tank capacity for tanks put in place after August 7, 1962 and in existence on August 7, 1977.
(B) Includes gasoline and other petroleum-derived liquids.
(xxiv) Taconite ore processing facilities.
(xxv) Glass fiber processing plants.
(xxvi) Charcoal production facilities. Includes charcoal briquette manufacturing and activated carbon production.
"Incremental cost effectiveness" means the comparison of the costs and emissions performance level of a control option to those of the next most stringent option, as shown in the following formula:
Incremental Cost Effectiveness (dollars per incremental ton removed) = [(Total annualized costs of control option) - (Total annualized costs of next control option)] ÷ [(Next control option annual emissions) - (Control option annual emissions)]
"In existence" means that the owner or operator has obtained all necessary preconstruction approvals or permits required by Federal, State, or local air pollution emissions and air quality laws or regulations and either has 1) begun, or caused to begin, a continuous program of physical on-site construction of the facility or 2) entered into binding agreements or contractual obligations, which cannot be cancelled or modified without substantial loss to the owner or operator, to undertake a program of construction of the facility to be completed in a reasonable time.
"In operation" means engaged in activity related to the primary design function of the source.
"Integral vista" means a view perceived from within the mandatory Class I Federal area of a specific landmark or panorama located outside the boundary of the mandatory Class I Federal area.
"Natural conditions" means naturally occurring phenomena that reduce visibility as measured in terms of light extinction, visual range, contrast, or coloration.
"Plant" means all emissions units at a stationary source.
"Potential to emit" means the maximum capacity of a stationary source to emit a pollutant under its physical and operational design. Any physical or operational limitation on the capacity of the source to emit a pollutant including air pollution control equipment and restrictions on hours of operation or on the type or amount of material combusted, stored, or processed, shall be treated as part of its design if the limitation or the effect it would have on emissions is federally enforceable. Secondary emissions do not count in determining the potential to emit of a stationary source.
"Visibility-impairing air pollutant" includes the following:
(i) Sulfur dioxide (SO2);
(ii) Nitrogen oxides (NOx); and
(iii) Particulate matter. (PM10 will be used as the indicator for particulate matter. Emissions of PM10 include the components of PM2.5 as a subset).
(c) Guidelines for BART Determinations.
(i) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations contained in 40 CFR part 51, Appendix Y, are incorporated by reference into these regulations. The specific documents containing the complete text of the regulations are found in 40 CFR part 51, Appendix Y, as published on July 6, 2005 in the Federal Register beginning on page 39104, not including later amendments. Copies of the July 6, 2005 materials can be obtained from the Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality, 122 W. 25th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002.
(ii) The owner or operator of a fossil fuel-fired steam electric plant with a generating capacity greater than seven hundred fifty megawatts of electricity shall comply with the requirements of 40 CFR part 51, Appendix Y. All other facility owners or operators shall use Appendix Y as guidance for preparing their best available control retrofit technology determinations.
(d) Identification of Sources Subject to BART.
(i) Identification of sources subject to BART shall be performed by the Air Quality Division in accordance with EPA's guidelines for BART determinations under the regional haze rule 40 CFR part 51, Appendix Y, and incorporated by reference under Section 9(c). A BART-eligible source is subject to BART unless valid air quality dispersion modeling demonstrates that the source will not cause or contribute to visibility impairment in any Class I area.
(A) A single source that is responsible for a 1.0 deciview change or more is considered to "cause" visibility impairment in any Class I area.
(B) A single source that is responsible for a 0.5 deciview change or more is considered to "contribute" visibility impairment in any Class I area.
(C) A single source is exempt from BART if the 98th percentile daily change in visibility, as compared against natural background conditions, is less than 0.5 deciviews at all Class I federal areas for each year modeled and for the entire multi-year modeling period.
(ii) The Division will provide written notice to each source determined to be subject to BART.
(e) BART Requirements.
(i) Submission of Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) Permit Application. The owner or operator of each source subject to BART as determined under Section 9(d), shall submit a BART permit application to the Division. The permit application shall be submitted according to a schedule determined by the Division. Sources with a potential to emit less than 40 tons per year SO2 or NOx or less than 15 tons per year PM10 may exclude those de minimis level pollutants from the BART analysis. The BART permit application shall include:
(A) The name and address (physical location) of the existing stationary facility subject to BART.
(B) A brief description of the source and identification of any listed source categories in which it is included.
(C) Information on de minimis levels if pollutants are excluded from the analysis.
(D) An analysis of control options performed in accordance with 40 CFR part 51, Appendix Y, IV.
(E) A proposal and justification for BART emission limits and control technology that reflect the BART requirements established in 40 CFR part 51, Appendix Y.
(F) A description of the proposed emission control systems, including the estimated control efficiencies.
(G) A schedule to install and operate BART.
(H) Additional relevant information as the Administrator may request.
(ii) Administrative Procedures for Review of a BART Permit Application. The administrative procedures for review shall follow the procedures specified in Chapter 6, Section 2(g) of these regulations.
(iii) Proposed Permits. The Administrator shall prepare a proposed permit following the Division's review of the BART permit application. The Administrator may approve, or amend the proposed emission limits, BART technology, and compliance schedule. Any proposed permit shall specify any notification, operation and maintenance, performance testing, monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping requirements determined by the Administrator to be reasonable and necessary.
(iv) Opportunity for Public Comment. The opportunity for public comment shall follow the procedures specified in Chapter 6, Section 2(m) for permit review.
(v) Modifications to BART Permits. Any source seeking to modify the BART determination for that facility must obtain the Administrator's approval.
(vi) Operating Permit Requirements. BART requirements established pursuant to any BART permit issued under this section shall be included in a Chapter 6, Section 3 Operating Permit according to the procedures established in Chapter 6, Section 3.
(vii) Fees. Persons applying for a permit under this section shall pay a fee to cover the Department's cost of reviewing and acting on permit applications in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 2(o).
(viii) Installation of Best Available Retrofit Technology. The owner or operator of any source required to operate under a BART permit issued under Section 9(e)(iii), shall install and operate best available retrofit technology unless an alternative to the installation of BART as specified under Section 9(f) has been approved by the Division. Any control equipment required under a permit issued in this section shall be installed and operating as expeditiously as practicable but in no event later than five years after the United States Environmental Protection Agency's approval of Wyoming's State Implementation Plan revision for Regional Haze.
(ix) Operation and Maintenance of Best Available Retrofit Technology. The owner or operator of a facility required to install best available retrofit technology under Section 9(e)(viii) shall establish procedures to ensure such equipment is properly operated and maintained.
(f) BART Alternative.
(i) The Administrator may implement or require participation in an emissions trading program or other alternative measures developed in accordance with 40 CFR 51.308(e) rather than to require sources subject to BART to install, operate and maintain BART.
(g) Monitoring, Recordkeeping and Reporting. The owner or operator of any existing stationary facility that is required to install best available retrofit technology or an approved BART alternative shall conduct monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting sufficient to show compliance or noncompliance on a continuous basis.
Section 10. [Reserved.]
Section 11. [Reserved.]
Section 12. [Reserved.]
Section 13. Nonattainment new source review permit requirements.
(a) This section applies to new major stationary sources or major modifications to existing major stationary sources located in areas of the state which are designated as nonattainment pursuant to Section 107 of the Clean Air Act for any regulated NSR pollutant.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
"Act" means Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C 7401, et seq.
"Actual emissions" means the actual rate of emissions of a regulated NSR pollutant from an emissions unit, as determined in accordance with paragraphs (i) through (iii) of this definition, except that this definition shall not apply for calculating whether a significant emissions increase has occurred, or for establishing a plantwide applicability limitation (PAL) under paragraph (g)(i) of this section. Instead, the definitions for "Projected actual emissions" and "Baseline actual emissions" of this section shall apply for those purposes.
(i) In general, actual emissions as of a particular date shall equal the average rate, in tons per year, at which the unit actually emitted the pollutant during a consecutive 24-month period which precedes the particular date and which is representative of normal source operation. The Division shall allow the use of a different time period upon a determination that it is more representative of normal source operation. Actual emissions shall be calculated using the unit's actual operating hours, production rates, and types of materials processed, stored, or combusted during the selected time period.
(ii) The Division may presume that source-specific allowable emissions for the unit are equivalent to the actual emissions of the unit.
(iii) For any emissions unit that has not begun normal operations on the particular date, actual emissions shall equal the potential to emit of the unit on that date.
"Administrator" means Administrator of the Division of Air Quality, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"Allowable emissions" means the emission rate of a stationary source calculated using the maximum rated capacity of the source (unless the source is subject to federally enforceable limits which restrict the operating rate or hours of operation, or both) and the most stringent of the following:
(i) Applicable standards set forth in Chapter 5, Section 2 or Section 3 of these regulations and other new source performance standards and national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants promulgated by the EPA but not yet adopted by the State of Wyoming;
(ii) Any other applicable, SIP-approved emission limit, including those with a future compliance date; or
(iii) The emission rate specified as a federally enforceable permit condition, including those with a future compliance date.
"Baseline actual emissions" means the rate of emissions, in tons per year, of a regulated NSR pollutant, as determined in accordance with paragraphs (i) through (iv) of this definition.
(i) For any existing electric utility steam generating unit, baseline actual emissions means the average rate, in tons per year, at which the unit actually emitted the pollutant during any consecutive 24-month period selected by the owner or operator within the 5-year period immediately preceding when the owner or operator begins actual construction of the project. The Division shall allow the use of a different time period upon a determination that it is more representative of normal source operation.
(A) The average rate shall include fugitive emissions to the extent quantifiable, and emissions associated with startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions.
(B) The average rate shall be adjusted downward to exclude any non-compliant emissions that occurred while the source was operating above an emission limitation that was legally enforceable during the consecutive 24-month period.
(C) For a regulated NSR pollutant, when a project involves multiple emissions units, only one consecutive 24-month period must be used to determine the baseline actual emissions for the emissions units being changed. A different consecutive 24-month period can be used for each regulated NSR pollutant.
(D) The average rate shall not be based on any consecutive 24-month period for which there is inadequate information for determining annual emissions, in tons per year, and for adjusting this amount if required by paragraph (i)(B) of this definition.
(ii) For an existing emissions unit (other than an electric utility steam generating unit), baseline actual emissions means the average rate, in tons per year, at which the emissions unit actually emitted the pollutant during any consecutive 24-month period selected by the owner or operator within the 10-year period immediately preceding either the date the owner or operator begins actual construction of the project, or the date a complete permit application is received by the Division for a Chapter 6, Section 13 permit, or under a plan approved by the EPA Administrator, whichever is earlier, except that the 10-year period shall not include any period earlier than November 15, 1990.
(A) The average rate shall include fugitive emissions to the extent quantifiable, and emissions associated with startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions.
(B) The average rate shall be adjusted downward to exclude any non-compliant emissions that occurred while the source was operating above an emission limitation that was legally enforceable during the consecutive 24-month period.
(C) The average rate shall be adjusted downward to exclude any emissions that would have exceeded an emission limitation with which the major stationary source must currently comply, had such major stationary source been required to comply with such limitations during the consecutive 24-month period; however, if an emission limitation is part of a maximum achievable control technology standard that the EPA Administrator proposed or promulgated under 40 CFR 63, the baseline actual emissions need only be adjusted if the Division has taken credit for such emissions reductions in an attainment demonstration or maintenance plan consistent with the requirements of (e)(vii) of this section.
(D) For a regulated NSR pollutant, when a project involves multiple emissions units, only one consecutive 24-month period must be used to determine the baseline actual emissions for the emissions units being changed. A different consecutive 24-month period can be used for each regulated NSR pollutant.
(E) The average rate shall not be based on any consecutive 24-month period for which there is inadequate information for determining annual emissions, in tons per year, and for adjusting this amount if required by paragraphs (ii)(B) and (C) of this definition.
(iii) For a new emissions unit, the baseline actual emissions for purposes of determining the emissions increase that will result from the initial construction and operation of such unit shall equal zero; and thereafter, for all other purposes, shall equal the unit's potential to emit.
(iv) For a PAL for a major stationary source, the baseline actual emissions shall be calculated for existing electric utility steam generating units in accordance with the procedures contained in paragraph (i) of this definition, for other existing emissions units in accordance with the procedures contained in paragraph (ii) of this definition, and for a new emissions unit in accordance with the procedures contained in paragraph (iii) of this definition.
"Begin actual construction" means, in general, initiation of physical on‑site construction activities on an emissions unit which are of a permanent nature. Such activities include, but are not limited to, installation of building supports and foundations, laying of underground pipework, and construction of permanent storage structures. With respect to a change in method of operation this term refers to those onsite activities, other than preparatory activities, which mark the initiation of the change.
"Best available control technology" means an emission limitation (including a visible emission standard) based on the maximum degree of reduction of each pollutant subject to regulation under these Standards and Regulations or regulation under the Act, which would be emitted from or which results from any proposed major stationary source or major modification which the Administrator, on a case‑by‑case basis, taking into account energy, environmental, and economic impacts and other costs, determines is achievable for such source or modification through application of production processes and available methods, systems, and techniques, including fuel cleaning or treatment or innovative fuel combustion techniques for control of such pollutant. If the Administrator determines that technological or economic limitations on the application of measurement methodology to a particular emissions unit would make the imposition of an emission standard infeasible, he may instead prescribe a design, equipment, work practice or operational standard or combination thereof to satisfy the requirement of Best Available Control Technology. Such standard shall, to the degree possible, set forth the emission reduction achievable by implementation of such design, equipment, work practice, or operation and shall provide for compliance by means which achieve equivalent results. Application of BACT shall not result in emissions in excess of those allowed under Chapter 5, Section 2 or Section 3 of these regulations and any other new source performance standard or national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants promulgated by the EPA but not yet adopted by the State of Wyoming.
"Clean coal technology" means any technology, including technologies applied at the precombustion, combustion, or post combustion stage, at a new or existing facility which will achieve significant reduction in air emissions of sulfur dioxide or oxides of nitrogen associated with the utilization of coal in the generation of electricity, or process steam which was not in widespread use as of November 15, 1990.
"Clean coal technology demonstration project" means a project using funds appropriated under the heading "Department of Energy-Clean Coal Technology", up to a total amount of $2,500,000,000 for commercial demonstration of clean coal technology, or similar projects funded through appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency. The Federal contribution for a qualifying project shall be at least 20 percent of the total cost of the demonstration project.
"Commence", as applied to construction of a major stationary source or major modification, means that the owner or operator has obtained a Construction Permit required by Chapter 6, Section 2 and either has (i) begun, or caused to begin, a continuous program of actual on‑site construction of the source, to be completed within a reasonable time or (ii) entered into binding agreements or contractual obligations, which cannot be canceled or modified without substantial loss to the owner or operator, to undertake a program of construction of the source to be completed within a reasonable time.
"Construction" means any physical change or change in the method of operation (including fabrication, erection, installation, demolition, or modification of an emissions unit) which would result in a change in emissions.
"Continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS)" means all of the equipment that may be required to meet the data acquisition and availability requirements of this section, to sample, condition (if applicable), analyze, and provide a record of emissions on a continuous basis.
"Continuous emissions rate monitoring system (CERMS)" means the total equipment required for the determination and recording of the pollutant mass emissions rate (in terms of mass per unit of time).
"Continuous parameter monitoring system (CPMS)" means all of the equipment necessary to meet the data acquisition and availability requirements of this section, to monitor process and control device operational parameters (for example, control device secondary voltages and electric currents) and other information (for example, gas flow rate, O2 or CO2 concentrations), and to record average operational parameter value(s) on a continuous basis.
"Division" means the Air Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"Electric utility steam generating unit" means any steam electric generating unit that is constructed for the purpose of supplying more than one-third of its potential electric output capacity and more than 25 MW electrical output to any utility power distribution system for sale. Any steam supplied to a steam distribution system for the purpose of providing steam to a steam-electric utility steam generator that would produce electrical energy for sale is also considered in determining the electrical energy output capacity of the affected facility.
"Emissions unit" means any part of a stationary source that emits or would have the potential to emit any regulated NSR pollutant and includes an electric utility steam generating unit as defined in this section. For purposes of this section, there are two types of emissions units as described in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this definition.
(i) A new emissions unit is any emissions unit that is (or will be) newly constructed and that has existed for less than 2 years from the date such emissions unit first operated.
(ii) An existing emissions unit is any emissions unit that does not meet the requirements in paragraph (i) of this definition. A replacement unit, as defined in this section, is an existing emissions unit.
"Enforceable" means all limitations and conditions which are enforceable under provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and/or are federally enforceable by the Administrator of the EPA, including those requirements developed pursuant to 40 CFR parts 60 and 61, requirements within the State Implementation Plan, and any permit requirements established pursuant to 40 CFR 52.21 or under regulations approved pursuant to 40 CFR part 51, subpart I, including operating permits issued under Chapter 6, Section 3 of these regulations.
"Federal Land Manager" means, with respect to any lands in the United States, the Secretary of the Department with authority over such lands.
"Fugitive emissions" means those emissions which could not reasonably pass through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening.
"Lowest achievable emission rate (LAER)" means, for any source, the more stringent rate of emissions based on the following:
(i) The most stringent emissions limitation which is contained in the implementation plan of any State for such class or category of stationary source, unless the owner or operator of the proposed stationary source demonstrates that such limitations are not achievable; or
(ii) The most stringent emissions limitation which is achieved in practice by such class or category of stationary sources. This limitation, when applied to a modification, means the lowest achievable emissions rate for the new or modified emissions units within a stationary source. In no event shall the application of the term permit a proposed new or modified stationary source to emit any pollutant in excess of the amount allowable under an applicable new source standard of performance.
"Major modification" means any physical change in or change in the method of operation of a major stationary source that would result in: a significant emissions increase (as defined in the definition for "Significant emissions increase" in this section) of a regulated NSR pollutant (as defined in the definition for "Regulated NSR pollutant" in this section); and a significant net emissions increase of that pollutant from the major stationary source. Any significant emissions increase (as defined in the definition for "Significant emissions increase" in this section) from any emissions units or net emissions increase (as defined in the definition for "Net emissions increase" in this section) at a major stationary source that is significant for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or NOx shall be considered significant for ozone.
(i) A physical change or change in the method of operation shall not include:
(A) Routine maintenance, repair and replacement;
(B) Use of an alternative fuel or raw material by reason of an order in effect under sections 2(a) and (b) of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 (or any superseding legislation), or by reason of a natural gas curtailment plan in effect pursuant to the Federal Power Act;
(C) Use of an alternative fuel by reason of an order under section 125 of the Act;
(D) The use of municipal solid waste as an alternative fuel at a steam generating plant;
(E) Use of an alternative fuel or raw material, if prior to December 21, 1976, the source was capable of accommodating such fuel or material unless such change would be prohibited by, or inconsistent with, an enforceable permit issued by the Division, or if the source is approved to use such fuel or material through an enforceable permit issued under these regulations;
(F) An increase in the hours of operation or in the production rate, if such increase does not exceed the operating design capacity of the major stationary source unless such change would be prohibited by, or inconsistent with, an enforceable permit issued by the Division;
(G) Change in ownership of the stationary source;
(H) The installation, operation, cessation or removal of a temporary clean coal technology demonstration project, provided that the project complies with:
(I) The Wyoming State Implementation Plan; and
(II) Other requirements necessary to attain and maintain the national ambient air quality standards during the project and after it is terminated.
(ii) This definition shall not apply with respect to a particular regulated NSR pollutant when the major stationary source is complying with the requirements under paragraph (g)(i) of this section for a PAL for that pollutant. Instead, the definition in paragraph (g)(i)(B) for "PAL major modification" of this section shall apply.
(iii) For the purposes of applying the requirements of paragraph (f)(i) of this section to modifications at major stationary sources of nitrogen oxides located in ozone nonattainment areas or in ozone transport regions, whether or not subject to subpart 2, part D, title I of the Act, any significant net emissions increase of nitrogen oxides is considered significant for ozone.
(iv) Any physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, a major stationary source of VOCs that results in any increase in emissions of VOCs from any discrete operation, emissions unit, or other pollutant emitting activity at the source shall be considered a significant net emissions increase and a major modification for ozone, if the major stationary source is located in an extreme ozone nonattainment area that is subject to subpart 2, part D, title I of the Act.
"Major stationary source"
(i) Means:
(A) Any stationary source of air pollutants that emits, or has the potential to emit, 100 tons per year or more of any regulated NSR pollutant, except that lower emissions thresholds shall apply in areas subject to subpart 2, subpart 3, or subpart 4 of part D, title I of the Act, according to paragraphs (I) through (VI) below:
(I) 50 tons per year of VOCs in any serious ozone nonattainment area.
(II) 50 tons per year of VOCs in an area within an ozone transport region, except for any severe or extreme ozone nonattainment area.
(III) 25 tons per year of VOCs in any severe ozone nonattainment area.
(IV) 10 tons per year of VOCs in any extreme ozone nonattainment area.
(V) 50 tons per year of carbon monoxide in any serious nonattainment area for carbon monoxide, where stationary sources contribute significantly to carbon monoxide levels in the area (as determined under rules issued by the EPA Administrator).
(VI) 70 tons per year of PM10 in any serious nonattainment area for PM10;
(B) For the purposes of applying the requirements of paragraph (f)(i) of this section to stationary sources of nitrogen oxides located in an ozone nonattainment area or in an ozone transport region, any stationary source which emits, or has the potential to emit, 100 tons per year or more of nitrogen oxides emissions, except that the emission thresholds in paragraphs (I) through (VI) below shall apply in areas subject to subpart 2 of part D, title I of the Act:
(I) 100 tons per year or more of nitrogen oxides in any ozone nonattainment area classified as marginal or moderate.
(II) 100 tons per year or more of nitrogen oxides in any ozone nonattainment area classified as a transitional, submarginal, or incomplete or no data area, when such area is located in an ozone transport region.
(III) 100 tons per year or more of nitrogen oxides in any area designated under section 107(d) of the Act as attainment or unclassifiable for ozone that is located in an ozone transport region.
(IV) 50 tons per year or more of nitrogen oxides in any serious nonattainment area for ozone.
(V) 25 tons per year or more of nitrogen oxides in any severe nonattainment area for ozone.
(VI) 10 tons per year or more of nitrogen oxides in any extreme nonattainment area for ozone; or
(C) Any physical change that would occur at a stationary source not qualifying under paragraphs (i)(A) or (B) of this definition as a major stationary source, if the change would constitute a major stationary source by itself.
(ii) A major stationary source that is major for VOCs shall be considered major for ozone.
(iii) The fugitive emissions of a stationary source shall not be included in determining for any of the purposes of this paragraph whether it is a major stationary source, unless the source belongs to one of the following categories of stationary sources:
coal cleaning plants (with thermal dryers); kraft pulp mills; Portland cement plants; primary zinc smelters; iron and steel mills; primary aluminum ore reduction plants; primary copper smelters; municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 250 tons of refuse per day; hydrofluoric, sulfuric, or nitric acid plants; petroleum refineries; lime plants; phosphate rock processing plants; coke oven batteries; sulfur recovery plants; carbon black plants (furnace process); primary lead smelters; fuel conversion plants; sintering plants; secondary metal production plants; chemical process plants--the term chemical processing plant shall not include ethanol production facilities that produce ethanol by natural fermentation included in NAICS codes 325193 or 312140; fossil-fuel boilers (or combination thereof) totaling more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input; petroleum storage and transfer units with a total storage capacity exceeding 300,000 barrels; taconite ore processing plants; glass fiber processing plants; charcoal production plants; fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants of more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input; and any other stationary source category which, as of August 7, 1980, is being regulated under section 111 or 112 of the Act.
"Net emissions increase" means,
(i) With respect to any regulated NSR pollutant emitted by a major stationary source, the amount by which the sum of the following exceeds zero:
(A) The increase in emissions from a particular physical change or change in the method of operation at a stationary source as calculated pursuant to paragraph (c)(ii)(B) of this section;
(B) Any other increases and decreases in actual emissions at the major stationary source that are contemporaneous with the particular change and are otherwise creditable. Baseline actual emissions for calculating increases and decreases under this paragraph (ii) shall be determined as provided in the definition for "Baseline actual emissions", except that paragraphs (i)(C) and (ii)(D) of the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" shall not apply.
(ii) An increase or decrease in actual emissions is contemporaneous with the increase from the particular change only if it occurs between:
(A) The date five years before construction on the particular change commences; and
(B) The date that the increase from the particular change occurs.
(iii) An increase or decrease in actual emissions is creditable only if:
(A) It occurs within a reasonable period specified by the Division;
(B) The Division has not relied on it in issuing a Chapter 6, Section 13 permit for the source, which is in effect when the increase in actual emissions from the particular change occurs; and
(C) As it pertains to an increase or decrease in fugitive emissions (to the extent quantifiable), it occurs at an emissions unit that is part of one of the source categories listed in paragraph (iii) in the definition of "Major stationary source" of this section or it occurs at an emissions unit that is located at a major stationary source that belongs to one of the listed source categories. Fugitive emission increases or decreases are not creditable for those emissions units located at a facility whose primary activity is not represented by one of the source categories listed in paragraph (iii) in the definition of "Major stationary source" of this section and are not, by themselves, part of a listed source category.
(iv) An increase in actual emissions is creditable only to the extent that the new level of actual emissions exceeds the old level.
(v) A decrease in actual emissions is creditable only to the extent that:
(A) The old level of actual emissions or the old level of allowable emissions, whichever is lower, exceeds the new level of actual emissions;
(B) It is enforceable as a practical matter at and after the time that actual construction on the particular change begins;
(C) The Division has not relied on it in issuing any permits approved pursuant to 40 CFR part 51 subpart I or in demonstrating attainment or reasonable further progress;
(D) It has approximately the same qualitative significance for public health and welfare as that attributed to the increase from the particular change; and
(vi) An increase that results from a physical change at a source occurs when the emissions unit on which construction occurred becomes operational and begins to emit a particular pollutant. Any replacement unit that requires shakedown becomes operational only after a reasonable shakedown period, not to exceed 180 days.
(vii) The definition of "Actual emissions" of this section, shall not apply for determining creditable increases and decreases after a change.
"Potential to emit" means the maximum capacity of a stationary source to emit a pollutant under its physical and operational design. Any physical or operational limitation on the capacity of the source to emit a pollutant, including air pollution control equipment and restrictions on hours of operation or the type or amount of material combusted, stored, or processed, shall be treated as part of its design if the limitation or the affect it would have on emissions is federally enforceable. Secondary emissions do not count in determining the potential to emit of a stationary source.
"Predictive emissions monitoring system (PEMS)" means all of the equipment necessary to monitor process and control device operational parameters (for example, control device secondary voltages and electric currents) and other information (for example, gas flow rate, O2 or CO2 concentrations), and calculate and record the mass emissions rate (for example, lb/hr) on a continuous basis.
"Project" means a physical change in, or change in method of operation of, an existing major stationary source.
"Projected actual emissions" means the maximum annual rate, in tons per year, at which an existing emissions unit is projected to emit a regulated NSR pollutant in any one of the 5 years (12-month period) following the date the unit resumes regular operation after the project, or in any one of the 10 years following that date, if the project involves increasing the emissions unit's design capacity or its potential to emit that regulated NSR pollutant, and full utilization of the unit would result in a significant emissions increase, or a significant net emissions increase at the major stationary source.
(i) In determining the projected actual emissions under the above paragraph of this section (before beginning actual construction), the owner or operator of the major stationary source:
(A) Shall consider all relevant information, including but not limited to, historical operational data, the company's own representations, the company's expected business activity and the company's highest projections of business activity, the company's filings with the State or Federal regulatory authorities, and compliance plans approved by the Division;
(B) Shall include fugitive emissions to the extent quantifiable and emissions associated with startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions; and
(C) Shall exclude, in calculating any increase in emissions that results from the particular project, that portion of the unit's emissions following the project that an existing unit could have accommodated during the consecutive 24-month period used to establish the baseline actual emissions under the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" of this section and that are also unrelated to the particular project, including any increased utilization due to product demand growth; or
(D) In lieu of using the method set out in paragraphs (i)(A) through (C) of this definition, may elect to use the emissions unit's potential to emit, in tons per year, as defined under the definition of "Potential to emit" of this section.
"Regulated NSR pollutant", for purposes of this section, means the following:
(i) Nitrogen oxides or any VOCs.
(ii) Any pollutant for which a national ambient air quality standard has been promulgated.
(iii) Any pollutant identified under this paragraph as a constituent or precursor to a pollutant listed above under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this definition, provided that such constituent or precursor pollutant may only be regulated under NSR as part of regulation of the general pollutant. Precursors identified by the EPA Administrator for purposes of NSR are the following:
(A) VOCs and nitrogen oxides are precursors to ozone in all attainment and unclassifiable areas.
(B) Sulfur dioxide is a precursor to PM2.5 in all PM2.5 nonattainment areas.
(C) Nitrogen oxides are presumed to be precursors to PM2.5 in all nonattainment areas, unless the State demonstrates to the EPA Administrator's satisfaction or EPA demonstrates that emissions of nitrogen oxides from sources in a specific area are not a significant contributor to that area's ambient PM2.5 concentrations.
(D) VOCs and ammonia are presumed not to be precursors to PM2.5 in any nonattainment area, unless the State demonstrates to the EPA Administrator's satisfaction or EPA demonstrates that emissions of VOCs from sources in a specific area are a significant contributor to that area's ambient PM2.5 concentrations.
(iv) PM2.5 emissions and PM10 emissions. PM2.5 emissions and PM10 emissions shall include gaseous emissions from a source or activity which condense to form particulate matter at ambient temperatures. On or after January 1, 2011, such condensable particulate matter shall be accounted for in applicability determinations and in establishing emissions limitations for PM2.5 and PM10 in Chapter 6, Section 13 permits. Compliance with emissions limitations for PM2.5 and PM10 issued prior to this date shall not be based on condensable particulate matter unless required by the terms and conditions of the permit or the applicable implementation plan. Applicability determinations made prior to this date without accounting for condensable particulate matter shall not be considered in violation of this subsection unless the applicable implementation plan required condensable particulate matter to be included.
"Replacement unit" means an emissions unit for which all the criteria listed below in this definition are met. No creditable emission reductions shall be generated from shutting down the existing emissions unit that is replaced.
(i) The emissions unit is a reconstructed unit within the meaning of
40 CFR part 60.15(b)(1), or the emissions unit completely takes the place of an existing emissions unit.
(ii) The emissions unit is identical to or functionally equivalent to the replaced emissions unit.
(iii) The replacement does not change the basic design parameter(s).
(iv) The replaced emissions unit is permanently removed from the major stationary source, otherwise permanently disabled, or permanently barred from operation by a permit that is enforceable as a practical matter. If the replaced emissions unit is brought back into operation, it shall constitute a new emissions unit.
"Reviewing Authority" means Administrator of the Division of Air Quality, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"Secondary emissions" means emissions which would occur as a result of the construction or operation of a major stationary source or major modification, but do not come from the major stationary source or major modification itself. For the purposes of this section, secondary emissions must be specific, well defined, quantifiable, and impact the same general areas as the stationary source or modification which causes the secondary emissions. Secondary emissions include emissions from any offsite support facility which would not be constructed or increase its emissions except as a result of the construction or modification of the major stationary source or major modification. Secondary emissions do not include any emissions which come directly from a mobile source, such as emissions from the tailpipe of a motor vehicle or from a train, or from a vessel.
"Significant" means:
(i) In reference to a net emissions increase or the potential of a source to emit any of the following pollutants, a rate of emissions that would equal or exceed any of the following rates:
POLLUTANT AND EMISSIONS RATE
Carbon monoxide: 100 tons per year (tpy)
Nitrogen oxides: 40 tpy
Sulfur dioxide: 40 tpy
PM10: 15 tpy of PM10 emissions
PM2.5: 10 tpy of direct PM2.5 emissions;
40 tpy of sulfur dioxide emissions;
40 tpy of nitrogen oxide emissions
unless demonstrated not to be a PM2.5 precursor under the definition
of "Regulated NSR pollutant" in this section
Ozone: 40 tpy of VOCs or nitrogen oxides
Lead: 0.6 tpy
(ii) Notwithstanding the significant emissions rate for ozone in paragraph (i) of this definition, "significant" means, in reference to an emissions increase or a net emissions increase, any increase in actual emissions of VOCs that would result from any physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, a major stationary source locating in a serious or severe nonattainment area that is subject to subpart 2, part D, title I of the Act, if such emissions increase of VOCs exceeds 25 tons per year.
(iii) For the purpose of applying the requirements of paragraph f(i) of this section to modifications at major stationary sources of nitrogen oxides located in an ozone nonattainment area or in an ozone transport region, the significant emission rates and other requirements for VOCs in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (v) of this definition shall apply to nitrogen oxide emissions.
(iv) Notwithstanding the significant emissions rate for carbon monoxide under paragraph (i) of this definition, "significant" means, in reference to an emissions increase or net emissions increase, any increase in actual emissions of carbon monoxide that would result from any physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, a major stationary source in a serious area for carbon monoxide if such increase equals or exceeds 50 tons per year, provided the EPA Administrator has determined that stationary sources contribute significantly to carbon monoxide levels in the area.
(v) Notwithstanding the significant emission rates for ozone under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this definition, any increase in actual emissions of VOCs from any emissions unit at a major stationary source of VOCs located in an extreme ozone nonattainment area that is subject to subpart 2, part D, title I of the Act shall be considered a significant net emissions increase.
"Significant emissions increase" means, for a regulated NSR pollutant, an increase in emissions that is significant (according to the definition of "Significant" in this section) for that pollutant.
"Stationary source" means any structure, building, facility, equipment, installation or operation (or combination thereof) which emits or may emit any air pollutant subject to these regulations or regulations under the Act.
"Structure, building, facility, equipment, installation, or operation" means all of the pollutant-emitting activities which belong to the same industrial grouping, are located on one or more contiguous or adjacent properties, and are under the control of the same person (or persons under common control) except the activities of any vessel. Pollutant-emitting activities shall be considered as part of the same industrial grouping if they belong to the same Major Group (i.e., which have the same two-digit code) as described in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1972, as amended by the 1977 Supplement (U.S. Government Printing Office stock numbers 4101-0065 and 003-005-00176-0, respectively).
"Temporary clean coal technology demonstration project" means a clean coal technology demonstration project that is operated for a period of 5 years or less, and which complies with the Wyoming State Implementation Plan and other requirements necessary to attain and maintain the national ambient air quality standards during the project and after it is terminated.
"Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)" is defined in Chapter 3, Section 6(a) of these regulations.
(c) Non-attainment New Source Review (NNSR) Permit Required.
(i) New major stationary sources or major modifications to existing major stationary sources must obtain an NNSR permit before beginning actual construction if they are located in an area designated nonattainment for any national ambient air quality standard if the source is major for the pollutant for which the area is designated nonattainment. Notwithstanding the source category-based exemptions set forth under Chapter 6, Section 2(k), any new major stationary facility or major stationary source undergoing a major modification under this Section will not be granted any of the Section 2(k) exemptions.
(ii) Except as provided by a PAL under paragraph (g) of this section, a proposed project is considered a major modification (as defined in the definition for "Major modification" in Section 13(b)) to an existing major source if the proposed project meets the criteria outlined in paragraphs in Section 13(c)(ii)(A) through (E) below:
(A) A project is a major modification for a regulated NSR pollutant if it causes two types of emissions increases--a significant emissions increase (as defined in the definition for "Significant emissions increase" in Section 13(b)), and a significant net emissions increase (as defined in the definitions for "Significant emissions increase", "Net emissions increase" and "Significant" in Section 13(b)). The project is not a major modification if it does not cause a significant emissions increase. If the project causes a significant emissions increase, then the project is a major modification only if it also results in a significant net emissions increase.
(B) The procedure for calculating (before beginning actual construction) whether a significant emissions increase (i.e., the first step of the process) will occur depends upon the type of emissions units being modified, according to paragraphs (C) through (E) below. The procedure for calculating (before beginning actual construction) whether a significant net emissions increase will occur at the major stationary source (i.e., the second step of the process) is contained in the definition for "Net emissions increase" in Section 13(b). Regardless of any such preconstruction projections, a major modification results if the project causes a significant emissions increase and a significant net emissions increase.
(C) Actual-to-projected-actual applicability test for projects that only involve existing emissions units. A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the difference between the projected actual emissions (as defined in the definition for "Projected actual emissions" in Section 13(b)) and the baseline actual emissions (as defined in the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" in Section 13(b), as applicable), for each existing emissions unit, equals or exceeds the significant amount for that pollutant (as defined in the definition for "Significant" in Section 13(b)).
(D) Actual-to-potential test for projects that only involve construction of a new emissions unit(s). A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the difference between the potential to emit (as defined in the definition for "Potential to emit" in Section 13(b)) from each new emissions unit following completion of the project and the baseline actual emissions (as defined in the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" in Section 13(b)) of these units before the project equals or exceeds the significant amount for that pollutant (as defined in the definition for "Significant" in Section 13(b)).
(E) Hybrid test for projects that involve multiple types of emissions units. A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the emissions increases for each emissions unit, using the method specified in paragraphs (C) through (D) above as applicable with respect to each emissions unit, for each type of emissions unit equals or exceeds the significant amount for that pollutant (as defined in the definition for "Significant" in Section 13(b)).
(d) NNSR Permit.
(i) Requirements for construction or modification of a source specified under Chapter 6, Section 2 of these regulations shall apply.
(ii) The following specific provisions apply to projects at existing emissions units at a major stationary source (other than projects at a source with a PAL) in circumstances where the owner or operator elects to use the method specified in paragraphs (i)(A) through (C) of the definition for "Projected actual emissions" for calculating projected actual emissions.
(A) Before beginning actual construction of the project, the owner or operator shall document and maintain a record of the following information:
(I) A description of the project;
(II) Identification of the emissions unit(s) whose emissions of a regulated NSR pollutant could be affected by the project; and
(III) A description of the applicability test used to determine that the project is not a major modification for any regulated NSR pollutant, including the baseline actual emissions, the projected actual emissions, the amount of emissions excluded under paragraph (i)(C) of the definition for "Projected actual emissions" in Section 13(b) and an explanation for why such amount was excluded, and any netting calculations, if applicable.
(B) Before beginning actual construction, the owner or operator shall provide the information set out in paragraph (d)(ii)(A) of this section to the Division as a Chapter 6, Section 2 permit application.
(C) The owner or operator shall monitor the emissions of
any regulated NSR pollutant that could increase as a result of the project and that is emitted by any emissions unit identified in paragraph (d)(ii)(A)(II) of this section; and calculate and maintain a record of the annual emissions, in tons per year on a calendar year basis, for a period of 5 years following resumption of regular operations after the change, or for a period of 10 years following resumption of regular operations after the change if the project increases the design capacity or potential to emit of that regulated NSR pollutant at such emissions unit.
(D) The owner or operator shall submit a report to the Division within 60 days after the end of each year during which records must be generated under paragraph (d)(ii)(C) of this section setting out the unit's annual emissions during the calendar year that preceded submission of the report.
(iii) The owner or operator of the source shall make the information required to be documented and maintained pursuant to paragraph (d)(ii) of this section available for review upon request for inspection by the Division or the general public pursuant to the requirements contained in 40 CFR 70.4(b)(3)(viii).
(iv) All requirements for construction or modification of a major source listed under 40 CFR 51, Appendix S, Section IV (A) shall apply. Notwithstanding the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2(c)(v), the BACT analysis requirement is hereby superseded by the Appendix S, Section IV(A), Condition 1, LAER analysis requirement.
(v) Approval to construct does not relieve an owner or operator of the responsibility to comply with applicable provisions of this section, the Act or any other requirements under local, state or federal law.
(vi) At such time that a particular source or modification becomes a major stationary source or major modification solely by virtue of a relaxation in any enforceable limitation which was established after August 7, 1980 on the capacity of the source or modification otherwise to emit a pollutant, then all the provisions of Chapter 6, Section 2 and 13 shall apply to the source or modification as though construction had not yet commenced on the source or modification.
(e) Determining Credit for Emission Offsets. The baseline for determining credit for emission offsets is the emission limit in effect at the time the application to construct is filed, except that the offset baseline is the actual emission of the unit from which offset credit is obtained if the demonstration of reasonable further progress and attainment of ambient air quality standards is based upon the actual emission of sources located within a designated nonattainment area; or if there is no applicable emission limit. In determining credit for emission offsets, the following criteria shall be met:
(i) If the emissions limit allows greater emissions than the potential to emit of the unit, the emission offset credit is allowed only for the control below the potential to emit of the unit;
(ii) For an existing fuel combustion unit, credit shall be based on the emission limit for the type of fuel being burned at the time the application to construct is filed. If the existing source agrees to switch to a cleaner fuel at some future date, emission offset credits based on the allowable or actual emissions for the fuels involved may be allowed only if permit conditions specify an alternative control measure that would achieve the same degree of emission reduction if the source switched back to the dirtier fuel at some later date. The owner or operator will submit a demonstration to ensure that adequate long-term supplies of the new fuel are available before the Division grants emission offset credit for fuel switches;
(iii) Emission reductions achieved by shutting down an existing unit or curtailing production or operating hours below baseline levels may be credited if the reductions are surplus, permanent, quantifiable, federally enforceable, and the area has a federally-approved attainment plan. In addition, the shutdown or curtailed production must occur after August 7, 1977, or less than one year before the date of submitting the permit application, whichever is earlier. Emission reductions may be credited in the absence of a federally-approved attainment plan if the shutdown or curtailment occurred on or after the date the application is filed for a new unit or if the applicant can establish that the proposed new unit is a replacement for the shutdown or curtailed unit, and the shutdown or curtailment occurred after August 7, 1977, or less than one year before the date of submitting the permit application, whichever is earlier;
(iv) Emission offset credit may not be allowed for replacing one hydrocarbon compound with another of lesser reactivity except for those compounds listed in Table 1 of EPA's "Recommended Policy on Control of Volatile Organic Compounds" (42 FR 35314, July 8, 1977);
(v) All emission reductions claimed as offset credit must be federally enforceable;
(vi) The permissible location of offsetting emissions shall be conducted in accordance with 40 CFR 51, Appendix S, section IV. D;
(vii) Credit for emissions reduction may be claimed to the extent that the Division has not relied on it in issuing a permit or in its demonstration of attainment or reasonable further progress;
(viii) The total tonnage of increased emissions, in tons per year, resulting from a major modification that must be offset shall be determined by summing the difference between the allowable emissions after the modification and the actual emissions before the modification for each emission unit;
(ix) External offsets or those emission limitations from sources not owned, operated, or controlled by an applicant for a permit shall be made through a revision of the permit conditions of the participating source or sources. At no time may the baseline be exceeded;
(x) The offset ratio of total actual emissions reductions to the emissions increase shall be at least 1 to 1 unless an alternative ratio is provided in accordance with the ozone nonattainment offset requirements listed below in (x)(A) through (D):
(A) The Administrator may impose an alternative ratio that is more stringent than the applicable numerical ratios listed in (B) through (D).
(B) For ozone nonattainment areas subject to subpart 2, part D, title I of the Act, the ratio of total actual emissions reductions of VOCs to the emission increase of VOCs shall be as follows:
(I) In any marginal nonattainment area for ozone--at least 1.1:1;
(II) In any moderate nonattainment area for ozone--at least 1.15:1;
(III) In any serious nonattainment area for ozone--at least 1.2:1;
(IV) In any severe nonattainment area for ozone--at least 1.3:1 (except that the ratio may be at least 1.2:1 if the approved State Implementation Plan also requires all existing major sources in such nonattainment area to use BACT for the control of VOCs); and
(V) In any extreme nonattainment area for ozone--at least 1.5:1 (except that the ratio may be at least 1.2:1 if the approved State Implementation Plan also requires all existing major sources in such nonattainment area to use BACT for the control of VOCs).
(C) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (x)(A) of this section, the ratio of total actual emissions reductions of VOCs to the emissions increase of VOCs shall be at least 1.15:1 for all areas within an ozone transport region that is subject to subpart 2, part D, title I of the Act, except for serious, severe and extreme nonattainment areas that are subject to subpart 2, part D, title I of the Act.
(D) For ozone nonattainment areas subject to subpart 1, part D, title I of the Act (but are not subject to subpart 2, part D, title I of the Act, including 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas subject to 40 CFR 51.902(b)), the ratio of total actual emissions reductions of VOCs to the emission increase of VOCs shall be at least 1:1.
(f) Application in ozone, PM10, and PM2.5 nonattainment areas
(i) Requirements of this section which apply to major stationary sources and major modifications of VOCs shall also apply to nitrogen oxides emissions from major stationary sources and major modifications of nitrogen oxides in an ozone transport region or in any ozone nonattainment area, except in ozone nonattainment areas or portions of an ozone transport region where the EPA Administrator has granted a NOx waiver applying the standards set forth under section 182(f) of the Act and the waiver continues to apply.
(ii) Except as provided under paragraph f(iii) below, requirements of this section which apply to major stationary sources and major modifications of PM10 shall also apply to major stationary sources and major modifications of PM10 precursors, except where the EPA Administrator determines that such sources do not contribute significantly to PM10 levels that exceed the PM10 ambient standards in the area.
(iii) Requirements of this section shall not apply in the Sheridan PM10 nonattainment area, where a major source construction ban is in place per the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2(c)(ii)(B) of these regulations.
(iv) In meeting the requirements of Section 13(e), the emission offsets obtained shall be for the same regulated NSR pollutant, with the following exception provided for PM2.5. Direct PM2.5 emissions or emissions of precursors of PM2.5 may be offset by direct PM2.5 emissions or any PM2.5 precursors identified in the definition for "Regulated NSR pollutant" in Section 13(b) if such offsets comply with the interprecursor trading hierarchy and ratio established in the Wyoming State Implementation Plan.
(g) Actuals Plantwide Applicability Limitations (PALs).
(i) The Division may approve the use of an actuals PAL for any existing major stationary source if the PAL meets the requirements specified in paragraphs (g)(i)(A) through (O) of this section.
(A) Applicability.
(I) The term "PAL" shall mean "actuals PAL" throughout subsection (g)(i). The Division will not allow an actuals PAL for VOC or NOx for any major stationary source located in an extreme ozone nonattainment area.
(II) Any physical change in or change in the method of operation of a major stationary source that maintains its total source-wide emissions below the PAL level, meets the requirements in paragraphs (g)(i)(A) through (O) of this section, and complies with the PAL permit:
(1.) Is not a major modification for the PAL pollutant;
(2.) Does not have to be approved through a Chapter 6, Section 13 permit; and
(3.) Is not subject to the provisions in paragraph (d)(vi) of this section (restrictions on relaxing enforceable emission limitations that the major stationary source used to avoid applicability of Chapter 6, Section 13).
(III) Except as provided under paragraph (g)(i)(A)(II)(3.) of this section, a major stationary source shall continue to comply with all applicable Federal or State of Wyoming requirements, emission limitations, and work practice requirements that were established prior to the effective date of the PAL.
(B) Definitions. The following definitions shall be used for actuals PALs consistent with paragraphs (g)(i)(A) through (O) of this section. When a term is not defined in the paragraphs below, it shall have the meaning given in paragraph (b) of this section, or in the Act.
"Actuals PAL for a major stationary source" means a PAL based on the baseline actual emissions (as defined in the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" in Section 13(b)) of all emissions units (as defined in the definition for "Emission Unit" in Section 13(b)) at the source, that emit or have the potential to emit the PAL pollutant.
"Allowable emissions" has the same meaning as in the definition for "Allowable emissions" in Section 13(b), except as this definition is modified according to paragraphs (I) and (II) of this definition.
(I) The allowable emissions for any emissions unit shall be calculated considering any emission limitations that are enforceable as a practical matter on the emissions unit's potential to emit.
(II) An emissions unit's potential to emit shall be determined using the definition of "Potential to emit" in Section 13(b), except that the words "or enforceable as a practical matter" should be added after "federally enforceable".
"Major emissions unit" means:
(I) Any emissions unit that emits or has the potential to emit 100 tons per year or more of the PAL pollutant in an attainment area; or
(II) Any emissions unit that emits or has the potential to emit the PAL pollutant in an amount that is equal to or greater than the major source threshold for the PAL pollutant as defined by the Act for nonattainment areas. (For example, in accordance with the definition of major stationary source in section 182(c) of the Act, an emissions unit would be a major emissions unit for VOCs if the emissions unit is located in a serious ozone nonattainment area and it emits or has the potential to emit 50 or more tons of VOCs per year.)
"PAL effective date" generally means the date of issuance of the PAL permit; however, the PAL effective date for an increased PAL is the date any emissions unit that is part of the PAL major modification becomes operational and begins to emit the PAL pollutant.
"PAL effective period" means the period beginning with the PAL effective date and ending 10 years later.
"PAL major modification" means, notwithstanding the definitions for "Major modification" and "Net emissions increase" in Section 13(b), any physical change in or change in the method of operation of the PAL source that causes it to emit the PAL pollutant at a level equal to or greater than the PAL.
"PAL permit" means the Chapter 6, Section 2 and Section 13 permit issued by the Division that establishes a PAL for a major stationary source.
"PAL pollutant" means the pollutant for which a PAL is established at a major stationary source.
"Plantwide applicability limitation (PAL)" means an emission limitation expressed in tons per year, for a pollutant at a major stationary source, that is enforceable as a practical matter and established source-wide in accordance with paragraphs (g)(i)(A) through (O) of this section.
"Significant emissions unit" means an emissions unit that emits or has the potential to emit a PAL pollutant in an amount that is equal to or greater than the significant level (as defined in the definition for "Significant" in Section 13(b) or in the Act, whichever is lower) for that PAL pollutant, but less than the amount that would qualify the unit as a "Major emissions unit" as defined in this section.
"Small emissions unit" means an emissions unit that emits or has the potential to emit the PAL pollutant in an amount less than the significant level for that PAL pollutant, as defined in the definition for "Significant" in Section 13(b) or in the Act, whichever is lower.
(C) Permit Application Requirements. As part of a permit application requesting a PAL, the owner or operator of a major stationary source shall submit the following information in paragraphs (g)(i)(C)(I) through (III) of this section to the Division for approval:
(I) A list of all emissions units at the source designated as small, significant or major based on their potential to emit. In addition, the owner or operator of the source shall indicate which, if any, Federal or State of Wyoming applicable requirements, emission limitations, or work practices apply to each unit;
(II) Calculations of the baseline actual emissions (with supporting documentation). Baseline actual emissions are to include emissions associated not only with operation of the unit, but also emissions associated with startup, shutdown, and malfunction; and
(III) The calculation procedures that the major stationary source owner or operator proposes to use to convert the monitoring system data to monthly emissions and annual emissions based on a 12-month rolling total for each month as required by paragraph (g)(i)(M)(I) of this section.
(D) General Requirements for Establishing PALs.
(I) The Division may establish a PAL at a major stationary source, provided that at a minimum, the requirements in paragraphs (g)(i)(D)(I)(1.) through (7.) of this section are met.
(1.) The PAL shall impose an annual emission limitation in tons per year, that is enforceable as a practical matter, for the entire major stationary source. For each month during the PAL effective period after the first 12 months of establishing a PAL, the major stationary source owner or operator shall show that the sum of the monthly emissions from each emissions unit under the PAL for the previous 12 consecutive months is less than the PAL (a 12-month average, rolled monthly). For each month during the first 11 months from the PAL effective date, the major stationary source owner or operator shall show that the sum of the preceding monthly emissions from the PAL effective date for each emissions unit under the PAL is less than the PAL.
(2.) The PAL shall be established in a PAL permit that meets the public participation requirements in paragraph (g)(i)(E) of this section.
(3.) The PAL permit shall contain all the requirements of paragraph (g)(i)(G) of this section.
(4.) The PAL shall include fugitive emissions, to the extent quantifiable, from all emissions units that emit or have the potential to emit the PAL pollutant at the major stationary source.
(5.) Each PAL shall regulate emissions of only one pollutant.
(6.) Each PAL shall have a PAL effective period of 10 years.
(7.) The owner or operator of the major stationary source with a PAL shall comply with the monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements provided in paragraphs (g)(i)(L) through (N) of this section for each emissions unit under the PAL through the PAL effective period.
(II) At no time (during or after the PAL effective period) are emissions reductions of a PAL pollutant that occur during the PAL effective period creditable as decreases for purposes of offsets under paragraph (e) of this section unless the level of the PAL is reduced by the amount of such emissions reductions and such reductions would be creditable in the absence of the PAL.
(E) Public Participation Requirements for PALs. PALs for existing major stationary sources shall be established, renewed, or increased, through a procedure that is consistent with Chapter 6, Section 2. This includes the requirement that the Division provide the public with notice of the proposed approval of a PAL permit and at least a 30-day period for submittal of public comment. The Division must address all material comments before taking final action on the permit.
(F) Setting the 10-Year Actuals PAL Level.
(I) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(i)(F)(II) of this section, the actuals PAL level for a major stationary source shall be established as the sum of the baseline actual emissions (as defined in the definition for "Baseline actual emissions" in Section 13(b)) of the PAL pollutant for each emissions unit at the source; plus an amount equal to the applicable significant level for the PAL pollutant under the definition of "Significant" in Section 13(b) or under the Act, whichever is lower. When establishing the actuals PAL level, for a PAL pollutant, only one consecutive 24-month period must be used to determine the baseline actual emissions for all existing emissions units; however, a different consecutive 24-month period may be used for each different PAL pollutant. Emissions associated with units that were permanently shut down after this 24-month period must be subtracted from the PAL level. The Division shall specify a reduced PAL level(s) (in tons/yr) in the PAL permit to become effective on the future compliance date(s) of any applicable Federal or State of Wyoming regulatory requirement(s) that the Division is aware of prior to issuance of the PAL permit. For instance, if the source owner or operator will be required to reduce emissions from industrial boilers in half from baseline emissions of 60 ppm NOx to a new rule limit of 30 ppm, then the permit shall contain a future effective PAL level that is equal to the current PAL level reduced by half of the original baseline emissions of such unit(s).
(II) For newly constructed units (which do not include modifications to existing units) on which actual construction began after the 24-month period, in lieu of adding the baseline actual emissions as specified in paragraph (g)(i)(F)(I) of this section, the emissions must be added to the PAL level in an amount equal to the potential to emit of the units.
(G) Contents of the PAL Permit. The PAL permit shall contain, at a minimum, the information in paragraphs (g)(i)(G)(I) through (X) of this section.
(I) The PAL pollutant and the applicable source-wide emission limitation in tons per year;
(II) The PAL permit effective date and the expiration date of the PAL (PAL effective period);
(III) Specification in the PAL permit that if a major stationary source owner or operator applies to renew a PAL in accordance with paragraph (g)(i)(J) of this section before the end of the PAL effective period, then the PAL shall not expire at the end of the PAL effective period. It shall remain in effect until a revised PAL permit is issued by the Division;
(IV) A requirement that emission calculations for compliance purposes include emissions from startups, shutdowns and malfunctions;
(V) A requirement that, once the PAL expires, the major stationary source is subject to the requirements of paragraph (g)(i)(I) of this section;
(VI) The calculation procedures that the major stationary source owner or operator shall use to convert the monitoring system data to monthly emissions and annual emissions based on a 12-month rolling total for each month as required by paragraph (g)(i)(C)(III) of this section;
(VII) A requirement that the major stationary source owner or operator monitor all emissions units in accordance with the provisions under paragraph (g)(i)(M) of this section;
(VIII) A requirement to retain the records required under paragraph (g)(i)(M) of this section on site. Such records may be retained in an electronic format;
(IX) A requirement to submit the reports required under paragraph (g)(i)(N) of this section by the required deadlines; and
(X) Any other requirements that the Division deems necessary to implement and enforce the PAL.
(H) PAL Effective Period and Reopening of the PAL Permit.
(I) PAL Effective Period. The PAL effective period shall be 10 years.
(II) Reopening of the PAL Permit.
(1.) During the PAL effective period, the Division shall reopen the PAL permit to:
a. Correct typographical/calculation errors made in setting the PAL or reflect a more accurate determination of emissions used to establish the PAL;
b. Reduce the PAL if the owner or operator of the major stationary source creates creditable emissions reductions for use as offsets under Section 13(e); and
c. Revise the PAL to reflect an increase in the PAL as provided under paragraph (g)(i)(K) of this section.
(2.) The Division may reopen the PAL permit for the following:
a. Reduce the PAL to reflect newly applicable Federal requirements (for example, NSPS) with compliance dates after the PAL effective date;
b. Reduce the PAL consistent with any other requirement, that is enforceable as a practical matter, and that the Division may impose on the major stationary source; and
c. Reduce the PAL if the Division determines that a reduction is necessary to avoid causing or contributing to a NAAQS or PSD increment violation, or to an adverse impact on an AQRV that has been identified for a Federal Class I Area by a Federal Land Manager and for which information is available to the general public.
(3.) Except for the permit reopening in paragraph (g)(i)(H)(II)(1.)a. of this section for the correction of typographical/calculation errors that do not increase the PAL level, all reopenings shall be carried out in accordance with the public participation requirements of paragraph (g)(i)(E) of this section.
(I) Expiration of a PAL. Any PAL that is not renewed in accordance with the procedures in paragraph (g)(i)(J) of this section shall expire at the end of the PAL effective period, and the requirements in paragraphs (g)(i)(I)(I) through (V) of this section shall apply.
(I) Each emissions unit (or each group of emissions units) that existed under the PAL shall comply with an allowable emission limitation under a revised permit established according to the procedures in paragraphs (g)(i)(I)(I)(1.) and (2.) of this section.
(1.) Within the time frame specified for PAL renewals in paragraph (g)(i)(J)(II) of this section, the major stationary source shall submit a proposed allowable emission limitation for each emissions unit (or each group of emissions units, if such a distribution is more appropriate as decided by the Division) by distributing the PAL-allowable emissions for the major stationary source among each of the emissions units that existed under the PAL. If the PAL had not yet been adjusted for an applicable requirement that became effective during the PAL effective period, as required under paragraph (g)(i)(J)(V) of this section, such distribution shall be made as if the PAL had been adjusted.
(2.) The Division shall decide whether and how the PAL-allowable emissions will be distributed and issue a revised permit incorporating allowable limits for each emissions unit, or each group of emissions units, as the Division determines is appropriate.
(II) Each emissions unit(s) shall comply with the allowable emission limitation on a 12-month rolling basis. The Division may approve the use of monitoring systems (source testing, emission factors, etc.) other than CEMS, CERMS, PEMS or CPMS to demonstrate compliance with the allowable emission limitation.
(III) Until the Division issues the revised permit incorporating allowable limits for each emissions unit, or each group of emissions units, as required under paragraph (g)(i)(I)(I)(2.) of this section, the source shall continue to comply with a source-wide, multi-unit emissions cap equivalent to the level of the PAL emission limitation.
(IV) Any physical change or change in the method of operation at the major stationary source will be subject to Chapter 6, Section 13 requirements if such change meets the definition of "Major modification" in Section 13(b).
(V) The major stationary source owner or operator shall continue to comply with any State of Wyoming or Federal applicable requirements (BACT, RACT, NSPS, etc.) that may have applied either during the PAL effective period or prior to the PAL effective period except for those emission limitations that had been established pursuant to paragraph (d)(vi) of this section, but were eliminated by the PAL in accordance with the provisions in paragraph (g)(i)(A)(II)(3.) of this section.
(J) Renewal of a PAL.
(I) The Division shall follow the procedures specified in paragraph (g)(i)(E) of this section in approving any request to renew a PAL for a major stationary source, and shall provide both the proposed PAL level and a written rationale for the proposed PAL level to the public for review and comment. During such public review, any person may propose a PAL level for the source for consideration by the Division.
(II) Application Deadline. A major stationary source owner or operator shall submit a timely application to the Division to request renewal of a PAL. A timely application is one that is submitted at least 6 months prior to, but not earlier than 18 months from, the date of permit expiration. This deadline for application submittal is to ensure that the permit will not expire before the permit is renewed. If the owner or operator of a major stationary source submits a complete application to renew the PAL within this time period, then the PAL shall continue to be effective until the revised permit with the renewed PAL is issued.
(III) Application Requirements. The application to renew a PAL permit shall contain the information required in paragraphs (g)(i)(J)(III)(1.) through (4.) of this section.
(1.) The information required in paragraphs (g)(i)(C)(I) through (III) of this section;
(2.) A proposed PAL level;
(3.) The sum of the potential to emit of all emissions units under the PAL (with supporting documentation); and
(4.) Any other information the owner or operator wishes the Division to consider in determining the appropriate level for renewing the PAL.
(IV) PAL Adjustment. In determining whether and how to adjust the PAL, the Division shall consider the options outlined in paragraphs (g)(i)(J)(IV)(1.) and (2.) of this section; however, in no case may any such adjustment fail to comply with paragraph (g)(i)(J)(IV)(3.) of this section.
(1.) If the emissions level calculated in accordance with paragraph (g)(i)(F) of this section is equal to or greater than 80 percent of the PAL level, the Division may renew the PAL at the same level without considering the factors set forth in paragraph (g)(i)(J)(IV)(2.) of this section; or
(2.) The Division may set the PAL at a level that it determines to be more representative of the source's baseline actual emissions, or that it determines to be appropriate considering air quality needs, advances in control technology, anticipated economic growth in the area, desire to reward or encourage the source's voluntary emissions reductions, or other factors as specifically identified by the Division in its written rationale.
(3.) Notwithstanding paragraphs (g)(i)(J)(IV)(1.) and (2.) of this section:
a. If the potential to emit of the major stationary source is less than the PAL, the Division shall adjust the PAL to a level no greater than the potential to emit of the source; and
b. The Division shall not approve a renewed PAL level higher than the current PAL, unless the major stationary source has complied with the provisions of paragraph (g)(i)(K) of this section (increasing a PAL).
(V) If the compliance date for a State of Wyoming or Federal requirement that applies to the PAL source occurs during the PAL effective period, and if the Division has not already adjusted for such requirement, the PAL shall be adjusted at the time of PAL permit renewal or Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit renewal, whichever occurs first.
(K) Increasing a PAL During the PAL Effective Period.
(I) The Division may increase a PAL emission limitation only if the major stationary source complies with the provisions in paragraphs (g)(i)(K)(I)(1.) through (4.) of this section.
(1.) The owner or operator of the major stationary source shall submit a complete application to request an increase in the PAL limit for a PAL major modification. Such application shall identify the emissions unit(s) contributing to the increase in emissions so as to cause the major stationary source's emissions to equal or exceed its PAL.
(2.) As part of this application, the major stationary source owner or operator shall demonstrate that the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the small emissions units, plus the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the significant and major emissions units assuming application of BACT equivalent controls, plus the sum of the allowable emissions of the new or modified emissions unit(s), exceeds the PAL. The level of control that would result from BACT equivalent controls on each significant or major emissions unit shall be determined by conducting a new BACT analysis at the time the application is submitted, unless the emissions unit is currently required to comply with a BACT or LAER requirement that was established within the preceding 10 years. In such a case, the assumed control level for that emissions unit shall be equal to the level of BACT or LAER with which that emissions unit must currently comply.
(3.) The owner or operator obtains a Chapter 6, Section 4 permit for all emissions unit(s) identified in paragraph (g)(i)(K)(I)(1.) of this section, regardless of the magnitude of the emissions increase resulting from them (that is, no significant levels apply). These emissions unit(s) shall comply with any emissions requirements resulting from the Chapter 6, Section 13 process (for example, LAER), even though they have also become subject to the PAL or continue to be subject to the PAL.
(4.) The PAL permit shall require that the increased PAL level shall be effective on the day any emissions unit that is part of the PAL major modification becomes operational and begins to emit the PAL pollutant.
(II) The Division shall calculate the new PAL as the sum of the allowable emissions for each modified or new emissions unit, plus the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the significant and major emissions units (assuming application of BACT equivalent controls as determined in accordance with paragraph (g)(i)(K)(I)(2.) of this section), plus the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the small emissions units.
(III) The PAL permit shall be revised to reflect the increased PAL level pursuant to the public notice requirements of paragraph (g)(i)(E) of this section.
(L) Monitoring Requirements for PALs.
(I) General Requirements.
(1.) Each PAL permit must contain enforceable requirements for the monitoring system that accurately determines plantwide emissions of the PAL pollutant in terms of mass per unit of time. Any monitoring system authorized for use in the PAL permit must be based on sound science and meet generally acceptable scientific procedures for data quality and manipulation. Additionally, the information generated by such system must meet minimum legal requirements for admissibility in a judicial proceeding to enforce the PAL permit.
(2.) The PAL monitoring system must employ one or more of the four general monitoring approaches meeting the minimum requirements set forth in paragraphs (g)(i)(L)(II)(1.) through (4.) of this section and must be approved by the Division.
(3.) Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(i)(L)(I)(2.) of this section, an alternative monitoring approach that meets paragraph (g)(i)(L)(I)(1.) of this section may be employed if approved by the Division.
(4.) Failure to use a monitoring system that meets the requirements of this section renders the PAL invalid.
(II) Minimum Performance Requirements for Approved Monitoring Approaches. The following are acceptable general monitoring approaches when conducted in accordance with the minimum requirements in paragraphs (g)(i)(L)(III) through (IX) of this section:
(1.) Mass balance calculations for activities using coatings or solvents;
(2.) CEMS;
(3.) CPMS or PEMS; and
(4.) Emission factors.
(III) Mass Balance Calculations. An owner or operator using mass balance calculations to monitor PAL pollutant emissions from activities using coating or solvents shall meet the following requirements:
(1.) Provide a demonstrated means of validating the published content of the PAL pollutant that is contained in or created by all materials used in or at the emissions unit;
(2.) Assume that the emissions unit emits all of the PAL pollutant that is contained in or created by any raw material or fuel used in or at the emissions unit, if it cannot otherwise be accounted for in the process; and
(3.) Where the vendor of a material or fuel, which is used in or at the emissions unit, publishes a range of pollutant content from such material, the owner or operator must use the highest value of the range to calculate the PAL pollutant emissions unless the Division determines there is site-specific data or a site-specific monitoring program to support another content within the range.
(IV) CEMS. An owner or operator using CEMS to monitor PAL pollutant emissions shall meet the following requirements:
(1.) CEMS must comply with applicable Performance Specifications found in 40 CFR part 60, Appendix B; and
(2.) CEMS must sample, analyze, and record data at least every 15 minutes while the emissions unit is operating.
(V) CPMS or PEMS. An owner or operator using CPMS or PEMS to monitor PAL pollutant emissions shall meet the following requirements:
(1.) The CPMS or the PEMS must be based on current site-specific data demonstrating a correlation between the monitored parameter(s) and the PAL pollutant emissions across the range of operation of the emissions unit; and
(2.) Each CPMS or PEMS must sample, analyze, and record data at least every 15 minutes, or at another less frequent interval approved by the Division, while the emissions unit is operating.
(VI) Emission Factors. An owner or operator using emission factors to monitor PAL pollutant emissions shall meet the following requirements:
(1.) All emission factors shall be adjusted, if appropriate, to account for the degree of uncertainty or limitations in the factors' development;
(2.) The emissions unit shall operate within the designated range of use for the emission factor, if applicable; and
(3.) If technically practicable, the owner or operator of a significant emissions unit that relies on an emission factor to calculate PAL pollutant emissions shall conduct validation testing to determine a site-specific emission factor within 6 months of PAL permit issuance, unless the Division determines that testing is not required.
(VII) A source owner or operator must record and report maximum potential emissions without considering enforceable emission limitations or operational restrictions for an emissions unit during any period of time that there is no monitoring data, unless another method for determining emissions during such periods is specified in the PAL permit.
(VIII) Notwithstanding the requirements in paragraphs (g)(i)(L)(III) through (VII) of this section, where an owner or operator of an emissions unit cannot demonstrate a correlation between the monitored parameter(s) and the PAL pollutant emissions rate at all operating points of the emissions unit, the Division shall, at the time of permit issuance:
(1.) Establish default value(s) for determining compliance with the PAL based on the highest potential emissions reasonably estimated at such operating point(s); or
(2.) Determine that operation of the emissions unit during operating conditions when there is no correlation between monitored parameter(s) and the PAL pollutant emissions is a violation of the PAL.
(IX) Re-validation. All data used to establish the PAL pollutant must be re-validated through performance testing or other scientifically valid means approved by the Division. Such testing must occur at least once every 5 years after issuance of the PAL.
(M) Recordkeeping Requirements.
(I) The PAL permit shall require an owner or operator to retain a copy of all records necessary to determine compliance with any requirement of subsection (g)(i) of this section and of the PAL, including a determination of each emissions unit's 12-month rolling total emissions, for 5 years from the date of such record.
(II) The PAL permit shall require an owner or operator to retain a copy of the following records, for the duration of the PAL effective period plus 5 years:
(1.) A copy of the PAL permit application and any applications for revisions to the PAL; and
(2.) Each annual certification of compliance pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3 and the data relied on in certifying the compliance.
(N) Reporting and Notification Requirements. The owner or operator shall submit semi-annual monitoring reports and prompt deviation reports to the Division in accordance with the applicable Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit program. The reports shall meet the requirements in paragraphs (g)(i)(N)(I) through (III) of this section.
(I) Semi-annual Report. The semi-annual report shall be submitted to the Division within 30 days of the end of each reporting period. This report shall contain the information required in paragraphs (g)(i)(N)(I)(1.) through (7.) of this section.
(1.) The identification of owner and operator and the permit number;
(2.) Total annual emissions (tons/year) based on a 12-month rolling total for each month in the reporting period recorded pursuant to paragraph (g)(i)(M)(I) of this section;
(3.) All data relied upon, including, but not limited to, any Quality Assurance or Quality Control data, in calculating the monthly and annual PAL pollutant emissions;
(4.) A list of any emissions units modified or added to the major stationary source during the preceding 6-month period;
(5.) The number, duration, and cause of any deviations or monitoring malfunctions (other than the time associated with zero and span calibration checks), and any corrective action taken;
(6.) A notification of a shutdown of any monitoring system, whether the shutdown was permanent or temporary, the reason for the shutdown, the anticipated date that the monitoring system will be fully operational or replaced with another monitoring system, and whether the emissions unit monitored by the monitoring system continued to operate, and the calculation of the emissions of the pollutant or the number determined by method included in the permit, as provided by paragraph (g)(i)(L)(VII) of this section; and
(7.) A signed statement by the responsible official (as defined by the applicable Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit program) certifying the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the information provided in the report.
(II) Deviation Report. The major stationary source owner or operator shall promptly submit reports of any deviations or exceedance of the PAL requirements, including periods where no monitoring is available. A report submitted pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(III)(2.) shall satisfy this reporting requirement. The deviation reports shall be submitted as prescribed by Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(III)(2.). The reports shall contain the following information:
(1.) The identification of owner and operator and the permit number;
(2.) The PAL requirement that experienced the deviation or that was exceeded;
(3.) Emissions resulting from the deviation or the exceedance; and
(4.) A signed statement by the responsible official (as defined by the applicable Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit program) certifying the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the information provided in the report.
(III) Re-validation Results. The owner or operator shall submit to the Division the results of any re-validation test or method within three months after completion of such test or method.
(O) Transition Requirements.
(I) The Division shall not issue a PAL that does not comply with the requirements in paragraphs (g)(i)(A) through (O) of this section after the EPA Administrator has approved this regulation into the Wyoming State Implementation Plan.
(II) The Division may supersede any PAL which was established prior to the date of approval of this regulation by the Administrator of EPA with a PAL that complies with the requirements of paragraphs (g)(i)(A) through (O) of this section.
(ii) If any provision of this section, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this section, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
Section 14. Incorporation by reference.
(a) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Except as otherwise noted, all Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), including their Appendices, cited in this Chapter, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, are incorporated by reference. Copies of the CFR are available for public inspection and can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at: http://deq.wyoming.gov/. Copies of the CFR can also be obtained at cost from Government Institutes, 15200 NBN Way, Building B, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214, or online at https://ecfr.gov.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Chapter 7 Monitoring Regulations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.7.12202016 Monitoring Regulations
WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Monitoring Regulations
CHAPTER 7
Section 1. Introduction to monitoring regulations.
(a) These sections establish general monitoring regulations. These regulations may be superseded by specific monitoring requirements under other chapters of the Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations.
Section 2. Continuous monitoring requirements for existing sources.
(a) The owner or operator of any existing solid fossil fuel-fired steam generator with a heat input greater than 250 million Btu per hour shall install, calibrate, operate, and maintain a continuous monitoring system for stack gas opacity.
(i) Such continuous monitoring equipment shall be demonstrated by the owners or operators to meet the performance specifications for such equipment as given in 40 CFR part 60, Appendix B.
(ii) Such continuous monitoring equipment shall complete a minimum of one cycle of sampling and analyzing for each successive ten-second period and one cycle of data recording for each successive six-minute period.
(iii) The owner or operator of such equipment shall:
(A) Record the zero and span drift in accordance with the method prescribed by the manufacturer of such instruments;
(B) Subject the instruments to the manufacturer's recommended zero and span check at least once daily unless the manufacturer has recommended adjustments at shorter intervals, in which case such recommendations shall be followed;
(C) Adjust the zero and span whenever the 24-hour zero drift or 24-hour calibration drift limits of the applicable performance specifications in 40 CFR part 60, Appendix B, are exceeded.
(iv) Instrument span shall be approximately 200 percent of the expected instrument data display output corresponding to the emission standard for the source.
(v) The owner or operator of a source subject to this regulation shall install the required continuous monitoring systems such that representative measurements of emissions from the affected facility are obtained. The location of such systems shall be approved by the Administrator.
(vi) The owner or operator of any facility subject to the requirements of this regulation shall submit a written report of excess emissions for each calendar quarter and the nature and cause of the excess emissions, if known. The averaging period used for data reporting shall be six minutes. The required report shall include as a minimum:
(A) The magnitude in actual percent opacity of all six-minute averages of opacity greater than the applicable opacity standard for each hour of operation of the facility. Average values may be obtained by integration over the averaging period or by arithmetically averaging a minimum of four equally spaced, instantaneous opacity measurements per minute. The date and time of the recorded excesses shall be included.
(B) The date and time identifying each period during which the continuous monitoring system was inoperative, except for zero and span checks, and the nature of system repairs or adjustments shall be reported. The Administrator may require proof of continuous monitoring system performance whenever system repairs or adjustments have been made.
(C) When no excess emissions have occurred and the continuous monitoring system(s) have not been inoperative, repaired, or adjusted, such information shall be included in the report.
(D) The owners or operators of affected facilities shall maintain a file of all information reported in the quarterly summaries, and all other data collected either by the continuous monitoring system for a minimum of two years from the date of collection of such data or submission of such summaries.
(vii) The reporting requirements of paragraph 23(a)(vi)(A) shall not apply during any period of monitoring system malfunction, provided that the source owner or operator shows, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that the malfunction was unavoidable and is being repaired as expeditiously as practicable.
(viii) The owner or operator of any source subject to this regulation shall complete the installation and performance tests of the equipment required by this regulation and begin monitoring and recording within 18 months from promulgation of this regulation.
(b) The requirements for continuous opacity monitors set forth in paragraph 23(a) above shall not apply to an otherwise affected source if such source utilizes a wet type air pollution control device such that the stack gas contains uncombined water vapor. In such cases, the Administrator may require the installation and operation of such alternate particulate emission continuous monitoring systems as he deems appropriate.
Section 3. Compliance assurance monitoring (CAM).
(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
"Act" means the Clean Air Act, as amended by Pub.L. 101-549, 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
"Applicable requirement" means all of the following as they apply to emissions units at a source subject to this section (including requirements with future effective compliance dates that have been promulgated or approved by the EPA or the State through rulemaking at the time of issuance of the operating permit):
(i) Any standard or other requirement provided for in the Wyoming Implementation Plan approved or promulgated by the EPA under Title I of the Act that implements the relevant requirements of the Act, including any revisions to the plan promulgated in 40 CFR part 52;
(ii) Any standards or requirements in the WAQSR which are not a part of the approved Wyoming Implementation Plan and are not federally enforceable;
(iii) Any term or condition of any preconstruction permits issued pursuant to regulations approved or promulgated through rulemaking under Title I, including parts C or D of the Act and including Chapter 5, Section 2 and Chapter 6, Sections 2 and 4 of the WAQSR;
(iv) Any standard or other requirement promulgated under section 111 of the Act, including section 111(d) and Chapter 5, Section 2 of the WAQSR;
(v) Any standard or other requirement under section 112 of the Act, including any requirement concerning accident prevention under section 112(r)(7) of the Act and including any regulations promulgated by the EPA and the State pursuant to section 112 of the Act;
(vi) Any standard or other requirement of the acid rain program under Title IV of the Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder;
(vii) Any requirements established pursuant to section 504(b) or section 114(a)(3) of the Act concerning enhanced monitoring and compliance certifications;
(viii) Any standard or other requirement governing solid waste incineration, under section 129 of the Act;
(ix) Any standard or other requirement for consumer and commercial products, under section 183(e) of the Act (having to do with the release of volatile organic compounds under ozone control requirements);
(x) Any standard or other requirement of the regulations promulgated to protect stratospheric ozone under Title VI of the Act, unless the EPA has determined that such requirements need not be contained in a Title V permit;
(xi) Any national ambient air quality standard or increment or visibility requirement under part C of Title I of the Act, but only as it would apply to temporary sources permitted pursuant to section 504(e) of the Act; and
(xii) Any state ambient air quality standard or increment or visibility requirement of the WAQSR.
(xiii) Nothing under Chapter 6, Section 3(b)(v) shall be construed as affecting the allowance program and Phase II compliance schedule under the acid rain provision of Title IV of the Act.
"Capture system" means the equipment (including but not limited to hoods, ducts, fans, and booths) used to contain, capture and transport a pollutant to a control device.
"Continuous compliance determination method" means a method, specified by the applicable standard or an applicable permit condition, which:
(i) Is used to determine compliance with an emission limitation or standard on a continuous basis, consistent with the averaging period established for the emission limitation or standard; and
(ii) Provides data either in units of the standard or correlated directly with the compliance unit.
"Control device" means equipment, other than inherent process equipment, that is used to destroy or remove air pollutant(s) prior to discharge to the atmosphere. The types of equipment that may commonly be used as control devices include, but are not limited to, fabric filters, mechanical collectors, electrostatic precipitators, inertial separators, afterburners, thermal or catalytic incinerators, adsorption devices (such as carbon beds), condensers, scrubbers (such as wet collection and gas absorption devices), selective catalytic or non-catalytic reduction systems, flue gas recirculation systems, spray dryers, spray towers, mist eliminators, acid plants, sulfur recovery plants, injection systems (such as water, steam, ammonia, sorbent or limestone injection), and combustion devices independent of the particular process being conducted at an emissions unit (e.g., the destruction of emissions achieved by venting process emission streams to flares, boilers or process heaters). For purposes of this part, a control device does not include passive control measures that act to prevent pollutants from forming, such as the use of seals, lids, or roofs to prevent the release of pollutants, use of low-polluting fuel or feedstocks, or the use of combustion or other process design features or characteristics. If an applicable requirement establishes that particular equipment which otherwise meets this definition of a control device does not constitute a control device as applied to a particular pollutant-specific emissions unit, then that definition shall be binding for purposes of this part.
"Data" means the results of any type of monitoring or method, including the results of instrumental or non-instrumental monitoring, emission calculations, manual sampling procedures, recordkeeping procedures, or any other form of information collection procedure used in connection with any type of monitoring or method.
"Emission limitation or standard" means any applicable requirement that constitutes an emission limitation, emission standard, standard of performance or means of emission limitation as defined under the Act. An emission limitation or standard may be expressed in terms of the pollutant, expressed either as a specific quantity, rate or concentration of emissions (e.g., pounds of SO2 per hour, pounds of SO2 per million British thermal units of fuel input, kilograms of VOC per liter of applied coating solids, or parts per million by volume of SO2) or as the relationship of uncontrolled to controlled emissions (e.g., percentage capture and destruction efficiency of VOC or percentage reduction of SO2). An emission limitation or standard may also be expressed either as a work practice, process or control device parameter, or other form of specific design, equipment, operational, or operation and maintenance requirement. For purposes of this part, an emission limitation or standard shall not include general operation requirements that an owner or operator may be required to meet, such as requirements to obtain a permit, to operate and maintain sources in accordance with good air pollution control practices, to develop and maintain a malfunction abatement plan, to keep records, submit reports, or conduct monitoring.
"Emissions unit" means any part or activity of a stationary source that emits or has the potential to emit any regulated air pollutant or any pollutant listed under section 112(b) of the Act. This term is not meant to alter or affect the definition of the term "unit" for purposes of Title IV of the Act.
"Exceedance" shall mean a condition that is detected by monitoring that provides data in terms of an emission limitation or standard and that indicates that emissions (or opacity) are greater than the applicable emission limitation or standard (or less than the applicable standard in the case of a percent reduction requirement) consistent with any averaging period specified for averaging the results of the monitoring.
"Excursion" shall mean a departure from an indicator range established for monitoring under this part, consistent with any averaging period specified for averaging the results of the monitoring.
"Greenhouse gases (GHGs)" means the air pollutant defined as the aggregate group of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
"Inherent process equipment" means equipment that is necessary for the proper or safe functioning of the process, or material recovery equipment that the owner or operator documents is installed and operated primarily for purposes other than compliance with air pollution regulations. Equipment that must be operated at an efficiency higher than that achieved during normal process operations in order to comply with the applicable emission limitation or standard is not inherent process equipment. For the purposes of this part, inherent process equipment is not considered a control device.
"Major source" means any stationary source (or any group of stationary sources that are located on one or more contiguous or adjacent properties, and are under common control of the same person or persons under common control) belonging to a single major industrial grouping and that is described in paragraphs (i), (ii), or (iii) of this definition. For the purpose of defining "major source", a stationary source or group of stationary sources shall be considered part of a single industrial grouping if all of the pollutant emitting activities at such source or group of sources on contiguous or adjacent properties belong to the same Major Group (i.e., all have the same two-digit code) as described in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1987.
(i) A major source under section 112 of the Act, which is defined as:
(A) For pollutants other than radionuclides, any stationary source or group of stationary sources located within a contiguous area and under common control that emits or has the potential to emit, in the aggregate, 10 tons per year (tpy) or more of any hazardous air pollutant which has been listed pursuant to section 112(b) of the Act, 25 tpy or more of any combination of such hazardous air pollutants, or such lesser quantity as the EPA may establish by rule. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, emissions from any oil or gas exploration or production well (with its associated equipment) and emissions from any pipeline compressor or pump station shall not be aggregated with emissions from other similar units, whether or not such units are in a contiguous area or under common control, to determine whether such units or stations are major sources; or
(B) For radionuclides, "major source" shall have the meaning specified by the EPA by rule.
(ii) A major stationary source of air pollutants, as defined in section 302 of the Act, that directly emits or has the potential to emit, 100 tpy or more of any air pollutant including any major source of fugitive emissions of any such pollutant, as determined by the rule by the EPA, except that a source that meets this definition for only GHGs and no other air pollutant, shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this section. Emissions of air pollutants regulated solely due to section 112(r) of the Act shall not be considered in determining whether a source is a "major source" for purposes of Chapter 6, Section 3 applicability. The fugitive emissions of a stationary source shall not be considered in determining whether it is a major stationary source unless the source belongs to one of the following categories of stationary sources:
(A) Stationary sources listed in Chapter 6, Section 4(a)(i)(a) of the WAQSR; or
(B) Any other stationary source category, which as of August 7, 1980 is being regulated under section 111 or 112 of the Act.
(iii) A major stationary source as defined in part D of Title I of the Act (in reference to sources located in nonattainment areas).
"Monitoring" means any form of collecting data on a routine basis to determine or otherwise assess compliance with emission limitations or standards. Recordkeeping may be considered monitoring where such records are used to determine or assess compliance with an emission limitation or standard (such as records of raw material content and usage, or records documenting compliance with work practice requirements). The conduct of compliance method tests, such as the procedures in 40 CFR part 60, Appendix A, on a routine periodic basis may be considered monitoring (or as a supplement to other monitoring), provided that requirements to conduct such tests on a one-time basis or at such times as a regulatory authority may require on a non-regular basis are not considered monitoring requirements for purposes of this paragraph. Monitoring may include one or more than one of the following data collection techniques, where appropriate for a particular circumstance:
(i) Continuous emission or opacity monitoring systems;
(ii) Continuous process, capture system, control device or other relevant parameter monitoring systems or procedures, including a predictive emission monitoring system;
(iii) Emission estimation and calculation procedures (e.g., mass balance or stoichiometric calculations);
(iv) Maintenance and analysis of records of fuel or raw materials usage;
(v) Recording results of a program or protocol to conduct specific operation and maintenance procedures;
(vi) Verification of emissions, process parameters, capture system parameters, or control device parameters using portable or in situ measurement devices;
(vii) Visible emission observations;
(viii) Any other form of measuring, recording, or verifying on a routine basis emissions, process parameters, capture system parameters, control device parameters or other factors relevant to assessing compliance with emission limitations or standards.
"Operating permit" means any permit or group of permits covering a source under Chapter 6, Section 3, Operating Permits that is issued, renewed, amended, or revised pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3.
"Operating permit application" shall mean an application (including any supplement to a previously submitted application) that is submitted by the owner or operator in order to obtain a Chapter 6, Section 3, operating permit.
"Owner or operator" means any person who owns, leases, operates, controls or supervises a stationary source subject to this part.
"Pollutant-specific emissions unit" means an emissions unit considered separately with respect to each regulated air pollutant.
"Potential to emit" means the maximum capacity of a stationary source to emit any air pollutant under its physical and operational design. Any physical or operational limitation on the capacity of a source to emit an air pollutant, including air pollution control equipment and restrictions on hours of operation or on the type or amount of material combusted, stored or processed, shall be treated as part of its design if the limitation is enforceable by the EPA and the Division. This term does not alter or affect the use of this term for any other purposes under the Act, or the term "capacity factor" as used in Title IV of the Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Predictive emission monitoring system (PEMS)" means a system that uses process and other parameters as inputs to a computer program or other data reduction system to produce values in terms of the applicable emission limitation or standard.
"Regulated air pollutant" means the following:
(i) Nitrogen oxides (NOx) or any volatile organic compound;
(ii) Any pollutant for which a national ambient air quality standard has been promulgated;
(iii) Any pollutant that is subject to any standard established in Chapter 5, Section 2 of the WAQSR or section 111 of the Act;
(iv) Any Class I or II substance subject to a standard promulgated under or established by Title VI of the Act; or
(v) Any pollutant subject to a standard promulgated under section 112 or other requirements established under section 112 of the Act, including sections 112(g), (j), and (r) of the Act, including the following:
(A) Any pollutant subject to requirements under section 112(j) of the Act. If the EPA fails to promulgate a standard by the date established pursuant to section 112(e) of the Act, any pollutant for which a subject source would be major shall be considered to be regulated on the date 18 months after the applicable date established pursuant to section 112(e) of the Act; and
(B) Any pollutant for which the requirements of section 112(g)(2) of the Act have been met, but only with respect to the individual source subject to section 112(g)(2) requirement.
(vi) Pollutants regulated solely under section 112(r) of the Act are to be regulated only with respect to the requirements of section 112(r) for permits issued under Chapter 6, Section 3, Operating Permits.
"Stationary source" means any building, structure, facility, or installation that emits or may emit any regulated air pollutant or any pollutant listed under section 112(b) of the Act.
"tpy CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e)" shall represent an amount of GHGs emitted, and shall be computed by multiplying the mass amount of emissions (tpy), for each of the six greenhouse gases in the pollutant GHGs, by the gas's associated global warming potential published at Table A-1 to Subpart A of 40 CFR part 98--Global Warming Potentials, and summing the resultant value for each to compute a tpy CO2e. Prior to July 21, 2014, the mass of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide shall not include carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the combustion or decomposition of non-fossilized and biodegradable organic material originating from plants, animals, or micro-organisms (including products, by-products, residues and waste from agriculture, forestry and related industries as well as the non-fossilized and biodegradable organic fractions of industrial and municipal wastes, including gases and liquids recovered from the decomposition of non-fossilized and biodegradable organic material). Table A-1 to Subpart A of 40 CFR part 98 is adopted by reference.
(b) Applicability.
(i) General Applicability. Except for backup utility units that are exempt under paragraph (ii)(B) of this subsection (b), the requirements of this part shall apply to a pollutant-specific emissions unit at a major source that is required to obtain a Chapter 6, Section 3, operating permit if the unit satisfies all of the following criteria:
(A) The unit is subject to an emission limitation or standard for the applicable regulated air pollutant (or a surrogate thereof), other than an emission limitation or standard that is exempt under paragraph (ii)(A) of this subsection (b);
(B) The unit uses a control device to achieve compliance with any such emission limitation or standard; and
(C) The unit has potential pre-control device emissions of the applicable regulated air pollutant that are equal to or greater than 100 percent of the amount, in tons per year, required for a source to be classified as a major source. For purposes of this paragraph, "potential pre-control device emissions" shall have the same meaning as "potential to emit", as defined in Chapter 7, Section 3(a), except that emission reductions achieved by the applicable control device shall not be taken into account.
(ii) Exemptions.
(A) Exempt emission limitations or standards. The requirements of this part shall not apply to any of the following emission limitations or standards:
(I) Emission limitations or standards proposed by the EPA Administrator after November 15, 1990 pursuant to section 111 or 112 of the Act;
(II) Stratospheric ozone protection requirements under Title VI of the Act;
(III) Acid Rain Program requirements pursuant to sections 404, 405, 406, 407(a), 407(b), or 410 of the Act;
(IV) Emission limitations or standards or other applicable requirements that apply solely under an emissions trading program approved or promulgated by the Administrator under the Act that allows for trading emissions within a source or between sources;
(V) A federally enforceable emissions cap included in the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit;
(VI) Emission limitations or standards for which a Chapter 6, Section 3, operating permit specifies a continuous compliance determination method, as defined in Chapter 7, Section 3(a). The exemption provided in (b)(ii)(A)(VI) of this section shall not apply if the applicable compliance method includes an assumed control device emission reduction factor that could be affected by the actual operation and maintenance of the control device (such as a surface coating line controlled by an incinerator for which continuous compliance is determined by calculating emissions on the basis of coating records and an assumed control device efficiency factor based on an initial performance test; in this example, this part would apply to the control device and capture system, but not to the remaining elements of the coating line, such as raw material usage).
(B) Exemption for backup utility power emissions units. The requirements of this part shall not apply to a utility unit, as defined in §72.2 of Chapter 11, Section 2(b) that is municipally-owned if the owner or operator provides documentation in a Chapter 6, Section 3, operating permit application that:
(I) The utility unit is exempt from all monitoring requirements in Chapter 11, Section 2(b), Acid Rain, Continuous Emission Monitoring (including the appendices thereto);
(II) The utility unit is operated for the sole purpose of providing electricity during periods of peak electrical demand or emergency situations and will be operated consistent with that purpose throughout the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit term. The owner or operator shall provide historical operating data and relevant contractual obligations to document that this criterion is satisfied; and
(III) The actual emissions from the utility unit, based on the average annual emissions over the last three calendar years of operation (or such shorter time period that is available for units with fewer than three years of operation) are less than 50 percent of the amount in tons per year required for a source to be classified as a major source and are expected to remain so.
(c) Monitoring Design Criteria.
(i) General Criteria. To provide a reasonable assurance of compliance with emission limitations or standards for the anticipated range of operations at a pollutant-specific emissions unit, monitoring under this part shall meet the following general criteria:
(A) The owner or operator shall design the monitoring to obtain data for one or more indicators of emission control performance for the control device, any associated capture system and, if necessary to satisfy paragraph (c)(i)(B) of this section, processes at a pollutant-specific emissions unit. Indicators of performance may include, but are not limited to, direct or predicted emissions (including visible emissions or opacity), process and control device parameters that affect control device (and capture system) efficiency or emission rates, or recorded findings of inspection and maintenance activities conducted by the owner or operator.
(B) The owner or operator shall establish an appropriate range(s) or designated condition(s) for the selected indicator(s) such that operation within the ranges provides a reasonable assurance of ongoing compliance with emission limitations or standards for the anticipated range of operating conditions. Such range(s) or condition(s) shall reflect the proper operation and maintenance of the control device (and associated capture system), in accordance with applicable design properties, for minimizing emissions over the anticipated range of operating conditions at least to the level required to achieve compliance with the applicable requirements. The reasonable assurance of compliance will be assessed by maintaining performance within the indicator range(s) or designated condition(s). The ranges shall be established in accordance with the design and performance requirements in this section and documented in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 7, Section 3(d). If necessary to assure that the control device and associated capture system can satisfy this criterion, the owner or operator shall monitor appropriate process operational parameters (such as total throughput where necessary to stay within the rated capacity for a control device). In addition, unless specifically stated otherwise by an applicable requirement, the owner or operator shall monitor indicators to detect any bypass of the control device (or capture system) to the atmosphere, if such bypass can occur based on the design of the pollutant-specific emissions unit.
(C) The design of indicator ranges or designated conditions may be:
(I) Based on a single maximum or minimum value if appropriate (e.g., maintaining condenser temperatures a certain number of degrees below the condensation temperature of the applicable compound(s) being processed) or at multiple levels that are relevant to distinctly different operating conditions (e.g., high versus low load levels);
(II) Expressed as a function of process variables (e.g., an indicator range expressed as minimum to maximum pressure drop across a venturi throat in a particulate control scrubber);
(III) Expressed as maintaining the applicable parameter in a particular operational status or designated condition (e.g., position of a damper controlling gas flow to the atmosphere through a bypass duct);
(IV) Established as interdependent between more than one indicator.
(ii) Performance Criteria. The owner or operator shall design the monitoring to meet the following performance criteria:
(A) Specifications that provide for obtaining data that are representative of the emissions or parameters being monitored (such as detector location and installation specifications, if applicable);
(B) For new or modified monitoring equipment, verification procedures to confirm the operational status of the monitoring prior to the date by which the owner or operator must conduct monitoring under this part as specified in Chapter 7, Section 3(g)(i). The owner or operator shall consider the monitoring equipment manufacturer's requirements or recommendations for installation, calibration, and start-up operation;
(C) Quality assurance and control practices that are adequate to ensure the continuing validity of the data. The owner or operator shall consider manufacturer recommendations or requirements applicable to the monitoring in developing appropriate quality assurance and control practices;
(D) Specifications for the frequency of conducting the monitoring, the data collection procedures that will be used (e.g., computerized data acquisition and handling, alarm sensor, or manual log entries based on gauge readings), and, if applicable, the period over which discrete data points will be averaged for the purpose of determining whether an excursion or exceedance has occurred.
(I) At a minimum, the owner or operator shall design the period over which data are obtained and, if applicable, averaged consistent with the characteristics and typical variability of the pollutant-specific emissions unit (including the control device and associated capture system). Such intervals shall be commensurate with the time period over which a change in control device performance that would require actions by owner or operator to return operations within normal ranges or designated conditions is likely to be observed.
(II) For all pollutant-specific emissions units with the potential to emit, calculated including the effect of control devices, the applicable regulated air pollutant in an amount equal to or greater than 100 percent of the amount, in tons per year, required for a source to be classified as a major source, for each parameter monitored, the owner or operator shall collect four or more data values equally spaced over each hour and average the values, as applicable, over the applicable averaging period as determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(ii)(D)(I) of this section. The Division may approve a reduced data collection frequency, if appropriate, based on information presented by the owner or operator concerning the data collection mechanisms available for a particular parameter for the particular pollutant-specific emissions unit (e.g., integrated raw material or fuel analysis data, noninstrumental measurement of waste feed rate or visible emissions, use of a portable analyzer or an alarm sensor).
(III) For other pollutant-specific emissions units, the frequency of data collection may be less than the frequency specified in subparagraph (c)(ii)(D)(II) of this section but the monitoring shall include some data collection at least once per 24-hour period (e.g., a daily inspection of a carbon adsorber operation in conjunction with a weekly or monthly check of emissions with a portable analyzer).
(iii) Evaluation Factors. In designing monitoring to meet the requirements in paragraphs (c)(i) and (c)(ii) of this section, the owner or operator shall take into account site-specific factors including the applicability of existing monitoring equipment and procedures, the ability of the monitoring to account for process and control device operational variability, the reliability and latitude built into the control technology, and the level of actual emissions relative to the compliance limitation.
(iv) Special Criteria for the Use of Continuous Emission, Opacity or Predictive Monitoring Systems.
(A) If a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS), continuous opacity monitoring system (COMS) or predictive emission monitoring system (PEMS) is required pursuant to other authority under the Act or state or local law, the owner or operator shall use such system to satisfy the requirements of this section.
(B) The use of a CEMS, COMS, or PEMS that satisfies any of the following monitoring requirements shall be deemed to satisfy the general design criteria in paragraphs (c)(i) and (c)(ii) of this section, provided that a COMS may be subject to the criteria for establishing indicator ranges under paragraph (c)(i) of this section:
(I) Section 51.214 and Appendix P of 40 CFR part 51;
(II) Chapter 5, Section 2(j) and Section 2(b)(i), 40 CFR part 60, Appendix B;
(III) Chapter 5, Section 3(j) and any applicable performance specifications required pursuant to the applicable subpart of Chapter 5, Section 3;
(IV) Chapter 11, Section 2b, Acid Rain, Continuous Emission Monitoring;
(V) 40 CFR part 266, Subpart H and Appendix IX; or
(VI) If an applicable requirement does not otherwise require compliance with the requirements listed in the preceding paragraphs (c)(iv)(B)(I)-(V) of this section, comparable requirements and specifications established by the Division.
(C) The owner or operator shall design the monitoring system subject to subsection (c)(iv) to:
(I) Allow for reporting of exceedances (or excursions if applicable to a COMS used to assure compliance with a particulate matter standard), consistent with any period for reporting of exceedances in an underlying requirement. If an underlying requirement does not contain a provision for establishing an averaging period for the reporting of exceedances or excursions, the criteria used to develop an averaging period in (c)(ii)(D) of this section shall apply; and
(II) Provide an indicator range consistent with paragraph (c)(i) of this section for a COMS used to assure compliance with a particulate matter standard. If an opacity standard applies to the pollutant-specific emissions unit, such limit may be used as the appropriate indicator range unless the opacity limit fails to meet the criteria in paragraph (c)(i) of this section after considering the type of control device and other site-specific factors applicable to the pollutant-specific emissions unit.
(d) Submittal Requirements.
(i) The owner or operator shall submit to the Division monitoring that satisfies the design requirements in Chapter 7, Section 3(c). The submission shall include the following information:
(A) The indicators to be monitored to satisfy Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(i)(A)-(B);
(B) The ranges or designated conditions for such indicators, or the process by which such indicator ranges or designated conditions shall be established;
(C) The performance criteria for the monitoring to satisfy Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(ii); and
(D) If applicable, the indicator ranges and performance criteria for a CEMS, COMS or PEMS pursuant to Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(iv).
(ii) As part of the information submitted, the owner or operator shall submit a justification for the proposed elements of the monitoring. If the performance specifications proposed to satisfy Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(ii)(B) or (C) include differences from manufacturer recommendations, the owner or operator shall explain the reasons for the differences between the requirements proposed by the owner or operator and the manufacturer's recommendations or requirements. The owner or operator also shall submit any data supporting the justification, and may refer to generally available sources of information used to support the justification (such as generally available air pollution engineering manuals, or EPA publications on appropriate monitoring for various types of control devices or capture systems). To justify the appropriateness of the monitoring elements proposed, the owner or operator may rely in part on existing applicable requirements that establish the monitoring for the applicable pollutant-specific emissions unit or a similar unit. If an owner or operator relies on presumptively acceptable monitoring, no further justification for the appropriateness of that monitoring should be necessary other than an explanation of the applicability of such monitoring to the unit in question, unless data or information is brought forward to rebut the assumption. Presumptively acceptable monitoring includes:
(A) Presumptively acceptable or required monitoring approaches, established by the Division in a rule that constitutes part of the applicable implementation plan required pursuant to Title I of the Act, that are designed to achieve compliance with this section for particular pollutant-specific emissions units;
(B) Continuous emission, opacity or predictive emission monitoring systems that satisfy applicable monitoring requirements and performance specifications as specified in Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(iv);
(C) Excepted or alternative monitoring methods allowed or approved pursuant to Chapter 11, Section 2(b), Acid Rain, Continuous Emission Monitoring;
(D) Monitoring included for standards exempt from this section pursuant to Chapter 7, Section 3(b)(ii)(A)(I) or (VI) to the extent such monitoring is applicable to the performance of the control device (and associated capture system) for the pollutant-specific emissions unit; and
(E) Presumptively acceptable monitoring identified in guidance by EPA. Such guidance will address the requirements under Chapter 7, Section 3(d)(i), (ii) and (iii) to the extent practicable.
(iii) (A) Except as provided in Chapter 7, Section 3(d)(iv), the owner or operator shall submit control device (and process and capture system, if applicable) operating parameter data obtained during the conduct of the applicable compliance or performance test conducted under conditions specified by the applicable rule. If the applicable rule does not specify testing conditions or only partially specifies test conditions, the performance test generally shall be conducted under conditions representative of maximum emissions potential under anticipated operating conditions at the pollutant-specific emissions unit. Such data may be supplemented, if desired, by engineering assessments and manufacturer's recommendations to justify the indicator ranges (or, if applicable, the procedures for establishing such indicator ranges). Emission testing is not required to be conducted over the entire indicator range or range of potential emissions.
(B) The owner or operator must document that no changes to the pollutant-specific emissions unit, including the control device and capture system, have taken place that could result in a significant change in the control system performance or the selected ranges or designated conditions for the indicators to be monitored since the performance or compliance tests were conducted.
(iv) If existing data from unit-specific compliance or performance testing specified in Chapter 7, Section 3(d)(iii) are not available, the owner or operator:
(A) Shall submit a test plan and schedule for obtaining such data in accordance with Chapter 7, Section 3(d)(v); or
(B) May submit indicator ranges (or procedures for establishing indicator ranges) that rely on engineering assessments and other data, provided that the owner or operator demonstrates that factors specific to the type of monitoring, control device, or pollutant-specific emissions unit make compliance or performance testing unnecessary to establish indicator ranges at levels that satisfy the criteria in Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(i).
(v) If the monitoring submitted by the owner or operator requires installation, testing, or other necessary activities prior to use of the monitoring for purposes of this part, the owner or operator shall include an implementation plan and schedule for installing, testing and performing any other appropriate activities prior to use of the monitoring. The implementation plan and schedule shall provide for use of the monitoring as expeditiously as practicable after approval of the monitoring in the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit pursuant to Chapter 7, Section 3(f), but in no case shall the schedule for completing installation and beginning operation of the monitoring exceed 180 days after approval of the permit.
(vi) If a control device is common to more than one pollutant-specific emissions unit, the owner or operator may submit monitoring for the control device and identify the pollutant-specific emissions units affected and any process or associated capture device conditions that must be maintained or monitored in accordance with Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(i) rather than submit separate monitoring for each pollutant-specific emissions unit.
(vii) If a single pollutant-specific emissions unit is controlled by more than one control device similar in design and operation, the owner or operator may submit monitoring that applies to all the control devices and identify the control devices affected and any process or associated capture device conditions that must be maintained or monitored in accordance with Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(i) rather than submit a separate description of monitoring for each control device.
(e) Deadlines for Submittals.
(i) Large Pollutant-Specific Emissions Units. For all pollutant-specific emissions units with the potential to emit (taking into account control devices to the extent appropriate under the definition of this term in Chapter 7, Section 3(a) the applicable regulated air pollutant in an amount equal to or greater than 100 percent of the amount, in tons per year, required for a source to be classified as a major source, the owner or operator shall submit the information required under Chapter 7, Section 3(d) at the following times:
(A) On or after April 20, 1998, the owner or operator shall submit information as part of an application for an initial Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit if, by that date, the application either:
(I) Has not been filed; or
(II) Has not yet been determined to be complete by the Division.
(B) On or after April 20, 1998, the owner or operator shall submit information as part of an application for a significant permit revision under Chapter 6, Section 3, but only with respect to those pollutant-specific emissions units for which the proposed permit revision is applicable.
(C) The owner or operator shall submit any information not submitted under the deadlines set forth in Chapter 7, Section 3(e)(i)(A) and (B) as part of the application for the renewal of a Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit.
(ii) Other Pollutant-Specific Emissions Units. For all other pollutant-specific emissions units subject to this part and not subject to Chapter 7, Section 3(e)(i), the owner or operator shall submit the information required under Chapter 7, Section 3(d) as part of an application for a renewal of a Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit.
(iii) The effective date for the requirement to submit information under Chapter 7, Section 3(d) shall be as specified pursuant to Chapter 7, Section 3(e)(i)-(iii) and a permit reopening to require the submittal of information under this section shall not be required pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vii)(A)(I), provided, however, that, if a Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit is reopened for cause by EPA or the Division pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 3(d)(vii)(A)(III) or (IV), the applicable agency may require the submittal of information under this section for those pollutant-specific emissions units that are subject to this part and that are affected by the permit reopening.
(iv) Prior to approval of monitoring that satisfies this part, the owner or operator is subject to the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(I)(2.).
(f) Approval of Monitoring.
(i) Based on an application that includes the information submitted in accordance with Chapter 7, Section 3(e), the Division shall act to approve the monitoring submitted by the owner or operator by confirming that the monitoring satisfies the requirements in Chapter 7, Section 3(c).
(ii) In approving monitoring under this section, the Division may condition the approval on the owner or operator collecting additional data on the indicators to be monitored for a pollutant-specific emissions unit, including required compliance or performance testing, to confirm the ability of the monitoring to provide data that are sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this part and to confirm the appropriateness of an indicator range(s) or designated condition(s) proposed to satisfy Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(i)(B) and (C) and consistent with the schedule in Chapter 7, Section 3(d)(v).
(iii) If the Division approves the proposed monitoring, the Division shall establish one or more permit terms or conditions that specify the required monitoring in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(I). At a minimum, the permit shall specify:
(A) The approved monitoring approach that includes all of the following:
(I) The indicator(s) to be monitored (such as temperature, pressure drop, emissions, or similar parameter);
(II) The means or device to be used to measure the indicator(s) (such as temperature measurement device, visual observation, or CEMS); and
(III) The performance requirements established to satisfy Chapter 7, Section 3(c)(ii) or (iv), as applicable.
(B) The means by which the owner or operator will define an exceedance or excursion for purposes of responding to and reporting exceedances or excursions under Chapter 7, Section 3(g) and (h). The permit shall specify the level at which an excursion or exceedance will be deemed to occur, including the appropriate averaging period associated with such exceedance or excursion. For defining an excursion from an indicator range or designated condition, the permit may either include the specific value(s) or condition(s) at which an excursion shall occur, or the specific procedures that will be used to establish that value or condition. If the latter, the permit shall specify appropriate notice procedures for the owner or operator to notify the Division upon any establishment or reestablishment of the value.
(C) The obligation to conduct the monitoring and fulfill the other obligations specified in Chapter 7, Section 3(g) through (i).
(D) If appropriate, a minimum data availability requirement for valid data collection for each averaging period, and, if appropriate, a minimum data availability requirement for the averaging periods in a reporting period.
(iv) If the monitoring proposed by the owner or operator requires installation, testing or final verification of operational status, the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit shall include an enforceable schedule with appropriate milestones for completing such installation, testing, or final verification consistent with the requirements in Chapter 7, Section 3(d)(v).
(v) If the Division disapproves the proposed monitoring, the following applies:
(A) The draft or final permit shall include, at a minimum, monitoring that satisfies the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(I)(2.);
(B) The Division shall include in the draft or final permit a compliance schedule for the source owner to submit monitoring that satisfies Chapter 7, Section 3(c) and (d), but in no case shall the owner or operator submit revised monitoring more than 180 days from the date of issuance of the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit; and
(C) If the source owner or operator does not submit the monitoring in accordance with the compliance schedule as required in Chapter 7, Section 3(f)(v)(B) or if the Division disapproves the monitoring submitted, the source owner or operator shall be deemed not in compliance with Chapter 7, Section 3, unless the source owner or operator successfully challenges the disapproval.
(g) Operation of Approved Monitoring.
(i) Commencement of Operation. The owner or operator shall conduct the monitoring required under this part upon issuance of a Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit that includes such monitoring, or by such later date specified in the permit pursuant to Chapter 7, Section 3(f)(v).
(ii) Proper Maintenance. At all times, the owner or operator shall maintain the monitoring, including but not limited to, maintaining necessary parts for routine repairs of the monitoring equipment.
(iii) Continued Operation. Except for, as applicable, monitoring malfunctions, associated repairs, and required quality assurance or control activities (including, as applicable, calibration checks and required zero and span adjustments), the owner or operator shall conduct all monitoring in continuous operation (or shall collect data at all required intervals) at all times that the pollutant-specific emissions unit is operating. Data recorded during monitoring malfunctions, associated repairs, and required quality assurance or control activities shall not be used for purposes of this part, including data averages and calculations, or fulfilling a minimum data availability requirement, if applicable. The owner or operator shall use all the data collected during all other periods in assessing the operation of the control device and associated control system. A monitoring malfunction is any sudden, infrequent, not reasonably preventable failure of the monitoring to provide valid data. Monitoring failures that are caused in part by poor maintenance or careless operation are not malfunctions.
(iv) Response to Excursions or Exceedances.
(A) Upon detecting an excursion or exceedance, the owner or operator shall restore operation of the pollutant-specific emissions unit (including the control device and associated capture system) to its normal or usual manner of operation as expeditiously as practicable in accordance with good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions. The response shall include minimizing the period of any startup, shutdown or malfunction and taking any necessary corrective actions to restore normal operation and prevent the likely recurrence of the cause of an excursion or exceedance (other than those caused by excused startup or shutdown conditions). Such actions may include initial inspection and evaluation, recording that operations returned to normal without operator action (such as through response by a computerized distribution control system), or any necessary follow-up actions to return operation to within the indicator range, designated condition, or below the applicable emission limitation or standard, as applicable.
(B) Determination of whether the owner or operator has used acceptable procedures in response to an excursion or exceedance will be based on information available, which may include but is not limited to, monitoring results, review of operation and maintenance procedures and records, and inspection of the control device, associated capture system, and the process.
(v) Documentation of Need for Improved Monitoring. After approval of monitoring under this part, if the owner or operator identifies a failure to achieve compliance with an emission limitation or standard for which the approved monitoring did not provide an indication of an excursion or exceedance while providing valid data, or the results of compliance or performance testing document a need to modify the existing indicator ranges or designated conditions, the owner or operator shall promptly notify the Division and, if necessary, submit a proposed modification to the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit to address the necessary monitoring changes. Such a modification may include, but is not limited to, reestablishing indicator ranges or designated conditions, modifying the frequency of conducting monitoring and collecting data, or the monitoring of additional parameters.
(h) Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) Requirements.
(i) Based on the results of a determination made under Chapter 7, Section 3(g)(iv)(B), the Administrator or the Division may require the owner or operator to develop and implement a QIP. Consistent with Chapter 7, Section 3(f)(iii)(C), the Chapter 6, Section 3 operating permit may specify an appropriate threshold, such as an accumulation of exceedances or excursions exceeding 5 percent duration of a pollutant-specific emissions unit's operating time for a reporting period, for requiring the implementation of a QIP. The threshold may be set at a higher or lower percent or may rely on other criteria for purposes of indicating whether a pollutant-specific emissions unit is being maintained and operated in a manner consistent with good air pollution control practices.
(ii) Elements of a QIP.
(A) The owner or operator shall maintain a written QIP, if required, and have it available for inspection.
(B) The plan initially shall include procedures for evaluating the control performance problems and, based on the results of the evaluation procedures, the owner or operator shall modify the plan to include procedures for conducting one or more of the following actions, as appropriate:
(I) Improved Preventive Maintenance Practices.
(II) Process Operation Changes.
(III) Appropriate Improvements to Control Methods.
(IV) Other Steps Appropriate to Correct Control Performance.
(V) More Frequent or Improved Monitoring (only in conjunction with one or more steps under Chapter 7, Section 3(h)(ii)(B)(I)-(IV)).
(iii) If a QIP is required, the owner or operator shall develop and implement a QIP as expeditiously as practicable and shall notify the Division if the period for completing the improvements contained in the QIP exceeds 180 days from the date on which the need to implement the QIP was determined.
(iv) Following implementation of a QIP, upon any subsequent determination pursuant to Chapter 7, Section 3(g)(iv)(B), the Administrator or the Division may require that an owner or operator make reasonable change to the QIP if the QIP is found to have:
(A) Failed to address the cause of the control device performance problems; or
(B) Failed to provide adequate procedures for correcting control device performance problems as expeditiously as practicable in accordance with good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions.
(v) Implementation of a QIP shall not excuse the owner or operator of a source from compliance with any existing emission limitation or standard, or any existing monitoring, testing, reporting or recordkeeping requirement that may apply under federal, state, or local law, or any other applicable requirements under the Act.
(i) Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements.
(i) General Reporting Requirements.
(A) On and after the date specified in Chapter 7, Section 3(g)(i) by which the owner or operator must use monitoring that meets the requirements of this part, the owner or operator shall submit monitoring reports to the Division in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(III).
(B) A report for monitoring under this part shall include, at a minimum, the information required under Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(III) and the following information, as applicable:
(I) Summary information on the number, duration and cause (including unknown cause, if applicable) of excursions or exceedances, as applicable, and the corrective actions taken;
(II) Summary information on the number, duration and cause (including unknown cause, if applicable) for monitor downtime incidents (other than downtime associated with zero and span or other daily calibration checks, if applicable); and
(III) A description of the actions taken to implement a QIP during the reporting period as specified in Chapter 7, Section 3(h). Upon completion of a QIP, the owner or operator shall include in the next summary report documentation that the implementation of the plan has been completed and reduced the likelihood of similar levels of excursions or exceedances occurring.
(ii) General Recordkeeping Requirements.
(A) The owner or operator shall comply with the recordkeeping requirements specified in Chapter 6, Section 3(h)(i)(C)(II). The owner or operator shall maintain records of monitoring data, monitor performance data, corrective actions taken, any written quality improvement plan required pursuant to Chapter 7, Section 3(h) and any activities undertaken to implement a quality improvement plan, and other supporting information required to be maintained under this part (such as data used to document the adequacy of monitoring, or records of monitoring maintenance or corrective actions).
(B) Instead of paper records, the owner or operator may maintain records on alternative media, such as microfilm, computer files, magnetic tape disks, or microfiche, provided that the use of such alternative media allows for expeditious inspection and review, and does not conflict with other applicable recordkeeping requirements.
(j) Savings Provisions.
(i) Nothing in This Part Shall:
(A) Excuse the owner or operator of a source from compliance with any existing emission limitation or standard, or any existing monitoring, testing, reporting or recordkeeping requirement that may apply under federal, state, or local law, or any other applicable requirements under the Act. The requirements of this part shall not be used to justify the approval of monitoring less stringent than the monitoring which is required under separate legal authority and are not intended to establish minimum requirements for the purpose of determining the monitoring to be imposed under separate authority under the Act, including monitoring in permits issued pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 2. The purpose of this part is to require, as part of the issuance of a permit under Chapter 6, Section 3, improved or new monitoring at those emissions units where monitoring requirements do not exist or are inadequate to meet the requirements of this part.
(B) Restrict or abrogate the authority of the Administrator or the Division to impose additional or more stringent monitoring, recordkeeping, testing, or reporting requirements on any owner or operator of a source under any provision of the Act, including but not limited to sections 114(a)(1) and 504(b), or state law, as applicable.
(C) Restrict or abrogate the authority of the Administrator or Division to take any enforcement action under the Act for any violation of an applicable requirement or of any person to take action under section 304 of the Act.
History
- Effective 2016-12-20
Chapter 8 Nonattainment Area Regulations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 1 Introduction to Nonattainment Area Regulations
(a) Chapter 8 establishes regulations specific to areas not attaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Section 2 applies exclusively to Sweetwater County, Wyoming particulate matter regulations. Section 3 applies to general federal actions, excluding those covered under Section 4, within any federally designated nonattainment area of the state. Section 4 applies to specific transportation projects within any federally designated nonattainment area of the state. Section 5 establishes requirements for the submittal of emission inventories from facilities or sources located in an ozone nonattainment area(s) pursuant to the requirements of the Clean Air Act, Section 182. Section 6 establishes requirements for all PAD and single-well oil and gas production facilities or sources, and all compressor stations, located in the Upper Green River Basin (UGRB) ozone nonattainment area that were existing as of January 1, 2014. Sections 7 through 9 are reserved. Section 10 incorporates by reference all Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) cited in this chapter, including their Appendices.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 2 Sweetwater County Particulate Matter Regulations
(a) Notwithstanding other provisions in these regulations concerning the emission of particulate matter or required fugitive dust control measures, the requirements and emission limitations set forth in Chapter 8, Section 2(b) and (c) for the specific sources and activities enumerated are applicable. Sources and/or activities which cause particulate matter to be emitted into the air and which are not addressed in this section are subject to the requirements of other sections.
(b) Point Source Particulate Matter Emission Rate Allowables:
The following tables specify the maximum allowable particulate matter emission rate for each of the listed sources. The emission of particulate matter is measured as specified in Chapter 3, Section 2(h)(iv) of these regulations.
(i) Stauffer Chemical Company of Wyoming, Green River Soda Ash Plant.
Table (i) Stauffer Chemical Company of Wyoming, Green River Soda Ash Plant.
Source Description
Allowable Emission Rate (lb/hr)
#1 Boiler
3.00
#2 Boiler
3.00
#3 Boiler
N.A.
#4 Boiler
7.50
#5 Boiler
8.62
#6 Boiler
7.50
ES-1
30.6
2ES-1
27.3
3ES-1
29.2
3ES-2
34.5
4SC-2
51.6
4SC-3
5.2
4SC-4
52.6
4ES-201
23.1
Phase II Dryer-Cooler
12.0
(ii) Allied Chemical Corporation, Green River Works
Table (ii) Allied Chemical Corporation, Green River Works.
Source Description
Company ID
Allowable Emission Rate (lb/hr)
Crusher Building
GR-I-A
3.0
Prod. Loading
GR-I-B(1)
3.0
Prod. Loading
GR-I-B(2)
3.0
Calciner #1
GR-I-C
20.0
Calciner #2
GR-I-D
25.0
Calciner #3
GR-I-E
20.0
Dryer #1
GR-I-F
4.0
Dryer #2
GR-I-G
4.0
Dryer #3
GR-I-H
4.0
Housekeeping (North)
GR-I-J(1)
2.0
Housekeeping (South)
GR-I-J(2)
2.0
Product Cooler
GR-I-K
2.0
Coal Handling Tunnel
CH-1
1.7
Coal Handling Gallery
CH-2
1.0
Ore Bin Gallery
GR-II-A
3.0
Product Storage
GR-II-B
4.0
Calciner #4
GR-II-C
20.0
Calciner #5
GR-II-D
20.0
Dissolver #1
GR-II-E-1
3.0
Dissolver #2
GR-II-E-2
3.0
Dryer #4
GR-II-F
4.0
Dryer #5
GR-II-G
4.0
Dryer #6
GR-II-H
4.0
Housekeeping
GR-II-J
10.0
Product Cooler
GR-II-K
3.0
Lime Storage
GR-II-O
0.1
Reclaim Ore System
RO-1
1.4
Crusher
GR-III-A
3.0
Ore Conveyor
GR-III-B
1.0
Ore Gallery
GR-III-C
1.0
Calciner #1
GR-III-D
37.9
Calciner #2
GR-III-E
37.9
Dissolver #1 (East)
GR-III-F
2.0
Dissolver #2 (West)
GR-III-G
2.0
Filter Aid
GR-III-H
NIL
Dryer #1
GR-III-K
1.5
Dryer #2
GR-III-L
1.5
Dryer #3
GR-III-M
1.5
Dryer #4
GR-III-N
1.5
Dryer #5
GR-III-P
1.5
Dryer Vent
GR-III-R
2.0
Prod. Cooler #1
GR-III-S
1.0
Prod. Cooler #2
GR-III-T
1.0
Housekeeping #1
GR-III-U
3.0
Housekeeping #2
GR-III-V
3.0
Crusher
A-305
2.0
Crusher
A-309
2.0
"C" Boiler
GR-II-L
50.0
"D" Boiler
GR-III-W
80.0
(iii) FMC Corporation, Green River
Table (iii) FMC Corporation, Green River.
Source Description
Company ID
Allowable Emission Rate (lb/hr)
Crusher
PA-4; PA-5
2.5
Dissolver
PA-6
1.0
Dissolver
PA-7
1.0
Dissolver
PA-8
1.0
Dissolver
PA-9
1.0
Sesqui Dryer
RA-1
10.0
Dust Collector
RA-2
2.0
Calciner
RA-13
8.0
Calciner
RA-14
4.0
Calciner
RA-15
4.0
Calciner
RA-16
4.0
Calciner Scrubber
RA-22
35.0
Calciner Scrubber
RA-23
35.0
Calciner Scrubber
RA-24
45.0
Fluid Bed Calciner
RA-25
26.5
Dust Collector
RA-27
3.0
Dust Collector
RA-33
3.0
Phosphorus Furnace
PP-12
15.0
Spray Dryer
PP-21
28.0
Dust Collector
PP-24
4.0
Calciner
PP-25
15.0
Dust Collector
PP-26
2.0
Dust Collector
PP-27
2.0
Trona Calciner
NA-2
3.0
Dust Collection
NA-3
10.0
Cooler
NA-5
6.0
Dust Collection
Mono 2
2.6
Dust Collection
Mono 3
1.3
Dust Collection
Mono 4
2.0
Calciner
Mono 5
53.0
Dryer
Mono 6
20.0
Dust Collection
Mono 7
2.0
Dust Collection
Mono 8
1.9
Dust Collection
NS-2
0.5
Calciner
NS-3
41.0
Crusher
NS-4
1.0
Dissolver
NS-5
2.7
Dryer
NS-6
20.0
Coal Dust Collection
NS-7
0.5
Coal Dust Collection
NS-8
0.5
Coal Dust Collection
NS-9
0.5
Gas/Oil Boiler
PH-1
8.4
Gas/Oil Boiler
PH-2
4.2
Gas/Oil Boiler
PH-3
8.4
Gas/Oil Boiler
Mono I
7.5
Coal Boiler
NS-1A
45.0
Coal Boiler
NS-1B
45.0
(iv) Church and Dwight Company
Table (iv) Church and Dwight Company
Source Description
Company ID
Allowable Emission Rate (lb/hr)
Soda Ash Unloading
SA
3.0
Throwing Box Scrubber
TB
2.0
Jeffrey Dryer Scrubber
JD
3.0
#1 Process Dryer
1PD
2.0
#2 Process Dryer
2PD
5.0
#3 Process Dryer
3PD
2.0
#1 House Dust System
1HDS
2.0
#2 House Dust System
2HDS
2.0
#3 House Dust System
3HDS
2.0
(c) Fugitive Dust Controls. The following subparagraphs specify fugitive dust control measures required for the delineated activities and sources and the schedules for completion of such measures. If, at any time, the Administrator is satisfied that the applicable suspended particulate matter standards have been attained and will be maintained, uncompleted programs may be completed at the option of the owner of the facility if failure to complete the same will not in the opinion of the Administrator adversely affect such attainment status.
(i) Allied Chemical, Green River
Unpaved Roads - Pave all roads in facility areas that encounter frequent traffic and maintain such roads in a clean condition through the use of a vacuum sweeper as required. Complete: November 30, 1980.
Distressed Area - Reclaim the distressed area outside the east fence or apply suitable soil binders. Complete: December 1, 1981.
Coal Stockpile - The active coal stockpile is to be enclosed or a dust suppression system installed and used during periods of activity. Complete: December 31, 1982.
Equipment Movement - Equipment movement around the periphery of the trona stockpile should be further reduced. Complete: June 1, 1979.
(ii) FMC Corporation
Stockpile - Installation and effective operation of the following abatement program elements is required to control excessive fugitive emissions from the coal handling facilities.
(A) Dust collectors with pick-ups at the transfer points.
(B) A dust suppression spray system to apply wetting agents to coal being unloaded, transferred, reclaimed, crushed and handled.
(C) Rapid unloading railroad cars.
(D) Use of counter weighted hood-type doors on the coal stacker.
Ore Stockpile - Install variable height booms so that the free fall distance of the ore is held to a minimum and install shroud (wind shield) to contain the ore as much as possible after it drops from the end of the boom. Complete: Sesqui Areas - January 1, 1981; Mono Areas - April 1, 1981.
Loadout Facilities - The mono loadout facilities are to be equipped with hoods around product chutes of adequate size to cap hatches of slot top or hatch top rail cars. The resultant dust generated due to displacement shall be aspirated to adequate dust collectors. The above requirements also apply to any truck bulk product loadout facilities. Complete: July 1, 1982.
Unpaved Roads - All unpaved roads that encounter frequent traffic in the facility area shall be paved and maintained in a clean condition through the use of a vacuum sweeper as required. Infrequently traveled roads are to be treated with oil or other suitable dust suppressants. Complete: October 1, 1980.
Overflow Chutes - Overflow or spillover chutes which discharge in the open, are to be eliminated or emptied into closed containers. Chutes for housekeeping purposes are to be eliminated and replaced with a vacuum dust system that utilizes a dust collector. Complete: October 1, 1980.
(iii) Stauffer Chemical, Green River
Ore Stockpile - Install and utilize a variable height boom so that the free fall distance of the ore is held to a minimum. A shroud (wind shield) to contain the ore as much as possible after it drops from the end of the boom is to be installed and utilized. Complete: July 1981.
Product Loadout - Rail loadout facilities are to be equipped with hoods around product chutes of adequate size to cap hatches of slot and portal top rail cars. The resultant dust generated due to displacement should be aspirated to adequate dust collectors. The above requirements will also apply to any truck bulk product loadout facilities. Maintenance or redesigning of existing baghouse collectors will also be necessary at these facilities. Complete: September 1982.
Product Handling and Storage - Product silo vents are to be equipped with dust collectors. Proper maintenance and/or redesign of existing dust collectors is also required in this area. Complete: September 1982.
Crusher Area - The removing of accumulated dust from crusher building by sweeping or dumping the material outside the building is to be eliminated. Housekeeping chores in this area as well as other areas are to be accomplished by the use of a vacuum system and dust collector. Existing baghouse collectors are to be properly maintained and if necessary other control measures installed and utilized at all transfer points in and around the crusher area. Complete: September 1982.
Overflow Chutes - Overflow or spillover chutes which discharge in the open are to be eliminated or emptied into closed containers. Complete: March 1979.
Unpaved Roads - All roads within the facility area that encounter frequent traffic are to be paved and maintained in a clean condition through the use of a vacuum sweeper as required. All other less frequently used roads are to be treated with oil or other suitable dust suppressants. Complete: September 1982.
Distressed Areas - Distressed areas to the south of the facility which contain distressed product piles and tailing pond dredgings are to be reclaimed and treated with dust suppressants. Complete: September 1979.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 3 Conformity of General Federal Actions to State Implementation Plans
(a) Prohibition.
(i) No department, agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government shall engage in, support in any way or provide financial assistance for, license or permit, or approve any activity which does not conform to an applicable implementation plan.
(ii) A Federal agency must make a determination that a Federal action conforms to the applicable implementation plan in accordance with the requirements of this section before the action is taken.
(iii) [Reserved]
(iv) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a determination that an action is in conformance with the applicable implementation plan does not exempt the action from any other requirements of the applicable implementation plan, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), or the CAA.
(v) If an action would result in emissions originating in more than one nonattainment or maintenance area, the conformity must be evaluated for each area separately.
(b) Definitions. Terms used but not defined in this section shall have the meaning given them by the CAA and EPA's regulations (40 CFR Chapter 1), in that order of priority.
"Affected Federal land manager" means the Federal agency or the Federal official charged with direct responsibility for management of an area designated Class I under the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7472) that is located within 100 km of the proposed Federal action.
"Applicability analysis" is the process of determining if your Federal action must be supported by a conformity determination.
"Applicable implementation plan or applicable SIP" means the portion (or portions) of the SIP or most recent revision thereof, which has been approved under section 110(k) of the CAA, or promulgated under section 110(c) of the CAA (Federal implementation plan), or a plan promulgated or approved pursuant to section 301(d) of the CAA (Tribal implementation plan or TIP) and which implements the relevant requirements of the CAA.
"Areawide air quality modeling analysis" means an assessment on a scale that includes the entire nonattainment or maintenance area which uses an air quality dispersion model or photochemical grid model to determine the effects of emissions on air quality, for example, an assessment using EPA's community multi-scale air quality (CMAQ) modeling system.
"CAA" means the Clean Air Act, as amended.
"Cause or contribute to a new violation" means a Federal action that:
(i) Causes a new violation of a national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) at a location in a nonattainment or maintenance area which would otherwise not be in violation of the standard during the future period in question if the Federal action were not taken; or
(ii) Contributes, in conjunction with other reasonably foreseeable actions, to a new violation of a NAAQS at a location in a nonattainment or maintenance area in a manner that would increase the frequency or severity of the new violation.
"Caused by", as used in the terms "direct emissions" and "indirect emissions," means emissions that would not otherwise occur in the absence of the Federal action.
"Confidential business information (CBI)" means information that has been determined by a Federal agency, in accordance with its applicable regulations, to be a trade secret, or commercial or financial information obtained from a person and privileged or confidential and is exempt from required disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)).
"Conformity determination" is the evaluation (made after an applicability analysis is completed) that a Federal action conforms to the applicable implementation plan and meets the requirements of this section.
"Conformity evaluation" is the entire process from the applicability analysis through the conformity determination that is used to demonstrate that the Federal action conforms to the requirements of this section.
"Continuing program responsibility" means a Federal agency has responsibility for emissions caused by:
(i) Actions it takes itself; or
(ii) Actions of non-Federal entities that the Federal agency, in exercising its normal programs and authorities, approves, funds, licenses or permits, provided the agency can impose conditions on any portion of the action that could affect the emissions.
"Continuous program to implement" means that the Federal agency has started the action identified in the plan and does not stop the actions for more than an 18-month period, unless it can demonstrate that such a stoppage was included in the original plan.
"Criteria pollutant or standard" means any pollutant for which there is established a NAAQS at 40 CFR Part 50.
"Direct emissions" means those emissions of a criteria pollutant or its precursors that are caused or initiated by the Federal action and originate in a nonattainment or maintenance area and occur at the same time and place as the action and are reasonably foreseeable.
"Emergency" means a situation where extremely quick action on the part of the Federal agencies involved is needed and where the timing of such Federal activities makes it impractical to meet the requirements of this section, such as natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes, civil disturbances such as terrorist acts and military mobilizations.
"Emissions budgets" are those portions of the applicable SIP's projected emission inventories that describe the levels of emissions (mobile, stationary, area, etc.) that provide for meeting reasonable further progress milestones, attainment, and/or maintenance for any criteria pollutant or its precursors.
"Emission inventory" means a listing of information on the location, type of source, type and quantity of pollutant emitted as well as other parameters of the emissions.
"Emissions offsets", for purposes of Subsection (h), are emissions reductions which are quantifiable, consistent with the applicable SIP attainment and reasonable further progress demonstrations, surplus to reductions required by, and credited to, other applicable SIP provisions, enforceable at both the State and Federal levels, and permanent within the timeframe specified by the program.
"EPA" means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"Federal action" means any activity engaged in by a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal government, or any activity that a department, agency or instrumentality of the Federal government supports in any way, provides financial assistance for, licenses, permits, or approves, other than activities related to transportation plans, programs, and projects developed, funded, or approved under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). Where the Federal action is a permit, license, or other approval for some aspect of a non-Federal undertaking, the relevant activity is the part, portion, or phase or the non-Federal undertaking that requires the Federal permit, license, or approval.
"Federal agency" means, for purposes of this section, a Federal department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal government.
"Increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of any standard in any area" means to cause a nonattainment area to exceed a standard more often or to cause a violation at a greater concentration than previously existed and/or would otherwise exist during the future period in question, if the project were not implemented.
"Indirect emissions" means those emissions of a criteria pollutant or its precursors:
(i) That are caused or initiated by the Federal action and originate in the same nonattainment or maintenance area but occur at a different time or place as the action;
(ii) That are reasonably foreseeable;
(iii) That the Federal agency can practically control; and
(iv) For which the Federal agency has continuing program responsibility.
For the purposes of this definition, even if a Federal licensing, rulemaking or other approving action is a required initial step for a subsequent activity that causes emissions, such initial steps do not mean that a Federal agency can practically control any resulting emissions.
"Local air quality modeling analysis" means an assessment of localized impacts on a scale smaller than the entire nonattainment or maintenance area, including, for example, congested roadways on a Federal facility, which uses an air quality dispersion model (e.g., Industrial Source Complex Model or Emission and Dispersion Model System) to determine the effects of emissions on air quality.
"Maintenance area" means an area that was designated as nonattainment and has been re-designated in 40 CFR Part 81 to attainment, meeting the provisions of section 107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA and has a maintenance plan approved under section 175A of the CAA.
"Maintenance plan" means a revision to the applicable SIP, meeting the requirements of section 175A of the CAA.
"Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)" means the policy board of an organization created as a result of the designation process in 23 U.S.C. 134(d).
"Milestone" has the meaning given in sections 182(g)(1) and 189(c)(1) of the CAA.
"Mitigation measure" means any method of reducing emissions of the pollutant or its precursor taken at the location of the Federal action and used to reduce the impact of the emissions of that pollutant caused by the action.
"National ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)" are those standards established pursuant to section 109 of the CAA and include standards for carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
"NEPA" is the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
"Nonattainment area (NAA)" means an area designated as nonattainment under section 107 of the CAA and described in 40 CFR Part 81.
"Precursors of a criteria pollutant" are:
(i) For ozone, nitrogen oxides (NOx), unless an area is exempted from NOx requirements under section 182(f) of the CAA, and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
(ii) For PM10, those pollutants described in the PM10 nonattainment area applicable SIP as significant contributors to the PM10 levels.
(iii) For PM2.5:
(A) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) in all PM2.5 nonattainment and maintenance areas,
(B) Nitrogen oxides in all PM2.5 nonattainment and maintenance areas unless both the State and EPA determine that it is not a significant precursor, and
(C) Volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ammonia (NH3) only in PM2.5 nonattainment or maintenance areas where either the State or EPA determines that they are significant precursors.
"Reasonably foreseeable emissions" are projected future direct and indirect emissions that are identified at the time the conformity determination is made; the location of such emissions is known and the emissions are quantifiable as described and documented by the Federal agency based on its own information and after reviewing any information presented to the Federal agency.
"Regional water and/or wastewater projects" include construction, operation, and maintenance of water or wastewater conveyances, water or wastewater treatment facilities, and water storage reservoirs which affect a large portion of a nonattainment or maintenance area.
"Restricted information" is information that is privileged or that is otherwise protected from disclosure pursuant to applicable statutes, Executive Orders, or regulations. Such information includes but is not limited to: Classified national security information, protected critical infrastructure information, sensitive security information, and proprietary business information.
"Take or start the Federal action" means the date that the Federal agency signs or approves the permit, license, grant or contract or otherwise physically begins the Federal action that requires a conformity evaluation under this section.
"Total of direct and indirect emissions" means the sum of direct and indirect emissions increases and decreases caused by the Federal action; i.e., the "net" emissions considering all direct and indirect emissions. The portion of emissions which are exempt or presumed to conform under Subsections (c)(iii), (iv), (v), or (vi) are not included in the "total of direct and indirect emissions." The "total of direct and indirect emissions" includes emissions of criteria pollutants and emissions of precursors of criteria pollutants.
(c) Applicability.
(i) Conformity determinations for Federal actions related to transportation plans, programs, and projects developed, funded, or approved under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) must meet the procedures and criteria of Chapter 8, Section 4, in lieu of the procedures set forth in this section.
(ii) For Federal actions not covered by paragraph (i) of this subsection, a conformity determination is required for each criteria pollutant or precursor where the total of direct and indirect emissions of the criteria pollutant or precursor in a nonattainment or maintenance area caused by a Federal action would equal or exceed any of the rates in paragraphs (ii)(A) or (B) of this subsection.
(A) For purposes of paragraph (ii) of this subsection, the following rates apply in nonattainment areas (NAAs):
Criteria Pollutant
Tons/Year
Ozone (VOCs or NOx):
Serious NAAs
50
Severe NAAs
25
Extreme NAAs
10
Other ozone NAAs outside an
ozone transport region :
100
Other ozone NAAs inside an ozone transport region:
VOC
50
NOx
100
Carbon monoxide:
All NAAs
100
SO2 or NO2:
All NAAs
100
PM10:
Moderate NAAs
100
Serious NAAs
70
PM2.5:
Direct emissions
100
SO2
100
NOx (unless determined not to be
significant precursors)
100
VOC or ammonia (if determined
to be significant precursors)
100
Pb:
All NAAs
25
(B) For purposes of paragraph (ii) of this subsection, the following rates apply in maintenance areas:
Criteria Pollutant
Tons/Year
Ozone (NOx, SO2 or NO2):
All Maintenance Areas
100
Ozone (VOCs):
Maintenance areas inside an ozone transport region
50
Maintenance areas outside an ozone transport region
100
Carbon monoxide:
All maintenance areas
100
PM10:
All maintenance areas
100
PM2.5:
Direct emissions
100
SO2
100
NOx (unless determined not to be
significant precursors) :
100
VOC or ammonia (if determined
to be significant precursors):
100
Pb:
All maintenance areas
25
(iii) The requirements of this section shall not apply to the following Federal actions:
(A) Actions where the total of direct and indirect emissions are below the emissions levels specified in paragraph (ii) of this subsection.
(B) Actions which would result in no emissions increase or an increase in emissions that is clearly de minimus:
(I) Judicial and legislative proceedings.
(II) Continuing and recurring activities such as permit renewals where activities conducted will be similar in scope and operation to activities currently being conducted.
(III) Rulemaking and policy development and issuance.
(IV) Routine maintenance and repair activities, including repair and maintenance of administrative sites, roads, trails, and facilities.
(V) Civil and criminal enforcement activities, such as investigations, audits, inspections, examinations, prosecutions, and the training of law enforcement personnel.
(VI) Administrative actions such as personnel actions, organization changes, debt management or collection, cash management, internal agency audits, program budget proposals, and matters relating to the administration and collection of taxes, duties and fees.
(VII) The routine, recurring transportation of material and personnel.
(VIII) Routine movement of mobile assets, such as ships and aircraft, in home port reassignments and stations (when no new support facilities or personnel are required) to perform as operational groups and/or for repair or overhaul.
(IX) Maintenance dredging and debris disposal where no new depths are required, applicable permits are secured, and disposal will be at an approved disposal site.
(X) Actions, such as the following, with respect to existing structures, properties, facilities and lands where future activities conducted will be similar in scope and operation to activities currently being conducted at the existing structures, properties, facilities, and lands; for example, relocation of personnel, disposition of federally-owned existing structures, properties, facilities, and lands, rent subsidies, operation and maintenance cost subsidies, the exercise of receivership or conservatorship authority, assistance in purchasing structures, and the production of coins and currency.
(XI) The granting of leases, licenses such as for exports and trade, permits, and easements where activities conducted will be similar in scope and operation to activities currently being conducted.
(XII) Planning, studies, and provision of technical assistance.
(XIII) Routine operation of facilities, mobile assets and equipment.
(XIV) Transfers of ownership, interests, and titles in land, facilities, and real and personal properties, regardless of the form or method of the transfer.
(XV) The designation of empowerment zones, enterprise communities, or viticultural areas.
(XVI) Actions by any of the Federal banking agencies or the Federal Reserve Banks, including actions regarding charters, applications, notices, licenses, the supervision or examination of depository institutions or depository institution holding companies, access to the discount window, or the provision of financial services to banking organizations or to any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States.
(XVII) Actions by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any Federal Reserve Bank necessary to affect monetary or exchange rate policy.
(XVIII)Actions that implement a foreign affairs function of the United States.
(XIX) Actions (or portions thereof) associated with transfers of land, facilities, title, and real properties through an enforceable contract or lease agreement where the delivery of the deed is required to occur promptly after a specific, reasonable condition is met, such as promptly after the land is certified as meeting the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and where the Federal agency does not retain continuing authority to control emissions associated with the lands, facilities, title, or real properties.
(XX) Transfers of real property, including land, facilities, and related personal property from a Federal entity to another Federal entity and assignments of real property, including land, facilities, and related personal property from a Federal entity to another Federal entity for subsequent deeding to eligible applicants.
(XXI) Actions by the Department of the Treasury to effect fiscal policy and to exercise the borrowing authority of the United States.
(XXII) Air traffic control activities and adopting approach, departure, and enroute procedures for aircraft operations above the mixing height specified in the applicable SIP. Where the applicable SIP does not specify a mixing height, the Federal agency can use the 3,000 feet above ground level as a default mixing height, unless the agency demonstrates that use of a different mixing height is appropriate because the change in emissions at and above that height caused by the Federal action is de minimis.
(C) Actions where the emissions are not reasonably foreseeable, such as the following:
(I) Initial Outer Continental Shelf lease sales which are made on a broad scale and are followed by exploration and development plans on a project level.
(II) Electric power marketing activities that involve the acquisition, sale and transmission of electric energy.
(D) Actions which implement a decision to conduct or carry out a conforming program such as prescribed burning actions which are consistent with a conforming land management plan.
(iv) Notwithstanding the other requirements of this section, a conformity determination is not required for the following Federal actions (or portion thereof):
(A) The portion of an action that includes major or minor new or modified stationary sources that require a permit under the new source review (NSR) program (Section 110(a)(2)(C) and Section 173 of the CAA) or the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) program (Title I, part C of the CAA);
(B) Actions in response to emergencies which are typically commenced on the order of hours or days after the emergency and, if applicable, which meet the requirements of paragraph (v) of this subsection;
(C) Research, investigations, studies, demonstrations, or training (other than those exempted under paragraph (iii)(B) of this subsection), where no environmental detriment is incurred and/or, the particular action furthers air quality research, as determined by the State agency primarily responsible for the applicable SIP;
(D) Alteration and additions of existing structures as specifically required by new or existing applicable environmental legislation or environmental regulations (e.g., hush houses for aircraft engines and scrubbers for air emissions);
(E) Direct emissions from remedial and removal actions carried out under CERCLA and associated regulations to the extent such emissions either comply with the substantive requirements of the PSD/NSR permitting program or are exempted from other environmental regulation under the provisions of CERCLA and applicable regulations issued under CERCLA.
(v) Federal actions which are part of a continuing response to an emergency or disaster under paragraph (iv)(B) of this subsection and which are to be taken more than 6 months after the commencement of the response to the emergency or disaster under paragraph (iv)(B) of this subsection are exempt from the requirements of this section only if:
(A) The Federal agency taking the actions makes a written determination that, for a specified period not to exceed an additional 6 months, it is impractical to prepare the conformity analyses which would otherwise be required, and the actions cannot be delayed due to overriding concerns for public health and welfare, national security interests and foreign policy commitments; or
(B) For actions which are to be taken after those actions covered by paragraph (v)(A) of this subsection, the Federal agency makes a new determination as provided in paragraph (v)(A) of this subsection and:
(I) Provides a draft copy of the written determinations required to affected EPA Regional office(s), the affected State(s) and/or air pollution control agencies, and any Federal recognized Indian tribal government in the nonattainment or maintenance area. Those organizations must be allowed 15 days from the beginning of the extension period to comment on the draft determination; and
(II) Within 30 days after making the determination, publish a notice of the determination by placing a prominent advertisement in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the action.
(C) If additional actions are necessary in response to an emergency or disaster under paragraph (iv)(B) of this subsection beyond the specified time period in paragraph (v)(B) of this subsection, a Federal agency can make a new written determination as described in (v)(B) of this subsection for as many 6-month periods as needed, but in no case shall this exemption extend beyond three 6-month periods except where an agency:
(I) Provides information to EPA and the State stating that the conditions that gave rise to the emergency exemption continue to exist and how such conditions effectively prevent the agency from conducting a conformity evaluation.
(vi) Notwithstanding other requirements of this section, actions specified by individual Federal agencies that have met the criteria set forth in either paragraphs (vii)(A), (vii)(B), or (vii)(C) of this subsection and the procedures set forth in paragraph (viii) of this subsection are "presumed to conform", except as provided in paragraph (x) of this subsection. Actions specified by individual Federal agencies as "presumed to conform" may not be used in combination with one another when the total direct and indirect emissions from the combination of actions would equal or exceed any of the rates specified in paragraphs (ii)(A) or (ii)(B) of this subsection.
(vii) The Federal agency must meet the criteria for establishing activities that are presumed to conform by fulfilling the requirements set forth in either paragraphs (vii)(A), (vii)(B), or (vii)(C) of this subsection:
(A) The Federal agency must clearly demonstrate using methods consistent with this section that the total of direct and indirect emissions from the type of activities which would be presumed to conform would not:
(I) Cause or contribute to any new violation of any standard in any area;
(II) Interfere with provisions in the applicable SIP for maintenance of any standard;
(III) Increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of any standard in any area; or
(IV) Delay timely attainment of any standard or any required interim emission reductions or other milestones in any area including, where applicable, emission levels specified in the applicable SIP for purposes of:
(1.) A demonstration of reasonable further progress;
(2.) A demonstration of attainment;
(3.) A maintenance plan; or
(B) The Federal agency must provide documentation that the total of direct and indirect emissions from such future actions would be below the emission rates for a conformity determination that are established in paragraph (ii) of this subsection, based, for example, on similar actions taken over recent years.
(C) The Federal agency must clearly demonstrate that the emissions from the type or category of actions and the amount of emissions from the action are included in the applicable SIP and the State, local, or tribal air quality agencies responsible for the SIP(s) provide written concurrence that the emissions from the actions along with all other expected emissions in the area will not exceed the emission budget in the SIP.
(viii) In addition to meeting the criteria for establishing exemptions set forth in paragraphs (vii)(A), (vii)(B), or (vii)(C) of this subsection, the following procedures must also be complied with to presume that activities will conform:
(A) The Federal agency must identify through publication in the Federal Register its list of proposed activities that are "presumed to conform" and the basis for the presumptions. The notice must clearly identify the type and size of the action that would be "presumed to conform" and provide criteria for determining if the type and size of action qualifies it for the presumption;
(B) The Federal agency must notify the appropriate EPA Regional Office(s), State and local air quality agencies and, where applicable, the agency designated under §174 of the CAA and the MPO and provide at least 30 days for the public to comment on the list of proposed activities "presumed to conform". If the "presumed to conform" action has regional or national application (e.g., the action will cause emission increases in excess of the de minimis levels identified in paragraph (ii) of this subsection in more than one of EPA's Regions), the Federal agency, as an alternative to sending it to EPA Regional Offices, can send the draft conformity determination to U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards;
(C) The Federal Agency must document its response to all the comments received and make the comments, response, and final list of activities available to the public upon request; and
(D) The Federal agency must publish the final list of such activities in the Federal Register.
(ix) Emissions from the following actions are "presumed to conform":
(A) Actions at installations with facility-wide emission budgets meeting the requirements in Subsection (k) provided that the State has included the emission budget in the EPA-approved SIP and the emissions from the action along with all other emissions from the installation will not exceed the facility-wide emission budget.
(B) Prescribed fires conducted in accordance with a smoke management program (SMP) which meets the requirements of EPA's Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland and Prescribed Fires or an equivalent replacement EPA policy.
(C) Emissions for actions that the State identifies in the EPA-approved SIP as "presumed to conform".
(x) Even though an action would otherwise be "presumed to conform" under paragraphs (vi) or (ix) of this subsection, an action shall not be "presumed to conform" and the requirements of Subsection (a), 40 CFR Part 93.151, Subsections (d) through (j) and Subsections (l) through (n) shall apply to the action if EPA or a third party shows that the action would:
(A) Cause or contribute to any new violation of any standard in any area;
(B) Interfere with provisions in the applicable SIP for maintenance of any standard;
(C) Increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of any standard in any area; or
(D) Delay timely attainment of any standard or any required interim emissions reductions or other milestones in any area including, where applicable, emission levels specified in the applicable SIP for purposes of:
(I) A demonstration of reasonable further progress;
(II) A demonstration of attainment; or
(III) A maintenance plan.
(xi) The provisions of this section shall apply in all nonattainment and maintenance areas except conformity requirements for newly designated nonattainment areas are not applicable until 1 year after the effective date of the final nonattainment designation for each NAAQS and pollutant in accordance with section 176(c)(6) of the CAA.
(d) Federal Agency Conformity Responsibility. Any department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal government taking an action subject to this section must make its own conformity determination consistent with the requirements of this section. In making its conformity determination, a Federal agency must follow the requirements in Subsections (e) through (j) and Subsections (l) through (o) and must consider comments from any interested parties. Where multiple Federal agencies have jurisdiction for various aspects of a project, a Federal agency may choose to adopt the analysis of another Federal agency or develop its own analysis in order to make its conformity determination.
(e) Reporting Requirements.
(i) A Federal agency making a conformity determination under Subsections (d) through (j) and Subsections (l) through (n) must provide to the appropriate EPA Regional Office(s), State and local air quality agencies, any federally-recognized Indian tribal government in the nonattainment or maintenance area, and, where applicable, affected Federal Land Managers, the agency designated under section 174 of the CAA and the MPO, a 30-day notice which describes the proposed action and the Federal agency's draft conformity determination on the action. If the action has multi-regional or national impacts (e.g., the action will cause emission increases in excess of the de minimis levels identified in Subsection (c)(ii) in three or more of EPA's Regions), the Federal agency, as an alternative to sending it to EPA Regional Offices, can provide the notice to EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
(ii) A Federal agency must notify the appropriate EPA Regional Office(s), State and local air quality agencies, any federally-recognized Indian tribal government in the nonattainment or maintenance area, and, where applicable, affected Federal Land Managers, the agency designated under section 174 of the Clean Air Act and the MPO, within 30 days after making a final conformity determination under this section.
(iii) The draft and final conformity determination shall exclude any restricted information or confidential business information. The disclosure of restricted information and confidential business information shall be controlled by the applicable laws, regulations, security manuals, or executive orders concerning the use, access, and release of such materials. Subject to applicable procedures to protect restricted information from public disclosure, any information or materials excluded from the draft or final conformity determination or supporting materials may be made available in a restricted information annex to the determination for review by Federal and State representatives who have received appropriate clearances to review the information.
(f) Public Participation.
(i) Upon request by any person regarding a specific Federal action, a Federal agency must make available, subject to the limitation in paragraph (v) of this section, for review its draft conformity determination under Subsection (d) with supporting materials which describe the analytical methods and conclusions relied upon in making the applicability analysis and draft conformity determination.
(ii) A Federal agency must make public its draft conformity determination under Subsection (d) by placing a notice by prominent advertisement in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the action and by providing 30 days for written public comment prior to taking any formal action on the draft determination. This comment period may be concurrent with any other public involvement, such as occurs in the NEPA process. If the action has multi-regional or national impacts (e.g., the action will cause emission increases in excess of the de minimis levels identified in Subsection (c)(ii) in three or more of EPA's Regions), the Federal agency, as an alternative to publishing separate notices, can publish a notice in the Federal Register.
(iii) A Federal agency must document its response to all the comments received on its draft conformity determination under Subsection (d) and make the comments and responses available, subject to the limitation in paragraph (v) of this subsection, upon request by any person regarding a specific Federal action, within 30 days of the final conformity determination.
(iv) A Federal agency must make public its final conformity determination under Subsection (d) for a federal action by placing a notice by prominent advertisement in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the action within 30 days of the final conformity determination. If the action would have multi-regional or national impacts, the Federal agency, as an alternative, can publish the notice in the Federal Register.
(v) The draft and final conformity determination shall exclude any restricted information or confidential business information. The disclosure of restricted information and confidential business information shall be controlled by the applicable laws, regulations or executive orders concerning the release of such materials.
(g) Reevaluation of Conformity.
(i) Once a conformity determination is completed by a Federal agency, that determination is not required to be reevaluated if the agency has maintained a continuous program to implement the action; the determination has not lapsed as specified in paragraph (ii) of this subsection; or any modification to the action does not result in an increase in emissions above the levels specified in Subsection (c)(ii). If a conformity determination is not required for the action at the time the NEPA analysis is completed, the date of the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for an Environmental Assessment, a record of decision (ROD) for an Environmental Impact Statement, or a categorical exclusion determination can be used as a substitute date for the conformity determination date.
(ii) The conformity status of a Federal action automatically lapses 5 years from the date a final conformity determination is reported under Subsection (e), unless the Federal action has been completed or a continuous program to implement the Federal action has commenced.
(iii) Ongoing Federal activities at a given site showing continuous progress are not new actions and do not require periodic redeterminations so long as such activities are within the scope of the final conformity determination reported under Section (e).
(iv) If the Federal agency originally determined through the applicability analysis that a conformity determination was not necessary because the emissions for the action were below the limits in Subsection (c)(ii) and changes to the action would result in the total emissions from the action being above the limits in Subsection (c)(ii), then the Federal agency must make a conformity determination.
(h) Criteria for Determining Conformity of General Federal Actions.
(i) An action required under Subsection (c) to have a conformity determination for a specific pollutant, will be determined to conform to the applicable SIP if, for each pollutant that exceeds the rates in Subsection (c)(ii), or otherwise requires a conformity determination due to the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action, the action meets the requirements of paragraph (iii) of this subsection, and meets any of the following requirements:
(A) For any criteria pollutant or precursor, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action are specifically identified and accounted for in the applicable SIP's attainment or maintenance demonstration or reasonable further progress milestone or in a facility-wide emission budget included in a SIP in accordance with Subsection (k);
(B) For precursors of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, or PM, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action are fully offset within the same nonattainment or maintenance area (or nearby area of equal or higher classification provided the emissions from that area contribute to the violations, or have contributed to violations in the past, in the area with the Federal action) through a revision to the applicable SIP or a similarly enforceable measure that effects emissions reductions so that there is no net increase in emissions of that pollutant;
(C) For any directly-emitted criteria pollutant, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action meets the requirements:
(I) Specified in paragraph (ii) of this subsection, based on areawide air quality modeling analysis and local air quality modeling analysis; or
(II) Meet the requirements of paragraph (i)(E) of this subsection and, for local air quality modeling analysis, the requirement of paragraph (ii) of this subsection;
(D) For CO or directly emitted PM:
(I) Where the State agency primarily responsible for the applicable SIP determines that an areawide air quality modeling analysis is not needed, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action meet the requirements specified in paragraph (ii) of this subsection, based on local air quality modeling analysis; or
(II) Where the State agency primarily responsible for the applicable SIP determines that an areawide air quality modeling analysis is appropriate and that a local air quality modeling analysis is not needed, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action meet the requirements specified in paragraph (ii) of this subsection, based on areawide modeling, or meet the requirements of paragraph (i)(E) of this subsection; or
(E) For ozone or nitrogen dioxide, and for purposes of paragraphs (i)(C)(II) and (i)(D)(II) of this subsection, each portion of the action or the action as a whole meets any of the following requirements:
(I) Where EPA has approved a revision to the applicable implementation plan after the area was designated as nonattainment and the State makes a determination as provided in paragraph (i)(E)(I)(1.) of this subsection or where the State makes a commitment as provided in paragraph (i)(E)(I)(2.) of this subsection:
(1.) The total of direct and indirect emissions from the action (or portion thereof) is determined and documented by the State agency primarily responsible for the applicable SIP to result in a level of emissions which, together with all other emissions in the nonattainment (or maintenance) area, would not exceed the emissions budgets specified in the applicable SIP.
(2.) The total of direct and indirect emissions from the action (or portion thereof) is determined by the State agency responsible for the applicable SIP to result in a level of emissions which, together with all other emissions in the nonattainment (or maintenance) area, would exceed an emissions budget specified in the applicable SIP and the State Governor or the Governor's designee for SIP actions makes a written commitment to EPA which includes the following:
a. A specific schedule for adoption and submittal of a revision to the SIP which would achieve the needed emission reductions prior to the time emissions from the Federal action would occur;
b. Identification of specific measures for incorporation into the SIP which would result in a level of emissions which, together with all other emissions in the nonattainment or maintenance area, would not exceed any emissions budget specified in the applicable SIP;
c. A demonstration that all existing applicable SIP requirements are being implemented in the area for the pollutants affected by the Federal action, and that local authority to implement additional requirements has been fully pursued;
d. A determination that the responsible Federal agencies have required all reasonable mitigation measures associated with their action; and
e. Written documentation including all air quality analyses supporting the conformity determination.
(3.) Where a Federal agency made a conformity determination based on a State's commitment under paragraph (i)(E)(I)(2.) of this subsection and the State has submitted a SIP to EPA covering the time period during which the emissions will occur or is scheduled to submit such a SIP within 18 months of the conformity determination, the State commitment is automatically deemed a call for a SIP revision by EPA under section 110(k)(5) of the CAA, effective on the date of the Federal conformity determination and requiring response within 18 months or any shorter time within which the State commits to revise the applicable SIP;
(4.) Where a Federal agency made a conformity determination based on a State commitment under paragraph (i)(E)(I)(2.) of this subsection and the State has not submitted a SIP covering the time period when the emissions will occur or is not scheduled to submit such a SIP within 18 months of the conformity determination, the State must, within 18 months, submit to EPA a revision to the existing SIP committing to include the emissions in the future SIP revision.
(II) The action (or portion thereof), as determined by the MPO, is specifically included in a current transportation plan and transportation improvement program which have been found to conform to the applicable SIP under Chapter 8, Section 4, or 40 CFR Part 93, Subpart A;
(III) The action (or portion thereof) fully offsets its emissions within the same nonattainment or maintenance area (or nearby area of equal or higher classification provided the emissions from that area contribute to the violations, or have contributed to violations in the past, in the area with the Federal action) through a revision to the applicable SIP or an equally enforceable measure that effects emissions reductions equal to or greater than the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action so that there is no net increase in emissions of that pollutant;
(IV) Where EPA has not approved a revision to the relevant SIP since the area was redesignated or reclassified, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action for the future years (described in Subsection (i)(iv)) do not increase emissions with respect to the baseline emissions:
(1.) The baseline emissions reflect the historical activity levels that occurred in the geographic area affected by the proposed Federal action during:
a. The most current calendar year with a complete emission inventory available before an area is designated unless EPA sets another year; or
b. The emission budget in the applicable SIP;
c. The year of the baseline inventory in the PM10 applicable SIP;
(2.) The baseline emissions are the total of direct and indirect emissions calculated for the future years (described in Subsection (i)(iv)) using the historic activity levels (described in paragraph (i)(E)(IV)(1.) of this subsection) and appropriate emission factors for the future years; or
(V) Where the action involves regional water and/or wastewater projects, such projects are sized to meet only the needs of population projections that are in the applicable SIP.
(ii) The areawide and/or local air quality modeling analyses must:
(A) Meet the requirements in Subsection (i); and
(B) Show that the action does not:
(I) Cause or contribute to any new violation of any standard in any area; or
(II) Increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of any standard in any area.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other requirements of this subsection, an action subject to this section may not be determined to conform to the applicable SIP unless the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action is in compliance or consistent with all relevant requirements and milestones contained in the applicable SIP, such as elements identified as part of the reasonable further progress schedules, assumptions specified in the attainment or maintenance demonstration, prohibitions, numerical emission limits, and work practice requirements.
(iv) Any analyses required under this subsection must be completed, and any mitigation requirements necessary for a finding of conformity must be identified before the determination of conformity is made.
(i) Procedures for Conformity Determinations of General Federal Actions.
(i) The analyses required under this section must be based on the latest planning assumptions.
(A) All planning assumptions must be derived from the estimates of population, employment, travel, and congestion most recently approved by the MPO, or other agency authorized to make such estimates, where available.
(B) Any revisions to these estimates used as part of the conformity determination, including projected shifts in geographic location or level of population, employment, travel, and congestion, must be approved by the MPO or other agency authorized to make such estimates for the urban area.
(ii) The analyses required under this section must be based on the latest and most accurate emission estimation techniques available as described below, unless such techniques are inappropriate. If such techniques are inappropriate, the Federal agency may obtain written approval from the appropriate EPA Regional Administrator for modification or substitution, of another technique on a case-by-case basis or, where appropriate, on a generic basis for a specific Federal agency program.
(A) For motor vehicle emissions, the most current version of the motor vehicle emissions model specified by EPA and available for use in the preparation or revision of SIPs in that State must be used for the conformity analysis as specified in paragraphs (ii)(A)(I) and (II) of this subsection:
(I) The EPA must publish in the Federal Register a notice of availability of any new motor vehicle emissions model; and
(II) A grace period of three months shall apply during which the motor vehicle emissions model previously specified by EPA as the most current version may be used unless EPA announces a longer grace period in the Federal Register. Conformity analyses for which the analysis was begun during the grace period or no more than 3 months before the Federal Register notice of availability of the latest emission model may continue to use the previous version of the model specified by EPA.
(B) For non-motor vehicle sources, including stationary and area source emissions, the latest emission factors specified by EPA in the "Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors" (AP-42) must be used for the conformity analysis unless more accurate emission data are available, such as actual stack test data from stationary sources which are part of the conformity analysis.
(iii) The air quality modeling analyses required under this section must be based on the applicable air quality models, databases, and other requirements specified in the most recent version of the "Guideline on Air Quality Models" (Appendix W to 40 CFR Part 51), unless:
(A) The guideline techniques are inappropriate, in which case the model may be modified or another model substituted on a case-by-case basis or, where appropriate, on a generic basis for a specific Federal agency program; and
(B) Written approval of the EPA Regional Administrator is obtained for any modification or substitution.
(iv) The analyses required under this section must be based on the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action and must reflect emission scenarios that are expected to occur under each of the following cases:
(A) The attainment year specified in the SIP, or if the SIP does not specify an attainment year, the latest attainment year possible under the CAA; or
(B) The last year for which emissions are projected in the maintenance plan;
(C) The year during which the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action is expected to be the greatest on an annual basis; and
(D) Any year for which the applicable SIP specifies an emissions budget.
(j) Mitigation of Air Quality Impacts.
(i) Any measures that are intended to mitigate air quality impacts must be identified and the process for implementation and enforcement of such measures must be described, including an implementation schedule containing explicit timelines for implementation.
(ii) Prior to determining that a Federal action is in conformity, the Federal agency making the conformity determination must obtain written commitments from the appropriate persons or agencies to implement any mitigation measures which are identified as conditions for making conformity determinations.
(iii) Persons or agencies voluntarily committing to mitigation measures to facilitate positive conformity determinations must comply with the obligations of such commitments.
(iv) In instances where the Federal agency is licensing, permitting or otherwise approving the action of another governmental or private entity, approval by the Federal agency must be conditioned on the other entity meeting the mitigation measures set forth in the conformity determination.
(v) When necessary because of changed circumstances, mitigation measures may be modified so long as the new mitigation measures continue to support the conformity determination. Any proposed change in the mitigation measures is subject to the reporting requirements of Subsection (e) and the public participation requirements of Subsection (f).
(vi) Written commitments to mitigation measures must be obtained prior to a positive conformity determination and that such commitments must be fulfilled.
(vii) After a State revises its SIP and EPA approves that SIP revision, any agreements, including mitigation measures, necessary for a conformity determination will be both State and federally enforceable. Enforceability through the applicable SIP will apply to all persons who agree to mitigate direct and indirect emissions associated with a Federal action for a conformity determination.
(k) Conformity Evaluation for Federal Installations with Facility-Wide Emission Budgets.
(i) The State or local agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the SIP can in cooperation with Federal agencies or third parties authorized by the agency that operate installations subject to Federal oversight develop and adopt a facility-wide emission budget to be used for demonstrating conformity under Subsection (h)(i)(A). The facility-wide budget must meet the following criteria:
(A) Be for a set time period;
(B) Cover the pollutants or precursors of the pollutants for which the area is designated nonattainment or maintenance;
(C) Include specific quantities allowed to be emitted on an annual or seasonal basis;
(D) The emissions from the facility along with all other emissions in the area will not exceed the emission budget for the area;
(E) Include specific measures to ensure compliance with the budget, such as periodic reporting requirements or compliance demonstration, when the Federal agency is taking an action that would otherwise require a conformity determination;
(F) Be submitted to EPA as a SIP revision;
(G) The SIP revision must be approved by EPA.
(ii) The facility-wide budget developed and adopted in accordance with paragraph (i) of this subsection can be revised by following the requirements in paragraph (i) of this subsection.
(iii) Total direct and indirect emissions from Federal actions in conjunction with all other emissions subject to General Conformity from the facility that do not exceed the facility budget adopted pursuant to paragraph (i) of this subsection are "presumed to conform" to the SIP and do not require a conformity analysis.
(iv) If the total direct and indirect emissions from the Federal actions in conjunction with the other emissions subject to General Conformity from the facility exceed the budget adopted pursuant to paragraph (i) of this subsection, the action must be evaluated for conformity. A Federal agency can use the compliance with the facility-wide emissions budget as part of the demonstration of conformity, i.e., the agency would have to mitigate or offset the emissions that exceed the emission budget.
(v) If the SIP for the area includes a category for construction emissions, the negotiated budget can exempt construction emissions from further conformity analysis.
(l) Emissions Beyond the Time Period Covered by the SIP. If a Federal action would result in total direct and indirect emissions above the applicable thresholds which would be emitted beyond the time period covered by the SIP, the Federal agency can:
(i) Demonstrate conformity with the last emission budget in the SIP; or
(ii) Request the State to adopt an emissions budget for the action for inclusion in the SIP. The State must submit a SIP revision to EPA within 18 months either including the emissions in the existing SIP or establishing an enforceable commitment to include the emissions in future SIP revisions based on the latest planning assumptions at the time of the SIP revision. No such commitment by a State shall restrict a State's ability to require RACT, RACM or any other control measures within the State's authority to ensure timely attainment of the NAAQS.
(m) Timing of Offsets and Mitigation Measures.
(i) The emissions reductions from an offset or mitigation measure used to demonstrate conformity must occur during the same calendar year as the emission increases from the action except, as provided in paragraph (ii) of this subsection.
(ii) The State may approve emissions reductions in other years provided:
(A) The reductions are greater than the emission increases by the following ratios:
(I) Extreme nonattainment areas 1.5:1
(II) Severe nonattainment areas 1.3:1
(III) Serious nonattainment areas 1.2:1
(IV) Moderate nonattainment areas 1.15:1
(V) All other areas 1.1:1
(B) The time period for completing the emissions reductions must not exceed twice the period of the emissions.
(C) The offset or mitigation measure with emissions reductions in another year will not:
(I) Cause or contribute to a new violation of any air quality standard;
(II) Increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of any air quality standard; or
(III) Delay the timely attainment of any standard or any interim emissions reductions or other milestones in any area.
(iii) The approval by the State of an offset or mitigation measure with emissions reductions in another year does not relieve the State of any obligation to meet any SIP or CAA milestone or deadline. The approval of an alternate schedule for mitigation measures is at the discretion of the State, and they are not required to approve an alternate schedule.
(n) Inter-precursor Mitigation Measures and Offsets. Federal agencies must reduce the same type of pollutant as being increased by the Federal action except the State may approve offsets or mitigation measures of different precursors of the same criteria pollutant, if such trades are allowed by a State in a SIP approved NSR regulation, is technically justified, and has a demonstrated environmental benefit.
(o) Early Emission Reduction Credit Programs at Federal Facilities and Installation Subject to Federal Oversight.
(i) Federal facilities and installations subject to Federal oversight can, with the approval of the State agency responsible for the SIP in that area, create an early emissions reductions credit program. The Federal agency can create the emission reduction credits in accordance with the requirements in paragraph (ii) of this subsection and can use them in accordance with paragraph (iii) of this subsection.
(ii) Creation of Emission Reduction Credits.
(A) Emissions reductions must be quantifiable through the use of standard emission factors or measurement techniques. If non-standard factors or techniques to quantify the emissions reductions are used, the Federal agency must receive approval from the State agency responsible for the implementation of the SIP and from EPA's Regional Office. The emission reduction credits do not have to be quantified before the reduction strategy is implemented, but must be quantified before the credits are used in the General Conformity evaluation.
(B) The emission reduction methods must be consistent with the applicable SIP attainment and reasonable further progress demonstrations.
(C) The emissions reductions cannot be required by or credited to other applicable SIP provisions.
(D) Both the State and Federal air quality agencies must be able to take legal action to ensure continued implementation of the emission reduction strategy. In addition, private citizens must also be able to initiate action to ensure compliance with the control requirement.
(E) The emissions reductions must be permanent or the timeframe for the reductions must be specified.
(F) The Federal agency must document the emissions reductions and provide a copy of the document to the State air quality agency and the EPA Regional Office for review. The documentation must include a detailed description of the emission reduction strategy and a discussion of how it meets the requirements of paragraphs (ii)(A) through (E) of this subsection.
(iii) Use of Emission Reduction Credits. The emission reduction credits created in accordance with paragraph (ii) of this subsection can be used, subject to the following limitations, to reduce the emissions increase from a Federal action at the facility for the conformity evaluation.
(A) If the technique used to create the emission reduction is implemented at the same facility as the Federal action and could have occurred in conjunction with the Federal action, then the credits can be used to reduce the total direct and indirect emissions used to determine the applicability of the regulation as required in Subsection (c) and as offsets or mitigation measures required by Subsection (h).
(B) If the technique used to create the emission reduction is not implemented at the same facility as the Federal action or could not have occurred in conjunction with the Federal action, then the credits cannot be used to reduce the total direct and indirect emissions used to determine the applicability of the regulation as required in Subsection (c), but can be used to offset or mitigate the emissions as required by Subsection (h).
(C) Emissions reductions credits must be used in the same year in which they are generated.
(D) Once the emission reduction credits are used, they cannot be used as credits for another conformity evaluation. However, unused credits from a strategy used for one conformity evaluation can be used for another conformity evaluation as long as the reduction credits are not double counted.
(E) Federal agencies must notify the State air quality agency responsible for the implementation of the SIP and EPA Regional Office when the emission reduction credits are being used.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 4 Transportation Conformity
(a) Definitions. Terms used but not defined in this subpart shall have the meaning given them by the CAA, titles 23 and 49 U.S.C., other Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, or other DOT regulations, in that order of priority.
"Applicable implementation plan" is defined in §302(q) of the CAA and means the portion (or portions) of the implementation plan, or most recent revision thereof, which has been approved under §110, or promulgated under §110(c), or promulgated or approved pursuant to regulations promulgated under §301(d) and which implements the relevant requirements of the CAA.
"CAA" means the Clean Air Act, as amended.
"Cause or contribute to a new violation" for a project means:
(A) To cause or contribute to a new violation of a standard in the area substantially affected by the project or over a region which would otherwise not be in violation of the standard during the future period in question, if the project were not implemented, or
(B) To contribute to a new violation in a manner that would increase the frequency or severity of a new violation of a standard in such area.
"Control strategy implementation plan revision" is the applicable implementation plan which contains specific strategies for controlling the emissions of and reducing ambient levels of pollutants in order to satisfy CAA requirements for demonstrations of reasonable further progress and attainment (CAA §§182(b)(1), 182(c)(2)(A), 182(c)(2)(B), 187(a)(7), 189(a)(1)(B), and 189(b)(1)(A); and §§192(a) and 192(b), for nitrogen dioxide).
"Control strategy period" with respect to particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and/or ozone precursors (volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen), means that period of time after EPA approves control strategy implementation plan revisions containing strategies for controlling PM10, NO2, CO, and/or ozone, as appropriate. This period ends when a State submits and EPA approves a request under §107(d) of the CAA for redesignation to an attainment area.
"Design concept" means the type of facility identified by the project, e.g., freeway, expressway, arterial highway, grade-separated highway, reserved right-of-way rail transit, mixed-traffic rail transit, exclusive busway, etc.
"Design scope" means the design aspects which will affect the proposed facility's impact on regional emissions, usually as they relate to vehicle or person carrying capacity and control, e.g., number of lanes or tracks to be constructed or added, length of project, signalization, access control including approximate number and location of interchanges, preferential treatment for high-occupancy vehicles, etc.
"Division" means the Air Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality.
"DOT" means the United States Department of Transportation.
"EPA" means the Environmental Protection Agency.
"FHWA" means the Federal Highway Administration of DOT.
"FHWA/FTA project" for the purpose of this subpart, is any highway or transit project which is proposed to receive funding assistance and approval through the Federal-Aid Highway program or the Federal mass transit program or requires Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval for some aspect of the project, such as connection to an interstate highway or deviation from applicable design standards on the interstate system.
"FTA" means the Federal Transit Administration of DOT.
"Forecast period" with respect to a transportation plan is the period covered by the transportation plan pursuant to 23 CFR Part 450.
"Highway project" is an undertaking to implement or modify a highway facility or highway-related program. Such an undertaking consists of all required phases necessary for implementation. For analytical purposes, it must be defined sufficiently to:
(A) Connect logical termini and be of sufficient length to address environmental matters on a broad scope;
(B) Have independent utility or significance, i.e., be usable and be a reasonable expenditure even if no additional transportation improvements in the area are made; and
(C) Not restrict consideration of alternatives for other reasonably foreseeable transportation improvements.
"Horizon year" is a year for which the transportation plan describes the envisioned transportation system according to Chapter 8, Section 4(f).
"Hot-spot analysis" is an estimation of likely future localized CO and PM10 pollutant concentrations and a comparison of those concentrations to the national ambient air quality standards. Pollutant concentrations to be estimated should be based on the total emissions burden which may result from the implementation of a single, specific project, summed together with future background concentrations (which can be estimated using the ratio of future to current traffic multiplied by the ratio of future to current emission factors) expected in the area. The total concentration must be estimated and analyzed at appropriate receptor locations in the area substantially affected by the project. Hot-spot analysis assesses impacts on a scale smaller than the entire nonattainment or maintenance area, including, for example, congested roadway intersections and highways or transit terminals, and uses an air quality dispersion model to determine the effects of emissions on air quality.
"Incomplete data area" means any ozone nonattainment area which EPA has classified, in 40 CFR Part 81, as an incomplete data area.
"Increase the frequency or severity" means to cause a location or region to exceed a standard more often or to cause a violation at a greater concentration than previously existed and/or would otherwise exist during the future period in question, if the project were not implemented.
"ISTEA" means the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.
"Maintenance area" means any geographic region of the United States previously designated nonattainment pursuant to the CAA Amendments of 1990 and subsequently redesignated to attainment subject to the requirement to develop a maintenance plan under §175A of the CAA, as amended.
"Maintenance period" with respect to a pollutant or pollutant precursor means that period of time beginning when a State submits and EPA approves a request under §107(d) of the CAA for redesignation to an attainment area, and lasting for 20 years, unless the applicable implementation plan specifies that the maintenance period shall last for more than 20 years.
"Metropolitan planning organization (MPO)" is that organization designated as being responsible, together with the State, for conducting the continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive planning process under 23 U.S.C. 134 and 49 U.S.C. 1607. It is the forum for cooperative transportation decision-making.
"Milestone" has the meaning given in §182(g)(1) and §189(c) of the CAA. A milestone consists of an emissions level and the date on which it is required to be achieved.
"Motor vehicle emissions budget" is that portion of the total allowable emissions defined in a revision to the applicable implementation plan (or in an implementation plan revision which was endorsed by the Governor or his or her designee, subject to a public hearing, and submitted to EPA, but not yet approved by EPA) for a certain date for the purpose of meeting reasonable further progress milestones or attainment or maintenance demonstrations, for any criteria pollutant or its precursors, allocated by the applicable implementation plan to highway and transit vehicles. The applicable implementation plan for an ozone nonattainment area may also designate a motor vehicle emissions budget for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) for a reasonable further progress milestone year if the applicable implementation plan demonstrates that this NOx budget will be achieved with measures in the implementation plan (as an implementation plan must do for VOC milestone requirements). The applicable implementation plan for an ozone nonattainment area includes a NOx budget if NOx reductions are being substituted for reductions in volatile organic compounds in milestone years required for reasonable further progress.
"National ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)" are those standards established pursuant to §109 of the CAA.
"NEPA" means the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
"NEPA process completion", for the purposes of this subpart, with respect to FHWA or FTA, means the point at which there is a specific action to make a determination that a project is categorically excluded, to make a Finding of No Significant Impact, or to issue a record of decision on a Final Environmental Impact Statement under NEPA.
"Nonattainment area" means any geographic region of the United States which has been designated as nonattainment under §107 of the CAA for any pollutant for which a national ambient air quality standard exists.
"Not classified area" means any carbon monoxide nonattainment area which EPA has not classified as either moderate or serious.
"Phase II of the interim period" with respect to a pollutant or pollutant precursor, means that period of time after the effective date of this rule, lasting until the earlier of the following:
(A) Submission to EPA of the relevant control strategy implementation plan revisions which have been endorsed by the Governor (or his or her designee) and have been subject to a public hearing, or
(B) The date that the Clean Air Act requires relevant control strategy implementation plans to be submitted to EPA, provided EPA has made a finding of the State's failure to submit any such plans and the State, MPO, and DOT have received notice of such finding of the State's failure to submit any such plans. The precise end of Phase II of the interim period is defined in Chapter 8, Section 4(bb).
"Project" means a highway project or transit project.
"Recipient of funds designated under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act" means any agency at any level of State, county, city, or regional government that routinely receives Title 23 U.S.C. or Federal Transit Act funds to construct FHWA/FTA projects, operate FHWA/FTA projects or equipment, purchase equipment, or undertake other services or operations via contracts or agreements. This definition does not include private landowners or developers, or contractors or entities that are only paid for services or products created by their own employees.
"Regionally significant project" means a transportation project (other than an exempt project) that is on a facility which serves regional transportation needs (such as access to and from the area outside of the region, major activity centers in the region, major planned developments such as new retail malls, sports complexes, etc., or transportation terminals as well as most terminals themselves) and would normally be included in the modeling of a metropolitan area's transportation network, including at a minimum all principal arterial highways, all fixed guideway transit facilities that offer an alternative to regional highway travel and any project that the Division identifies as having the potential to affect air quality on a regional basis, after consultation in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e).
"Rural transport ozone nonattainment area" means an ozone nonattainment area that does not include, and is not adjacent to, any part of a Metropolitan Statistical Area, or, where one exists, a Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (as defined by the United States Bureau of the Census) and is classified under Clean Air Act §182(h) as a rural transport area.
"Standard" means a national ambient air quality standard.
"Submarginal area" means any ozone nonattainment area which EPA has classified as submarginal in 40 CFR Part 81.
"Title 23 U.S.C." means Title 23 of the United States Code.
"Transit" is mass transportation by bus, rail, or other conveyance which provides general or special service to the public on a regular and continuing basis. It does not include school buses or charter or sightseeing services.
"Transit project" is an undertaking to implement or modify a transit facility or transit-related program, purchase transit vehicles or equipment, or provide financial assistance for transit operations. It does not include actions that are solely within the jurisdiction of local transit agencies, such as changes in routes, schedules, or fares. It may consist of several phases. For analytical purposes, it must be defined inclusively enough to:
(A) Connect logical termini and be of sufficient length to address environmental matters on a broad scope;
(B) Have independent utility or independent significance, i.e., be a reasonable expenditure even if no additional transportation improvements in the area are made; and
(C) Not restrict consideration of alternatives for other reasonably foreseeable transportation improvements.
"Transitional area" means any ozone nonattainment area which EPA has classified as transitional in 40 CFR Part 81.
"Transitional period" with respect to a pollutant or pollutant precursor means that period of time which begins after submission to EPA of the relevant control strategy implementation plan which has been endorsed by the Governor (or his or her designee) and has been subject to a public hearing. The transitional period lasts until EPA takes final approval or disapproval action on the control strategy implementation plan submission or finds it to be incomplete. The precise beginning and end of the transitional period is defined in Chapter 8, Section 4(bb).
"Transportation control measure (TCM)" is any measure that is specifically identified and committed to in the applicable implementation plan that is either one of the types listed in §108 of the CAA, or any other measure for the purpose of reducing emissions or concentrations of air pollutants from transportation sources by reducing vehicle use or changing traffic flow or congestion conditions. Notwithstanding the above, vehicle technology-based, fuel-based, and maintenance-based measures which control the emissions from vehicles under fixed traffic conditions are not TCMs for the purposes of this subpart.
"Transportation improvement program (TIP)" means a staged, multiyear, intermodal program of transportation projects covering a metropolitan planning area which is consistent with the metropolitan transportation plan, and developed pursuant to 23 CFR Part 450.
"Transportation plan" means the official intermodal metropolitan transportation plan that is developed through the metropolitan planning process for the metropolitan planning area, developed pursuant to 23 CFR Part 450.
"Transportation project" is a highway project or a transit project.
"WYDOT" means the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
(b) Applicability.
(i) Action Applicability.
(A) Except as provided for in paragraph (iii) of this section or Chapter 8, Section 4(hh), conformity determinations are required for:
(I) The adoption, acceptance, approval or support of transportation plans developed pursuant to 23 CFR Part 450 or 49 CFR Part 613 by an MPO or DOT;
(II) The adoption, acceptance, approval or support of TIPs developed pursuant to 23 CFR Part 450 or 49 CFR Part 613 by an MPO or DOT; and
(III) The approval, funding, or implementation of FHWA/FTA projects.
(B) Conformity determinations are not required under this rule for individual projects which are not FHWA/FTA projects. However, Chapter 8, Section 4(cc) applies to such projects if they are regionally significant.
(ii) Geographic Applicability.
(A) The provisions of this subpart shall apply in all nonattainment and maintenance areas for transportation-related criteria pollutants for which the area is designated nonattainment or has a maintenance plan.
(B) The provisions of this subpart apply with respect to emissions of the following criteria pollutants: ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers (PM10).
(C) The provisions of this subpart apply with respect to emissions of the following precursor pollutants:
(I) Volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in ozone areas (unless the Administrator determines under §182(f) of the CAA that additional reductions of NOx would not contribute to attainment);
(II) Nitrogen oxides in nitrogen dioxide areas; and
(III) Volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and PM10 in PM10 areas if:
(1.) During the interim period, the EPA Regional Administrator or the Director of the State air agency has made a finding (including a finding as part of an applicable implementation plan or a submitted implementation revision) that transportation-related precursor emissions within the nonattainment area are a significant contributor to the PM10 nonattainment problem and has so notified the MPO and DOT; or
(2.) During the transitional, control strategy, and maintenance periods, the applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission) establishes a budget for such emissions as part of the reasonable further progress, attainment or maintenance strategy.
(iii) Limitations.
(A) Projects subject to this regulation for which the NEPA process and a conformity determination have been completed by FHWA or FTA may proceed toward implementation without further conformity determinations if one of the following major steps has occurred within the most recent three-year period: NEPA process completion; start of final design; acquisition of a significant portion of the right-of-way; or approval of the plans, specifications and estimates. All phases of such projects which were considered in the conformity determination are also included, if those phases were for the purpose of funding, final design, right-of-way acquisition, construction, or any combination of these phases.
(B) A new conformity determination for the project will be required if there is a significant change in project design concept and scope, if a supplemental environmental document for air quality purposes is initiated, or if no major steps to advance the project have occurred within the most recent three-year period.
(c) Priority. When assisting or approving any action with air quality-related consequences, FHWA and FTA shall give priority to the implementation of those transportation portions of an applicable implementation plan prepared to attain and maintain the NAAQS. This priority shall be consistent with statutory requirements for allocation of funds among States or other jurisdictions.
(d) Frequency of Conformity Determinations.
(i) Conformity determinations and conformity redeterminations for transportation plans, TIPs, and FHWA/FTA projects must be made according to the requirements of this section and the applicable implementation plan.
(ii) Transportation Plans.
(A) Each new transportation plan must be found to conform before the transportation plan is approved by the MPO or accepted by DOT.
(B) All transportation plan revisions must be found to conform before the transportation plan revisions are approved by MPO or accepted by DOT, unless the revision merely adds or deletes exempt projects listed in Chapter 8, Section 4(hh) and has been made in accordance with the notification process provisions of Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(iii)(A)(VII). The conformity determination must be based on the transportation plan and the revision taken as a whole.
(C) The existing conformity determination will lapse unless conformity of the existing transportation plans is redetermined:
(I) By May 1, 1995 (unless previously redetermined in accordance with 40 CFR Part 51 Subpart T); or
(II) Within 18 months of EPA approval of an implementation plan revision which:
(1.) Establishes or revises a transportation-related emissions budget (as required by CAA §§175A(a), 182(b)(1), 182(c)(2)(A), 182(c)(2)(B), 187(a)(7), 189(a)(1)(B), and 189(b)(1)(A); and §§192(a) and 192(b), for nitrogen dioxide; or
(2.) Adds, deletes, or changes TCMs; and
(III) Within 18 months of EPA promulgation of an implementation plan which establishes or revises a transportation-related emissions budget or adds, deletes, or changes TCMs.
(D) In any case, conformity determinations must be made no less frequently than every three years, or the existing conformity determination will lapse.
(iii) Transportation Improvement Programs.
(A) A new TIP must be found to conform before the TIP is approved by the MPO or accepted by DOT.
(B) A TIP amendment requires a new conformity determination for the entire TIP before the amendment is approved by the MPO or accepted by DOT, unless the amendment merely adds or deletes exempt projects listed in Chapter 8, Section 4(hh) and has been made in accordance with the notification process provisions of Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(iii)(A)(VII).
(C) After an MPO adopts a new or revised transportation plan, conformity must be redetermined by the MPO and DOT within six months from the data of adoption of the plan, unless the new or revised plan merely adds or deletes exempt projects listed in Chapter 8, Section 4(hh) and has been made in accordance with the notification process provisions of Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(iii)(A)(VII). Otherwise, the existing conformity determination for the TIP will lapse.
(D) In any case, conformity determinations must be made no less frequently than every three years or the existing conformity determination will lapse.
(iv) Projects. FHWA/FTA projects must be found to conform before they are adopted, accepted, approved, or funded. Conformity must be redetermined for any FHWA/FTA project if none of the following major steps has occurred within the most recent three-year period: NEPA process completion; start of final design; acquisition of a significant portion of the right-of-way; or approval of the plans, specifications and estimates.
(e) Consultation.
(i) General. This rule provides procedures for interagency consultation (Federal, State, and local) and resolution of conflicts. Such consultation procedures shall be undertaken by the WYDOT, MPOs and the DOT with the Division and EPA before making conformity determinations, and by the Division and EPA with MPOs, the WYDOT and DOT in developing and revising applicable implementation plans.
(ii) Interagency Consultation Procedures: General Factors.
(A) Representatives of the MPOs, the Division and the WYDOT shall undertake an interagency consultation process in accordance with this section with each other, with representatives of appropriate cities, towns, and counties and with local or regional offices of EPA, FHWA, and FTA on the development of the implementation plan, the list of TCMs in the applicable implementation plan, the unified planning work program under 23 CFR §450.314, the transportation plan, the TIP, any revisions to the preceding documents, and all conformity determinations required by this rule.
(B) The agency with the responsibility for a transportation plan, program, project, or applicable implementation plan shall also be responsible for preparing the final document of decision subject to the interagency consultation process and shall be the lead agency. It shall be the affirmative responsibility of the lead agency to initiate the process by notifying other participants, to convene consultation meetings early in the process of decision on the final document, to appoint the conveners of technical meetings, and to assure that all relevant documents and information are supplied to all participants in the consultation process in a timely manner.
(C) Regular consultation on routine activities such as the selection of models or any determination of conformity on transportation projects shall include meetings at regular, scheduled quarterly intervals, if determined necessary by the lead agency and shall be on the agenda of at least one meeting attended by representatives at the policy level of each agency. In addition, technical meetings shall be convened as necessary.
(D) Each lead agency in the consultation process required under this section shall confer with all other agencies identified under paragraph (A) with an interest in the document to be developed, provide all information to those agencies needed for meaningful input, and, prior to taking any action, consider the views of each such agency and respond to those views in a timely, substantive written manner prior to any final decision on such document. Such views and written response shall be made part of the record of any decision or action, if any.
(iii) Interagency Consultation Procedures: Specific Processes.
(A) An interagency consultation process in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii) involving the MPO, the Division, the WYDOT, EPA, and DOT shall be undertaken for the following:
(I) Evaluating and choosing each model (or models) and associated methods and assumptions to be used in hot-spot analyses and regional emissions analyses, including vehicle miles traveled ("VMT") forecasting, to be initiated by the WYDOT and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(II) Determining which minor arterials and other transportation projects should be considered "regionally significant" for the purposes of regional emissions analysis (in addition to those functionally classified as principal arterial or higher or fixed guideway systems or extension that offer an alternative to regional highway travel), and which projects should be considered to have a significant change in design concept and scope from the transportation plan of TIP, to be initiated by the WYDOT and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(III) Evaluate whether projects otherwise exempted from meeting the requirements of this section should be treated as non-exempt in cases where potential adverse emissions impacts may exist for any reason, to be initiated by the Division and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(IV) Make a determination, as required by Chapter 8, Section 4(m)(iii)(A), whether past obstacles to implementation of TCMs which are behind the schedule established in the applicable implementation plan have been identified and are being overcome, and whether State and local agencies with influence over approvals or funding for TCMs are giving maximum priority to approval or funding for TCMs, to be initiated by the Division and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii). This consultation process shall also consider whether delays in TCM implementation necessitate revisions to the applicable implementation plan to remove TCMs or substitute TCMs or other emission reduction measures.
(V) Making a determination, as required by Chapter 8, Section 4(cc)(ii), whether the project is included in the regional emission analysis supporting the currently conforming TIP's conformity determination, even if the project is not strictly "included" in the TIP for the purposes of MPO project selection or endorsement, and whether the project's design concept and scope have not changed significantly from those which were included in the regional emissions analysis, or in a manner which would significantly impact use of the facility, to be initiated by the WYDOT and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(VI) Identify, as required by Chapter 8, Section 4(ee)(iv), projects located at sites in PM10 nonattainment areas which have vehicle and roadway emission and dispersion characteristics which are essentially identical to those at sites which have violations verified by monitoring, and therefore require quantitative PM10 hot-spot analysis, to be initiated by the Division and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(VII) Notification of transportation plan or TIP revisions or amendments which merely add or delete exempt projects listed in Chapter 8, Section 4(hh), to be initiated by the WYDOT and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(VIII) Determining what forecast of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) to use in establishing or tracking emissions budgets, developing transportation plans, TIPS, or applicable implementation plans, or making conformity determinations, to be initiated by the WYDOT and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(B) An interagency consultation process in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii) involving the MPO, the Division and the WYDOT, shall be undertaken for the following:
(I) Evaluating events which will trigger new conformity determinations in addition to those triggering events established in Chapter 8, Section 4(d), to be initiated by the Division and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii); and
(II) Consulting on emissions analysis for transportation activities which cross the borders of MPOs or nonattainment areas or air basins, to be initiated by the Division and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(C) Where any metropolitan planning area does not include an entire nonattainment or maintenance area, an interagency consultation process in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii) involving the MPO and the WYDOT shall be undertaken for cooperative planning and analysis purposes of determining conformity of all projects outside the metropolitan area and within the nonattainment or maintenance area, to be initiated by the WYDOT and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(D) (I) An interagency consultation process in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii) involving the MPO, the Division, the WYDOT, and recipients of funds designated under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act shall be undertaken to assure that plans for construction of regionally significant projects which are not FHWA/FTA projects (including projects for which alternative locations, design concept and scope, or the no-build option are still being considered), including those by recipients of funds designated under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act, are disclosed to the MPO on a regular basis, and to assure that any changes to those plans are immediately disclosed.
(II) The sponsor of any such regionally significant project, and any agency that becomes aware of any such project through applications for approval, permitting or funding or otherwise, shall disclose such project to the MPO in a timely manner. Such disclosure shall be made not later than the first occasion on which any of the following actions are sought: any policy board action necessary for the project to proceed, the issuance of administrative permits for the facility or for construction of the facility, the execution of a contract to design or construct the facility, the execution of any indebtedness for the facility, any final action of a board, commission or administrator authorizing or directing employees to proceed with design, permitting or construction of the project, or the execution of any contract to design or construct or any approval needed for any facility that is dependent on the completion of a regionally significant project.
(III) In the case of any such regionally significant project that has not been disclosed to the MPO and other interested agencies participating in the consultation process in a timely manner, such regionally significant project shall be deemed not to be included in the regional emissions analysis supporting the currently conforming TIP's conformity determination and not to be consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budget in the applicable implementation plan, for the purposes of Chapter 8, Section 4(cc).
(IV) For the purposes of this section and Chapter 8, Section 4(cc), the phrase "adopt or approve of a regionally significant project" means the first time any action necessary to authorizing a project occurs, such as any policy board action necessary for the project to proceed, the issuance of administrative permits for the facility or for construction of the facility, the execution of a contract to construct the facility, any final action of a board, commission or administrator authorizing or directing employees to proceed with construction of the project, or any written decision or authorization from the MPO that the project may be adopted or approved.
(E) An interagency cooperation process in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii) involving the MPO and any other recipients of funds designated under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act shall be undertaken for assuming the location and design concept and scope of projects which are disclosed to the MPO under Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(iii)(E) of this section but whose sponsors have not yet decided these features, in sufficient detail to perform the regional emissions analysis according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(dd), to be initiated by the MPO and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(F) An interagency consultation process in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii) involving any MPO, the Division and the WYDOT shall be undertaken for the design, schedule, and funding of research and data collection efforts and regional transportation model development by the MPO (e.g., household/travel transportation surveys), to be initiated by the MPO and conducted in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(ii).
(iv) Resolving Conflicts.
(A) Any conflict among State agencies or between State agencies and an MPO shall be escalated to the Governor if the conflict cannot be resolved by the heads of the involved agencies. In the first instance, such agencies shall make every effort to resolve any differences, including personal meetings between the heads of such agencies or their policy-level representatives, to the extent possible.
(B) The Division has 14 calendar days to appeal a proposed determination of conformity to the Governor after the WYDOT or MPO has notified the Division of the resolution of all comments on such proposed determination of conformity or policy decision. Such 14-day period shall commence when the MPO or the WYDOT has confirmed receipt by the Administrator of the Division of the resolution of the comments of the Division.
(C) The final conformity decision must have the concurrence of the Governor if the Division appeals a conformity decision. If there is no appeal by the Division, the MPO or the WYDOT may proceed with the final conformity determination.
(D) The Division must provide notice of any appeal under Chapter 8, Section 4(e)(iv)(B) to WYDOT and MPO.
(E) The Governor may delegate his/her role in the appeal process to anyone except the head or staff of the Division, the WYDOT, the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council, the Wyoming Transportation Commission or an MPO.
(v) Public Participation.
(A) Affected agencies making conformity determinations on transportation plans, programs, and projects shall establish a proactive public involvement process which provides opportunity for public review and comment prior to taking formal action on a conformity determination for all transportation plans and TIPs, consistent with the requirements of 23 CFR Part 450, including §§450.316(b)(1), 450.322(c), and 450.324(c) as in effect on the date of adoption of this rule. In addition, any such agency must specifically address in writing in all public comments that known plans for a regionally significant project which is not receiving FHWA or FTA funding or approval have not been properly reflected in the emissions analysis supporting a proposed conformity finding for a transportation plan or TIP. Any such agency shall also provide opportunity for public involvement in conformity determination for projects to the extent otherwise required by law.
(B) The opportunity for public involvement provided under this subsection shall include access to information, emissions data, analyses, models and modeling assumptions used to perform a conformity determination, and the obligation of any such agency to consider and respond to significant comments.
(C) No transportation plan, TIP, or project may be found to conform unless the determination of conformity has been subject to a public involvement process in accordance with this subsection, without regard to whether the DOT has certified any process under 23 CFR Part 450.
(f) Content of Transportation Plans.
(i) Transportation Plans Adopted After January 1, 1995 in Serious, Severe, or Extreme Ozone Nonattainment Areas and in Serious Carbon Monoxide Nonattainment Areas. The transportation plan must specifically describe the transportation system envisioned for certain future years which shall be called horizon years.
(A) The agency or organization developing the transportation plan, after consultation in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e), may choose any years to be horizon years, subject to the following restrictions:
(I) Horizon years may be no more than 10 years apart.
(II) The first horizon year may be no more than 10 years from the base year used to validate the transportation demand planning model.
(III) If the attainment year is in the time span of the transportation plan, the attainment year must be a horizon year.
(IV) The last horizon year must be the last year of the transportation plan's forecast period.
(B) For these horizon years:
(I) The transportation plan shall quantify and document the demographic and employment factors influencing expected transportation demand, including land use forecasts, in accordance with implementation plan provisions and Chapter 8, Section 4(e).
(II) The highway and transit system shall be described in terms of the regionally significant additions or modifications to the existing transportation network which the transportation plan envisions to be operational in the horizon years. Additions and modifications to the highway network shall be sufficiently identified to indicate intersections with existing regionally significant facilities, and to determine their effect on route options between transportation analysis zones. Each added or modified highway segment shall also be sufficiently identified in terms of its design concept and design scope to allow modeling of travel times under various traffic volumes, consistent with the modeling methods for area-wide transportation analysis in use by the MPO. Transit facilities, equipment, and services envisioned for the future shall be identified in terms of design concept, design scope, and operating policies sufficiently to allow modeling of their transit ridership. The description of additions and modifications to the transportation network shall also be sufficiently specific to show that there is a reasonable relationship between expected land use and the envisioned transportation system; and
(III) Other future transportation policies, requirements, services, and activities, including intermodal activities, shall be described.
(ii) Moderate Areas Reclassified to Serious. Ozone or CO nonattainment areas which are reclassified from moderate to serious must meet the requirements of paragraph (i) of this section within two years from the date of reclassification.
(iii) Transportation Plans for Other Areas. Transportation plans for other areas must meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section at least to the extent it has been the previous practice of the MPO to prepare plans which meet those requirements. Otherwise, transportation plans must describe the transportation system envisioned for the future specifically enough to allow determination of conformity according to the criteria and procedures of Chapter 8, Section 4(i)-(aa).
(iv) Savings. The requirements of this section supplement other requirements of applicable law or regulation governing the format or content of transportation plans.
(g) Relationship of Transportation Plan and TIP Conformity with the NEPA Process. The degree of specificity required in the transportation plan and the specific travel network assumed for air quality modeling do not preclude the consideration of alternatives in the NEPA process or other project development studies. Should the NEPA process result in a project with design concept and scope significantly different from that in the transportation plan or TIP, the project must meet the criteria in Chapter 8, Section 4(i)-(aa) for projects not from a TIP before NEPA process completion.
(h) Fiscal Constraints for Transportation Plans and TIPS. Transportation plans and TIPs shall be fiscally constrained and meet the requirements of 23 CFR Parts 450.332(b)(11) and 450.324(e) as in effect on the date of adoption of this section in order to be found in conformity. The determination that a transportation plan or TIP is fiscally constrained shall be subject to consultation in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 4(e).
(i) Criteria and Procedures for Determining Conformity of Transportation Plans, Programs, and Projects: General.
(i) In order to be found to conform, each transportation plan, program, and FHWA/FTA project must satisfy the applicable criteria and procedures in Chapter 8, Section 4(j)-(aa) as listed in Table 1 in paragraph (ii) of this section, and must comply with all applicable conformity requirements of implementation plans and of court orders for the area which pertain specifically to conformity determination requirements. The criteria for making conformity determinations differ based on the action under review (transportation plans, TIPs, and FHWA/FTA projects), the time period in which the conformity determination is made, and the relevant pollutant.
(ii) The following table indicates the criteria and procedures in Chapter 8, Section 4(j)-(aa) which apply for each action in each time period.
Table 1. Conformity Criteria
DURING ALL PERIODS
Action
Criteria
Transportation Plan
TIP
Project (From a conforming plan and TIP)
Project (Not from a conforming plan and TIP)
j,k,l,m(ii).
j,k,l,m(iii).
j,k,l,n,o,p,q
j,k,l,m(iv),n,p,q
Table 1. Conformity Criteria (continued)
PHASE II OF THE INTERIM PERIOD
Action
Criteria
Transportation Plan
TIP
Project (From a conforming plan and TIP)
Project (Not from a conforming plan and TIP)
v,y
w,z
u
u,x,aa
TRANSITIONAL PERIOD
Action
Criteria
Transportation Plan
TIP
Project (From a conforming plan and TIP)
Project (Not from a conforming plan and TIP)
r,v,y
s,w,z
u
t,u,x,aa
CONTROL STRATEGY AND MAINTENANCE PERIODS
Action
Criteria
Transportation Plan
TIP
Project (From a conforming plan and TIP)
Project (Not from a conforming plan and TIP)
r
s
No additional criteria
t
(j) The conformity determination must be based on the latest planning assumptions.
(k) The conformity determination must be based on the latest emission estimation model available.
(l) The MPO must make the conformity determination according to the consultation procedures of this rule and the implementation plan revision required by 40 CFR Part 51, Subpart T.
(m) The transportation plan, TIP, or FHWA/FTA project which is not from a conforming plan and TIP must provide for the timely implementation of TCMs from the applicable implementation plan.
(n) There must be a currently conforming transportation plan and currently conforming TIP at the time of project approval.
(o) The project must come from a conforming transportation plan and program.
(p) The FHWA/FTA project must not cause or contribute to any new localized CO or PM10 violations or increase the frequency or severity of any existing CO or PM10 violations in CO and PM10 nonattainment and maintenance areas.
(q) The FHWA/FTA project must comply with PM10 control measures in the applicable implementation plan.
(r) The transportation plan must be consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budget(s) in the applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission.
(s) The TIP must be consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budget(s) in the applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission.
(t) The project which is not from a conforming transportation plan and conforming TIP must be consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budget(s) in the applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission.
(u) The FHWA/FTA project must eliminate or reduce the severity and number of localized CO violations in the area substantially affected by the project (in CO nonattainment areas).
(v) The transportation plan must contribute to emissions reductions in ozone and CO nonattainment areas.
(w) The TIP must contribute to emissions reductions in ozone and CO nonattainment areas.
(x) The project which is not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP must contribute to emissions reductions in ozone and CO nonattainment areas.
(y) The transportation plan must contribute to emission reductions or must not increase emissions in PM10 and NO2 nonattainment areas.
(z) The TIP must contribute to emission reductions or must not increase emissions in PM10 and NO2 nonattainment areas.
(aa) The project which is not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP must contribute to emission reductions or must not increase emissions in PM10 and NO2 nonattainment areas.
(j) Criteria and Procedures: Latest Planning Assumptions.
(i) During all periods the conformity determination, with respect to all other applicable criteria in Chapter 8, Sections 4(k)-(aa), must be based upon the most recent planning assumptions in force at the time of the conformity determination. This criterion applies during all periods. The conformity determination must satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (ii) through (vi) of this section.
(ii) Assumptions (including, but not limited to, vehicle miles traveled per capita or per household, trip generation per household, vehicle occupancy, household size, vehicle fleet mix, vehicle ownership, and the geographic distribution of population growth) must be derived from the estimates of current and future population, employment, travel, and congestion most recently developed by the MPO or other agency authorized to make such estimates and approved by the MPO. The conformity determination must also be based on the latest assumptions about current and future background concentrations. Any revisions to these estimates used as part of the conformity determination, including projected shifts in geographic location or level of population, employment, travel, and congestion, must be approved by the MPO or other agency authorized to make such estimates for the area, after consultation with the Division.
(iii) The conformity determination for each transportation plan and TIP must discuss how transit operating policies (including fares and service levels) and assumed transit ridership have changed since the previous conformity determination.
(iv) The conformity determination must include reasonable assumptions about transit service and increases in transit fares and road and bridge tolls over time.
(v) The conformity determination must use the latest existing information regarding the effectiveness of the TCMs which have already been implemented.
(vi) Key assumptions shall be specified and included in the draft documents and supporting materials used for the interagency and public consultation required by Chapter 8, Section 4(e).
(k) Criteria and Procedures: Latest Emissions Model.
(i) During all periods the conformity determination shall be based on the latest emission estimation model available. This criterion is satisfied if the most current version of the motor vehicle emissions model specified by EPA for use in the preparation or revision of implementation plans in that State or area is used for the conformity analysis. Where EMFAC is the motor vehicle emissions model used in preparing or revising the applicable implementation plan, new versions must be approved by EPA before they are used in the conformity analysis.
(ii) EPA will consult with DOT to establish a grace period following the specification of any new model.
(A) The grace period will be no less than three months and no more than 24 months after notice of availability is published in the Federal Register.
(B) The length of the grace period will depend on the degree of change in the model and the scope of re-planning likely to be necessary by MPOs in order to assure conformity. If the grace period will be longer than three months, EPA will announce the appropriate grace period in the Federal Register.
(iii) Conformity analyses for which the emissions analysis was begun during the grace period or before the Federal Register notice of availability of the latest emission model may continue to use the previous version of the model for transportation plans and TIPs. The previous model may also be used for projects if the analysis was begun during the grace period or before the Federal Register notice of availability, provided no more than three years have passed since the draft environmental document was issued.
(l) Criteria and Procedures: Consultation. All conformity determinations shall be made according to the consultation procedures in Chapter 8, Section 4(e), and according to the public involvement procedures established by the MPO in compliance with 23 CFR Part 450. This criterion applies during all periods. Until the implementation plan revision required by 40 CFR Part 51, subpart T is approved by EPA, the conformity determination must be made according to the procedures in 40 CFR Part 51.402(a)(2) and 40 CFR Part 51.402(e). Once the implementation plan revision has been approved by EPA, this criterion is satisfied if the conformity determination is made consistent with the implementation plan's consultation requirements.
(m) Criteria and Procedures: Timely Implementation of TCMs.
(i) The transportation plan, TIP, or FHWA/FTA project which is not from a conforming plan and TIP must provide for the timely implementation of TCMs from the applicable implementation plan. This criterion applies during all periods.
(ii) For transportation plans, this criterion is satisfied if the following two conditions are met:
(A) The transportation plan, in describing the envisioned future transportation system, provides for the timely completion or implementation of all TCMs in the applicable implementation plan, including, but not limited to, those which are eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act, consistent with schedules included in the applicable implementation plan.
(B) Nothing in the transportation plan interferes with the implementation of any TCM in the applicable implementation plan.
(iii) For TIPs, this criterion is satisfied if the following conditions are met:
(A) An examination of the specific steps and funding source(s) needed to fully implement each TCM indicates that TCMs, including, but not limited to, those which are eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act are on or ahead of the schedule established in the applicable implementation plan, or, if such TCMs are behind the schedule established in the applicable implementation plan, the MPO and DOT have determined that past obstacles to implementation of the TCMs have been identified and have been or are being overcome, and that all State and local agencies with influence over approvals or funding for TCMs are giving maximum priority to approval or funding of TCMs over other projects within their control, including projects in locations outside the nonattainment or maintenance area. Maximum priority to approval or funding of TCMs includes demonstrations with respect to funding acceleration, commitment of staff or other agency resources, diligent efforts to seek approvals, and similar actions.
(B) If TCMs in the applicable implementation plan have previously been programmed for Federal funding but the funds have not been obligated and the TCMs are behind the schedule in the implementation plan, then the TIP cannot be found to conform if the funds intended for those TCMs are reallocated to projects in the TIP other than TCMs, or if there are no other TCMs in the TIP, if the funds are reallocated to projects in the TIP other than projects which are eligible for Federal funding under ISTEA's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.
(C) Nothing in the TIP may interfere with the implementation of any TCM in the applicable implementation plan.
(iv) For FHWA/FTA projects which are not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP, this criterion is satisfied if the project does not interfere with the implementation of any TCM in the applicable implementation plan.
(n) Criteria and Procedures: Currently Conforming Transportation Plan and TIP. There must be a currently conforming transportation plan and currently conforming TIP at the time of project approval. This criterion applies during all periods. It is satisfied if the current transportation plan and TIP have been found to conform to the applicable implementation plan by the MPO and DOT according to the criteria and procedures of this subpart. Only one conforming transportation plan or TIP may exist in an area at any time; conformity determinations of a previous transportation plan or TIP expire once the current plan or TIP is found to conform by DOT. The conformity determination on a transportation plan or TIP will also lapse if conformity is not determined according to the frequency requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(d).
(o) Criteria and Procedures: Projects from a Plan and TIP.
(i) The project must come from a conforming plan and program. This criterion applies during all periods. If this criterion is not satisfied, the project must satisfy all criteria in Table 1 for a project not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP. A project is considered to be from a conforming transportation plan if it meets the requirements of paragraph (ii) of this section and from a conforming program if it meets the requirements of paragraph (iii) of this section.
(ii) A project is considered to be from a conforming transportation plan if one of the following conditions applies:
(A) For projects which are required to be identified in the transportation plan in order to satisfy §51.404, the project is specifically included in the conforming transportation plan and the project's design concept and scope have not changed significantly from those which were described in the transportation plan, or in a manner which would significantly impact use of the facility; or
(B) For projects which are not required to be specifically identified in the transportation plan, the project is identified in the conforming transportation plan, or is consistent with the policies and purpose of the transportation plan and will not interfere with other projects specifically included in the transportation plan.
(iii) A project is considered to be from a conforming program if the following conditions are met:
(A) The project is included in the conforming TIP and the design concept and scope of the project were adequate at the time of the TIP conformity determination to determine its contribution to the TIP's regional emissions and have not changed significantly from those which were described in the TIP, or in a manner which would significantly impact use of the facility; and
(B) If the TIP describes a project design concept and scope which includes project-level emissions mitigation or control measures, enforceable written commitments to implement such measures must be obtained from the project sponsor and/or operator as required by Chapter 8, Section 4(gg)(i) in order for the project to be considered from a conforming program. Any change in these mitigation or control measures that would significantly reduce their effectiveness constitutes a change in the design concept and scope of the project.
(p) Criteria and Procedures: Localized CO and PM10 Violations (Hotspots).
(i) The FHWA/FTA project must not cause or contribute to any new localized CO or PM10 violations or increase the frequency or severity of any existing CO or PM10 violations in CO and PM10 nonattainment and maintenance areas. This criterion applies during all periods. This criterion is satisfied if it is demonstrated that no new local violations will be created and the severity or number of existing violations will not be increased as a result of the project.
(ii) The demonstration must be performed according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(e) and (ee).
(iii) For projects which are not of the type identified by Chapter 8, Section 4(ee)(i) or Chapter 8, Section 4(ee)(iv), this criterion may be satisfied if consideration of local factors clearly demonstrates that no local violations presently exist and no new local violations will be created as a result of the project. Otherwise, in CO nonattainment and maintenance areas, a quantitative demonstration must be performed according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(ee)(ii).
(q) Criteria and Procedures: Compliance with PM10 Control Measures. The FHWA/FTA project must comply with PM10 control measures in the applicable implementation plan. This criterion applies during all periods. It is satisfied if control measures (for the purpose of limiting PM10 emissions from the construction activities and/or normal use and operation associated with the project) contained in the applicable implementation plan are included in the final plans, specifications, and estimates for the project.
(r) Criteria and Procedures: Motor Vehicle Emissions Budget (Transportation Plan).
(i) The transportation plan must be consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budget(s) in the applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission). This criterion applies during the transitional period and the control strategy and maintenance periods, except as provided in Chapter 8, Section 4(jj). This criterion may be satisfied if the requirements in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of this section are met:
(ii) A regional emissions analysis shall be performed as follows:
(A) The regional analysis shall estimate emissions of any of the following pollutants and pollutant precursors for which the area is in nonattainment or maintenance and for which the applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission) establishes an emissions budget:
(I) VOC as an ozone precursor;
(II) NOx as an ozone precursor, unless the Administrator determines that additional reductions of NOx would not contribute to attainment;
(III) CO;
(IV) PM10 (and its precursors VOC and/or NOx if the applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission identifies transportation-related precursor emissions within the nonattainment area as a significant contributor to the PM10 nonattainment problem or establishes a budget for such emissions); or
(V) NOx (in NO2 nonattainment or maintenance areas);
(B) The regional emissions analysis shall estimate emissions from the entire transportation system, including all regionally significant projects contained in the transportation plan and all other regionally significant highway and transit projects expected in the nonattainment or maintenance area in the time frame of the transportation plan;
(C) The emissions analysis methodology shall meet the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(dd);
(D) For areas with a transportation plan that meets the content requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(f)(i), the emissions analysis shall be performed for each horizon year. Emissions in milestone years which are between the horizon years may be determined by interpolation; and
(E) For areas with a transportation plan that does not meet the content requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(f)(i), the emissions analysis shall be performed for any years in the time span of the transportation plan provided they are not more than ten years apart and provided the analysis is performed for the last year of the plan's forecast period. If the attainment year is in the time span of the transportation plan, the emissions analysis must also be performed for the attainment year. Emissions in milestone years which are between these analysis years may be determined by interpolation.
(iii) The regional emissions analysis shall demonstrate that for each of the applicable pollutants or pollutant precursors in paragraph (ii)(A) of this section the emissions are less than or equal to the motor vehicle emissions budget as established in the applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission as follows:
(A) If the applicable implementation plan or implementation plans submission establishes emissions budgets for milestone years, emissions in each milestone year are less than or equal to the motor vehicle emissions budget established for that year;
(B) For nonattainment areas, emissions in the attainment year are less than or equal to the motor vehicle emissions budget established in the applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission for that year;
(C) For nonattainment areas, emissions in each analysis or horizon year after the attainment year are less than or equal to the motor vehicle emissions budget established by the applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submission for the attainment year. If emissions budgets are established for years after the attainment year, emission in each analysis year or horizon year must be less than or equal to the motor vehicle emissions budget for that year, if any, or the motor vehicle emissions budget for the most recent budget year prior to the analysis year or horizon year; and
(D) For maintenance areas, emissions in each analysis or horizon year are less than or equal to the motor vehicle emissions budget established by the maintenance plan for that year, if any, or the emissions budget for the most recent budget year prior to the analysis or horizon year.
(s) Criteria and Procedures: Motor Vehicle Emissions Budget (TIP)
(i) The TIP must be consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budget(s) in the applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission). This criterion applies during the transitional period and the control strategy and maintenance periods, except as provided in Chapter 8, Section 4(jj). This criterion may be satisfied if the requirements in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of this section are met:
(ii) For areas with a conforming transportation plan that fully meets the content requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(f)(i), this criterion may be satisfied without additional regional analysis if:
(A) Each program year of the TIP is consistent with the Federal funding which may be reasonably expected for that year, and required State/local matching funds and funds for State/local funding-only projects are consistent with the revenue sources expected over the same period; and
(B) The TIP is consistent with the conforming transportation plan such that the regional emissions analysis already performed for the plan applies to the TIP also. This requires a demonstration that:
(I) The TIP contains all projects which must be started in the TIP's time frame in order to achieve the highway and transit system envisioned by the transportation plan in each of its horizon years;
(II) All TIP projects which are regionally significant are part of the specific highway or transit system envisioned in the transportation plan's horizon years; and
(III) The design concept and scope of each regionally significant project in the TIP is not significantly different from that described in the transportation plan.
(C) If the requirements in paragraphs (ii)(A) and (ii)(B) of this section are not met, then:
(I) The TIP may be modified to meet those requirements; or
(II) The transportation plan must be revised so that the requirements in paragraphs (ii)(A) and (ii)(B) of this section are met. Once the revised plan has been found to conform, this criterion is met for the TIP with no additional analysis except a demonstration that the TIP meets the requirements of paragraphs (ii)(A) and (ii)(B) of this section.
(iii) For areas with a transportation plan that does not meet the content requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(f)(i), a regional emissions analysis must meet all of the following requirements:
(A) The regional emissions analysis shall estimate emissions from the entire transportation system, including all projects contained in the proposed TIP, the transportation plan, and all other regionally significant highway and transit projects expected in the nonattainment or maintenance area in the time frame of the transportation plan;
(B) The analysis methodology shall meet the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(dd)(iii); and
(C) The regional analysis shall satisfy the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(r)(ii)(A), (r)(ii)(E), and (r)(iii).
(t) Criteria and Procedures: Motor Vehicle Emissions Budget (Project Not from a Plan and TIP).
(i) The project which is not from a conforming transportation plan and a conforming TIP must be consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budget(s) in the applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission). This criterion applies during the transitional period and the control strategy and maintenance periods, except as provided in Chapter 8, Section 4(jj). It is satisfied if emissions from the implementation of the project, when considered with the emissions from the projects in the conforming transportation plan and TIP and all other regionally significant projects expected in the area, do not exceed the motor vehicle emissions budget(s) in the applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission).
(ii) For areas with a conforming transportation plan that meets the content requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(f)(i):
(A) This criterion may be satisfied without additional regional analysis if the project is included in the conforming transportation plan, even if it is not specifically included in the latest conforming TIP. This requires a demonstration that:
(I) Allocating funds to the project will not delay the implementation of projects in the transportation plan or TIP which are necessary to achieve the highway and transit system envisioned by the transportation plan in each of its horizon years;
(II) The project is not regionally significant or is part of the specific highway or transit system envisioned in the transportation plan's horizon years; and
(III) The design concept and scope of the project is not significantly different from that described in the transportation plan.
(B) If the requirements in paragraph (ii)(A) of this section are not met, a regional emissions analysis must be performed as follows:
(I) The analysis methodology shall meet the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(ee);
(II) The analysis shall estimate emissions from the transportation system, including the proposed project and all other regionally significant projects expected in the nonattainment or maintenance area in the time frame of the transportation plan. The analysis must include emissions from all previously approved projects which were not from a transportation plan and TIP; and
(III) The emissions analysis shall meet the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(r)(ii)(A), (r)(ii)(D), and (r)(iii).
(iii) For areas with a transportation plan that does not meet the content requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(f)(i), a regional emissions analysis must be performed for the project together with the conforming TIP and all other regionally significant projects expected in the nonattainment or maintenance area. This criterion may be satisfied if:
(A) The analysis methodology meets the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(dd)(iii);
(B) The analysis estimates emissions from the transportation system, including the proposed project, and all other regionally significant projects expected in the nonattainment or maintenance area in the time frame of the transportation plan; and
(C) The regional analysis satisfies the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(r)(ii)(A), (r)(ii)(E), and (r)(iii).
(u) Criteria and Procedures: Localized CO Violations (Hot Spots) in the Interim Period.
(i) Each FHWA/FTA project must eliminate or reduce the severity and number of localized CO violations in the area substantially affected by the project (in CO nonattainment areas). This criterion applies during the interim and transitional periods only. This criterion is satisfied with respect to existing localized CO violations if it is demonstrated that existing localized CO violations will be eliminated or reduced in severity and number as a result of the project.
(ii) The demonstration must be performed according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(e) and (ee).
(iii) For projects which are not of the type identified by Chapter 8, Section 4(ee)(i), this criterion may be satisfied if consideration of local factors clearly demonstrates that existing CO violations will be eliminated or reduced in severity and number. Otherwise, a quantitative demonstration must be performed according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(ee)(ii).
(v) Criteria and Procedures: Interim Period Reductions in Ozone and CO Areas (Transportation Plan).
(i) A transportation plan must contribute to emissions reductions in ozone and CO Nonattainment areas. This criterion applies during the interim and transitional periods only, except as otherwise provided in Chapter 8, Section 4(jj). It applies to the net effect on emissions of all projects contained in a new or revised transportation plan. This criterion may be satisfied if a regional emissions analysis is performed as described in paragraphs (ii) through (vi) of this section.
(ii) Determine the analysis years for which emissions are to be estimated. Analysis years shall be no more than ten years apart. The first analysis year shall be no later than the first milestone year (1995 in CO nonattainment areas and 1996 in ozone nonattainment areas). The second analysis year shall be either the attainment year for the area, or if the attainment year is the same as the first analysis year or earlier, the second analysis year shall be at least five years beyond the first analysis year. The last year of the transportation plan's forecast period shall also be an analysis year.
(iii) Define the ‘Baseline' scenario for each of the analysis years to be the future transportation system that would result from current programs, composed of the following (except projects listed in Chapter 8, Sections 4(hh) and (ii) need not be explicitly considered):
(A) All in-place regionally significant highway and transit facilities, services and activities;
(B) All ongoing travel demand management or transportation system management activities; and
(C) Completion of all regionally significant projects, regardless of funding source, which are currently under construction or are undergoing right-of-way acquisition (except for hardship acquisition and protective buying); come from the first three years of the previously conforming transportation plan and/or TIP; or have completed the NEPA process. (For the first conformity determination on the transportation plan after November 24, 1993, a project may not be included in the ‘Baseline' scenario if one of the following major steps has not occurred within the past three years: NEPA process completion; start of final design; acquisition of a significant portion of the right-of-way; or approval of the plans, specifications and estimates. Such a project must be included in the ‘Action' scenario, as described in paragraph (iv) of this section.)
(iv) Define the ‘Action' scenario for each of the analysis years as the transportation system that will result in that year from the implementation of the proposed transportation plan, TIPs adopted under it, and other expected regionally significant projects in the nonattainment area. It will include the following (except projects listed in Chapter 8, Sections 4(hh) and (ii) need not be explicitly considered):
(A) All facilities, services, and activities in the ‘Baseline' scenario;
(B) Completion of all TCMs and regionally significant projects (including facilities, services, and activities) specifically identified in the proposed transportation plan which will be operational or in effect in the analysis year, except that regulatory TCMs may not be assumed to begin at a future time unless the regulation is already adopted by the enforcing jurisdiction or the TCM is identified in the applicable implementation plan;
(C) All travel demand management programs and transportation system management activities known to the MPO, but not included in the applicable implementation plan or utilizing any Federal funding or approval, which have been fully adopted and/or funded by the enforcing jurisdiction or sponsoring agency since the last conformity determination on the transportation plan;
(D) The incremental effects of any travel demand management programs and transportation system management activities known to the MPO, but not included in the applicable implementation plan or utilizing any Federal funding or approval, which were adopted and/or funded prior to the date of the last conformity determination on the transportation plan, but which have been modified since then to be more stringent or effective;
(E) Completion of all expected regionally significant highway and transit projects which are not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP; and
(F) Completion of all expected regionally significant non-FHWA/FTA highway and transit projects that have clear funding sources and commitments leading toward their implementation and completion by the analysis year.
(v) Estimate the emissions predicted to result in each analysis year from travel on the transportation systems defined by the ‘Baseline' and ‘Action' scenarios and determine the difference in regional VOC and NOx emissions (unless the Administrator determines that additional reductions of NOx would not contribute to attainment) between the two scenarios for CO nonattainment areas. The analysis must be performed for each of the analysis years according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(dd). Emissions in milestone years which are between the analysis years may be determined by interpolation.
(vi) This criterion is met if the regional VOC and NOx emissions (for ozone nonattainment areas) and CO emissions (for CO nonattainment areas) predicted in the ‘Action' scenario are less than the emissions predicted from the ‘Baseline' scenario in each analysis year, and if this can reasonably be expected to be true in the periods between the first milestone year and the analysis years. The regional analysis must show that the ‘Action' scenario contributes to a reduction in emissions from the 1990 emissions by any non-zero amount.
(w) Criteria and Procedures: Interim Period Reductions in Ozone and CO Areas (TIP).
(i) A TIP must contribute to emissions reductions in ozone and CO nonattainment areas. This criterion applies during the interim and transitional periods only, except as otherwise provided in Chapter 8, Section 4(jj). It applies to the net effect on emissions of all projects contained in a new or revised TIP. This criterion may be satisfied if a regional emissions analysis is performed as described in paragraphs (ii) through (vi) of this section.
(ii) Determine the analysis years for which emissions are to be estimated. The first analysis year shall be no later than the first milestone year (1995 in CO nonattainment areas and 1996 in ozone nonattainment areas). The analysis years shall be no more than ten years apart. The second analysis year shall be either the attainment year for the area, or if the attainment year is the same as the first analysis year or earlier, the second analysis year shall be at least five years beyond the first analysis year. The last year of the transportation plan's forecast period shall also be an analysis year.
(iii) Define the ‘Baseline' scenario as the future transportation system that would result from current programs, composed of the following (except projects listed in Chapter 8, Sections 4(hh) and (ii) need not be explicitly considered):
(A) All in-place regionally significant highway and transit facilities, services and activities;
(B) All ongoing travel demand management or transportation system management activities; and
(C) Completion of all regionally significant projects, regardless of funding source, which are currently under construction or are undergoing right-of-way acquisition (except for hardship acquisition and protective buying); come from the first three years of the previously conforming TIP; or have completed the NEPA process. (For the first conformity determination on the TIP after (November 24, 1993), a project may not be included in the ‘Baseline' scenario if one of the following major steps has not occurred within the past three years: NEPA process completion; start of final design; acquisition of a significant portion of the right-of-way; or approval of the plans, specifications and estimates. Such a project must be included in the ‘Action' scenario, as described in paragraph (d) of this section.)
(iv) Define the ‘Action' scenario as the future transportation system that will result from the implementation of the proposed TIP and other expected regionally significant projects in the nonattainment area in the time frame of the transportation plan. It will include the following (except projects listed in Chapter 8, Sections 4(hh) and (ii) need not be explicitly considered):
(A) All facilities, services, and activities in the ‘Baseline' scenario;
(B) Completion of all TCMs and regionally significant projects (including facilities, services, and activities) included in the proposed TIP, except that regulatory TCMs may not be assumed to begin at a future time unless the regulation is already adopted by the enforcing jurisdiction or the TCM is contained in the applicable implementation plan;
(C) All travel demand management programs and transportation system management activities known to the MPO, but not included in the applicable implementation plan or utilizing any Federal funding or approval, which have been fully adopted and/or funded by the enforcing jurisdiction or sponsoring agency since the last conformity determination on the TIP;
(D) The incremental effects of any travel demand management programs and transportation system management activities known to the MPO, but not included in the applicable implementation plan or utilizing any Federal funding or approval, which were adopted and/or funded prior to the date of the last conformity determination on the TIP, but which have been modified since then to be more stringent or effective;
(E) Completion of all expected regionally significant highway and transit projects which are not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP; and
(F) Completion of all expected regionally significant non-FHWA/FTA highway and transit projects that have clear funding sources and commitments leading toward their implementation and completion by the analysis year.
(v) Estimate the emissions predicted to result in each analysis year from travel on the transportation systems defined by the ‘Baseline' and ‘Action' scenarios, and determine the difference in regional VOC and NOx emissions (unless the Administrator determines that additional reductions of NOx would not contribute to attainment) between the two scenarios for ozone nonattainment areas and the difference in CO emissions between the two scenarios for CO nonattainment areas. The analysis must be performed for each of the analysis years according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(dd). Emissions in milestone years which are between analysis years may be determined by interpolation.
(vi) This criterion is met if the regional VOC and NOx emissions in ozone nonattainment areas and CO emissions in CO nonattainment areas predicted in the ‘Action' scenario are less than the emissions predicted from the ‘Baseline' scenario in each analysis year, and if this can reasonably be expected to be true in the period between the analysis years. The regional analysis must show that the ‘Action' scenario contributes to a reduction in emissions from the 1990 emissions by any non-zero amount.
(x) Criteria and Procedures: Interim Period Reductions for Ozone and CO Areas (Project Not from a Plan and TIP). A transportation project which is not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP must contribute to emissions reductions in ozone and CO nonattainment areas. This criterion applies during the interim and transitional periods only, except as otherwise provided in Chapter 8, Section 4(jj). This criterion is satisfied if a regional emissions analysis is performed which meets the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(v) and which includes the transportation plan and project in the ‘Action' scenario. If the project which is not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP is a modification of a project currently in the plan or TIP, the ‘Baseline' scenario must include the project with its original design concept and scope, and the ‘Action' scenario must include the project with its new design concept and scope.
(y) Criteria and Procedures: Interim Period Reductions for PM10 and NO2 Areas (Transportation Plan).
(i) A transportation plan must contribute to emission reductions or must not increase emissions in PM10 and NO2 nonattainment areas. This criterion applies only during the interim and transitional periods. It applies to the net effect on emissions of all projects contained in a new or revised transportation plan. This criterion may be satisfied if the requirements of either paragraph (ii) or (iii) of this section are met.
(ii) Demonstrate that implementation of the plan and all other regionally significant projects expected in the nonattainment area will contribute to reductions in emissions of PM10 in a PM10 nonattainment area (and of each transportation-related precursor of PM10 in PM10 nonattainment areas if the EPA Regional Administrator or the Director of the State air agency has made a finding that such precursor emissions from within the nonattainment area are a significant contributor to the PM10 nonattainment problem and has so notified the MPO and DOT) and of NOx in an NO2 nonattainment area, by performing a regional emissions analysis as follows:
(A) Determine the analysis years for which emissions are to be estimated. Analysis years shall be no more than ten years apart. The first analysis year shall be no later than 1996 (for NO2 areas) or four years and six months following the date of designation (for PM10 areas). The second analysis year shall be either the attainment year for the area, or if the attainment year is the same as the first analysis year or earlier, the second analysis year shall be at least five years beyond the first analysis year. The last year of the transportation plan's forecast period shall also be an analysis year.
(B) Define for each of the analysis years the ‘Baseline' scenario, as defined in Chapter 8, Section 4(v)(iii), and the ‘Action' scenario, as defined in Chapter 8, Section 4(v)(iv).
(C) Estimate the emissions predicted to result in each analysis year from travel on the transportation systems defined by the ‘Baseline' and ‘Action' scenarios and determine the difference between the two scenarios in regional PM10 emissions in a PM10 nonattainment area (and transportation-related precursors of PM10 in PM10 nonattainment areas if the EPA Regional Administrator or the Director of the State air agency has made a finding that such precursor emissions from within the nonattainment area are a significant contributor to the PM10 nonattainment problem and has so notified the MPO and DOT) and in NOx emissions in an NO2 nonattainment area. The analysis must be performed for each of the analysis years according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(dd). The analysis must address the periods between the analysis years and the periods between 1990, the first milestone year (if any), and the first of the analysis years. Emissions in milestone years which are between the analysis years may be determined by interpolation.
(D) Demonstrate that the regional PM10 emissions and PM10 precursor emissions, where applicable, (for PM10 nonattainment areas) and NOx emissions (for NO2 nonattainment areas) predicted in the ‘Action' scenario are less than the emissions predicted from the ‘Baseline' scenario in each analysis year, and that this can reasonably be expected to be true in the periods between the first milestone year (if any) and the analysis years.
(iii) Demonstrate that when the projects in the transportation plan and all other regionally significant projects expected in the nonattainment area are implemented, the transportation system's total highway and transit emissions of PM10 in a PM10 nonattainment area (and transportation-related precursors of PM10 in PM10 nonattainment areas if the EPA regional Administrator or the Director of the State air agency has made a finding that such precursor emissions from within the nonattainment area are a significant contributor to the PM10 nonattainment problem and has so notified the MPO and DOT) and of NOx in an NO2 nonattainment area will not be greater than baseline levels, by performing a regional emissions analysis as follows:
(A) Determine the baseline regional emissions of PM10 and PM10 precursors, where applicable (for PM10 nonattainment areas) and NOx (for NO2 nonattainment areas) from highway and transit sources. Baseline emissions are those estimated to have occurred during calendar year 1990, unless the implementation plan revision required by 40 CFR Part 51, subpart T defines the baseline emissions for a PM10 area to be those occurring in a different calendar year for which a baseline emissions inventory was developed for the purpose of developing a control strategy implementation plan.
(B) Estimate the emissions of the applicable pollutant(s) from the entire transportation system, including projects in the transportation plan and TIP and all other regionally significant projects in the nonattainment area, according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(dd). Emissions shall be estimated for analysis years which are no more than ten years apart. The first analysis year shall be no later than 1996 (for NO2 areas) or four years and six months following the date of designation (for PM10 areas). The second analysis year shall be either the attainment year for the area, or if the attainment year is the same as the first analysis year or earlier, the second analysis year shall be at least five years beyond the first analysis year. The last year of the transportation plan's forecast period shall also be an analysis year.
(C) Demonstrate that for each analysis year the emissions estimated in paragraph (iii)(B) of this section are no greater than baseline emissions of PM10 and PM10 precursors, where applicable (for PM10 nonattainment areas) or NOx (for NO2 nonattainment areas) from highway and transit sources.
(z) Criteria and Procedures: Interim Period Reductions for PM10 and NO2 Areas (TIP).
(i) A TIP must contribute to emission reductions or must not increase emissions in PM10 and NO2 nonattainment areas. This criterion applies only during the interim and transitional periods. It applies to the net effect on emission of all projects contained in a new or revised TIP. This criterion may be satisfied if the requirements of either paragraph (ii) or paragraph (iii) of this section are met.
(ii) Demonstrate that implementation of the plan and TIP and all other regionally significant projects expected in the nonattainment area will contribute to reductions in emissions of PM10 in a PM10 nonattainment area (and transportation-related precursors of PM10 in PM10 nonattainment areas if the EPA Regional Administrator or the Director of the State air agency has made a finding that such precursor emissions from within the nonattainment area are a significant contributor to the PM10 nonattainment problem and has so notified the MPO and DOT) and of NOx in an NO2 nonattainment area, by performing a regional emissions analysis as follows:
(A) Determine the analysis years for which emissions are to be estimated, according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(y)(ii)(A).
(B) Define for each of the analysis years the ‘Baseline' scenario, as defined in Chapter 8, Section 4(w)(iii), and the ‘Action' scenario, as defined in Chapter 8, Section 4(w)(iv).
(C) Estimate the emissions predicted to result in each analysis year from travel on the transportation systems defined by the ‘Baseline' and ‘Action' scenarios as required by Chapter 8, Section 4(y)(ii)(C), and make the demonstration required by Chapter 8, Section 4(y)(ii)(D).
(iii) Demonstrate that when the projects in the transportation plan and TIP and all other regionally significant projects expected in the area are implemented, the transportation system's total highway and transit emissions of PM10 in a PM10 nonattainment area (and transportation-related precursors of PM10 in PM10 nonattainment areas if the EPA Regional Administrator or the Director of the State air agency has made a finding that such precursor emissions from within the nonattainment area are a significant contributor to the PM10 nonattainment problem and has so notified the MPO and DOT) and of NOx in an NO2 nonattainment area will not be greater than baseline levels, by performing a regional emissions analysis as required by Chapter 8, Sections 4(y)(iii)(A)-(C).
(aa) Criteria and Procedures: Interim Period Reductions for PM10 and NO2 Areas (Project Not from a Plan and TIP). A transportation project which is not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP must contribute to emission reductions or must not increase emissions in PM10 and NO2 nonattainment areas. This criterion applies during the interim and transitional periods only. This criterion is met if a regional emissions analysis is performed which meets the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(y) and which includes the transportation plan and project in the ‘Action' scenario. If the project which is not from a conforming transportation plan and TIP is a modification of a project currently in the transportation plan or TIP, and Chapter 8, Section 4(y)(ii) is used to demonstrate satisfaction of this criterion, the ‘Baseline' scenario must include the project with its original design concept and scope, and the ‘Action' scenario must include the project with its new design concept and scope.
(bb) Transition from the Interim Period to the Control Strategy Period.
(i) Areas Which Submit a Control Strategy Implementation Plan Revision After November 24, 1993.
(A) The transportation plan and TIP must be demonstrated to conform according to transitional period criteria and procedures by one year from the date the Clean Air Act requires submission of such control strategy implementation plan revision. Otherwise, the conformity status of the transportation plan and TIP will lapse, and no new project-level conformity determinations may be made.
(I) The conformity of new transportation plans and TIPs may be demonstrated according to Phase II interim period criteria and procedures for 90 days following submission of the control strategy implementation plan revision, provided the conformity of such transportation plans and TIPs is redetermined according to transitional period criteria and procedures as required in paragraph (i)(A) of this section.
(II) Beginning 90 days after submission of the control strategy implementation plan revision, new transportation plans and TIPs shall demonstrate conformity according to transitional period criteria and procedures.
(B) If EPA disapproves the submitted control strategy implementation plan revision and so notifies the State, MPO, and DOT, which initiates the sanction process under Clean Air Act sections 179 or 110(m), the conformity status of the transportation plan and TIP shall lapse 120 days after EPA's disapproval, and no new project-level conformity determinations may be made. No new transportation plan, TIP, or project6 may be found to conform until another control strategy implementation plan revision is submitted and conformity is demonstrated according to transitional period criteria and procedures.
(C) Notwithstanding paragraph (i)(B) of this section, if EPA disapproves the submitted control strategy implementation plan revision but determines that the control strategy contained in the revision would have been considered approvable with respect to requirements for emission reductions if all committed measures had been submitted in enforceable form as required by Clean Air Act §110(a)(2)(A), the provisions of paragraph (i)(A) of this section shall apply for 12 months following the date of disapproval. The conformity status of the transportation plan and TIP shall lapse 12 months following the date of disapproval unless another control strategy implementation plan revision is submitted to EPA and found to be complete.
(ii) Areas Which Have Not Submitted a Control Strategy Implementation Plan Revision.
(A) For areas whose Clean Air Act deadline for submission of the control strategy implementation plan revision is after November 24, 1993 and EPA has notified the State, MPO, and DOT of the State's failure to submit a control strategy implementation plan revision, which initiates the sanction process under Clean Air Act sections 179 or 110(m):
(I) No new transportation plans or TIPs may be found to conform beginning 120 days after the Clean Air Act deadline; and
(II) The conformity status of the transportation plan and TIP shall lapse one year after the Clean Air Act deadline, and no new project-level conformity determinations may be made.
(B) For areas whose Clean Air Act deadline for submission of the control strategy implementation plan was before November 24, 1993 and EPA has made a finding of failure to submit a control strategy implementation plan revision, which initiates the sanction process under Clean Air Act sections 179 or 110(m), the following apply unless the failure has been remedied and acknowledged by a letter from the EPA Regional Administrator:
(I) No new transportation plans or TIPs may be found to conform beginning March 24, 1994; and
(II) The conformity status of the transportation plan and TIP shall lapse November 25, 1994, and no new project-level conformity determinations may be made.
(III) Notwithstanding paragraphs (iii)(B)(I) and (II) of this section, if EPA notes in its incompleteness finding that the submittal would have been considered complete with respect to requirements for emission reductions if all committed measures had been submitted in enforceable form as required by Clean Air Act §110(a)(2)(A), the provisions of paragraph (iv)(A) of this section shall apply for a period of 12 months following the date of the incompleteness determination. The conformity status of the transportation plan and TIP shall lapse 12 months following the date of the incompleteness determination unless another control strategy implementation plan revision is submitted to EPA and found to be complete.
(iv) Areas Which Submitted a Control Strategy Implementation Plan Before November 24, 1993.
(A) The transportation plan and TIP must be demonstrated to conform according to transitional period criteria and procedures by November 25, 1994. Otherwise, their conformity status will lapse, and no new project-level conformity determinations may be made.
(I) The conformity of new transportation plans and TIPs may be demonstrated according to Phase II interim period criteria and procedures until February 22, 1994, provided the conformity of such transportation plans and TIPs is redetermined according to transitional period criteria and procedures as required in paragraph (iv)(A) of this section.
(II) Beginning February 22, 1994, new transportation plans and TIPs shall demonstrate conformity according to transitional period criteria and procedures.
(B) If EPA has disapproved the most recent control strategy implementation plan submission, the conformity status of the transportation plan and TIP shall lapse March 24, 1994, and no new project-level conformity determinations may be made. No new transportation plans, TIPs, or projects may be found to conform until another control strategy implementation plan revision is submitted and conformity is demonstrated according to transitional period criteria and procedures.
(C) Notwithstanding paragraph (iv)(B) of this section, if EPA has disapproved the submitted control strategy implementation plan revision but determines that the control strategy contained in the revision would have been considered approvable with respect to requirements for emission reductions if all committed measures had been submitted in enforceable form as required by Clean Air Act §110(a)(2)(A), the provisions of paragraph (iv)(A) of this section shall apply for 12 months following November 24, 1993. The conformity status of the transportation plan and TIP shall lapse 12 months following November 24, 1993 unless another control strategy implementation plan revision is submitted to EPA and found to be complete.
(v) Projects. If the currently conforming transportation plan and TIP have not been demonstrated to conform according to transitional period criteria and procedures, the requirements of paragraphs (v)(A) and (B) of this section must be met.
(A) Before a FHWA/FTA project which is regionally significant and increases single-occupant vehicle capacity (a new general purpose highway on a new location or adding general purpose lanes) may be found to conform, the State air agency must be consulted on how the emissions which the existing transportation plan and TIPs conformity determination estimates for the ‘Action' scenario (as required by Chapter 8, Sections 4(v)-(aa)) compare to the motor vehicle emissions budget in the implementation plan submission or the projected motor vehicle emissions budget in the implementation plan under development.
(B) In the event of unresolved disputes on such project-level conformity determinations, the State air agency may escalate the issue to the Governor consistent with the procedure in Chapter 8, Section 4(e), which applies for any State air agency comments on a conformity determination.
(vi) Redetermination of Conformity of the Existing Transportation Plan and TIP According to the Transitional Period Criteria and Procedures.
(A) The redetermination of the conformity of the existing transportation plan and TIP according to transitional period criteria and procedures (as required by paragraphs (i)(A) and (iv)(A) of this section) does not require new emissions analysis and does not have to satisfy the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(j) and (k) if:
(I) The control strategy implementation plan revision submitted to EPA uses the MPO's modeling of the existing transportation plan and TIP for its projections of motor vehicle emissions; and
(II) The control strategy implementation plan does not include any transportation projects which are not included in the transportation plan and TIP.
(B) A redetermination of conformity as described in paragraph (vi)(A) of this section is not considered a conformity determination for the purposes of Chapter 8, Sections 4(d)(ii)(D) or (d)(iii)(D) regarding the maximum intervals between conformity determinations. Conformity must be determined according to all the applicable criteria and procedures of Chapter 8, Section 4(i) within three years of the last determination which did not rely on paragraph (vi)(A) of this section.
(vii) Ozone Nonattainment Areas.
(A) The requirements of paragraph (ii)(A) of this section apply if a serious or above ozone nonattainment area has not submitted the implementation plan revisions which Clean Air Act §§182(c)(2)(A) and 182(c)(2)(B) require to be submitted to EPA November 15, 1994, even if the area has submitted the implementation plan revision which Clean Air Act §182(b)(1) requires to be submitted to EPA November 15, 1993.
(B) The requirements of paragraph (ii)(A) of this section apply if a moderate ozone nonattainment area which is using photochemical dispersion modeling to demonstrate the "specific annual reductions as necessary to attain" required by Clean Air Act §182(b)(1), and which has permission from EPA to delay submission of such demonstration until November 15, 1994, does not submit such demonstration by that date. The requirements of paragraph (ii)(A) of this section apply in this case even if the area has submitted the 15% emission reduction demonstration required by Clean Air Act §182(b)(1).
(C) The requirements of paragraph (i) of this section apply when the implementation plan revisions required by Clean Air Act §§182(c)(2)(A) and 182(c)(2)(B) are submitted.
(viii) Nonattainment Areas Which Are Not Required to Demonstrate Reasonable Further Progress and Attainment. If an area listed in Chapter 8, Section 4(jj) submits a control strategy implementation plan revision, the requirements of paragraphs (i) and (v) of this section apply. Because the areas listed in Chapter 8, Section 4(jj) are not required to demonstrate reasonable further progress and attainment and therefore have no Clean Air Act deadline, the provisions of paragraph (ii) of this section do not apply to these areas at any time.
(ix) Maintenance Plans. If a control strategy implementation plan revision is not submitted to EPA but a maintenance plan required by Clean Air Act §175 is submitted to EPA, the requirements of paragraphs (i) or (iv) of this section apply, with the maintenance plan submission treated as a "control strategy implementation plan revision" for the purposes of those requirements.
(cc) Requirements for Adoption or Approval of Projects by Recipients of Funds Designated Under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act. No recipient of Federal funds designated under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act shall adopt or approve a regionally significant highway or transit project, regardless of funding source, unless there is a currently conforming transportation plan and TIP consistent with the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(n) and the requirements of one of the following paragraphs (i) through (v) are met:
(i) The project comes from a conforming plan and program consistent with the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(o);
(ii) The project is included in the regional emissions analysis supporting the currently conforming TIPs conformity determination, even if the project is not strictly "included" in the TIP for the purposes of MPO project selection or endorsement, and the project's design concept and scope have not changed significantly from those which were included in the regional emissions analysis, or in a manner which would significantly impact use of the facility;
(iii) During the control strategy or maintenance period, the project is consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budget(s) in the applicable implementation plan consistent with the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(t);
(iv) During Phase II of the interim period, the project contributes to emissions reductions or does not increase emissions consistent with the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(x) (in ozone and CO nonattainment areas) or Chapter 8, Section 4(aa) (in PM10 and NO2 nonattainment areas); or
(v) During the transitional period, the project satisfies the requirements of both paragraphs (iii) and (iv) of this section.
(dd) Procedures for Determining Regional Transportation-Related Emissions.
(i) General Requirements.
(A) The regional emissions analysis for the transportation plan, TIP, or project not from a conforming plan and TIP shall include all regionally significant projects expected in the nonattainment or maintenance area, including FHWA/FTA projects proposed in the transportation plan and TIP and all other regionally significant projects which are disclosed to the MPO as required by Chapter 8, Section 4(e). Projects which are not regionally significant are not required to be explicitly modeled, but VMT from such projects must be estimated in accordance with reasonable professional practice. The effects of TCMs and similar projects that are not regionally significant may also be estimated in accordance with reasonable professional practice.
(B) The emissions analysis may not include for emissions reduction credit any TCMs which have been delayed beyond the scheduled date(s) until such time as implementation has been assured. If the TCM has been partially implemented and it can be demonstrated that it is providing quantifiable emission reduction benefits, the emissions analysis may include that emissions reduction credit.
(C) Emissions reduction credit from projects, programs, or activities which require a regulation in order to be implemented may not be included in the emissions analysis unless the regulation is already adopted by the enforcing jurisdiction. Adopted regulations are required for demand management strategies for reducing emissions which are not specifically identified in the applicable implementation plan, and for control programs which are external to the transportation system itself, such as tailpipe or evaporative emission standards, limits on gasoline volatility, inspection and maintenance programs, and oxygenated or reformulated gasoline or diesel fuel. A regulatory program may also be considered to be adopted if an opt-in to a Federally enforced program has been approved by EPA, if EPA has promulgated the program (if the control program is a Federal responsibility, such as tailpipe standards), or if the Clean Air Act requires the program without need for individual State action and without any discretionary authority for EPA to set its stringency, delay its effective date, or not implement the program.
(D) Notwithstanding paragraph (i)(C) of this section, during the transitional period, control measures or programs which are committed to in an implementation plan submission as described in Chapter 8, Sections 4(r)-(t), but which has not received final EPA action in the form of a finding of incompleteness, approval, or disapproval may be assumed for emission reduction credit for the purpose of demonstrating that the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(r)-(t) are satisfied.
(E) A regional emissions analysis for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(v)-(x) may account for the programs in paragraph (i)(D) of this section, but the same assumptions about these programs shall be used for both the ‘Baseline' and ‘Action' scenarios.
(ii) Serious, Severe, and Extreme Ozone Nonattainment Areas and Serious Carbon Monoxide Areas After January 1, 1995. Estimates of regional transportation-related emissions used to support conformity determinations must be made according to procedures which meet the requirements in paragraphs (ii)(A) through (E) of this section.
(A) A network-based transportation demand model or models relating travel demand and transportation system performance to land-use patterns, population demographics, employment, transportation infrastructure, and transportation policies must be used to estimate travel within the metropolitan planning area of the nonattainment area. Such a model shall possess the following attributes:
(I) The modeling methods and the functional relationships used in the model(s) shall in all respects be in accordance with acceptable professional practice, and reasonable for purposes of emission estimation;
(II) The network-based model(s) must be validated against ground counts for a base year that is not more than 10 years prior to the date of the conformity determination. Land use, population, and other inputs must be based on the best available information and appropriate to the validation base year;
(III) For peak-hour or peak-period traffic assignments, a capacity sensitive assignment methodology must be used;
(IV) Zone-to-zone travel times used to distribute trips between origin and destination pairs must be in reasonable agreement with the travel times which result from the process of assignment of trips to network links. Where use of transit currently is anticipated to be a significant factor in satisfying transportation demand, these times should also be used for modeling mode splits;
(V) Free-flow speeds on network links shall be based on empirical observations;
(VI) Peak and off-peak travel demand and travel times must be provided;
(VII) Trip distribution and mode choice must be sensitive to pricing, where pricing is a significant factor, if the network model is capable of such determinations and the necessary information is available;
(VIII) The model(s) must utilize and document a logical correspondence between the assumed scenario of land development and use and the future transportation system for which emissions are being estimated. Reliance on a formal land-use model is not specifically required but is encouraged;
(IX) A dependence of trip generation on the accessibility of destinations via the transportation system (including pricing) is strongly encouraged but not specifically required, unless the network model is capable of such determinations and the necessary information is available;
(X) A dependence of regional economic and population growth on the accessibility of destinations via the transportation system is strongly encouraged but not specifically required, unless the network model is capable of such determinations and the necessary information is available; and
(XI) Consideration of emissions increases from construction-related congestion is not specifically required.
(B) Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) estimates of vehicle miles traveled shall be considered the primary measure of vehicle miles traveled within the portion of the nonattainment or maintenance area and for the functional classes of roadways included in HPMS, for urban areas which are sampled on a separate urban area basis. A factor (or factors) shall be developed to reconcile and calibrate the network-based model estimates of vehicle miles traveled in the base year of its validation to the HPMS estimates for the same period, and these factors shall be applied to model estimates of future vehicle miles traveled. In this factoring process, consideration will be given to differences in the facility coverage of the HPMS and the modeled network description. Departure from these procedures is permitted with the concurrence of DOT and EPA.
(C) Reasonable methods shall be used to estimate nonattainment area vehicle travel on off-network roadways within the urban transportation planning area, and on roadways outside the urban transportation planning area.
(D) Reasonable methods in accordance with good practice must be used to estimate traffic speeds and delays in a manner that is sensitive to the estimated volume of travel on each roadway segment represented in the network model.
(E) Ambient temperatures shall be consistent with those used to establish the emissions budget in the applicable implementation plan. Factors other than temperatures, for example the fraction of travel in a hot stabilized engine mode, may be modified after interagency consultation according to Chapter 8, Section 4(e) if the newer estimates incorporate additional or more geographically specific information or represent a logically estimated trend in such factors beyond the period considered in the applicable implementation plan.
(iii) Areas Which Are Not Serious, Severe, or Extreme Ozone Nonattainment Areas or Serious Carbon Monoxide Areas, or Before January 1, 1995.
(A) Procedures which satisfy some or all of the requirements of paragraph (i) of this section shall be used in all areas not subject to paragraph (i) of this section in which those procedures have been the previous practice of the MPO.
(B) Regional emissions may be estimated by methods which do not explicitly or comprehensively account for the influence of land use and transportation infrastructure on vehicle miles traveled and traffic speeds and congestion. Such methods must account for VMT growth by extrapolating historical VMT or projecting future VMT by considering growth in population and historical growth trends for vehicle miles traveled per person. These methods must also consider future economic activity, transit alternatives, and transportation system policies.
(iv) Projects Not from a Conforming Plan and TIP in Isolated Rural Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas. This paragraph applies to any nonattainment or maintenance area or any portion thereof which does not have a metropolitan transportation plan or TIP and whose projects are not part of the emissions analysis of any MPO's metropolitan transportation plan or TIP (because the nonattainment or maintenance area or portion thereof does not contain a metropolitan planning area or portion of a metropolitan planning area and is not part of a Metropolitan Statistical Area or Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area which is or contains a nonattainment or maintenance area).
(A) Conformity demonstrations for projects in these areas may satisfy the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(t)(x)(aa) with one regional emissions analysis which includes all the regionally significant projects in the nonattainment or maintenance area (or portion thereof).
(B) The requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(t) shall be satisfied according to the procedures in Chapter 8, Section 4(t)(iii), with references to the "transportation plan" taken to mean the statewide transportation plan.
(C) The requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(x) and (aa) which reference "transportation plan" or "TIP" shall be taken to mean those projects in the statewide transportation plan or statewide TIP which are in the nonattainment or maintenance area (or portion thereof).
(D) The requirement of Chapter 8, Section 4(cc)(ii) shall be satisfied if:
(I) The project is included in the regional emissions analysis which includes all regionally significant highway and transportation projects in the nonattainment or maintenance area (or portion thereof) and supports the most recent conformity determination made according to the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(t)(x) or (aa) (as modified by paragraphs (iv)(B) and (iv)(C) of this section), as appropriate for the time period and pollutant; and
(II) The project's design concept and scope have not changed significantly from those which were included in the regional emissions analysis, or in a manner which would significantly impact use of the facility.
(v) PM10 From Construction-Related Fugitive Dust.
(A) For areas in which the implementation plan does not identify construction-related fugitive PM10 as a contributor to the nonattainment problem, the fugitive PM10 emissions associated with highway and transit project construction are not required to be considered in the regional emissions analysis.
(B) In PM10 nonattainment and maintenance areas with implementation plans which identify construction-related fugitive PM10 as a contributor to the nonattainment problem, the regional PM10 emissions analysis shall consider construction-related fugitive PM10 control measures in the applicable implementation plan, and the dust-producing capacity of the proposed activities.
(ee) Procedures for Determining Localized CO and PM10 Concentrations (Hot-Spot Analysis).
(i) In the following cases, CO hot-spot analyses must be based on the applicable air quality models, databases, and other requirements specified in 40 CFR part 51, Appendix W ("Guideline on Air Quality Models" (Revised 1988), supplement A (1987) and supplement B (1993), EPA publication no. 450/2-78-027R), unless, after the interagency consultation process described in Chapter 8, Section 4(e) and with the approval of the EPA Regional Administrator, these models, databases, and other requirements are determined to be inappropriate:
(A) For projects in or affecting locations, areas, or categories of sites which are identified in the applicable implementation plan as sites of current violation or possible current violation;
(B) For those intersections at Level-of-Service D, E, or F, or those that will change to Level-of-Service D, E, or F because of increased traffic volumes related to a new project in the vicinity;
(C) For any project involving or affecting any of the intersections which the applicable implementation plan identifies as the top three intersections in the nonattainment or maintenance area based on the highest traffic volumes;
(D) For any project involving or affecting any of the intersections which the applicable implementation plan identifies as the top three intersections in the nonattainment or maintenance area based on the worst Level-of-Service; and
(E) Where use of the "Guideline" models is practicable and reasonable given the potential for violations.
(ii) In cases other than those described in paragraph (i) of this section, other quantitative methods may be used if they represent reasonable and common professional practice.
(iii) CO hot-spot analyses must include the entire project, and may be performed only after the major design features which will significantly impact CO concentrations have been identified. The background concentration can be estimated using the ratio of future to current traffic multiplied by the ratio of future to current emission factors.
(iv) PM10 hot-spot analysis must be performed for projects which are located at sites at which violations have been verified by monitoring, and at sites which have essentially identical vehicle and roadway emission and dispersion characteristics (including sites near one at which a violation has been monitored). The projects which require PM10 hot-spot analysis shall be determined through the interagency consultation process required in Chapter 8, Section 4(e). In PM10 nonattainment and maintenance areas, new or expanded bus and rail terminals and transfer points which increase the number of diesel vehicles congregating at a single location require hot-spot analysis. DOT may choose to make a categorical conformity determination on bus and rail terminals or transfer points based on appropriate modeling of various terminal sizes, configurations, and activity levels. The requirements of this paragraph for quantitative hot-spot analysis will not take effect until EPA releases modeling guidance on this subject and announces in the Federal Register that these requirements are in effect.
(v) Hot-spot analysis assumptions must be consistent with those in the regional emissions analysis for those inputs which are required for both analyses.
(vi) PM10 or CO mitigation or control measures shall be assumed in the hot-spot analysis only where there are written commitments from the project sponsor and/or operator to the implementation of such measures, as required by Chapter 8, Section 4(gg)(i).
(vii) CO and PM10 hot-spot analyses are not required to consider construction-related activities which cause temporary increases in emissions. Each site which is affected by construction-related activities shall be considered separately, using established "Guideline" methods. Temporary increases are defined as those which occur only during the construction phase and last five years or less at any individual site.
(ff) Using the Motor Vehicle Emissions Budget in the Applicable Implementation Plan (or Implementation Plan Submission).
(i) In interpreting an applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission) with respect to its motor vehicle emissions budget(s), the MPO and DOT may not infer additions to the budget(s) that are not explicitly intended by the implementation plan (or submission). Unless the implementation plan explicitly quantifies the amount by which motor vehicle emissions could be higher while still allowing a demonstration of compliance with the milestone, attainment, or maintenance requirement and explicitly states an intent that some or all of this additional amount should be available to the MPO and DOT in the emission budget for conformity purposes, the MPO may not interpret the budget to be higher than the implementation plan's estimate of future emissions. This applies in particular to applicable implementation plans (or submissions) which demonstrate that after implementation of control measures in the implementation plan:
(A) Emissions from all sources will be less than the total emissions that would be consistent with a required demonstration of an emissions reduction milestone;
(B) Emissions from all sources will result in achieving attainment prior to the attainment deadline and/or ambient concentrations in the attainment deadline year will be lower than needed to demonstrate attainment; or
(C) Emissions will be lower than needed to provide for continued maintenance.
(ii) If an applicable implementation plan submitted before November 24, 1993 demonstrates that emissions from all sources will be less than the total emissions that would be consistent with attainment and quantifies that "safety margin," the State may submit a SIP revision which assigns some or all of this safety margin to highway and transit mobile sources for the purposes of conformity. Such a SIP revision, once it is endorsed by the Governor and has been subject to a public hearing, may be used for the purposes of transportation conformity before it is approved by EPA.
(iii) A conformity demonstration shall not trade emissions among budgets which the applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission) allocates for different pollutants or precursors, or among budgets allocated to motor vehicles and other sources, without a SIP revision or a SIP which establishes mechanisms for such trades.
(iv) If the applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission) estimates future emissions by geographic subarea of the nonattainment area, the MPO and DOT are not required to consider this to establish subarea budgets, unless the applicable implementation plan (or implementation plan submission) explicitly indicates an intent to create such subarea budgets for the purposes of conformity.
(v) If a nonattainment area includes more than one MPO, the SIP may establish motor vehicle emissions budgets for each MPO, or else the MPOs must collectively make a conformity determination for the entire nonattainment area.
(gg) Enforceability of Design Concept and Scope and Project-Level Mitigation and Control Measures.
(i) Prior to determining that a transportation project is in conformity, the MPO, other recipient of funds designated under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act, FHWA, or FTA must obtain from the project sponsor and/or operator written commitments to implement in the construction of the project and operation of the resulting facility or service and project-level mitigation or control measures which are identified as conditions for NEPA process completion with respect to local PM10 or CO impacts. Before making conformity determinations written commitments must also be obtained for project-level mitigation or control measures which are conditions for making conformity determinations for a transportation plan or TIP and included in the project design concept and scope which is used in the regional emissions analysis required by Chapter 8, Sections 4(r)-(t) and Chapter 8, Sections (v)-(x) or used in the project-level hot-spot analysis required by Chapter 8, Sections 4(p) and (u).
(ii) Project sponsors voluntarily committing to mitigation measures to facilitate positive conformity determinations must comply with the obligations of such commitments.
(iii) The implementation plan revision required in 40 CFR Part 51, Subpart T shall provide that written commitments to mitigation measures must be obtained prior to a positive conformity determination, and that project sponsors must comply with such commitments.
(iv) During the control strategy and maintenance periods, if the MPO or project sponsor believes the mitigation or control measure is no longer necessary for conformity, the project sponsor or operator may be relieved of its obligation to implement the mitigation or control measure if it can demonstrate that the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(p), (r), and (s) are satisfied without the mitigation or control measure, and so notifies the agencies involved in the interagency consultation process required under Chapter 8, Section 4(e). The MPO and DOT must confirm that the transportation plan and TIP still satisfy the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 4(r) and (s) and that the project still satisfies the requirements of Chapter 8, Section 4(p), and therefore that the conformity determinations for the transportation plan, TIP, and project are still valid.
(hh) Exempt Projects. Notwithstanding the other requirements of this subpart, highway and transit projects of the types listed in Table 2 are exempt from the requirement that a conformity determination be made. Such projects may proceed toward implementation even in the absence of a conforming transportation plan and TIP. A particular action of the type listed in Table 2 is not exempt if the MPO in consultation with other agencies (see Chapter 8, Section 4(e)), the EPA, and the FHWA (in the case of a highway project) or the FTA (in the case of a transit project) concur that it has potentially adverse emissions impacts for any reason. States and MPOs must ensure that exempt projects do not interfere with TCM implementation.
Table 2. - Exempt Projects
SAFETY
Railroad/highway crossing
Hazard elimination program
Safer non-Federal-aid system roads
Shoulder improvements
Increasing sight distance
Safety improvement program
Traffic control devices and operating assistance other than signalization projects
Railroad/highway crossing warning devices
Guardrails, median barriers, crash cushions
Pavement resurfacing and/or rehabilitation
Pavement marking demonstration
Emergency relief (23 U.S.C. 125)
Fencing
Skid treatments
Safety roadside rest areas
Adding medians
Truck climbing lanes outside the urbanized area
Lighting improvements
Widening narrow pavements or reconstructing bridges (no additional travel lanes)
Emergency truck pullovers
MASS TRANSIT
Operating assistance to transit agencies
Purchase of support vehicles
Rehabilitation of transit vehicles1
Purchase of office, shop, and operating equipment for existing facilities
Purchase of operating equipment for vehicles (e.g., radios, fareboxes, lifts, etc.)
Construction of renovation of power, signal, and communications systems
Construction of small passenger shelters and information kiosks
Reconstruction or renovation of transit buildings and structures (e.g., rail or bus buildings, storage and maintenance facilities, stations, terminals, and ancillary structures)
Rehabilitation or reconstruction of track structures, track, and trackbed in existing rights-of-way
Purchase of new buses and rail cars to replace existing vehicles or for minor expansions of the fleet1
Construction of new bus or rail storage/maintenance facilities categorically excluded in 23 CFR 771
AIR QUALITY
Continuation of ride-sharing and van-pooling promotion activities at current levels
Bicycle and pedestrian facilities
OTHER
Specific activities which do not involve or lead directly to construction, such as:
Planning and technical studies
Grants for training and research programs
Planning activities conducted pursuant to Titles 23 and 49 U.S.C.
Federal-aid systems revisions
Engineering to assess social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed action or alternatives to that action
Noise attenuation
Advance land acquisitions (23 CFR Part 712 or 23 CFR Part 771)
Acquisition of scenic easements
Plantings, landscaping, etc.
Sign removal
Directional and informational signs
Transportation enhancement activities (except rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities)
Repair of damage caused by natural disasters, civil unrest, or terrorist acts, except projects involving substantial functional, locational or capacity changes
1In PM10 nonattainment or maintenance areas, such projects are exempt only if they are in compliance with control measures in the applicable implementation plan.
(ii) Projects Exempt from Regional Emissions Analyses. Notwithstanding the other requirements of this subpart, highway and transit projects of the types listed in Table 3 are exempt from regional emissions analysis requirements. The local effects of these projects with respect to CO or PM10 concentrations must be considered to determine hot-spot analysis is required prior to making a project-level conformity determination. These projects may then proceed to the project development process even in the absence of a conforming transportation plan and TIP. A particular action of the type listed in Table 3 is not exempt from regional emissions analysis if the MPO in consultation with other agencies (see Chapter 8, Section 4(e)), the EPA, and the FHWA (in the case of a highway project) or the FTA (in the case of a transit project) concur that it has potential regional impacts for any reason.
Table 3. - Projects Exempt from Regional Emissions Analyses
Intersection channelization projects
Intersection signalization projects at individual intersections
Interchange reconfiguration projects
Changes in vertical and horizontal alignment
Truck size and weight inspection stations
Bus terminals and transfer points
(jj) Special Provisions for Nonattainment Areas Which Are Not Required to Demonstrate Reasonable Further Progress and Attainment.
(i) Application. This section applies in the following areas:
(A) Rural transport ozone nonattainment areas;
(B) Marginal ozone areas;
(C) Submarginal ozone areas;
(D) Transitional ozone areas;
(E) Incomplete data ozone areas;
(F) Moderate CO areas with a design value of 12.7 ppm or less; and
(G) Not classified CO areas.
(ii) Default Conformity Procedures. The criteria and procedures in Chapter 8, Sections 4(v)-(x) will remain in effect throughout the control strategy period for transportation plans, TIPs, and projects (not from a conforming plan and TIP) in lieu of the procedures in Chapter 8, Sections 4(r)-(t), except as otherwise provided in paragraph (iii) of this section.
(iii) Optional Conformity Procedures. The State or MPO may voluntarily develop an attainment demonstration and corresponding motor vehicle emissions budget like those required in areas with higher nonattainment classifications. In this case, the State must submit an implementation plan revision which contains that budget and attainment demonstration. Once EPA has approved this implementation plan revision, the procedures in Chapter 8, Sections 4(r)-(t) apply in lieu of the procedures in Chapter 8, Sections 4(v)-(x).
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 5 Ozone Nonattainment Emission Inventory Rule
(a) Applicability.
(i) This rule applies to a facility or source operating in an ozone nonattainment area(s), as identified in 40 CFR Part 81, if:
(A) The facility or source has been granted permit approval to construct and/or operate under Chapter 6 of the Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations (WAQSR); or
(B) It is an individual oil or gas facility or source; or
(C) Actual emissions from the stationary facility or source are greater than or equal to 25 tons per year of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as defined in Chapter 3, Section 6(a) of the WAQSR, or oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
(I) If NOx or VOCs are emitted from a facility or source at or above the applicability threshold identified in subsection (a)(i)(C), both air contaminants must be included in the emission inventory even if one of the air contaminants is emitted at a level below the applicability threshold.
(ii) Compliance with emission inventory requirements established under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 3(f)(v)(G), satisfies the requirements of this rule.
(b) Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements.
(i) As specified in the forms required in subsection (b)(v), each emission inventory shall include:
(A) Actual emissions of NOx, VOC, and any other air contaminants as determined by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division Administrator, in tons per year for any calendar year emission inventory, or in tons for any partial year emission inventory;
(B) The physical location at which the actual emissions occurred;
(C) The name and address of the person or entity operating or owning the facility or source; and
(D) The nature of the facility or source.
(ii) The emission inventory submittal dates are as follows:
(A) By April 30th of each year for all emissions that occurred during the previous calendar year; and
(B) No later than 90 days after the end of a partial year inventory for emissions that occurred during the partial year as determined by the Division Administrator.
(iii) After the owner or operator submits an emission inventory for all facility or source emissions that occurred during calendar year 2014, the owner or operator shall submit an emission inventory for such facility or source every year thereafter.
(iv) Each owner or operator of a facility or source shall maintain a copy of the emission inventory submitted to the Division, and records indicating how the information submitted was determined, including any calculations, data, and measurements used.
(A) Records shall be kept for a period of at least five years from the required submittal date listed in subsection (b)(ii) for each emission inventory.
(B) The owner or operator of the facility or source shall make the records required in subsection (b)(iv) available for inspection by any representative of the Division upon request.
(v) The owner or operator shall submit emission inventories using Division-prescribed hard copy or electronic formats.
(vi) All emission inventory submissions shall be certified as being true, accurate, and complete by a responsible official to the best of their knowledge. A responsible official is an individual who is responsible for the data provided in the emission inventory, and who accepts responsibility for the emission accuracy.
(c) Compliance. Compliance with WAQSR Chapter 8, Section 5, does not relieve any owner or operator of a facility or source from the responsibility to comply with any other applicable reporting requirements set forth in any federal or State law, rule or regulation, or in any permit.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 6 Upper Green River Basin Permit by Rule for Existing Sources
(a) Applicability.
(i) These regulations apply to all PAD and single-well oil and gas production facilities or sources, and all compressor stations, located in the Upper Green River Basin (UGRB) ozone nonattainment area that exist as of January 1, 2014. The UGRB ozone nonattainment area is that area which was adopted by reference from 40 CFR Part 81.351, revised and published as of July 1, 2013, not including any later amendments. Copies of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) are available for public inspection and can be purchased from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office is available at: http://deq.wyoming.gov/. Copies of the CFR can also be purchased from Government Institutes, 15200 NBN Way, Building B, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214, or online at: https://ecfr.gov.
(ii) PAD and single-well oil and gas production facilities or sources, shall comply with all applicable requirements of these regulations unless a WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 permit has been issued that meets or exceeds the control requirements of these regulations; and
(iii) A compressor station, as defined in Subsection (b), shall comply with the requirements of Subsection (g) of these regulations unless a WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 permit has been issued that meets or exceeds the Subsection (g) requirements; and
(iv) In spite of the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 2(a)(i) and (iii) of the WAQSR, a preconstruction permit under Chapter 6, Section 2 is not required for any control device (flare/enclosed combustion unit) or equipment identified in these regulations unless a facility or source is required to obtain a permit under Chapter 6, Section 4 or Section 13.
(v) A WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 permit will be required for the use of any alternative emission control device and/or equipment to be used in lieu of, or in combination with, a combustion device required by these regulations.
(b) Definitions.
"Composite extended hydrocarbon analysis" are averaged extended hydrocarbon compositions based on samples from at least five wells producing from the same formation and under similar conditions (± 25 psig).
"Compressor station" means any permanent combination of one or more compressors that move natural gas at increased pressure from fields, in transmission pipelines, or into storage.
"Dehydration unit" means a system that uses glycol to absorb water from produced gas before it is introduced into gas sales or collection lines.
"Extended hydrocarbon analysis" means a gas chromatograph analysis performed on pressurized hydrocarbon liquid (oil/condensate) and gas samples, and shall include speciated hydrocarbons from methane (C1) through decane (C10), and the following Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP): benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, xylenes (BTEX), n-hexane, and 2-2-4-trimethylpentane.
"Facility components" consist of flanges, connectors (other than flanges), open-ended lines, pumps, valves and "other" components listed in Table 2-4 from EPA-453/R-95-017 at the site grouped by stream (gas, light oil, heavy oil, water/oil). Table 2-4 from EPA-453/R-95-017 is available online at: http://deq.wyoming.gov/aqd/ or http://www3.epa.gov/ttnchie1/efdocs/equiplks.pdf.
"Flashing emissions" means VOC emissions, including HAP components, that occur when gases are released from produced liquids (oil, condensate, produced water, or a mixture thereof) that are exposed to temperature increases or pressure drops as they are transferred from pressurized vessels to lower pressure separation vessels or to atmospheric storage tanks.
"Optical gas imaging instrument" means an instrument that makes visible, emissions that may otherwise be invisible to the naked eye.
"PAD facility" means a location where more than one well and/or associated production equipment are located, where some or all production equipment is shared by more than one well or where well streams from more than one well are routed through individual production trains at the same location.
"Separation vessels" means all gun barrels, production and test separators, production and test treaters, water knockouts, gas boots, flash separators, and drip pots.
"Single-well facility" means a facility where production equipment is associated with only one well.
"Storage tanks" means any tanks that contain oil, condensate, produced water, or some mixture thereof.
(c) Flashing Emissions at Existing PAD and Single-Well Facilities or Sources as of January 1, 2014.
(i) VOC emissions from all existing storage tanks and all existing separation vessels are subject to these regulations.
(A) For total uncontrolled VOC emissions from flashing that are greater than or equal to 4 tons per year (tpy), flashing emissions from all produced oil, condensate, water tanks, and separation vessels shall be controlled to at least 98% manufacturer-designed VOC destruction efficiency by January 1, 2017.
(B) Storage tanks that are on site for use during emergency or upset conditions are not subject to the control requirements in this Subsection.
(C) Emergency, open-top, and/or blowdown tanks shall not be used as active storage tanks but may be used for temporary storage.
(I) Emergency tanks shall only be utilized for unavoidable equipment malfunctions as defined in Chapter 1, Section 5 of the WAQSR.
(II) If emergency, open-top, and/or blowdown tanks are utilized, they must be emptied within seven calendar days after the liquid volume reaches 100 barrels, or in no event less frequently than once every 90 calendar days.
(III) All tanks subject to this Subsection must have a liquid level gauge, or equivalent device, in place by January 1, 2017.
(D) Control Removal. The removal of flashing emissions control devices will be allowed pursuant to the requirements in Subparagraph (h)(iii)(E), after one year from the date of installation if uncontrolled VOC flashing emissions have declined to less than, and will remain below 4 tpy.
(ii) Calculation for Flashing Emissions.
(A) Determine the average daily condensate/oil production for the previous 12 calendar months in barrels per day (bpd).
(B) Use any generally accepted model in accordance with 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart OOOO or direct measurement of tank emissions to determine uncontrolled VOC emissions.
(C) Model input shall consist of:
(I) A site-specific analysis of liquids, or composite extended hydrocarbon analysis of liquids, taken from the pressurized, upstream separation equipment under normal operating conditions;
(II) Average daily condensate/oil production rate as determined in Subparagraph (c)(ii)(A) of these regulations;
(III) Site-specific or composite extended hydrocarbon analyses will be no older than three years from date of flashing emissions calculation including;
(1.) The average, actual equipment operational parameters, including separator temperature and pressure; and
(2.) American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity and Reid vapor pressure (RVP) of sales oil.
(d) Dehydration Units at Existing PAD and Single-Well Facilities or Sources as of January 1, 2014.
(i) VOC emissions released from all existing dehydration units are subject to these regulations.
(A) For total uncontrolled VOC emissions from all dehydration units that are greater than or equal to 4 tpy, VOC emissions from all dehydration units shall be controlled to at least 98% manufacturer-designed VOC destruction efficiency and equipped with reboiler still vent condensers by January 1, 2017.
(B) Control Removal. The removal of combustion units used to achieve the 98% manufacturer-designed VOC destruction efficiency will be allowed pursuant to the requirements in Subparagraph (h)(iii)(E), after one (1) year from the date of installation if total uncontrolled VOC emissions from all dehydration units are less than, and will remain below 4 tpy, and all dehydration units are equipped with reboiler still vent condensers.
(ii) Calculation for Dehydration Units.
(A) Determine the average daily gas production rate for the previous 12 calendar months in million cubic feet per day (MMCFD).
(B) Use the model GRI-GLYCalc, Version 4.0 or higher, and the annualized average daily production rate to determine annualized uncontrolled VOC emissions from the dehydration unit process vents. Process vents include reboiler still vents and glycol flash separators.
(C) Model input shall consist of:
(I) A site-specific wet gas analysis or composite extended hydrocarbon analysis of wet gas taken upstream of the contact tower under normal operating conditions;
(II) Average daily gas production rate as determined in Subparagraph (d)(ii)(A) of these regulations; and
(III) Site-specific or composite extended hydrocarbon analyses shall be no older than three years from date of the dehydration unit calculation including;
(1.) The average, actual equipment operational parameters, including wet gas temperature and pressure, dry gas water content, glycol flash separator temperature and pressure, stripping gas source and rate; and
(2.) The maximum lean glycol circulation rate in gallons per minute (gpm) for the glycol circulation pump in use.
(e) Existing Pneumatic Pumps at PAD and Single-Well Facilities or Sources as of January 1, 2014. VOC emissions associated with the discharge streams of all natural gas-operated pneumatic pumps shall be controlled to at least 98% manufacturer-designed VOC destruction efficiency, or the pump discharge streams shall be routed into a sales line, collection line, fuel supply line, other closed loop system, or replaced with solar, electric, or air driven pumps by January 1, 2017.
(f) Existing Pneumatic Controllers at PAD and Single-Well Facilities or Sources as of January 1, 2014. Natural gas-operated pneumatic controllers shall be low (less than 6 standard cubic feet per hour (scfh)) or zero bleed controllers or the controller discharge streams shall be routed into a sales line, collection line, fuel supply line, or other closed loop system by January 1, 2017.
(g) Fugitive Emissions.
(i) For PAD and single-well facilities or sources, and compressor stations, in existence prior to January 1, 2014, with fugitive emissions greater than or equal to 4 tpy of VOCs, including HAP components, operators shall develop and implement a Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) Protocol by January 1, 2017.
(A) The LDAR Protocol inspection monitoring schedule shall be no less frequent than quarterly; and
(B) Shall include a leak repair schedule; and
(C) Each quarterly inspection shall consist of some combination of 40 CFR part 60, Appendix A, Method 21, an optical gas imaging instrument, other instrument-based technologies, or audio-visual-olfactory (AVO) inspections.
(D) An LDAR Protocol consisting of only AVO inspections will not satisfy the requirements of this Subsection.
(ii) Calculation for Fugitive Emissions.
(A) Fugitive emissions shall be estimated using Table 2-4 from EPA-453/R-95-017, Protocol for Equipment Leak Emission Estimates, and the owner(s) or operator(s) facility component count.
(I) PAD and single-well facility or source component counts shall be determined by actual field count, or a representative component count from the same geographical area, taken from no less than 100 wells located at a PAD or single-well facility.
(II) Compressor station component counts shall be determined by actual field count.
(III) Emission factors in the Protocol for Equipment Leak Emission Estimates are not intended to be used to represent emissions from components that are improperly designed or equipment not maintained properly.
(B) Site-specific speciated hydrocarbon emission rates can be estimated by multiplying the total hydrocarbon emission rate, estimated in Subparagraph (g)(ii)(A) above, by measured VOC and HAP weight fractions.
(h) Monitoring, Recordkeeping, and Reporting.
(i) Monitoring. The owner(s) or operator(s) of each PAD and single-well facility or source, or compressor station, shall comply with all applicable monitoring requirements as specified by this Paragraph.
(A) Operation of a combustion device used to control emissions shall be continually monitored using any device(s) that sense and record a parameter(s) that indicates whether the combustion device is functioning to achieve the 98% manufacturer-designed VOC destruction efficiency requirements as specified by these regulations.
(I) The combustion device shall be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to be smokeless, to satisfy the requirements of Chapter 3, Section 6(b)(i) of the WAQSR.
(II) Visible emissions shall not exceed a total of five minutes during any two consecutive hours as determined by 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, Method 22.
(B) All emission control devices and equipment used to reduce VOC emissions at any PAD and single-well facility or source shall be operated and maintained pursuant to manufacturer specifications or equivalent, and consistent with good engineering and maintenance practices.
(C) Owner(s) or operator(s) shall conduct a quarterly site evaluation of control equipment, systems, and devices that include, but are not limited to, combustion units, reboiler overheads condensers, storage tanks, drip tanks, vent lines, connectors, fittings, valves, relief valves, hatches, and any other appurtenance employed to, or involved with, eliminating, reducing, containing or collecting vapors and routing them to an emission control system or device.
(I) At least one of the quarterly evaluations per calendar year shall consist of 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, Method 21, an optical gas imaging instrument, or other instrument-based technologies.
(II) Owner(s) or operator(s) required to implement an LDAR Protocol have satisfied the requirements of Subparagraph (C) above.
(ii) Recordkeeping. The owner(s) or operator(s) of each PAD and single-well facility or source, or compressor station, shall comply with all applicable recordkeeping requirements as specified by this Paragraph. Records shall be maintained for a period of five years and made available to the Division upon request.
(A) All emission control devices and equipment are adequately designed and sized to achieve the control efficiency required by these regulations and to accommodate fluctuations in emissions.
(B) Owner(s) or operator(s) shall maintain the following records for each combustion device:
(I) Manufacturer-designed VOC destruction efficiency.
(II) Records of the parameter monitoring during active site operation under Subparagraph (h)(i)(A) including;
(1.) A description of the reason(s) for the absence of the monitored parameter;
(2.) The steps taken to return the combustion device back to the 98% manufacturer-designed VOC destruction efficiency; and
(3.) Date and duration of periods when the combustion device and/or the associated containment and collection equipment is not functioning to achieve the 98% manufacturer-designed VOC destruction efficiency.
(III) Date and duration of visible emissions from the combustion device.
(C) Owner(s) or operator(s) shall record and maintain records for fugitive emissions pursuant to Subsection (g) of these regulations. These records shall include the dates and results of all LDAR inspections performed pursuant to the LDAR Protocol for a PAD and single-well facility or source, or compressor station, including the date(s) and type of corrective action taken as a result of the required inspections.
(D) Records of the date, duration, and reason for emergency and/or blowdown tank usage, shall be maintained pursuant to Subparagraph (c)(i)(C) of these regulations.
(E) Owners or operators that utilize emergency, open-top, and/or blowdown tanks pursuant to Subsection (c) shall record and maintain monthly records for volume stored in tanks, volume removed from tanks, and the date when the removal of liquid occurred.
(iii) Reporting. The owner(s) or operator(s) of each PAD and single-well facility or source, or compressor station, shall comply with all applicable reporting requirements as specified by this Subsection.
(A) The owner(s) or operator(s) shall provide the name and location of the PAD and single-well facility or source, or compressor station, anticipated to require the installation of a combustion device, replacement of equipment, or implementation of an LDAR Protocol, if applicable, by January 1, 2016.
(B) Installation Notification of Control Device(s) and Associated Equipment (including pneumatic pumps). Owner(s) or operator(s) of each PAD and single-well facility or source subject to the requirements of these regulations shall submit a report to the Division 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, beginning January 1, 2016, containing the following, if applicable:
(I) The number of pollution control devices or equipment installed;
(II) Pollution control installation date, type of control, and equipment controlled;
(III) Name and location of the PAD and/or single-well facility or source where controls are installed.
(C) Installation Notification of Pneumatic Controller(s). Owner(s) or operator(s) of each PAD and single-well facility or source subject to the requirements of these regulations shall submit a report to the Division 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, beginning January 1, 2016, containing the following, if applicable:
(I) The number and type of pneumatic controllers installed and date of installation; and
(II) Name and location of the PAD and/or single-well facility or source where pneumatic controllers are installed.
(D) The final, quarterly notification of installation required under Subsections (B) and (C) above, shall be submitted no later than January 31, 2017, if applicable.
(E) Removal Notification of Control Device(s). The owner(s) or operator(s) of each PAD and single-well facility or source subject to the requirements of these regulations shall submit a demonstration to the Division for approval prior to removal of any pollution control device. This demonstration shall contain at a minimum:
(I) The average daily condensate/oil or gas production rate for the previous 12 calendar months;
(II) Emissions as determined by utilizing paragraph (I) above, and the calculation for flashing emissions in Paragraph (c)(ii), and/or the calculation for dehydration units in Paragraph (d)(ii) of these regulations;
(III) Any additional supporting data used to calculate emissions, including but not limited to, a site specific or composite extended hydrocarbon analysis no older than three years from the proposed removal date; and
(IV) Name and location of the PAD and/or single-well facility or source where controls are proposed for removal.
(F) Any PAD and single-well facility or source, or compressor station, subject to requirements of Subsection (g) of these regulations shall submit, for Division review and approval, the LDAR Protocol prior to implementation of the Protocol.
(G) All report and notification submissions shall be certified as being true, accurate, and complete by a responsible official to the best of their knowledge. A responsible official is an individual who is responsible for the information provided in the reports and notifications, and who accepts responsibility for the reports and notifications.
(H) The owner(s) or operator(s) shall submit notifications or reports as required in this Subsection to the Division electronically through https://airimpact.wyo.gov or by hard copy to the Cheyenne Office and Lander Field Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne and Lander offices is located at: http://deq.wyoming.gov/.
(i) Compliance. Compliance with Chapter 8, Section 6 of the WAQSR, does not relieve any owner(s) or operator(s) of a PAD and single-well facility or source, or compressor station, from the responsibility to comply with any other applicable requirements set forth in any federal or State law, rule or regulation, or in any permit.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 7 [Reserved.]
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 8 [Reserved.]
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 9 [Reserved.]
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.8.12272024 § 10 Incorporation by Reference
(a) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). All Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) cited in this chapter, including their Appendices, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, are incorporated by reference. Copies of the CFR are available for public inspection and can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at: https://deq.wyoming.gov/. Copies of the CFR can also be obtained at cost from Government Institutes, 15200 NBN Way, Building B, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214, or online at https://ecfr.gov.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Chapter 9 Visibility Impairment/PM Fine Control
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.9.10291999 Visibility Impairment/PM Fine Control
WYOMING AIR QUALITY
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 9
VISIBILITY IMPAIRMENT/PM FINE CONTROL
Section 1. Introduction to visibility impairment/PM fine control.
(a) This chapter establishes regulations to protect visibility. Section 2 addresses plume blight impairment in Class I Areas.
Section 2. Visibility.
(a) Purpose.
This section assures reasonable progress towards the national goal of preventing future, and remedying existing, visibility impairment in Class I areas.
(b) Applicability.
This section applies to all Class I areas in the State of Wyoming as designated per Chapter 6, Section 4(c) or redesignated in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 4(d) of these Regulations and to sources in Wyoming the emissions from which may reasonably be anticipated to cause or contribute to any impairment of visibility in any such area including mandatory Federal Class I areas in any other State.
(c) Definitions and Abbreviations.
The following terms are explicitly defined for use in this section. As used in this section, all terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given to them in Chapter 6, Section 4.
(i) "Adverse impact on visibility" means, for the purposes of Chapter 9, Section 2(e), visibility impairment which interferes with the management, protection, preservation, or enjoyment of the visitor's visual experience of the Class I area. Any determination shall be made on a case-by-case basis taking into account the geographic extent, intensity, duration, frequency and time of visibility impairments, and how these factors correlate with times of visitor use of the Class I area, and the frequency and timing of natural conditions that reduce visibility.
(ii) "Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)" means that emission reduction con- trol device, facility, method, or system, used to achieve the best continuous emission reduction for each pollutant emitted by an existing stationary facility. The emission limitation shall be established on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the technology available, the costs of compliance, the energy and non-air quality environmental impacts of compliance, any pollution control equipment in use or in existence at the source, the remaining useful life of the source, and the degree of improvement in visibility which may reasonably be anticipated to result from the use of such technology.
(iii) "Class I areas" means, for the purposes of this section, all mandatory Class I Federal areas established in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 and include the following for the State of Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park, North Absoroka Wilderness, Washakie Wilderness, Teton Wilderness, Bridger Wilderness, and Fitzpatrick Wilderness. Such term also includes the Savage Run Wilderness which is not a mandatory Class I Federal area and any future Class I area redesignated in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 4(d) of these regulations.
(iv) "Existing stationary facility" means any of the stationary sources of air pollutants listed in Chapter 6, Section 4(a)(i) of this Regulation, including any reconstructed source, which was not in operation prior to August 7, 1962, and has the potential to emit 250 tons per year or more of any air pollutant. In determining potential to emit, fugitive emissions, to the extent quantifiable shall be counted.
(v) "Long term strategy" means a 10- to 15-year plan for making reasonable progress toward the national goal specified in Chapter 9, Section 2(a).
(vi) "Natural conditions" includes naturally occurring phenomena that reduce visibil- ity as measured in terms of visual range, contrast, or coloration.
(vii) "Reasonably attributable" means attributable by visual observation or any other technique the State deems appropriate.
(viii) "Significant impairment" means visibility impairment, which in the judgment of the Administrator, interferes with the visitor's visual experience of the Class I area. This determination must be made on a case-by-case basis taking into account the geographic extent, intensity, duration, frequency and time of the impairment, and how these factors correlate with times of use of the Class I area and the frequency and timing of natural conditions that reduce visibility.
(ix) "Visibility impairment" means any humanly perceptible change in visibility (visual range, contrast, coloration) from that which would have existed under natural conditions.
(d) Existing Impairment.
(i) The Federal Land Manager may certify to the Administrator of the Air Quality Division or the Administrator may certify that visibility impairment exists in any Class I area. The Division may also certify that visibility impairment exists in any Class I area without the concurrence of the Federal Land Manager.
(A) Any certification of visibility impairment in a Class I area must be accom- panied by analysis and visibility data supported by visibility monitoring which may include visual observations or any other technique the Division deems appropriate.
(B) On receipt of a certification by the Federal Land Manager that visibility impairment exists in a Class I area or at such time that the Administrator certifies Ch. 9, Sec. 2(d)(i)(B) visibility impairment in a Class I area, the Division shall prepare an analysis of the impairment to determine whether and to what extent, if any, the cause or contribution to visibility impairment is reasonably attributable to an existing stationary facility or small group of existing stationary facili- ties. Such analysis and determination shall be completed within one year of certification of impair- ment and shall be advertised in a public notice and opportunity for a public hearing given in accor- dance with Chapter 6, Section 2(m) of these regulations. A final determination as to the source or sources to which visibility impairment can be reasonably attributed to shall be made by the Adminis- trator considering all comments made by the public, the Federal Land Manager and the affected sources if applicable. If the visibility impairment cannot be reasonably attributable to any existing stationary facility in Wyoming, the Division will review the impairment and propose a strategy to remedy the impairment, if appropriate, at the time of the next periodic review of the long term strategy as provided under paragraph (f) of this Section.
(ii) Each existing stationary facility located in Wyoming to which the cause of or con- tribution to visibility impairment in any Class I area is reasonably attributable, shall install and operate BART as expeditiously as practicable but in no case later than 5 years after issuance of a compliance order by the Division.
(A) For fossil-fuel fired generating plants having a total generating capacity in excess of 750 megawatts, BART shall be determined pursuant to "Guidelines for Determining Best Available Retrofit Technology for Coal-fired Power Plants and Other Existing Stationary Facilities" (1980), (EPA Publication No. 450/3-80-009b).
(B) Should the Division determine technological or economic limitations make the application of BART as previously defined infeasible, the Division may instead prescribe a design, equipment, work practice, or other operational standard, or combination thereof, as representing BART.
(I) Where a facility is subject to Chapter 9, Section 2(d)(ii)(B) due to technological limitations, the facility shall install and operate BART as previously defined when new technology for control of the pollutant becomes reasonably available provided (1) the pollutant is emit- ted by the existing facility; (2) controls representing BART for the pollutant have not previously been required under this section; and (3) the impairment of visibility in any Class I area is reasonably attrib- utable to the emissions of that pollutant.
(e) New Source Review.
Applicants for new major stationary sources and major modifications shall demonstrate that the proposed source will not cause an adverse impact on visibility in a Class I area as required by Chapter 6, Section 4 of this Regulation. New source review requirements for visibility are in Chapter 6, Section 2(n)(i) and Chapter 6, Section 2(n)(ii); Ch. 9, Sec. 2(e) and Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(i)(B)(I), Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(i)(F), Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(vi)(A) and (B), and Chapter 6, Section 4(b)(vii).
(f) Long Term Strategy.
(i) The Division shall review and revise, if appropriate, the long-term strategy every 3 years.
(A) During the long term strategy development and review process, the Divi- sion shall consult with the Federal Land Managers.
(B) Prior to the preparation of the report required in paragraph (C) below, the Division shall prepare a draft report and provide for public comment and the opportunity for a public hearing on the contents of this report through the issuance of a public notice in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 6, Section 2(m) of these regulations. All public comments will be considered in preparation of the final report. The State shall provide written notification to each affected Federal Land Manager and other affected states at least 60 days prior to holding any public hearing.
(C) The Division shall prepare a report on any progress made toward the na- tional visibility goal since the last long-term strategy revisions. The report will be made available on June First of every third year. The report shall include an assessment of:
(I) The progress achieved in remedying existing impairment of visibility in any Class I area;
(II) The ability of the long-term strategy to prevent future impairment of visibility in any Class I area;
(III) Any change in visibility since the last such report, or in the case of the first report, since plan approval, including an assessment of existing conditions;
(IV) Additional measures, including the need for SIP revisions, that may be necessary to assure reasonable progress toward the national visibility goal;
(V) The progress achieved in implementing BART and meeting other schedules set forth in the long-term strategy;
(VI) The progress achieved in developing the components of the strat- egy.
History
- Effective 1999-10-29
Chapter 10 Smoke Management
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.10.04052005 Smoke Management
WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
AIR QUALITY DIVISION
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 10
SMOKE MANAGEMENT
Section 1. Introduction to smoke management.
(a) Chapter 10 establishes restrictions and requirements on specific burning practices. Section 2 regulates refuse burning; open burning of trade wastes, for salvage operations, for fire hazards, and for fire fighting training; and vegetative material open burning. Section 3 specifically regulates emissions from wood waste burners. Section 4 regulates sources of vegetative burning for the management of air quality emissions and impacts from smoke on public health and visibility.
Section 2. Open burning restrictions.
(a) Definitions. The following definitions apply to Chapter 10, Section 2. Unless defined differently below, the meaning of the terms used in this section is the same as in Chapter 1, Section 3 of these regulations.
(i) "Jurisdictional fire authority" means an agency, organization or department whose purpose is to prevent, manage, and/or suppress fires in a designated geographic area, including, but not limited to, volunteer fire departments, fire districts, municipal fire departments and federal fire staff.
(ii) "Open burning" shall mean a fire where any material is burned in the open or in a receptacle other than a furnace, incinerator, or other equipment connected to stack or chimney. Open burning does not include burns for recreational purposes, cooking of food, providing warmth for human beings, branding of animals, handheld fire extinguisher training and other similarly insignificant burning activities.
(iii) "Pile volume" means the quantity in cubic feet of vegetative materials that have been manually or mechanically relocated and heaped together, as calculated using pile shape and overall dimensions.
(iv) "Population" means all individuals, other than the open burner, occupying a fixed area. Fixed areas include, but are not limited to, portions of property normally occupied as residential, recreational, institutional, commercial, or educational premises, but do not include fixed areas under control of the open burner.
(v) "Prohibited materials" means substances including, but not limited to; natural or synthetic rubber products, including tires; waste petroleum products, such as oil or used oil filters; insulated wire; plastic products, including polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") pipe, tubing and connectors; tar, asphalt, asphalt shingles, or tar paper; railroad ties; wood, wood waste, or lumber that is painted or chemically treated; explosives or ammunition; batteries; hazardous waste products; asbestos or asbestos containing materials; or materials which cause dense smoke discharges, excluding refuse and flaring associated with oil and gas well testing, completions and well workovers.
(vi) "Refuse" means any waste material including garbage that is generated at dwelling units, farmsteads, or ranch headquarters.
(vii) "Trade wastes" shall mean solid, liquid, or gaseous material resulting from construction or the prosecution of any business, trade or industry, or any demolition operation including but not limited to wood, plastics, cartons, grease, oil, chemicals and cinders and excluding vegetative material and refuse.
(viii) "Vegetative material" means untreated unprocessed wood, including, but not limited to, trees, tree stumps, tree limbs, bark, chips, duff, grass, grass clippings, leaves, conifer needles, bushes, shrubs, weeds, clippings from bushes and shrubs, and agricultural plant residue.
(b) Compliance with requirements.
(i) The person or organization conducting an open burn shall comply with all rules and regulations of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality, and with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(ii) Authorized representatives of the Division shall be given permission by the person or organization conducting an open burn to enter and inspect a property, premise or place on or at which an open burn is or was located solely for the purpose of investigating actual sources of air pollution, and for determining compliance or non- compliance with any applicable rules, regulations, standards or orders. This permission shall extend for a maximum time of ten business days after the open burn is completed. Site inspections during this period shall be initiated only after notification of the person or organization conducting the open burn.
(iii) Nothing in this Section shall relieve any person or organization conducting an open burn of the responsibility to comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws, regulations and ordinances.
(iv) Nothing in this Section shall relieve any person or organization conducting an open burn of the responsibility to comply with any lawfully issued restriction on burning.
(v) Nothing in this Section is intended to address safety issues related to the use of fire, which fall under the control of jurisdictional fire authorities.
(c) Unlawful open burning. No person shall burn prohibited materials using an open burning method, except as may be authorized by permit.
(d) Emergency open burning. For purposes of eliminating a potential or an imminent danger to public health, safety, or the environment, the Administrator of the Division may, on a case-by-case basis, waive any and all requirements of this Section.
(e) Restrictions on refuse burning. No person shall dispose of refuse by open burning, or cause, suffer, allow or permit open burning of refuse, except open burning of refuse associated with dwelling units, farmsteads, or ranch headquarters generated on those same premises, when all of the following requirements are met.
(i) The nearest population is at least 500 feet away from the refuse burn.
(ii) The refuse burn is conducted during the daytime hours.
(iii) The person conducting the open burn shall attend and observe the refuse burn periodically to determine the dispersion, direction, and impacts of the smoke.
(f) Restrictions on open burning of trade wastes, salvage operations, fire hazards, or fire fighting training. No person or organization shall conduct or cause or permit open burning for the disposal of trade wastes, for a salvage operation, for the destruction of fire hazards if so designated by a jurisdictional fire authority, or for fire fighting training, except when it can be shown by a person or organization that such open burning is absolutely necessary and in the public interest. Any person or organization intending to engage in such open burning shall file a request to do so with the Division, on a form provided by the Division. Upon approval of the request by the Division, the person or organization may proceed with the open burn, when all of the following requirements are met.
(i) Prior to ignition of an open burn, the person or organization conducting an open burn shall remove all prohibited materials, except as may be authorized by permit.
(ii) The person or organization conducting the open burn shall notify the Division prior to the ignition of the open burn, in accordance with the notification process approved by the Administrator of the Division. This notification shall include the contact information for the person or organization conducting the open burn, the location of the open burn, and other information required by the Administrator of the Division.
(iii) Prior to the ignition of an open burn, the person or organization conducting the open burn shall communicate burn information to the public by notifying the jurisdictional fire authority(ies) responsible for the geographic area in which the open burn is to occur.
(iv) The person or organization conducting the open burn shall attend and observe the open burn periodically to determine the dispersion, direction, and impacts of the smoke.
(g) Restrictions on vegetative material open burning.
(i) Open burning of vegetative material is subject to the requirements of Chapter 10, Section 4, except as provided in Subsection (g)(ii) of this regulation.
(ii) Open burning of vegetative material under this Subsection may be conducted provided that burning does not exceed 0.25 tons of PM10 emissions per day. When areas or piles are on a contiguous land area and will be burned on the same day and by the same person or organization, the sum of these areas or piles constitutes the daily burn area or daily pile volume. Open burning of vegetative material under this Subsection shall meet all of the following requirements:
(A) Prior to the ignition of an open burn, the person or organization conducting the open burn shall communicate burn information to the public by notifying the jurisdictional fire authority(ies) responsible for the geographic area in which the open burn is to occur.
(B) The person or organization conducting the open burn shall attend and observe the open burn periodically to determine the dispersion, direction, and impacts of the smoke.
(C) The open burn, except for fenceline, irrigation ditch or canal burns, shall only be conducted at least 500 feet from a population, unless a waiver of this requirement has been granted by the Administrator of the Division. The person or organization conducting the open burn shall document in writing the reasons for requesting the waiver. The Administrator of the Division shall consider such waiver requests on a case-by-case basis.
Section 3. Wood waste burners.
(a) Emissions of any air contaminant from any wood waste burner discharged into the atmosphere for a period or periods aggregating more than 6 minutes in any one hour shall not exceed:
(i) An opacity of 20 percent as determined by a qualified observer.
(b) Operational requirements for all wood waste burners shall include:
(i) A thermocouple and recording pyrometer or other temperature measurement and recording device approved by the Division shall be installed and maintained;
(ii) A daily written log of the wood waste burner operation shall be maintained to determine optimum operational patterns for different fuel and atmospheric conditions. Such log shall include, but not be limited to, the time of day, draft settings, exit gas temperature, type of fuel, and atmospheric conditions. It must be shown that there is adequate time and responsibility delegated for proper burner maintenance, operation, and control; such log or a copy shall be made available to the Division within 10 days upon request;
(iii) Asphaltic materials, rubber products, or materials which cause dense smoke discharges shall not be burned or disposed in wood waste burners;
(iv) Continuous flow conveying methods shall be utilized to convey process wood waste to the combustion chamber of the wood waste burners.
(c) During startup and building of fires, in wood waste burners, the particulate, opacity, and darkness limits specified in this regulation may be exceeded for not more than 60 minutes in eight hours. Materials prohibited in Subsection (b)(iii) shall not be used for startup and building of fires in wood waste burners.
(d) The Administrator may waive the temperature monitoring and recordkeeping requirements of Subsections (b)(i) and (b)(ii) upon written request of the owner or operator, provided the owner or operator adequately demonstrates operational practices which satisfy the other requirements of this regulation. Any waiver granted under this paragraph may be revoked should the Administrator determine that the operational requirements of Subsections (b)(i) and (b)(ii) should be reinstated in order to achieve compliance with other provisions of this regulation.
Section 4. Smoke management requirements.
(a) Effective Date. The requirements of this Section are effective for planned burn projects conducted and unplanned fire events that occur on or after January 1, 2005.
(b) Definitions. The following definitions apply to Chapter 10, Section 4. Unless defined differently below, the meaning of the terms used in this section is the same as in Chapter 1, Section 3 of these regulations.
(i) "Alternatives to burning" means manual, mechanical, chemical or biological treatments designed to replace the use of fire to manage vegetation.
(ii) "Burner" means the individual, agency, organization, land manager or landowner who is responsible for conducting a planned burn project.
(iii) "Class I Area" means all mandatory Class I Federal areas established in the Clean Air Act of 1977 and include the following for the State of Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, North Absaroka Wilderness, Washakie Wilderness, Teton Wilderness, Bridger Wilderness and Fitzpatrick Wilderness. Such term also includes the Savage Run Wilderness, which is not a mandatory Class I Federal area, and any future Class I area redesignated in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 4(d) of these regulations.
(iv) "Emission reduction technique" means manual, mechanical, chemical or biological treatments used in conjunction with fire to minimize emissions, including, but not limited to, methods that minimize the burn area, reduce the fuel load, or increase the efficiency of combustion.
(v) "Jurisdictional fire authority" means an agency, organization or department whose purpose is to prevent, manage, and/or suppress fires in a designated geographic area, including, but not limited to, volunteer fire departments, fire districts, municipal fire departments and federal fire staff.
(vi) "Land manager" means an individual, agency or organization that has the overall land and/or resource management responsibility.
(vii) "Monitoring" means repeated observations (i.e., visual) or measurements (i.e., instrument) to evaluate changes in smoke affecting ambient air quality and/or visibility. Monitoring can be documented, which involves collection and analysis of the observations and/or measurements.
(viii) "Nonattainment Area" means any geographic area of the United States, which has been designated as nonattainment under § 107 of the Clean Air Act and described in 40 CFR Part 81.
(ix) "Pile volume" means the quantity in cubic feet of vegetative materials that have been manually or mechanically relocated and heaped together, as calculated using pile shape and overall dimensions.
(x) "Planned burn project" means burn area(s) or pile(s) of vegetative material that are being treated or managed utilizing planned fire for the same management objectives and that are on a contiguous land area.
(xi) "Population" means all individuals, other than the burner, occupying fixed area. Fixed areas include, but are not limited to, portions of property normally occupied as residential, recreational, institutional, commercial, or educational premises, but do not include fixed areas under control of the burner.
(xii) "Public notification" means a method that communicates information regarding planned burn projects or unplanned fire events to the public.
(xiii) "SMP" means the Smoke Management Program that specifies requirements for planned burn projects (SMP-I and SMP-II) and unplanned fire events. Irrigation district burn projects are by definition SMP-I planned burn projects.
(xiv) "Unplanned fire" means any vegetative fire ignited by natural causes such as lightning and human causes such as accidental ignitions, escaped prescribed fire or arson; irrespective of the management objectives.
(xv) "Vegetative material" means untreated unprocessed wood, including, but not limited to, trees, tree stumps, tree limbs, bark, chips, duff, grass, grass clippings, leaves, conifer needles, bushes, shrubs, weeds, clippings from bushes and shrubs, and agricultural plant residue.
(xvi) "Ventilation category" means the classification describing the potential for smoke or other pollutants to disperse from its source, and that is expressed in terms of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or Poor.
(c) Applicability. The provisions of Chapter 10, Section 4 are applicable to burners who conduct, and jurisdictional fire authorities responsible for, the following:
(i) Planned burn projects of vegetative material that exceed 0.25 tons of
PM10 emissions per day. When areas or piles are on a contiguous land area and will be burned on the same day and by the same burner for the same management objectives, the sum of these areas or piles constitutes the daily burn area or daily pile volume.
(ii) Unplanned fire events that exceed 50 acres.
(d) Materials allowed to be burned. Only vegetative material shall be burned.
(e) Compliance with requirements.
(i) The burner and responsible jurisdictional fire authority shall comply with all rules and regulations of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality, and with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(ii) Authorized representatives of the Division shall be given permission by the burner or responsible jurisdictional fire authority to enter and inspect a property, premise or place on or at which a planned burn project or unplanned fire event is or was located solely for the purpose of investigating actual sources of air pollution, and for determining compliance or non-compliance with any applicable rules, regulations, standards or orders. This permission shall extend for a maximum time of ten business days after the completed reporting form is received by the Division. Site inspections during this period shall be initiated only after notification of the burner conducting the planned burn project or the jurisdictional fire authority responsible for the unplanned fire event.
(iii) Nothing in this Section shall relieve any burner or responsible jurisdictional fire authority of the responsibility to comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws, regulations and ordinances.
(iv) Nothing in this Section shall relieve any burner or responsible jurisdictional fire authority of the responsibility to comply with any lawfully issued restriction on burning.
(v) Nothing in this Section is intended to address safety issues related to the use of fire, which fall under the control of jurisdictional fire authorities.
(f) SMP-I. For all burners whose planned burn project exceeds the thresholds in Subsection (c)(i) and is projected to generate less than two tons of PM10 emissions per day, all of the following shall apply.
(i) For each planned burn project, the burner shall notify the Division prior to the ignition of the planned burn project, in accordance with the notification process approved by the Administrator of the Division. This notification shall include the burner contact information, the location of the planned burn project, and other information required by the Administrator of the Division.
(ii) The burner shall communicate burn information to the public, in accordance with the public information process approved by the Administrator of the Division, utilizing all of the following:
(A) Prior to the ignition of each planned burn project, notify the jurisdictional fire authority(ies) responsible for the geographic area in which the planned burn project is to occur.
(B) When there is a population within a 0.5-mile radius of the planned burn project, conduct public notification no sooner than 30 days and no later than two days in advance of the ignition of the planned burn project. Documentation of public notification shall be submitted on the reporting form required in Subsection (f)(v). When it can be shown that the population within a 0.5-mile radius of the planned burn project is in an area of low population density, compliance with Subsection (f)(ii)(A) shall satisfy this requirement. An average of one dwelling unit per ten acres shall be used as the definition of areas of low population density.
(iii) The burner shall only ignite a planned burn project when smoke will disperse from its source. To satisfy this requirement, the burner shall ignite the planned burn project during the daytime hours, when there is a slight breeze and there is no population within 0.5 mile of the planned burn project in the downwind trajectory. The burner may request a waiver of any part of this requirement from the Administrator of the Division. The burner shall document in writing the reasons for requesting the waiver, and must receive a waiver granted by the Administrator of the Division prior to ignition of the planned burn project. The Administrator of the Division shall consider such waiver requests on a case-by-case basis.
(iv) The burner shall attend and observe each planned burn project periodically to determine the dispersion, direction, and impacts of the smoke.
(v) For each planned burn project, the burner shall submit to the Division a completed reporting form, provided by the Division, no later than six weeks following completion of the planned burn project.
(g) SMP-II. For all burners whose planned burn project exceeds the thresholds in Subsection (c)(i) and is projected to generate greater than or equal to two tons of PM10 emissions per day, all of the following shall apply.
(i) For each planned burn project, the burner shall submit to the Division a completed registration form, provided by the Division, by January 31 or no later than two weeks prior to the ignition of the planned burn project. The completed registration form shall include documentation of all of the following:
(A) The burner shall have reviewed smoke management educational material supplied by the Division or completed a smoke management training program prior to initiating a planned burn project.
(B) The burner shall consider the use of alternatives to burning for each planned burn project, and document the consideration of such alternatives in the method approved by the Administrator of the Division.
(C) The burner shall implement a minimum of one emission reduction technique for each planned burn project. The burner may request a waiver of this requirement from the Administrator of the Division. The burner shall document in writing the reasons for requesting the waiver, and must receive a waiver granted by the Administrator of the Division prior to the ignition of the planned burn project. The Administrator of the Division shall consider such waiver requests on a case-by-case basis.
(D) The burner shall only ignite a planned burn project when smoke will disperse from its source. To satisfy this requirement, the burner shall utilize one of the following options:
(I) Ignite the planned burn project during times when the ventilation category is "Good" or better. The ventilation category shall be obtained from source approved by the Administrator of the Division.
(II) Ignite the planned burn project during times when the ventilation category is "Fair" if there is no population within 10 miles of the planned burn project in the downwind trajectory. The ventilation category shall be obtained from source approved by the Administrator of the Division. The burner may request a waiver of any part of this requirement from the Administrator of the Division. The burner shall document in writing the reasons for requesting the waiver, and must receive a waiver granted by the Administrator of the Division prior to ignition of the planned burn project. The Administrator of the Division shall consider such waiver requests on a case-by-case basis.
(E) The burner shall conduct monitoring utilizing all of the following:
(I) For each planned burn project, conduct and document visual monitoring, in accordance with the visual monitoring process approved by the Administrator of the Division, to determine the dispersion, direction, and impacts of the smoke. Documentation of visual monitoring shall be submitted on the reporting form required in Subsection (g)(iv).
(II) When there is a population or Nonattainment Area within 10 miles of the planned burn project in the downwind trajectory, the burner may, on a case-by-case basis, be required by the Administrator of the Division to conduct and document ambient air quality monitoring. The results and documentation of any required ambient air quality monitoring shall be submitted with the reporting form required in Subsection (g)(iv).
(III) When there is a Class I Area within 30 miles of the planned burn project in the downwind trajectory, the burner may, on a case-by-case basis, be required by the Administrator of the Division to conduct and document ambient air quality and/or visibility monitoring. The results and documentation of any required ambient air quality and/or visibility monitoring shall be submitted with the reporting form required in Subsection (g)(iv).
(ii) For each planned burn project, the burner shall notify the Division prior to the ignition of the planned burn project, in accordance with the notification process approved by the Administrator of the Division. This notification shall include the planned burn project identification information, planned burn date(s), daily burn area or daily pile volume, and other information required by the Administrator of the Division. For each planned burn project, all of the following shall apply.
(A) The burner shall not exceed the daily burn area or daily pile volume that the burner specified in the notification.
(B) The Division shall contact the burner prior to the ignition of the planned burn project, in accordance with the modification process approved by the Administrator of the Division, if a modification of the planned burn project is required. If representative of the Division does not contact the burner, the burner may proceed with the planned burn project.
(iii) The burner shall communicate burn information to the public, in accordance with the public information process approved by the Administrator of the Division, utilizing all of the following:
(A) Prior to the ignition of each planned burn project, notify the jurisdictional fire authority(ies) responsible for the geographic area in which the planned burn project is to occur.
(B) When there is a population within a 10-mile radius of the planned burn project, conduct public notification no sooner than 30 days and no later than two days in advance of the ignition of the planned burn project. Documentation of public notification shall be submitted on the reporting form required in Subsection(g)(iv).
(iv) For each planned burn project, the burner shall submit to the Division completed reporting form, provided by the Division, no later than six weeks following completion of the planned burn project.
(h) Long-term planning. Long-term planning shall be required for the burner and/or land manager whose total planned burn projects in a year are projected to generate greater than 100 tons of PM10 emissions. The burner and/or land manager shall submit a written report to the Administrator of the Division by January 31 every third year starting in 2005. The written report shall include documentation of all of the following:
(i) The long-term burn estimates for the next three years, including the location, burn area or pile volume, vegetation type, and type of burn for each planned burn project.
(ii) The alternatives to burning considered and utilized during the previous three years and planned for the next three years, including the location and area of treatment(s), the vegetation type(s), and the specific technique(s).
(i) Unplanned fire. For the jurisdictional fire authority responsible for each unplanned fire event that exceeds 50 acres, all of the following shall apply. When it can be shown that the responsible jurisdictional fire authority is a volunteer fire organization, only Subsection (i)(iii) shall apply.
(i) The responsible jurisdictional fire authority shall communicate fire information to the public, in accordance with the public information process approved by the Administrator of the Division, utilizing all of the following:
(A) For each unplanned fire event, notify the jurisdictional fire authority(ies) responsible for the geographic area in which the unplanned fire event is occurring.
(B) When there is a population within a 10-mile radius of the unplanned fire event, conduct public notification. Documentation of public notification shall be submitted on the reporting form required in Subsection (i)(iii).
(ii) The responsible jurisdictional fire authority shall conduct monitoring utilizing all of the following:
(A) For each unplanned fire event, conduct and document visual monitoring, in accordance with the visual monitoring process approved by the Administrator of the Division, to determine the dispersion, direction, and impacts of the smoke. Documentation of visual monitoring shall be submitted on the reporting form required in Subsection (i)(iii).
(B) When there is a population or Nonattainment Area within 10 miles of the unplanned fire event in the downwind trajectory, the responsible jurisdictional fire authority may, on a case-by-case basis, be required by the Administrator of the Division to conduct and document ambient air quality monitoring. The results and documentation of any required ambient air quality and/or visibility monitoring shall be submitted with the reporting form required in Subsection (i)(iii).
(C) When there is a Class I Area within 30 miles of the unplanned fire event in the downwind trajectory, the responsible jurisdictional fire authority may, on case-by-case basis, be required by the Administrator of the Division to conduct and document ambient air quality and/or visibility monitoring. The results and documentation of any required ambient air quality and/or visibility monitoring shall be submitted with the reporting form required in Subsection (i)(iii).
(iii) For each unplanned fire event, the responsible jurisdictional fire authority shall annually submit to the Division a completed reporting form, provided by the Division, no later than December 31.
(iv) When an unplanned fire event is managed to accomplish specific pre- stated management objectives in a predefined geographic area, all of the following shall also apply.
(A) The responsible jurisdictional fire authority shall review smoke management educational material supplied by the Division or complete a smoke management training program.
(B) The Division shall contact the responsible jurisdictional fire authority, in accordance with the modification process approved by the Administrator of the Division, if a modification of the management strategy for the unplanned fire event is necessary to mitigate smoke impacts. If a representative of the Division does not contact the responsible jurisdictional fire authority, the responsible jurisdictional fire authority may proceed with the management strategy.
(j) The following are not subject to subsections 4(e)(ii), 4(f)(i), 4(f)(ii)(B), and 4(f)(v) of Chapter 10, Section 4:
(i) Planned burning of vegetative materials incident to:
(A) Weeds along fence lines;
(B) Weed growth in and along ditch banks incident to clearing ditches for irrigation purposes;
(C) Vegetative materials related to agricultural croplands.
(D) Vegetative materials related to rangeland and/or pasturelands, if the project area is less than 68 acres.
(ii) The following planned burn projects do not fall under this exemption:
(A) Vegetative materials related to rangeland and/or pasture lands, unless exempted by 4(j)(i)(D).
(iii) The burner not subject to regulation under Section (j)(i) shall provide vegetative burn data requested by the Administrator in a periodic survey of agricultural burning practices.
History
- Effective 2005-04-05
Chapter 11 National Acid Rain Program
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.11.12272024 § 1 Introduction to National Acid Rain Program
(a) Chapter 11 sets forth requirements established in Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The national acid rain program is a program to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions through a federally implemented, market-based approach for controlling air pollution.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.11.12272024 § 2 Acid Rain Program
(a) General: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations on Acid Rain designated in Chapter 11, Section 2(b) are incorporated by reference into these regulations.
(b) Acid Rain Program Regulations: The following Acid Rain Program Regulations found in 40 CFR Parts 72 - 78, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, are adopted and incorporated by reference. Copies of Acid Rain Program Regulations are available for public inspection and can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at: https://deq.wyoming.gov/. Copies of the CFR can also be obtained at cost from Government Institutes, 15200 NBN Way, Building B, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214, or online at https://ecfr.gov.
40 CFR Part 72 - Permits Program
40 CFR Part 73 - Allowance System
40 CFR Part 74 - Opting into the Acid Rain Program
40 CFR Part 75 - Continuous Emission Monitoring
40 CFR Part 76 - Acid Rain Nitrogen Oxide Emission Reduction
Program
40 CFR Part 77 - Excess Emissions
40 CFR Part 78 - Appeal Procedures for Acid Rain
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
Chapter 12 Emergency Controls
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.12.10291999 Emergency Controls
WYOMING AIR QUALITY STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 12
EMERGENCY CONTROLS
Section 1. Introduction to emergency controls.
(a) This Chapter is designed to prevent the excessive build-up of air pollutants during air pollution episodes, thereby preventing the occurrence of an emergency due to the effects of these pollutants on the health of persons.
Section 2. Air pollution emergency episodes.
(a) Conditions justifying the proclamation of an air pollution alert, air pollution warning or air pollution emergency shall be deemed to exist whenever the Division determines that the accumu- lation of air pollutants in any place is attaining or has attained levels which could, if such levels are sustained or exceeded, lead to a substantial threat to the health of persons. In making this determina- tion, the Division will be guided by the following criteria:
(i) Air pollution forecast: An internal watch by the Division shall be activated by a National Weather Service advisory that an Atmospheric Stagnation Advisory, or the equivalent local forecast of a stagnant atmospheric condition is in effect.
(ii) Air pollution alert: The alert level is that concentration of pollutants at which first stage actions begin. An alert will be declared when any one of the following levels is reached at any monitoring site:
(A) PM10 - 350 µg/m3 , 24-hour average;
(B) SO2 - 800 µg/m3 (0.3 ppm), 24-hour average.
(iii) Warning: The warning level indicates that air quality is continuing to degrade and that additional control actions are necessary. A warning will be declared when any one of the following levels is reached at any monitoring site:
(A) PM10 - 420 µg/m3, 24-hour average;
(B) SO2 - 1600 µg/m3(0.6 ppm), 24-hour average.
(iv) Emergency: The emergency level indicates that air quality is continuing to degrade to a level of significant harm to the health of persons and that the most stringent control actions are necessary. An emergency will be declared when any one of the following levels is reached at any monitoring site:
(A) PM10 - 500 µg/m3, 24-hour average;
(B) SO2 - 2100 µg/m3(0.8 ppm), 24-hour average.
(v) Termination: Once declared, any status reached by application of these criteria will remain in effect until the criteria for that level are no longer met. At such time, the next lower status will be assumed.
(b) Whenever the Division declares that one of the above mentioned levels exists, it shall take such control actions which in its best judgment will lower the pollutant concentrations.
History
- Effective 1999-10-29
Chapter 13 Mobile Sources
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.13.10291999 Mobile Sources
WYOMING AIR QUALITY STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 13
MOBILE SOURCES
Section 1. Introduction to mobile sources.
(a) Chapter 13 establishes minimum requirements for motor vehicle pollution control.
Section 2. Motor vehicle pollution control.
(a) No person shall intentionally remove, alter or otherwise render ineffective or inoperative, exhaust emission control crank case ventilation or any other air pollution control device or system which has been installed on a motor vehicle or stationary internal combustion engine as a require- ment of any federal law or regulation.
(b) No person shall operate a motor vehicle or other internal combustion engine originally equipped with air pollution devices or systems as required by any federal law or regulation unless such devices or systems are in place and in operating condition.
(c) Subsections (a) and (b) of this regulation shall not apply to vehicles or stationary internal combustion engines which have been modified or altered to use a fuel other than gasoline or diesel fuel, except that such units shall comply with existing standards for emissions therefrom.
History
- Effective 1999-10-29
Chapter 14 Emission Trading Program Regulations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0002.14.12272024 Emission Trading Program Regulations
Chapter 14
Emission Trading Program Regulations
Section 1. Introduction to Emission Trading Programs.
(a) Chapter 14 establishes requirements for trading programs authorized under Wyoming Statute § 35-11-214. Section 2 implements the Western Backstop (WEB) Sulfur Dioxide Trading Program provisions in accordance with the federal Regional Haze Rule, 40 CFR Part 51.309. Section 3 establishes consistent recordkeeping and reporting requirements for stationary sources in Wyoming to determine whether sulfur dioxide emissions remain below the sulfur dioxide milestones established in the state implementation plan for regional haze. Section 4 is reserved. Section 5 incorporates by reference all Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), including their Appendices, cited in this Chapter, unless portions of said CFRs are specifically excluded.
Section 2. Western Backstop Sulfur Dioxide Trading Program.
(a) Definitions. The following additional definitions apply to Section 2 of this chapter.
"Account Representative" means the individual who is authorized through a Certificate to represent owners and operators of the WEB source with regard to matters under the WEB Trading Program or, for a general account, who is authorized through a Certificate to represent the persons having an ownership interest in allowances in the general account with regard to matters concerning the general account.
"Act" means the federal Clean Air Act, as amended 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
"Actual Emissions" means total annual sulfur dioxide emissions determined in accordance with Section 2(h) of this chapter or determined in accordance with Section 3 of this chapter for sources that are not subject to Section 2(h) of this chapter.
"Allocate" means to assign allowances to a WEB source in accordance with Part C1 of Section C of the Wyoming Regional Haze SIP (WYRHSIP).
"Allowance" means the limited authorization under the WEB Trading Program to emit one ton of sulfur dioxide during a specified control period or any control period thereafter subject to the terms and conditions for use of unused allowances as established by Section 2 of this chapter.
"Allowance limitation" means the tonnage of sulfur dioxide emissions authorized by the allowances available for compliance deduction for a WEB source under Section 2(k) of this chapter on the allowance transfer deadline for each control period.
"Allowance Tracking System" means the system where allowances under the WEB Trading Program are recorded, held, transferred and deducted.
"Allowance Tracking System account" means an account in the Allowance Tracking System established for purposes of recording, holding, transferring, and deducting allowances.
"Allowance transfer deadline" means the deadline established in Section 2(i)(ii) of this chapter when allowances must be submitted for recording in a WEB source's compliance account in order to demonstrate compliance for that control period.
"Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)" means that emission reduction control device, facility, method, or system, used to achieve the best continuous emission reduction for each pollutant emitted by an existing stationary facility. The emission limitation shall be established on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the technology available, the costs of compliance, the energy and non-air quality environmental impacts of compliance, any pollution control equipment in use or in existence at the source, the remaining useful life of the source, and the degree of improvement in visibility which may reasonably be anticipated to result from the use of such technology.
"Certificate" means the completed and signed submission required to designate an account representative for a WEB source or an account representative for a general account.
"Compliance account" means an account established in the Allowance Tracking System under Section 2(g)(i) of this chapter for the purpose of recording allowances that a WEB source might hold to demonstrate compliance with its allowance limitation.
"Compliance certification" means a submission to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (Department) by the account representative as required under Section 2(k)(ii) of this chapter to report a WEB source's compliance or noncompliance with Chapter 14, Section 2.
"Control period" means the period beginning January 1 of each year and ending on December 31 of the same year, inclusive.
"Emissions tracking database" means the central database where sulfur dioxide emissions for WEB sources as recorded and reported in accordance with Section 2 of this chapter are tracked to determine compliance with allowance limitations.
"Emission unit" means any part of a stationary source that emits or would have the potential to emit any pollutant subject to regulations under the Act.
"Existing source" means a stationary source that commenced operation before the program trigger date.
"General account" means an account established in the Allowance Tracking System under Section 2(g) of this chapter for the purpose of recording allowances held by a person that are not to be used to show compliance with an allowance limitation.
"Milestone" means the maximum level of stationary source regional sulfur dioxide emissions for each year from 2003 to 2018, established according to the procedures in Part A1 of Section C of the WYRHSIP.
"New WEB Source" means a WEB source that commenced operation on or after the program trigger date.
"New Source Set-aside" means a pool of allowances that are available for allocation to new sources in accordance with the provisions of Part C1.3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP.
"Owner or Operator" means any person who is an owner or who operates, controls or supervises a WEB source, and includes but is not limited to any holding company, utility system or plant manager.
"Potential to emit" means the maximum capacity of a stationary source to emit any air pollutant under its physical and operational design. Any physical or operational limitation on the capacity of a source to emit an air pollutant, including air pollution control equipment and restrictions on hours of operation or on the type or amount of material combusted, stored or processed, shall be treated as part of its design if the limitation is enforceable by the EPA Administrator.
"Program trigger date" means the date that the Department determines that the WEB Trading Program has been triggered in accordance with the provisions of Part A3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP.
"Program trigger years" means the years shown in Part A1 of Section C of the WYRHSIP, Table 1, column 3 for the applicable milestone if the WEB Trading Program is triggered as described in Part A3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP.
"Renewable Energy Resource" means a resource that generates electricity by non-nuclear and non-fossil technologies that results in low or no air emissions. The term includes electricity generated by wind energy technologies; solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies; geothermal technologies; technologies based on landfill gas and biomass sources, and new low-impact hydropower that meets the Low-Impact Hydropower Institute criteria. Biomass includes agricultural, food and wood wastes. The term does not include pumped storage or biomass from municipal solid waste, black liquor, or treated wood.
"Retired source" means a WEB source that has received a retired source exemption as provided in Section 2(c)(iv) of this chapter. Any retired source resuming operations under Section 2(c)(iv) of this chapter, must submit its exemption as part of its registration materials.
"Serial number" means, when referring to allowances, the unique identification number assigned to each allowance by the TSA, in accordance with Section 2(f)(ii) of this chapter.
"Special Reserve Compliance Account" means an account established in the allowance tracking system under Section 2(g)(i) for the purpose of recording allowances that a WEB source might hold to demonstrate compliance with its allowance limitation for emission units that are monitored for SO2 in accordance with Section 2(h)(i)(B).
"Stationary source" means any building, structure, facility or installation that emits or may emit any air pollutant subject to regulation under the Act.
"Submit" means sent to the appropriate authority under the signature of the account representative. For purposes of determining when something is submitted, an official U.S. Postal Service postmark, or equivalent electronic time stamp, shall establish the date of submittal.
"Sulfur dioxide emitting unit" means any equipment that is located at a WEB source and that emits sulfur dioxide.
"Ton" means 2000 pounds and any fraction of a ton equaling 1000 pounds or more shall be treated as one ton and any fraction of a ton equaling less than 1000 pounds shall be treated as zero tons.
"Tracking System Administrator (TSA)" means the person designated by the Department as the administrator of the Allowance Tracking System and the emission tracking database.
"WEB source" means a stationary Western Backstop (WEB) source that meets the applicability requirements of Section 2(c) of this chapter.
"WEB Trading Program" means Section 2 of this chapter, triggered as a backstop in accordance with the provisions in Part A3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP, if necessary, to ensure that regional sulfur dioxide emissions are reduced.
"WYRHSIP" means the Wyoming Regional Haze State Implementation Plan.
(b) WEB Trading Program Trigger.
(i) Except as provided in (ii), the provisions of Section 2 of this chapter shall apply on the program trigger date that is established in accordance with the procedures in Part A3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP.
(ii) Special Penalty Provisions for 2018 Milestone, Section 2(l) of this chapter, shall apply on January 1, 2018 and shall remain effective until the provisions of Section 2(l) of this chapter have been fully implemented.
(c) WEB Trading Program Applicability.
(i) General Applicability. Section 2 of this Chapter applies to any stationary source or group of stationary sources that are located on one or more contiguous or adjacent properties and which are under the control of the same person or persons under common control, belonging to the same industrial grouping, and that are described in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this subsection. A stationary source or group of stationary sources shall be considered part of a single industrial grouping if all of the pollutant emitting activities at such source or group of sources on contiguous or adjacent properties belong to the same Major Group (i.e., all have the same two-digit code) as described in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1987.
(A) All stationary sources that have actual sulfur dioxide emissions of 100 tons or more per year in the Program Trigger Years or any subsequent year. The fugitive emissions of a stationary source shall not be considered in determining whether it is subject to Section 2 of this chapter unless the source belongs to one of the following categories of stationary source:
(I) Coal cleaning plants (with thermal dryers);
(II) Kraft pulp mills;
(III) Portland cement plants;
(IV) Primary zinc smelters;
(V) Iron and steel mills;
(VI) Primary aluminum ore reduction plants;
(VII) Primary copper smelters;
(VIII) Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 250 tons of refuse per day;
(IX) Hydrofluoric, sulfuric, or nitric acid plants;
(X) Petroleum refineries;
(XI) Lime plants;
(XII) Phosphate rock processing plants;
(XIII) Coke oven batteries;
(XIV) Sulfur recovery plants;
(XV) Carbon black plants (furnace process);
(XVI) Primary lead smelters;
(XVII) Fuel conversion plants;
(XVIII)Sintering plants;
(XIX) Secondary metal production plants;
(XX) Chemical process plants;
(XXI) Fossil-fuel boilers (or combination thereof) totaling more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input;
(XXII) Petroleum storage and transfer units with a total storage capacity exceeding 300,000 barrels;
(XXIII)Taconite ore processing plants;
(XXIV)Glass fiber processing plants;
(XXV) Charcoal production plants;
(XXVI)Fossil-fuel-fired steam electric plants of more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input; or
(XXVII)Any other stationary source category, which as of August 7, 1980 is being regulated under Section 111 or 112 of the Act.
(B) A new source that begins operation after the program trigger date and has the potential to emit 100 tons or more of sulfur dioxide per year.
(ii) The Department may determine on a case-by-case basis, with concurrence from the EPA Administrator, that a stationary source defined in 2(c)(i)(A) above that has not previously met the applicability requirements of (i) is not subject to Section 2 of this chapter if the stationary source had actual sulfur dioxide emissions of 100 tons or more in a single year and in each of the previous five years had actual sulfur dioxide emissions of less than 100 tons per year, and:
(A) (I) The emissions increase was due to a temporary emission increase that was caused by a sudden, infrequent failure of air pollution control equipment, or process equipment, or a failure to operate in a normal or usual manner, and
(II) The stationary source has corrected the failure of air pollution equipment, process equipment, or process by the time of the Department's determination; or
(B) The stationary source had to switch fuels or feedstocks on a temporary basis and as a result of an emergency situation or unique and unusual circumstances besides the cost of such fuels or feedstocks.
(iii) Duration of Applicability. Except as provided for in Section 2(c)(iv) of this chapter, once a stationary source is subject to Section 2 of this chapter, it will remain subject to it every year thereafter.
(iv) Retired Source Exemption.
(A) Application. Any WEB source that is permanently retired shall apply for a retired source exemption. The WEB source may only be considered permanently retired if all sulfur dioxide emitting units at the source are permanently retired. The application shall contain the following information:
(I) Identification of the WEB source, including plant name and an appropriate identification code in a format specified by the Department.
(II) Name of Account Representative.
(III) Description of the status of the WEB source, including the date that the WEB source was permanently retired.
(IV) Signed certification that the WEB source is permanently retired and will comply with the requirements of Section 2(c)(iv) of this chapter.
(V) Verification that the WEB source has a general account where any unused allowances or future allocations will be recorded.
(B) Notice. The retired source exemption becomes effective when the Department notifies the WEB source that the retired source exemption has been granted.
(C) Responsibilities of Retired Sources.
(I) A retired source shall be exempt from Section 2(h) and Section 2(k) of this chapter, except as provided below.
(II) A retired source shall not emit any sulfur dioxide after the date the retired source exemption is issued.
(III) A WEB source shall submit sulfur dioxide emissions reports, as required by Section 2(h)(viii) of this chapter for any time period the source was operating prior to the effective date of the retired source exemption. The retired source shall be subject to the compliance provisions of Section 2(k) of this chapter, including the requirement to hold allowances in the source's compliance account to cover all sulfur dioxide emissions prior to the date the source was permanently retired.
(IV) A retired source that is still in existence but no longer emitting sulfur dioxide shall, for a period of five years from the date the records are created, retain records demonstrating the effective date of the retired source exemption for purposes of Section 2 of this chapter.
(D) Resumption of Operations.
(I) Should a retired source desire to resume operation, the retired source must submit registration materials as follows:
(1.) If the source is required to obtain a construction permit under Wyoming Air Quality Regulations and Standards (WAQSR) Chapter 6, Section 2 or an operating permit under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 3 prior to resuming operation, then registration information as described in Section 2(e)(i) of this chapter and a copy of the retired source exemption must be submitted with the notice of intent under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 or the operating permit application required under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 3;
(2.) If the source does not meet the criteria of (1.), then registration information as described in Section 2(e)(i) of this chapter and a copy of the retired source exemption must be submitted to the Department at least 90 days prior to resumption of operation.
(II) The retired source exemption shall automatically expire on the day the retired source resumes operation.
(E) Loss of Future Allowances. A WEB source that is permanently retired and that does not apply to the Department for a retired source exemption within 90 days of the date that the source is permanently retired shall forfeit any unused and future allowances. The abandoned allowances shall be retired directly by the TSA.
(d) Account Representative for WEB Sources.
(i) Each WEB source must identify one account representative and may also identify an alternate account representative who may act on behalf of the account representative. Any representation, action, inaction or submission by the alternate account representative will be deemed to be a representation, action, inaction or submission by the account representative.
(ii) Identification and Certification of an Account Representative.
(A) The account representative and any alternate account representative shall be appointed by an agreement that makes the representations, actions, inactions or submissions of the account representative and any alternate binding on the owners and operators of the WEB source.
(B) The account representative shall submit to the Department and the TSA a signed and dated Certificate that contains the following elements:
(I) Identification of the WEB source by plant name, state and an appropriate identification code in a format specified by the Department;
(II) The name, address, e-mail (if available), telephone and facsimile number of the account representative and any alternate;
(III) A list of owners and operators of the WEB source;
(IV) Information to be part of the emission tracking system database in accordance with Part A2.1 of Section C of the WYRHSIP. The specific data elements shall be as specified by the State of Wyoming to be consistent with the data system structure, and may include basic facility information that may appear in other reports and notices submitted by the WEB source, such as county location, industrial classification codes, and similar general facility information.
(V) The following certification statement: "I certify that I was selected as the account representative or alternate account representative, as applicable, by an agreement binding on the owners and operators of the WEB source. I certify that I have all the necessary authority to carry out my duties and responsibilities under the WEB Trading Program on behalf of the owners and operators of the WEB source and that each such owner and operator shall be fully bound by my representations, actions, inactions, or submissions and by any decision or order issued to me by the Department regarding the WEB Trading Program."
(C) Upon receipt by the Department of the completed certificate, the account representative and any alternate account representative represents and, by his or her representations, actions, inactions, or submissions, legally binds each owner and operator of the WEB source in all matters pertaining to the WEB Trading Program. The owners and operators shall be bound by any decision or order issued by the Department regarding the WEB Trading Program.
(D) No WEB Allowance Tracking System account shall be established for the WEB source until the TSA has received a complete certificate. Once the account is established, the account representative shall make all submissions concerning the account, including the deduction or transfer of allowances.
(iii) Responsibilities.
(A) The responsibilities of the account representative include, but are not limited to, the transferring of allowances and the submission of monitoring plans, registrations, certification applications, sulfur dioxide emissions data and compliance reports as required by Section 2 of this chapter, and representing the source in all matters pertaining to the WEB Trading Program.
(B) Each submission under this program shall be signed and certified by the account representative for the WEB source. Each submission shall include the following truth and accuracy certification statement by the account representative:
(I) "I am authorized to make this submission on behalf of the owners and operators of the WEB source for which the submission is made. I certify under penalty of law that I have personally examined, and am familiar with, the statements and information submitted in this document and all its attachments. Based on my inquiry of those individuals with primary responsibility for obtaining the information, I certify that the statements and information are to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false statements and information or omitting required statements and information, including the possibility of fine or imprisonment."
(iv) Changing the Account Representative or Owners and Operators.
(A) Changes to the Account Representative or the alternate Account Representative.
The account representative or alternate account representative may be changed at any time by sending a complete superseding certificate to the Department and the TSA under Section 2(d)(ii) of this chapter, with the change taking effect upon receipt of such certificate by the TSA. Notwithstanding any such change, all representations, actions, inactions, and submissions by the previous account representative or alternate prior to the time and date when the TSA receives the superseding certificate shall be binding on the new account representative and the owners and operators of the WEB source.
(B) Changes in Owners and Operators.
(I) Within 30 days of any change in the owners and operators of the WEB source, including the addition of a new owner or operator, the account representative shall submit a revised certificate amending the list of owners and operators to include such change.
(II) In the event a new owner or operator of a WEB source is not included in the list of owners and operators submitted in the certificate, such new owner or operator shall be deemed to be subject to and bound by the certificate, the representations, actions, inactions, and submissions of the account representative of the WEB source, and the decisions, orders, actions, and inactions of the Department as if the new owner or operator were included in such list.
(e) Registration.
(i) Deadlines.
(A) Each source that is a WEB source on or before the program trigger date shall register by submitting the initial certificate required in Section 2(d)(ii) of this chapter to the Department no later than 180 days after the program trigger date.
(B) Any existing source that becomes a WEB source after the program trigger date shall register by submitting the initial certificate required in Section 2(d)(ii) of this chapter to the Department by September 30 of the year following the inventory year in which the source exceeded the emission threshold.
(C) Any new WEB source shall register by submitting the initial Certificate required in Section 2(d)(ii) of this chapter to the Department prior to the commencement of operation.
(ii) Integration Into Permits.
(A) Any allocation, transfer or deduction of allowance to or from the compliance account of a WEB source shall not require revision of the WEB source's operating permit under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 3.
(B) Any WEB source that is not required to have a permit under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 at any time after Chapter 14 becomes effective must at all times possess a permit that includes the requirements of Chapter 14. If it does not possess a Title V permit under Chapter 6, Section 3, it may do so by obtaining or modifying a permit under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 to incorporate the requirements of Chapter 14. The source must at all times possess a permit that includes these requirements.
(f) Allowance Allocations.
(i) The TSA will record the allowances for each WEB source in the compliance account for the WEB source once the allowances are allocated by the Department under Part C1 of Section C of the WYRHSIP. If applicable, the TSA will record a portion of the sulfur dioxide allowances for a WEB source in a special reserve compliance account to account for any allowances to be held in accordance with Section 2(h)(i)(B) of this chapter.
(ii) The TSA will assign a serial number to each allowance in accordance with Part C2 of Section C of the WYRHSIP.
(iii) All allowances shall be allocated, recorded, transferred, or used as whole allowances. To determine the number of whole allowances, the number of allowances shall be rounded down for decimals less than 0.50 and rounded up for decimals of 0.50 or greater.
(iv) An allowance is not a property right, and is a limited authorization to emit one ton of sulfur dioxide valid only for the purpose of meeting the requirements of Section 2 of this chapter. No provision of the WEB Trading Program or other law should be construed to limit the authority of the Department to terminate or limit such authorization.
(v) Early Reduction Bonus Allocation. Any non-utility WEB source that installs new control technology and that reduces its permitted annual sulfur dioxide emissions to a level that is below the floor level allocation established for that source in Part C1 of Section C of the WYRHSIP or any utility that reduces its permitted annual sulfur dioxide emissions to a level that is below best available control technology may apply to the Department for an early reduction bonus allocation. The bonus allocation shall be available for reductions that occur between 2008 and the program trigger year. The application must be submitted no later than 90 days after the program trigger date. Any WEB source that applies and receives early reduction bonus allocations must retain the records referenced below for a minimum of five years after the early reduction bonus allowance is certified in accordance with Part C1.1(a)(3) of Section C of the WYRHSIP. The application for an early reduction bonus allocation must contain the following information:
(A) Copies of all construction permits, operating permits or other enforceable documents that include annual sulfur dioxide emissions limits for the WEB source during the period the WEB source qualifies for an early reduction credit. Such permits or enforceable documents must require monitoring for sulfur dioxide emissions that meet the requirements in Section 2(h) of this chapter.
(B) Demonstration that the floor level established for the source in accordance with Part C1.1(a)(2) of Section C of the WYRHSIP for non-utilities or best available control technology for utilities was calculated using data that are consistent with monitoring methods specified in Section 2(h)(i)(A) of this chapter. If needed, the demonstration shall include a new floor level calculation that is consistent with the monitoring methodology in Section 2(h) of this chapter.
(vi) Request for allowances for new WEB sources or modified WEB Sources.
(A) A new WEB source may apply to the Department for an allocation from the new source set-aside, as outlined in Part C1.3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP.
(I) A new WEB source is eligible for an annual floor allocation equal to the lower of the permitted annual sulfur dioxide emission limit for that source, or sulfur dioxide annual emissions calculated based on a level of control equivalent to best available control technology (BACT) and assuming 100 percent utilization of the WEB source, beginning with the first full calendar year of operation.
(B) An existing WEB source that has increased production capacity through a new construction permit issued under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 may apply to the Department for an allocation from the new source set-aside, as outlined in Part C1.3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP. An existing WEB source is eligible for an annual allocation equal to:
(I) The permitted annual sulfur dioxide emission limit for a new unit; or
(II) The permitted annual sulfur dioxide emission increase for the WEB source due to the replacement of an existing unit with a new unit or the modification of an existing unit that increased production capacity of the WEB source.
(C) A source that has received a retired source exemption under Chapter 14, Section 2(c)(iv) is not eligible for an allocation from the new source set-aside.
(D) The application for an allocation from the new source set-aside must contain the following:
(I) For existing WEB sources under Section 2(f)(vi)(B)(II) of this chapter, documentation of the production capacity of the source before and after the new permit;
(II) For new WEB sources or a new unit under Section 2(f)(vi)(B)(I), documentation of the actual date of the commencement of operation and a copy of the permit issued under Chapter 6, Section 2.
(g) Establishment of Accounts.
(i) Allowance Tracking System Accounts. All WEB sources are required to open a compliance account. In addition, if a WEB source conducts monitoring under Section 2(h)(i)(B) of this chapter, the WEB source shall open a special reserve compliance account for allowances associated with units monitored under those provisions. The WEB source and account representative shall have no rights to transfer allowances in or out of such special reserve compliance account. The State of Wyoming shall allocate allowances to the account in accordance with Section 2(h)(i)(B)(V) of this chapter and all such allowances for each control period shall be retired each year for compliance in accordance with Section 2(k) of this chapter. Any person may open a general account for holding and transferring allowances. To open either type of account, an application that contains the following information shall be submitted:
(A) The name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number and facsimile number of the account representative. For a compliance account, include a copy of the certificate for the account representative and any alternate as required in Section 2(d)(ii)(B) of this chapter. For a general account, include the Certificate for the account representative and any alternate as required in (iii)(B).
(B) The WEB source or organization name;
(C) The type of account to be opened; and
(D) A signed certification of truth and accuracy by the account representative according to Section 2(d)(iii)(B) of this chapter for compliance accounts and for general accounts, certification of truth and accuracy by the account representative according to (iv).
(ii) Account Representative for General Accounts. For a general account, one account representative must be identified and an alternate account representative may be identified and may act on behalf of the account representative. Any representation, action, inaction or submission by the alternate account representative will be deemed to be a representation, action, inaction or submission by the account representative.
(iii) Identification and Certification of an Account Representative for General Accounts.
(A) The account representative shall be appointed by an agreement that makes the representations, actions, inactions or submissions of the account representative binding on all persons who have an ownership interest with respect to allowances held in the general account.
(B) The account representative shall submit to the Department and the TSA a signed and dated certificate that contains the following elements:
(I) The name, address, email (if available), telephone and facsimile number of the account representative and any alternate;
(II) The organization name;
(III) The following certification statement:
"I certify that I was selected as the account representative or alternate account representative, as applicable, by an agreement binding on all persons who have an ownership interest in allowances in the general account with regard to matters concerning the general account. I certify that I have all the necessary authority to carry out my duties and responsibilities under the WEB Trading Program on behalf of said persons and that each such person shall be fully bound by my representations, actions, inactions, or submissions."
(C) Upon receipt by the Department of the complete certificate, the account representative represents and, by his or her representations, actions, inactions, or submissions, legally binds each person who has an ownership interest in allowances held in the general account with regard in all matters concerning the general account. Such persons shall be bound by any decision or order issued by the Department.
(D) No WEB Allowance Tracking System general account shall be established until the TSA has received a complete certificate. Once the account is established, the account representative shall make all submissions concerning the account, including the deduction or transfer of allowances.
(iv) Requirements and Responsibilities. Each submission for the general account shall be signed and certified by the account representative for the general account. Each submission shall include the following truth and accuracy certification statement by the account representative:
(A) "I am authorized to make this submission on behalf of all persons who have an ownership interest in allowances held in the general account. I certify under penalty of law that I have personally examined, and am familiar with, the statements and information submitted in this document and all its attachments. Based on my inquiry of those individuals with primary responsibility for obtaining the information, I certify that the statements and information are to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false statements and information or omitting required statements and information, including the possibility of fine or imprisonment."
(v) Changing the Account Representative. The account representative or alternate account representative may be changed at any time by sending a complete superseding certificate to the Department and the TSA under (iii)(B), with the change taking effect upon receipt of such certificate by the Department. Notwithstanding any such change, all representations, actions, inactions, and submissions by the previous account representative or alternate prior to the time and date when the Department receives the superseding certificate shall be binding on the new account representative and all persons having ownership interest with respect to allowances held in the general account.
(vi) Changes to the Account. Any change to the information required in the application for an existing account under (i) shall require a revision of the application.
(h) Monitoring, Recordkeeping and Reporting.
(i) General Requirements on Monitoring Methods.
(A) For each sulfur dioxide emitting unit at a WEB source the WEB source shall comply with the following, as applicable, to monitor and record sulfur dioxide mass emissions:
(I) If a unit is subject to 40 CFR Part 75 under a requirement separate from the WEB Trading Program, the unit shall meet the requirements contained in Part 75 with respect to monitoring, recording and reporting sulfur dioxide mass emissions.
(II) If a unit is not subject to 40 CFR Part 75 under a requirement separate from the WEB Trading Program, a unit shall use one of the following monitoring methods, as applicable:
(1.) A continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) for sulfur dioxide and flow that complies with all applicable monitoring provisions in 40 CFR Part 75;
(2.) If the unit is a gas- or oil-fired combustion device, the excepted monitoring methodology in Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75, or, if applicable, the low mass emissions (LME) provisions (with respect to sulfur dioxide mass emissions only) in 40 CFR Part 75.19;
(3.) One of the optional WEB protocols, if applicable, in Appendix A to Chapter 14; or
(4.) A petition for site-specific monitoring that the source submits for approval by the State of Wyoming and approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with Section 2(h)(ix) of this chapter (relating to petitions).
(III) A permanently retired unit shall not be required to monitor under this Section if such unit was permanently retired and had no emissions for the entire period and the account representative certifies in accordance with Section 2(k)(ii) of this chapter that these conditions were met. In the event that a permanently retired unit recommences operation, the WEB source shall meet the requirements of this Section 2(h) in the same manner as if the unit was a new unit.
(B) Notwithstanding paragraph (A) of this section, the WEB source with a unit that meets one of the conditions of paragraph (B)(I) may submit a request to the Department to have the provisions of this paragraph (B) apply to that unit.
(I) Any of the following units may implement this paragraph (B):
(1.) Any smelting operation where all of the emissions from the operation are not ducted to a stack;
(2.) Any flare, except to the extent such flares are used as a fuel gas combustion device at a petroleum refinery; or
(3.) Any other type of unit without add-on sulfur dioxide control equipment if the unit belongs to one of the following source categories: cement kilns, pulp and paper recovery furnaces, lime kilns, or glass manufacturing.
(II) For each unit covered by this paragraph (B), the account representative shall submit a notice to request that this paragraph (B) apply to one or more sulfur dioxide emitting units at a WEB source. The notice shall be submitted in accordance with the compliance dates specified in Section 2(h)(vi)(A) of this chapter, and shall include the following information in a format specified by the State of Wyoming with such additional, related information as may be requested:
(1.) A list of all units at the WEB source that identifies which of the units are to be covered by this paragraph (B); and
(2.) An identification of any such units that are permanently retired.
(III) For each new unit at an existing WEB source for which the WEB source seeks to comply with this paragraph (B) and for which the account representative applies for an allocation under the new source set-aside provisions of Section 2(f)(vi) of this chapter, the account representative shall submit a modified notice under paragraph (B)(II) that includes such new sulfur dioxide emitting unit(s). The modified request shall be submitted in accordance with the compliance dates in Section 2(h)(vi)(A) of this chapter, but no later than the date on which a request is submitted under Section 2(f)(vi) of this chapter for allocations from the set-aside.
(IV) The account representative for a WEB source shall submit an annual emissions statement for each unit under this paragraph (B) in accordance with Section 2(h)(viii) of this chapter. The WEB source shall maintain operating records sufficient to estimate annual emissions in a manner consistent with emission inventory submitted by the source for calendar year 1998. In addition, if the estimated emissions from all such units at the WEB source are greater than the allowances for the current control year held in the special reserve compliance account for the WEB source, the account representative shall report the excess amount as part of the annual report for the WEB source under Section 2(k) of this chapter and be required to use other allowances in the standard compliance account for the WEB source to account for such emissions, in accordance with Section 2(k) of this chapter.
(V) Section 2(h) of this chapter shall not apply to units covered by this paragraph except where otherwise noted.
(VI) A WEB source may opt to modify the monitoring for a sulfur dioxide emitting unit to use monitoring under Section 2(h)(i)(A) of this chapter, but any such monitoring change must take effect on January 1 of the next compliance year. In addition, the account representative must submit an initial monitoring plan at least 180 days prior to the date on which the new monitoring will take effect and a detailed monitoring plan in accordance with Section 2(h)(ii) of this chapter. The account representative shall also submit a revised notice under paragraph (B)(II) at the same time that the initial monitoring plan is submitted.
(C) For any monitoring that the WEB source uses under this section (including paragraph (B)), the WEB source (and, as applicable, the account representative) shall implement, certify, and use such monitoring in accordance with this section, and record and report the data from such monitoring as required in this section. In addition, the WEB source (and, as applicable, the account representative) may not:
(I) Except for an alternative approved by the EPA Administrator for a WEB source that implements monitoring under Section 2(h)(i)(A)(I) of this chapter, use an alternative monitoring system, alternative reference method or another alternative for the required monitoring method without having obtained prior written approval in accordance with Section 2(h)(ix) of this chapter (relating to petitions);
(II) Operate a sulfur dioxide emitting unit so as to discharge, or allow to be discharged, sulfur dioxide emissions to the atmosphere without accounting for these emissions in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section;
(III) Disrupt the approved monitoring method or any portion thereof, and thereby avoid monitoring and recording sulfur dioxide mass emissions discharged into the atmosphere, except for periods of recertification or periods when calibration, quality assurance testing or maintenance is performed in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section; or
(IV) Retire or permanently discontinue use of an approved monitoring method, except under one of the following circumstances:
(1.) During a period when the unit is exempt from the requirements of this Section, including retirement of a unit as addressed in Section 2(h)(i)(A)(III);
(2.) The WEB source is monitoring emissions from the unit with another certified monitoring method approved under this Section for use at the unit that provides data for the same parameter as the retired or discontinued monitoring method; or
(3.) The account representative submits notification of the date of certification testing of a replacement monitoring system in accordance with this section, and the WEB source recertifies thereafter a replacement monitoring system in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section.
(ii) Monitoring Plan.
(A) General Provisions. A WEB source with a sulfur dioxide emitting unit that uses a monitoring method under Section 2(h)(i)(A)(II) of this chapter shall meet the following requirements:
(I) Prepare and submit to the State of Wyoming an initial monitoring plan for each monitoring method that the WEB source uses to comply with this section. In accordance with paragraph 2(h)(ii)(C) of this chapter, the plan shall contain sufficient information on the units involved, the applicable method, and the use of data derived from that method to demonstrate that all unit sulfur dioxide emissions are monitored and reported. The plan shall be submitted in accordance with the compliance deadlines specified in Section 2(h)(vi) of this chapter.
(II) Prepare, maintain and submit to the State of Wyoming a detailed monitoring plan prior to the first day of certification testing in accordance with the compliance deadline specified in Section 2(h)(vi) of this chapter. The plan will contain the applicable information required by Section 2(h)(ii)(D) of this chapter. The State of Wyoming may require that the monitoring plan (or portions thereof) be submitted electronically. The State of Wyoming also may require that the plan be submitted on an ongoing basis in electronic format as part of the quarterly report submitted under Section 2(h)(viii)(A) of this chapter or resubmitted separately after any change is made to the plan in and;
(III) Whenever the WEB source makes a replacement, modification, or change in one of the systems or methodologies provided for in Section 2(h)(i)(A)(II) of this chapter, including a change in the automated data acquisition and handling system or in the flue gas handling system, that affects information reported in the monitoring plan (e.g., a change to serial number for a component of a monitoring system), then the WEB source shall update the monitoring plan in accordance with the compliance deadline specified in Section 2(h)(vi) of this chapter.
(B) A WEB source with a sulfur dioxide emitting unit that uses a method under Section 2(h)(i)(A)(I) of this chapter (a unit subject to 40 CFR Part 75 under a program other than this WEB Trading Program) shall meet the requirements of Section 2(h)(ii)(A)-(F) by preparing, maintaining and submitting a monitoring plan in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR Part 75. If requested, the WEB source also shall submit the entire monitoring plan to the State of Wyoming.
(C) Initial Monitoring Plan. The account representative shall submit an initial monitoring plan for each sulfur dioxide emitting unit (or group of units sharing a common methodology) that, except as otherwise specified in an applicable provision in Appendix A of this chapter, contains the following information:
(I) For all sulfur dioxide emitting units:
(1.) Plant name and location;
(2.) Plant and unit identification numbers assigned by the State of Wyoming;
(3.) Type of unit (or units for a group of units using a common monitoring methodology);
(4.) Identification of all stacks or pipes associated with the monitoring plan;
(5.) Types of fuel(s) fired (or sulfur containing process materials used in the sulfur dioxide emitting unit), and the fuel classification of the unit if combusting more than one type of fuel and using a 40 CFR Part 75 methodology;
(6.) Type(s) of emissions controls for sulfur dioxide installed or to be installed, including specifications of whether such controls are pre-combustion, post-combustion, or integral to the combustion process;
(7.) Maximum hourly heat input capacity, or process throughput capacity, if applicable;
(8.) Identification of all units using a common stack; and
(9.) Indicator of whether any stack identified in the plan is a bypass stack.
(II) For each unit and parameter required to be monitored, identification of monitoring methodology information, consisting of monitoring methodology, monitor locations, substitute data approach for the methodology, and general identification of quality assurance procedures. If the proposed methodology is a site-specific methodology submitted pursuant to Section 2(h)(i)(A)(II)(4.) of this chapter, the description under this paragraph shall describe fully all aspects of the monitoring equipment, installation locations, operating characteristics, certification testing, ongoing quality assurance and maintenance procedures, and substitute data procedures.
(III) If the WEB source intends to petition for a change to any specific monitoring requirement otherwise required under this section, such petition may be submitted as part of the initial monitoring plan.
(IV) The State of Wyoming may issue a notice of approval or disapproval of the initial monitoring plan based on the compliance of the proposed methodology with the requirements for monitoring in this section.
(D) Detailed Monitoring Plan. The account representative shall submit a detailed monitoring plan that, except as otherwise specified in an applicable provision in Appendix A of this chapter, shall contain the following information:
(I) Identification and description of each monitoring component (including each monitor and its identifiable components, such as analyzer or probe) in a CEMS (e.g., sulfur dioxide pollutant concentration monitor, flow monitor, moisture monitor), a 40 CFR Part 75, Appendix D monitoring system (e.g., fuel flowmeter, data acquisition and handling system), or a protocol in Appendix A of this chapter, including:
(1.) Manufacturer, model number and serial number;
(2.) Component or system identification code assigned by the facility to each identifiable monitoring component, such as the analyzer or probe;
(3.) Designation of the component type and method of sample acquisition or operation (e.g., in situ pollutant concentration monitor or thermal flow monitor);
(4.) Designation of the system as a primary or backup system;
(5.) First and last dates the system reported data;
(6.) Status of the monitoring component; and
(7.) Parameter monitored.
(II) Identification and description of all major hardware and software components of the automated data acquisition and handling system, including:
(1.) Hardware components that perform emission calculations or store data for quarterly reporting purposes (provide the manufacturer and model number); and
(2.) Software components (provide the identification of the provider and model or version number).
(III) Explicit formulas for each measured emissions parameter, using component or system identification codes for the monitoring system used to measure the parameter that links the system observations with the reported concentrations and mass emissions. The formulas must contain all constants and factors required to derive mass emissions from component or system code observations and an indication of whether the formula is being added, corrected, deleted, or is unchanged. The WEB source with a low mass emissions unit for which the WEB source is using the optional low mass emissions excepted methodology in Section 75.19(c) of 40 CFR Part 75 is not required to report such formulas.
(IV) Inside cross-sectional area (ft2) at flow monitoring location (for units with flow monitors only).
(V) If using CEMS for sulfur dioxide and flow, for each parameter monitored: scale, maximum potential concentration (and method of calculation), maximum expected concentration (if applicable) (and method of calculation), maximum potential flow rate (and method of calculations), span value, full-scale range, daily calibration units of measure, span effective date and hour, span inactivation date and hour, indication of whether dual spans are required, default high range value, flow rate span, and flow rate span value and full scale value (in standard cubic feet per hour) for each unit or stack using sulfur dioxide or flow component monitors.
(VI) If the monitoring system or excepted methodology provides for use of a constant, assumed, or default value for a parameter under specific circumstances, then include the following information for each value of such parameter:
(1.) Identification of the parameter;
(2.) Default, maximum, minimum, or constant value, and units of measure for the value;
(3.) Purpose of the value;
(4.) Indicator of use during controlled or uncontrolled hours;
(5.) Types of fuel;
(6.) Source of the value;
(7.) Value effective date and hour;
(8.) Date and hour value is no longer effective (if applicable); and
(9.) For units using the excepted methodology under section 75.19 of 40 CFR Part 75, the applicable sulfur dioxide emission factor.
(VII) Unless otherwise specified in Section 6.5.2.1 of Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75, for each unit or common stack on which hardware CEMS are installed:
(1.) The upper and lower boundaries of the range of operation (as defined in Section 6.5.2.1 of Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75), or thousand pounds per hour (lb/hr) of steam, or feet per second (ft/sec) (as applicable);
(2.) The load or operating level(s) designated as normal in Section 6.5.2.1 of Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75, or thousands of lb/hr of steam, or ft/sec (as applicable);
(3.) The two load or operating levels (i.e., low, mid, or high) identified in Section 6.5.2.1 of Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75 as the most frequently used;
(4.) The date of the data analysis used to determine the normal load (or operating) level(s) and the two most frequently-used load (or operating) levels; and
(5.) Activation and deactivation dates when the normal load or operating level(s) change and are updated.
(VIII) For each unit that is complying with 40 CFR Part 75 for which the optional fuel flow-to-load test in Section 2.1.7 of Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75 is used:
(1.) The upper and lower boundaries of the range of operation (as defined in Section 6.5.2.1 of Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75), expressed in thousands of lb/hr of steam;
(2.) The load level designated as normal, pursuant to Section 6.5.2.1 of Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75, expressed in thousands of lb/hr of steam; and
(3.) The date of the load analysis used to determine the normal load level.
(IX) Information related to quality assurance testing, including (as applicable): identification of the test strategy; protocol for the relative accuracy test audit; other relevant test information; calibration gas levels (percent of span) for the calibration error test and linearity check; calculations for determining maximum potential concentration, maximum expected concentration (if applicable), maximum potential flow rate, and span;
(X) If applicable, apportionment strategies under sections 75.10 through 75.18 of 40 CFR Part 75.
(XI) Description of site locations for each monitoring component in a monitoring system, including schematic diagrams and engineering drawings and any other documentation that demonstrates each monitor location meets the appropriate siting criteria. For units monitored by a continuous emission monitoring system, diagrams shall include:
(1.) A schematic diagram identifying entire gas handling system from unit to stack for all units, using identification numbers for units, monitor components, and stacks corresponding to the identification numbers provided in the initial monitoring plan and paragraphs (D)(I) and (III). The schematic diagram must depict the height of any monitor locations. Comprehensive or separate schematic diagrams shall be used to describe groups of units using a common stack.
(2.) Stack and duct engineering diagrams showing the dimensions and locations of fans, turning vanes, air preheaters, monitor components, probes, reference method sampling ports, and other equipment that affects the monitoring system location, performance, or quality control checks.
(XII) A data flow diagram denoting the complete information handling path from output signals of CEMS components to final reports.
(E) In addition to supplying the information in paragraphs (C) and (D) above, the WEB source with a sulfur dioxide emitting unit using either of the methodologies in paragraph (h)(i)(A)(II)(2.) of this section shall include the following information in its monitoring plan for the specific situations described:
(I) For each gas-fired or oil-fired sulfur dioxide emitting unit for which the WEB source uses the optional protocol in Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75 for sulfur dioxide mass emissions, the WEB source shall include the following information in the monitoring plan:
(1.) Parameter monitored;
(2.) Type of fuel measured, maximum fuel flow rate, units of measure, and basis of maximum fuel flow rate (i.e., upper range value or unit maximum) for each fuel flowmeter;
(3.) Test method used to check the accuracy of each fuel flowmeter;
(4.) Submission status of the data;
(5.) Monitoring system identification code;
(6.) The method used to demonstrate that the unit qualifies for monthly gross calorific value (GCV) sampling or for daily or annual fuel sampling for sulfur content, as applicable;
(7.) A schematic diagram identifying the relationship between the unit, all fuel supply lines, the fuel flowmeter(s), and the stack(s). The schematic diagram must depict the installation location of each fuel flowmeter and the fuel sampling location(s). Comprehensive or separate schematic diagrams shall be used to describe groups of units using a common pipe;
(8.) For units using the optional default sulfur dioxide emission rate for "pipeline natural gas" or "natural gas" in Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75, the information on the sulfur content of the gaseous fuel used to demonstrate compliance with either section 2.3.1.4 or 2.3.2.4 of appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75;
(9.) For units using the 720 hour test under Section 2.3.6 of Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75 to determine the required sulfur sampling requirements, report the procedures and results of the test; and
(10.) For units using the 720 hour test under Section 2.3.5 of Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75 to determine the appropriate fuel GCV sampling frequency, report the procedures used and the results of the test.
(II) For each sulfur dioxide emitting unit for which the WEB source uses the low mass emission excepted methodology of Section 75.19 to 40 CFR Part 75, the WEB source shall include the following information in the monitoring plan that accompanies the initial certification application:
(1.) The results of the analysis performed to qualify as a low mass emissions unit under Section 75.19(c) to 40 CFR Part 75. This report will include either the previous three years actual or projected emissions. The following items should be included:
a. Current calendar year of application;
b. Type of qualification;
c. Years one, two, and three;
d. Annual measured, estimated or projected sulfur dioxide mass emissions for years one, two, and three; and
e. Annual operating hours for years one, two, and three.
(2.) A schematic diagram identifying the relationship between the unit, all fuel supply lines and tanks, any fuel flowmeter(s), and the stack(s). Comprehensive or separate schematic diagrams shall be used to describe groups of units using a common pipe;
(3.) For units which use the long-term fuel flow methodology under Section 75.19(c)(3) to 40 CFR Part 75, a diagram of the fuel flow to each unit or group of units and a detailed description of the procedures used to determine the long-term fuel flow for a unit or group of units for each fuel combusted by the unit or group of units;
(4.) A statement that the unit burns only gaseous fuel(s) or fuel oil and a list of the fuels that are burned or a statement that the unit is projected to burn only gaseous fuel(s) or fuel oil and a list of the fuels that are projected to be burned;
(5.) A statement that the unit meets the applicability requirements in Sections 75.19(a) and (b) to 40 CFR Part 75 with respect to sulfur dioxide emissions; and
(6.) Any unit historical actual, estimated and projected sulfur dioxide emissions data and calculated sulfur dioxide emissions data demonstrating that the unit qualifies as a low mass emissions unit under sections 75.19(a) and (b) to 40 CFR Part 75.
(III) For each gas-fired unit the WEB source shall include the following in the monitoring plan: current calendar year, fuel usage data as specified in the definition of gas-fired in Section 72.2 of 40 CFR Part 72, and an indication of whether the data are actual or projected data.
(F) The specific elements of a monitoring plan under this Section 2(h)(ii) shall not be part of an operating permit for a WEB source issued in accordance with Title V of the Act, and modifications to the elements of the plan shall not require a permit modification.
(iii) Certification and Recertification.
(A) All monitoring systems are subject to initial certification and recertification testing as specified in 40 CFR Part 75 or Appendix A to Chapter 14, as applicable. Certification or recertification of a monitoring system by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a WEB source that is subject to 40 CFR Part 75 under a requirement separate from this Rule shall constitute certification under the WEB Trading Program.
(B) The WEB source with a sulfur dioxide emitting unit not otherwise subject to 40 CFR Part 75 that monitors sulfur dioxide mass emissions in accordance with 40 CFR Part 75 to satisfy the requirements of this Section shall perform all of the tests required by that regulation and shall submit the following:
(I) A test notice, not later than 21 days before the certification testing of the monitoring system, provided that the State of Wyoming may establish additional requirements for adjusting test dates after this notice as part of the approval of the initial monitoring plan under Section 2(h)(ii)(C) of this chapter; and
(II) An initial certification application within 45 days after testing is complete.
(C) A monitoring system will be considered provisionally certified while the application is pending, and the system shall be deemed certified if the State of Wyoming does not approve or disapprove the system within six months after the date on which the application is submitted.
(D) Whenever an audit of any monitoring certified under this Rule, and a review of the initial certification or recertification application, reveal that any system or component should not have been certified or recertified because it did not meet a particular performance specification or other requirement of Chapter 14, both at the time of the initial certification or recertification application submission and at the time of the audit, the State of Wyoming will issue a notice of disapproval of the certification status of such system or component. For the purposes of this paragraph, an audit shall be either a field audit of the facility or an audit of any information submitted to the State of Wyoming regarding the facility. By issuing the notice of disapproval, the certification status is revoked prospectively, and the data measured and recorded shall not be considered valid quality-assured data from the date of issuance of the notification of the revoked certification status until the date and time that the WEB source completes subsequently approved initial certification or recertification tests in accordance with the procedures in this Section 2(h)(iii) of this chapter. The WEB source shall apply the substitute data procedures in Section 2(h)(v)(B) of this chapter to replace, prospectively, all of the invalid, non-quality-assured data for each disapproved system or component.
(iv) Ongoing Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
The WEB source shall satisfy the applicable quality assurance and quality control requirements of 40 CFR Part 75 or, if the WEB source is subject to a WEB protocol in Appendix A of this chapter, the applicable quality assurance and quality control requirements in Appendix A of this chapter on and after the date that certification testing commences.
(v) Substitute Data Procedures.
(A) For any period after certification testing is complete in which quality assured, valid data are not being recorded by a monitoring system certified and operating in accordance with Chapter 14, missing or invalid data shall be replaced with substitute data in accordance with 40 CFR Part 75 or, if the WEB source is subject to a WEB protocol in Appendix A of this chapter, with substitute data in accordance with Appendix A.
(B) For a sulfur dioxide emitting unit that does not have a certified (or provisionally certified) monitoring system in place as of the beginning of the first control period for which the unit is subject to the WEB Trading Program, the WEB source shall:
(I) If the WEB source will use a CEMS to comply with this Section, substitute the maximum potential concentration of sulfur dioxide for the unit and the maximum potential flow rate, as determined in accordance with 40 CFR Part 75. The procedures for conditional data validation under Section 75.20(b)(3) may be used for any monitoring system under Chapter 14 that uses these 40 CFR Part 75 procedures, as applicable;
(II) If the WEB source will use the 40 CFR Part 75 Appendix D methodology, substitute the maximum potential sulfur content, density or gross calorific value for the fuel and the maximum potential fuel flow rate, in accordance with Section 2.4 of Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75;
(III) If the WEB source will use the 40 CFR Part 75 methodology for low mass emissions units, substitute the sulfur dioxide emission factor required for the unit as specified in 40 CFR Part 75.19 and the maximum rated hourly heat input, as defined in 40 CFR Part 72.2; or
(IV) If using a protocol in Appendix A to Chapter 14, follow the procedures in the applicable protocol.
(vi) Compliance Deadlines.
(A) The initial monitoring plan shall be submitted by the following dates:
(I) For each source that is a WEB source on or before the program trigger date, the monitoring plan shall be submitted 180 days after such program trigger date.
(II) For any existing source that becomes a WEB source after the program trigger date, the monitoring plan shall be submitted by September 30 of the year following the inventory year in which the source exceeded the emissions threshold.
(III) For any new WEB source, the monitoring plan shall be included with the permit application for a WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 permit.
(B) A detailed monitoring plan under Section 2(h)(ii)(B) of this chapter shall be submitted no later than 45 days prior to commencing certification testing in accordance with the following paragraph (C). Modifications to monitoring plans shall be submitted within 90 days of implementing revised monitoring plans.
(C) Emission monitoring systems shall be installed, operational and shall have met all of the certification testing requirements of this Section 2(h) (including any referenced in Appendix A) by the following dates:
(I) For each source that is a WEB source on or before the program trigger date, two years prior to the start of the first control period as described in Section 2(k) of this chapter.
(II) For any existing source that becomes a WEB source after the program trigger date, one year after the due date for the monitoring plan under Section 2(h)(vi)(A)(II) of this chapter.
(III) For any new WEB source (or any new unit at a WEB source under paragraphs (C)(I) or (C)(2)), the earlier of 90 unit operating days or 180 calendar days after the date the new source commences operation.
(D) The WEB source shall submit test notices and certification applications in accordance with the deadlines set forth in Section 2(h)(iv)(B).
(E) For each applicable control period, the WEB source shall submit each quarterly report under Section 2(h)(viii) of this chapter by no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter and shall submit the annual report under Section 2(h)(viii) of this chapter no later than 60 days after the end of each calendar year.
(vii) Recordkeeping.
(A) The WEB source shall keep copies of all reports, registration materials, compliance certifications, sulfur dioxide emissions data, quality assurance data, and other submissions under Chapter 14 for a period of five years. In addition, the WEB source shall keep a copy of all Certificates for the duration of this program. Unless otherwise requested by the WEB source and approved by the State of Wyoming, the copies shall be kept on site.
(B) The WEB source shall keep records of all operating hours, quality assurance activities, fuel sampling measurements, hourly averages for sulfur dioxide, stack flow, fuel flow, or other continuous measurements, as applicable, and any other applicable data elements specified in this section or in Appendix A to Chapter 14. The WEB source shall maintain the applicable records specified in 40 CFR Part 75 for any sulfur dioxide emitting unit that uses a Part 75 monitoring method to meet the requirements of this section.
(viii) Reporting.
(A) Quarterly Reports. For each sulfur dioxide emitting unit, the account representative shall submit a quarterly report within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. The report shall be in a format specified by the State of Wyoming to include hourly and quality assurance activity information and shall be submitted in a manner compatible with the emissions tracking database designed for the WEB Trading Program. If the WEB source submits a quarterly report under 40 CFR Part 75 to the EPA Administrator, no additional report under this paragraph (A) shall be required. The State of Wyoming will require that a copy of that report (or a separate statement of quarterly and cumulative annual sulfur dioxide mass emissions) be submitted separately to the State of Wyoming.
(B) Annual Report. Based on the quarterly reports, each WEB source shall submit an annual statement of total annual sulfur dioxide emissions for all sulfur dioxide emitting units at the source. The annual report shall identify total emissions for all units monitored in accordance with Section 2(h)(i)(A) of this chapter and the total emissions for all units with emissions estimated in accordance with Section 2(h)(i)(B) of this chapter. The annual report shall be submitted within 60 days after the end of a control period.
(C) If the State of Wyoming so directs, any monitoring plan, report, certification, recertification, or emissions data required to be submitted under this Section shall be submitted to the TSA.
(D) The State of Wyoming may review and reject any report submitted under this Section 2(h)(viii) of this chapter that contains errors or fails to satisfy the requirements of this section, and the account representative shall resubmit the report to correct any deficiencies.
(ix) Petitions.
(A) A WEB source may petition for an alternative to any requirement specified in Section 2(h)(i)(A)(II) of this chapter. The petition shall require approval of the State of Wyoming and the EPA Administrator. Any petition submitted under this paragraph shall include sufficient information for the evaluation of the petition, including, at a minimum, the following information:
(I) Identification of the WEB source and applicable sulfur dioxide emitting unit(s);
(II) A detailed explanation of why the proposed alternative is being suggested in lieu of the requirement;
(III) A description and diagram of any equipment and procedures used in the proposed alternative, if applicable;
(IV) A demonstration that the proposed alternative is consistent with the purposes of the requirement for which the alternative is proposed, is consistent with the purposes of Chapter 14 and that any adverse effect of approving such alternative will be de minimis; and
(V) Any other relevant information that the State of Wyoming may require.
(x) Consistency of Identifying Information.
For any monitoring plans, reports, or other information submitted under Section 2(h) of this chapter, the WEB source shall ensure that, where applicable, identifying information is consistent with the identifying information provided in the most recent certificate for the WEB source submitted under Section 2(d) of this chapter.
(i) Allowance Transfers.
(i) Procedure. To transfer allowances, the account representative shall submit the following information to the TSA:
(A) The transfer account number(s) identifying the transferor account;
(B) The transfer account number(s) identifying the transferee account;
(C) The serial number of each allowance to be transferred; and
(D) The transferor's account representative's name and signature and date of submission.
(ii) Allowance Transfer Deadline. The allowance transfer deadline is midnight Pacific Standard Time on March 1 of each year (or if this date is not a business day, midnight of the first business day thereafter) following the end of the control period. By this time, the transfer of the allowances into the WEB source's compliance account must be correctly submitted to the TSA in order to demonstrate compliance under Section 2(k) of this chapter for that control period.
(iii) Retirement of Allowances. To permanently retire allowances, the account representative shall submit the following information to the TSA:
(A) The transfer account number(s) identifying the transferor account;
(B) The serial number of each allowance to be retired; and
(C) The transferor's account representative's name and signature and date of submission accompanied by a signed statement acknowledging that each retired allowance is no longer available for future transfers from or to any account.
(j) Use of Allowances from a Previous Year.
(i) Any allowance that is held in a compliance account or general account will remain in such an account unless and until the allowance is deducted in conjunction with the compliance process, or transferred to another account.
(ii) In order to demonstrate compliance under Section 2(k)(i) of this chapter for a control period, WEB sources shall only use allowances allocated for that current control period or any previous year. Because all allowances held in a special reserve compliance account for a WEB source that monitors certain units in accordance with Section 2(h)(i)(B) of this chapter will be deducted for compliance for each control period, no banking of such allowances for use in a subsequent year is permitted by Chapter 14.
(iii) If flow control procedures for the current control period have been triggered as outlined in Part C4.2 of Section C of the WYRHSIP, then the use of allowances that were allocated for any previous year will be limited as follows:
(A) The number of allowances that are held in each compliance account and general account as of the allowance transfer deadline for the immediately previous year and that were allocated for any previous year will be determined.
(B) The number determined in (A) will be multiplied by the flow control ratio established in accordance with Part C4.2(b)(1) of Section C of the WYRHSIP to determine the number of allowances that were allocated for a previous year that can be used without restriction for the current control period.
(C) Allowances that were allocated for a previous year in excess of the number determined in (B) may also be used for the current control period. If such allowances are used to make a deduction, two allowances must be deducted for each deduction of one allowance required under Section 2(k) of this chapter.
(iv) Special provisions for the year 2018. After compliance with the 2017 allowance limitation has been determined in accordance with Section 2(k)(i) of this chapter, allowances allocated for any year prior to 2018 shall not be used for determining compliance with the 2018 allowance limitation or any future allowance limitation.
(k) Compliance.
(i) Compliance with Allowance Limitations.
(A) The WEB source must hold allowances, in accordance with Section 2(k)(i)(B) and (C) below and Section 2(j) of this chapter, as of the allowance transfer deadline in the WEB source's compliance account (together with any current control year allowances held in the WEB source's special reserve compliance account under Section 2(h)(i)(B) of this chapter) in an amount not less than the total sulfur dioxide emissions for the control period from the WEB source, as determined under the monitoring and reporting requirements of Section 2(h) of this chapter.
(I) For each source that is a WEB source on or before the program trigger date, the first control period is the calendar year that is six (6) years following the calendar year for which sulfur dioxide emissions exceeded the milestone in accordance with procedures in Part A3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP.
(II) For any existing source that becomes a WEB source after the program trigger date, the first control period is the calendar year that is four (4) years following the inventory year in which the source exceeded the sulfur dioxide emissions threshold.
(III) For any new WEB source after the program trigger date the first control period is the first full calendar year that the source is in operation.
(IV) If the WEB Trading Program is triggered in accordance with the 2013 review procedures in Part A4 of Section C of the WYRHSIP, the first control period for each source that is a WEB source on or before the program trigger date is the year 2018.
(B) Allowance transfer deadline. An allowance may only be deducted from the WEB source's compliance account if:
(I) The allowance was allocated for the current control period or meets the requirements in Section 2(j) of this chapter for use of allowances from a previous control period, and
(II) The allowance was held in the WEB source's compliance account as of the allowance transfer deadline for the current control period, or was transferred into the compliance account by an allowance transfer correctly submitted for recording by the allowance transfer deadline for the current control period.
(C) Compliance with allowance limitations shall be determined as follows:
(I) The total annual sulfur dioxide emissions for all sulfur dioxide emitting units at the source that are monitored under Section 2(h)(i)(B) of this chapter, as reported by the source in Section 2(h)(viii)(B) or (D) of this chapter, and recorded in the emissions tracking database shall be compared to the allowances held in the source's special reserve compliance account as of the allowance transfer deadline for the current control period, adjusted in accordance with Section 2(j) of this chapter. If the emissions are equal to or less than the allowances in such account, all such allowances shall be retired to satisfy the obligation to hold allowances for such emissions. If the total emissions from such units exceed the allowances in such special reserve account, the WEB source shall account for such excess emissions in the following paragraph (II).
(II) The total annual sulfur dioxide emissions for all sulfur dioxide emitting units at the source that are monitored under Section 2(h)(i)(A) of this chapter, as reported by the source in Section 2(h)(viii)(B) or (D) of this chapter, and recorded in the emissions tracking database, together with any excess emissions as calculated in the preceding paragraph (I), shall be compared to the allowances held in the source's compliance account as of the allowance transfer deadline for the current control period, adjusted in accordance with Section 2(j) of this chapter.
(III) If the comparison in Section 2(k)(i)(C)(II) of this chapter results in emissions that exceed the allowances held in the source's compliance account, the source has exceeded its allowance limitation and the excess emissions are subject to the allowance deduction penalty in Section 2(k)(iii) of this chapter.
(D) Other than allowances in a special reserve compliance account for units monitored under Section 2(h)(i)(B) of this chapter, to the extent consistent with Section 2(j) of this chapter, allowances shall be deducted for a WEB source for compliance with the allowance limitation as directed by the WEB source's account representative. Deduction of any other allowances as necessary for compliance with the allowance limitation shall be on a first-in, first-out accounting basis in the order of the date and time of their recording in the WEB source's compliance account, beginning with the allowances allocated to the WEB source and continuing with the allowances transferred to the WEB source's compliance account from another compliance account or general account. The allowances held in a special reserve compliance account pursuant to Section 2(h)(i)(B) of this chapter shall be deducted as specified in paragraph (C)(I) of this Section 2(k) of this chapter.
(ii) Certification of Compliance.
(A) For each control period in which a WEB source is subject to the allowance limitation, the account representative of the source shall submit to the Department a compliance certification report for the source.
(B) The compliance certification report shall be submitted no later than the allowance transfer deadline of each control period, and shall contain the following:
(I) Identification of each WEB source;
(II) At the account representative's option, the serial numbers of the allowances that are to be deducted from a source's compliance account for compliance with the allowance limitation; and
(III) The compliance certification report according to subpart (C) of this section.
(C) In the compliance certification report, the account representative shall certify, based on reasonable inquiry of those persons with primary responsibility for operating the WEB source in compliance with the WEB Trading Program, whether the WEB source for which the compliance certification is submitted was operated during the control period covered by the report in compliance with the requirements of the WEB Trading Program applicable to the source including:
(I) Whether the WEB source operated in compliance with the sulfur dioxide allowance limitation;
(II) Whether sulfur dioxide emissions data has been submitted to the Department in accordance with Section 2(h)(viii) of this chapter and other applicable guidance, for review, revision as necessary, and finalization for forwarding to the sulfur dioxide Allowance Tracking System for recording;
(III) Whether the monitoring plan that governs the WEB source has been maintained to reflect the actual operation and monitoring of the source, and contains all information necessary to attribute sulfur dioxide emissions to the source, in accordance with Section 2(h)(i) of this chapter;
(IV) Whether all the sulfur dioxide emissions from the WEB source if applicable, were monitored or accounted for either through the applicable monitoring or through application of the appropriate missing data procedures;
(V) If applicable, whether any sulfur dioxide emitting unit for which the WEB source is not required to monitor in accordance with Section 2(h)(i)(A)(III) of this chapter remained permanently retired and had no emissions for the entire applicable period; and
(VI) Whether there were any changes in the method of operating or monitoring the WEB source that required monitor recertification. If there were any such changes, the report must specify the nature, reason, and date of the change, the method to determine compliance status subsequent to the change, and specifically, the method to determine sulfur dioxide emissions.
(iii) Penalties for any WEB source exceeding its allowance limitations.
(A) Allowance deduction penalty.
(I) If emissions from a WEB source exceed the allowance limitation for a control period, as determined in accordance with Section 2(k)(i) of this chapter, the source's allowances held in its compliance account will be reduced by an amount equal to three times the source's tons of excess emissions. If the compliance account does not have sufficient allowances allocated for that control period, the required number of allowances will be deducted from the WEB source's compliance account regardless of the control period for which they were allocated, once allowances are recorded in the account.
(II) Any allowance deduction required under Section 2(k)(i)(C) of this chapter shall not affect the liability of the owners and operators of the WEB source for any fine, penalty or assessment or their obligation to comply with any other remedy, for the same violation, as ordered under the Act, implementing regulations or Wyoming Statute § 35-11-901. Accordingly, a violation can be assessed each day of the control period for each ton of sulfur dioxide emissions in excess of its allowance limitation, or for each other violation of Section 2 of this chapter.
(iv) Liability.
(A) WEB Source liability for non-compliance. Separate and regardless of any allowance deduction penalty, a WEB source that violates any requirement of Chapter 14 is subject to civil and criminal penalties under Wyoming Statute § 35-11-901. Each day of the control period is a separate violation, and each ton of sulfur dioxide emissions in excess of a source's allowance limitation is a separate violation.
(B) General liability.
(I) Any provision of the WEB Trading Program that applies to a source or an account representative shall apply also to the owners and operators of such source.
(II) Any person who violates any requirement or prohibition of the WEB Trading Program will be subject to enforcement pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 35-11-901.
(III) Any person who knowingly makes a false material statement in any record, submission, or report under this WEB Trading Program shall be subject to criminal enforcement pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 35-11-901.
(l) Special Penalty Provisions for the 2018 Milestone.
(i) If the WEB Trading Program is triggered as outlined in Part A3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP, and the first control period will not occur until after the year 2018, the following provisions shall apply for the 2018 emissions year.
(A) All WEB sources shall register, and open a compliance account within 180 days after the program trigger date, in accordance with Section 2(e)(i) and Section 2(g) of this chapter.
(B) The TSA will record the allowances for the 2018 control period for each WEB source in the source's compliance account once the Department allocates the 2018 allowances under Part A4.4 of Section C of the WYRHSIP.
(C) The allowance transfer deadline is midnight Pacific Standard Time on May 31, 2021 (or if this date is not a business day, midnight of the first business day thereafter). WEB sources may transfer allowances as provided in Section 2(i)(i) of this chapter until the allowance transfer deadline.
(D) A WEB source must hold allowances allocated for 2018, including those transferred into the compliance account by an allowance transfer correctly submitted by the allowance transfer deadline, in an amount not less than the WEB source's total sulfur dioxide emissions for 2018. Emissions are determined using the pre-trigger monitoring provisions in Part A2.1 of Section C of the WYRHSIP, and Chapter 14, Section 3.
(E) In accordance with Section 2(j)(iv) and 2(l)(i)(D) of this chapter, Wyoming shall seek at least the minimum financial penalty of $5,000 per ton of SO2 emissions in excess of the WEB source's allowance limitation.
(I) Any source may resolve its excess emissions violation by agreeing to a streamline settlement approach where the source pays a penalty of $5,000 per ton or partial ton of excess emissions, and payment is received within 90 calendar days after the issuance of a notice of violation.
(II) Any source that does not resolve its excess emissions violation in accordance with the streamlined settlement approach in Section 2(l)(i)(E)(I) of this chapter will be subject to civil enforcement action, in which the Department shall seek a financial penalty for the excess emissions based on the State's statutory maximum civil penalties.
(F) Each ton of SO2 emissions in excess of a source's allowance limitation is a separate violation and each day of a control period is a separate violation.
(ii) The provisions in Section 2(l) of Chapter 14 shall continue to apply for each year after the 2018 emission year until:
(A) The first control period under the WEB trading program under Section 2(k)(i)(A)(I)of this chapter; or
(B) The Department determines, in accordance with Part A3 of Section C of the WYRHSIP, that the 2018 sulfur dioxide milestone has been met.
(iii) Special penalty provisions for the 2018 milestone for 2019 control period and each control period thereafter as provided under Section 2(l)(ii) of this chapter include the following:
(A) For the 2019 control period, the allowance transfer deadline is midnight Pacific Standard Time on May 31, 2021 (or if this date is not a business day, midnight of the first business day thereafter). WEB sources may transfer allowances as provided in Section 2(i)(i) of this chapter until the allowance transfer deadline.
(B) A WEB source must hold allowances allocated for the 2019 control period, including those transferred into the compliance account by an allowance transfer correctly submitted by the allowance transfer deadline, in an amount not less than the WEB source's total SO2 emissions for the 2019 control period. Emissions are determined using the pre-trigger monitoring provisions in Part A2.1 of Section C of the WYRHSIP, and Chapter 14, Section 3.
(C) In accordance with Section 2(j)(iv) and 2(i)(i)(D), Wyoming shall seek at least the minimum financial penalty of $5,000 per ton of SO2 emissions in excess of the WEB source's allowance limitation.
(I) Any source may resolve its excess emissions violation by agreeing to a streamline settlement approach where the source pays a penalty of $5,000 per ton or partial ton of excess emissions, and payment is received within 90 calendar days after the issuance of a notice of violation.
(II) Any source that does not resolve its excess emissions violation in accordance with the streamlined settlement approach in Section 2(l)(i)(E)(I) of this chapter will be subject to civil enforcement action, in which the Department shall seek a financial penalty for the excess emissions based on the State's statutory maximum civil penalties.
(D) Each ton of SO2 emissions in excess of a source's allowance limitation is a separate violation and each day of a control period is a separate violation.
(E) For each control period after 2019 that the special penalty is assessed, the dates and deadlines in Section 2(l)(iii)(A)-(D) of this chapter above will be adjusted forward by one year.
(m) Integration Into Permits.
Any WEB source that is not subject to WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 3 at any time after Chapter 14 becomes effective must obtain a permit under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 or modify an existing permit issued under WAQSR Chapter 6, Section 2 that incorporates the requirements of Section 2 of this chapter.
Section 3. Sulfur Dioxide Milestone Inventory.
(a) Applicability.
(i) Section 3 of this chapter applies to all stationary sources with actual emissions of 100 tons per year or more of sulfur dioxide in calendar year 2000 or any subsequent year.
(ii) Except as provided in (iii), any source that meets the criteria of (i) that emits less than 100 tons per year in any subsequent year shall remain subject to the requirements of Section 3 of this chapter until 2018 or until the first control period under the Western Backstop Sulfur Dioxide Trading Program as established in Section 2 of this chapter, whichever is earlier.
(iii) A stationary source that meets the requirements of (i) that has permanently ceased operation is exempt from the requirements of Chapter 14.
(b) Annual Sulfur Dioxide Emission Report.
(i) Except as provided in (ii), each source subject to Chapter 14 shall report sulfur dioxide emissions by April 15th of each calendar year, in accordance with the schedule cited in Section 3(b)(iii) of this chapter, below.
(ii) Each source subject to Chapter 14 that is also subject to 40 CFR Part 75 reporting requirements, shall submit a summary report of annual sulfur dioxide emissions that were reported to the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR Part 75.
(iii) Each source subject to Chapter 14 shall report emissions for the year 2003 by April 15, 2004, and annually thereafter. The inventory shall be submitted in the format specified by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality - Air Quality Division (Division).
(iv) For the reports cited in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this section, each source subject to Chapter 14 shall document the emissions monitoring/estimation methodology used to calculate their sulfur dioxide emissions, and demonstrate that the selected methodology is acceptable under the inventory program.
(v) For the reports cited in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, each source subject to Chapter 14 shall include emissions from startup, shut down, and upset conditions in the annual total inventory.
(vi) For the reports cited in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, each source subject to Chapter 14 shall use 40 CFR Part 75 methodology for reporting emissions for all sources subject to the federal acid rain program.
(vii) For the reports cited in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, each source subject to Chapter 14 shall maintain all records used in the calculation of the emissions, including but not limited to the following:
(A) amount of fuel consumed;
(B) percent sulfur content of fuel and how the content was determined;
(C) quantity of product produced;
(D) emissions monitoring data;
(E) operating data; and
(F) how the emissions are calculated
(viii) For the reports cited in (i) and (ii) of this section, each source subject to Chapter 14 shall maintain records of any physical changes to facility operations or equipment, or any other changes (e.g., raw material or feed) that may affect the emissions projections.
(ix) For the reports cited in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, each source subject to Chapter 14 shall retain records for a minimum of ten years from the date of establishment, or if the record was the basis for an adjustment to the milestone, 5 years after the date of an implementation plan revision, whichever is longer.
(c) Changes in Emission Measurement Techniques.
(i) Each source subject to this Rule that uses a different emission monitoring or calculation method than was used to report their sulfur dioxide emissions in 2006 under Chapter 14, Section 3 shall adjust their reported emissions to be comparable to the emission monitoring or calculation method that was used in 2006. The calculations that are used to make this adjustment shall be included with the annual emission report under Section 3(b) of this chapter.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of Chapter 14, Basin Electric Power Cooperative's Laramie River Station shall report its annual sulfur dioxide emissions as follows: for Laramie River Station Unit 1, Basin Electric Power Cooperative shall report its sulfur dioxide emissions based on an annual average emission rate of 0.159 lb/MMBtu multiplied by the actual annual heat input; for Laramie River Station Unit 2, Basin Electric Power Cooperative shall report its annual sulfur dioxide emissions based on an annual emission rate 0.162 lb/MMBtu multiplied by the actual annual heat input. Heat rate shall be calculated as required in Chapter 14 and 40 CFR Part 75. Annual sulfur dioxide emissions for Laramie River Station Unit 3 shall be reported as otherwise provided in Chapter 14, Section 3(b).
(i) Basin Electric Power Cooperative shall report sulfur dioxide emissions as calculated per Section 3(d) of this chapter as of the year that Basin Electric Power Cooperative commences operation of Selective Catalytic Reduction at Laramie River Station Unit 1 consistent with the notification provision found at WAQSR Chapter 6 Section 2(i)(ii).
(e) The Division shall use the annual sulfur dioxide emissions reported by Basin Electric Power Cooperative in Section 3(d) for all purposes under this chapter.
Section 4. [Reserved].
Section 5. Incorporation by Reference.
(a) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). All Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), including their Appendices, cited in this Chapter, revised and published as of July 1, 2024, not including any later amendments, unless portions of said CFRs are specifically excluded in citation, are incorporated by reference. Copies of the CFR are available for public inspection and copies can be obtained at cost from the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, Cheyenne Office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office can be obtained at: http://deq.wyoming.gov/. Copies of the CFR can also be obtained at cost from Government Institutes, 15200 NBN Way, Building B, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214 or online at https://ecfr.gov.
APPENDIX A: WEB CHAPTER 14, SECTION 2 MONITORING PROTOCOLS
Protocol WEB-1: SO2 Monitoring of Fuel Gas Combustion Devices
Section 1. Applicability.
(a) The provisions of this protocol are applicable to fuel gas combustion devices at petroleum refineries.
(b) Fuel gas combustion devices include boilers, process heaters, and flares used to burn fuel gas generated at a petroleum refinery.
(c) Fuel gas means any gas which is generated and combusted at a petroleum refinery. Fuel gas does not include: (1) natural gas, unless combined with other gases generated at a petroleum refinery, (2) gases generated by a catalytic cracking unit catalyst regenerator, (3) gases generated by fluid coking burners, (4) gases combusted to produce sulfur or sulfuric acid, or (5) process upset gases generated due to startup, shutdown, or malfunctions.
Section 2. Monitoring Requirements.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2, fuel gas combustion devices shall use a continuous fuel gas monitoring system (CFGMS) to determine the total sulfur content (reported as H2S) of the fuel gas mixture prior to combustion, and continuous fuel flow meters to determine the amount of fuel gas burned.
(i) Fuel gas combustion devices having a common source of fuel gas may be monitored for sulfur content at one location, if monitoring at that location is representative of the sulfur content of the fuel gas being burned in any fuel gas combustion device.
(ii) The CFGMS shall meet the performance requirements in Performance Specification 2 in Appendix B to 40 CFR Part 60, and the following:
(A) Continuously monitor and record the concentration by volume of total sulfur compounds in the gaseous fuel reported as ppmv H2S.
(B) Have the span value set so that the majority of readings fall between 10 and 95 percent of the range.
(C) Record negative values of zero drift.
(D) Calibration drift shall be 5.0 percent of the span.
(E) Methods 15A, 16, or approved alternatives for total sulfur, are the reference methods for the relative accuracy test. The relative accuracy test shall include a bias test in accordance with Section 4, paragraph (c) of this protocol.
(iii) All continuous fuel flow meters shall comply with the applicable provisions of Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75.
(iv) The hourly mass SO2 emissions shall be calculated using the following equation:
E = (CS)(Qf)(K)
where: E = SO2 emissions in lbs/hr
CS = Sulfur content of the fuel gas as H2S(ppmv)
Qf = Fuel gas flow rate (scfh)
K = 1.660 x 10-7 (lb/scf)/ppmv
(b) In place of a CFGMS in paragraph (a) of this Section 2, fuel gas combustion devices having a common source of fuel gas may be monitored with an SO2 CEMS and flow CEMS at only one location, if the CEMS monitoring at that location is representative of the SO2 emission rate (lb SO2/scf fuel gas burned) of all applicable fuel gas combustion devices. Continuous fuel flow meters shall be used in accordance with paragraph (b), and the fuel gas combustion device monitored by a CEMS shall have separate fuel metering.
(i) Each CEMS for SO2 and flow shall comply with the operating requirements, performance specifications, and quality assurance requirements of 40 CFR Part 75.
(ii) All continuous fuel flow meters shall comply with the applicable provisions of Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75.
(iii) The SO2 mass emissions for all the fuel gas combustion devices monitored by this approach shall be determined by the ratio of the amount of fuel gas burned by the CEMS-monitored fuel gas combustion device to the total fuel gas burned by all applicable fuel gas combustion devices using the following equation:
Et = (Em)(Qt)/(Qm)
where: Et = Total SO2 emissions in lbs/hr from applicable fuel gas combustion devices.
Em = SO2 emissions in lbs/hr from the CEMS-monitored fuel gas combustion
device.
Qt = Fuel gas flow rate (scfh) from applicable fuel gas combustion devices.
Qm = Fuel gas flow rate (scfh) from the CEMS-monitored fuel gas combustion
device.
(c) In place of a CFGMS in paragraph (a) of this section, fuel gas combustion devices having a common source of fuel gas may be monitored with an SO2 - diluent CEMS at only one location, if the CEMS monitoring at that location is representative of the SO2 emission rate (lb SO2/mmBtu) of all applicable fuel gas combustion devices. If this option is selected, the owner or operator shall conduct fuel gas sampling and analysis for gross calorific value (GCV), and shall use continuous fuel flow metering in accordance with paragraph (a) of Section 2 in this appendix, with separate fuel metering for the CEMS-monitored fuel gas combustion device.
(i) Each SO2-diluent CEMS shall comply with the applicable provisions for SO2 monitors and diluent monitors in 40 CFR Part 75, and shall use the procedures in Section 3 of Appendix F to Part 75 for determining SO2 emission rate (lb/mmBtu) by substituting the term SO2 for NOx in that section.
(ii) All continuous fuel flow meters and fuel gas sampling and analysis for GCV to determine the heat input rate from the fuel gas shall comply with the applicable provisions of Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75.
(iii) The SO2 mass emissions for all the fuel gas combustion devices monitored by this approach shall be determined by the ratio of the fuel gas heat input to the CEMS-monitored fuel gas combustion device to the total fuel gas heat input to all applicable fuel gas combustion devices using the following equation:
Et = (Em)(Ht)/(Hm)
where: Et = Total SO2 emissions in lbs/hr from applicable fuel gas combustion devices.
Em = SO2 emissions in lb/mmBtu from the CEMS - monitored fuel gas
combustion device.
Ht = Fuel gas heat input (mmBtu/hr) from applicable fuel gas combustion devices.
Hm = Fuel gas heat input (mmBtu/hr) from the CEMS - monitored fuel gas
combustion device.
Section 3. Certification/Recertification Requirements.
(a) All monitoring systems are subject to initial certification and recertification testing as follows:
(i) The owner or operator shall comply with the initial testing and calibration requirements in Performance Specification 2 in Appendix B of 40 CFR Part 60 and paragraph (a)(ii) of Section 2 of this protocol for each CFGMS.
(ii) Each CEMS for SO2 and flow or each SO2-diluent CEMS shall comply with the testing and calibration requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 75, Section 75.20 and Appendices A and B of the CFR, except that each SO2-diluent CEMS shall meet the relative accuracy requirements for a NOx-diluent CEMS (lb/mmBtu).
(iii) A continuous fuel flow meter shall comply with the testing and calibration requirements in 40 CFR Part 75, Appendix D.
Section 4. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Requirements.
(a) A quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) plan shall be developed and
implemented for each CEMS for SO2 and flow or the SO2-diluent CEMS in compliance with Appendix B of 40 CFR Part 75.
(b) A QA/QC plan shall be developed and implemented for each continuous fuel flow meter and fuel sampling and analysis in compliance with Appendix B of 40 CFR Part 75.
(c) A QA/QC plan shall be developed and implemented for each CFGMS in compliance with sections 1 and 1.1 of Appendix B of 40 CFR Part 75, and the following:
(i) Perform a daily calibration error test of each CFGMS at two gas concentrations, one low level and one high level. Calculate the calibration error as described in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75. An out of control period occurs whenever the error is greater than 5.0 percent of the span value.
(ii) In addition to the daily calibration error test, an additional calibration error test shall be performed whenever a daily calibration error test is failed, whenever a monitoring system is returned to service following repairs or corrective actions that may affect the monitor measurements, or after making manual calibration adjustments.
(iii) Perform a linearity test once every operating quarter. Calculate the linearity as described in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75. An out of control period occurs whenever the linearity error is greater than 5.0 percent of a reference value, and the absolute value of the difference between average monitor response values and a reference value is greater than 5.0 ppm.
(iv) Perform a relative accuracy test audit once every four operating quarters. Calculate the relative accuracy as described in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75. An out of control period occurs whenever the relative accuracy is greater than 20.0percent of the mean value of the reference method measurements.
(v) Using the results of the relative accuracy test audit, conduct a bias test in accordance with Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75, and calculate and apply a bias adjustment factor if required.
Section 5. Missing Data Procedures.
(a) For any period in which valid data are not being recorded by an SO2 CEMS or flow CEMS specified in this section, missing or invalid data shall be replaced with substitute data in accordance with the requirements in Subpart D of 40 CFR Part 75.
(b) For any period in which valid data are not being recorded by an SO2-diluent CEMS specified in this section, missing or invalid data shall be replaced with substitute data on a rate basis (lb/mmBtu) in accordance with the requirements for SO2 monitors in Subpart D of 40 CFR Part 75.
(c) For any period in which valid data are not being recorded by a continuous fuel flow meter or for fuel gas GCV sampling and analysis specified in this section, missing or invalid data shall be replaced with substitute data in accordance with missing data requirements in Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75.
(d) For any period in which valid data are not being recorded by the CFGMS specified in this section, hourly missing or invalid data shall be replaced with substitute data in accordance with the missing data requirements for units performing hourly gaseous fuel sulfur sampling in Section 2.4. of Appendix D to 40 CFR Part 75.
Section 6. Monitoring Plan and Reporting Requirements.
(a) In addition to the general monitoring plan and reporting requirements of Section 2(h) of Chapter 14, the owner or operator shall meet the following additional requirements:
(i) The monitoring plan shall identify each group of units that are monitored by a single monitoring system under this Protocol WEB-1, and the plan shall designate an identifier for the group of units for emissions reporting purposes. For purpose of submitting emissions reports, no apportionment of emissions to the individual units within the group is required.
(ii) If the provisions of paragraphs (b) or (c) of Section 2 of this protocol are used, provide documentation and an explanation to demonstrate that the SO2 emission rate from the monitored unit is representative of the rate from non-monitored units.
Protocol WEB-2: Predictive Flow Monitoring Systems for Kilns with Positive Pressure Fabric Filter
Section 1. Applicability.
(a) The provisions of this protocol are applicable to cement kilns or lime kilns that are (1) controlled by a positive pressure fabric filter, and (2) have operating conditions upstream of the fabric filter that the WEB source documents would reasonably prevent reliable flow monitor measurements.
Section 2. Monitoring Requirements.
(a) A cement or lime kiln with a positive pressure fabric filter shall use a predictive flow monitoring system (PFMS) to determine the hourly kiln exhaust gas flow.
(b) A PFMS is the total equipment necessary for the determination of exhaust gas flow using process or control device operating parameter measurements and a conversion equation, a graph, or computer program to produce results in cubic feet per hour.
(c) The PFMS shall meet the following performance specifications:
(i) The PFMS must allow for the automatic or manual determination of failed monitors. At a minimum a daily determination must be performed.
(ii) The PFMS shall have provisions to check the calibration error of each parameter that is individually measured. The owner or operator shall propose appropriate performance specifications in the initial monitoring plan for all parameters used in the PFMS comparable to the degree of accuracy required for other monitoring systems used to comply with this Rule. The parameters shall be tested at two levels, low: 0 to 20 percent of full scale, and high: 50 to 100 percent of full scale. The reference value need not be certified.
(iii) The relative accuracy of the PFMS must be < 10.0 percent of the reference method average value, and include a bias test in accordance with paragraph (a)(iii) of Section 3 of this protocol.
Section 3. Certification Requirements.
(a) The PFMS is subject to initial certification testing as follows:
(i) Demonstrate the ability of the PFMS to identify automatically or manually a failed monitor.
(ii) Provide evidence of calibration testing of all monitoring equipment. Any tests conducted within the previous 12 months of operation that are consistent with the QA/QC plan for the PFMS are acceptable for initial certification purposes.
(iii) Perform an initial relative accuracy test over the normal range of operating conditions of the kiln. Using the results of the relative accuracy test audit, conduct a bias test in accordance with Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75, and calculate and apply a bias adjustment factor if required.
Section 4. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Requirements.
(a) A QA/QC plan shall be developed and implemented for each PFMS in compliance with sections 1 and 1.1 of Appendix B of 40 CFR Part 75, and the following:
(i) Perform a daily monitor failure check.
(ii) Perform calibration tests of all monitors for each parameter included in the PFMS. At a minimum, calibrations shall be conducted prior to each relative accuracy test audit.
(iii) Perform a relative accuracy test audit and accompanying bias test once every four operating quarters. Calculate the relative accuracy (and bias adjustment factor) as described in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 75. An out of control period occurs whenever the flow relative accuracy is greater than 10.0 percent of the mean value of the reference method.
Section 5. Missing Data.
(a) For any period in which valid data are not being recorded by the PFMS specified in this section, hourly missing or invalid data shall be replaced with substitute data in accordance with the flow monitor missing data requirements for non-load based units in Subpart D of 40 CFR Part 75.
Section 6. Monitoring Plan Requirements.
(a) In addition to the general monitoring plan requirements of Section 2(h) of Chapter 14, the owner or operator shall meet the following additional requirements:
(i) The monitoring plan shall document the reasons why stack flow measurements upstream of the fabric filter are unlikely to provide reliable flow measurements over time.
(ii) The initial monitoring plan shall explain the relationship of the proposed parameters and stack flow, and discuss other parameters considered and the reasons for not using those parameters in the PFMS. The State of Wyoming may require that the subsequent monitoring plan include additional explanation and documentation for the reasonableness of the proposed PFMS.
History
- Effective 2024-12-27
68 Hazardous Waste
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 1 IN GENERAL
(a) AUTHORITY. This Chapter is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming
Environmental Quality Act, specifically Wyoming Statute (W.S.) 35-11-503.
(b) APPLICABILITY. The rules contained herein shall apply to any person, government or governmental subdivision, corporation, organization, partnership, business trust, association, district, or other entity involved in any aspect of the management of hazardous waste.
(c) OBJECTIVE. The objective of these rules is to provide minimum standards for the management of hazardous waste in order to carry out the policy and purpose of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. 35-11-102, and to adopt the federal rules as of July 7, 2020, with exceptions as noted.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 2 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE (IBR) OF 40 CFR
(a) GENERAL. For any code, standard, rule or regulation incorporated by reference in these rules:
(i) The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division, has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules;
(ii) The incorporation by reference (IBR) does not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter beyond the applicable date identified in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) RULE IDENTIFICATION. This Chapter incorporates sections of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 40, Parts 124, 260-268, 270, 273, and 279 as promulgated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through July 7, 2020, unless otherwise noted.
(c) EXCEPTIONS. Nothing in 40 CFR Parts 260 - 268, 270, 273, 279 or Part 124 as pertains to permits for Underground Injection Control (U.I.C.) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Dredge or Fill Program under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, or Prevention of Significant Deterioration Program (PSD) under the Clean Air Act is adopted or included by reference herein. More specific exceptions to the incorporated sections of 40 CFR, including more stringent provisions relative to the incorporated sections of 40 CFR are detailed in the relevant sections of these rules.
(d) MORE STRINGENT AND BROADER-IN-SCOPE PROVISIONS. Those State-specific rules that are more stringent than, or broader-in-scope than, the incorporated sections of 40
CFR are described in detail in Appendix A, Table 1-1 of this Chapter.
(e) AVAILABILITY OF REFERENCED MATERIAL. The federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules are maintained at the following locations:
(i) Electronic copies of federal rules may be obtained from the U.S. Government Printing Office, https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse; and
(ii) Volumes of the incorporated sections of 40 CFR are available for public inspection at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division, the physical address of which can be found at http://deq.wyoming.gov/shwd/. Printed copies of the incorporated sections of 40 CFR are also available at cost from the U.S. Government Printing Office, 732 N. Capitol St. NW, Washington, DC 20401 or at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/laws-regulations/code-federal-regulations-cfrs-print. Copies of the incorporated sections of 40 CFR may be requested at cost through the DEQ, which will order the materials from the U.S. Government Printing Office.
(iii) An electronic copy of these Wyoming rules may be found at https://rules.wyo.gov/Default.aspx.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 3 SUBSTITUTION OF STATE TERMS FOR FEDERAL TERMS
The following State terms shall replace the federal terms in 40 CFR Parts 260 through
268, 270, 273, 279, and 124, unless otherwise noted in these rules:
(a) Act. Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. 35-11-101 et seq.
(b) Administrator, Regional Administrator. Director of the Wyoming Department of
Environmental Quality, or their designee.
(c) Board, or Environmental Appeals Board. The Wyoming Environmental Quality
Council.
(d) Director, Regional Director, or State Director. The Director of the DEQ or his or her designee.
(e) EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Headquarters. The DEQ, except when used in 40 CFR 262.25 or to refer to an EPA Identification number, EPA hazardous waste number, EPA forms, publications or guidance, o r EPA Acknowledgment of Consent. Under the latter circumstances, the definition shall be the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as appropriate.
(f) Qualified Professional Engineer. A professional engineer registered in the State of Wyoming. Professional engineers must be registered in Wyoming when activities require Professional Engineer certification.
(g) Qualified Geologist or Geologists. A professional geologist registered in the State of Wyoming. Professional geologists must be registered in Wyoming when activities require professional geologist certification.
(h) RCRA. The comparable sections of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(i) RCRA Permit. State hazardous waste management facility (HWMF) permit, which is an authorization, license, or equivalent control document issued by the DEQ to implement the requirements of W.S. 35-11-503(d).
(j) State. The State of Wyoming.
(k) United States or U.S. The State of Wyoming.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 4 DEFINITIONS
When used in these rules and any materials incorporated herein by reference, the following definitions apply unless their application would be inconsistent with the Act. Terms not otherwise defined in this Section will have the meaning given by RCRA.
(a) Air contaminant. Dust, fumes, mist, smoke, other particulate matter, vapor, gas or any combination of the foregoing, but shall not include steam or water vapor. - Chapter 1, Section 3 (Air Quality Rules).
(b) Air pollution. The presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more air contaminants in such quantities and duration as is materially injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life or property, or unreasonably interferes with the enjoyment of life or property. - Chapter 1, Section 3 (Air Quality Rules).
(c) Assumed target intakes. The standard EPA exposure assumptions and factors as defined in the "OSWER Directive 9285.6-03," and the EPA "exposure factors handbook," as specified in "Exposure Factors Handbook", 2011, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA
600/R-09/052F.
(d) Chronic. That time period from seven years to a lifetime.
(e) Class I facilities. Any non-commercial or non-profit treatment or storage facility, not engaged specifically in incineration, used solely to manage hazardous wastes that are generated by the owner of the facility at the site of the facility, or any existing, but closed treatment, storage, or disposal facility.
(f) Class II facilities: Any non-commercial or non-profit treatment facility engaged specifically in incineration or any non-commercial or non-profit facility engaged in the disposal of hazardous waste that is used solely to manage hazardous wastes that are generated by the owner of the facility at the site of the facility.
(g) Class III facilities:
(i) Any commercial treatment, storage, or disposal facility;
(ii) Any other facility used to manage hazardous wastes that is not classified as either a Class I or Class II facility.
(h) Council. The Environmental Quality Council established by the Act. (i) DDESB. Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board.
(j) DOT. Any reference to the "Department of Transportation" or "DOT" shall mean the U.S. Department of Transportation.
(k) Exposure. Contact with a chemical or physical agent.
(l) HSWA. Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment of 1984.
(m) HSWA drip pad. A drip pad where F032 wastes are handled.
(n) HSWA tank. A tank owned or operated by a generator of less than one-thousand kilograms of hazardous waste in any single calendar month, new underground systems, and those existing underground tanks that cannot be entered for inspection.
(o) HWM. Hazardous Waste Management.
(p) HWMF. Hazardous Waste Management Facility.
(q) HWRR. Wyoming Hazardous Waste Rules and Regulations. (r) IBR. Incorporation by Reference.
(s) Non-HSWA drip pad. A drip pad where F034 or F035 wastes are handled.
(t) Non-HSWA tank. Inground tank systems, onground tank systems, aboveground tank systems, and existing underground tank systems that can be entered for inspection.
(u) One excess cancer per million people. A probability of one chance in one million of an individual developing cancer in excess beyond their natural background risk.
(v) Potentially exposed populations. Any or all individuals, including sensitive populations, potentially coming into contact with contaminants of concern.
(w) Risk. The probability of adverse human health or environmental effects from exposure to toxic substances or materials released into the environment.
(x) Sewer system. Pipelines, conduits, storm sewers, pumping stations, force mains, and all other constructions, devices, appurtenances and facilities used for collecting or conducting authorized wastes to an ultimate point for treatment or disposal.
(y) Subchronic. That point in time between two weeks to seven years.
(z) Waste material. Any discarded material that is not excluded under 40 CFR
261.4(a), or that is not excluded by a variance granted by the Director under 40 CFR 260.30 and
260.31.
Sections 5 - 123. RESERVED.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 124 ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
(a) IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 124, Subparts A, B, and G are herein incorporated by reference with the exception of the last sentence of 40 CFR 124.10(b)(1), the fourth sentence of 40 CFR 124.31(a), the third sentence of 40 CFR 124.32(a), and the second sentence of 40 CFR 124.33(a). 40 CFR Sections 124.1, 124.4, 124.5(c), 124.5(e)-(g), 124.6(c),
124.6(d)(4)(ii)-(v), 124.8(b)(3), 124.8(b)(8), 124.9(b)(6), 124.10(a)(1)(iv)-(v), 124.10(c)(1)(iv)- (viii), 124.10(c)(2)(i), 124.10(d)(1)(vii)-(viii), 124.10(d)(2)(iv), 124.12(b), 124.15(b)(2), 124.16,
124.18(b)(5), 124.19, 124.21, 124.204(d)(1) and (4), 124.205(a) and (h) are also not incorporated by reference.
(i) For purposes of 40 CFR 124.6(e), 124.10(b), and 124.10(c)(1)(ii), "EPA" and "Administrator" or "Regional Administrator" shall be defined as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 Regional Administrator, respectively.
(b) APPLICATIONS FOR A PERMIT.
(i) Any person who requires a permit under W.S. 35-11-503(d) shall complete, sign, and provide the Director with one copy of the permit application. The application shall be organized in three-ring binders, and the information set forth in a format that conforms to the order set forth in the applicable Sections of these rules.
(ii) Each application for a State HWMF permit shall be reviewed for completeness by the Director within sixty days of receipt or an alternate date as agreed upon by the Director and the applicant. Upon completing the review, the Director shall notify the applicant in writing whether the application is complete. If the application is incomplete, the Director shall list the information necessary to make the application complete in a notice of deficiency (NOD), which shall be sent promptly to the applicant. The NOD shall specify a date for submitting the necessary information. Information submitted in response to the NOD shall be reviewed for completeness within sixty days of its submission. The Director shall notify the
applicant that the application is complete when the Director determines that all information requirements have been met. After the application is completed, the Director may request additional information from an applicant but only when necessary to clarify, modify, or supplement previously submitted material. Requests for such additional information will not render an application incomplete.
(iii) The effective date of an application is the date on which the Director notifies the applicant that the application is complete as provided in Section 124(b)(ii) of this Chapter. Upon receipt of notice that the application is complete, the applicant shall:
(A) Provide written notice of the application to landowners with property located within a half mile of the site, using certified, return receipt requested mail.
(B) Provide such written notice to each member of the interested parties mailing list maintained by the DEQ, the mayor of each city or town within fifty miles of the proposed facility, and the county commission and any solid waste district for the county in which the potential facility is located.
(C) Publish a notice once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the county where the applicant plans to locate the facility. The notice shall contain information about the permit application including the identity of the applicant, the proposed facility location, facility size, waste types intended for treatment, storage or disposal, method of operation, and operating life. Specific text for the notice shall
be provided to the applicant by the DEQ. The DEQ may, at its discretion, conduct a public
hearing or receive written public comment on the application.
(iv) Once an application is complete, the Director shall conduct a technical review of the application within ninety days of the effective date of the application or an alternate date agreed upon by the Director and the applicant. Before the close of this ninety- day period, the Director shall decide whether to prepare a draft permit or deny the application.
(v) All draft permits prepared under 40 CFR 124.6 shall be accompanied by a fact sheet (40 CFR 124.8) or statement of basis (40 CFR 124.7) and shall be based on the administrative record (40 CFR 124.9), publicly noticed (40 CFR 124.10), and made available for public comment (40 CFR 124.11).
(c) PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.
(i) The Director shall provide public notice, as required under 40 CFR
124.10(a), within fifteen days of issuing a draft permit or a notice of intent to deny a permit application and shall allow at least 45 days for public comment.
(ii) The above public notice shall be provided by publication of a notice once a week for two consecutive weeks in a daily or weekly major local newspaper of general circulation and broadcast over local radio stations.
(iii) All persons, including applicants, who believe any condition of a draft permit is inappropriate or that the Director's tentative decision to deny an application, terminate a permit, or prepare a draft permit is inappropriate, must raise all reasonably ascertainable issues and submit all reasonably available arguments supporting their position by the close of the public comment period under 40 CFR 124.10. Any supporting materials that
are submitted shall be included in full and may not be incorporated by reference, unless they are already part of the administrative record in the same proceeding, or consist of state or federal statutes and regulations, EPA documents of general applicability, or other generally available reference materials. Commenters shall make supporting materials not already included in the administrative record available to the DEQ as requested by the Director. A comment period longer than 45 days may be necessary to give commenters a reasonable opportunity to comply with the requirements of 40 CFR 124.13. Additional time shall be granted under 40 CFR 124.10 to the extent that a commenter who requests additional time demonstrates the need for such time.
(d) PERMIT ISSUANCE. Within thirty days after the close of the public comment period under 40 CFR 124.10 on a draft permit, the Director shall issue a final permit decision (or a decision to deny a permit for the active life of a HWMF or unit under 40 CFR 270.29) unless an objection has been filed with the Director in accordance with 40 CFR 124.12(a)(3)(i). If an objection has been filed, and a Council hearing is held, the Council shall issue findings of fact
and a decision on the proposed permit within thirty days after the final hearing. The Director shall issue or deny the final permit no later than fifteen days from receipt of any findings of fact and decision of the Council. The Director shall notify the applicant and each person who has submitted written comments or requested notice of the final permit decision. This notice shall include reference to the procedures for appealing a decision on a State HWMF permit or for contesting a decision to terminate a State HWMF permit. For the purposes of 40 CFR 124.15, a final permit decision means a final decision to issue, deny, modify, revoke and reissue, or terminate a permit.
(e) PUBLIC HEARINGS.
(i) The Council shall hold a public hearing pursuant to Chapter 2 of the DEQ's Rules of Practice and Procedure whenever the Director finds, on the basis of requests, a significant degree of public interest in a draft permit(s);
(ii) The Director may also schedule a public hearing before the Council, pursuant to Chapter 2 of the DEQ's Rules of Practice and Procedure, at his or her discretion, whenever, for instance, such a hearing might clarify one or more issues involved in the permit decision;
(iii) The Director shall also schedule a public hearing under Chapter 2 of the DEQ's Rules of Practice and Procedure whenever written notice of opposition to a draft permit and a request for a hearing has been received within 45 days of public notice under Section
124(c)(i) of this Chapter.
(iv) Whenever possible the Director shall schedule a hearing under this Section at a location convenient to the nearest population center to the proposed facility and within twenty days after the close of the public comment period unless a different schedule is deemed necessary by the Council. In addition to the public notice procedures specified in Section 124(c) of this Chapter, the Director shall publish notice of the time, date, and location of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the applicant plans to locate the facility once a week for two consecutive weeks immediately prior to the hearing.
(v) The public comment period under Section 124(c)(i) of this Chapter shall be automatically extended to the close of any public hearing under Section 124(e)(i) or
124(e)(ii) of this Chapter.
(vi) The Director may also in the circumstances described above, elect to hold further proceedings as provided in the DEQ's Rules of Practice and Procedures. This decision may be combined with any of the actions enumerated in 40 CFR 124.14(b).
(f) APPEAL OF STATE HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY PERMITS. The applicant or any person adversely affected or aggrieved by any final operating permit or final permit condition may obtain judicial review by filing a petition for review within thirty days after entry of the order or other final action complained of pursuant to the provisions of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.
(g) MODIFICATION, REVOCATION AND REISSUANCE, OR TERMINATION OF PERMITS. (i) Permits may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated either at
the request of any interested person (including the permittee) or upon the Director's initiative. However, permits may only be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for the reasons specified in 40 CFR 270.41 or 40 CFR 270.43. All requests shall be in writing and shall contain facts or reasons supporting the request.
(ii) If the Director decides the request is not justified, the Director shall send the requester a brief written response giving a reason for the decision. Denials of requests for modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination are not subject to public notice or comment. Denials by the Director may be appealed to the Council in accordance with W.S. 35-
11-112(a)(iii) and the provisions of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.
(iii) If the Director tentatively decides to modify or revoke and reissue a permit under 40 CFR 270.41 (other than 40 CFR 270.41(b)(3)) or 40 CFR 270.42(c), the Director shall prepare a draft permit under 40 CFR 124.6 of these rules incorporating the proposed changes. The Director may request additional information and, in the case of a modified permit, may require the submission of an updated application. In the case of revoked and reissued permits, other than under 40 CFR 270.41(b)(3), the Director shall require the submission of a new application. In the case of revoked or reissued permits under 40 CFR
270.41(b)(3), the Director and the permittee shall comply with the appropriate requirements in
40 CFR Part 124, Subpart G for standardized permits. In a permit modification under 40 CFR
124.5, only those conditions to be modified shall be reopened when a new draft permit is prepared. All other aspects of the existing permit shall remain in effect for the duration of the unmodified permit. When a permit is revoked and reissued under 40 CFR 124.5, the entire permit is reopened just as if the permit had expired and was being reissued. During any revocation and reissuance proceeding, the permittee shall comply with all conditions of the existing permit until a new final permit is reissued. "Classes 1 and 2 modifications" as defined in 40 CFR 270.42(a) and (b) are not subject to the requirements of 40 CFR 124.5.
(iv) If the Director tentatively decides to terminate a permit under 40 CFR
270.43, the Director shall issue a notice of intent to terminate. A notice of intent to terminate is a type of draft permit that follows the same procedures as any draft permit prepared under
40 CFR 124.6. All permit termination procedures shall be accomplished in accordance with the
requirements of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.
(v) The DEQ may order facility closure following permit termination. Closure and post-closure activities shall be accomplished in accordance with a plan approved by the DEQ. If a closure/post-closure plan has not been approved, closure and post-closure activities shall be accomplished in accordance with the standards specified in 40 CFR 264 and 265.
Sections 125-259. RESERVED.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 260 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
(a) IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 260 and all Subparts, except 40 CFR 260.2(a), (b), (c)(2), (d)(1) and (d)(2), 260.4(a)(4), 260.5(b)(2), the definitions of "remediation waste management site", "electronic manifest (or e-manifest)", "electronic manifest system (or e- manifest system), "user of the electronic manifest system," and the third part of the definition for "facility" in 260.10, and 260.20(d) and (e), are herein incorporated by reference.
(i) For purposes of 40 CFR 260.10, in the definition of "hazardous waste constituent", "Administrator" shall mean the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator.
(ii) For purposes of 40 CFR 260.10, "existing hazardous waste management (HWM) facility" or "existing facility" shall be a facility that was in operation or for which construction commenced on or before November 19, 1980.
(iii) For purposes of 40 CFR 260.10, the definition of "new tank system" or "new tank component" shall be as follows: A tank system or component that will be used for the storage or treatment of hazardous waste:
(A) For which installation has commenced after July 14, 1986 for HSWA tanks, as defined in Section 4(a)(xiv), and October 18, 1995 for non-HSWA tanks, as defined in Section 4(a)(xxi), except,
(B) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.193(g)(2) and 265.193(g)(2), for which construction commenced after July 14, 1986 for HSWA tanks, and October 18, 1995 for non- HSWA tanks.
(b) RULEMAKING PETITION.
(i) Any person may petition the Council to modify or revoke any provisions in these rules as allowed under W.S. 16-3-106. 40 CFR 260.21 sets forth additional requirements for petitions to add a testing or analytical method to 40 CFR Parts 261, 264, or
- 40 CFR 260.22 sets forth additional requirements for petitions to exclude a waste or
waste-derived material at a particular facility from 40 CFR 261.3 or the lists of hazardous wastes in Subpart D of 40 CFR Part 261. 40 CFR 260.23 sets forth additional requirements for petitions to amend 40 CFR Part 273 to include additional hazardous wastes or categories of hazardous waste as universal waste.
(ii) Each petition must be submitted in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 3 of the DEQ's Rules of Practice and Procedure.
(iii) Rulemaking petitions will be evaluated in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3, Sections 3(c) - (e) and Section 4(b) of the DEQ's Rules of Practice and Procedure.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 261 IDENTIFICATION AND LISTING OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
(a) IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 261 and all Subparts, except Sections
261.4(b)(11), (b)(16), and (b)(17), 261.400 (a-b), 261.410(e-f), 261.411, 261.420, 261.1035(b)(1),
261.1064(b)(2), Subpart H, Appendix IX, and the language "in the Region where the sample is
collected" in 40 CFR 261.4(e)(3)(iii), are herein incorporated by reference.
(i) For purposes of 40 CFR 261.10 and 40 CFR 261.11, "Administrator" shall be defined as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator.
(ii) For purposes of 40 CFR 261.39(a)(5), and 261.41, "EPA" shall be defined as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(iii) For purposes of 40 CFR 261.41(a), "Regional Administrator" shall be defined as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 Regional Administrator. Copies of advance notification required under this section shall also be sent to the Director.
(b) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RECYCLABLE MATERIALS.
(i) Sham Recycling. The Director may determine that a proposed hazardous waste recycling activity constitutes sham recycling. Hazardous waste treatment or disposal activity determined to be sham recycling shall be subject to the permitting requirements under these rules. The Director shall consider the following criteria in making this determination.
(A) The secondary material contains a hazardous constituent defined in 40 CFR 261, Appendix VII not found in the analogous raw material or at greater levels than the analogous raw material;
(B) The secondary material exhibits a hazardous characteristic that the analogous raw material does not;
(C) The secondary material is being used in excess of the amount of raw material that would otherwise be used;
(D) The recycling process (including storage) is likely to release hazardous constituents or otherwise pose risks to human health or the environment that are different from or greater than the risks posed by the processing of an analogous raw material or product;
(E) The secondary material to be recycled does not have value as a raw material or product and there is no guaranteed market for the end product;
(F) The secondary material is not handled in a manner consistent with the raw material or product it replaces;
(G) The toxic constituent in the secondary material is useful in the production of the product or the product itself;
(H) Economics of the recycling process; or
(I) Other factors the Director deems relevant.
(ii) No process in which liquids, solids, sludges, or dissolved constituents are collected or separated in process units for recycling, recovery, or reuse including the recovery
of energy, within a continuous or batch manufacturing or refining process shall be considered a sham recycling activity under this Section.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 262 STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO THE GENERATORS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 262 and all Subparts, except 262.10(k), and the language "for the Region in which the generator is located" in 40 CFR 262.42(a)(2) and (b), are herein incorporated by reference.
(a) For purposes of 40 CFR 262.10(g), Section 3008 of "the Act" shall refer to RCRA
§3008, not the Act.
(b) For purposes of 40 CFR 262.18(e), the owner or operator shall apply to the DEQ
for an EPA identification number.
(c) A person who generates a hazardous waste as defined by 40 CFR 261 is subject to the compliance requirements and penalties prescribed in Articles 7 and 9 of the Act; Section
270(o) of these rules; and Section 3008 of the Act if he or she does not comply with the requirements of this Chapter.
(d) For purposes of 40 CFR 262.10(d), 262.18, 262.21, and Subpart H, the substitution of State terms for Federal terms does not apply because manifest registry functions, oversight, and notifications regarding exports and imports are under EPA, not State, authorization. Copies of all documentation, advance notifications, annual reports, exception reports, or other records submitted to EPA, the Administrator, or the Regional Administrator, required under these sections, shall also be provided to the Director.
(e) For purposes of 40 CFR 262.17(a), except 262.17(b) and (c), a generator may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for ninety days or less without a permit or without having interim status (see 40 CFR 262.14(a) for provisions regarding very small quantity generators).
(f) In addition to the emergency notification required by 40 CFR 262.16(b)(9)(iv)(C), the emergency coordinator must also immediately notify the DEQ by telephone, 307-777-7501, to file an identical report.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 263 STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO TRANSPORTERS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 263 and all Subparts except 40 CFR 263.20(a)(3) are herein incorporated by reference.
(a) For purposes of 40 CFR 263.20(g), 263.21(a)(4), and 263.22(d), "United States" shall be defined as the United States.
(b) For purposes of 40 CFR 263.20(a) and (g), "EPA Acknowledgement of Consent" and "US Customs Official" shall remain under EPA authority, as the State of Wyoming is not authorized to perform these export functions.
(c) For purposes of 40 CFR 263.30(c), notice shall also be given to the DEQ Director whose address can be found at http://deq.wyoming.gov/, or by using their 24-hour telephone number, 307-777-7501.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 264 STANDARDS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT, STORAGE, AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES
(a) IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 264 and all Subparts, except Subpart FF and
40 CFR 264.1(f), 264.1(g)(12), 264.1(j), 264.15(b)(5), 264.70(b), 264.71, 264.73(b)(17),
264.101(d), 264.147(k), 264.149, 264.150, 264.301(l), 264.314(e), 264.554(l)(2), 264.1030(d),
264.1050(g), 264.1080(e), 264.1080(f), and 264.1080(g) are herein incorporated by reference.
(i) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.1(g)(1), "a State" shall be replaced by "the
State of Wyoming".
(ii) For purposes of 40 CFR Subsection 264.12(a), "Regional Administrator" shall be defined as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 Regional Administrator.
(iii) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.13(b)(3)(ii), the equivalent sampling method is one that is approved by rule pursuant to Chapter 3, Section 3 of the DEQ's Rules of Practice and Procedure.
(iv) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.18(b)(1), new facilities shall not be located within the boundaries of a 100-year floodplain. Facilities shall also meet the location standards of Section 264(h), (i), and (j) of this Chapter.
(v) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.56(d)(2), the coordinator must immediately notify either the government official designated as the on-scene coordinator for that geographical area, or the National Response Center (using their 24-hour toll free number 800-
424-8802). The DEQ must also be notified immediately, using its 24-hour telephone number,
307-777-7501.
(vi) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.1082(c)(4)(ii), "EPA" shall be defined as the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(vii) For purposes of 40 CFR 264, Subpart G (Federal closure provision), the owner or operator will continue to take all steps as required by 40 CFR 264.112(d)(2)(i).
(viii) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.191(a), the tank system's integrity
assessment must be completed by January 12, 1988, for HSWA tanks, as defined at Section
4(a)(xiv), and by October 18, 1996, for non-HSWA tanks, as defined at Section 4(a)(xxi).
(ix) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.191(c), the compliance date for conducting the assessment is within 12 months of July 14, 1986, for HSWA tanks, as defined in Section
4(a)(xiv). For non-HSWA tanks, as defined at Section 4(a)(xxi), the compliance date is within 12 months of October 18, 1995.
(x) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.314(e), the placement of any liquid that is not a hazardous waste in a landfill is prohibited.
(xi) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.552(a)(3)(iii), the State deletes the phrase
"or a demonstration is made pursuant to §264.314(e)".
(xii) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.1030(c), the reference to "40 CFR 124.15" shall be replaced by "40 CFR 124.5", which addresses "Modifications, revocation and reissuance, or termination of permits."
(xiii) "Malfunction" for purposes of 40 CFR 264, Subpart AA of these rules shall mean any sudden failure of a control device or a hazardous waste management unit or failure
of a hazardous waste management unit to operate in a normal or usual manner, so that organic
emissions are increased. Failures that are caused in part by poor maintenance or careless operation are not malfunctions.
(b) AIR QUALITY RULES. Compliance with the permitting requirements of these rules does not obviate any duty to obtain and comply with an air quality construction or modification permit issued pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 2 of the DEQ's Air Quality Rules.
(c) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. Every facility owner or operator must apply to the
DEQ for an EPA identification number in accordance with the EPA notification procedures (45
FR 12746). The EPA identification number shall be considered to be the State of Wyoming identification number for purposes of these rules.
(d) CORRECTIVE ACTION MANAGEMENT UNITS (CAMU).
(i) To implement remedies under 40 CFR 264.101, W.S. 35-11-1607, RCRA
§3008(h), or these rules, the Director may designate an area at the facility as a corrective action management unit under the requirements in this Section or a signed remedy agreement pursuant to W.S. 35-11-1607. Corrective action management unit means an area within a facility that is used only for managing CAMU-eligible wastes for implementing corrective action or cleanup at the facility. A CAMU must be located within the contiguous property under the control of the owner/operator where the wastes to be managed in the CAMU originated. One
or more CAMUs may be designated at a facility.
(ii) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.552(e), the phrase "or remedy agreement" shall be added after "...permit or order...".
(iii) Disposal of CAMU-eligible wastes in permitted hazardous waste landfills shall be subject to the following requirements:
(A) The landfill receiving the CAMU-eligible waste must have a RCRA or State hazardous waste permit, meet the requirements for new landfills in 40 CFR Part 264, Subpart N, and be authorized to accept CAMU-eligible wastes; for the purposes of this requirement, "permit" does not include interim status.
(B) For the purposes of 40 CFR 264.555 only, the "design of the CAMU" in 264.552(e)(4)(v)(E) means design of the permitted Subtitle C or W.S. 35-11-503(d) or a permitted State hazardous waste landfill.
(e) FINANCIAL MECHANISMS.
(i) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.143(c) and 264.145(c), surety bonds guaranteeing performance of closure or post-closure care are not allowed for interim status facilities.
(ii) For purposes of 40 CFR 264.143(h) and 264.145(h), if the facilities
covered by the mechanism are in more than one state, identical evidence of financial assurance
must be submitted to, and maintained with, the state agency regulating hazardous waste or with the appropriate Regional Administrator if the facility is located in an unauthorized state.
(iii) Whenever 40 CFR 264.151 requires that owners and operators notify several Regional Administrators of their financial obligations, the owner or operator shall notify both the DEQ and all Regional Administrators of Regions that are affected by the owner or operator's financial assurance mechanisms.
(f) AIR EMISSION STANDARDS FOR TANKS, SURFACE IMPOUNDMENTS, AND CONTAINERS.
(i) The requirements of 40 CFR 264, Subpart CC do not apply to a waste management unit that is used solely for on-site treatment or storage of hazardous waste that is placed in the unit as the result of implementing remedial activities required under the
corrective action authorities of RCRA §§3004(u), 3004(v), or 3008(h), CERCLA authorities, similar federal authorities, or these rules.
(ii) For the owner and operator of a facility subject to Subpart CC who received a final permit under RCRA §3005 or these rules prior to December 6, 1996, the requirements of this subpart shall be incorporated into the permit when the permit is reissued in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 124.15 or reviewed in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 270.50(d). Until such date when the permit is reissued in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 124.15 or reviewed in accordance with the requirements of 40
CFR 270.50(d), the owner and operator are subject to the requirements of 40 CFR Part 265,
subpart CC.
(g) CORRECTIVE ACTION BEYOND FACILITY BOUNDARY.
The requirements of 40 CFR 264.101(c) apply to:
(i) All facilities operating under permits issued under these rules, W.S. 35-
11-801, 40 CFR 270.50, and RCRA §3005(c).
(ii) All landfills, surface impoundments, and waste pile units (including any new units, replacements of existing units, or lateral expansions of existing units) that receive hazardous waste after July 26, 1982.
(h) LOCATION STANDARDS. (i) Applicability.
(A) Any new or existing facility for the treatment, storage, or disposal
of hazardous wastes must meet the location standards of 40 CFR 264.18 and those in Chapter 1, except as provided in Section 264(h)(i)(B) of this Chapter.
(B) Any new or existing Class 1 HWMF, as defined in Section 4(e) of these rules, that is required by law to be constructed at the site of a hazardous generator to
manage newly-listed hazardous waste that is currently legally produced solely by that generator, does not have to meet the requirements of 264(k) except for a new facility which would have to meet the requirements of Sections 264(h), (i), (j) and 270(d)(iii) of this Chapter.
(i) ADDITIONAL LOCATION STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS II FACILITIES. In addition to the location standards of this Chapter, Class II facilities, as defined in Section 4(f) of these rules, shall not be located in violation of the following standards:
(i) Local zoning ordinances: Facility locations shall not be in conflict with local zoning ordinances or land use plans that have been adopted by a county commission or municipality.
(ii) Wetlands: Facilities shall not be located in wetlands.
(iii) Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Facility locations shall not diminish the scenic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values for any Section of river designated for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 USC 1271 et seq., and implementing regulations.
(iv) National Historic Preservation Act: Facilities shall not be located in areas where they may pose a threat to an irreplaceable historic or archeological site listed pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 USC 470 et seq. and implementing regulations, or to a natural landmark designated by the National Park Service.
(v) Endangered Species Act: Facilities shall not be located within a critical habitat of an endangered or threatened species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act,
16 USC 1531 et seq., and implementing regulations, where the facility may cause destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat, may jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or contribute to the taking of such species.
(vi) Big game winter range/grouse breeding grounds: Facilities shall not be located within critical winter ranges for big game or breeding grounds for grouse, unless after consultation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Director determines that facility development would not conflict with the conservation of Wyoming's wildlife resources.
prone areas.
(vii) Avalanche areas: Facilities shall not be located in documented avalanche
(viii) Hydrogeologic conditions: Facilities shall not be located in an area where the DEQ, after investigation by the applicant, finds that there is a reasonable probability that hazardous waste management activities cause or contribute to a violation of surface water or groundwater quality standards contained in Water Quality Rules, Chapters 1 and 8.
(ix) Facilities larger than one acre, and any facility that is an incinerator, boiler, or industrial furnace, shall not be located within:
(A) One mile of a school or an occupied dwelling house;
(B) One mile of any public park or recreation area; or
(C) One mile of the boundaries of an incorporated city or town. (D) One thousand feet of any perennial lake or pond that is either
naturally occurring, or which contains water used for any purpose not directly related to an
industrial process.
(E) Three hundred feet of any perennial river or stream.
(j) ADDITIONAL LOCATION STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS III FACILITIES. (i) In addition to the location standards of this Chapter, Class III facilities, as
defined in Section 4(g) of these rules, shall comply with all location standards applicable to
Class II facilities, in Section 264(i) of this Chapter, and shall not be located within:
(A) Five miles of a school or an occupied dwelling house;
highway; or
(B) One mile of the center line of the right-of-way of a state or federal
(C) Five miles of the boundaries of an incorporated city or town.
(ii) The following additional location standards shall apply to Class III facilities if they are more restrictive than the location standards of Sections 264(j)(i)(A) through (C) of
this Chapter:
(A) No facility shall be located such that it poses a cancer risk to potentially exposed populations including residents, occupants of businesses, schools, or institutions, exceeding one excess cancer per million people. The cancer risk shall be assessed considering projected pollutant release rates and assumed target intakes during normal operation conditions specified in Section 270(j)(ii) of this Chapter.
(B) No facility shall be located such that it causes chronic toxic effects to potentially exposed populations including residents, occupants of businesses, schools, or institutions, due to exposures to pollutants higher than chronic oral reference dose or chronic inhalation reference concentration. The chronic toxic effect shall be assessed considering projected pollutant release rates and assumed target intakes during normal operation or failure conditions specified in Section 270(j)(ii) of this Chapter.
(C) No facility shall be located such that it causes subchronic or acute toxic effects to people at the facility property boundary due to exposures to pollutants higher than the subchronic oral reference dose or subchronic inhalation reference concentration. The subchronic and acute toxic effect shall be assessed considering projected pollutant release
rates and assumed target intakes during failure conditions specified in Section 270(j)(ii) of this
Chapter.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 265 INTERIM STATUS STANDARDS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT, STORAGE, AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES
(a) IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 265, and all Subparts except Subparts FF and
R and Sections 40 CFR 265.1(c)(4) and (c)(15), 265.15(b)(5), 265.70(b), 265.71, 265.147(k),
265.149, 265.150, 265.1030(c), 265.1050(f), 265.1080(e), 265.1080(f), and 265.1080(g) are herein incorporated by reference.
(i) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.1(c)(5), "a State" shall be replaced by "the
State of Wyoming".
(ii) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.11, the owner or operator shall apply to the
DEQ for an EPA identification number.
(iii) For purposes of 40 CFR Subsection 265.12(a), "Regional Administrator" shall be defined as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 Regional Administrator.
(iv) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.1083(c)(4)(ii), "EPA" shall be defined as the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(v) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.56(d)(2), the emergency coordinator must immediately notify either the government official designated as the on-scene coordinator for that geographical area, or the National Response Center (using their 24-hour toll free number
800-424-8802). Notice shall also be given to the Director, DEQ, whose address can be found at http://deq.wyoming.gov/shwd, using the DEQ 24-hour telephone number, 307-777-7501.
(vi) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.90(d)(1) and (3), and 40 CFR 265.93(d)(2), ground-water monitoring plans and reports shall be submitted to the Director.
(vii) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.93(d)(5), the owner/operator shall submit a written report to the Director fifteen days after the determination of ground-water quality is made.
(viii) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.191(a), the tank system's integrity
assessment must be completed by January 12, 1988 for HSWA tanks, as defined at Section
4(a)(xiv), and by October 18, 1996, for non-HSWA tanks, as defined at Section 4(a)(xxi).
(ix) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.191(c), the compliance date for conducting the assessment is within twelve months of July 14, 1986, for HSWA tanks, as defined in Section
4(a)(xiv). For non-HSWA tanks, as defined at Section 4(a)(xxi), the compliance date is within twelve months of October 18, 1995.
(x) For purposes of 40 CFR subparts 265.224(a), 265.259(a), and 265.303(a), all response action plans shall be submitted to the Director.
(xi) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.314(f), the placement of any liquid that is not a hazardous waste in a landfill is prohibited.
(xii) For purposes of 40 CFR 265.340(b)(2), the language is replaced with, "The following requirements continue to apply even when the owner or operator has demonstrated compliance with the MACT requirements of part 63, Subpart EEE of this Chapter: 40 CFR
265.351 (closure) and the applicable requirements of Subparts A through H, BB and CC of this
part."
(xiii) "Malfunction" for purposes of 40 CFR 265, Subpart CC of these rules shall mean any sudden, infrequent, and not reasonably preventable failure of air pollution control equipment, process equipment, or a process to operate in a normal or usual manner. Failures that are caused in part by poor maintenance or careless operation are not malfunctions.
(b) PURPOSE, SCOPE, AND APPLICABILITY. The requirements of 40 CFR Part 265 apply to:
(i) The disposal of hazardous waste by means of underground injection, regulated under Chapter 27 of the DEQ's Water Quality Rules; and
(ii) Any person who treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste, if Wyoming has not been authorized to carry out the requirements and prohibitions applicable to the treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste at his or her facility. The requirements and prohibitions that are applicable until Wyoming receives authorization to carry them out include all federal program requirements identified in 40 CFR 271.1(j).
(c) FINANCIAL MECHANISMS. For 40 CFR 265.143(g) and 265.145(g): If the facilities covered by the mechanism are in more than one state, identical evidence of financial assurance must be submitted to, and maintained with, the state agency regulating hazardous waste or with the appropriate Regional Administrator if the facility is located in an unauthorized state.
(d) AIR EMISSION STANDARDS FOR TANKS, SURFACE IMPOUNDMENTS, AND CONTAINERS. For purposes of 40 CFR 265.1080(c), the phrase "or these rules" shall be inserted after "...RCRA Section 3005...".
(e) REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING AND NEWLY REGULATED SURFACE IMPOUNDMENTS.
(i) Surface impoundments regulated for the first time by a listing or characteristic promulgated after November 8, 1984, must comply with new unit requirements or stop hazardous waste activity by four years after the date of promulgation of the new listing or characteristic.
(ii) For surface impoundments regulated for the first time by a listing or characteristic promulgated after November 8, 1984, where the Director determines hazardous constituents are likely to migrate into groundwater, the Director is authorized to impose such
requirements as may be necessary to protect human health and the environment, including requiring compliance with new unit requirements.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 266 STANDARDS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SPECIFIC HAZARDOUS WASTES AND SPECIFIC TYPES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
(a) IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 266 and all Subparts are herein incorporated by reference.
For purposes of 40 CFR 266.210, "You" shall be a generator, treater, or other handler of low- level mixed waste or eligible NARM (Naturally Occurring and Accelerator-produced Radioactive Material), otherwise "you" refers to any generator, treater, or handler of hazardous waste under these rules.
(b) MILITARY MUNITIONS.
(i) For purposes of RCRA §1004(27), a used or fired military munition is a waste material and, therefore, is potentially subject to RCRA corrective action authorities under these rules, 40 CFR 264.101(c), or RCRA §§3004(u) and (v), and 3008(h), or imminent and substantial endangerment authorities under W.S. 35-11-115, these rules, Articles 7 and 9 of the Act, or RCRA §7003, if the munition lands off-range and is not promptly rendered safe or retrieved. Any imminent and substantial threats associated with any remaining material must be addressed. If remedial action is infeasible, the operator of the range must notify the
Director in writing and maintain a record of the event for as long as any threat remains. The record must include the type of munition and its location (to the extent the location is known).
(ii) Reinstatement of exemption. If any waste military munition loses its exemption under 40 CFR 266.203(a)(1), an application may be filed with the Director for reinstatement of the exemption from hazardous waste transportation regulation with respect to such munition as soon as the munition is returned to compliance with the conditions of 40
CFR 266.203(a)(1). If the Director finds that reinstatement of the exemption is appropriate based on factors such as the transporter's provision of a satisfactory explanation of the circumstances of the violation, or a demonstration that the violations are not likely to recur, the Director may reinstate the exemption under 40 CFR 266.203(a)(1). If the Director does not act on the reinstatement application within sixty days after receipt of the application and if the military continues to seek reinstatement of the exemption, it is the responsibility of the military to contact the Director to establish a mutually-agreeable time line for the Director to address the application. In reinstating the exemption under 40 CFR 266.203(a)(1), the Director may specify additional conditions as are necessary to ensure and document proper transportation to protect human health and the environment.
(iii) Amendments to Department of Defense shipping controls. The Department of Defense shipping controls applicable to the transport of military munitions referenced in 40 CFR 266.203(a)(1)(ii), and in effect on November 8, 1995, are the Signature and Tally Record (DD Form 1907) and the Motor Vehicle Inspection (Transporting Hazardous Materials) (DD Form 626). For shipment by commercial transport the U.S. Government Bill of
Lading (GBL) (GSA Standard Form 1103) is also required. For shipment by military transport,
the following additional controls are applicable: DD Single Line Item Release/Receipt Document
(DD Form 1348-1A) and the Shipping Paper and Emergency Response Information for
Hazardous Materials Transported by Government Vehicles (DD Form 836). Any amendments to the above Department of Defense shipping controls shall not become effective for purposes of
40 CFR 266.203(a)(1) until the amended Department of Defense shipping control has been adopted by rule by the DEQ. Adoption of an amended Department of Defense shipping control will be contingent on the Director's affirmative finding that the amended shipping control(s) is/are protective of human health and the environment. Copies of Department of Defense shipping controls can be obtained upon request from the DEQ, the physical address of which can be found at http://deq.wyoming.gov/shwd.
(iv) The owner or operator may store only waste military munitions generated by the individual facility, unless storing waste military munitions from another facility results from an inability to transport the waste military munitions for treatment or disposal due to inclement weather or other circumstance as approved in writing by the Director.
(v) Reinstatement of conditional exemption. If any waste military munition loses its conditional exemption under 40 CFR 266.205(a)(1), an application may be filed with the Director for reinstatement of the conditional exemption from hazardous waste storage regulation with respect to such munition as soon as the munition is returned to compliance with the conditions of 40 CFR 266.205(a)(1). If the Director finds that reinstatement of the conditional exemption is appropriate based on factors such as the owner's or operator's
provision of a satisfactory explanation of the circumstances of the violation, or a demonstration that the violations are not likely to recur, the Director may reinstate the conditional exemption under 40 CFR 266.205(a)(1). If the Director does not act on the reinstatement application
within sixty days after receipt of the application and if the military continues to seek reinstatement of the exemption, it is the responsibility of the military to contact the Director to establish a mutually-agreeable time line for the Director to address the application. In reinstating the conditional exemption under 40 CFR 266.205(a)(1), the Director may specify additional conditions as are necessary to ensure and document proper storage to protect human health and the environment.
(vi) Waste military munitions that are chemical agents or chemical munitions and that exhibit a hazardous waste characteristic or are listed as hazardous waste under 40 CFR Part 261, are listed or identified as a hazardous waste and shall be subject to the applicable regulatory requirements of the Act.
(vii) Amendments to DDESB storage standards. The DDESB storage standards applicable to waste military munitions, referenced in 40 CFR 266.205(a)(1)(iii), are DOD 6055.9- STD ("DOD Ammunition and Explosive Safety Standards"), in effect on November 8, 1995, except as provided in the following sentence. Any amendments to the DDESB storage standards shall not become effective for purposes of 40 CFR 266.205(a)(1) until the amended Department of Defense DDESB storage standards have been adopted by rule by the DEQ.
Adoption of amended Department of Defense DDESB storage standards will be contingent on the Director's affirmative finding that the DDESB storage standards are protective of human health and the environment.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 267 STANDARDS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITIES OPERATING UNDER A STANDARDIZED PERMIT
IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 267 and all Subparts, except 40 CFR 267.150, are herein incorporated by reference.
(a) For purposes of 40 CFR 267.12, an owner or operator must apply to the DEQ for an EPA identification number following the DEQ's notification procedures and using EPA form
8700-12. Owners operators may obtain information and required forms from the DEQ or from the EPA regional office. The EPA identification number shall be considered to be the State of Wyoming identification number for purposes of these rules.
(b) For purposes of 40 CFR 267.18(b), new facilities shall not be located within the boundaries of a 100-year floodplain.
(c) For purposes of 40 CFR 267.56(c)(2), the emergency coordinator must immediately notify either the government official designated as the on-scene coordinator for that geographical area, or the National Response Center (using their 24-hour toll-free number
800-424-8802). The DEQ must also be notified immediately, using the 24-hour telephone number 307-777-7501.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 268 LAND DISPOSAL RESTRICTIONS
IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 268 and all Subparts are herein incorporated by reference, except for 40 CFR 268.5, 268.6, 268.13, 268.42(b), 268.44(a) through (g), and 268.44(o).
(a) The authority for implementing the provisions of these excluded sections remains with the EPA. However, the requirements of Wyoming statutes shall be applied in all cases where these requirements are more stringent than the federal standards. If the Administrator of the EPA grants a case-by-case variance pursuant to 40 CFR 268.5, that variance will simultaneously create the same case-by-case variance to the equivalent requirement of these rules.
(b) For purposes of 40 CFR 268.1(e)(3) and 40 CFR 268.2(j) "EPA" shall be defined as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(c) For purposes of 40 CFR 268.7(a)(9)(iii), "D009" is excluded from lab packs as noted in 40 CFR Part 268 Appendix IV.
(d) For purposes of 40 CFR 268.40(b), "Administrator" shall be defined as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 269 RESERVED
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 270 THE HAZARDOUS WASTE PERMIT PROGRAM
(a) IBR AND EXCEPTIONS. 40 CFR Part 270 and all Subparts, except 40 CFR
270.1(c)(1)(iii), 270.1(c)(2)(ix), 270.11(d)(2), 270.13(k)(7), 270.14(b), 270.42 (Appendix I, Part A Entries 9 and 10), 270.51(d), 270.60(a), 270.64, 270.68, 270.73(a), Subpart H (40 CFR 270.79 -
270.230), 270.260(h), and 270.290(r) are herein incorporated by reference.
(i) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.2, 270.5, 270.10(e)(2), 270.11(a)(3),
270.32(a), 270.32(b)(2), 270.32(c), 270.72(a)(5), 270.72(b)(5), 270.235(a)(1)(iii)(A),
270.235(a)(2)(iii)(A), and 270.235(b)(1)(ii), "EPA" shall be defined as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and "Administrator" or "Regional Administrator" shall be defined as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 Regional Administrator.
(ii) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.1(b), the sentence "The notification shall state the location and general description of the type of activity and the identified or listed wastes being handled" shall be inserted after the first sentence in the section.
(iii) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.1(c)(7), at the discretion of the Director, an owner or operator may obtain, in lieu of a post-closure permit, an enforceable document, imposing the requirements of 40 CFR 265.121.
(iv) The definition "Remedial Action Plan (RAP)" as defined in 40 CFR 270.2 is not adopted by the State.
(v) For purposes of 270.10(e)(3), the Administrator or the Director may, by compliance order issued under these rules, Articles 7 and 9 of the Act, or RCRA §3008, extend the date by which the owner and operator of an existing HWMF must submit Part A of their permit application.
(vi) For purposes of 270.10(f)(2), the application for permits shall be submitted to the Director.
(vii) For purposes of 270.10(f)(3), notwithstanding 40 CFR 270.10(f)(1), a person may construct a facility for the incineration of polychlorinated biphenyls pursuant to an approval issued by the Director under Article 2 of the Act and by the EPA Administrator under Section 6(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act and any person owning or operating such a facility may, at any time after construction or operation of such facility has begun, file an application for a State HWMF permit to incinerate hazardous waste authorizing such facility to incinerate waste identified or listed under these rules.
(viii) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.10(g)(1)(i) and (ii), if any owner or operator of a hazardous waste management facility has filed Part A of a permit application and has not yet filed Part B, the owner or operator shall file an amended Part A application with the Director
and the EPA Regional Administrator, within six months after the promulgation of revised
federal regulations promulgated under HSWA listing or identifying additional hazardous wastes, if the facility is treating, storing, or disposing of any of those newly listed or identified wastes.
(ix) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.10(j)(1), any Part B permit application submitted by an owner or operator of a facility that stores, treats, or disposes of hazardous waste in a surface impoundment, incinerator, burner, or landfill must be accompanied by information, reasonably ascertainable by the owner or operator, on the potential for the public to be exposed to hazardous wastes or hazardous constituents through releases related to the unit. At a minimum, such information must address:
(A) Reasonably foreseeable potential releases from both normal operations and accidents at the unit, including releases associated with transportation to or from the unit;
(B) The potential pathways of human exposure to hazardous wastes or constituents resulting from the releases described under Section 270(a)(x)(A) of this Chapter above; and
(C) The potential magnitude and nature of the human exposure resulting from such releases.
(x) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.10(l), the Director may require that the application demonstrate compliance with specific provisions of the Act, and specific designated rules of the Solid and Hazardous Waste, Water Quality, and Air Quality Divisions of the DEQ.
(xi) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.11, all applications shall be signed under oath subject to a penalty of perjury.
(xii) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.11(a), the term "responsible" shall be replaced by "principal".
(xiii) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.12(a), any information submitted to the DEQ pursuant to these regulations may be claimed as confidential by the submitter. Any such claim must be asserted at the time of submission in the manner prescribed on the application form or instructions or, in the case of other submissions, by stamping the words "confidential business information" on each page containing such information. If no claim is made at the time of submission, the DEQ may make the information available to the public without further notice. Upon a showing satisfactory to the Director, confidential business information will not be made available to the public pursuant to the Wyoming Public Records Act, W.S. 16-4-201 et. seq.
(xiv) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.14(b)(19)(v), the term "representative" shall be inserted before the term "wind rose".
(xv) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.14(b)(20), applicants may be required to submit such information as may be necessary to enable the Director to carry out his or her duties under other aspects of the Act and other federal laws as required in 40 CFR 270.3.
(xvi) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.28, "Regional Administrator" shall be replaced by "Director".
(xvii) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.30 and 40 CFR 270.32(b), the Director shall specify any additional standards, together with the justification therefore, as the Director believes necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act.
(xviii) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.42(g)(1)(i), the permittee is authorized to continue to manage wastes listed or identified as hazardous under 40 CFR Part 261, or to continue to manage hazardous waste in units newly regulated as hazardous waste
management units, if the unit was in existence and has a State permit issued under Articles 2, 3,
4 or 5 of the Act as a hazardous waste facility with respect to the newly listed or characterized waste or newly regulated waste management unit on the effective date of the final rule listing or identifying the waste, or regulating the unit.
(xix) For purposes of 40 CFR 270.42(j)(3), the Director shall respond to the request for a combustion facility hazardous waste permit modification within ninety days of receiving the request. The Director may, at his or her discretion, extend this ninety-day deadline one time for up to thirty days by notifying the facility owner or operator.
(b) TRANSFER OF EXISTING HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PERMITS.
(i) A permit may be transferred by the permittee to a new owner or operator only if the permit has been modified or revoked and reissued (under 40 CFR 270.40(b) or 270.41(b)(2)) to identify the new permittee and incorporate such other requirements as may be necessary under these rules.
(ii) Changes in the ownership or operational control of a facility may be made as a Class 1 modification with prior written approval of the Director in accordance with
40 CFR 270.42 or as a routine change with prior approval under 40 CFR 124.213. The Director
shall not approve transfer of ownership or operational control to any person unless the Director determines that such person meets the qualifications for owners and operators in Sections
270(m) and 270(n) of these rules. The new owner or operator must submit a revised permit application no later than ninety days prior to the scheduled change. A written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility between the current and new permittees must also be submitted to the Director. The written agreement must also contain signed and notarized documentation from the new operator indicating that the new operator has agreed to accept and be bound by the provisions of the permit and any amendments, agreed to construct and operate the facility in accordance with the approved plan, and agreed to accept responsibility for the facility's compliance with the standards specified in the applicable sections of these rules, including the responsibility to perform corrective actions. When a transfer of ownership or operational control occurs, the old owner or operator shall comply with the requirements of 40 CFR 264, Subpart H (Financial Requirements) of these rules for permitted facilities until the new owner or operator has demonstrated that he or she is complying with the requirements of that Subpart. The new owner or operator must demonstrate compliance with Subpart H requirements within six months of the date of the
change in ownership or operational control of the facility. Upon demonstration to the Director by the new owner or operator of compliance with Subpart H, the Director shall notify the old owner or operator that he or she no longer needs to comply with Subpart H as of the date of demonstration.
(c) CONTENTS OF PART A OF THE PERMIT APPLICATION. Part A of the State HWMF
permit application shall include the following information:
(i) A listing of any civil, misdemeanor, or felony convictions within ten years prior to the date of application for any violations of any local, state, or federal law relating to environmental quality or criminal racketeering by the owner, or the operator, and all entities related by ownership to the applicant whether by common ownership or by a parent or subsidiary relationship, either directly or indirectly. This includes any partners in a partnership or executive officers or corporate directors in any corporation, if the owner or operator is a partnership or corporation.
(ii) A topographic map (or other map if a topographic map is unavailable) extending one mile beyond the property boundaries of the source, depicting the facility and each of its intake and discharge structures, each of its hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities, each well where fluids from the facility are injected underground, and those wells, springs, other surface water bodies, and drinking water wells listed in public records or otherwise known to the applicant within one mile of the facility property boundary.
(d) CONTENTS OF PART B OF THE PERMIT APPLICATION. Facility location information:
(i) The application shall include information concerning the area in which
the facility is to be located, including the political jurisdiction (e.g., county, township, or election district), sufficient to demonstrate compliance with all applicable location standards specified in Sections 264, 267, and 270 of these rules.
(ii) If the facility is proposed to be located in an area listed in Appendix VI of
40 CFR 264, the owner or operator shall demonstrate compliance with the seismic standard. This demonstration may be made using either published geologic data or data obtained from field investigations carried out by the applicant. The information provided must be of such quality to be acceptable to professional geologists experienced in identifying and evaluating seismic activity.
(iii) Owners and operators of all facilities shall provide an identification of whether the facility is located within a 100-year floodplain. This identification must indicate the source of data for such determination and include a copy of the relevant Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) flood map, if used, or the calculations and maps used where an FIA map is not available. Methods used to determine the 100-year floodplain must be approved by the Director. Information shall also be provided identifying the 100-year flood level and any other special flooding factors (e.g., wave action) that must be considered in designing, constructing, operating, or maintaining the facility to withstand washout from a 100-year flood.
(e) CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL PERMITS. Twenty-four-hour reporting: The permittee shall report any noncompliance that may endanger health or the environment orally to the Director within twenty-four hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances, including:
(i) Information concerning release of any hazardous waste regardless of whether or not it may cause an endangerment to public drinking water supplies.
(ii) Any information of any release or discharge of hazardous waste or of any fire or explosion from the HWMF, regardless of whether or not it could threaten the environment or human health outside the facility.
(f) TERMINATION OF PERMITS.
(i) The following are causes for terminating a permit during its term, or for denying a permit renewal application:
permit;
(A) Noncompliance by the permittee with any condition of the
(B) The permittee's failure in the application or during the permit issuance process to fully disclose all relevant facts, or the permittee's misrepresentation of any relevant facts at any time; or
(C) A determination that the permitted activity endangers human health or the environment and can only be regulated to acceptable levels by permit modification or termination; or
purposes of the Act.
(D) If the continued operation is inconsistent with the policy and
(ii) Procedures. The Director will follow the applicable procedures in 40 CFR
124 in terminating any permit under 40 CFR 270.43.
(g) PERMIT ISSUANCE. Nothing shall preclude the Director from reviewing and modifying a permit at any time during its term. Review of any application for a permit renewal shall consider improvements in the state of control and measurement technology as well as changes in applicable regulations. Each permit issued under these rules and RCRA §3005 shall contain terms and conditions as the Director determines necessary to protect human health and the environment.
(h) QUALIFYING FOR INTERIM STATUS. Any person who owns or operates an
‘existing HWM facility' or a facility in existence on the effective date of amendments to the Environmental Quality Act and 40 CFR Part 261 that render the facility subject to the requirement to have a HWMF permit shall be eligible to receive interim status and shall be
treated as having been issued a permit under the Act, if the Director determines the owner or operator has:
(i) Complied with the requirements of RCRA §3010(a) and these rules pertaining to notification of hazardous waste activity; or
(ii) Complied with the requirements of 40 CFR 270.10 governing submission of Part A applications.
(i) OPERATION DURING INTERIM STATUS.
(i) During the interim status period the facility shall not:
(A) Treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste not specified in Part A
of the permit application;
application;
application; or
(B) Employ processes not specified in Part A of the permit
(C) Exceed the design capacities specified in Part A of the permit
(D) Operate in any manner that has not been previously authorized
by a permit issued under Articles 2, 3, 4, or 5 of the Act, if applicable.
(ii) Interim status standards. During interim status, owners or operators shall comply with interim status standards in 40 CFR Part 265, and with applicable rules, regulations, or permits issued under Articles 2, 3, 4, or 5 of the Act.
(j) HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT.
(i) Owners and operators of all facilities shall provide a health risk assessment based on health risks associated with normal operation or failure of a HWMF pollution control or containment system, as specified in Section 270(j)(ii) of these rules. The normal operation or failure modes specified in Section 270(j)(ii) of these rules shall be used. This assessment must indicate the source of data for such determination. The health risk assessment must address the following standards:
(A) The cancer risk shall be assessed considering projected pollutant release rates and assumed target intakes during normal operation conditions specified in Section 270(j)(ii) of these rules.
(B) The chronic toxic effect, which shall be assessed considering projected pollutant release rates and assumed target intakes during normal operation or failure conditions specified in Section 270(j)(ii) of these rules.
(C) The subchronic and acute toxic effect shall be assessed considering projected pollutant release rates and assumed target intakes during failure conditions specified in Section 270(j)(ii) of these rules.
(ii) For the purpose of assessment of health risks associated with normal operation or failure of a HWMF pollution control or containment system, the following normal operation or failure modes shall be used:
(A) For hazardous waste storage facilities that are tanks or vessels, normal operation modes shall include operation of the facility as designed; failure modes shall include tank rupture, the effects of inadvertent mixing of incompatible wastes, failure of primary and secondary containment systems or liners, and releases of toxic or hazardous air pollutants from tank ruptures or during fires;
(B) For hazardous waste storage facilities that are impoundments, normal operation modes shall include operation of the facility as designed; failure modes shall include failure of primary or secondary containment systems or liners, dike failure, and releases of toxic or hazardous air pollutants during fires or from inadvertent mixing of incompatible wastes such as strong acids or bases with wastes stored in the impoundment;
(C) For hazardous waste storage facilities that are waste piles, normal operation modes shall include operation of the facility as designed; failure modes shall include failure of primary and secondary containment systems or liners, failure of primary systems to control releases of wastes during high winds, and releases during fires;
(D) For hazardous waste landfills and treatment facilities, normal operation modes shall include operation of the facility as designed; failure modes shall include failure of primary and secondary containment systems or liners, releases of toxic or hazardous air pollutants from inadvertent mixing of incompatible wastes and releases during fires;
(E) For hazardous waste incinerators and other treatment facilities for the burning, thermal treatment, or combustion of hazardous wastes, normal operation modes shall include operation of the facility as designed; failure modes shall include failure of primary air pollution control systems, failure of any automatic or manual waste feed cutoff system, operation of the facility under conditions of waste temperature and residence time to be expected during upset, startup or shutdown conditions, and inadvertent combustion or treatment of wastes containing chlorinated hazardous wastes, dioxins, arsenic, antimony, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, silver, and thallium; and
(F) For other hazardous waste storage, treatment, or disposal facilities, normal operation or failure modes shall be specified by the Director.
(iii) For the purpose of conducting the health risk assessment required by Section 264(k)(v) of this Chapter, the following protocols (or most recent edition) shall be used by the applicant, unless alternate protocols are approved by the DEQ:
(A) "Exposure Factors Handbook", 2011, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA 600/R-090/052F;
(B) "Guidance for Data Useability in Risk Assessment, Part A and B",
1992, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
(C) "Guidelines for Human Exposure Assessment ", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Draft January 7, 2016;
(D) "Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund Volume I, Human
Health Evaluation Manual (Part A)", 1989, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 540/1-
89/002;
(E) "Risk Assessment Guidelines", U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, https://www.epa.gov/risk/risk-assessment-guidelines;
(F) "Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund, Volume 1: Human Health Evaluation Manual, Supplemental Guidance, Standard Default Exposure Factors, Interim Final", 1991, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OSWER Directive 9285.6-03; and
(G) "Superfund Exposure Assessment Manual", 1988, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 540/1-88/001.
(iv) For the purpose of conducting the health risk assessment required by Section 264(k)(v) of this Chapter, toxicological data contained in the following publications shall be used unless alternate data sources are approved by the DEQ:
(A) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/iris;
(B) "Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables", Office of Research and Development, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OERR 9200.6-303 (94-1); and
DEQ.
(C) Data provided by a qualified EPA toxicologist, if approved by the
(k) MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES OF THE OWNER AND OPERATOR. The applicant shall possess demonstrated acceptable experience in operating hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities in a manner that does not demonstrate a disregard for human health and the environment. The Director shall consider the applicant to have demonstrated acceptable experience if:
(i) The applicant is currently operating an existing facility permitted under these rules and that facility is currently in substantial compliance with all rules, regulations, and permit conditions adopted under the Environmental Quality Act and applicable federal regulations; or
(ii) If not currently operating a facility in this State, the applicant has experience operating hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities in other states and has operated such facilities in substantial compliance with applicable state and federal
regulations and permit requirements. Applicants who do not have an operating history in this
State shall submit the following information to the Director:
(A) A listing of all permits for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities held by the applicant within the last ten years;
(B) A listing of such permits revoked for cause;
(C) A listing of hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities owned or operated by the applicant that are currently not in substantial compliance with applicable state or federal regulations or permit requirements as officially determined by a state or federal regulatory agency; and
(D) A description of all criminal and civil penalties assessed against
the applicant resulting from violations of state or federal environmental laws within the last five years.
(l) THE APPLICANT SHALL DEMONSTRATE FITNESS TO COMPLY WITH THE ACT AND THESE RULES. The past performance of the applicant, or any partners, executive officers, or corporate directors, based on the record before the Director, shall constitute evidence that the applicant will comply with provisions of the Act and these rules and is fit to obtain a permit.
(i) The Director may determine that the applicant is not fit to obtain a permit if the applicant, or any partners, executive officers, or corporate directors have:
application;
(A) Misrepresented or concealed any material fact in the permit
(B) Been convicted of a felony or pleaded guilty to a felony for
violations of environmental quality or criminal racketeering laws or regulations within the five years preceding the application for the permit, which in the judgment of the Director constitutes evidence that the applicant cannot be relied upon to conduct the operations described in the application in compliance with the Act and these rules; or
(C) Been adjudicated in contempt of any order of any court enforcing laws of any state or the federal government within five years preceding the application for a permit.
(ii) In determining whether the applicant is fit under Sections 270(m) and
270(n) of this Chapter, the Director shall consider:
issued;
(A) The relevance of the offense to the business for which a permit is
(B) The nature and seriousness of the offense;
(C) The circumstances under which the offense occurred; (D) The date of the offense;
the offense; and
(E) The ownership and management structure in place at the time of
(F) Evidence of rehabilitation including the applicant's record of implementing corrective action, the applicant's cooperation with governmental entities, implementation of formal policies and procedures to prevent recurrence, and the discharge of individuals or severance of affiliation with parties responsible for the offense.
(m) INTERIM STATUS CORRECTIVE ACTION ORDERS.
(i) Whenever on the basis of any information the Director determines that there is or has been a release of hazardous waste into the environment from a facility authorized under 40 CFR 270.70, the Director may issue an order requiring corrective action or such other response measure as the Director deems necessary to protect human health or the environment or the State may commence a civil action under the Act.
(ii) Any order issued under Section 270(p) of this Chapter may include a suspension or revocation of authorization to operate under 40 CFR 270.70, shall state with reasonable specificity the nature of the required corrective action or other response measure, and shall specify a time for compliance. If any person named in an order fails to comply with the order, the State may initiate a civil action under the Act.
(n) IMMINENT HAZARD. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Act, upon receipt of evidence that the past or present handling, storage, treatment, transportation or disposal of any waste material or hazardous waste may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or the environment, the Director may request the Attorney General to bring suit on behalf of the people of the State of Wyoming against any person (including any past or present generator, past or present transporter, or past or present owner or operator of a treatment, storage or disposal facility) who has contributed or who is contributing to such handling, storage, treatment, transportation, or disposal to restrain such person from such handling, storage, treatment, transportation, or disposal, to order such person to take such other action as may be necessary, or both. A transporter shall not be deemed to have contributed or to be contributing to such handling, storage, treatment, or disposal taking place after such waste material or hazardous waste has left the possession or control of such transporter if the transportation of such waste was under a sole contractual arrangement arising from a published tariff and acceptance for carriage by common carrier by rail and such transporter has exercised due care in the past or present handling, storage, treatment, transportation, and disposal of such waste. The Director may also take other action
under Section 270(p) of this Chapter including, but not limited to, issuing such orders as may be necessary to protect public health and the environment.
(o) MONITORING, ANALYSIS AND TESTING.
(i) Authority of the Director. The Director may issue an order requiring an owner or operator to conduct such monitoring, testing, analysis, and reporting as the Director
deems reasonable to ascertain the nature and extent of a hazard, if the Director determines, upon receipt of any information, that the presence of any hazardous waste at a facility or site at which hazardous waste is, or has been, stored, treated, or disposed of or the release of any
such waste from such facility or site may present a substantial hazard to human health or the environment.
(ii) Previous Owners and Operators. In the case of any facility or site not in operation at the time a determination is made under Section 270(q)(i) of this Chapter with respect to facility or site, if the Director finds that the current owner of such facilities could not reasonably be expected to have actual knowledge of the presence of hazardous waste at such facility or site and of its potential for release, the Director may issue an order requiring the most recent previous owner or operator of such facility or site who could reasonably be
expected to have such actual knowledge to carry out the actions referred to in Section 270(q)(i)
of this Chapter.
(iii) Proposal. An order under Section 270(q)(i) or Section 270(q)(ii) of this Chapter shall require the person to whom such order is issued to submit to the Director within thirty days from the issuance of such order a proposal for carrying out the required monitoring, testing, analysis, and reporting. The terms of this proposal shall become enforceable upon approval by the Director.
(iv) Monitoring, testing, or analysis carried out by the Director.
(A) If the Director determines that no owner or operator referred to in Section 270(q)(i) or Section 270(q)(ii) of this Chapter is able to conduct satisfactory monitoring, testing, analysis, or reporting, or that any such action carried out by an owner or operator is unsatisfactory, or the Director cannot initially determine that there is an owner or operator referred to in Section 270(q)(i) or Section 270(q)(ii) of this Chapter who is able to conduct such monitoring, testing, analysis, or reporting, the Director may:
(I) Conduct monitoring, testing, or analysis (or any combination thereof) that the Director deems reasonable to ascertain the nature and extent of the hazard associated with the site concerned, or
any such action.
(II) Authorize a local authority or other person to carry out
(B) For purposes of carrying out Section 270(q)(iv) of this Chapter, the Director or any authority or other person authorized under Section 270(q)(i)(A) of this Chapter, may exercise the authorities set forth in RCRA §3007(a).
(v) Enforcement. The Director may request the Attorney General to commence a civil action against any person who fails or refuses to comply with any order issued under Section 270(q)(iv) of this Chapter. Such action shall be brought under Article 9 of the Act.
Sections 271-272 RESERVED.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 273 STANDARDS FOR UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
(a) IBR. 40 CFR Part 273 and all Subparts are herein incorporated by reference.
(i) For purposes of 40 CFR 273.32(a)(3), "EPA" shall be defined as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(ii) For purposes of 40 CFR 273.15(c)(2), the term "lamp" shall be inserted after "battery,".
Sections 274-278. RESERVED.
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
Wyo. Code R. 020.0003.1.04072022 § 279 STANDARDS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF USED OIL
IBR. 40 CFR Part 279 and all Subparts are herein incorporated by reference.
(a) For purposes of 40 CFR 279.1, "Existing tank" shall be a tank that is used for the storage or processing of used oil and that is in operation, or for which installation has commenced on or prior to the effective date of the authorized used oil program for the state in which the tank is located. Installation will be considered to have commenced if the owner or operator has obtained all permits and approvals required under federal, state or local statutes, regulations or ordinances necessary to begin installation of the tank and if either (1) a continuous on-site installation program has begun, or (2) the owner or operator has entered into contractual obligations that cannot be cancelled or modified without substantial loss for installation of the tank to be completed within a reasonable time.
(b) For purposes of 40 CFR 279.43(c)(3)(ii), "Director" shall be defined as the
Director, U.S. DOT Office of Hazardous Materials Regulation.
(c) For purposes of 40 CFR 279.82(a), the use of used oil as a dust suppressant is prohibited.
Sections 280-300. RESERVED.
APPENDIX A
TABLE 1-1
More Stringent and Broader in Scope Provisions Relative to 40 CFR
RCRA TOPIC STATE CITATION AND EXPLANATION RELEVANT 40 CFR REFERENCES
CLOSURE
HWRR 264(a)(vii): Wyoming is more stringent because it requires that owner/operators at closure will take, and continue to take, all steps to prevent threats to human health and the environment.
264.112(d)(2)(i)
CORRECTIVE ACTION MANAGEMENT UNITS (CAMUs)
HWRR 260(a), 264(e): Wyoming is more stringent for the definitions of "facility" and "remediation waste management site" because facilities not subject to 40 CFR 264.101 are not eligible for the less stringent management standards of the Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU) program. Wyoming does not adopt the definition of "remediation waste management site", or the third part of the definition for "facility". Also, Wyoming is broader-in-scope because it makes the CAMU requirements available to participants in the State of Wyoming Voluntary Remediation Program implementing corrective action pursuant to a
remedy agreement developed under
Wyoming Statute W.S. 35-11-1607.
260.10, 264.1(j),
264.73(b)(17),
264.101(d),
264.551(a),
264.552(a),
264.552(e), and
264.553(a)
EMERGENCY REPORTING
HWRR 263(c): Wyoming is more stringent in that it requires an air, rail, highway, or water transporter to report discharged hazardous waste to the Director in addition to the
National Response Center and DOT.
263.30(c)
EMERGENCY REPORTING
HWRR 262(e), 264(a)(v), 265(a)(iv),
267(a)(iii): Wyoming is more stringent
because the State requires the
emergency coordinator to also report
their findings to the Wyoming
Department of Environmental Quality
(307-777-7501) in addition to the
National Response Center (800-424-
8802).
262.16(b)(9)(iv)(C),
262.265(d)(2),
264.56(d)(2),
265.56(d)(2), and
267.56(c)(2)
APPENDIX A
TABLE 1-1
More Stringent and Broader in Scope Provisions Relative to 40 CFR
RCRA TOPIC STATE CITATION AND EXPLANATION RELEVANT 40 CFR REFERENCES
EMERGENCY REPORTING
HWRR 270(e)(i): Wyoming is more stringent because the State requires the permittee to report any release or discharges of hazardous waste regardless of whether or not it may cause an endangerment to the public water supplies.
270.30(l)(6)(i)(A) and
(B)
FITNESS OF THE APPLICANT
HWRR 270(n): Wyoming is broader- in-scope because the State requires the applicant to demonstrate his/her fitness to meet the requirements for a hazardous waste permit.
No federal analog
HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT
HWRR 270(a)(x): Wyoming is more stringent in that it requires provisions more stringent than the Federal exposure assessment requirements.
270.10(j)(1)
INTERIM STATUS
HWRR 270(h): Wyoming is more stringent because it uses the phrase "shall be eligible to receive interim status" versus the federal phrase "shall have interim status."
Additionally, Wyoming also states that
the Director determines if the owner
or operator has complied with the
necessary requirement. This makes
Wyoming more stringent as receiving
interim status is not as "automatic" as
it is under federal requirements.
270.70(a)
LANDFILLS
HWRR 264(a)(x), 265(a)(x): Wyoming is more stringent because it does not adopt the option for the landfill owner or operator to make a demonstration to the Director in order to allow the placement of liquids that are not hazardous wastes in the landfill.
264.314(e),
264.314(e)(1) and (2),
265.314(f),
265.314(f)(1) and (2)
LANDFILLS
HWRR 264(a)(xi): Wyoming is more stringent because it deletes the phrase "or a demonstration is made pursuant to § 264.314(e)".
264.552(a)(3)(iii)
APPENDIX A
TABLE 1-1
More Stringent and Broader in Scope Provisions Relative to 40 CFR
RCRA TOPIC STATE CITATION AND EXPLANATION RELEVANT 40 CFR REFERENCES
LOCATION STANDARDS
HWRR 264(a)(iv), 267(a)(ii): Wyoming is more stringent because it prohibits new facilities from locating within the boundaries of a 100-year floodplain.
264.18(b)(1),
267.18(b)
LOCATION STANDARDS
HWRR 270(c)(ii): Wyoming is more stringent in that it requires a one-mile (versus 1/4-mile in the federal code) boundary for the locations of wells, springs, surface water, etc. shown on the topographic map submitted under Part A of the application.
270.13(l)
LOCATION STANDARDS
HWRR 270(d), 270(j): Wyoming is more stringent in that it adds additional provisions requiring a health risk assessment based on health risks associated with normal operation or failure of a HWMF pollution control or containment system.
270.14(b)(11)
LOCATION STANDARDS
HWRR 270(d)(i): Wyoming is more stringent in that it requires additional information concerning the facility location "sufficient to demonstrate compliance with all of the more stringent applicable location standards specified in Sections 264,
267, and 270 of these rules." The
federal code only requires that
political jurisdiction be identified, so
that the applicability of the seismic
standard can be determined.
270.14(b)(11)(i)
LOCATION STANDARDS
HWRR 270(d)(ii): Wyoming is more stringent in that it requires that the information provided to demonstrate compliance with the seismic standard must be acceptable to professional geologists. The federal code only states that this information must be acceptable to geologists.
270.14(b)(11)(ii)
LOCATION STANDARDS
HWRR 270(d)(iii): Wyoming is more stringent in that the methods used to determine the 100-year floodplain must be approved by the Director.
270.14(b)(11)(iii)
APPENDIX A
TABLE 1-1
More Stringent and Broader in Scope Provisions Relative to 40 CFR
RCRA TOPIC STATE CITATION AND EXPLANATION RELEVANT 40 CFR REFERENCES
Information shall also be provided identifying the 100-year flood level and any other special flooding factors (e.g., wave action) that must be considered in designing, constructing, operating, or maintaining the facility
to withstand washout from a 100-year
flood.
MILITARY MUNITIONS
HWRR 266(b)(i): Wyoming is more stringent in that the State requires that the operator of the range must "notify the Director in writing" if remedial action is infeasible.
266.202(d)
MILITARY MUNITIONS
HWRR 266(b)(iv): Wyoming is more stringent in that Wyoming limits the conditional exemption for storage to waste generated by the facility storing the waste unless "...storage of waste military munitions from another facility is the result of an inability to transport the waste military
munitions for treatment or disposal due to inclement weather or other circumstance as approved in writing by the Director."
266.205(a)(1)
MILITARY MUNITIONS
HWRR 266(b)(ii), 266(b)(vi): Wyoming is more stringent in that it does not allow a default reinstatement if the Director does not act on the application within 60 days.
266.203(b),
266.205(c)
MILITARY MUNITIONS
HWRR 266(b)(iii), 266(b)(viii): Wyoming is more stringent in that any amendments to the effective date of the Department of Defense shipping controls or DDESB storage standards are not effective until approved by
the Director.
266.203(c), 266.205(e)
NOTIFICATION
HWRR 261(a)(iii): Wyoming is more stringent in that it requires a copy of the notification be sent to the Director.
261.41(a)
APPENDIX A
TABLE 1-1
More Stringent and Broader in Scope Provisions Relative to 40 CFR
RCRA TOPIC STATE CITATION AND EXPLANATION RELEVANT 40 CFR REFERENCES
PERMIT APPLICATIONS
HWRR 270(c)(ii): Wyoming is more stringent because the State requires under Part A of the permit application that the applicant provide information regarding the applicant's history of convictions relating to environmental or racketeering charges. There is no direct federal analog for this requirement.
270.13
PERMIT APPLICATIONS
HWRR 270(b)(ii): Wyoming is more stringent in that it adds the requirement that any person who gains ownership or operational
control of a facility through a transfer,
must have the Director's approval
that they meet the qualifications for
owners and operators under Sections
270(m) and 270(n) of this Chapter.
The State also requires a written
agreement between the current
owner and the new owner specifying
the date of transfer of responsibility,
however, Wyoming requires that the
written agreement contain signed and
notarized documentation that the
new owner will be bound to, and
responsible for, the permit provisions.
270.40(b)
PERMIT MODIFICATIONS
HWRR 270(a)(xx): Wyoming is more stringent because Wyoming requires the Director to provide a response to a permit modification request within
90 days ("Combustion facility changes
to meet part 63 MACT standards").
Unlike the federal rules, the regulated
community may not rely on an
absence of an approval after 90 days
have elapsed as being a tacit approval
under the State's regulation.
270.42(j)(3)
APPENDIX A
TABLE 1-1
More Stringent and Broader in Scope Provisions Relative to 40 CFR
RCRA TOPIC STATE CITATION AND EXPLANATION RELEVANT 40 CFR REFERENCES
PERMIT TERMINATION
HWRR 124(a)(iii): Wyoming is more stringent because it adds a provision stating that the Director may order facility closure following permit termination. The federal rules do not give the Director this authority.
124.5
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER CERTIFICATION
HWRR 3(f): Wyoming is more stringent because it requires professional engineers to be
registered in Wyoming when referring
to activities requiring Professional
Engineer certification. This differs
from the EPA phrase "qualified
Professional Engineer".
264.115, 264.120,
264.143(i), 264.145(i),
264.147(e),
264.191(a),
264.191(b)(5)(ii),
264.192(a),
264.192(b),
264.193(i)(2),
264.196(f),
264.280(b),
264.554(c)(2),
264.571(a), (b), and
(c), 264.573(a)(4)(ii),
264.573(g),
264.574(a),
264.1101(c)(2),
265.115,
265.120, 265.143(h),
265.145(h),
265.147(e),
265.191(a),
265.191(b)(5)(ii),
265.192(a) and (b),
265.193(i)(2),
265.196(f),
265.280(e),
265.441(a), (b), and
(c), 265.443(a)(4)(ii),
265.443(g),
265.444(a),
265.1101(c)(2),
267.117,
267.147(e), 267.191,
267.192(a),
267.200(f), 270.14(a),
270.16(a), and
270.26(c)(15)
APPENDIX A
TABLE 1-1
More Stringent and Broader in Scope Provisions Relative to 40 CFR
RCRA TOPIC STATE CITATION AND EXPLANATION RELEVANT 40 CFR REFERENCES
PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST CERTIFICATION
HWRR 3(g): Wyoming is more stringent because it requires that the certifying geologist be a professional geologist registered in the State of Wyoming. This differs from the EPA phrases "qualified geologist" or "geologists".
264.90(b)(4),
265.90(c),
265.90(d)(1),
265.93(d)(2), and
270.14(b)(11)(ii)
PUBLIC NOTICE
HWRR 124(c)(i
): Wyoming is more
124.10(b)(1)
stringent because it requires public notice within 15 days of the preparation of a draft permit.
PUBLIC NOTICE
HWRR 124(c)(ii): Wyoming is more stringent because it requires publication of a notice for all RCRA permits once a week for two consecutive weeks, versus one notice required by federal regulation.
124.10(c)(2)(ii)
PUBLIC NOTICE
HWRR 124(e)(iii): Wyoming is more stringent in that it requires a hearing to be scheduled within 20 days after the close of the public comment period unless a different schedule is deemed necessary by the Council. Wyoming is also more stringent in that it requires a public notice published once a week for two consecutive weeks immediately prior to the hearing in the county where the applicant plans to locate the facility.
124.12(a)(3) and (4)
REMEDIAL ACTION PLANS (RAPs)
HWRR 264(a): Wyoming is more stringent because it does not adopt the less stringent Remedial Action Plan (RAP) alternate permit for
remediation waste management sites.
264.554(l)(2)
REMEDIAL ACTION PLANS (RAPs)
HWRR 270(a): Wyoming is more stringent because it has chosen not to adopt the November 30, 1998 final rules provisions of 40 CFR
270.11(d)(2), which were considered to be less stringent relative to
signatures on certification documents
(Revision Checklist 175, 63 FR 65874).
270.11(d)(2)
APPENDIX A
TABLE 1-1
More Stringent and Broader in Scope Provisions Relative to 40 CFR
RCRA TOPIC STATE CITATION AND EXPLANATION RELEVANT 40 CFR REFERENCES
REMEDIAL ACTION PLANS (RAPs)
HWRR 270(a), 270(a)(iv): Wyoming is more stringent because it does not adopt the less stringent Remedial Action Plan alternate permit for remediation waste management sites.
270.2, 270.11(d)(2),
270.68, 270.73(a),
270.79 - 270.230
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
HWRR 265(a)(v): Wyoming is more stringent because it requires ground- water monitoring plans and reports to be submitted to the Director.
265.90(d)(1) and (3),
265.93(d)(2)
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
HWRR 265(a)(vi): Wyoming is more stringent in that it requires the owner/operator to submit a written report to the Director 15 days after the assessment of ground-water quality is completed.
265.93(d)(5)
REQUIREMENTS FOR RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
HWRR 261(b): Wyoming is more stringent in that it has adopted requirements for management of sham recycling activities.
261.6
RESPONSE ACTION PLANS
HWRR 265(a)(ix): Wyoming is more stringent because it requires the surface impoundment response action plan to be submitted to the Director.
265.224(a)
RESPONSE ACTION PLANS
HWRR 265(a)(ix): Wyoming is more stringent because it requires that the waste pile response action plan be submitted to the Director.
265.259(a)
RESPONSE ACTION PLANS
HWRR 265(a)(ix): Wyoming is more stringent because it requires that the landfill response action plan be submitted to the Director.
265.303(a)
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
HWRR 270(m): Wyoming is more stringent in that it requires information concerning the management and technical
capabilities of the owner and operator in addition to the training requirements in the Federal
provisions.
264.16, 270.14(b)(12)
History
- Effective 2022-04-07
69 Industrial Siting Council
Chapter 1 Industrial Development Information and Siting Rules and Regulations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0004.1.08092018 Industrial Development Information and Siting Rules and Regulations
CHAPTER 1
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION AND SITING RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 1. Authority.
These rules and regulations are promulgated by the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council (Council), pursuant to the authority granted the Council by the Wyoming Industrial Development Information and Siting Act; W.S. 35-12-101 through 35-12-119. If any provision of these rules or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of these rules which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application and to this end the provisions of these rules are declared to be severable.
Section 2. Definitions.
Definitions contained in W.S. 35-12-102, shall be applicable, where appropriate. The following terms used in these regulations shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Act" means the Industrial Development Information and Siting Act, W.S. 35-12-
101 through 35-12-119.
means:
(b) "Area or local government primarily affected by the proposed industrial facility"
(i) Any defined geographical area in which the construction or operation of the industrial facility may significantly affect the environment, population, level of economic well- being, level of social services, or may threaten the health, safety or welfare of present or expected inhabitants.
(ii) Any such county, incorporated municipality, school district, or combination thereof formed under the Wyoming Joint Powers Act within (i) above.
(c) "Areas of site influence" means the areas which may be affected environmentally, socially, or economically, in any significant degree, by the location of the industrial facility at the proposed site. A separate "area of influence" may be considered for each resource identified in Section 8(i) of these rules.
(d) "Complete application" means an application which contains all of the information required by W.S. 35-12-109 and Section 8 of these rules, except those portions of the application requirements that the Council has waived pursuant to W.S. 35-12-107; excluding proprietary information. If proprietary information is withheld, it must be stated in the application.
(e) "Construction schedule" means the schedule of events by time, from the commencement of construction through completion of construction and commencement of commercial operation of the facility, as described in the application and any approved updates.
(f) "Cumulative impacts" means the combined impacts upon the environment or the social or economic conditions resulting from construction and operation of the proposed industrial facility and from construction and operation of other on-going or proposed developments in the area of site influence. Proposed developments to be considered in cumulative impacts include those
facilities which have public information available, or are actively permitting.
(g) "Decommissioning" means the removal from service, disassembly, and proper off- site disposal of the facility components.
(h) "Dependent component" means any ancillary facility to be constructed by the applicant that is necessary and essential to the construction or operation of the industrial facility. Dependent components are considered part of the industrial facility. Facilities described at W.S.
35-12-119 as exempt are not dependent components.
(i) "District or Special District" means the following:
(i) A special purpose local government created pursuant to W. S. 16-1-101 et seq. (Joint Powers Act) and whose registry as such is maintained by the Wyoming Secretary of State; or
(ii) A public school district.
(j) "Effective date of the Act" means May 30, 1975.
(k) "Environment" means the physical conditions existing within the affected area, including, but not limited to, land, air, water, minerals, flora, wildlife, noise, and objects of historic, aesthetic, or recreational impacts over which the Council has jurisdiction.
(l) "Estimated construction costs" means the anticipated total costs and expenses attributable directly to the planning, design, erection and construction of the applicant's proposed facility. The estimate shall be based upon current cost projections within the possession of the applicant. Such costs and expenses shall include, but are not limited to, the following: costs of materials, supplies and equipment, including allocable construction equipment costs; labor and management personnel compensation and salaries; contract and subcontract fees; employee benefits; employment; sales and use taxes; per diem and subsistence allowances; and all other costs necessary and incident to the construction of the proposed facility. For purposes of estimating construction costs, the proposed facility shall be described and considered to include all units and components at the proposed site location, and which are or have been included in current plans for development of the proposed site. Exempt activities and site acquisition expenditures including the acquisition costs of mineral rights and interests are not to be included in the estimated construction cost.
(i) In computing an estimate pursuant to Section 2(l) above, the estimated costs for materials, supplies, equipment and allocable construction equipment shall include:
(A) The total costs of materials, supplies, and equipment incorporated into or otherwise necessary to construct the facility;
(B) The total costs of equipment used in site preparation and construction, which is further required to place the proposed facility into operation; and
(C) The allocable costs of that equipment used in site preparation and construction of the proposed facility, but which is not retained on site, and is not required to place the proposed facility into operation.
(ii) The proposed facility's estimated construction cost shall include the costs of access roads including modifications and improvements to existing roadways when such modifications or improvements are necessitated by the proposed facility, the costs of any rail facilities constructed for the substantial use of the proposed facility, and costs of other dependent components.
(m) "Estimated materials costs" means the estimated costs of materials, supplies and equipment, including allocable construction equipment costs, necessary and incident to the construction of the proposed facility.
(n) "Financial assurance" means a security serving as collateral in the form of a surety bond, certificate of deposit, corporate guarantee, letter of credit, deposit account, insurance policy
or other form acceptable to the Director to insure proper decommissioning and reclamation activities.
(o) "Financial capability" means evidence of the financial strength of the applicant to construct, maintain, operate, decommission and reclaim the facility.
(p) "Health" shall mean the state of being sound in body or mind and includes psychological as well as physical well-being.
(q) "Information applicant" means any person who intends to initiate a construction activity with an estimated construction cost of at least ninety-six million nine hundred thousand dollars ($96,900,000.00) adjusted by applicable cost indices as provided in W.S. 35-12-102(a)(vii), which construction activity also falls within W.S. 35-12-119.
(r) "Job classification" means those of the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification
System of the U. S. Department of Labor.
(s) "Mineral rights" means fee, leasehold, or mining claim interests in the mineral estate. (t) "Mitigated impacts" means impacts that are minimized by limiting the magnitude of
the impact, or are compensated for by replacing or providing substitute resources or supplemental environmental projects.
(u) "Oil and gas drilling facilities" are any and all activities in connection with or associated with drilling, testing, or completing oil and gas wells including well access roads and any electrical service, mobile and fixed equipment, and services used for drilling, completing, testing, maintaining and repairing oil or gas wells and related activities.
(v) "Oil and gas producing facilities" are any and all activities necessary to extract oil or gas or both from a naturally occurring underground reservoir containing a common accumulation of oil or gas or both. Producing facilities include the oil or gas well downhole equipment, well heads, flow controls, and artificial lift equipment including compressors. Producing facilities also include those facilities used for pressure maintenance, enhanced recovery, or produced water disposal.
(w) "Permit termination" means cessation or termination of a permit and all permit conditions, which were issued by the Council for the construction and operation of an industrial facility.
(x) "Phase" or "phase of construction" means any future expansion or modification of the facility described in the application pursuant to W.S. 35-12-109 (a)(vi), and interpreted for jurisdiction by the Division.
(y) "Projection period" means the period of time over which projections of socioeconomic factors are made. The projection period shall not exceed five (5) years beyond the period during which stable operation of the industrial facility is achieved.
(z) "Reclamation" means the process of restoring all lands affected by the proposed industrial facility or its dependent components to a use for grazing, agriculture, recreational, wildlife purpose, or any other purpose of greater or equal value which satisfies the landowner or land management agency. The process may require removal of structures, backfilling, grading, contouring, compaction, stabilization, revegetation and drainage control.
(aa) "Safety" shall mean freedom from injury or threat of injury. Such injury or threat of injury may be premised on crime rates, traffic accident rates, dangers of industrial accidents or mishaps, or other similar considerations.
(ab) "Studies" shall include all social, economic or environmental reports, analyses, evaluations or compilations dealing with the impact of the industrial facility whether prepared by the applicant, the applicant's employees, or consultants retained by the applicant. Where such studies are part of a longer report or study, the applicant may sever such study from the larger document for purposes of submission to the Council.
(ac) "Study Area" is the geographic and political boundary, as designated by the Administrator for the required governmental, social, and economic studies required for applications.
(ad) Unmitigated impacts" means identified impacts that are not minimized by limiting the magnitude of the impact, or are not compensated for by replacing or providing substitute resources or supplemental environmental projects.
(ae) "Welfare" shall mean considerations of public convenience, public wellbeing and general prosperity. The term also properly covers those subjects encompassed under health and safety.
(af) "Wellfield activity" means any and all activity directly associated with the development, operation, or abandonment of oil and gas drilling or producing facilities. Wellfield activity includes but is not limited to construction of flow lines, heaters, treaters, dehydrators, fluid separators and stabilizers. Storage tanks not within the definable boundaries of an industrial facility are wellfield activities.
Section 3. Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction.
No person shall commence to construct an industrial facility unless an application has been filed in conformity with these rules and regulations and a permit has been issued by the Council.
(a) Any person who intends to initiate construction activity which may qualify as an industrial facility under the Act shall submit to the Division an application n for a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction which shall demonstrate that the proposed construction activity does not qualify as an industrial facility under the Act, and that the Council lacks sufficient jurisdiction to require that an application for a permit be submitted.
(b) Industrial facilities that meet one of the following criteria shall not need a certificate of insufficient jurisdiction:
(i) The estimated construction cost is less than eighty percent (80%) of the current threshold construction cost.
(ii) A commercial waste incineration or disposal facility is not physically capable of receiving four hundred (400) short tons or more per day of household or mixed household and industrial waste.
(c) An application for a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction shall contain the following information:
(i) A description of the proposed construction activity.
(ii) An estimated construction cost for the proposed construction activity that is in conformity with Section 2 (m) of these regulations.
(d) When an application for a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction is submitted to the Division, the Administrator shall within ten (10) days after the application is submitted:
(i) Serve notice of the application upon each local government that would be entitled to receive service of a copy of the application for a permit under W.S. 35-12-110(a)(i), as if the person submitting the application for a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction was submitting an application for a permit.
(ii) Publish notice of such application for a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction throughout the state for four (4) consecutive weeks in newspapers of general circulation.
(iii) Such notice shall state the following:
(A) A description of the construction activity proposed by the applicant for a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction.
(B) The estimated construction cost of the construction activity proposed by the applicant for a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction.
(C) A statement that any interested party, who would be a party in any permit proceeding with respect to the construction activity, may file objections to the issuance of a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction within thirty (30) days after the last date of publication of notice.
(e) The Director shall present an application for a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction to the Council after thirty (30) days has expired from the last date of publication of notice of application with his recommendation for issuance or denial. The Council shall thereupon, after consideration of the application and the objections thereto, either issue or deny the application for a Certificate of Insufficient Jurisdiction.
(f) The decision of the Council to issue a certificate shall be effective immediately.
Section 4. Jurisdictional Meeting.
(a) Persons requesting a jurisdictional determination for the following from the Division shall first request a jurisdictional meeting with the Division:
(i) A permit pursuant to W. S. 35-12-109;
(ii) Waiver or waivers of requirements; (iii) A certificate of non-jurisdiction;
(iv) An informational filing pursuant to W. S. 35-12-119 (a) and (b); or
(v) An exemption from a permit pursuant to W.S. 35-12-119 (c).
(b) The jurisdictional meeting shall be held when the preliminary facility design and estimated construction schedule are known.
(c) The Person seeking the jurisdictional meeting shall provide information to describe the facility and shall include the following:
(i) Details of ownership; and points of contact;
(ii) Description of the proposed facility including a site plan; (iii) Proposed facility location and land ownership;
(iv) The location for the receipt of purchase and where title changes;
(v) Any future phases to be requested in the application;
costs;
(vi) The estimated cost of construction, including preliminary estimated material
(vii) Information which the applicant feels to be pertinent.
(d) The Director shall provide a written decision within 15 days following the jurisdictional meeting stating whether or not the facility is within the jurisdiction of the Siting Council and provide notice of any application fee pursuant to W.S. 35-12-105(g) and W. S. 35-12-
109(b). The Director may provide conditional determinations. The Director, according to the accounting standards and procedures used by the State of Wyoming, will perform the deposit of revenues, payment of expenditures, and accounting. Any such fee will:
(i) Be determined by the Director in accordance with the provisions of W.S 35-
12-109 (b) and (d);
(ii) Be collected at the time of the filing of an application;
(iii) Recover the full actual costs to the Division and Council for the activities specified by W. S. 35-12-109(b) and (d);
(iv) May be subject to revision by the Director if the fees are determined to be insufficient to pay the full actual cost of the Division and Council as specified by W.S. 35-
12-109 (b) and (d).
(e) If the Director determines that the information provided by the person is incomplete, the Director shall respond in writing within 15 days following the jurisdictional meeting stating that the information is incomplete and that a determination cannot be made at that time.
Section 5. Pre-Filing and Filing.
(a) At the jurisdictional meeting the Administrator shall specify the study area for the project application. The study area provides the boundaries for studies of counties and municipalities.
(b) The applicant shall notify and describe the project to local governments in the study area. The notice and description shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt, and shall include a description of the project, its location, the expected construction period, the number of construction workers, transportation routes for construction materials, the anticipated economic benefits of the project, the anticipated impacts from the project and offer methods to comment to the applicant and attend scheduled informational meetings. The notice and description will be mailed no later than 10 business days prior to the first informational meeting.
(i) Informational meetings shall be held no later than 60 days before the filing of an application and shall be in the principal city of the county and at a place as close to the site of the project as is practical.
(c) The date of filing of an application is that date when all of the following have been received by the Division:
(i) The application fee;
(ii) The application document; and
(iii) The letter of transmittal.
(d) When the application is filed, the Division shall provide the applicant with a written receipt for the application which shall stipulate the application has been filed on that date.
(e) After receipt and examination of the application the Administrator shall determine the area primarily affected.
(f) Counties who wish to make a referral according to W.S. 18-5-509 shall provide the following:
(i) Information obtained from the applicant as described in Section 4(c) subparagraphs (i) through (v).
(ii) Justification why the referral is necessary. The Director will make a decision on the referral and notify the county within fifteen (15) days from the date of the referral.
Section 6. General Format of Application or Request for Waiver.
In accordance with W.S. 35-12-107 and W.S. 35-12-109, the applicant shall abide by the following rules and conditions:
(a) Prior to submitting its application or request for waiver, each applicant shall confer with the Division to determine the number of copies of the application or request for waiver to be filed with the Division. The applicant shall file a minimum of forty (40) copies of the application with the Division. The applicant shall not be required to file more than seventy-five (75) copies of the application without prior approval of the Council.
(b) The application or request for waiver shall be typed, printed, or otherwise legibly reproduced on 8 ½-inch by 11-inch paper. Maps, drawings, charts, or other documents that are bound in the application or request for waiver shall be cut or folded to 8 ½-inch by 11-inch size. All pages in an application or request for waiver shall be consecutively numbered.
(c) The application or request for waiver shall be verified by the applicant as to its truth and accuracy, upon oath or affirmation. Such application or request for waiver shall be signed by the president of the corporation or owner of the company, or another official designated by the bylaws to obligate and bind the applicant. The application or request for waiver shall be accompanied by a letter of transmittal which shall contain the following information:
(i) The company's request for a permit or waiver of permit to construct and operate the facility; and
(ii) The designated individual to serve as point of contact for the permit process including address of service of notice.
(d) The Applicant shall notify the Division immediately whenever, subsequent to submitting an application or waiver request under the Act, a material change in the design, location, schedule, or scope of the industrial facility has occurred. Such notification by the applicant may constitute a request for amendment pursuant to W.S. 35-12-106(c) and Section 15 of these rules if the Division determines that such differences materially change the nature, location or impact of the proposed industrial facility.
(e) An applicant may apply for a permit to construct an industrial facility in phases over an extended period.
(f) As part of the application, the applicant shall submit a summary of the entire application. The summary shall contain references to supporting data and analysis contained in the application.
(g) Whenever the Act or these rules require information concerning the industrial facility to be submitted to the Council and the applicant is required to submit the same or similar information to another state, federal or local agency having jurisdiction, the applicant may submit the information to the Council in the same format required by the other agency.
(h) Applicants may fulfill informational requirements of the regulations and the Act by describing the area of jurisdiction covered by other regulatory agencies in the state.
(i) The application shall contain a table containing all commitments stated in the application and provide the page number where each commitment is discussed in the body of the application. The table shall also provide a narrative of all the commitments made to local governments in accordance with W.S. 35-12- 107(b)(xi) and W.S. 35-12-109(a)(xiii).
Section 7. Request for Waiver.
(a) The request for waiver shall contain the information required by the Act with respect to both the construction period and on-line life of the proposed industrial facility and any additional information the applicant considers relevant to the needs of the Council and local units of government for making an informed decision for granting or refusing the waiver request. The waiver application shall follow the same format as the application contents described in Section
8, less those parts identified as not necessary by the Administrator.
(b) The Council shall grant a request for a waiver either as proposed or as modified by the Council as provided by the act and considering the following:
(i) In order to find that the industrial facility would not produce an unacceptable impact, the Council must find that the granting of a waiver will not result in a significant detriment to, or significant impairment of, the environment or the social and economic condition of present or expected inhabitants. If applicable, the Council may consider direct or cumulative impacts not within the area of jurisdiction of another regulatory agency in this state.
(ii) A proposed industrial facility is considered to be designed in compliance with applicable local ordinances, regulations and compatible with land use plans if it meets applicable requirements relative to zoning laws, building codes, health and safety laws, and other laws of a similar nature in force on the date of submittal of the request for waiver.
(c) If the Council finds that the considerations of subsection (b) above have been met, the Council may waive all of the application requirements of the Act, and shall issue a permit for the industrial facility in accordance with W.S. 35-12-113. If the Council is not able to find that these requirements are met, the Council may deny the request, and issue an order requiring that an application for a permit be filed pursuant to W.S. 35-12-109. The Council may also waive any part(s) of the application requirements of W.S. 35-12-109 if it determines that it is justified by the circumstances.
Section 8. Application Information to be Submitted.
In accordance with W.S. 35-12-109, the application shall contain the information required by the Act with respect to both the construction period and online life of the proposed industrial facility and the following information the Council determines necessary:
(a) The application shall state the name, title, telephone number, mailing address, and physical address of the person to whom communication in regards to the application shall be made.
(b) A description of the specific, geographic location of the proposed industrial facility. The description shall include the following:
(i) Preliminary site plans at an appropriate scale indicating the anticipated location for all major structures, roads, parking areas, on-site temporary housing, staging areas, construction material sources, material storage piles and other dependent components; and
(ii) The area of land required by the industrial facility and a land ownership map covering all the components of the proposed industrial facility.
(c) A general description of the major components and dependent components of the proposed industrial.
(d) A description of the operating nature of the proposed industrial facility, the expected source and quantity of its raw materials, and energy requirements. The description shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(i) The proposed on-line life of the industrial facility and its projected operating capacity during its on-line life; and, for transmission lines exceeding one hundred fifteen thousand (115,000) volts included as part of the proposed industrial facility, a projection indicating when such lines will become insufficient to meet the future demand and at what time a need will exist to construct additional transmission lines to meet such demands; and
(ii) Products needed by facility operations and their source. (iii) Estimated material costs for the project.
(e) A statement that shall be a reasonable estimate of the calendar quarter in which construction of the industrial facility will commence, contingent upon the issuance of a permit by the Council.
(f) A statement that shall be a reasonable estimate of the maximum time period required for construction of the industrial facility and an estimate of when the physical components of the industrial facility will be ninety (90) percent complete, and the basis for that estimate.
(g) The applicant shall identify what it deems to be the area of site influence and recommends as the local governments primarily affected by the proposed industrial facility as defined in Sections 2 (b), (c) and (d). The immediately adjoining area(s) and local governments shall also be identified with a statement of the reasons for their exclusion from the list of area(s) or local governments primarily affected by the proposed industrial facility.
(h) Using tables, provide a detailed tally of the estimated work force to construct and to operate the facility showing the following information:
(i) All workers providing direct labor and direct support; (safety, supervision, inspection) at the work site;
(ii) Information by calendar month and year from the commencement of construction through the first year of operation;
are permanent;
(iii) Identify and provide totals of those which are construction and those which
(iv) Identify and provide quarterly totals of the number, job classification and recurrence; of those which are estimated to be in-migrating (from outside the study area at the time of hire for the facility) and of those pre-existing employees of the applicant engaged in construction;
(v) Provide estimates of wages; and
(vi) Provide estimates of paid benefits including per diem and paid fees.
(i) The social and economic conditions in the area of site influence shall be inventoried and evaluated as they currently exist, projected as they would exist in the future without the proposed industrial facility and as they will exist with the facility. Prior to submitting its application, each applicant shall confer with the Administrator to define the needed projections, the projection period and issues for socioeconomic evaluation. The evaluation shall include, but is not limited to:
(i) An analysis of whether or not the use of the land by the industrial facility is consistent with state, intrastate, regional, county and local land use plans, if any. The analysis shall include the area of land required and ultimate use of land by the industrial facility and reclamation plans for all lands affected by the industrial facility or its dependent components;
(ii) A study of the area economy including a description of methodology used. The study may include, but is not limited to, the following factors:
(A) Employment projections by major sector;
(B) Economic bases and economic trends of the local economy; (C) Estimates of basic versus non-basic employment;
(D) Unemployment rates;
(iii) A study of the area population including a description of methodology used. The study may include, but is not limited to, an evaluation of demographic characteristics for the current population and projections of the area population without the proposed industrial facility;
(iv) An analysis of housing facilities by type, including a quantitative evaluation of the number of units in the area and a discussion of vacancy rates, costs, and rental rates of the units. The analysis should include geographic location, including a quantitative evaluation of the number of units in the area required by the construction and operation of the proposed industrial facility and a discussion of the effects of the proposed industrial facility on vacancy rates, costs, and rental rates of the units. Specific housing programs proposed by the applicant should be described in detail;
(v) An analysis of effects on transportation facilities containing discussion of roads
(surface type), and railroads (if applicable).
(vi) Public facilities and services availability and needs, which may include, but are not limited to:
(A) Facilities and personnel required for the administrative functions of government including specific new demands or increases in service levels created by construction of the proposed industrial facility;
(B) Sewer and water impacts shall describe the distribution and treatment facilities including the capability of these facilities to meet projected service levels required due to the proposed industrial facility. Use of facilities by the proposed industrial facility should be assessed separately from population related increases in service levels. If required pursuant to W.S. 35-12-108, the application shall contain the Water Supply and Water Yield Analysis and Final Opinion of the State Engineer;
(C) Solid waste collection and disposal services including the capability of these facilities to meet projected service levels required due to the proposed industrial facility. Use of facilities by the proposed industrial facility should be assessed separately from population related increases in service levels;
(D) Existing police and fire protection facilities including specific new demands or increases in service levels created by the proposed industrial facility;
(E) An analysis of health and hospital care facilities and personnel including specific new demands or increases in service levels created by the proposed industrial facility;
(F) Human service facilities, programs and personnel, including an analysis of the capacity to meet current demands and a description of problems, needs, and costs of increasing service levels;
(G) An analysis of community recreational facilities and programs and urban outdoor recreational opportunities including specific new demands or increases in service levels created by the proposed industrial facility;
(H) Educational facilities, including an analysis based upon enrollment per grade, physical facilities and their capacities and other relevant factors with an assessment of the effect that the new population will have on personnel, programs and facilities;
(I) Problems due to the transition from temporary, construction employees to operating workforces should be addressed. Changes in levels of services required as a result of the proposed industrial facility should specifically be addressed. Cumulative impacts of the proposed industrial facility and other developments in the area of site influence should be addressed separately. This assessment should examine increased demands associated with the construction and operational phases of the proposed industrial facility, as well as effects on the level of services as the construction or operational workforces decline;
(J) A copy of any studies that may have been made of the social or economic impact of the industrial facility.
(vii) A fiscal analysis over the projection period for all local governments and special districts identified by the applicant as primarily affected by the proposed industrial facility, including revenue structure, expenditure levels, mill levies, services provided through public financing, and the problems in providing public services. If modeling software is used, then identifying the software program and providing a summary table of the data set inputs (including any multipliers) for the analysis is required. The analysis may include, but is not limited to:
(A) An estimate of the cost of the facility with a separate line item for the estimated material costs;
(B) An estimate of the sales and use taxes to be paid directly by the applicant to construct the facility. This estimate should be broken down by year.
(C) If a facility is located in more than one county, the estimate under subsection (B) above shall be broken down by year and for each affected county.
(D) Estimates of impact assistance payments which will result from the
project.
(E) An estimate of the cost of components of the industrial facility which will be included in the assessed value of the industrial facility for purposes of ad valorem taxes for both the construction and operations periods. This estimate should include a breakdown by county if the components of the industrial facility will be located in more than one county.
(j) An evaluation of the environmental impacts as they would exist if the proposed industrial facility were built. Each evaluation should be followed by a brief explanation of each impact and the permit issued that regulates the impact. If the impact is not regulated by a state regulatory agency or federal land management agency, the application must include plans and proposals for alleviating adverse impacts. Cumulative impacts of the proposed industrial facility and other projects in the area of site influence should be addressed separately.
(k) The applicant shall describe the procedures proposed to avoid constituting a public nuisance, endangering the public health and safety, human or animal life, property, wildlife or plant life, or recreational facilities which may be adversely affected by the estimated emissions and discharges from the proposed facility.
(l) The applicant shall provide certification that all local governments in the study area were provided notification of the facility, a description of the proposed project and an opportunity to ask the applicant questions regarding the proposed project at least thirty (30) days prior to the submission of the application. The certification shall include a description of the actual process used.
(m) For a permit application, the applicant shall provide a description of land use and changes to land use as a result of the project. Such will include:
(i) The project site, transportation routes, utilities, and collector systems. (ii) County land use plans and zoning, if any.
(iii) Changes to agricultural production as a consequence of the project. (n) For a permit application, the applicant shall provide the following:
(i) An evaluation of potential impacts together with any plans and proposals
to alleviate potential impacts. The evaluation shall include a recent survey for threatened and endangered and rare species of concern (flora & fauna), as identified in the state wildlife action plan prepared by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, found at the site location.
(ii) An evaluation of the potential impacts to terrestrial and aquatic wildlife and any plans or proposals to alleviate potential impacts.
(o) The applicant shall provide a description of the methods and strategies to maximize employment and utilization of the existing local or in-state contractor and labor force during the construction and operation of the facility.
(p) The applicant shall provide a description of the impact controls and mitigating measures proposed to mitigate and alleviate adverse environmental, social and economic impacts associated with the construction and operation of the proposed industrial facility, including:
(i) Monitoring programs to assess effects of the proposed industrial facility and the overall effectiveness of impact controls and mitigating actions.
(ii) Impact controls and mitigating measures proposed by the applicant to alleviate adverse environmental, social and economic impacts associated with construction and operation of the proposed industrial facility.
(q) The applicant shall provide a description and quantification of the mitigated and unmitigated impacts that will result from the construction and operation of the proposed facility on the affected local governments and special districts. Such description shall include:
(i) Quantification of fiscal impacts, regardless of amount, on all items contained in Wyoming Statute 35-12-109 (a)(xiii)(A)-(S).
(ii) Projection of when, by calendar month, the unmitigated impacts will occur in the affected communities.
(iii) Projection, by calendar month, of fiscal impact in affected communities.
(r) Counties wishing to present evidence shall provide a description and quantification of the unmitigated impacts that will result from the construction and operation of the proposed facility. Such description shall include:
(i) Estimates of fiscal impacts on services provided by communities; and
communities;
(ii) Estimated projections of when unmitigated impacts will occur in
plan.
Section 9. Additional Application Requirements for Wind Energy Facilities.
(a) Facility Decommissioning. The applicant shall provide a facility decommissioning
(i) The facility decommissioning plan shall include provisions regarding the removal and proper disposal of all wind turbines, towers, substations, buildings, and cabling, electrical components, foundations to a depth of forty-eight (48) inches, and any other associated or ancillary equipment or structures within the facility boundary above and below ground.
(ii) The facility may request that a building be left on site if approval is obtained from the surface landowner and upon written notification to the Administrator.
(iii) Facility or individual wind turbine decommissioning shall begin:
(A) Within twelve (12) months after the end of the useful life of the facility or individual wind turbine, or
(B) When no electricity is generated for a continuous period of twelve
(12) months of the facility or individual wind turbine.
(C) The Council may extend the time period of Section (8)(a)(iii)(B) if the facility demonstrates good cause prior to the end of the continuous period of (12) months of the facility or wind energy generating towers not generating electricity.
(iv) The facility decommissioning plan shall be updated and submitted to the
Administrator every five (5) years.
(b) Interim Reclamation. Interim Reclamation shall comply with the applicable permitting requirements of the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division storm water program.
(c) Final Reclamation. The applicant shall provide a final reclamation plan which shall include:
(i) A detailed description of site conditions prior to construction, including topography, vegetative cover (including plant species and plant community structure), climate, and land uses.
(ii) Re-grading. All tower foundations, roads, and all other surface disturbances within the facility boundary must be re-graded to the natural contours of the area. Backfilling, grading and contouring of affected land shall be accomplished by one or more of the following as detailed in the approved reclamation plan:
(A) Re-establishment of the contour of the land in a manner consistent with the proposed future use of the land.
(B) Contouring affected land to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain unless so doing would create an erosion problem or a hazard.
(C) The facility may leave a road un-reclaimed if approval is obtained from both the surface landowner and the Administrator.
(iii) Re-vegetation
(A) After backfilling, grading and contouring, and the replacement of topsoil, re-vegetation shall be commenced in such a manner so as to most efficiently accommodate the retention of moisture and control erosion on all affected lands to be re-vegetated.
(B) Re-vegetation documentation shall include seedbed preparation, seed mixture, and post seeding maintenance of all disturbed areas.
fertilizers.
(C) If applicable, documentation of any mulching and/or use of
(D) Reclamation shall restore the land to a condition and native or adaptive perennial vegetative cover equal to or better than the original condition.
(E) Re-vegetation of all affected lands shall be accomplished in a manner consistent with the approved reclamation plan and the proposed future use of the land.
(F) Seeding of affected land shall be conducted during the first normal period for favorable planting conditions after final preparation unless an alternative plan is approved. The species of vegetation to be used in re-vegetation efforts shall be described in the reclamation plan indicating the composition of seed mixtures and the amount of seed to be distributed on the area on a per acre basis.
(G) The operator must control and minimize the introduction of noxious weeds into the re-vegetated areas until final reclamation is achieved.
(iv) The final reclamation plan shall be updated and submitted to the
Administrator every five years.
(d) Financial Assurance: The applicant shall provide financial assurances for a wind energy facility, sufficient to assure complete decommissioning and site reclamation of the facility in accordance with the provisions of these rules. Wind energy facilities subject to regulation by the Public Service Commission shall be exempt from these financial assurance provisions and from the Cost Estimation for Decommissioning and Site Reclamation provisions of Section 9(e) and (h) of these rules.
(i) All financial assurances shall be in place prior to commencement of construction of any wind energy facility, and shall be adjusted up or down every five years from the date of permit issuance by the Council based on the results of paragraph (e) of this section.
(ii) Additional financial assurances to cover risks not anticipated at the time of the permit may be required at any time by the Director, as reasonable and necessary, provided the Director first gives thirty (30) days written notice stating the reason for and the amount of the additional financial assurance.
(iii) Financial assurance in the form of domestic securities may be accepted in any of the following forms at the discretion of the Director with consideration of credit worthiness, financial strength, credit history, credit rating and debt.
(A) Surety bond with a corporate surety registered in Wyoming.
(B) Certificate of deposit in the name of the "Department of Environmental Quality" with a state or federally insured financial institution in Wyoming. The permittee shall be entitled to all interest payments.
(C) Other forms of assurance such as corporate guarantee, letter of credit, insurance policy, or other forms as may be acceptable to the Director.
(iv) If the Permittee fails to decommission and reclaim as described in its permit, the Director may determine that the financial assurance be forfeited to the Division to arrange for the decommissioning and reclamation to be conducted by a third-party. In order for the Director to determine that the financial assurance be forfeited, the Director shall:
(A) Determine that decommissioning or reclamation has not started or it has fallen behind the approved schedule for more than six (6) months.
(B) Notify the Permittee in writing of the failure to perform reclamation in accordance with its approved reclamation plan and demand that justification be provided to the Division within 30 days.
(I) If no justification is made by the Permittee within the time provided, or if the Director rejects the justification, the Director shall provide the Permittee written notice that the Division intends to pursue forfeiture of the financial assurance.
(II) The Permittee has 30 days from the date of receiving the
notice of financial assurance forfeiture to request a hearing with the Council contesting the forfeiture of the financial assurance.
(III) If no hearing is requested, the Council will address the revocation of the permit and forfeiture of the financial assurance at the next meeting of the Council. If a hearing is requested, the Council shall conduct a hearing in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act. The Permittee shall bear the expense of scheduling and holding the hearing.
(e) Cost Estimation for Decommissioning and Site Reclamation of the facility:
(i) Estimates of cost for decommissioning and site reclamation shall be made by a licensed professional engineer provided by the applicant and subject to review and approval by the Director.
(ii) Total decommissioning costs shall be estimated without regard to salvage value of the equipment.
(iii) Decommissioning and site reclamation estimates shall be submitted to the Division in the application and every five years after the date of permit issuance until the completion of final reclamation.
(iv) The licensed professional engineer estimate of decommissioning and reclamation costs shall include the following:
(A) A general discussion of assumptions, including equipment, timeframes, backup calculations, procedures, methods, and any other considerations used in developing the cost estimate.
performed.
(B) A detailed description of the decommissioning activities to be
(C) A detailed description of the reclamation activities to be performed.
(v) The facility may request release of the financial assurance mechanism when the facility has achieved final reclamation. Final reclamation means that all surface disturbances have been re-graded and re-vegetated with a uniform perennial vegetative cover with a density of 90% of the native or adaptive background vegetative cover. Noxious weeds shall not be included in percent cover in determining reclamation success.
(f) The Council may give a case-by-case variance to requirements of this Section after considering evidence by the applicant or landowner.
(g) Notice to record owners of mineral rights. Before submitting the application, the applicant shall provide notice to record owners of mineral rights located on or under the land where the proposed facility will be constructed.
(i) The notice shall consist of a statement of the applicant's intention to construct the project, features of the project, a legal description of the boundaries of the project, locations where the application may be examined, and persons to contact for additional information.
(ii) The notice shall be mailed by first class mail to all record owners of mineral rights whose identity and current addresses are readily obtainable from publicly available documents.
(iii) The notice shall be published twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties where the project is to be located.
(iv) The notice and details of steps taken to notify the record owners of mineral rights shall be entered into the record either within the application or as separate exhibit filed with the hearing examiner and parties.
(h) The application shall contain information demonstrating the applicant's financial capability to construct, maintain, operate, decommission, and reclaim the facility. Such documentation, if requested, shall be held confidential to the extent authorized by Wyoming law and shall include:
(i) Commitment letters from the principal investors of the project, which may be conditioned on issuance of required state and local permits; or
(ii) For applicants whose securities are publicly traded and are required to publicly disclose financial statements, any one of the following:
(A) General audited financial statements for the most recent year-end;
(B) Most recent credit ration reports for the financing company as published.
(C) Reports by chartered financial analysts as published.
(iii) For applicants whose securities are not publically traded, financial statements of the majority financial contributors.
(i) Notice to affected landowners
(i) Applicant must provide a list of the names and mailing addresses of all affected landowners at the time the application is submitted.
(ii) Upon receipt of an application subject to this section, the Division will provide notice to the affected landowners and request information and recommendations, which pertain to their respective lands and interests.
(iii) All review comments from State agencies pursuant to W.S. 35-12-110(b)
and (c) will be provided to the affected landowners by the Division.
(iv) All comments by affected landowners received by the Division about the project and about the agency comments under (iii) above will be provided to the State agencies. The agencies will give the Division their replies to the comments from affected landowners.
Section 10. Application Information for Commercial Waste Disposal Facilities.
Application requirements for a commercial waste disposal facility shall include information required for a request for waiver or permit application under W.S. 35-12-107, 35-12-109 and Sections
6 and 7 of these rules and regulations and the information required in subsections (a) through (f) of this section.
(a) A statement of the applicant's financial condition, including but not limited to: (i) A profit and loss statement
(ii) Debt to equity ratio
(b) A description of the mode of transportation by which the wastes will be transported to the site; including access route specification, modification of existing traffic patterns, an estimate of the additional load and traffic placed on access routes, and the method of waste containment during transport. The applicant shall describe possible hazards associated with the transportation of wastes, safety precautions and emergency procedures should a transportation accident occur in route to the facility. If the wastes are to be temporarily stored, transferred, or handled during transport, the location of storage facilities or transfer stations shall be identified. For hazardous wastes, the applicant shall describe how the facility will comply with Department of Transportation the Environmental Protection Agency manifest and transportation requirements of
49 CFR 271-279 and 40 CFR 263.
(c) A description of the effect the facility may have on local land use, and an estimate of the potential short and long-term effect on local property values and tax revenues, and an estimate of the adverse effect the proposed facility may have on local businesses and jobs.
(d) Specification of the types of wastes to be managed by the facility, an estimate of the average waste volume the facility will manage in tons per day and the maximum tonnage the facility will be capable of handling, as well as a general description of the waste management methods used by the facility or associated operations.
(e) A description of the record keeping procedures that will be maintained to assure accurate accounting and payment of the waste management surcharge. The applicant may also request that certain records be held as confidential in accordance with Section 16(b) of these regulations.
(f) The applicant's assessment of impacts must include the impacts of required or proposed recycling operations resulting from the proposed facility.
Section 11. Decision of Council.
(a) The Council shall either grant or deny the application as filed, or grant it upon terms, conditions or modifications of the construction, operation or maintenance of the industrial facility as the Council deems appropriate. The Decision of the Council shall be written and shall be effective the date it is signed by the chair of the Council.
(b) Compliance with all applicable law. The Council must find that the proposed industrial facility will comply with all applicable local, state, and federal law throughout each phase of planning, construction, and operation. The local and state laws that must be complied with for purposes of this subsection consist of those laws which were in force on the date of application. In many cases, required permits and approvals may not be applied for until subsequent to the filing of the application. Therefore, the Council will examine the list of permits that regulate other aspects of the facility development for the purpose of determining whether the proposed industrial facility would be in compliance with all applicable laws if the permits and approvals specified therein were issued as expected.
(c) Threat of serious injury. In order to find that the industrial facility does not pose a threat of serious injury, the Council must find that the granting of a permit, as conditioned by the Council, will not result in a significant detriment to, or significant impairment of, the environment or the social and economic condition of present or expected inhabitants.
(i) In determining whether the proposed industrial facility poses a threat of serious injury to the social condition of the inhabitants, any significant decrease in the quality or quantity of services or facilities may be considered a serious injury. "Social condition" shall include, but is not limited to, the following factors:
(A) Water treatment;
(B) Sanitary waste disposal; (C) Solid waste collection; (D) Housing;
(E) Police and fire protection; (F) Medical facilities;
(G) Schools;
(H) Recreational facilities; (I) Transportation systems; (J) Mental health facilities; (K) Social service facilities.
(ii) In determining whether the proposed industrial facility poses a threat of serious injury to the economic condition of the present or expected inhabitants, any net deterioration of a material nature in the condition of either present or expected inhabitants will be weighed negatively. "Economic conditions" may include, but is not limited to, the following factors:
(A) Upgrading of jobs and increased income;
(B) Family and per capita income;
(C) Unemployment and underemployment rates within the area of site influence.
(D) Purchasing power of earnings within the area of site influence.
(E) Short term and long term fluctuations in resource consumption and resource availability.
(F) Employment dislocation and skill obsolescence.
(G) Employment opportunities;
(H) Diversity of economy and stability of various segments of the economy.
(d) Substantially impair the health, safety or welfare. The Council must find that the proposed industrial facility will not substantially impair the health, safety or welfare of the present or expected inhabitants of the areas of site influence. A proposed industrial facility may be found to substantially impair the health, safety or welfare of the inhabitants if their health, safety or welfare during and after construction would be significantly diminished or weakened relative to present levels.
(e) If the Council is not able to find that these conditions are met, the Council shall deny the application.
(f) If the Council determines that the location of all or part of the proposed industrial facility should be modified, it may condition its permit upon that modification, provided that the local governments, and persons residing therein, affected by the modification, have been given reasonable notice of the modification.
(g) If the Council decides to grant a permit for the industrial facility, it shall issue the permit embodying the terms and conditions in detail, including the time specified to commence construction, which time shall be determined by the Council's decision as to the reasonable capability of the local government, most substantially affected by the proposed industrial facility, to implement the necessary procedures to alleviate the impact. If the construction of the facility fails to follow the schedule used by the Council to make its decision, the Council may require an amendment to the permit in accordance with W.S. 35-12-106(c) and (d).
(h) Unless the Council extends the permit as provided in subsection (i) of this section a permit to construct shall expire for any of the following conditions:
(i) Construction has not commenced within thirty-six (36) months after the date of the Decision of the Council;
(ii) If commenced construction has discontinued before the completion of the described project for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months, provided that the discontinuance is not in an approved schedule or for approved phases.
(i) The Council may extend the time periods of paragraphs (h)(i) and (h)(ii) above for good cause provided that the facility requests an extension in a timely manner accompanied by an update to the Application including the following:
(i) The construction schedule;
(ii) The estimated start of commercial operation; (iii) Socio-economic baseline; and
(iv) Updates to those sections of the Application as defined by the Administrator where material changes are expected to occur.
(j) Permit Term. During the application for a permit or permit waiver, an applicant may request that the permit be issued for a term of less than the life of the facility, but not less than the construction phase(s). The Council may authorize a permit for a term less than the life of a facility if the applicant demonstrates that all of the following conditions exist:
(i) After the permit term (over the remaining life of the facility), no adverse environmental, social and economic impacts in the area of site influence may occur, which are not regulated by another State regulatory agency. The life of the facility includes cessation of operations, site clearance and site reclamation.
(ii) There are no conditions or requirements of the pending permit that warrant the continuation of Council's jurisdiction for the remaining life of the facility.
(iii) The permit term would not conflict with any statute or rule governing the facility, and would not conflict with the purposes of the Industrial Development Information and Siting Act.
(A) The Council shall consider all objections from local government before granting a permit term request.
(k) Local governments may make a request for a bond pursuant to W. S. 35-12-113(e), such requests must:
(i) Be provided to the Director and parties three weeks prior to the date of the hearing of the permit application by the Council;
(ii) Justify the need for the bond;
(iii) Describe the purpose and use of the bond; (iv) Justify the amount of the bond;
released; and
(v) Recommend a mechanism to determine when and if the bond should be
(vi) Recommend a mechanism to determine when and if the bond should be surrendered to the State of Wyoming. The Director shall make a recommendation on any such bond request to the Council prior to the hearing of the Council. Such recommendation shall be provided to the parties to the hearing.
Section 12. Impact Assistance Funds.
(a) If all affected counties, cities and towns in the area primarily affected can agree to an amount and schedule for payment distributions, they may provide their agreement to the Division for submission to the Council for its consideration. If an amount and schedule supported by all governments within the area primarily affected has not been provided to the Division within 30 days of filing an application or waiver of permit application, the Division will review the information provided in the application and provide to counties, cities and towns within the area primarily affected the Administrator's recommendation to the Council for distribution of the impact assistance funds. Counties in disagreement with the Administrator's draft recommendation shall provide to the
parties an alternate distribution recommendation and information showing that the Administrator's recommended distribution does not account for all the unmitigated impacts.
(b) Pursuant to W.S. 39-15-111(c) and (d), and W S. 39-16-111 (d) and (e) the Council shall, after consideration of all evidence and recommendations presented at the hearing held pursuant to W.S. 35-12-107(g) and W.S. 35-12-110(f), establish an amount and schedule for distribution of impact assistance funds. The Council shall establish a dollar amount associated with the unmitigated impacts on the affected counties, cities and towns from the construction of the proposed facility. Under no circumstances shall the impact assistance payment exceed two and seventy-six hundredths percent (2.76%) of the total estimated material costs of the facility, as those costs are determined by the Council.
(c) If impact assistance payments are already being distributed to an affected area of site influence, and another facility commences construction, the Council shall consider the effect of the following factors in establishing, modifying, adjusting or revising the distribution:
(i) The amount of impact assistance funds generated by each facility and the degree of impact in the county attributable to each facility; and
(ii) The timeframe in which different amounts of impact assistance funds are generated by each facility in relation to the timeframe in which impacts attributable to each facility occur.
(d) The Council may adjust, revise or modify distributions during the construction of a facility. A local government which is primarily affected by the facility and which has filed a notice of intent to be a party pursuant to W.S. 35-12-111(b), or any person issued a permit pursuant to W.S. 35-12-106, may petition the Council for review and adjustment of the distribution upon a showing of good cause. The request shall be submitted to the Division.
(i) Upon receiving a request to modify a distribution, the Administrator shall: (A) Within ten (10) days after the request is received, serve a copy of
the request to each local government primarily affected. A copy of the request shall be provided to
the permittee.
(B) Request the affected local governments and permittees to submit to the Division all relevant studies, statements, reports, analyses, evaluations, compilations, or other written material which will enable the Council to determine whether the social and economic impacts have changed and establish a new distribution.
(C) Conduct such investigations, studies, reports and evaluation as may be necessary to prepare a recommendation on the request.
(ii) The Administrator shall present the request for impact assistance funds to the Council at least thirty (30) days after the Division received the request, with a recommendation. The Council may thereupon, after consideration of the materials submitted by the local governments, applicants, permittees and Administrator, determine that the social and economic impacts from construction of the facility have changed, and establish a new distribution as appropriate and necessary.
(e) Pursuant to W.S. 39-15-111(c) and (d), and W.S. 39-16-111(d) and (e) the Council, may determine that the social and economic impacts from construction of an industrial facility upon
the adjoining county are significant and establish the distribution of impacts between all communities in the impact area.
(i) The Council may adjust, revise or modify a distribution during the construction of a facility; upon receiving a written request from any person issued a permit pursuant to W.S. 35-12-106, and a showing of good cause.
(f) Upon establishing or modifying a distribution pursuant to W.S. 39-15-111(c) and
(d), and W. S. 39-16-111 (d) and (e) the Division shall notify all parties.
(g) For the purposes of this Section of these regulations, the period of construction for a facility shall end when the physical components of the industrial facility are ninety (90) percent complete. The physical components of the industrial facility shall include all materials, supplies, and equipment included in the estimated construction cost of the facility pursuant to Section 2 (l) of these regulations.
Section 13. Information Requirements Imposed Upon Exempt Activities.
(a) No entity defined as an information applicant shall commence construction activity unless such entity has supplied the following information to the Council a reasonable time prior to the commencement of such construction:
(i) A description of the nature and location of the construction activity.
time.
(ii) The estimated time of commencement of construction and construction
(iii) The estimated number and job classifications, by calendar quarter, of the employees of the applicant, of its contractor or subcontractor during the construction phase and during the operating life of the facility. Such estimates shall include the number of employees who will be utilized but who do not currently reside within the area to be affected by the facility.
(b) For construction activities which are exempt from the permit requirements of the Act pursuant to W.S. 35-12-119(c), and which are associated with an industrial facility as defined by W.S. 35-12-102(a)(vii), the applicant shall provide the information required by W.S. 35-12-
109(a)(iii), (iv), (v), and (viii) at the same time that the application for a permit for the industrial facility is filed.
Section 14. Permit Transfers and Terminations.
(a) The Administrator may recommend corrections to the name of the permit holder to the Council.
(b) The Council may authorize transfers of permits to a different person buying the assets of the permitted facility if:
(i) The matter is initiated by a written request from the current permit holder and accompanied by a written acceptance of the permit, its terms and conditions by the prospective buyer.
(ii) The matter is heard by the Council at its next meeting after notice is
published and parties are notified.
(iii) Appropriate officers of the current permit holder and the acquiring company are present for examination by the Council.
(c) Petition by a Permittee for termination of the permit.
(i) Upon application for a permit termination, the Council may authorize permit termination if the Permittee demonstrates that all of the following conditions exist:
(A) The operation is in compliance with local ordinances and land use plans in force or adopted on or prior to the date of the application.
(B) Termination of the permit will not cause or add to any adverse environmental, social and economic impacts in the area of site influence, which are not regulated by another State regulatory agency, during the remaining life of the facility. The remaining life of the facility includes cessation of operations, site clearance and site reclamation.
(C) All construction phases of the facility have been completed and there are no conditions or requirements of the permit that warrant the continuation of the permit for the remaining life of the facility.
(D) Permit termination would not conflict with any statute or rule governing the facility, and would not conflict with the purposes of Act.
(ii) The Council shall consider all objections from local governments before granting a permit termination.
(iii) Within fourteen (14) days of receipt of a termination application the Director shall cause notice to be published in newspaper(s) of general circulation in the area primarily affected stating the nature of the request. Written notice shall also be provided to local governments
in the area of site influence. The notice shall describe the name and location of the operation and provide for a thirty (30) day public comment period.
(iv) Prior to granting a permit termination, the Council shall provide opportunity for a public hearing if requested, in accordance with Chapter II, Section 13 and 14 of these regulations. The Council shall render a decision within ninety (90) days from the date the application is filed with the Department.
(v) The applicant shall pay an application fee to cover the costs of processing the application, inspecting, and for compliance activities. The amount shall be calculated by the Director.
Section 15. Amendments.
(a) A permit shall be amended if the applicant makes a significant change to the scope, purpose, size, or scheduling of the project; which would result in different impacts not within the scope of the approved permit.
(i) Supplemental submittals shall not be considered amendments, if they do not provide a significant change to the scope, purpose, size or scheduling of the project. In particular, material which is in the nature of a clarification in response to a request by the Division
shall not be considered a permit application amendment.
(ii) An amendment to a permit application or request for waiver may be allowed on condition that the applicant agrees to an extension of time for hearings, studies and determinations, in order to allow full and adequate notice in the manner and to the persons specified in W.S. 35-12-111(a).
(b) With respect to commercial waste disposal facilities, any major changes in the type or volume of wastes received, size of the facility, changes in transportation methods or routes for waste delivery, or changes in recycling, reuse, or treatment shall require notice and prior approval from the Director. If the Director determines that these changes may result in additional adverse impacts that were not previously reviewed by the Council, the Permittee shall submit a permit amendment in accordance with the requirements of this section.
Section 16. Waste Management Surcharge.
(a) Each Permittee of a commercial waste incineration or disposal facility shall keep records of all wastes received by the facility. Records shall consist of:
content.
(i) A daily log of all wastes received by the applicant by weight, source and
(ii) A daily record of payments made for wastes received for disposal by source, including a first accounting of invoices;
(iii) A daily record of solid wastes removed from the facility and recycled or reused; and
(iv) A daily record of hazardous wastes treated at the facility.
(b) In accordance with W.S. 16-4-203(d)(v), records supplied for purposes of verifying the surcharge payment shall be public record unless the applicant can demonstrate to the Council, at the time of permitting, that the information consists of trade secrets, privileged information, or confidential commercial information. In such case, the applicant shall stamp as "confidential" each page containing privileged information.
(c) Waste receipt and surcharge reporting shall be on a quarterly basis through the use of monthly recapitulation sheets of the daily records.
(d) In accordance with W.S. 35-12-113(g), the Permittee shall remit the surcharge no later than the last day of the second month following the end of the quarter. Failure to remit the full payment as required by this section may constitute grounds for permit revocation in accordance with W.S. 35-12-116, after notice and reasonable opportunity to correct the failure.
(e) Upon a fourteen (14) day advance notice, the Permittee shall allow audits by the Division, or its auditors. The Permittee shall provide the Division access to all records and provide the copying of all records dealing with compliance of the permit requirements and payment of the waste management surcharge.
(f) Without advance notice, the Division or its designated agent may inspect manifests for shipments to determine accuracy of record keeping and weight scales.
(g) For audit purposes, all records required by this section will be maintained a minimum of five years.
(h) All measuring devices utilized to determine the surcharge payment shall be certified by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture in accordance with W.S. 40-10-117 through
40-10-123 and inspected and recertified annually.
(i) The waste management surcharge rate shall be a minimum of $10 per short ton for non-hazardous wastes received and $25 per short ton for hazardous waste. The Council may impose a higher rate at the time of permitting or annually thereafter. The rate may also be lowered as long as the surcharge remains at or above the minimum set in W.S. 35-12-113(g). The Council shall consider any of the following criteria as a basis for adjusting the surcharge rate:
(i) National or regional cost escalation for waste disposal;
welfare.
(ii) Level of short and long term liabilities and risk to public health, safety and
(iii) Encouragement of the use and demonstration of new and advanced technologies which benefit the community and state;
(iv) Economic benefits accruing to the local community from the facility, including but not limited to, voluntary mitigation measures, employment opportunities, and importance to the economic stability; or
(v) Utilization of waste reduction, recycling and treatment practices at the origin of the wastes.
(j) The Council shall authorize a reduction in the waste management surcharge rate to encourage recycling, reuse, or treatment of hazardous wastes in accordance with W.S. 35-
12-113(g). To obtain the credit, the Permittee must provide for removal and recovery of useful components of the waste stream above the minimum required by W.S. 35-11-508(a) (iii). For hazardous wastes, the treatment process shall reduce the hazards and long-term risks from the wastes above the minimum treatment processes required by rules promulgated under the Environmental Quality Act. The Council may authorize a credit at, or greater than, the minimum of W.S. 35-12-113(g) if the Council finds:
(i) Economic viability - where the Permittee can demonstrate a recycling or treatment technology or method which would not be economically viable through costs in excess
of the minimum credit, the Council may grant a higher credit to promote the technology or method, if the Council determines the recycling or treatment technology or method beneficial to the State.
(ii) Economic development - the credit may be increased to broaden the local economic base in the form of a subsidy to develop local recycling, reuse, or treatment enterprises. This subsidy may only be approved to increase business profitability in the growth years of the enterprise.
(k) Upon submittal of a permit application, request for waiver, or annually after permit approval, the Director may require the Permittee or applicant to provide cost data so that the Division may evaluate the merits of a surcharge rate adjustment. The information requested may include, but
is not limited to:
(i) Breakdown of operation costs.
(ii) Breakdown of construction costs.
(iii) Breakdown of transportation costs. (iv) Current tipping charges.
Section 17. Fees and Public Records.
(a) Application Fee. The fee required by W.S. 35-12-109(b) is prepared on the basis of features of the proposed application and facility as are any increases in the Application Fee as required by W.S. 35-12-109(d).
(b) Public records may be inspected and copies provided upon written request specifying the document(s) requested.
(c) These rules incorporate by reference the following rules and regulations, as in effect of September 6, 2016:
(i) Wyoming Department Of Administration and Information, Director's Office, Chapter 2, Uniform Procedures, Fees, Costs, and Charge for Inspection, Copying, and Producing Public Records, available at https://rules.wyo.gov.
(d) These rules do not incorporate later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(e) All incorporated matter is available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov or from (307) 777-7369.
History
- Effective 2018-08-09
Chapter 2 Practice and Procedure for the Industrial Siting Council
Wyo. Code R. 020.0004.2.05212014 Practice and Procedure for the Industrial Siting Council
CHAPTER 2
RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE INDUSTRIAL SITING COUNCIL
Section 1. Authority. In accordance with the provisions of W.S. 16-3-101 through 16-3-115 and W.S. 35-12-105(b), these rules of practice and procedure are hereby adopted. If any provision of these rules or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of these rules which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application and to this end the provisions of these rules are servable.
Section 2. Scope. These rules of practice and procedure relate to the procedures by which the Industrial Siting Council (Council) may reach informed decisions with respect to applications to construct industrial facilities, in which case, the Council shall be the sole judge as to whether or not a permit shall be granted. These procedures provide a method by which all persons interested in the subject matter of such applications may present their views. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent the Council from conducting other investigations as may be deemed appropriate.
Section 3. Definitions.
(a) "Permit Proceeding" means all components and parts of the statutory and regulatory process required by the Act; the Rules and Regulations of the Council and these rules are initiated by the filing of an application and is terminated by the final order which grants or rejects a permit.
(b) "Presiding Officer" means the Chairman of the Council or another person designated by the Chairman with the consent of the Council to serve as presiding officer.
Section 4. Initiation of Proceeding.
(a) All hearings before the Council shall be held pursuant to these rules, the provisions of the Act, and the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act (WAPA).
(b) All hearings, other than rulemaking and rehearing proceedings, may be initiated by:
(i) The filing of an application pursuant to W.S. 35-12-109(a) of the Act.
(ii) The initiative of the Council.
(iii) Petition to the Council.
(c) Persons requesting a hearing shall file two (2) copies of the written petition directed to and served upon both the Chairman of the Council and the Director. Original service shall be by certified mail, return receipt requested. Thereafter, all service shall be in accordance with the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure (WRCP).
(d) The petition for hearing shall set forth:
(i) Name and address of the person making the request and the name and address of his attorney, if any.
(ii) The action, decision, order or permit upon which a hearing is requested.
(iii) A statement in ordinary, but concise language of the facts on which the request is based, including whenever possible particular reference to the statutes, rules or orders that the petitioner alleges have been violated.
(iv) A request for hearing before the Council.
(e) A copy of the petition shall be served on any party who appeared in prior proceedings pertaining to the same matter.
(f) The Council shall consider the petition at its next scheduled meeting unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. After presentation of the arguments in support of and in opposition to the petition for hearing, the Council shall:
(i) Schedule a hearing with reasonable notice; or
(ii) Request additional information of the parties; or
(iii) Deny the petition and provide a statement of reasons for denial.
Section 5. Application provided to Parties; Party Application Submissions.
(a) Upon filing a notice of an intent to be a party by a person or organization described in W.S. 35-12-111(a)(iii), the Division shall immediately provide such a person or organization with a complete copy of the application. To the extent that there are copies available from the copies supplied by the applicant under Chapter 1, Section 6(a), the copy will be provided without cost to such persons in the order of filing such notice of intent. All other copies will be supplied by the Division upon payment by such person or organization of the smaller of $100.00 or the actual cost of preparing duplicate copies.
(b) Any materials supplementing the permit application submitted by the applicant to the Division after the date of the application shall be mailed by the applicant on the date of submission to the Division to persons who are parties pursuant to W.S. 35-12-111(a) at the time of submission. The Division shall maintain a current list of parties, which will be supplied to any party (including the applicant) upon request.
Section 6. Notice and Other Actions
(a) Notice of hearings shall conform to W.S. 16-3-107(a) and (b). The manner and time for giving notice shall be as follows:
(i) When the Council determines that it shall hold a hearing on its own motion, is shall give notice as promptly as possible in advance of the hearing date to all parties.
(ii) When a party desires that a hearing be held before the Council, he shall file his petition and the Division shall forthwith set a date for hearing and notify all parties hereof.
Section 7. Attorney General Presence.
(a) In all matters before the Council, the Council may request the Attorney General of the State of Wyoming or a representative of his staff to be present throughout the hearing.
(b) The Council, upon its own motion, may certify an issue of law to the Attorney General for his opinion. Such opinion shall thereafter be part of the record for any proceeding before the Council, and may, if the Council so directs, constitute a finding of the Council with respect to the issuance of final orders or decisions.
Section 8. Docket. When an application is filed with the division, it shall be assigned a number and entered with the date of its filing on a separate page of a docket provided for such a purpose. The Division shall establish a separate file for each such docketed case, in which shall be systematically placed all papers, documents, transcripts, evidence, exhibits, and motions pertaining thereto, and all such items shall have thereon the docket number assigned, and the date of filing.
Section 9. Motions. The Council or a presiding officer may upon reasonable notice to all parties, hear orally or otherwise, any motion filed in connection with hearings under these rules.
Section 10. Subpoenas.
(a) Subpoenas, requiring the attendance of witnesses from any place in the State of Wyoming at any designated place or hearing, or for the production of books, papers or other documents, or a subpoena duces tecum, may be issued by the Council upon application of any party to the proceeding or upon the motion of the Council at any time after the date the application for a permit is filed.
(b) Subpoenas for the production of books, papers or other documents, unless directed by the Council upon its own motion, will issue only upon application in writing, and such application shall set forth the books, papers or other documents sought with a showing that they will be of service in the decision of the Council.
(c) Costs of service of subpoenas shall be paid by the parties requesting the service, or by the Office if requested by the Council.
Section 11. Prehearing Conference
(a) At least ten (10) days and no more than twenty (20) days before the day of any hearing, the Council may direct the parties to appear before the Council or its designated presiding officer to consider:
(i) The identification, simplification, and delineation of all issues to be considered at the hearing.
(ii) Formulating procedures to govern the hearing.
(iii) Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.
(b) Such conferences shall be conducted informally. An order will be prepared and served on the parties no more than five (5) days after the prehearing conference that recites the actions taken at the conference. The prehearing conference will control the course of the hearing unless modified by the presiding officer to prevent manifest injustice. Any party may move to modify the order prior to the commencement of the hearing. The Council shall consider all motions and issue a final order prior to convening the hearing.
Section 12. Appearances.
(a) Appearances and representations of parties shall be made as follows:
(i) An individual may appear and be heard on his own behalf.
(ii) A copartnership may appear and be represented by a copartner.
(iii) A corporation may appear and be represented by a corporate officer or a full-time employee of said corporation.
(iv) A local government may appear and be represented by a government officer, a member of a local government board, a full-time employee of said local government or the authorized representative of the local government.
(v) An unincorporated association may appear and be represented by a bonafide general officer or full-time employee of such association.
(vi) Any party to a proceeding may appear and be represented therein by an attorney at law who is duly admitted to practice in Wyoming. Any attorney, who is not licensed to practice law in Wyoming, shall not be entitled to enter his appearance in any proceeding before the Council unless he shall have associated with him in such action or proceeding an active member of the Wyoming State Bar.
(b) All parties, except the applicant and any entity of local government, which is a party to the hearing, shall be present at the hearing with or without counsel. Except as to the applicant and any local governmental entity which is a party to the hearing, failure to be present at the hearing and to participate orally shall result in a waive of the right to be a party.
(c) Any person may make a limited appearance in the proceeding by filing a statement in writing with the Council prior to the adjournment of the hearing.
Section 13. Hearings.
(a) Public hearings conducted by the Council shall be at a time and place as are designated by the Council as required by the Act.
(b) The Division shall serve notice of the hearings upon the applicant, local governments and all other parties to the permit proceeding, as established by Section 5(a) of these rules, in accordance with the provisions of W.S. 16-3-107 of the WAPA. Such notice shall be served not less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the hearing. If notice of hearing is given by mail, the computation of time shall begin to run on the date the notice is deposited in the United States mail.
(c) The hearing shall be conducted by the Council with the Chairman or its designated presiding officer sitting as presiding officer. The designated hearing officer shall for purposes of the hearing, have all necessary powers normally vested in the Chairman.
Section 14. Order of Procedure at Hearings. As nearly as possible and feasible, hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the following order of procedure. The presiding officer shall determine all procedural questions not governed by these rules of practice and procedure.
(a) The presiding officer shall announce that the Council is convened to hear the evidence relating to the application for an industrial siting permit and shall call by docket number and title the application to be considered.
(b) The presiding officer shall direct the reading into the record of the notice of hearing given by the Council through its Director and proof of publication thereof and shall direct that the record reflect the issuance of all subpoenas and all appearances of record including parties and their counsel of record, if any.
(c) All witnesses who are present to give testimony in the hearing shall rise, identify themselves and indicate on whose behalf their testimony will be given and be sworn by the presiding officer. All witnesses shall be administered the following oath by the presiding officer:
Do you swear (or affirm) that the testimony which you are about to give in the matter or in the hearing before this Council is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
(d) The parties will each be allowed an opening statement to briefly explain their position to the Council and outline the evidence they propose to offer together with the purpose thereof. Opening statement shall be of a length and in an order as shall be determined by the presiding officer.
(e) The parties' evidence shall be heard in the following order and manner:
(i) The applicant.
(ii) Each local government entity, which is a party, shall then be heard in an order established by the presiding officer.
(iii) Each other party to the permit proceeding, in an order to be established by the presiding officer, shall then be allowed to present its evidence and be heard by the Council.
(iv) Witnesses may be cross-examined by any party or its attorney and by members of the Council and legal counsel.
(v) Parties may have the opportunity to offer, once only, rebuttal evidence in order.
(vi) Parties may have the opportunity to offer closing statements in order.
(f) At the request of the Council, the Division or any party, state agencies, which act as advisory members of the Council, shall have an opportunity to present statements concerning the advisability of issuance of a permit after the parties' evidence is heard.
(i) Such statements shall be limited in scope to the particular area of expertise, which the agency has and/or to the specific area of study assigned to an agency by the Council.
(ii) Upon objection by any party to the permit proceeding to the admission of such statements into the record, the objecting party shall be afforded the opportunity to cross- examine the state agency presenting the statement.
(g) Every person testifying shall, at the Council's discretion, be qualified prior to testifying. Such qualification will include ascertaining the residency, occupation, background, education, and expertise of said person.
(h) Documentary material used as evidence by any party or witness must be of size consistent with the ease of handling, transportation, and filing. Where relevant and material matter offered in evidence by any party is embraced in a book, paper or document containing other matter not material or relevant, to the permit proceeding, the party must plainly designate the relevant matter so offered. If the material matter therein contains other material which unnecessarily encumbers the record, such book, paper or document will not be received in evidence, but may be marked for identification, and if properly authenticated, the relevant and material matter may be read into the record or, if the Council so directs, a true copy of such matter in proper form shall be received as an exhibit.
(i) After all parties have been offered the opportunity to be heard, the presiding officer shall excuse all witnesses and declare the evidence closed. The evidence may be reopened at a later date prior to a decision of the Council upon motion by a party or on the Council's own motion.
(j) After the evidence is declared to be closed, the Council may request the parties to the permit proceeding to submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law within fifteen (15) days after the closing of the evidence.
(k) During all hearings under these rules, the presiding officer shall have the power to:
(i) Administer oaths and affirmations;
(ii) Issue subpoenas;
(iii) Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;
(iv) Take or cause to be taken depositions;
(v) Preside over the hearing and regulate its proceedings;
(vi) Dispose of procedural requests. The presiding officer may be assisted by a representative of the Attorney General's office when such assistance is deemed necessary.
(vii) At his discretion, or with the consent of Council, require parties to tender written briefs and set the time for filing such briefs.
(viii) Preside over and set the time for such prehearing conferences as he deems necessary;
(ix) Exclude all irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence;
(x) Recess the hearing as required;
(xi) Officiate and officially close the hearing.
(xii) With the consent of the Council, declare that the matter is taken under advisement and that the decision and order of the Council will be announced at a later date.
(xiii) Exclude any and all evidence and testimony which raises an issue of the jurisdiction of any agency which has regulatory authority over the industrial facility.
Section 15. Record of Proceedings Reporter. All hearings including all testimony, shall be reported verbatim by a competent reporter. The compensation of such reporter shall be paid as required by law and as ordered by the Council. If a transcript of the testimony is required by the Council, the cost thereof shall be paid by the Council, or as otherwise provided by law. The Council may direct any party or parties to assume the cost of the transcript if transcribed at his or their request.
Section 16. Record. The record in all cases shall include:
(a) All formal and informal notices;
(b) Evidence received or considered including matters officially noticed;
(c) Questions and offers of proof, objections, and rulings thereon;
(d) Any proposed findings and objections thereto;
(e) The decision and order of the Council.
Section 17. Decision and Order. The Council shall make written decision and order in all cases which decision shall contain findings of fact and conclusions. The decision and order of the Council shall be placed in the record of the case, which shall be retained by the Council. Notice of the Council's decision shall be given as provided by W.S. 35-12-113(f) of the Act.
Section 18. Appeal. Appeals to the District Court from decisions of the Council are governed by W.S. 16-3-114, Rule 12 of the Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure and by W.S. 35-12-114 of the Act.
Section 19. Transcript of Appeal. In case of an appeal as above provided from a final order of the Council, the party appealing shall secure and file a transcript of the testimony and all other evidence offered at the hearing, which transcript must be verified by the oath of the reporter who took the testimony as a true and correct transcript of the testimony and other evidence in the case. The compensation of the reporter for making the transcript of the testimony and all other costs involved in such appeal shall be borne by the party prosecuting such appeal.
Section 20. Applicable Rules of Civil Procedure. The WRCP, insofar as the same may be applicable and not inconsistent with the laws of the State and these rules shall apply to matters before the Council.
Section 21. Rulemaking Hearings.
(a) The provisions of the rules contained in this section shall govern:
(i) Any hearings conducted pursuant to a petition (within the meaning of W.S. 16-3-106 for the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of any rule (as defined in W.S. 16-3- 101(a)(ix)).
(ii) Any hearings conducted pursuant to W.S. 16-3-103 for the promulgation of rules and regulations recommended by the Director.
(b) Any party may petition the Council to promulgate, amend, or repeal any rule or rules.
(i) Each petition must be submitted in duplicate to the Chairman of the Council and to the Director.
(ii) The filing of a petition under this Section shall not stay the effectiveness of any rule or rules.
(iii) After filing of a petition, the Council may hold a pre-hearing conference to review the petition and its persuasiveness.
(iv) As soon as practicable, the Council shall deny the petition in writing
(stating its reasons for denial) or initiate rule-making procedures. The action of the Council in denying a petition is final and not subject to review.
(v) Before adoption, issuance, amendment, or repeal of any rule, or the commencement of any hearing on such proposed rule-making, the Council shall cause notice to be given in accordance with the provisions of W.S. 16-3-103.
(c) The adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule, other than interpretive rules or statements of general policy, shall be in accordance with the requirements of the WAPA, except that the provisions of W.S. 16-3-107 through 16-3-112 (relating to conduct of hearings for contested cases) do not apply to hearings held under this section of these Rules. As a fact-finding legislative proceeding, each hearing is non-adversary and there are no formal pleadings or adverse parties. All information will be received by the Council without regard to rules of evidence.
(d) The hearing is directed to receiving factual evidence and expert opinion testimony relative to the issues in the proceeding.
(e) The Council, upon its own motion or upon the motion of any party, to promote the orderly presentation of evidence, may adopt one or more of the provisions contained in these Rules governing procedures in contested cases. Such action by the Council shall not constitute an agreement that the proceeding before the Council is in the nature of a contested case.
(f) The Council may impose time limitations upon oral presentations.
(g) Witnesses
(i) The Council or designated hearing officer may direct that summaries of the testimony of witnesses be prepared in advance of the hearing. If so directed, copies of such summaries shall be served upon the members of the Council or Office or upon any other party as the designated hearing officer may direct.
(ii) Witnesses will be permitted to read summaries of their testimony into the record or make other oral statements as they so desire. Witnesses shall not be available for cross- examination, but will be permitted to answer questions directed to them by members of the Council.
(iii) When necessary to prevent undue prolongation of the hearing, the presiding officer may limit the number of times any witness may testify.
(h) All timely comments shall be considered by the Council before final action is taken on any proposal to promulgate, amend, or repeal any rule. Late filed comments may be considered so far as possible without incurring additional expense or delay.
(i) As soon as practicable after receipt of the official transcript or as soon as practicable after the expiration of the time set for the submittal of written comments, the Council shall render a written decision on the issue presented at the hearing.
Section 22. Amendment. Any amendment to these rules shall become effective as provided by W.S. 16-4-102 through 16-4-106 of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.
History
- Effective 2014-05-21
71 Land Quality - Coal
Chapter 0 Appendix 4A
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.0.07282009 Appendix 4A
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
LAND QUALITY DIVISION
CHAPTER 4, APPENDIX 4A
A. Evaluation of Shrub Density
Introduction
All “eligible lands”, as defined in Chapter 1, Section 2(am), shall be subject to the standard. Except where a lesser density is justified by premining conditions, at least 20 percent of the eligible land shall be restored to shrub patches supporting an average density of one shrub per square meter.
The postmining areal extent of shrub patches and specific shrub density(ies) shall be based on the original premining shrub densities in each vegetation community and the percentage each community contributes to the total eligible land existing in the original permit area and any lands added to the permit area through the amendment process.
Premine community(ies) identified and sampled during the baseline studies shall serve as the target for bond release unless otherwise approved by the Administrator.
For bond release purposes, the average postmine total density and species specific density(ies) shall be at least 90 percent of the calculated criteria for the applicable standard.
CALCULATING THE REQUIRED POSTMINE DENSITY AND SPECIES COMPOSTION
In order to calculate density and composition, the following must be identified:
1. Areal extent and premining total density of eligible land by vegetation community;
-
Relative density for each species;
-
Dominant premine species which then becomes the target postmine species;
-
Density of target postmine species using the formula D[1/( N 1)] ;
-
Allowable density of postmining residual species; and
-
Acceptable residual species.
- D is the postmining total shrub density. When D is less than 1.00, the density of the target postmining species is reduced proportionately. N is the number of primary premining shrub and subshrub species.
Identification of available options
| Option | Identification | Premine | | --- | --- | --- | | I | Reduced permit-wide full shrub standard | 20%@ 1/ M 2 | | II | Permit-wide full shrubstandard | 20%@ 1/ M 2 | | III | Community-specific full shrub standard | No restrictions | | IV | Community-specific full and subshrub standard | No restriction – add subshrubs |
The operator shall select one option only for bond release purposes within each permit or amendment area.
Option I: Permit-wide full shrub density standard; reduction in areal extent; composition based on premining full shrub density only (see Figure 1 for an illustration of this Option). For bond release purposes, no more than two separate acreage/density standards shall be used.
1. Reductions in areal extent and shrub density shall be appropriate when the premining vegetation community(ies) supporting at least one shrub per square meter comprised less than 20 percent of the eligible land. The percentage this community contributed to the total eligible land would then become the percentage of the postmining landscape that is required to support one shrub per square meter. The remainder of the postmining 20 percent areal extent of shrub patches shall be required to support shrubs at a density equaling the next highest density existing in a premining community.
2. Compute the relative premining dominance of full shrub species based on
a weighted average of the percent areal extent of all vegetation communities and their associated full shrub species present within the eligible land. In this instance, one shrub patch seed mixture will be developed for the entire 20 percent areal extent.
3. From the information calculated in step 2. above, identify the dominant premine full shrub species. This species then becomes the target postmine species within the postmine shrub patches.
4. Compute the minimum density that the postmining target shrub (identified in step 3. above) must meet in order to achieve bond release under the standard. This is accomplished by applying the following equation: D[1/( N 1)]
D is the postmining total shrub density (D is always ≤ 1.00). N is the number of primary shrub species existing in the premining communities as identified in step 2. above. Primary shrub species shall be defined as full shrub species which comprise at least 10 percent of the relative density of full shrubs. All primary shrub species shall be included in the shrub patch seed mixture.
5. The postmining residual density is calculated by subtracting the minimum required density of the target species from the total required density.
6. Residual density may be comprised of any premining primary species and any other approved full shrub species. In addition, the following subshrub species may be counted towards up to one half of the residual density.
Artemisia frigida fringed sagewort
Atriplex gardneri/gordonii Gardners saltbush
Ceratoides lanata winterfat
Artemisia pedatifida birdfoot sagewort
Artemisia spinescens bud sagewort
FIGURE 1
OPTION I: PERMIT-WIDE SHRUB DENSITY, REDUCTION OF DENSITY POSSIBLE COMPOSITION BASED ON FULL SHRUBS
Note: No reduction of density is possible when 20 percent or more of the eligible acreage supports a premining total shrub density of over 1 shrub per square meter.
TABLE 1
| Vegetation Community | Number of Acres Affected Following Rule Approval | Percent Eligible Acreage | Premining Total Shrub Density per m2 (1) | Premining Total Shrub Number | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mixed Shrubland | 364.00 | 18.2 | 1.20 | 1,767,730 | | Upland Grassland | 1506.00 | 75.3 | 0.80 | 4,875,826 | | Scoria Grassland | 80.00 | 4.0 | 0.30 | 97,128 | | Drainage Bottomland | 50.00 | 2.5 | 0.20 | 40,470 | | Pastureland (2) | 300.00 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Total Eligible Acreage 2000.00 Premining No. of Shrubs 6,781,153 Total Acreage 2300.00 % Eligible/Total 86.96 _____________________________ (1) When the permit-wide standard is applied, premining density may be calculated from full shrubs only. (2) Pastureland excluded by regulation | | --- |
TABLE 2
| Postmining D* Density Density of 20% Relative Premining Total (1/N+1) of Approved Acreage Number of Density for Primary Shrubs Shrub N Density of Residual Subshrubs Reclaimed Shrubs (≥ 10% Relative Density) Density m2 Dominant Shrubs per m2 with Established D* per m2 per m2 Shrubs | | --- | | Big Rubber Douglas Sagebrush Rabbitbrush Rabbitbrush n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.43 0.13 0.21 ← Numbers are weighted average relative density from Table 3 | | Dominant Species for this Option: BIG SAGEBRUSH | Reduced Permit-wide Standard | | | --- | --- | | 18.2% at 1/m2 1.00 3 0.25 0.375 0.375 1.8% at 0.8/m2 0.80 3 0.20 0.300 0.300 | 364.00 1,473,108 36.00 116,554 | 20 percent of eligible lands 400.00 Postmining No. of Shrubs 1,589,662 | | * D = Postmining Total Shrub Density (e.g. 0.8 * [1/(3+1)] = 0.20) |
TABLE 3 – Option I, Figure 1 continued
| Relative Density Information for Species Note: Relative density is calculated by number of individuals of each species divided by total number of individuals. The value of the dominant species for each type is shaded | | --- | | | | Mixed Shrubland | Upland Grassland | Scoria Grassland | Drainage Bottomland | Weighted Average Relative Density** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Silver sagebrush | 0.06 | | | 0.28 | 0.02 | | Big sagebrush | 0.63 | 0.39 | 0.35 | 0.11 | 0.43 | | Fourwing saltbush | | 0.03 | | | 0.02 | | Black sagebrush | | 0.06 | 0.18 | | 0.05 | | Rubber rabbitbrush | 0.19 | 0.13 | | | 0.13 | | Douglas rabbitbrush | | 0.27 | 0.18 | | 0.21 | | Wax currant | | | 0.05 | | 0.00 | | Skunkbrush sumac | 0.12 | | 0.20 | | 0.03 | | Greasewood | | | | 0.61 | 0.02 | | Common snowberry | | 0.12 | 0.04 | | 0.09 | | Full Shrub Total | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | | Fringed sagewort* | 0.21 | 0.03 | | | 0.06 | | Gardner’s saltbush* | | 0.28 | | | 0.21 | | Winterfat* | | | | 0.08 | 0.00 | All Full Shrubs/m2* 1.20 0.80 0.30 0.20 * excludes these subshrubs, which are not allowed to be included in Option I, II or III. ** Calculated by summing across communities the individual species density times the percent eligible acreage of each community divided by 100 |
Option II: Permit-wide full shrub density standard, no reduction in areal extent or density, composition based on premining full shrub density only (see Figure 2 for an illustration of this Option II).
1. If 20 percent or more of the premine eligible land supports at least 1 shrub per square meter, no reduction in shrub density or areal extent shall be permitted.
2. Compute the relative premining density of full shrub species based on a weighted average of the percent areal extent of all vegetation communities and their associated full shrub species present on eligible land. In this instance, one shrub patch seed mixture will be developed for the entire 20 percent areal extent.
3. From the information calculated in step 2. above, identify the dominant premine full shrub species. This species then becomes the target postmine species within the postmine shrub patches.
4. Compute the minimum density that the postmining target shrub (identified
in step 3. above) must meet I order to achieve bond release under the standard. This is accomplished by applying the following equation:
D[1/( N 1)]
D is the postmining total shrub density (D is always ≤ 1.00). N is the number of primary
shrub species existing in the premining communities as identified in step 2. above.
Primary shrub species shall be defined as full shrub species which comprise at least 10 percent of the relative density of full shrubs.
All primary shrub species shall be included in the shrub patch seed mixture.
5. The postmining residual density is calculated by subtracting the minimum required density of the target species from 1.00.
6. Residual density may be comprised of any premining primary species and other approved full shrub species. In addition, the following subshrub species may be counted towards up to one half of the residual density.
Artemisia frigida fringed sagewort
Atriplex gardneri/gordonii Gardners saltbush
Ceratoides lanata winterfat
Artemisia pedatifida birdfoot sagewort
Artemisia spinescens bud sagewort
FIGURE 2
OPTION II: PERMIT-WIDE SHRUB DENSITY, NO DENSITY REDUCTION POSSIBLE
COMPOSITION BASED ON FULL SHRUBS
Note: No reduction of density is possible when 20 percent or more of the eligible acreage supports a premining total shrub density of over 1 shrub per square meter
TABLE 1
| Vegetation Community | Number of Acres Affected Following Rule Approval | Percent Eligible Acreage | Premining Total Shrub Density per m2 (1) | Premining Total Shrub Number | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mixed Shrubland | 444.00 | 22.2 | 1.20 | 2,156,242 | | Upland Grassland | 1426.00 | 71.3 | 0.80 | 4,616,818 | | Scoria Grassland | 80.00 | 4.0 | 0.30 | 97,128 | | Drainage Bottomland | 50.00 | 2.5 | 0.20 | 40,470 | | Pastureland (2) | 300.00 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| | Total Eligible Acreage 2000.00 Premining No. of Shrubs 6,910,657 Total Acreage 2300.00 % Eligible/Total 86.96 | | --- | --- | | | (1) When the permit-wide standard is applied, premining density may be calculated from full shrubs only. (2) Pastureland excluded by regulation |
TABLE 2
| Postmining D* Density Density of 20% Relative Premining Total (1/N+1) of Approved Acreage Number of Density for Primary Shrubs Shrub N Density of Residual Subshrubs Reclaimed Shrubs (≥ 10% Relative Density) Density m2 Dominant Shrubs per m2 with Established D* per m2 per m2 Shrubs | | --- |
| Big Rubber Douglas Sagebrush Rabbitbrush Rabbitbrush n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.43 0.13 0.21 ← Numbers are weighted average relative density from Table 3 | | --- | | Dominant Species for this Option: BIG SAGEBRUSH | Reduced Permit-wide Standard | | --- | | 100% at 1/m2 1.00 3 0.25 0.375 0.375 400.00 1,618,800 | 20 percent of eligible lands 400.00 Postmining No. of Shrubs 1,618,800 | | * D = Postmining Total Shrub Density (e.g. 1.0 * [1/(3+1)] = 0.25) |
TABLE 3 – Option II, Figure 2 continued
| Relative Density Information for Species Note: Relative density is calculated by number of individuals of each species divided by total number of individuals. The value of the dominant species for each type is shaded | | --- | | | | Mixed Shrubland | Upland Grassland | Scoria Grassland | Drainage Bottomland | Weighted Average Relative Density** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Silver sagebrush | 0.06 | | | 0.28 | 0.02 | | Big sagebrush | 0.63 | 0.39 | 0.35 | 0.11 | 0.43 | | Fourwing saltbush | | 0.03 | | | 0.02 | | Black sagebrush | | 0.06 | 0.18 | | 0.05 | | Rubber rabbitbrush | 0.19 | 0.13 | | | 0.13 | | Douglas rabbitbrush | | 0.27 | 0.18 | | 0.21 | | Wax currant | | | 0.05 | | 0.00 | | Skunkbrush sumac | 0.12 | | 0.20 | | 0.03 | | Greasewood | | | | 0.61 | 0.02 | | Common snowberry | | 0.12 | 0.04 | | 0.09 | | Full Shrub Total | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | | Fringed sagewort* | 0.21 | 0.03 | | | 0.06 | | Gardner’s saltbush* | | 0.28 | | | 0.21 | | Winterfat* | | | | 0.08 | 0.00 | All Full Shrubs/m2* 1.20 0.80 0.30 0.20 * excludes these subshrubs, which are not allowed to be included in Option I, II or III. ** Calculated by summing across communities the individual species density times the percent eligible acreage of each community divided by 100 |
Option III: Community-specific full shrub density standard (see Figure 3 for an illustration of this Option).
1. Each eligible premining vegetation community serves as the basis for developing the required postmine density and areal extent. The percentage each community contributes to the total eligible land is multiplied by 20 percent to establish the number of acres required on the postmining landscape. The average number of full shrubs each community supported premine serves as the postmine average density for that particular community.
2. Compute the relative premining dominance of all full shrub species within each eligible vegetation community. In this instance, one shrub patch seed mixture will be developed for each eligible vegetation community.
3. From the information calculated in step 2. above, identify the dominant premine full shrub species within each eligible vegetation community. This species then becomes the target postmine species within a particular shrub patch corresponding to a specific vegetation community.
4. Compute the minimum density that the postmining target shrub (identified
in step 3. above) must meet in order to achieve bond release under the standard. This is accomplished by applying the following equation:
D[1/( N 1)]
D is the postmining total shrub density (D is always ≤ 1.00). N is the number of primary
shrub species existing in the premining communities as identified in step 2. above.
Primary shrub species shall be defined as full shrub species which comprise at least 10 percent of the relative density of full shrubs.
All primary shrub species shall be included I the respective shrub patch seed mixtures.
5. The postmining residual density is calculated by subtracting the minimum required density of the target species with each vegetation community from the total required density for that community.
6. Residual density may be comprised of any premining primary species and any other approved full shrub species. In addition, the following subshrub species may be counted towards up to one half of the residual density with each community.
Artemisia frigida fringed sagewort
Atriplex gardneri/gordonii Gardners saltbush
Ceratoides lanata winterfat
Artemisia pedatifida birdfoot sagewort
Artemisia spinescens bud sagewort
OPTION III: COMMUNITY SPECIFIC SHRUB DENSITY – COMPOSITION BASED ON FULL SHRUBS ONLY
| Vegetation Community | Number of Acres Affected Following Rule Approval | Percent Eligible Acreage | Premining Total Shrub Density per m2 | Premining Total Shrub Number | Postmining Total Shrub Density m2 “D” | N | Dominant Species | D x (1/N+1) Density of Dominant per m2 | Density of Residual Shrubs per m2 | Approved Subshrubs per m2 | 20% Acreage Reclaimed with Shrubs | Number of Shrubs Established | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mixed Shrubland | 364 | 18.2 | 1.20 | 1,767,730 | 1.00 | 3 | Big Sagebrush | 0.25 | 0.38 | 0.38 | 72.80 | 294,622 | | Upland Grassland | 1506 | 75.3 | 0.80 | 4,875,826 | 0.80 | 4 | Big Sagebrush | 0.16 | 0.32 | 0.32 | 301.20 | 975,165 | | Scoria Grassland | 80 | 4.0 | 0.30 | 97,128 | 0.30 | 4 | Big Sagebrush | 0.06 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 16.00 | 19,426 | | Drainage Bottomland | 50 | 2.5 | 0.20 | 40,470 | 0.20 | 3 | Greasewood | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 10.00 | 8,094 | | Pastureland (1) | 300 | n/a | n/a | | | | | | | | | | | Total Postmining Shrub Acres 400.00 Total Eligible Acreage 2000 Premining No. of Shrubs 6,781,153 Postmining No. of Shrubs 1,297,306 Total Acreage 2300 % Eligible/Total 87.0 (1) pastureland excluded by regulation * D = Postmining Total Shrub Density (e.g. 0.8 x [1(4+1)] = 0.16) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
TABLE 2 – Option 3, Figure 3 continued
| Relative Density Information for Species – Full Shrub Only The value of the dominant species for each type is shaded. ■ | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Mixed Shrubland | Upland Grassland | Scoria Grassland | Drainage Bottomland | | Silver sagebrush | 0.06 | | | 0.38 | | Big sagebrush | 0.63 | 0.39 | 0.35 | 0.11 | | Fourwing saltbrush | | 0.03 | | | | Black sagebrush | | 0.06 | 0.18 | | | Rubber rabbitbrush | 0.19 | 0.13 | | | | Douglas rabbitbrush | | 0.27 | 0.18 | | | Wax currant | | | 0.05 | | | Skunkbrush sumac | 0.12 | | 0.20 | | | Greasewood | | | | 0.51 | | Common snowberry | | 0.12 | 0.04 | | | Full Shrub Total | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | | Fringed sagewort* | 0.21 | 0.03 | | | | Gardner’s saltbush* | | 0.28 | | | | Winterfat* | | | | 0.08 | | | | | | | | Number shrubs ≥ .1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | | | | | | | | All Full Shrubs/m2 | 1.20 | 0.80 | 0.30 | 0.20 | | *excludes these subshrubs, which are not allowed to be included in Option I, II or III. | | | | |
Option IV: Community-specific full shrub and approved subshrub density standard (see Figure 4 for an illustration of this Option)
1. Each eligible premining vegetation community serves as the basis for developing the required postmine density and areal extent. The percentage each community contributes to the total eligible land is multiplied by 20 percent to establish the number of acres required on the postmining landscape. The average number of full shrubs and approved subshrubs each community supported premine serves as the postmine average density for that particular community.
The following are the approved subshrubs which shall be included in calculating the premining density within each community:
Artemisia frigida fringed sagewort
Atriplex gardneri/gordonii Gardners saltbush
Ceratoides lanata winterfat
2. Compare the relative premining dominance of full shrub and approved subshrub species within each eligible vegetation community. In this instance, one shrub patch seed mixture will be developed for each eligible vegetation community.
3. From the information calculated in step 2. above, identify the dominant premine full shrub or approved subshrub species with each eligible vegetation community. This species then becomes the target postmine species within a particular shrub patch corresponding to a specific vegetation community.
4. Compute the minimum density that the postmining target shrub/approved
subshrub (identified in step 3. above) must meet in order to achieve bond release under the standard. This is accomplished by applying the following equation:
D[1/( N 1)]
D is the postmining total shrub density (D is always ≤ 1.00). N is the number of primary shrub/approved subshrub species existing in the premining communities as identified in step 2. above. Primary shrub/approved subshrub species shall be defined as full shrub/approved subshrub species which comprise at least 10 percent of the relative density of full shrubs. However, in order to be considered primary species, fringed sagewort must comprise at least 20 percent of the relative shrub/approved subshrub composition.
All primary shrub/approved subshrub species shall be included in the respective shrub patch seed mixtures.
5. The postmining residual density is calculated by subtracting the minimum required density of the target species within each vegetation community from the total required density for that community.
6. Residual density may be comprised of any premining primary full shrub/approved subshrub species and any other approved full shrub species. In addition, the following subshrub species may be counted towards up to one half of the residual density within each community.
Artemisia frigida fringed sagewort Atriplex gardneri/gordonii Gardners saltbush Ceratoides lanata winterfat Artemisia pedatifida birdfoot sagewort Artemisia spinescens bud sagewort
OPTION IV: COMMUNITY SPECIFIC SHRUB DENSITY – COMPOSITION BASED ON FULL SHRUBS AND APPROVED SUBSHRUBS
TABLE 1
| Vegetation Community | Number of Acres Affected Following Rule Approval | Percent Eligible Acreage | Premining Total Shrub Density per m2 | Premining Total Shrub Number | Postmining Total Shrub Density m2 “D” | N | Dominant Species | D x (1/N+1) Density of Dominant per m2 | Density of Residual Shrubs per m2 | Approved Subshrubs per m2 | 20% Acreage Reclaimed with Shrubs | Number of Shrubs Established | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mixed Shrubland | 364 | 18.2 | 1.40 | 2,062,351 | 1.00 | 3 | Big Sagebrush | 0.25 | 0.38 | 0.38 | 72.80 | 294,622 | | Upland Grassland | 1506 | 75.3 | 1.10 | 6,704,260 | 1.00 | 3 | Big Sagebrush | 0.16 | 0.32 | 0.32 | 301.20 | 975,165 | | Scoria Grassland | 80 | 4.0 | 0.30 | 97,128 | 0.30 | 4 | Big Sagebrush | 0.06 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 16.00 | 19,426 | | Drainage Bottomland | 50 | 2.5 | 0.20 | 40,470 | 0.20 | 3 | Greasewood | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 10.00 | 8,094 | | Pastureland (1) | 300 | n/a | n/a | | | | | | | | | | | Total Postmining Shrub Acres 400.00 Total Eligible 2000 Premining Number of 8,904,209 Postmining No. of Shrubs 1,297,306 Acreage Shrubs Total Acreage 2300 % Eligible/Total 87.0 (1) pastureland excluded by regulation * D = Postmining Total Shrub Density (e.g. 0.3 x [1(4+1)] = 0.06) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
A complete proposal for evaluation of postmining shrub density should include:
1. A commitment to provide a brief history of the methods employed to implant shrubs and the husbandry practices specifically related to shrub establishment and maintenance.
2. Methods to identify shrub patches and to determine their areal distribution and extent.
3. Proposed sampling methods for the determination of shrub density within the patches. This discussion should include number of samples.
4. Proposed methods for documenting the presence and distribution of shrub species on all other lands jointly used by livestock and wildlife.
History
- Effective 2009-07-28
Chapter 0 Appendix B (formerly under DocID # 3017)
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.0.04151998 Appendix B (formerly under DocID # 3017)
APPENDIX B
WILDLIFE MONITORING REQUIREMENTS FOR
SURFACE COAL MINING OPERATIONS
INTRODUCTION
Procedures specified in this Appendix are required for surface coal mining operators per Chapter 2, Section 2(b)(vi)(B) and Chapter 4, Section 2(r)(iv) of the WDEQ/LQD Rules and Regulations. The requirements herein shall become effective January 1 following filing with the Wyoming Secretary of State. The monitoring procedures specified in this Appendix are applicable to surface coal mines. Operators disturbing less than 640 acres of land may request a reduced level of monitoring through submittal of a wildlife monitoring plan to be reviewed and approved by the regulatory authority prior to implementation.
Permission for significant departures from this Appendix shall be requested by formal proposal to the LQD. Proposed alternatives will be reviewed by the appropriate wildlife agencies prior to approval and implementation. Alternative methods which are equally effective as those recommended in this Appendix will be given due consideration and may be approved by the Administrator. Specific procedures in this Appendix may be waived by the Administrator where the operator affirmatively demonstrates that the impact cannot occur or is not a reasonable concern during the life of the mine. The type and amount of monitoring may be modified depending upon the wildlife species and habitats on and adjacent to the permit area, the size of the area to be affected over the mine life, and site- specific problems.
Operators with overlapping monitoring areas shall coordinate their monitoring programs to eliminate duplication. Though not required, operators should consider coordinated and consolidated monitoring efforts with neighboring mines in order to assure the collection of meaningful and comparable data. Qualified wildlife professionals must be utilized for the collection and analysis of data in order to assure accuracy and consistency. Each mine's annual report to the LQD shall include the monitoring data and analysis specified by this Appendix. Data comparisons should consider all years since the onset of data collection, though only the data for the current year and the four previous years need be presented in the annual report. Data analysis procedures and standardized reporting shall be in a form acceptable to the Administrator. The Administrator will strive to ensure the timely review of wildlife monitoring data provided in annual reports to the LQD and the cumulative analysis of monitoring data from all operators.
Appendix B
Table of Contents
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS AND METHODOLOGIES B-3
A. Big Game Seasonal Habitat Use
Seasonal Distribution and Habitat Affinity B-3
Climatological Information B-3
Range Conversions B-4
Mortalities and Concentration Buildups B-4
B. Upland Gamebird Brood Counts and Lek Attendance Surveys
Lek Searches B-4
Lek Attendance Surveys B-5
Brood Habitat Surveys B-5
Measures of Disturbance B-5
C. Raptor Production
Nest Status and Production Success B-6
Measures of Disturbance B-6
Prey Abundance Indices B-7
Permit Term Mitigation Plan B-7
D. Migratory Birds of High Federal Interest B-7
E. Federally Listed Threatened and Endangered Species
Bald Eagles B-7
Black-Footed Ferrets B-8
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS AND METHODOLOGIES
A. Big Game Seasonal Habitat Use
Seasonal Distribution and Habitat Affinity
One aerial survey and one ground survey shall be conducted between January 1 and mid-March each year. Aerial surveys are primarily for pronghorn and ground surveys for deer. However, all big game should be recorded in all surveys. The ground survey shall be conducted as soon as practical after the aerial survey. The aerial survey should be conducted on a clear day with 100 percent snow cover (optimum conditions). Where actual snow cover conditions deviate from the optimum due to areas continually blowing free of snow, it would be acceptable to conduct the survey with less than 100 percent snow cover (but not less than 80 percent snow cover). Deviation from optimum conditions reduces data quality and, therefore, the operator should use discretion in selecting the best survey conditions. Aerial surveys shall be conducted at constant altitude from a light, high wing aircraft with one or two observers. The survey area shall be covered by flying north-south transects spaced at 1/2 mile intervals if there is one observer or 1 mile intervals if there are two observers.
If appropriate snow cover conditions have not developed by the first of March, the aerial survey shall then be conducted either under minimal snow cover conditions (0-20 percent) or near complete (80-100 percent) snow cover. Again, the operator should use discretion in selecting appropriate survey conditions. If neither of these snow cover conditions develop by mid-March, the aerial survey should not be conducted for that year and only the ground survey would be necessary. In addition to the winter surveys, one ground survey shall be conducted in April, early June and August; all big game should be recorded in these surveys. Surveys shall cover the permit area and 2 mile perimeter. Ground routes should allow visual coverage of the entire study area, and the same routes must be utilized each survey to the extent possible.
Climatological Information
The relative severity of each winter must be determined to evaluate how big game respond to mining and reclamation during average to extreme winter conditions. A daily weather record (snow depths, minimum and average temperatures, wind velocities) must be obtained from the nearest NOAA weather station or a continuous recording station on or near the permit area. Data must cover the period from November through mid- March and must be provided to the LQD in each annual report. Additionally, each mine must note snow cover trends preceding the winter aerial survey. Areas where deep snow persistently accumulates, covering forage and/or precluding big game movement, must be sketched on a map.
Range Conversions
Each mine operator shall obtain seasonal range maps from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) for big game species present on the permit area. Range delineations must be superimposed on a mine plan map and the total area affected over the mine life must be calculated and the incremental amount affected each year reported.
Mortalities and Concentration Buildups
Each mine operator must maintain a record of big game mortalities including fence entanglements, vehicular collisions, and other deaths. Winter mortalities shall be estimated each spring from observations incidental to surveys and other mine activities. Species, date, and probably cause of mortality should be recorded, and a cumulative record must be submitted in each annual report.
Any sudden concentration buildups or apparent migration blocks must be reported immediately to local WGFD personnel and should be described in each annual report.
B. Upland Gamebird Brood Counts and Lek Attendance Surveys
Lek Searches
All suitable lek habitat on the term of permit area and a one-mile perimeter must be searched for new leks at least once each spring. Every third year, searches must cover the entire permit area and its one-mile perimeter. Lek searches shall be conducted from late March through April by driving roads and stopping frequently (at no greater than one mile intervals) to scan and listen for displaying sounds. During annual attendance surveys at known leks, any new leks discovered shall be noted.
Complete coverage must be achieved by ground surveys. Aerial surveys are ineffective for sharptail grouse leks, but may be used to augment ground surveys for sage grouse leks. Searches shall be conducted between dawn and 1 hour after sunrise. When display or breeding activity is noted at a site during a lek search, that site must be checked two more times during the breeding season.
Lek Attendance Surveys
At each known lek, a minimum of three attendance counts must be conducted during April through early May. Attendance counts shall be conducted from 1/2 hour before to 1/2 hour after sunrise, separated by 7 to 10 day intervals. Peak male attendance shall be determined using repeated counts until the observer is confident in the count. The number of females observed shall also be recorded. Each annual report must include a complete record of the status and history of all leks, including those which have been destroyed or have become inactive.
Brood Habitat Surveys
Permanent walking routes shall be established along edges of all native drainages, subirrigated meadows, and other mesic sites within the permit area, totalling up to 3,000 meters (1.86 mi.). Similar transects totalling up to 3,000 meters shall be established on reclamation as soon as revegetated bottomlands and drainages become available. During July each year, all routes shall be surveyed twice within a week period. Weather conditions should be calm, clear, and dry. All grouse observed shall be classified as adult males, adult females, or juveniles. Results must be expressed as number of individuals observed per 1,000 meters. Although transects within native habitats will be eliminated as mining progresses, results prior to disturbance will establish baseline brood densities. These will afford a basis for evaluating grouse recovery on reclaimed surfaces.
Measures of Disturbance
To evaluate effects of visual and auditory disturbance, operators shall measure the linear distance from each lek to the closest known, regular human or equipment activity during each breeding season. The presence or absence of direct line of sight must also be noted. Habitat alteration must be calculated annually as the cumulative disturbed acreage of each habitat type and the cumulative acreage of permanent reclamation (classified as upland or bottomland) .
C. Raptor Production
Nest Status and Production Success
On or before mid-February, surveys for golden eagle and great horned owl nests shall be initiated within 2 mile of existing mining activities and those activities proposed for the coming year. It is advantageous to document early courtship behavior in potential conflict situations because once eggs are laid, mitigation options become restricted.
In addition, three thorough surveys covering the entire permit area and a one mile perimeter must be conducted within the following time frames. The first shall be conducted during March to locate golden eagle and great horned owl nests. A second survey shall be conducted in April to locate nests of most other species. A third survey shall be conducted from mid- May through mid-June to locate new raptor nests and to check the status of all known nests.
Follow-up visits to previously identified nests, as necessary, shall be timed to facilitate documentation of occupied territories, nest building, incubation and fledging success according to the biology of the species present and variations in breeding chronology among study areas.
Nest checks during all periods should be brief and conducted from a distance to avoid flushing incubating raptors from their nests. Once an active nest is identified, productivity checks shall be conducted to determine the number of young fledged from the nest. The status and productivity of all nests are to be reported annually.
Measures of Disturbance
The linear distance of each nest site (active or not) from the nearest known, regular human or equipment activity must be determined each breeding season. Note must be made whether a direct line of sight exists between the nest and the activity (recorded as presence or absence of visual barrier). If the nearest activity is unrelated to mine operations, this should be noted. A record of all nests, including those which have been destroyed, and their histories must be updated and submitted annually. Deteriorated nests which are not in reusable condition should also be indicated. All nest locations must be shown on a wildlife monitoring map.
Prey Abundance Indices: Lagomorphs
Lagomorph monitoring shall be accomplished with either walking or driving transects of sufficient length to achieve an adequate sample. Consistent methods must be maintained over all areas surveyed, and over time. As representative acreages of different reclamation types become available, additional transects shall be established in these types.
Permit Term Mitigation Plan
Prior to permit approval and each subsequent renewal or major amendment or revision, the operator must consult the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to develop (or update) a raptor management plan. The outcome of this consultation, along with a USFWS letter of approval, shall be included within the application document. The "take" of a raptor nest with eggs or young should be considered only when no other alternative exists and after obtaining a special purpose permit from the USFWS and the necessary scientific permit from the WGFD. Results of monitoring and mitigation stipulations shall be included in applicable annual reports to the LQD.
D. Migratory Birds of High Federal Interest
Surveys for Migratory Birds of High Federal Interest (MBHFI) must be conducted in accordance with the operator's MBHFI plan as approved by the USFWS. Date and location of each MBHFI sighting, as well as habitat and activity, must be reported to the LQD in annual reports.
E. Federally Listed Threatened and Endangered Species
All observations of threatened and endangered species must be reported promptly to the regulatory authority as required in Chapter 4, Section (r)(i)(E), unless otherwise specified by the USFWS.
Bald Eagles
If a bald eagle roost occurs on the permit area or within accessible portions of a one-mile perimeter, three counts of eagle attendance at the roost must be made from January through mid-March. Roost counts must be separated by at least two weeks.
If suitable roost habitat (large riparian tree groves, wooded canyons) occurs on or near the permit area, one annual survey for new roosts must be conducted in January or February. Coverage must include the permit area and one-mile perimeter. Searches must be started at dawn and end no later than two hours after sunrise. These searches can be conducted by personnel on the ground or from a light airplane.
Results or roost counts and searches must be reported to the LQD and locations of roosts must be shown on a wildlife monitoring map.
Black-footed Ferrets
Searches for black-footed ferrets will be limited to prairie dog colonies on the permit area. A search must be conducted within one year before beginning disturbance of a colony. Ferret searches must be led by an individual certified by the USFWS. Procedures described in the BLM Handbook of Methods for Locating Black-Footed Ferrets and the most recent USFWS guidelines must be followed. Prior to conducting a search, the USFWS Regional Endangered Species Office must be contacted to verify procedures.
Results of each survey must be submitted to OSM and USFWS for review and clearance. A copy of survey results must be sent to the WDEQ/LQD for review. Copies of ferret survey reports and associated correspondence must be included in the annual report to the LQD.
History
- Effective 1998-04-15
Chapter 1 Authorities and Definitions for Surface Coal Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.1.08272014 Authorities and Definitions for Surface Coal Mining Operations
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
LAND QUALITY DIVISION
CHAPTER 1
AUTHORITIES AND DEFINITIONS FOR SURFACE COAL MINING OPERATIONS
Section 1. Authority. These rules and regulations are adopted by the Environmental Quality Council and the Administrator of the Land Quality Division pursuant to the authority granted the Council and the Administrator by the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Sections 35-11-101 through 35-11-1104, Wyoming Statutes, 1977, as amended. These rules and regulations are effective upon filing with the Secretary of State. They become an official part of Wyoming's coal regulatory program when approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior or his designee.
Section 2. Definitions. The definitions included in the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, are hereby adopted by this reference. All references to the "Act" herein refer to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, as amended.
(a) "Acid drainage" means water with a pH of less than 6.0 and in which total acidity exceeds total alkalinity, discharged from an active or inactive mine or from an area affected by mining and reclamation operations.
(b) "Acid-forming materials" means earth materials that contain sulfide minerals or other minerals which exist in a natural state or if exposed to air, water or weathering processes, will cause acid conditions that may hinder plant establishment or create acid drainage.
(c) "Adjacent areas" means land located outside the permit area upon which air, surface water, groundwater, fish, wildlife, or other resources protected by the Act may reasonably be expected to be adversely impacted by mining or reclamation operations. Unless otherwise specified by the Administrator, this area shall be presumptively limited to lands within one-half mile of the proposed permit area.
(d) "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Division of Land Quality.
(e) "Amendment" means the addition of new lands to a previously approved permit area, as allowed by W. S. § 35-11-406(a)(xii).
(f) "Annual" means a plant which completes its life cycle in 12 months or fewer.
(g) "Applicant" means any "person" seeking a permit, permit revision, renewal, transfer, or other approval from the Administrator to conduct mining and reclamation operations, or "person" seeking a license to explore, but does not include subsidiaries or parents of the "person", as "person" is defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(a)(vi).
(h) "Approximate original contour" means that surface configuration achieved by backfilling and grading of the mined areas so that the reclaimed land surface closely resembles the general surface configuration of the land prior to mining and blends into and complements the drainage pattern of the surrounding terrain.
(i) "Applicant violator system or AVS" means an automated information system of applicant, permittee, operator, violation and related data the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement maintains to assist in implementing the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, as amended.
(j) "Aquifer" is a zone, stratum or group of strata that stores and transmits water in sufficient quantities for a specific use.
(k) "Augmented seeding" means reseeding in response to the unsuccessful germination, establishment or permanence of revegetation efforts. Augmented seeding resets the applicable liability period. A synonym is reseeding.
(l) "Barren" means any land unit devoid of vegetation, or practically so.
(m) "Baseline vegetation inventory" means a vegetation sampling program executed prior to any significant surface disturbance cause by proposed mining activities. The inventory will quantitatively and qualitatively classify the different plant communities to the specification of Wyoming State Law.
(n) "Belt transect" means a rectangular sampling plot used for the estimation of shrub density (premining and postmining) and postmining species diversity and species composition, each belt transect shall be at least 100 square meters and a minimum of 50 meters in length.
(o) "Best practicable Technology" means a technology based on methods and processes that are both practicable and reasonably economic and is justifiable in terms of existing performance and achievability in relation to the establishment of shrubs in the required density, aerial extent and species.
(p) "Best technology currently available" means equipment, devices, systems, methods, or techniques which, as determined by the Administrator, are currently available and practicable, and will:
(i) Prevent, to the extent possible, additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the affected land or permit area. But in no case shall contributions exceed requirements set by applicable State or Federal laws, and
(ii) Minimize, to the extent possible, disturbances and adverse impacts on fish, wildlife and related environmental values, and achieve enhancement of those resources where practicable.
(q) "Biennial" means a plant that lives for two years, producing vegetative growth the first year and usually blooming and fruiting and senescing in the second year and then dying.
(r) "Bond" means a surety or self-bond instrument by which the permit applicant assures faithful performance of all requirements of the Act, all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the provisions of the permit and license to mine. This term shall also include the following, which the operator has deposited with the Department of Environmental Quality in lieu of a Surety Bond or Self-Bond Instrument:
(i) Federal insured certificates of deposit;
(ii) Cash;
(iii) Government securities;
(iv) Irrevocable letters of credit;
(v) An alternative method of financial assurance that is acceptable to the Administrator and provides for a comparable level of assurance for performance of reclamation obligations. The alternative method of financial assurance must first be approved by the Office of Surface Mining; or
(vi) A combination of any of these bonding methods.
(s) "Bond responsibility period" means the minimum 10 year period during which the bond, in part or wholly, remains in effect.
(t) "Cactus" means any member of the Cactaceae plant family. Members of the Cactaceae plant family are in the lifeform category of succulent.
(u) "Coal exploration" means either:
(i) The field gathering of surface or subsurface geologic, physical, or chemical data by mapping, trenching, drilling, geophysical or other techniques necessary to determine the quality and quantity of overburden and coal of an area. If this activity results in the extraction of coal, the coal shall not be offered for commercial sale (except for test burns); or
(ii) The gathering of environmental data to establish the conditions of an area before beginning surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
(v) "Coal mine waste" means coal-processing waste and underground development waste.
(w) "Coal preparation plant" means a facility where coal is subjected to chemical or physical processing or cleaning, concentrating, or other processing or preparation. It includes facilities associated with coal preparation activities, including, but not limited to the following: loading facilities; storage and stockpile facilities; sheds, shops, and other buildings; water treatment and water storage facilities; settling basins and impoundments; and coal-processing and other waste disposal areas.
(x) "Coal-processing waste" means earthen materials which are wasted or otherwise separated from product coal during cleaning, concentrating or other processing or preparation of coal.
(y) "Combustible material" means organic material that is capable of burning.
(z) "Compaction" means the reduction of pore spaces among particles of soil or rock, generally done by controlled placement and running heavy equipment over the earthen material.
(aa) "Control or controller" as used in Chapters 1, 2, 12 and 16 means or refers to:
(i) A permittee of a surface coal mining operation;
(ii) An operator of a surface coal mining operation; or
(iii) Any person who has the ability to determine the manner in which a surface coal mining operation is conducted.
(ab) "Cool season" means a plant which generally makes the major portion of its growth during late fall, winter, and early spring. Cool season species generally exhibit the C3 photosynthetic pathway.
(ac) "Cover" means the percent of the ground surface which is covered by the vertical projection of objects on or above that ground surface. The objects may include standing plant material and cryptogams, litter or rock. "Absolute cover" means the percent cover of a given category independent of other categories. The following cover categories or descriptions used are:
(i) "Absolute cover of litter" means the percent of the ground surface which is overlain by litter;
(ii) "Absolute cover of rock" means the percent of the ground surface which is covered by rock;
(iii) "Absolute cover of vegetation" means the percent of the ground surface which is covered by the vertical projections of all live vascular plants;
(iv) "Absolute cover of vegetation by species" means the percent of the ground surface covered by individual live vascular plants;
(v) "Absolute cover of cryptogams" means the percent of the ground surface which is covered by cryptogams.
(vi) "Absolute cover of total ground cover" means the sum of vegetation, cryptogams, litter and rock cover.
(vii) "Absolute cover of bare ground" means the percent of the ground surface which is not covered by the vertical projection of vascular plants and cryptogams, litter or rock.
(viii) "Relative cover" means the expression of any number of cover categories in relation to each other such that the sum of the chosen relative cover values total 100 percent.
(ad) "Cover crop" means a preparatory crop of one or more species seeded and grown prior to the seeding of the permanent seed mixture, for the chief purpose of protecting the soil from erosion and also for improving the soil fertility and structure. The term is synonymous with stubble crop and is considered a type of mulch.
(ae) "Critical habitat" means those areas essential to the survival and recovery of species listed by the Secretary of the Interior as threatened or endangered under the authority of 50 CFR, Part 17.
(af) "Crucial habitat" means those areas, designated as such by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, which determine a population's ability to maintain and reproduce itself at a certain level over the long term.
(ag) "Cryptogam" means a plant (vascular or non-vascular) that reproduces by spores rather than seeds. A plant in any of these groups: Lichens, Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, hornworts), Pteridophytes (ferns, moonworts, horsetail, club mosses, spike mosses, quillworts, pepperwort) will be considered cryptogams.
(ah) "Density means the number of individuals per unit area.
(ai) "Designated authorized representative" means, for the purposes of issuing a cessation order, either the Administrator, the district engineer, or other qualified inspector designated by the Director.
(aj) "Developmental drilling" means drilling down to and including the lowest coal seam to be mined which occurs in or within 500 feet of an active mine pit.
(ak) "Discoverer" means any person conducting or intending to conduct any exploration by drilling. This includes locator, owner or agent thereof who will drill or has drilled the hole.
(al) "Diversion" means a channel, embankment, device, or other man-made structure constructed for the purpose of diverting water from one area to another.
(i) "Permanent diversion" means a diversion remaining after bond release.
(ii) "Temporary diversion" means a diversion utilized during mining or reclamation operations, which must be removed and reclaimed prior to bond release.
(am) "Dominant" means for the purpose of calculating Chapter 4 shrub restoration performance standard, the full shrub or subshrub species with the greatest relative density.
(an) "Drill site" means all areas of land that are or will be disturbed or utilized by exploration drilling. This area includes drill holes or other drilled excavations, drilling pads, and areas disturbed by mud pits, and any land over which drilling mud mixtures overflow or may disturb.
(ao) "Eligible land" means all land to be affected by a mining operation after August 6, 1996 which carries the grazingland land use designation and all affected pastureland land use units which have a full shrub density greater than one full shrub per square meter. Pastureland is eligible only if the surface owner requests that the pastureland be eligible and only if the land units are included in a new permit or permit amendment application which is submitted to the Administrator after approval of this rule by the Office of Surface Mining.
(ap) "Embankment" means an artificial deposit of material that is raised above the natural surface of the land and used to contain, divert, or store water, support roads or railways, or other similar purposes.
(aq) "Endangered species" means any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and which has been listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.
(ar) "Enhancement wetland" means a reclaimed postmining wetland which exceeds the minimum required mitigation wetlands acreage required by the Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act.
(as) "Ephemeral stream" means a stream which flows only in direct response to precipitation in the immediate watershed or in response to snow melt, and which has a channel bottom that is always above the prevailing water table.
(at) "Essential hydrologic functions" means with respect to alluvial valley floors, those conditions of surface and groundwater hydrology that make water of a suitable quality and quantity usefully available for subirrigation or flood irrigation agricultural activities. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the erosional state of the stream, the surface water balance, the groundwater balance, the physical and chemical properties of the soils, water and substrata, and topographic configuration.
(au) "Establishment practices" means practices used to facilitate actual establishment of targeted plants and are not intended to continue throughout the bond responsibility period. These practices are acceptable practices, but delay the start of the bond responsibility period until they are discontinued.
(av) "Excess spoil" means spoil material disposed in a location other than the mined-out area, except that spoil material used to achieve the approximate original contour or to blend the mined-out area with the surrounding terrain.
(aw) "Existing structure" means a structure or facility used in connection with or to facilitate surface coal mining and reclamation operations for which construction begins prior to the approval of a State program pursuant to Section 503 of P.L. 95-87.
(ax) "Exploration area" means, for bonding purposes, one or more drill sites, comprising an integrated project conducted by a discoverer within one of the three districts presently established by the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality.
(ay) "Exploration by drilling" means any exploration drilling for the purpose of gathering subsurface geologic, physical or chemical data to determine the location, quantity or quality of the natural mineral deposit of an area, excluding holes drilled for use as water wells.
(az) "Farm" means, with respect to alluvial valley floors, one or more land units on which agricultural activities are conducted. A farm is generally considered to be the combination of land units with acreage and boundaries in existence prior to August 3, 1977, or, if established after August 3, 1977, with those boundaries based on enhancement of the farm's agricultural productivity and not related to surface coal mining operations.
(ba) "Flood irrigation" means, with respect to alluvial valley floors, supplying water to plants by natural overflow or the diversion of flows, so that the irrigated surface is largely covered by a sheet of water.
(bb) "Forb" means any herbaceous plant species other than the members of the grass (Poaceae [Gramineae]), sedge (Cyperaceae) or rush (Juncaceae) plant families.
(bc) "Full shrub" means a perennial woody plant which differs from a tree by normally being shorter in height and by often having several stems arising near the base.
(bd) "Gel strength" means the minimum shear stress which results in permanent deformation of a gel.
(be) "General area" means, with respect to hydrology, the topographic and groundwater basin surrounding a permit area which is of sufficient size, including areal extent and depth, to allow assessment of the impacts resulting from the mining operation on the quality and quantity of surface water and groundwater systems in the basins, including consideration of the interaction of the impacts with adjacent mines.
(bf) "Graminoid" means a plant species of the grass (Poaceae [Gramineae]), sedge (Cyperaceae) or rush (Juncaceae) plant families.
(bg) "Grass" means a plant species of the Poaceae (Gramineae) plant family.
(bh) "Grass-like" means a plant species of the sedge (Cyperaceae) or rush (Juncaceae) plant families that vegetatively resemble members of the grass family Poaceae (Gramineae).
(bi) "Grazing exclosure" means a land unit surrounded and/or covered by fencing or other materials which prevents livestock grazing in order to more accurately estimate the current year's herbaceous production on the land unit.
(bj) "Groundwater" means subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil materials such that they may be considered water-saturated.
(bk) "Hazardous materials" means any material or substance which results from or is encountered in a mining operation which could reasonably be expected to cause physical harm if not controlled in an approved manner.
(bl) "Highest previous use" means a sustainable use of the land which has the greatest economic and social values to the people of the area prior to the commencement of the mining operation.
(bm) "Highwall" means the face of exposed overburden or coal in an open cut of a surface mine or entry to an underground mine.
(bn) "History of intensive agricultural use" means those lands which, if nonirrigated, have had a cultivated crop, small grains or hay crops harvested for five out of any ten year period, or if irrigated has water of sufficient quantity to sustain production of cultivated crops, small grain, or hay crops for eight out of ten years and have had a cultivated crop, small grain, or hay crop harvested for any one year.
(bo) "Husbandry practice" means, when preceded by the word "normal", those management practices that may be used to achieve revegetation success without restarting the bond responsibility period. Normal husbandry practices are sound management techniques which are commonly practiced on native lands in the area of the mine and, if discontinued after the area is bond released, shall not reduce the probability of permanent vegetation success.
(bp) "Hydrologic balance" means the relationship between the quality and quantity of inflow to, outflow from, and storage in a hydrologic unit such as a drainage basin, aquifer, soil zone, lake or reservoir. It encompasses the quantity and quality relationships between precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and the change in ground and surface water storage.
(bq) "Hydrologic regime" means the entire state of water movement in a given area. It is a function of the climate and includes the phenomena by which water first occurs as atmospheric water vapor, passes into a liquid or solid form and falls as precipitation, moves thence along or into the ground surface, and returns to the atmosphere as vapor by means of evaporation and transpiration.
(br) "Imminent danger to the public" means the existence of any condition or practice, or any violation of a permit or other requirements of the Act in a surface coal mining and reclamation operation, which could reasonably be expected to cause substantial physical harm to persons outside the permit area before the condition, practice, or violation can be abated. A reasonable expectation of death or serious injury before abatement exists if a rational person, subjected to the same condition or practice giving rise to the peril, would avoid exposure to the danger during the time necessary for abatement.
(bs) "Important habitat" means that habitat which, in limited availability, supports or encourages a maximum diversity of wildlife species or fulfills one or more living requirements of a wildlife species. Examples of important habitat include, but are not limited to, wetlands, riparian areas, rimrocks, areas offering special shelter or protection, reproduction and nursery areas, and wintering areas.
(bt) "Impoundment" means a closed basin formed naturally or artificially built which is dammed or excavated for the retention of water, slurry or other liquid or semi- liquid material. A permanent impoundment is a structure that will remain after final bond release.
(bu) "Inclusion" means, with respect to vegetation, an area no more than two acres in size, which is distinctly different from the surrounding vegetation community due to substantial, visible differences in species composition, cover, or production.
(bv) "Intermittent stream" means a stream or part of a stream that is below the local water table for some part of the year, but is not a perennial stream.
(bw) "Interseed" means a secondary seeding into established vegetation in order to improve composition, diversity or seasonality. Interseeding is done to enhance revegetation rather than to augment the revegetation that is unsuccessful in terms of germination, establishment, or permanence.
(bx) "Introduced" means a plant species that is not a component of the original flora of North America.
(by) "Irreparable harm to the environment" means, for the purpose of W.S. § 35-11-406(o), any damage to the environment in violation of the Act or regulations, that cannot be corrected by actions of the applicant.
(bz) "Joint agency approval" means, for surface coal mining operations, the approval of mining or reclamation plans that would adversely affect any publicly owned park or any place included in the National Register of Historic Places by the federal, state, or local agency with jurisdiction over the park or place.
(ca) "Land use" means for surface coal mining operations, specific uses or management-related activities, rather than the vegetation or cover of the land. Land uses may be identified in combination when joint or seasonal uses occur. Changes of land use or uses from one of the following categories to another shall be considered as a change to an alternative land use which is subject to approval by the Administrator. Land used for mine facilities in support of the operations which are adjacent to or an integral part of these operations are also included. Support facilities include, but are not limited to, parking, storage or shipping facilities.
(i) "Cropland" means land used for the production of adapted crops for harvest, alone or in a rotation with grasses and legumes, and includes row crops, small-grain crops, hay crops, nursery crops, orchard crops, and other similar specialty crops.
(ii) "Pastureland" means land used primarily for the long-term production of adapted, domesticated forage plants to be grazed by livestock or occasionally cut and cured for livestock feed. In addition, for the purpose of determining premining land use, the relative cover of introduced perennial forage species must be greater than 40% of the relative cover of total vegetation in order for the land to be pastureland. If the full shrub density is greater than one shrub per square meter on those lands and the surface owner requests the lands to be eligible, the land use is still pastureland but the land is also "eligible land" in terms of shrub reclamation.
(iii) "Grazingland" means rangelands and forest lands where the indigenous native vegetation is actively managed for grazing, browsing, and occasional hay production, and occasional use by wildlife.
(iv) "Forestry" means land used or managed for the long-term production of wood, wood fiber, or wood-derived products.
(v) "Residential" means land used for single and multiple-family housing, mobile-home parks, and other residential lodgings.
(vi) "Industrial commercial" means land used for:
(A) Extraction or transformation of materials for fabrication of products, wholesaling of products or for long-term storage of products. This includes all heavy and light manufacturing facilities and such short-term uses as petroleum refining and oil and gas production.
(B) Retail or trade of goods or services, including hotels, motels, stores, restaurants, and other commercial establishments.
(vii) "Recreational" means land used for public or private leisure activities, including developed recreation facilities such as parks, camps, and amusement areas, as well as areas for less intensive uses such as hiking, canoeing, and other undeveloped recreational uses.
(viii) "Fish and wildlife habitat" means land dedicated wholly or partially to the production, protection or management of species of fish or wildlife.
(ix) "Developed water resources" means land used for storing water for beneficial uses such as stockponds, irrigation, fire protection, flood control, and water supply.
(x) "Undeveloped land of no current use or land management" means land that is undeveloped or, if previously developed, land that has been allowed to return naturally to an undeveloped state or has been allowed to return to forest through natural succession.
(xi) "Treated grazingland" means grazingland which has been altered to reduce or eliminate shrubs provided such treatment was applied at least five years prior to submission of the state program permit application. However, grazingland altered more than five years prior to submission of the state program permit application on which full shrubs have reestablished to a density of at least one per nine square meters does not qualify as treated grazingland.
(cb) "Lichen" means those organisms formed by the symbiotic relationship between fungal and algal species. For the purpose of estimating ground cover lichens are cryptogams.
(cc) "Life form" means the structure, form, habit, life history and physiology of an organism that display an obvious relationship to important environmental factors in its native or current habitat. For data presentation the preferred life form categories are: annual/biennial forb, annual grass, cryptogam, grass-like, native cool season perennial grass, native warm season perennial grass, introduced perennial grass, perennial forb, shrub, subshrub, succulent and tree.
(cd) "Litter" means, for the purposes of estimating ground cover, the uppermost layer of organic debris, usually considered to be the standing dead, freshly fallen or slightly decomposed vegetal material on the soil surface. Decomposing plant material which has lost its structural integrity or which is no longer recognizable as plant tissue is not litter.
(ce) "Major species" means a plant species whose relative cover value equals or exceeds two percent as estimated by a quantitative sampling program.
(cf) "Material damage to the hydrologic balance" means a significant long- term or permanent adverse change to the hydrologic regime.
(cg) "Materially damage the quantity or quality of water" means, with respect to alluvial valley floors, changes in the quality or quantity of the water supply to any portion of an alluvial valley floor where such changes are caused by surface coal mining and reclamation operations and result in changes that significantly decrease the capability of the alluvial valley floor to support subirrigation or flood irrigation agricultural activities.
(ch) "Mine facilities" means those structures and areas incidental to the operation of the mine, including mine offices, processing facilities, mineral stockpiles, storage facilities, shipping, loadout and repair facilities, and utility corridors.
(ci) "Mitigation wetland" means a type of reclaimed, postmining wetland authorized and approved by the Army Corps of Engineers as replacement for jurisdictional wetlands whose disturbance was authorized by the Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act.
(cj) "Monitor well" means a well constructed or utilized to measure static water levels or to obtain liquid, solid, or gaseous analytical samples or other physical data that would be used for controlling the operations or to indicate potential circumstances that could affect the environment.
(ck) "Monitoring" means the collection of environmental and hydrological data by either continuous or periodic sampling methods.
(cl) "Moss" means a member of the Bryophyte plant group, including liverworts and hornworts, which have a comparatively small, simple growth form and which lack true xylem and phloem tissue. For the purposes of estimating ground cover, mosses are cryptogams.
(cm) "Mulch" means plant residue or other suitable materials placed upon the soil surface to aid in soil stabilization and soil moisture conservation.
(cn) "Native" means a plant species which is a component of the original flora of North America.
(co) "Notice of violation" means a written notification from the Department of Environmental Quality or other governmental entity as specified in the definition of "violation" in Chapter 1, Section 2 and the procedures outlined in Chapter 16 of the Land Quality Division, Rules and Regulations.
(cp) "Noxious weed" means an undesirable, troublesome, aggressive or difficult to control plant species whose seeds are severely limited in or totally excluded from commercial seed sales. The Wyoming Department of Agriculture exclusively makes the noxious weed designation, which includes both "designated" and "prohibited" noxious weeds, under the Wyoming Weed and Pest Control Act. This definition does not include "declared weeds" published by individual Wyoming counties.
(cq) "Outslope" means the face of the spoil or embankment sloping downward from the highest elevation to the toe.
(cr) "Own, owner or ownership" as used in Chapters 1, 2, 12 and 16 and excluding the context of real property ownership means being a sole proprietor or owning of record in excess of 50 percent of the voting securities or other instruments of ownership of an entity.
(cs) "Perennial" means a plant which takes at least three years to complete its life cycle and usually persists after flowering and producing seed.
(ct) "Perennial stream" means a stream or part of a stream that flows continuously during all of the calendar year as a result of groundwater discharge or surface runoff.
(cu) "Permit area" means the area of land and water within the boundaries of the approved permit or permits during the entire life of the operation and includes all affected lands and water.
(cv) "Permit transfer, assignment or sale of permit rights" means a change of a permittee.
(cw) "Plant species inventory" means a list of plant species, organized by life form and scientific binomial, obtained by conducting a field reconnaissance of a specific land unit.
(cx) "Plotless Sampling" means estimation of vegetation without the use of two-dimensional areal reference units.
(cy) "Point intercept" means a cover estimation method based upon the vertical projection of a point through the vegetation. The point may be an ocular sighting device, a sharpened rod or a series of sharpened rods on a point frame or a handheld sharpened rod. The ocular sighting devices may be either crosshairs or a laser source and shall be mounted on a frame which ensures that each estimation point is projected from above the canopy (maximum of one meter) to the ground surface without bias. Each pin shall be a rod with a sufficiently small or sharpened point which ensures unbiased visual determination of each object intercepted by the pin's vertical movement from above the canopy to the ground surface. Under the point intercept method, absolute cover at each sample point is determined as follows:
% absolute cover of A = number of hits on A x 100
total number of hits
(cz) "Potentiometric surface" means the surface that coincides with the static level of water in an aquifer. The surface is represented by the levels to which water from a given aquifer will rise under its full head.
(da) "Precipitation event" means a quantity of water resulting from drizzle, rain, snow, sleet, or hail in a limited period of time. It may be expressed in terms of recurrence interval and duration.
(db) "Primary shrub species" means, in relation to the shrub standard Option IV, each full shrub and each subshrub species which has a relative density equal to or greater than 0.1 (10 percent). Furthermore, under Option IV, the relative density of fringed sagewort (Artemisia frigida) must be equal to or exceed 0.2 (20 percent) of the relative density to qualify as a primary shrub species. Under shrub stand Options I, II, and III, a primary shrub species means each full shrub species which has a relative density equal to or greater than 0.1 (10 percent).
(dc) "Principal shareholder" means any person who is the owner of record of ten percent or more of any class of voting stock.
(dd) "Probable hydrologic consequences" means the projected impacts or changes to the hydrologic regime caused by the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation including the effects of adjacent mining operations.
(de) "Production" means an estimate of the total quantity of herbaceous matter produced within a growing season. The estimate includes all plant parts which remain attached to the current growing season plant and includes only above ground herbaceous material.
(df) "Property to be mined" means, for surface coal mining operations, both the surface estates and mineral estates within the area covered under the term of the permit and the area covered by underground workings.
(dg) "Public building" means any structure that is owned or leased, and principally used by a governmental agency for business or meetings.
(dh) "Public Parks" means an area designated by a federal, state or local agency for public recreational use.
(di) "Public road" means a road:
(i) Which has been designated as a public road pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is located;
(ii) Which is maintained with public funds in a manner similar to other public roads of the same classification within the jurisdiction;
(iii) For which there is substantial (more than incidental) public use; and
(iv) Which meets road construction standards for other public roads of the same classification in the local jurisdiction.
(dj) "Quadrat" means a two-dimensional, rectangular, square or circular unit which is superimposed on the ground surface for the purpose of estimating cover or production. The quadrat shall be sized appropriately for the sampled vegetation community and shall be at least one half square meter but no larger than one square meter.
(dk) "Qualitative" means, in the context of a vegetation sampling program and/or evaluation of sampling data, that the program and/or evaluation process are conducted using non-numerical information derived from defined sources and/or defined field reconnaissance regimes.
(dl) "Quantitative" means, in the context of a vegetation sampling program and/or evaluation of sampling data, that the program and/or evaluation processes are conducted using statistical analyses of numerical data derived from defined sampling regimes.
(dm) "Random" means every point or location in an area has an equal chance of being chosen for sampling as any other point in that area.
(dn) "Recharge capacity" means the ability of the soils and underlying materials to allow precipitation and runoff to infiltrate and reach the zone of saturation.
(do) "Reclaimed land surface" means affected land which has been backfilled, graded, contoured, and revegetated in accordance with an approved reclamation plan.
(dp) "Reference area" means a land unit established to evaluate revegetation success. A "Reference area" is representative of a vegetation community or communities that will be affected by mining activities, in terms of physiography, soils, vegetation and land use history. The "Reference area" and its corresponding postmine vegetation community (or communities) must be approved by LQD and shall be defined in the approved Reclamation Plan. All "Reference areas" shall be managed to not cause significant changes in the vegetation parameters which will be used to evaluate Chapter 4 revegetation success performance standards. A "Reference area" can be a "Comparison area", "Control area", "Extended reference area", or "Limited reference area", depending on how it is established and used, in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) "Comparison area" means a type of "Reference area" that is established after a vegetation community has been affected. A qualitative determination shall be used to evaluate if the proposed "Comparison area" adequately represents the affected vegetation community. A "Comparison area" may be used when other types of "Reference areas" are not available for measuring revegetation success or when other types of "Reference areas" will not be representative of revegetation success. "Comparison areas" shall be approved by the Administrator prior to their establishment. When evaluating Chapter 4 revegetation success performance standards, data from the "Comparison areas" are directly compared by statistical procedures to data from the reclaimed area.
(ii) "Control area" means a type of "Reference area" that is established during baseline sampling. Quantitative comparisons of vegetation cover, total ground cover, and production between the proposed "Control area" and the vegetation community to be affected are used to demonstrate the representative nature of the "Control area". When evaluating revegetation success, baseline data are climatically adjusted using equations. These adjusted data are directly compared by statistical procedures to vegetation data from the reclaimed area. The Administrator may determine to make a direct comparison without the climatic adjustment between the "Control area" and the reclaimed area. Each "Control area" shall be at least two acres.
(iii) "Extended reference area" means a type of a "Reference area" that includes a major portion of one or more premine vegetation communities within the permit area. During baseline sampling, the "Extended reference area" includes areas proposed to be affected and areas that will be unaffected. Postmine, the unaffected areas constitute the "Reference area" for revegetation success evaluation. "Extended reference areas" should be established during baseline sampling, but in some circumstances, may be established after mining begins. The representative nature of the vegetation community within the "Extended reference area" is demonstrated by vegetation community mapping procedures, sampling data, soil data, physiography and land use history. To evaluate revegetation success, data from the "Extended reference area" are directly compared by the statistical procedures to data from the reclaimed area. Each "Extended reference area" will be as large as possible.
(iv) "Limited reference area" is one type of a "Reference area" that is established during baseline sampling to represent one vegetation community to be reestablished. The representative nature of the "Limited reference area" is determined by quantitative comparisons of vegetation cover, and production between the "Limited reference area" and proposed affected areas at the 90 percent confidence level. To evaluate revegetation success, data from the "Limited reference area" are directly compared by statistical procedures to data from the reclaimed area. Each "Limited reference area" shall be at least five acres.
(dq) "Regulatory categories" means the following time frames that encompass the major regulatory periods from which the different performance standards and reclamation standards for specified lands within the permit area are established:
(i) "Category 1" means those lands which were affected to conduct and/or support mining operations and were completed or substantially completed prior to May 24, 1969 (the implementation date of the Open Cut Land Reclamation Act).
(ii) "Category 2" means those lands which were affected on or after May 24, 1969 (the implementation date of the Open Cut Land Reclamation Act) in order to conduct and/or support mining operations and were completed or substantially completed prior to or on June 30, 1973 (day prior to the effective date of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act).
(iii) "Category 3" means those affected lands and support facilities if those lands supported operations which were not completed or substantially completed prior to July 1, 1973 (the effective date of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act) and any affected lands or support facilities taken out of use on or after July 1, 1973 and before May 25, 1975 (the effective date of the Division's 1975 Rules and Regulations).
(iv) "Category 4" means those affected lands if coal was removed from those land prior to May 3, 1978 and which do not qualify for any of the previous categories. It also means those affected lands and support facilities if they were taken out of use on or after May 25, 1975 (the effective date of the Division's 1975 Rules and Regulations) and before May 3, 1978 (the effective date of the Office of Surface Mining's (OSM) Initial Regulatory Program).
(v) "Category 5" means those affected lands and support facilities if coal was not removed from those lands prior to May 3, 1978 (the effective date of OSM's Initial Regulatory Program) or those lands were used on or after May 3, 1978 to facilitate mining (including support facilities and associated lands constructed before May 3, 1978 but still in use on or after May 3, 1978.)
(dr) "Revised mining or reclamation operations" means mining and/or reclamation operations conducted during the term of a permit which differ from those operations described in the original mine permit application and approved under the original permit.
(ds) "Road(s)" means a surface corridor of affected land associated with travel by land vehicles used in surface coal mining and reclamation operations or coal exploration. A road consists of the roadbed, shoulders, parking and side areas, approaches, structures, ditches, and surface. The term includes access and haulroads constructed, used, reconstructed, improved, or maintained for use in surface coal mining and reclamation operations or coal exploration, including use by coal hauling vehicles to and from transfer, processing, or storage areas. The term does not include ramps and routes of travel within the immediate mining area or within spoil or coal mine waste disposal areas. Immediate mining area refers to areas subject to frequent surface changes. This includes areas where topsoil and overburden are being moved and areas undergoing active reclamation.
(dt) "Rock" means, for the purposes of estimating ground cover, mineral or rock fragments which are one square centimeter in size or larger and occur on or in the soil. A synonym is coarse fragments.
(du) "Rough Backfilling" means replacement of sufficient material in the pit or pits including special disposal practices for toxic and acid-forming materials, special handling and placement of materials for stream reconstruction or alluvial valley floors, and compaction as required so as to render the affected area in a condition whereby the reclaimed land surface generally resembles the approved postmining contours.
(dv) "Safety factor" means the ratio of the available shear strength to the developed shear stress on a potential surface of sliding determined by accepted engineering practice.
(dw) "Sample unit" means for the purposes of verifying certain Chapter 4 performance standards and applying for Chapter 15 incremental bond release, a permanently reclaimed land unit established by mutual agreement between the permittee and the Administrator. The unit constitutes the fundamental unit for revegetation success verification. The unit may contain portions of one or more vegetation communities.
(dx) "Seasonal variety" means the characteristic or normal season of growth of a plant species where season of growth is described as cool-season or warm-season.
(dy) "Sedimentation pond" means a sediment control structure designed, constructed, and maintained to slow down or impound precipitation runoff to reduce sediment concentrations in a point source discharge, including dams or excavated depressions. The term does not include straw dikes, riprap, check dams, mulches, collection ditches, toe ditches, vegetative buffers, gabions, contour furrows and other traditional soil conservation techniques and non-point source runoff controls.
(dz) "Self-renewing" means a plant species which has a demonstrated capacity to germinate, establish, grow, flower and produce viable seed and/or mature and produce vegetative reproductive structures under the climatic regime which prevails on the reclaimed lands.
(ea) "Semi-quantitative" means, in the context of a vegetation sampling program and/or evaluation of sampling data that the program and/or evaluation process is/are conducted using a non-statistical assessment of numerical data derived from a defined field reconnaissance regime.
(eb) "Shrub" means a perennial plant with persistent, woody stems and which produces several basal shoots instead of a single main stem. Shrubs have a relatively low growth form and differ from trees by their low stature and lack of arborescent form. A synonym is full shrub.
(ec) "Shrub mosaic" means a pattern of shrub patches. The boundary of a mosaic unit encompasses the areal extent of the individual shrub patches and the reclaimed community occupying the land among the shrub patches.
(ed) "Shrub patch" means a mapable concentration of postmining shrubs which is at least 0.05 acres in extent and which intends to fulfill the shrub density and shrub composition required by Chapter 4 shrub restoration performance standard.
(ee) "Significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air or water resources" means:
(i) An environmental harm is an adverse impact on land, air, or water resources which resources include, but are not limited to, plant and animal life.
(ii) An environmental harm is imminent, if a condition, practice, or violation exists which:
(A) Is causing such harm; or
(B) May reasonably be expected to cause such harm at any time before the end of the reasonable abatement time.
(iii) An environmental harm is significant if the harm is appreciable, not contemplated in the approved permit application, and not immediately repairable.
(ef) "Soil Horizons" means contrasting layers of soil material approximately parallel to the land surface and differing from adjacent layers in physical, chemical and biological properties or characteristics.
(i) "A Horizon" means the uppermost mineral or organic layer, often referred to as the surface soil. It is the part of the soil in which organic matter is most abundant and leaching of soluble or suspended particles is typically the greatest.
(ii) "E Horizon" means the layer commonly near the surface below the A Horizon and above the B Horizon. An E Horizon is the most commonly differentiated from an overlying A Horizon by lighter color and generally, has measurably less organic matter, and from the underlying B Horizon in the same sequum by color of higher value or lower chroma, by coarser texture, or by a combination of these properties.
(iii) "B Horizon" means the layer that typically is immediately beneath the E Horizon and often called the subsoil. This middle layer commonly contains more clay, iron, and aluminum than the A, E or C Horizons.
(iv) "C Horizon" means the deepest layer of soil profile. It consists of loose material or weathered rock that is relatively unaffected by biological activity, and is often called the subsoil.
(eg) "Soil survey" means a field and other investigation which results in a map showing the geographic distribution of different kinds of soils based on taxonomic characteristics and includes a report that describes, classifies and interprets such soils for use in reclamation.
(eh) "Species composition" means number, kinds and amount of species.
(ei) "Species diversity" means number of species per unit area.
(ej) "Species lacking creditable value" means the cover and production of these species will be estimated but will not be credited or counted towards meeting the revegetation success standards for cover, production or species diversity and composition. Species lacking creditable value include noxious weeds listed under the Wyoming Weed and Pest Control Act, Bromus japonicus, Bromus tectorum, Taeniatherum caput-medusae, Halogeton glomeratus, Kochia scoparia and Salsola tragus and all synonyms for these species as listed in the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Plants Database.
(ek) "Species of Special Concern" means those plant species required to be surveyed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
(el) "Spoil" means overburden removed during the mining operation to expose the mineral and does not include the marketable mineral, subsoil or topsoil.
(em) "Stabilize" means to control movement of spoil, spoil piles, or areas of disturbed earth by modifying the geometry of the mass, adding control structures, or by otherwise modifying physical or chemical properties.
(en) "Stagnant water" means naturally or artificially impounded water which, because of its poor quality or shallow depth, is unusable for livestock or wildlife watering, wildlife habitat, or recreational uses.
(eo) "Steep slope" means any slope of more than 20 degrees or such lesser slope as may be designated by the Administrator after consideration of soil, climate, and other characteristics of the area.
(ep) "Study area" means the land surface area which was mapped and quantitatively sampled during the baseline vegetation inventory. The study area generally coincides with the permit area (or amendment area) but may exceed those boundaries with prior approval from the Administrator.
(eq) "Subirrigation" means, with respect to alluvial valley floors, the supplying of water to plants from underneath or from a semi-saturated or saturated subsurface zone where water is available for use by vegetation.
(er) "Subirrigation or flood irrigation agricultural activities" means the past and present use of any tract of land for the successful production of animal or vegetable life, based on regional agricultural practices, where the use is enhanced or facilitated by subirrigation or flood irrigation. These uses include, but are not limited to, the pasturing, grazing, and the cropping, cultivation, or harvesting of agriculturally useful plants whose production is enhanced or facilitated by the availability of water from subirrigation or flood irrigation. These uses do not include agricultural practices which do not benefit from the availability of water from subirrigation or flood irrigation.
(es) "Subshrub" means a perennial plant with a persistent, woody base and which produces several basal shoots or stems. The upper stems die back at the end of each growing season. Half-shrub is a synonym.
(et) "Subsidence" means the measurable lowering of a portion of the earth's surface or substrata.
(eu) "Subsoil" means the B and C Horizons excluding consolidated bedrock material.
(ev) "Substantially affect" means to conduct activity which, in the determination of the Administrator will significantly impact land, air or water resources so as to disturb the natural land surface.
(ew) "Substantially complete" means, for the purposes of determining the appropriate regulatory category of affected lands, the overburden was removed above the coal and some recoverable tons were removed from those lands.
(ex) "Substantially disturb" means, for purposes of coal exploration, to significantly impact land or water resources by blasting; by destruction of the vegetative cover or removal of topsoil, subsoil or overburden; by drilling coal exploratory holes; by digging pits; by construction of roads or other access routes; by placement of excavated earthen or waste material on the natural land surface or by other such activities; or to remove more than 250 tons of coal.
(ey) "Succulent" means a plant species with one or more of its morphological parts exhibiting fleshy or juicy characteristics.
(ez) "Surface coal mining and reclamation operations" means surface coal mining operations and all activities necessary or incidental to the reclamation of such operations.
(fa) "Surface water" means water, either flowing or standing, on the surface of the earth.
(fb) "Suspended solids" means organic or inorganic material carried or held in suspension in water which are retained by a standard glass fiber filter in the procedure outlined by Environmental Protection Agency's regulations for waste water analyses (40 CFR 136).
(fc) "Systematic sampling" means a sampling design where sample locations are selected using uniform spatial pattern, such as a grid, that covers the entire sample population area, and where all locations are sampled. The first sample point is randomly selected, and the locations of all other sample points are determined by the initial location. Calculations for systematic sampling may be done by assuming the sample is random.
(fd) "Technical revegetation success standard" means a set of quantitative data which are representative of the absolute cover of total vegetation and annual herbaceous production of one or more premining vegetation communities affected by the mining operation. Each technical standard shall be assembled from quantitative data collected from vegetation communities within a permit area and/or from adjacent lands and shall be based upon a minimum of five independent sampling programs executed over a minimum of five years. The Administrator shall approve the specific data sets and the quantitative treatment of the data sets used to establish each technical standard.
(fe) "Threatened species" means any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range and which has been listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act.
(ff) "Topsoil" means the A and E Horizons or any combination thereof.
(fg) "Toxic materials" means earthen materials or refuse which, if acted upon by air, water, weather, or microbiological processes, are likely to produce chemical or physical conditions in soils or water that are detrimental to biota or would restrict the common uses of water.
(fh) "Toxic mine drainage" means water that is discharged from active or abandoned mines and other areas affected by coal mining operations and which contains a substance which through chemical action or physical effects is likely to kill, injure, or impair biota commonly present in the area that might be exposed to it.
(fi) "Trade secret" means, for purposes of surface coal mining or exploration operations:
(i) Information pertaining to the analyses of the chemical and physical properties of the coal (excepting information regarding such mineral or elemental content which is potentially toxic in the environment) may be kept confidential in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-1101(a);
(ii) Information pertaining to the coal seam itself, except as to any person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Director an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the decision to hold such information confidential; and
(iii) Information relating to coal exploration operations which concerns privileged commercial or financial information relating to the competitive rights of the person intending to conduct the coal exploration operations.
(fj) "Transect" means a sampling method which involves the establishment of a long, continuous line or strip. The starting point and orientation of the line should be randomly established.
(fk) "Tree" means a woody, perennial plant which usually has a single trunk or stem and a defined crown shape and which has the potential to reach a mature height of at least four meters in optimal conditions.
(fl) "Unconsolidated streamlaid deposits" means earthen material transported and deposited within a body of water flowing downslope along a definite path. Flood plains and terraces located in the lower portions of topographic valleys are generally composed of unconsolidated streamlaid deposits.
(fm) "Underground development waste" means earthen materials excavated, moved, and disposed of from underground workings in connection with mining activities.
(fn) "Underground mining activities" means a combination of:
(i) Underground operations necessary for the extraction of solid minerals by man-made excavations underneath the surface of the earth; and
(ii) For the extraction of coal, surface operations incident to the underground operation such as construction, use, maintenance, and reclamation of roads, surface repair shops, storage areas, etc., and areas on which materials incident to underground operations are placed.
(fo) "Undeveloped rangeland" means unimproved land, the use of which is generally limited to grazing of livestock. Undeveloped rangeland does not include areas within the alluvial valley floor where cultivated crops, small grains, and hay crops have been successfully grown, the land has been improved by the introduction of certain vegetation for enhanced agricultural utility, or native vegetation on the alluvial valley floor contributes substantially to the carrying capacity of a specifically controlled or managed grazing unit.
(fp) "Upland areas" means those geomorphic features located outside the area of unconsolidated streamlaid deposits and may include isolated higher terraces, alluvial fans, pediment surfaces, landslide deposits, and surfaces covered with residuum, mud flows or debris flows, as well as highland areas underlain by bedrock and covered by residual weathered material or debris deposited by sheetwash, rillwash, or windblown material.
(fq) "Valid existing rights (VER)" means a set of circumstances under which a person may, subject to regulatory authority approval, conduct surface coal mining operations on lands where Section 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/uscode/) and 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009)(http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html) would otherwise prohibit or limit such operations. Possession of valid existing rights only confers an exception from the prohibitions of 30 C.F.R. §761.11 and Section 522(e) of P.L. 95-87. A person seeking to exercise VER shall comply with all other applicable requirements of the Act and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and meet the standards below.
(i) Except as provided in subsection (iii) below, a person claiming VER shall demonstrate that a legally binding conveyance, lease, deed, contract, or other document vests that person, or a predecessor in interest, with the right to conduct the type of surface coal mining operations intended and that this right existed at the time the land came under protection of Section 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009).
(ii) Except as provided in subsection (iii) below, a person claiming VER shall also demonstrate compliance with one of the following standards. Procedures and requirements related to the demonstration are detailed in Chapter 12 of the Division's Coal Rules and Regulations.
(A) "Good faith/all permits standard" means all permits and other authorizations required to conduct surface coal mining operations had been obtained, or a good faith effort to obtain all necessary permits and authorizations had been made, before the land came under the protection of Section 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009). At a minimum, a permit application was submitted as required in Chapter 2 of these regulations.
(B) "Needed for and adjacent standard" means the land is needed for and immediately adjacent to a surface coal mining operation for which all permits and other authorizations required to conduct surface coal mining operations had been obtained or a good faith attempt to obtain all permits and authorizations has been made, before the land came under the protection of Section 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009). To meet this standard a person shall demonstrate that prohibiting expansion of the operation onto that land would unfairly impact the viability of the operation as originally planned before the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11(2009). Except for operations in existence before August 3, 1977, or for which a good faith effort to obtain all necessary permits had been made before August 3, 1977, this standard does not apply to lands already under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) when the Department approved the permit for the original operation or when the good faith effort to obtain all necessary permits for the original operation was made. In evaluating whether a person meets this standard, the agency making the determination may consider factors such as:
(I) The extent to which coal supply contracts or other legal and business commitments that predate the time the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) depend upon the use of that land for surface coal mining operations;
(II) The extent to which plans used to obtain financing for the operation before the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) rely upon use of that land for surface coal mining operations;
(III) The extent to which investments in the operation before the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) rely upon use of that land for surface coal mining operations; and
(IV) Whether the land lies within the area identified on the life-of-mine map submitted under Chapter 2, Section 5(a)(i)(B) of the Land Quality Division Coal Rules and Regulations before the land came under the protection of 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009).
(iii) Roads. A person who claims valid existing rights to use or construct a road across the surface of lands protected by 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) must demonstrate that one or more of the following circumstances exist if the road is included within a surface coal mining operation:
(A) The road existed when the land upon which it is located came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) and the person has a legal right to use the road for surface coal mining operations;
(B) A properly recorded right of way or easement for a road in that location existed when the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) and under the document creating the right of way or easement, and under subsequent conveyances, the person has a legal right to use or construct a road across the right of way or easement for surface coal mining operations;
(C) A valid permit for use or construction of a road in that location for surface coal mining operations existed when the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009); or
(D) VER exist under subsections (i) and (ii) above.
(iv) The prohibitions and limitations of Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v) do not apply to surface coal mining operations for which a valid permit issued by the Department exists when the land comes under the protection of 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009). This exception applies only to lands within the permit area as it exists when the land comes under the protection of 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009).
(v) Interpretation of the terms of the document relied upon to establish valid existing rights shall be based either upon applicable Wyoming case law concerning interpretation of documents conveying mineral rights or, where no applicable case law exists, upon the usage and custom at the time and place where it came into existence.
(fr) "Vegetation community" means a recognizable group of species growing together.
(fs) "Violation", when used in the context of the permit application information required in Chapter 2 of these rules and regulations or permit eligibility requirements detailed in Chapter 12 of these rules and regulations means:
(i) A failure to comply with an applicable provision of a Federal or State law or regulation pertaining to air or water environmental protection, as evidenced by a written notification from a governmental entity to the responsible person; or
(ii) A noncompliance for which the Office of Surface Mining has provided one or more of the following types of notice or the Department of Environmental Quality has provided equivalent notice under its corresponding statutory and/or regulatory provisions:
(A) A "notice of violation" as defined above;
(B) A cessation order under W.S. 35-11-437 (2011) and/or Chapter 16 of the Land Quality Coal Rules and Regulations;
(C) A final order, bill or demand letter pertaining to a delinquent civil penalty assessed under Chapter 16 of the Land Quality Coal Rules and Regulations;
(D) A bill or demand letter pertaining to delinquent reclamation fees owed under 30 C.F.R. part 870 (Abandoned Mine Lands); or
(E) A order of bond forfeiture under W.S. 35-11-421 (2011) when:
(I) One or more violations upon which the forfeiture was based have not been abated or corrected; or
(II) The forfeited bond is inadequate to cover the cost of the final reclamation under W.S. 35-11-421 and 422 (2011);
(ft) "Warm season" means a plant, which makes most or all its growth during the spring, summer, or fall and is usually dormant during the winter. Warm season plants usually exhibit the C-4 photosynthetic pathway.
(fu) "Water table" means the upper surface of a zone of saturation, where the body of groundwater is not confined by an overlying impermeable zone.
Section 3. Applicability.
(a) All mining operations or operations by which solid minerals are intended to be extracted from the earth, which are commenced or conducted after the effective date of these rules and regulations, shall comply with the requirements hereof, except as specific exemptions are allowed by the Act.
(b) The discretionary exemptions shall be limited as follows:
(i) W.S. § 35-11-401(g), (h) and (j) shall not apply to surface coal mining operations.
(ii) In order to qualify for the exemption provided for in W.S. § 35-11-401(e)(ii), approval must be obtained from the Administrator for the extraction of any coal after a finding that:
(A) The extraction is necessary to enable the construction to be accomplished and occurs within the right-of-way or boundary of the area directly affected by the construction;
(B) The construction is funded 50 percent or more by funds appropriated or obtained from a government financing agency's budget or general revenue bonds; and
(C) The person agrees to possess on-site documents which show a description of the project, its exact location, and information showing the source, kind and amount of public financing, including the percentage of the entire construction costs represented by the government financing.
(c) If any provision of these regulations or the applicability thereof to any person or circumstances related to surface coal mining operations is held invalid, the provision or its applicability to other mining operations or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
History
- Effective 2014-08-27
Chapter 2 Permit Application Requirements for Surface Coal Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.2.04292021 § 1 General Requirements
(a) All applications shall be filed in a format required by the Administrator and shall include, at a minimum, all information required by the Act and all the applicable information required under Sections 2 through 5 of this Chapter. All applicants must swear or affirm, under oath and in writing, that all information you provide in an application is accurate and complete. The Division may establish a central file to house an applicant's identity information, rather than place duplicate information in each of an applicant's permit application files and this information will be made available to the public upon request.
(b) Information set forth in the application shall be current, presented clearly and concisely, and supported or authenticated, when appropriate, by references to technical material, persons, or public or private organizations which were used, consulted, or were responsible for collecting and analyzing the data.
(c) Maps submitted with the application shall be, or be the equivalent of a U.S. Geological Survey topographic map at a scale determined by the Administrator, but in no event smaller than 1:24,000. All maps shall contain a title relative to the subject matter of the map, a map number, legend, and show the limits of the permit area. The maps shall distinguish among the following phases of the operation:
(i) Prior to August 3, 1977;
(ii) After August 3, 1977 and prior to May 3, 1978;
(iii) After May 3, 1978 and prior to approval of the State Program;
(iv) After the estimated date of issuance of the permit; and
(v) The five "regulatory categories" as defined in Chapter 1, Section 2.
(d) Applicants may reference materials. If used in the application, referenced materials shall either be provided to the Division or be readily available to the Division. Relevant portions of referenced materials shall be presented briefly and concisely in the application by photocopying or abstracting and with explicit citations.
(e) The applicant may consult with the local conservation district during preparation of the reclamation plan for conformance with technical standards.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.2.04292021 § 2 Adjudication Requirements
(a) In addition to that information required by Wyoming Statute § 35‑11-406(a), each application for a surface coal mining permit shall contain:
(i) A complete identification of interests, which shall include:
(A) All owners of record of the property to be mined including legal and equitable owners, holders of record of any leasehold interest, and any purchaser of record under a real estate contract for the property to be mined;
(B) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any operators, if different from the applicant. If the applicant is a business entity other than a single proprietorship, then the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all limited and general partners, officers, members, directors, or persons performing a function similar to a director and persons who owns, of record, ten percent or more of the entity or if a corporation then the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of principal shareholders, officers, directors, or other persons performing a function similar to a director, and resident agent(s) of the applicant. This shall also include a list of all the names under which the applicant, the applicant's partners or principal shareholders, and the operator and the operator's partners or principal shareholders operate or previously operated a surface coal mining operation in the United States within the five year period preceding the date of submission of the application;
(C) Taxpayer identification numbers for the applicant and operator;
(D) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers for each business entity in the applicant's and operator's organizational structure, up to and including the ultimate parent entity of the applicant and operator. For each business entity identified, the applicant shall also provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers for every president, chief executive officer, director, or other persons performing in similar roles and every person who owns, of record, ten percent or more of the entity;
(E) The name, address, telephone number, position title, and relationship to the applicant and operator including percentage of ownership and location in the organizational structure and date the person began functioning in that position for every officer, partner, member, director, person performing a function similar to a director and person who owns, of record, ten (10) percent or more of the applicant or operator;
(F) A list of any pending, current or previous surface coal mining permit applications filed in in the United States held by the applicant, partner or principal shareholder and the operator and operator's partners, principal shareholders who operate or previously operated a surface coal mining operation during the five year period preceding the date of the application. The list must identify each application by its application number and jurisdiction, or by other identifying information when necessary. For any surface coal mining operations that the applicant or the operator owned and controlled within the five year period preceding the application submission date and for any surface coal mining operation that the applicant or operator owned and controlled on that date, the applicant shall provide:
(I) Permittee's and operator's name and address;
(II) Permittee's and operator's taxpayer identification numbers;
(III) Federal or State permit number and corresponding MSHA number;
(IV) Regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the permit; and
(V) Permittee's and operator's relationship to the operation, including percentage of ownership and location in the organizational structure.
(G) If the applicant has previously applied for a coal mining permit and the information required in subsections (B) - (F) above is already in the Applicant Violator System (AVS), then the information may be updated as follows:
(I) If all or part of the information already in AVS is accurate and complete then the applicant shall certify to the LQD by swearing or affirming under oath and in writing that the relevant information in AVS is accurate, complete, and up to date;
(II) If part of the information in AVS is missing or incorrect, then the applicant shall submit to the LQD the necessary information or corrections and swear or affirm under oath and in writing that the information to be submitted is accurate and complete; or
(III) If the applicant can neither certify that the data in AVS is accurate and complete nor make corrections then the applicant shall include in the permit application the information required in subsections (B) - (F).
(H) A statement of all lands, interests in lands, options, or pending bids on interests held or made by the applicant for lands which are contiguous to the proposed permit area; and
(I) Legal ownership - if the operator includes roads or spur lines within the permit area but does not possess the mineral rights or the right-to-mine for these lands, the legal land description shall then be listed in the application as a separate subsection in Appendix "C". The heading of the subsection shall make it clear that the right-to-mine is not claimed on the described lands. Surface owners shall be listed for all lands crossed by spur lines and roads.
(ii) A complete statement of compliance which shall include:
(A) A brief statement, including identification and current status of the interest, identification of the regulatory authority, and description of any proceedings and their current status, of whether the applicant, the operator, or any subsidiary, affiliate or entity which the applicant or operator or entities owned or controlled by or under common control with the applicant or operator has, during the five year period preceding the date of submission of the application:
(I) Had a Federal or State permit for surface coal mining operations suspended or revoked; or
(II) Forfeited a Federal or State performance bond or similar security deposited in lieu of bond in connection with surface coal mining and reclamation operations;
(III) For each suspension, revocation, or forfeiture identified in subsections (I) and (II) above, the applicant shall provide a brief statement of the facts involved including the permit number, date of action and amount of forfeiture if applicable, responsible regulatory authority and stated reasons for action, current status and identifying information regarding any judicial or administrative proceedings related to the action.
(B) A list of notices of violation required by W. S. § 35‑11‑406(a)(xiv) that describe or identify the violation, a list of all unabated or uncorrected violation notices incurred in connection with any surface coal mining and reclamation operation that the applicant or operator owns or controls on that date, identify the associated permit and MSHA numbers, the name of the person to whom the violation notice was issued, when it occurred, any abatement action taken and if the abatement period has not expired a certification that the violation is being abated or corrected to the satisfaction of the agency with jurisdiction over the violation, the issuing regulatory authority, and any proceedings initiated concerning the violation. This listing shall include only notices issued to the applicant or operator and any subsidiaries, affiliates, or persons owned or controlled by or under common control with the applicant or operator.
(iii) The right of entry statements and documents required by W.S. § 35‑11‑406(a)(ii) and (b)(xi), which shall clearly explain and support the legal rights claimed by the applicant and shall also include whether that right is the subject of pending litigation;
(iv) A statement on whether the proposed area to be mined during the term of the permit is within an area designated unsuitable for surface coal mining operations pursuant to W.S. § 35‑11‑425, under study for any designation, or within an area where mining is prohibited pursuant to Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v) of the Land Quality - Coal Rules. This shall also include the basis on which the applicant claims any available exemption so as to obtain the permit to mine;
(v) A list identifying the Mine Safety and Health Administration identification number for all mine facilities that require MSHA approval and licenses, permits or approvals needed by the applicant to conduct the proposed operation, whether and when they have been issued, the issuing authority, and the steps to be taken to comply with the requirements. To the extent possible, the Administrator and Director shall advise, consult, and cooperate with the identified authorities so as to provide for the coordination of review and issuance of these licenses, permits, or approvals with the permit to mine. This list shall contain:
(A) Copies or identifying numbers of all permits obtained from the State Engineer or from any other Division of the Department, together with the following:
(I) Water Quality Information. The information from the application for the approved Water Quality permit which affirmatively demonstrates:
(1.) There is a detailed plan, with appropriate maps and cross-sections, for the construction and operation of any mine facility capable of causing or contributing to pollution of surface and groundwater. The plan shall be in accordance with Chapters 3 and 11, and, as applicable, Chapter 10, of the Department's Water Quality Rules. As applicable, any plans shall include a copy of the NPDES permit granted by the Water Quality Division and quantitative limits on pollutants in discharges of water from all point sources.
(2.) There is a plan for the collection, recording, and reporting of groundwater quality and surface water quality according to Chapter 2, Section 12 of the Water Quality Division Rules. This plan shall, at a minimum, be adequate to measure accurately and record water quantity and quality of the discharges from the permit area in order to plan for modification of surface mining activities, if necessary, to minimize adverse effects on the water of the State.
(II) Solid Waste Information. The information from the application for the approved permit(s) for any Solid Waste Management Facility(ies) located within the proposed permit area. Note that a Solid Waste Management Facility, as defined by W.S. § 35-11-103(d)(ii), is a facility that receives solid waste which is generated outside the proposed permit area by any activity other than a mine mouth power plant or mine mouth coal drier. Solid Waste Management Facilities are subject to the permitting, bonding and performance standards of Article 5 of the Environmental Quality Act in addition to the performance standards in Chapter 4, Section 2(c)(xiii)(C) of these Rules.
(III) State Engineer Information. The information from the application for the approved permit to construct a reservoir to store or impound water which affirmatively demonstrates that the reservoirs will be constructed and maintained in accordance with the requirements set out in Chapter 5 of the State Engineer's Surface Water Rules. In addition, if the application includes a proposed transfer of a well for use as a water well, the application shall contain information from the approved application for a permit to appropriate groundwater which affirmatively demonstrates a plan for construction, completion and removal of wells in accordance with requirements which are at least as stringent as those governing wells drilled in conjunction with surface coal mining or exploration operations.
(B) For any permits or approvals which have not been obtained, the information required by (A) above which has been or will be submitted to the agencies involved, including a description of the steps to be taken to comply with the relevant requirements.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.2.04292021 § 3 Vegetation Baseline Requirements
(a) The plan for a baseline vegetation study to establish baseline conditions shall be submitted to the Administrator prior to the field sampling season for review and approval, prior to implementation, unless otherwise approved by the Administrator.
(b) If baseline information was previously collected in the area for a different permit or project, then the Administrator may require resampling. The Administrator's determination as to whether resampling is required, and to what extent, will be based upon:
(i) Differences in scope between the permits or project;
(ii) Differences in existing and historic conditions;
(iii) Improvements in sample collection techniques;
(iv) The elapsed time since the last evaluation of the presence of threatened and endangered species; and
(v) Concerns with sampling methodology.
(c) The applicant shall map the vegetation communities within the permit area and adjacent area and shall sample and describe the characteristics of vegetation communities within the permit area.
(i) The map shall show the vegetation communities in the permit and adjacent lands. Communities that are two acres or larger shall be mapped. Inclusions within larger communities do not need to be mapped as separate vegetation communities. The applicant may use the terminology used by the Natural Resources Conservation Service in naming vegetation communities.
(ii) The map shall be of a scale approved by the Administrator and use an aerial mosaic, USGS topographic, or equivalent map as a base.
(iii) The vegetation community map shall identify:
(A) Sample locations for cover and shrub density;
(B) Reference Areas unless a technical success standard is proposed for evaluation of revegetation;
(C) Areas to be affected by mining and associated activities:
(D) The locations and orientations of all photographs provided with the descriptions of the vegetation communities and Reference Areas, as required in Chapter 2, Section 3(j);
(E) The general location of trees;
(F) The location and extent of designated or prohibited noxious weeds per Chapter 2, Section 3(k); and
(G) Extent of existing disturbance.
(iv) The vegetation communities in the study area may be mapped any time the ground is clear of snow, but must be field checked and verified prior to the sampling.
(d) Percent cover, by vegetation community, shall be estimated using either:
(i) Quantitative methods, as approved by the Administrator, when the applicant intends to develop a technical standard or when the Administrator determines the study area is in a location that baseline vegetation has not been adequately described.
(ii) With approval of the Administrator, semi-quantitative methods as outlined below shall be used when the applicant does not intend to use a technical standard or those areas where the Administrator determines there is sufficient quantitative vegetation baseline in the general area.
(A) The quadrat or point intercept method shall be used except there is not a sample adequacy requirement. The number of samples per vegetation community and Reference Area shall be:
Vegetation Community size No. of samples
0 to 5 acres 3
5 to 50 acres 5
50 acres 10
(e) If the applicant intends to propose a technical success standard, annual herbaceous production, by community, shall be estimated using quantitative methods. Annual herbaceous production shall also be quantitatively estimated when the Administrator determines that previously collected baseline vegetation data inadequately describes the proposed permit area. If semi-quantitative methods are approved for baseline, no production for baseline is necessary.
(f) A Reference Area shall be established for each vegetation community which will be disturbed unless a technical success standard is proposed for evaluation of revegetation.
(g) Shrub density sampling shall use the quantitative methods as approved by the Administrator unless the applicant commits to the maximum shrub reestablishment performance standard of one full shrub per square meter within shrub patches distributed over 20 percent of the eligible land for Option II. If the applicant accepts this maximum shrub reestablishment performance standard, the applicant shall use the following provisions to complete the calculations in Appendix 4A, Tables 1 and 2.
(i) For Option II, the full shrub with the highest baseline relative cover value across all premining vegetation communities shall be listed as the dominant premine full shrub species and the target postmine species. No calculations for Appendix 4A, Table 1 or Table 2, shall be performed. In Table 2, the Density of the Dominant Postmining (Full) Shrub shall be 0.5 per square meter, and the Density of Residual (Full) Shrubs shall be 0.25 per square meter and the Density of Approved Subshrubs shall be 0.25 per square meter.
(h) If trees are present within the proposed permit area, then the description shall include the number, general distribution, and species.
(i) The applicant shall compile an inventory, by vegetation community, of all plants species observed within the study area and corresponding Reference Areas, in accordance with the following requirements:
(i) The plant species shall be listed:
(A) By "Life Forms" as defined in Chapter 1, Section 2;
(B) By scientific binomial (with reference to the botanic key used);
(C) By common name; and
(D) Identified as a native to North America or introduced species.
(ii) The plant inventory shall be field checked and updated at least three times from April through September during the baseline sampling year to capture the phenological expression of species that do not express themselves every month. The plant inventory shall not be compared to any qualitative, semi-quantitative or quantitative criteria.
(iii) The plant inventory shall note the names and field locations of:
(A) Any herbarium samples collected;
(B) Any Designated Noxious Weeds or Prohibited Noxious Weeds defined by the State of Wyoming;
(C) Any plant species or habitat of special concern at the time of sampling; and
(D) Any species not previously recorded in Wyoming or outside its known range.
(j) Each baseline vegetation study shall present descriptions of the vegetation communities and, unless a technical success standard is proposed for evaluation of revegetation, present descriptions of the Reference Areas. The descriptions shall include:
(i) The general vegetation composition;
(ii) The major species in each life form;
(iii) The characteristic topography, including overall slope and aspect;
(iv) The characteristic soil types;
(v) The number, sizes, and types of inclusions;
(vi) The degree of interspersion between communities;
(vii) A summary of the quantitative, semi-quantitative, and qualitative vegetation information for each community;
(viii) A three-inch by five-inch (or larger) color photograph, color copy or digital photograph panorama, showing the general features of each "Vegetation Community" and "Reference Area".
(k) Each baseline vegetation study shall include documentation of the presence or absence of Designated Noxious Weeds or Prohibited Noxious Weeds as defined by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and information on the present and historical weed treatment.
(i) If any Designated Noxious Weeds or Prohibited Noxious Weeds are present within the proposed permit area, the description shall include a list of their names, either common or scientific, and a visual estimate of their relative cover.
(ii) If any Designated Noxious Weeds or Prohibited Noxious Weeds are estimated to comprise more than 25% of the relative vegetation cover on two or more contiguous acres, that acreage shall be identified on the vegetation community map.
(l) If any State or Federally listed endangered or threatened plant species are known to exist within the permit area or in adjacent areas, their location shall be described and an evaluation provided on potential habitats within the permit area and in adjacent areas.
(m) Cropland, either as a vegetation community and/or a land use category, is exempt from Chapter 2, Sections 3 (d) through (g), (i) and (j).
Section 4. Other Baseline Requirements.
(a) A description of the lands to be affected within the permit area, how these lands will be affected, for what purpose these areas will be used during the course of the mining operation, and a time schedule for affecting these lands. This description shall include:
(i) The major past and present uses of the proposed permit area and adjacent lands. Previous uses of affected lands must be ranked on an individual basis according to the overall economic or social value of the land use to the landowner, community, or area in which these lands are found. The Administrator shall bear the responsibility of making the final decision on the ranking of land uses in a particular area. This decision must be based on information concerning the economy, historical use of the area, and the needs and desires of the landowner. The Administrator may consult the Land Quality Advisory Board for suggestions or recommendations on the ranking of land uses in a given area. The present land uses shall be listed using the definitions of Chapter 1, and the vegetation communities which comprise each land use shall be presented.
(ii) The capability of the land prior to mining to support a variety of uses, giving consideration to soil and foundation characteristics, topography, vegetative cover, and the land's history of previous mining, if any, and the uses of the land preceding mining; as well as the land use classification under local law, if any, of the proposed permit area and adjacent areas.
(iii) Annual precipitation - the operator shall submit an estimated total annual precipitation for the proposed permit area. Data from the nearest official weather reporting station may be used. Operations more than 50 miles from an official weather station that are permanently staffed may be required to keep precipitation records.
(iv) Average wind direction and velocity - the operator shall submit the average wind direction and velocity recorded at the nearest official weather station or as measured at the site.
(v) Prime farmland information, which shall include, after a preapplication investigation of the proposed permit area, either:
(A) A request for a determination that the land not be considered prime farmland on the basis that either the land has not had a history of intensive agricultural use; or there are no soil map units that have been designated prime farmland by the Natural Resource Conservation Service in accordance with 7 CFR 657 (Federal Register Vol. 43, No. 21) and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Conservation Districts and the Soil Conservation Service, or
(B) Where prime farmland occurs on proposed affected land, an application which shall be submitted in accordance with Chapter 3.
(vi) Studies of fish, wildlife, and their habitats, in the level of detail and for those areas as determined by the Administrator, after consultation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies; and Federal agencies having responsibilities for the management or conservation of such environmental values, including:
(A) A list of indigenous vertebrate wildlife species within and adjacent to the permit area by common and scientific names. The area of survey for the possible presence of threatened or endangered species shall be on or within one mile of the permit area.
(B) If critical habitat disruption is likely, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wyoming Game and Fish Department shall be contacted by the Administrator. If crucial or important habitat or migration route disruption is likely, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department shall be contacted by the Administrator. Contacting the appropriate agency(ies) is required in order to determine the types and numbers of wildlife likely to be disturbed or displaced.
(vii) A detailed description, prepared or certified by a licensed professional geologist, or other qualified professional (as required by W.S. §§ 33-41-101 through 121), of the geology within the proposed permit area down to and including any aquifer to be adversely affected by mining below the lowest coal seam to be mined. The description shall include the aerial and structural geology of the permit area and, by extrapolation, adjacent areas, including geologic parameters which influence the required reclamation, and the occurrence, availability, movement, quantity, and quality of potentially affected surface and groundwaters.
(viii) For the proposed permit area and, by extrapolation, adjacent areas, characterization of the geologic strata down to and including the deeper of either the stratum immediately below the lowest coal seam to be mined, or any aquifer below the lowest coal seam to be mined which may be adversely impacted by mining. This information shall include a statement of the results of test borings or core samples which have been collected and analyzed to show:
(A) Location of any groundwater;
(B) Lithologic characteristics and thickness of each stratum and each coal seam;
(C) Physical and chemical properties including the toxic and acid-forming properties of each stratum within the overburden; and
(D) Chemical analyses for acid or toxic-forming substances of the coal seam, including the total sulphur and pyritic sulphur content. The Administrator may waive in whole or in part the requirements of these paragraphs if he makes a written finding that the testing is unnecessary because other equivalent information is available to him in a satisfactory form.
(ix) Maps and cross-sections of the area, certified by a registered professional engineer, licensed professional geologist, or other qualified professional (as required by W.S. §§ 33‑29-401 through 406 and W.S. §§ 33-41-101 through 121), showing:
(A) Nature, depth and thickness of any coal seams to be mined or above those to be mined, each stratum of the overburden, and the stratum below the lowest coal seam to be mined;
(B) All coal crop lines and the strike and dip of the coal to be mined within the proposed permit area;
(C) Location and extent of existing or previously surface mined or underground mined areas within the proposed permit area and adjacent areas;
(D) Sufficient slope measurements of the proposed permit area measured and recorded at such distances as the Administrator determines to be representative of the premining configuration and reflect geomorphic differences of the land to be mined;
(E) The location of water supply intakes for current users of surface water flowing into, out of and within a hydrologic area defined by the Administrator, and those surface waters which will receive discharges from affected areas in the proposed permit area;
(F) The location of areas on which mining is limited or prohibited within or adjacent to the permit area, pursuant to Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v), Land Quality - Coal Rules;
(G) Elevations and locations of test borings and core samplings;
(H) Elevations and locations of monitoring stations used to gather data for water quality and quantity, fish and wildlife, and air quality in preparation of the application; and
(I) Other relevant information required by the Administrator.
(x) Overburden, topsoil, subsoil, mineral seams or other deposits.
(A) Overburden - the operator shall submit a description including the thickness, geological nature (rock type, orientation, etc.), the presence of toxic, acid-forming, or vegetative-retarding substances, or any other factor that will influence the mining or reclamation activities.
(B) Topsoil and subsoil information including a soil survey of the affected lands conducted in accordance with the standards of the National Cooperative Soil Survey of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If alternative materials are proposed to be used as a supplement to or substitute for topsoil, their suitability shall be demonstrated in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(c)(ix).
(I) Topsoil - the operator shall submit a description of the thickness and nature of the topsoil, if any, over the proposed affected lands. A soils survey and soil analyses conducted in accordance with standard methods acceptable to the Administrator, may be required to show variations in topsoil depth and suitability.
(II) Subsoil - the operator shall submit a description of the nature, thickness and distribution of the subsoil, if any, over the proposed affected lands. Detailed analyses of the subsoil may be required, if there is reason to suspect it may be of better quality for revegetation than the topsoil, or if it is to function as a topsoil supplement in reclamation efforts. If the subsoil is suspected of containing substances that might cause pollution or hinder reclamation, analyses will provide a basis for determining how to handle this material during reclamation.
(C) Mineral seams or other deposits - the operator shall submit a description of the mineral seams in the proposed permit area, including, but not limited to, their depth, thickness, orientation (strike and dip), and rock or mineral type. Maps or geologic cross-sections may be used to illustrate the description of the mineral seams.
(xi) Complete information on surface water for the permit area and adjacent areas. This shall include the following:
(A) The operator shall list and describe the name and location for the present surface waters in and adjacent to the proposed permit area. The list shall include, but not be limited to, rivers, creeks, lakes, reservoirs, springs and marshes. Streams shall be classified as ephemeral, intermittent or perennial;
(B) The operator shall submit a description of the immediate drainage area which includes the proposed permit area. Surface water use shall be identified as to domestic, municipal, industrial, agricultural, and wildlife;
(C) Baseline monitoring information of surface water quantity within the permit area which is representative of the surface hydrologic system. Water quantity descriptions shall include, at a minimum, baseline information on seasonal flow rates, and identification of drainage area acreage; and
(D) Water quality data sufficient to identify seasonal variation. All surface water-quality sampling and analyses performed to meet the requirements of this Section shall be conducted according to the methodology in the 20th edition of "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater," or the methodology in 40 CFR Part 136 - "Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants," as amended on January 16, 2001. Contact the Land Quality Division for information on how to obtain a copy of either reference materials. The data shall include at a minimum:
(I) Total dissolved solids (mg/l);
(II) Total suspended solids (mg/l);
(III) pH (standards units);
(IV) Total and dissolved iron (mg/l); and
(V) Total manganese (mg/l).
(E) Baseline alkalinity and acidity information shall be provided if there is a potential for acid drainage from the proposed mining operation.
(xii) Complete information on groundwater which may be affected in the permit area and adjacent areas. This shall include the following:
(A) The operator shall submit an estimate of the depth and quantity of any groundwater existing in the proposed permit area down to and including the strata immediately below the lowest mineral seam to be mined. The Administrator may require the operator to conduct test drilling and monitoring in order to determine the exact depth, quantity and quality of groundwater in geological formations affected by the mining operations. Such drilling will require permits from the State Engineer's Office;
(B) The lithology and thickness of all known aquifers;
(C) All water‑quality sampling and analyses performed to meet the requirements of this Section shall be conducted according to the methodology in the 20th edition of "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater" or the methodology in 40 CFR Part 136 - "Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants," as amended on January 16, 2001. Contact the Land Quality Division for information on how to obtain a copy of either reference materials. The data shall include at a minimum:
(I) Total dissolved solids (mg/l);
(II) Total and dissolved iron (mg/l);
(III) Total manganese (mg/l); and
(IV) pH (standard units).
(D) According to the parameters and in the detail required by the Administrator, the recharge, storage, and discharge characteristics of the groundwater.
(xiii) Water rights.
(A) The operator shall list by name and owner all known adjudicated and permitted water rights on the proposed permit area and adjacent lands.
(B) The operator shall submit a list by name and owner of all existing water wells on the proposed permit area and adjacent lands, including all wells filed with the State Engineer's Office within three miles of the proposed permit area. The Administrator may require a survey of the premining water levels in the above wells.
(xiv) A description of the surface water and groundwater and related geology in the permit area and general area sufficient to assess the probable hydrologic consequences (PHC). If the determination of the PHC required by Chapter 19, Section 2(a)(i) indicates that adverse impacts on or off the proposed permit area may occur to the hydrologic balance, or that acid‑forming or toxic material is present that may result in the contamination of groundwater or surface water supplies, then information supplemental to that required under (a)(xi) and (a)(xii) of this Section shall be provided to evaluate such PHC and to plan remedial and reclamation activities. Such supplemental information may be based upon drilling, aquifer tests, hydrogeologic analysis of the water‑bearing strata, flood flows, or analysis of other water‑quality or quantity characteristics.
(xv) Information concerning the presence or absence of an alluvial valley floor within the permit area or on adjacent areas in accordance with Chapter 3.
(xvi) The location of existing man-made features to include roads, railroads, reservoirs, public or private rights-of-way and easements, utility lines, pipelines, oil wells, gas wells, and water wells.
(xvii) Boundaries and descriptions of all cultural, historic and archaeological resources listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places. In compliance with the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (P.L. 96-95), this information shall not be placed on display at the county clerk's office (as required by W.S. § 35-11-406(d)) where such resources occur on lands owned by the United States. This information shall be clearly labeled as "Confidential" and submitted separately from the remainder of the application materials. Requests to disclose confidential information shall be administered under the Department's Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Wyoming Public Records Act (W.S. §§ 16-4-201 through 205) and the Environmental Quality Act.
(xviii) A description of any significant artifacts, fossil or other article of cultural, historical, archaeological or paleontological value. Upon recommendation by a qualified archaeologist or a qualified paleontologist, the Administrator may require an evaluation of the proposed permit area prior to the time that a permit or license is issued.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.2.04292021 § 5 Mine Plan
(a) In addition to that information required by W.S. § 35‑11-406(b), each application for a surface coal mining permit shall contain:
(i) A complete operations plan proposed to be conducted during the life of the mine including:
(A) A narrative description of the type and method of mining, the number of acres that will be affected annually, overburden and mineral removal and transport, anticipated annual and total production by tonnage, and the major equipment to be used for all aspects of the operations.
(B) A map showing the estimated orderly progression of mining and reclamation on all proposed affected lands.
(C) The size, sequence, and timing of the areas for which it is anticipated that renewed permits for mining will be requested over the estimated total life of the proposed operation.
(D) Cross-sections, or maps and plans of the area to be mined during the term of the permit, or for the entire permit area if required by the Administrator or specified below, and certified by a registered professional engineer or professional geologist, showing:
(I) Location of proposed water treatment control and monitoring facilities;
(II) Location of each proposed explosive storage and handling facility;
(III) Location and construction of each proposed waste disposal facility relating to coal processing or pollution control;
(IV) Location of and typical design for surface water and groundwater hydrologic control methods including proposed temporary impoundments, sedimentation ponds, diversions, stream channels, erosion control methods, and water treatment, water storage, water collection and discharge facilities. The location and typical design of permanent impoundments and general location of the above described hydrologic control methods shall be provided for the permit area;
(V) The location, construction, and maintenance of coal stockpiles, and temporary and excess spoil piles shall be provided for the permit area;
(VI) Location of permanently fixed signs and markers in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 4, Section 2(o); and
(VII) Location and description of any undisturbed natural barrier which is proposed to be provided to prevent slides and erosion, in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 4, Section 2(s).
(ii) A narrative and a map of the permit area identifying the location of existing structures, a description of their use and maintenance, and an explanation of whether they meet the requirements of Chapter 4 or the plan for removal, if required, or modification to comply with those standards in a manner which protects the environment and public health and safety.
(iii) A description of the measures to be used to maximize the use and conservation of the coal resource as required in Chapter 4, Section 2(v).
(iv) A description of the contingency plans which have been developed to preclude sustained combustion of any materials constituting a fire hazard.
(v) A description, plans, and drawings for each mine facility to be constructed, used, or maintained within the proposed permit area. The plans and drawings shall include a map, appropriate cross-sections, design drawings, and specifications sufficient to demonstrate compliance with section 2(n) of Chapter 4 for each facility.
(vi) A map of the permit area which clearly shows that a railroad spur(s) which provides exclusive service to that particular permit is being included within the permit boundary from the point that it provides such service. This spur(s) shall be covered by a reclamation bond.
(vii) A blasting plan for the area to be mined during the term of the permit, which shall include:
(A) Proposed compliance with limitations on ground vibration and airblast, the basis for those limitations, and methods to be applied in controlling the adverse effects of blasting operations. The applicant shall also include:
(I) A blasting plan which depicts the worst-case scenario (i.e., the maximum probable amount of explosives to be detonated in any eight millisecond period).
(II) The identification, direction, and distance, in feet to the nearest dwelling, public building, school, church, and community or institutional building from any blasting area during the term of the permit. This paragraph shall not apply if the building is owned by the operator and not leased to another or, if leased, the lessee signs a waiver relieving the operator from meeting the limitations in Chapter 6.
(B) If blasting operations will be conducted within 1,000 feet of any building used as a dwelling, public building, school, church, and community or institutional building outside the permit area, or within 500 feet of an active or abandoned underground mine, an anticipated blast design, prepared and signed by a certified blaster. The design shall contain sketches of the drill patterns, delay periods, and decking and shall indicate the type and amount of explosives to be used, critical dimensions, and the location and general description of structures to be protected, as well as a discussion of design factors to be used which protect the public and meet the applicable airblast, flyrock, and ground vibration standards in Chapter 6. This paragraph shall not apply if the building is owned by the operator and not leased to another or, if leased, the lessee signs a waiver relieving the operator from meeting the limitations in Chapter 6.
(C) Description and location of blasting monitoring, warning, and site access control equipment and procedures proposed to be used pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 4.
(D) Description of procedures and plans for recording and retaining information required by Chapter 6, Section 5.
(E) A sample copy of the public notices required by Chapter 6, Section 3.
(F) Other information requested by the Administrator which he determines necessary to ensure compliance with Chapter 6.
(viii) A plan for minimizing adverse impacts to fish, wildlife, and related environmental values within and adjacent to the permit area during the operation and how enhancement of these resources will be achieved where practicable. Where a plan does not include enhancement measures, the applicant shall affirmatively demonstrate why such measures are not practicable. The plan shall include:
(A) Whether such resources will be enhanced through successful revegetation and other enhancement measures in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(r);
(B) A statement of how the applicant will utilize monitoring methods as specified in Appendix B of these rules and regulations, and impact control measures and management techniques to protect or enhance the following, if they are likely to be affected by the proposed operation:
(I) Threatened or endangered species of plants or animals listed by the Secretary under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. Section 1531 et seq.) and their critical habitats;
(II) Species identified through the consultation process described in Section 4(a)(vi); and
(III) Important habitats for fish and wildlife, such as wetlands, riparian areas, rimrocks, areas offering special shelter or protection, reproduction and nursery areas, and wintering areas.
(C) Upon request, the Administrator shall provide the resource information required under paragraph (B) of this Section and that required by Section 4(a)(vi) of this Chapter to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service regional or field office for their review. This information shall be provided within 10 days of receipt of the request from the Service.
(ix) A plan to ensure the protection of the quantity and quality of, and rights to, surface water and groundwater both within and adjacent to the permit area, which shall include:
(A) A plan and timetable for control and treatment of surface water and groundwater in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(e)-(h);
(B) A plan for sediment removal and disposal;
(C) A plan to restore the approximate recharge capacity of the permit area in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(h);
(D) A plan to collect, record, and report water quantity and quality data according to Chapter 4, Section 2(i); and
(I) Surface water monitoring plan.
(1.) The application shall include a monitoring plan based upon the PHC determination required under subsection 5(a)(x) of this Chapter and the analysis of all baseline hydrologic, geologic, and other information in the permit application. The plan shall provide for the monitoring of parameters that relate to the suitability of the surface water for current and approved postmining land uses and to the objectives for protection of the hydrologic balance as set forth in subsection 5(a)(ix) of this Chapter.
(2.) The plan shall identify the surface water quantity and quality parameters to be monitored, sampling frequency, and site locations. At a minimum, the parameters specified in Section 4(a)(xi)(C) and (D) of this Chapter shall be measured. Results of monitoring shall be available for inspection at the mine and available to the Director's designated authorized representative, and shall be reasonably current. Surface water monitoring shall be conducted quarterly unless an alternate frequency, appropriate to the monitored site, is approved by the Administrator. Results of monitoring shall be submitted in the annual report for each monitoring location.
(3.) The plan shall describe how the data may be used to determine the impacts of the operation upon the hydrologic balance.
(II) Groundwater monitoring plan.
(1.) The application shall include a groundwater monitoring plan based upon the PHC determination required under subsection 5(a)(x) of this Chapter and the analysis of all baseline hydrologic, geologic, and other information in the permit application. The plan shall provide for the monitoring of parameters that relate to the suitability of the groundwater for current and approved postmining land uses and to the objectives for protection of the hydrologic balance set forth in subsection 5(a)(ix) of this Chapter.
(2.) The plan shall identify the quantity and quality parameters to be monitored, sampling frequency, and site locations. It shall describe how the data may be used to determine the impacts of the operation upon the hydrologic balance. At a minimum, the parameters specified in Section 4(a)(xii)(C) of this Chapter and water levels shall be measured. Groundwater monitoring shall be conducted quarterly unless an alternate frequency, appropriate to the monitored site, is approved by the Administrator. Results of monitoring shall be available for inspection at the mine and available to the Director's designated authorized representative, and shall be reasonably current. Results of monitoring shall be submitted in the annual report for each monitoring location.
(E) A plan to provide alternative sources of water in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11‑415(b)(xii), where the protection of quantity or quality cannot be ensured as determined under the requirements of (x) below.
(x) Probable hydrologic consequences determination (PHC). A determination of the PHC of the proposed operation on the hydrologic regime and the quantity and quality of surface water and groundwater systems within the permit area and the general area consistent with the information required in Chapter 19, Section 2 of these regulations. The PHC determination shall be based on baseline hydrologic, geologic and other information collected for the permit application and may include data statistically representative of the site. This determination shall specifically address potential adverse hydrologic consequences and describe preventive and remedial measures.
(xi) An evaluation of the impact of the proposed mining activities that may result in contamination, diminution, or interruption of the quality and quantity of groundwater or surface water within the proposed mine permit area or adjacent areas that are used for domestic, agricultural, industrial, or other legitimate purposes. If contamination, diminution, or interruption may result, then the application shall identify the alternative sources of water supply that could be developed to replace the existing sources in accordance with State law.
(xii) A general plan for each coal-processing waste bank. It shall contain a description, map, and cross-section of the structure and its location, preliminary hydrologic information required to assess the hydrologic impact of the bank, and any additional information the Administrator may deem necessary to show compliance with Chapter 4, Section 2(c). Where the applicant proposes to return coal-processing waste to abandoned underground workings, the application shall:
(A) Describe the design, operation and maintenance of any proposed coal-processing waste disposal facility, including flow diagrams and any other necessary drawings and maps, for the approval of the Administrator and the Mine Safety and Health Administration;
(B) Describe the sources and quality of waste to be stowed, area to be backfilled, percent of the mine void to be filled, method of constructing underground retaining walls, influence of the backfilling operation on active underground mine operations, surface area to be supported by the backfill and the anticipated occurrence of surface effects following backfilling;
(C) Describe the source of the hydraulic transport mediums, method of dewatering the placed backfill, retainment of water underground, treatment of water if released to surface streams, and the effect on the hydrologic regime;
(D) Describe each permanent monitoring well to be located in the backfilled area, the stratum underlying the mined coal, and gradient from the backfilled area except where pneumatic backfilling operations are exempted from hydrologic monitoring; and
(E) Be approved by MSHA as well as the Administrator prior to implementation.
(xiii) For surface mining activities to be conducted within 500 feet of an underground mine, measures to be used to comply with Chapter 4, Section 2(t).
(xiv) Plans describing the measures to be taken to obtain permit approval regarding areas where mining would be otherwise limited or prohibited pursuant to Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v).
(xv) Descriptions, including appropriate maps and cross-sections of any proposed excess spoil disposal site and design of the spoil piles in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 4, Section 2(c). This shall contain the results of a geotechnical investigation of the proposed excess spoil disposal site, including the following:
(A) The character of bedrock and any adverse geologic conditions in the disposal area;
(B) A survey identifying all springs, seepage, and groundwater flow observed or anticipated during wet periods in the area of the disposal site;
(C) Where applicable, an evaluation of the potential effects of subsidence of the subsurface strata due to past and future mining operations;
(D) A stability analysis including, but not limited to, strength parameters, pore pressures and long-term seepage conditions. These data shall be accompanied by a description of all engineering design assumptions and calculations and the alternatives considered in selecting the specific design specifications and methods; and
(E) If, under Chapter 4, Section 2(c)(xi)(F), special structural provisions are required for spoil disposal on overall slopes greater than 20 degrees, information on:
(I) The number, location and depth of borings or test pits which shall be determined with respect to the size of the spoil disposal structure and subsurface conditions; and
(II) The engineering designs, design rationale and design calculations for the special structural provisions, which are based on the information required in paragraph (D) above.
(xvi) Road Systems.
(A) Each applicant shall submit plans and drawings for each road as defined in Chapter 1 to be constructed, used, or maintained within the proposed permit area. The plans and drawings shall:
(I) Include a map, appropriate cross-sections, design drawings and specifications for road widths, gradients, surfacing materials, cuts, fill embankments, culverts, bridges, drainage ditches, drainage structures and low-water crossings;
(II) Contain the drawings and specifications of each proposed road that is located in the channel of an ephemeral stream that has the potential for sufficient flow to cause substantial environmental harm unless a downstream sediment control structure exists within the permit boundaries, any intermittent or any perennial stream, as necessary for approval of the road by the Administrator in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(j)(iv)(A);
(III) Contain the drawings and specifications for each proposed ford of intermittent or perennial streams that is used as a temporary route, as necessary for approval of the ford by the Administrator in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(j)(vii)(C)(II);
(IV) Contain a description of measures to be taken to obtain approval from the Administrator for alteration or relocation of a natural stream channel under Chapter 4, Section 2(j)(vii)(D)(V);
(V) Contain the drawings and specifications for each low‑water crossing of an ephemeral stream channel that has the potential for sufficient flow to cause substantial environmental harm unless a downstream sediment control structure exists within the permit boundaries, any intermittent stream channel or any perennial stream channel so that the Administrator can maximize the protection of the stream in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(j)(vii)(D)(VI); and
(VI) Describe the plans to remove and reclaim each road that would not be retained under an approved postmining land use, and the schedule for this removal and reclamation.
(B) The plans and drawings for each primary road (as defined in Chapter 4, Section 2(j)(i)(B)) shall be prepared by, or under the direction of, and certified by a qualified registered professional engineer as meeting the requirements of this Chapter and current, prudent engineering practices.
(xvii) Plans for compliance with the temporary and permanent cessation of operations requirements contained in Chapter 4, Section 2(k) and (u).
(xviii) Plans of mine facilities (including overstrip areas) that are to be shared by two or more separately permitted mining operations may be included in one permit application and referenced in the other application(s). Each permittee shall bond the mine facilities unless the permittees sharing it agree to another arrangement for assuming their respective responsibilities. If such agreement is reached, the application shall include a copy of the agreement between or among the parties setting forth the respective bonding responsibilities of each party for the mine facilities. The agreement shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that all responsibilities under the Act and regulations for the mine facilities will be met.
(xix) A Cultural Resources Management Plan which:
(A) Describes the measures to be used to prevent impacts to public parks or places listed on the National Register of Historic Places or, in cases of valid existing rights or where joint agency approval has been obtained, to minimize impacts to such parks or places;
(B) Provides for the mitigation of adverse effects to historic or archaeological properties eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places; and
(C) Ensures that the appropriate treatment measures or mitigation will be undertaken prior to the commencement of any specific mining operation that would affect such parks, places, or properties.
(xx) A plan for the management and disposal of noncoal mine waste, including any noncoal wastes generated by a mine mouth electric power plant, coal drier, or coal preparation plant within the proposed permit area in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(c)(xiii)(C).
Section 6. Reclamation Plan.
(a) The reclamation plan shall include a time schedule for each major step in the reclamation which coordinates the operator's reclamation plan with the mining plan in such a manner so as to facilitate reclamation at the earliest possible time consistent with Chapter 4, Section 2(k) and the orderly development of the mining property.
(b) The reclamation plan shall also describe how the operator will reclaim the affected lands to the proposed postmining land use in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(a) and shall include:
(i) A plan for topsoil and subsoil removal, storage, protection, and replacement; and for handling and disposal of all toxic, acid-forming, or otherwise hazardous materials, in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(c). This shall include a description with location maps and, where appropriate, typical topographic profiles of the mine facility area, mineral stockpiles, spoil piles, and topsoil and subsoil stockpiles. The location and, where required, the capacity of each stockpile shall be described and shown on a map. The application shall also explain how the topsoil will be replaced on the affected land during reclamation, including a description of the thickness of topsoil to be replaced and procedures that will be followed to protect the topsoil from excessive compaction and wind and water erosion until vegetation has become adequately established.
(ii) A plan for backfilling, grading and contouring of all affected lands in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(b), including:
(A) A description of the reclaimed land surface with contour maps or cross-sections that show the final surface configuration of the affected lands.
(B) Where terraces or benches are proposed, detailed drawings shall be provided which show dimension and design of the terraces, check dams, any erosion prevention techniques and slopes of the terraces and their interval.
(C) Where permanent water impoundments are proposed, contour maps and cross-sections which show slope conditions around the impoundment and the anticipated high and low postmining water level. The plan shall contain a description of erosion control techniques and such other design criteria and water quality and quantity conditions to comply with Chapter 4, Section 2(g)(ii).
(D) Maps and descriptions necessary to demonstrate that the slopes of the reclaimed land surface do not exceed the approximate premining slopes.
(E) Procedures for assuring stability of the reclaimed land surface.
(F) Plans for disposal of inert decommissioned wind turbine blades and towers as backfill, subject to the following requirements:
(I) Disposable material shall be limited to only inert base material from decommissioned wind turbine blades and towers.
(II) Non-disposable material.
(1.) Nacelles and nacelle housings shall not be permitted for use as backfill.
(2.) All mechanical, electrical, and other materials shall be removed from the decommissioned wind turbine blades and towers prior to disposal.
(III) Approved backfill locations.
(1.) Inert decommissioned wind turbine blades and towers shall only be placed in the end walls or the final pit voids;
(2.) The approved materials shall be placed a minimum of twenty feet above the pre-mining potentiometric surface of the coal aquifer and a minimum of twenty feet below the final regraded spoils surface;
(3.) The approved backfill disposal location shall be mapped and a legal description of the location shall be provided. Backfill disposal location maps and groundwater monitoring locations shall be updated annually in the required annual report;
(4.) The approved backfill disposal location may be designated as a joint or alternative land use in the approved reclamation plan (Chapter 2, Section 6(b)(x)(B)). Approval of alternative land uses shall require a demonstration as required in Chapter 2, Section 6(b)(x)(C). The disposal of wind turbine blades and towers must support the postmining land use identified in accordance with the requirements of Section 6(x) of this Chapter.
(5.) Upon final reclamation, a disclosure must be placed on the real property deed for the described lands prior to final bond release.
(6.) The backfill disposal location approved by the Division shall comply with Chapter 4, Section 4 of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Rules.
(IV) Closure requirements.
(1.) The wind turbine blades and towers backfill material shall be placed in a lift not to exceed ten feet and covered by a minimum lift of at least fifteen feet of suitable backfill material in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(b) of the Division's Coal Rules in order to minimize potential future surface subsidence. Multiple lifts are permitted;
(2.) The groundwater monitoring plan required by Section 5(a)(ix)(D)(II) of this Chapter shall include monitoring wells to be installed and monitored in accordance with the Chapter 4, Section 8(b)(iv)(A) of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Rules. The monitoring results shall be reported in the coal annual report; and
(3.) The backfill site shall be released by the Division in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. The groundwater and vegetation monitoring shall continue until final bond release.
(V) Final surface reclamation requirements.
(1.) The final reclamation surface must blend with the surrounding mine reclamation and have a permanent vegetative cover in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(d) of the Division's Coal Rules; and
(2.) Final reclamation must drain properly and not impound water in accordance with the Division's Coal Chapter 4 requirements.
(VI) The operator shall remit fees quarterly to the Department in the amount of twenty-five percent of any revenues collected by the operator for the disposal of wind turbine blades and towers.
(iii) A plan to assure revegetation of all affected land in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(d) of the Division's Coal Rules including:
(A) The method and schedule of revegetation, including but not limited to species of plants, seeding rates, seeding techniques, mulching requirements and other erosion control techniques, and seeding times to be used in a given area for reclamation purposes.
(B) For crucial habitat and critical habitat, consultation with and approval obtained from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for tree and shrub species composition and ground cover for minimum stocking and planting arrangements of trees and shrubs. Crucial habitat must be declared as such prior to the submittal of a permit application or any subsequent amendment.
(C) For important habitat, consultation with and recommendations obtained from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for tree and shrub species composition and ground cover for minimum stocking and planting arrangements.
(D) The tree species, the number per species, and the location of tree plantings.
(E) A separate seed mix(es) shall be developed for each approved postmining land use, considering the dominant postmining topographic features and landowner desires.
(I) The species shall be described in the reclamation plan indicating the composition of seed mixtures and the amount of seed to be distributed on the area on a per acre basis.
(II) The species and varieties shall depend upon the climatic and soil conditions prevailing in the permit area and the proposed postmining landuses.
(III) The species shall be self-renewing;
(IV) Seeding rates shall depend upon seed types, climatic conditions and the techniques to be used in seeding;
(V) The seed mix shall contain introduced species only if:
(1.) Additional herbaceous species are needed; or
(2.) Suitable, native species are unavailable; or
(3.) For cropland or pastureland or;
(4.) Needed to achieve a quick, temporary, stabilizing cover to control erosion; or
(5.) Conducive to achieve a postmining land use approved by the Administrator.
(VI) The operator shall document, unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, the suitability of introduced species using data from published literature, from experimental test plots, from on-site experience, or from other information sources.
(VII) For grazingland, the seed mix shall contain full shrub and/or subshrub species when these species will support the postmining land uses. To increase postmining species diversity and establish shrub mosaics, shrub mixtures shall be developed and seeded separately from the herbaceous mixtures.
(VIII) For federally owned surface, the federal land managing agency shall be consulted for mulching requirements and seeding requirements for cover crops, temporary and permanent reclamation.
(IX) The proposed postmining location of each seed mix shall be illustrated on a post mining contour map.
(F) Locations and/or conditions where the operator specifically requests approval not to use mulch.
(G) A weed control plan for State of Wyoming Designated Noxious and Designated Prohibited Weeds and, on federal surface, any additional weeds listed by the federal land managing agency.
(H) An explanation of any plans for irrigation.
(I) An explanation of pest and disease control measures, if appropriate;
(J) A plan for monitoring permanent revegetation on reclaimed areas, specifically including quantitative sampling, as required by Chapter 4, Section 2(d)(i)(J).
(iv) A plan for measurement of revegetation success to include:
(A) How a Reference Area shall be used for cover and production, unless technical standards for cover and production have been approved for a projected postmine community.
(B) The methods to be used for measuring the shrub density standard as approved by the Administrator.
(C) The methods to be used for evaluating the shrub density goal as approved by the Administrator, where applicable.
(D) The procedures to be used for measuring species diversity and composition as approved by the Administrator.
(E) If proposed, a technical success standard for a specified vegetation parameter. The technical success standard:
(I) Is derived from a sufficient number of years of baseline data so the standard value can be considered representative over a range of climatic conditions or a relationship between the parameter and climatic variables can be determined. For technical standards for cover and production, a minimum of five years of baseline data is necessary; and
(II) May be extended to an amendment area if the baseline information indicates the standard is applicable in that area.
(F) The procedures to be used as approved by the Administrator for the evaluation of restored postmining vegetation communities which carry the Cropland or Pastureland land use designation.
(G) If reforestation for commercial harvest is the method of revegetation, reforestation shall be deemed to be complete when a reasonable population density as established in the reclamation plan has been achieved, the trees have shown themselves capable of continued growth for a minimum period of five years following planting, and the understory vegetation is adequate to control erosion and is appropriate for the land use goal.
(v) Descriptions, including maps and cross-sections, of the surface water diversion systems which meet the requirements of Chapter 4, Section 2(e). Monitoring of surface and groundwater conditions may be required during the course of the operation based on the existing water conditions and the nature of the proposed operation. If so required, the application shall include a description of the location, construction, maintenance, and removal, where necessary, of such monitoring stations.
(vi) Where a permanent water impoundment is proposed as final reclamation, the application shall include:
(A) Written consent from the surface landowner if different than the mineral owner.
(B) A description of the proposed use of the impoundment.
(C) A statement of the source, quality and quantity of water available for impoundment and a statement regarding its suitability for recreational, irrigation, livestock or wildlife watering. If, upon review of this information, water quality and quantity are not reasonably demonstrated to be suitable for the postmining use, the applicant shall be so notified in writing and shall be allowed to submit further documentation in support of the proposed impoundment to reasonably satisfy the Administrator. If the applicant is unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the water quality and quantity will be suitable for the postmining land use, the applicant shall provide an alternate plan.
(D) The operator may be required to monitor surface and groundwaters in order to determine that upon completion of the operation, the water quality and quantity will be consistent with the approved postmining use.
(E) A description of the construction of the impoundment so as to meet the requirements of Chapter 4, Section 2(g)(ii).
(vii) A plan to assure proper construction and reclamation of any tailings impoundments in accordance with the Act and these regulations.
(viii) A plan for the disposal of mine facilities, erected, used, or modified by the applicant in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 4, Section 2(m).
(ix) A description of the measures to be used to seal or manage mine openings in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(p), and to cap, plug and seal all exploration holes, bore holes, wells, and other openings, excepting developmental drill holes which will be mined through within one year, within the area to be mined during the term of the permit in accordance with Chapter 14. For developmental drilling, the application shall contain general descriptions relating to spacing, data collection, and techniques which will be employed, including those which may be needed to comply with the plugging and sealing requirements of W.S. § 35‑11‑404.
(x) A postmining land use plan, including:
(A) The necessary support and maintenance activities that may be needed to achieve the proposed land use.
(B) Where a proposed land use is different from the premining land use:
(I) A discussion of the utility and capacity of the reclaimed land to support a variety of uses and the relationship of the proposed use to existing land use policies and plans; and
(II) A comparison of the premining and postmining land uses. The premining uses of land to which the postmining land use is compared shall be those uses which the land previously supported, if the land has not been previously mined and has been properly managed.
(1.) The postmining land use for land that has been mined and not reclaimed shall be judged on the basis of the highest and best use that can be achieved and is compatible with surrounding areas without requiring unreasonable disturbance of areas previously unaffected by mining.
(2.) The postmining land use for land that has received improper management shall be judged on the basis of the premining use of surrounding lands that have received proper management.
(3.) If the premining use of the land was changed within five years of the beginning of the mining, the comparison of postmining use to premining use shall include a comparison with the historic use of the land as well as its use immediately preceding mining.
(C) Approval of alternative land uses shall require a demonstration that:
(I) The alternative land use is equal to or greater than the highest previous use;
(II) There is reasonable likelihood for achievement of the use;
(III) The use does not present any actual or probable hazard to public health or safety, or threat of water diminution or pollution; and
(IV) The use will not:
(1.) Be impractical or unreasonable;
(2.) Be inconsistent with applicable land use policies or plans;
(3.) Involve unreasonable delay in implementation; or
(4.) Cause or contribute to violation of Federal, State, or local law.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Chapter 3 Permits for Special Categories of Surface Coal Mining
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.3.06042001 Permits for Special Categories of Surface Coal Mining
CHAPTER 3
PERMITS FOR SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF SURFACE COAL MINING
Section 1. Prime Farmlands.
(a) When prime farmland occurs on proposed affected lands, a mining and reclamation plan shall include the following additional information:
(i) A plan for separation and replacement of prime farmland soil and a description of the proposed method and type of equipment to be used for removal, storage, and replacement.
(ii) A map showing the location of areas to be used for the separate stockpiling of the prime farmland soil when the soil cannot be immediately replaced.
(iii) A plan for revegetation of the final graded prime farmland in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 2(b), which shall include conservation practices for periods between cropping periods.
(iv) Available agricultural studies or other applicable scientific data which demonstrates that the proposed method of reclamation shall restore equivalent or higher levels of yield.
(v) A range of soil densities for each prime farmland soil shall be determined and the results provided in the application.
(vi) Premining productivity of the prime farmland or from representative reference areas under a high level of management.
(b) Any written suggestions from the local Conservation District to revise the plan to assure more complete and adequate reclamation shall be submitted to the Administrator before the application can be considered complete. The Soil Conservation Service shall be considered to function as the Secretary of Agriculture's representative in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Conservation District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Section 2. Alluvial Valley Floors.
(a) A pre-application determination of the presence or absence of an alluvial valley floor and the applicability of the statutory exclusions of W.S. § 35-11-406(n)(v) may be requested by the applicant and, if requested, shall be made by the Administrator provided sufficient information is submitted. Public notice and opportunity for comment shall be provided during the permit approval process.
(b) All applications for a surface coal mining permit shall contain sufficient information to affirmatively demonstrate the presence or absence of alluvial valley floors within the permit area and on those adjacent areas where an alluvial valley floor containing areas of subirrigation or flood irrigation agricultural activities may reasonably be expected to be affected by the proposed mining operation, including, at a minimum:
(i) Maps of unconsolidated deposits holding streams including, but not limited to, geologic map of unconsolidated deposits and streamlaid deposits, maps of streams, delineation of surface watersheds and acreage, topography, showing terrace levels and conditions, flood plains and channels showing surface drainage patterns.
(ii) Maps and description of all lands associated with the unconsolidated streamlaid deposits which are subjected to subirrigation or flood irrigation agricultural activities.
(iii) For the permit area, the application shall include the quantity and quality of surface water available for flood irrigation of unconsolidated streamlaid deposits. The application may include written views of local conservation district personnel concerning the potential for flood irrigation of the unconsolidated streamlaid deposits.
(iv) Such other information that the Administrator shall require to identify whether an alluvial valley floor exists within the permit area or on adjacent areas and its extent, if any exists.
(c) If the Administrator determines in accordance with Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(i) that an alluvial valley floor exists within the proposed permit area and it occurs on proposed affected lands, a complete application shall include unless determined to be unnecessary:
(i) Maps which describe the extent of the alluvial valley floor, the undeveloped rangeland and areas of subirrigation and flood irrigation agricultural activities.
(ii) Excepting areas of undeveloped rangeland, a comparison of the productivity of areas of subirrigation and flood irrigation agricultural activities to total farm productivity.
(iii) Maps which describe and locate diversion structures, ditches, fencing patterns and other farm improvements occurring on the alluvial valley floor.
(iv) Geologic data, including geologic structure, and geologic cross-sections pertinent to the alluvial valley floor.
(v) Soils and vegetation data, including a detailed soil survey and chemical and physical analyses of soils, a vegetation map with descriptions of quantitative and qualitative surveys, land use data and crop yields pertinent to the alluvial valley floor.
(vi) A description of the surface hydrology including streamflow, runoff, sediment yield, and water quality which shows seasonal variations, and geomorphic studies.
(vii) Geohydrologic descriptions including, where applicable, potentiometric surfaces pertinent to the alluvial valley floor, groundwater quality and aquifer characteristics of those aquifers which support subirrigation or flood irrigation agricultural activities on the alluvial valley floor, a well and spring inventory, and physical and chemical analysis of overburden to determine the effect of the proposed mining and reclamation operations on groundwater quality and quantity that support alluvial valley floors.
(viii) Information necessary to identify those geologic, hydrologic and biologic characteristics which support the essential hydrologic functions which might be affected by the mining and reclamation process. The information required by this subparagraph shall evaluate those factors which contribute to collecting, storing, regulating and making the natural flow of water available for agricultural activities on the alluvial valley floor, including, but not limited to:
(A) Characteristics of the erosional state of the stream;
(B) Characteristics and maps of the surface and groundwater balance;
(C) Characteristics of the topography, soil and vegetation existing on the alluvial valley floor;
(D) Factors contributing to the function of collecting water, such as amount, rate and frequency of rainfall and runoff, surface roughness, slope and vegetative cover, infiltration, and evapotranspiration, relief, slope and density of drainage channels;
(E) Factors contributing to the function of storing water, such as permeability, infiltration, porosity, depth and direction of ground water flow, and water holding capacity;
(F) Factors contributing to the function of regulating the flow of surface and ground water, such as the longitudinal profile and slope of the valley and channels, the sinuosity and cross-sections of the channels, interchange of water between streams and associated alluvial and bed- rock aquifers, and rates and amount of water supplied by these aquifers; and
(G) Factors contributing to water availability, such as the presence of flood plains and terraces suitable for agricultural activities.
(ix) Measures to be followed to comply with the performance standards for mining on alluvial valley floors, in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 3.
(x) Where mining will be conducted on an alluvial valley floor, a demonstration that the agricultural utility and the level of productivity of the alluvial valley floor will be reestablished.
(xi) Such other information which the Administrator shall require to determine the importance of the alluvial valley floor to farming and to characterize the essential hydrologic functions.
(d) If the Administrator determines in writing that an alluvial valley floor exists within the proposed permit area but does not occur on proposed affected lands, or is located on adjacent areas and the alluvial valley floor has areas of subirrigation and flood irrigation agricultural activities which are not subject to the statutory exclusions of W.S. § 35-11-406(n)(v), the application shall include, unless determined to be unnecessary, information required in subsection (c)(i) and (iv) of this Section and:
(i) An analysis of the premining surface water and groundwater quality and quantity, supplying the alluvial valley floors including a description of the aquifers which supply water to the subirrigation and flood irrigation agricultural activities of the alluvial valley floors.
(ii) An analysis of the anticipated changes to the premining surface water and groundwater conditions as a result of the mining operation demonstrating that the proposed operation shall not materially damage the quantity or quality of water in surface and groundwater systems that supply those alluvial valley floors outside the affected lands or on adjacent areas.
(iii) Measures to be used to comply with the applicable performance standards for mining adjacent to an alluvial valley floor.
(iv) Such other information that the Administrator may require to determine if material damage will occur to quantity and quality of waters that supply alluvial valley floors not subject to the statutory exclusions of W.S. § 35-11-406(n)(v).
(e) If the Administrator determines that an alluvial valley floor exists within the permit area or on adjacent areas where the alluvial valley floor contains areas of subirrigation or flood irrigation agricultural activities which may reasonably be expected to be affected, the application shall contain a monitoring plan to meet the requirements of Chapter 5, Section 3(b).
(f) Where the Administrator determines that an alluvial valley floor is important to farming on the basis of a comparison of the productivity of the affected alluvial valley floor (those portions of an alluvial valley floor where subirrigation or flood irrigation agricultural activities have historically or do presently exist and where continued farming on these areas would be interrupted, discontinued or precluded by the proposed mining operation) to a farms total agricultural production, the permit application shall affirmatively demonstrate that the mining operation will not interrupt, discontinue or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floor. An area of affected alluvial valley floor shall be significant to a farms agricultural production, when on the basis of a comparison of a farms total agricultural production to the production of the affected alluvial valley floor the percentage loss exceeds ten percent or, if the farms total production is less than 5,000 animal units or their equivalent, the product of the equation P = 3 + 0.0014 X, where P represents a negligible impact on farm production and X represents total farm agricultural production expressed as animal units or their equivalent in excess of 100.
Section 3. Coal In Situ Processing Activities.
Applications for a permit to conduct coal in situ processing activities shall comply with the Act, regulations contained in Chapter 18, and describe the manner in which the applicant proposes to comply with the requirements of Chapter 5, Section 4 and Chapter 7.
Section 4. Combined Surface and Underground Mining Operations.
(a) Applications for a permit to conduct combined surface and underground mining operations which propose a delay in the contemporaneous reclamation requirement shall otherwise meet the requirements of the Act and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and, in addition:
(i) Show how multiple future disturbances of surface lands or water will be avoided;
(ii) Show that the surface areas of surface mining activities proposed for the variance are necessary for implementing the specific and feasible proposed underground mining activities;
(iii) Identify the specific surface area for which a delay is requested; and
(iv) Demonstrate that no substantial adverse environmental damage will result from the delay in reclamation.
(b) Any delay in the contemporaneous reclamation requirements applies only to those specific areas and for that time necessary to implement the proposed concurrent operations. The permit application must be approved in accordance with Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(viii).
Section 5. Auger Mining.
(a) Applications for a permit to conduct augering mining shall otherwise meet the requirements of the Act and regulations, and, in addition, contain:
(i) Appropriate technical information to determine whether the coal resources have been depleted or are limited in thickness or extent; and
(ii) Additional information necessary to show compliance with Chapter 5, Section 6.
Section 6. Coal Preparation Plants.
(a) This Section applies to any person who operates or intends to operate a coal preparation plant, other than such plants which are located at the site of ultimate coal use. Any person who operates such a plant shall obtain a permit and a license from the Land Quality Division in accordance with the requirements of this Section.
(b) Any application for a permit for operations covered by this Section shall contain an operation and reclamation plan which specifies plans, including descriptions, maps, and cross-sections, of the construction, operation, maintenance, and removal of the preparation plant and support facilities. The plan shall demonstrate that the operations will be conducted in accordance with the applicable environmental protection performance standards of Chapter 4. This shall be documented in writing by the Administrator in any permit approval action by the Division. The license to mine requirements of W.S. § 35-11-410 shall apply to such operations.
History
- Effective 2001-06-04
Chapter 4 Environmental Protection Performance Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.4.12172012 Environmental Protection Performance Standards
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
LAND QUALITY DIVISION
CHAPTER 4
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SURFACE COAL MINING OPERATIONS
Section 1. General.
This Chapter sets forth the environmental protection performance standards applicable to all coal mining operations. No mining operation shall be conducted except in compliance with the requirements hereof.
Section 2. General Environmental Protection Performance Standards
(a) Land uses.
(i) Reclamation shall restore the land to a condition equal to or greater than the "highest previous use." The land, after reclamation, must be suitable for the previous use which was of the greatest economic or social value to the community area, or must have a use which is of more economic or social value than all of the other previous uses.
(ii) Operators are required to restore wildlife habitat, whenever the Administrator determines that this restoration is possible, on affected land in a manner commensurate with or superior to habitat conditions which existed before the land became affected, unless the land is private and the proposed use is for a residential or agricultural purpose which may preclude its use as wildlife habitat.
(iii) Water impoundments used for recreational purposes shall be constructed in accordance with the statutes and (g) of this Section. Recreational lands, other than water impoundments, represent changes in the land which may or may not be suitable for wildlife habitat.
(b) Backfilling, grading and contouring.
(i) Rough backfilling and grading shall follow coal removal as contemporaneously as possible based upon the mining conditions. The operator shall include within the application for a permit to mine a proposed schedule for backfilling and grading with supporting analysis.
(ii) Backfilled materials shall be replaced in a manner which minimizes water pollution on and off the site and supports the approved postmining land use. Preparation of final graded surfaces shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes erosion and provides a surface for replacement of topsoil that will minimize slippage.
(iii) All affected lands shall be returned to their approximate original contour, except as authorized by a variance or exemption under Chapter 5, Sections 6 and 7, or Chapter 8, or Chapter 9.
(iv) All spoil shall be transported, backfilled, compacted (where necessary to insure stability or to prevent leaching) and graded to eliminate all highwalls, spoil piles, and depressions, except that:
(A) Soil conservation techniques and or small depressions may be employed to retain moisture, minimize erosion, create and enhance wildlife habitat or assist revegetation.
(B) Incomplete elimination of highwalls may be authorized in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 7.
(C) Retention of selected portions of a highwall or other steep feature created during the mining operation may be approved by the Administrator to remain as replacement for natural features that were mined out or are planned to be mined out under the current Mine Plan if the operator demonstrates that the retained highwall will:
(I) Have a static safety factor of 1.3 or greater and be of similar erosive resistance;
(II) Not pose a hazard to people using the area;
(III) Be backfilled to cover the uppermost mineable coal seam to a minimum depth of 4 feet;
(IV) Not exceed the length and height of the premine feature it is replacing;
(V) Be contoured into the surrounding terrain; and
(VI) Enhance or restore important wildlife habitat or hydrologic conditions.
(D) Spoil may be placed on an area outside the mined-out area to restore the approximate original contour by blending the spoil into the surrounding terrain if the following requirements are met.
(I) All vegetative and organic material shall be removed from the area.
(II) The topsoil on the area shall be handled in accordance with Section 2(c) of this Chapter.
(III) The spoil shall be backfilled and graded on the area in accordance with the requirements of this subsection 2(b).
(v) Postmining slopes shall not exceed a slope necessary to achieve a minimum long-term static safety factor of 1.3, to prevent slides and restore stable drainages and hillslopes.
(vi) Thin overburden. Where surface coal mining operations are proposed to be carried out continuously in the same limited pit area for more than one year from the day coal removal operations begin and where the volume of all available spoil and suitable waste materials over the life of the mine is demonstrated to be insufficient to achieve the approximate original contour considering bulking factor and coal removal, surface mining activities shall be conducted to use all available spoil and suitable waste materials to attain the lowest practicable stable grade, but not more than the angle of repose, and to meet the requirements of paragraphs (ii) and (iv) above.
(vii) Thick overburden. Where the volume of spoil over the life of the mine is demonstrated to be more than sufficient to achieve the approximate original contours considering bulking factor, coal removal and subsidence of backfilled material, excess spoil may be placed outside the pit area in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c).
(viii) Permanent Impoundments: Where permanent impoundments are authorized in accordance with Chapter 2, Section 6(b)(vi), spoil that may result from the impoundment will be handled in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.
(c) Topsoil, subsoil, overburden, spoil, excess spoil, refuse, coal mine waste, acid-forming materials, toxic materials and other wastes.
(i) Topsoil.
(A) All topsoil or approved surface material shall be removed from all areas to be affected in the permit area prior to these areas being affected unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator. The topsoil may be mixed with the subsoil but shall be segregated so as not to become mixed with spoil or waste material, stockpiled in the most advantageous manner and saved for reclamation purposes. The Administrator may authorize topsoil to remain on areas where minor disturbance will occur such as signs, power poles, light traffic, fence lines, monitoring stations or drilling provided that the minor disturbance will not destroy the protective vegetative cover and will not increase erosion.
(B) When topsoil is not promptly redistributed, the topsoil or approved surface material shall be stockpiled on stable areas within the permit area in such a manner so as to minimize wind and water erosion and unnecessary compaction. In order to accomplish this, the operator shall establish, through planting or other acceptable means, a quick growing cover of vegetation on the topsoil stockpiles. The topsoil shall also be protected from acid or toxic materials, and shall be preserved in a usable condition for sustaining vegetation when placed over affected land. Provided however, where long-term disturbance will occur, the Administrator may authorize the temporary distribution of topsoil to enhance stabilization of affected lands within the permit area. Where this is authorized, the Administrator shall find that the topsoil or subsoil capacity and productive capabilities are not diminished, that the topsoil is protected from erosion, and will be available for reclamation.
(C) Reclamation shall follow mining as soon as is feasible so as to minimize the amount of time topsoil must be stockpiled. Where topsoil has been stockpiled for more than one year, the operator may be required to conduct nutrient analyses to determine if soil amendments are necessary.
(D) Topsoil stockpiles shall be marked with a legible sign containing letters not less than six inches high on all approach roads to such stockpiles. Said signs shall contain the word "Topsoil" and shall be placed not more than 150 feet from any and all stockpiles of topsoil. Such signs must be in place at the time stockpiling is begun.
(E) If abundant topsoil is present, and it is not all needed to accomplish the reclamation required in the approved reclamation plan, the Administrator may approve of use of this topsoil by this or another operator in another area for reclamation purposes.
(F) Trees, large rocks and other waste material which may hinder redistribution of topsoil shall be separated from the topsoil before stockpiling.
(ii) Subsoil.
(A) Except as provided in (B), all subsoil determined by field methods or chemical analysis to be suitable as a plant-growth medium shall be removed from all areas to be affected and handled in accordance with the topsoil requirements of this Section.
(B) Upon an adequate demonstration by the operator that all or a portion of the subsoil material is not needed to meet the revegetation and land use requirements of these regulations, the Administrator may authorize all or a portion of the subsoil to not be used for reclamation. The unused subsoil may then be regarded as overburden material and handled in accordance with the requirements of this Section.
(iii) The topsoil (A and E horizons) shall be segregated from the subsoil (B and C horizons) where the Administrator determines that this practice is necessary to achieve the revegetation requirements of these regulations.
(iv) Before redistribution of topsoil or subsoil the regraded land shall be treated, if necessary, to reduce potential for slippage and encourage root penetration.
(v) Topsoil, subsoil, and/or an approved topsoil substitute shall be redistributed in a manner that:
(A) Achieves an approximately uniform, stable thickness consistent with the approved permit and the approved postmining land uses, contours and surface water drainage systems. Soil thickness may also be varied to the extent such variations help meet the specific revegetation goals identified in the permit;
(B) Prevents compaction which would inhibit water infiltration and plant growth;
(C) Protects the topsoil from wind and water erosion before and after it is seeded until vegetation has become adequately established; and
(D) Conserves soil moisture and promotes revegetation.
(vi) All rills and gullies which either preclude achievement of the approved postmining land use or the reestablishment of the vegetative cover, or cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards for the receiving stream, shall be regraded or otherwise stabilized. Topsoil shall be replaced and the areas shall be reseeded or replanted.
(vii) Nutrients and soil amendments in the amounts determined necessary by soil test or field trials shall be applied to the replaced topsoil, subsoil or substitute material so that adequate nutrient levels are available to establish the vegetative cover. Fertilizer shall be applied at appropriate seasons and in amounts that will minimize pollution of surface waters or groundwaters.
(viii) The Administrator may not require topsoil or subsoil replacement on structures or within impoundments where replacement of this material is inconsistent with the intended use and the structures are otherwise stable.
(ix) If a sufficient volume of suitable topsoil or subsoil is not available for salvage or redistribution, then selected spoil material may be used as a topsoil or subsoil substitute or supplement. The operator shall demonstrate that the resulting plant growth medium is equal to, or more suitable for sustaining vegetation than the existing topsoil or subsoil and that it is the best available in the permit area to support revegetation. A demonstration of the suitability of the substitutes or supplements shall be based upon analysis of the texture, percent coarse fragments and pH. The Administrator may require other chemical and physical analyses, field site trials, or greenhouse tests if determined to be necessary or desirable to demonstrate the suitability of the topsoil or subsoil substitutes or supplements.
(x) Topsoil and subsoil substitutes.
(A) Topsoil substitute stockpiles shall be segregated from topsoil and overburden piles and shall be identified as substitute material. Identification signs shall be placed not more than 150 feet from all stockpiles of substitute material. Such signs shall be in place at the time stockpiling is begun.
(B) If overburden is to be used in reclamation as a substitute for topsoil, all large rocks and other waste material which may hinder redistribution shall be separated before stockpiling.
(xi) Overburden, spoil, excess spoil, and refuse.
(A) All overburden, spoil material and refuse shall be segregated from the topsoil and subsoil and stockpiled in such a manner to facilitate the earliest reclamation consistent with the approved reclamation plan.
(B) Except where diversions are authorized by these regulations, all overburden, spoil material, and refuse piles must be located to avoid blocking intermittent or perennial drainages and flood plains in order to minimize loss and spread of material due to water erosion. Ephemeral drainages may be blocked if environmentally sound methods for dealing with runoff control and sedimentation are approved by the Administrator.
(I) For temporary stockpiles, material should be replaced in pits as soon as possible consistent with the approved reclamation plan to minimize the amount of time material is stockpiled.
(C) All topsoil shall be removed from areas to be used for piling spoil material prior to the beginning of piling this material.
(D) The operator may be required to have analyses made of spoil material in order to determine if it will be a source of water pollution through reaction with leaching by surface water. If it is determined that this condition may exist, the operator shall describe proposed procedures for eliminating this condition.
(E) All overburden and spoil material that is determined to be toxic, acid-forming or will prevent adequate reestablishment of vegetation on the reclaimed land surface, unless such materials occur naturally on the land surface, must be properly disposed of during the mining operation.
(F) All temporary overburden and spoil piles shall be located, designed and constructed using prudent engineering practices. Slopes shall be stable and temporary piles shall not be located or placed on slopes that exceed 20 degrees unless the Administrator authorizes such placement based upon demonstrations that the pile will have a safety factor of 1.5 or better, and/or other precautionary design factors are provided to mitigate the steepness of the slope.
(G) Excess Spoil. In addition to the requirements provided in subsections (xi)(A) through (xi)(D) above (with the exception of (xi)(B)(I)), excess spoil piles shall be located, designed, constructed and inspected as prescribed below.
(I) Location Requirements:
(1.) All excess spoil shall be placed in approved excess spoil disposal sites located within the permit area. They shall be:
a. Located on moderately sloping and naturally stable areas where placement provides for stability and prevents mass movement.
b. Located in areas which do not contain springs, seeps, natural or man-made drainages (excluding rills and gullies), croplands, or important wildlife habitat.
(2.) Excess spoil may be returned to underground mine workings in accordance with the plan approved by the Administrator and by MSHA.
(II) Design Standards:
(1.) All excess spoil shall be:
a. Designed, graded and contoured so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. Excess spoil pile sites shall not be located on an overall slope that exceeds 20 degrees unless keyway cuts (excavations to stable bedrock), rock toe buttresses or other special structural provisions are constructed to ensure fill stability. The operator must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that this material will be stable and can be revegetated as required by this Section.
b. Designed so that all slopes will be stabilized against wind and water erosion. After the grading and contouring of these stockpiles, topsoil or approved subsoil must be distributed over them in preparation for the revegetation procedure. Revegetation must be completed in accordance with requirements of this Chapter. A permanent drainage system must be established consistent with these regulations.
c. Designed using current, prudent professional standards and certified by a qualified registered professional engineer. All piles shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the standards of this subsection. Special structural provisions shall be designed using prudent current engineering practices, in accordance with Chapter 2, Section 5(a)(xv).
(2.) The foundation and abutments of the fill shall be stable under all conditions of construction. Sufficient foundation investigation and any necessary laboratory testing of foundation materials shall be performed in order to determine the design requirements for foundation stability. Analyses of foundation conditions shall include the effect of underground mine workings, if any, upon the stability of the structure.
(3.) The Administrator may specify additional design criteria on a case-by-case basis as necessary to meet the general requirements of this subsection.
(III) Construction Standards:
(1.) Excess spoil shall be placed in a controlled manner to:
a. Prevent pollution from leachate and surface runoff from the fill on surface water or groundwater of the State.
b. Ensure mass stability and prevent mass movement during and after construction and provide for stable drainages and hillslopes.
c. Ensure that the land mass designated as the disposal site is suitable for reclamation and revegetation compatible with the natural surroundings and approved postmining land use.
(2.) The spoil pile shall be transported and placed in horizontal lifts in a controlled manner, concurrently compacted as necessary to ensure mass stability and prevent mass movement, covered, and graded to allow surface and subsurface drainage to be compatible with the natural surroundings and ensure a minimum long-term static safety factor of 1.5. The Administrator may limit the horizontal lifts to four feet or less as necessary to ensure the stability of the fill or to meet other applicable requirements.
(3.) No water impoundments or large depressions shall be constructed on the fill. Soil conservation techniques may be approved if they are needed to minimize erosion, enhance wildlife habitat or assist revegetation, as long as they are not incompatible with the stability of the fill.
(4.) Slope protection shall be provided to minimize surface erosion at the site. Diversion of surface water runoff shall conform with the requirements of subsection (e) of this Section. All disturbed areas, including diversion ditches that are not riprapped, shall be vegetated upon completion of construction.
(5.) Terraces may be constructed on the outslope of the fill if required for stability, control of erosion, to conserve soil moisture, or to facilitate the approved postmining land use. The grade of the outslope between terrace benches shall not be steeper than 2h:lv (50 percent).
(6.) Excess spoil that is toxic, acid-forming or combustible shall be adequately covered with suitable material or treated to prevent pollution of surface and groundwater, to prevent sustained combustion, and to minimize adverse affects on plant growth and the approved postmining land use.
(IV) Inspection of excess spoil piles.
(1.) The fill shall be inspected for stability by a qualified registered professional engineer or other qualified professional specialist under the direction of a professional engineer experienced in the construction of earth and rockfill embankments at least quarterly throughout construction and during the following critical construction periods:
a. foundation preparation, including the removal of all organic material and topsoil;
b. placement of diversion systems;
c. installation of final surface drainage systems; and
d. final grading and revegetation.
(2.) Regular inspections by the engineer or specialist shall be conducted during placement and compaction of the fill materials. The registered professional engineer shall promptly provide certified reports to the Administrator which demonstrate that the fill has been maintained and constructed as specified in the design contained in the approved mining and reclamation plan. The report shall discuss appearances of instability, structural weakness, and other hazardous conditions. A copy of all inspection reports shall be retained at the mine site.
(xii) Coal mine waste.
(A) Coal mine waste shall be disposed only in existing or, if new, in an approved disposal site within a permit area. Coal mine wastes shall not be used in the construction of dams, embankments, or diversion structures. The disposal area shall be designed, constructed and maintained:
(I) In accordance with the excess spoil disposal requirements of (xi)(F) and (xi)(G) above; and
(II) To prevent combustion and not create a public health hazard.
(B) Disposal of coal mine waste in excess spoil piles may be approved if such waste is:
(I) Placed in accordance with the excess spoil requirements of (xi) above;
(II) Demonstrated to be nontoxic and nonacid-forming (or properly treated); and
(III) Demonstrated to be consistent with the design stability of the fill.
(C) In addition to (A) above, coal mine waste piles shall meet the following requirements:
(I) The disposal facility shall be designed to attain a minimum static safety factor of 1.5. The foundation and abutments must be stable under all conditions of construction.
(II) Following final grading of the waste pile, the site shall be covered with a minimum of four feet of the best available, nontoxic, nonacid- forming and noncombustible material, in a manner that directs runoff away from the waste pile. The site shall be revegetated in accordance with this Chapter. The Administrator may allow less than four feet of cover material based on physical and chemical analyses which show that the revegetation requirements will be met.
(III) Surface drainage from above the pile and from the crest and face of the pile shall be permanently diverted around the waste in accordance with subsection (e) of this Section.
(IV) All coal mine waste piles shall be inspected in accordance with the excess spoil requirements of (xi) above. More frequent inspections shall be conducted if a danger or harm exists to the public health and safety or the environment. Inspections shall continue until the waste pile has been finally graded and revegetated or until later time as required by the Administrator. If any inspection discloses that a potential hazard exists, the Administrator shall be notified immediately, including notification of any emergency protection and remedial procedures which will be implemented. If adequate procedures cannot be formulated or implemented, the Administrator shall inform the appropriate emergency agencies of the hazard to protect the public from the area.
(V) All coal mine waste piles shall meet the requirements of 30 CFR §§ 77.214 and 77.215.
(D) Dams and embankments constructed to impound coal mine waste shall comply with the following:
(I) Each impounding structure shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the requirements applicable to temporary impoundments. Such structures may not be retained permanently as part of the approved postmining land use. Approval by the State Engineer's Office is not required.
(II) If the impounding structure meets the criteria of 30 CFR § 77.216(a), the combination of principal and emergency spillways shall be able to safely pass or control runoff from the probable maximum precipitation of a 6-hour precipitation event or a storm duration having a greater peak flow, as may be required by the Administrator.
(III) Spillways and outlet structures shall be designed to provide adequate protection against erosion and corrosion. Inlets shall be protected against blockage.
(IV) Be designed so that 90 percent or more of the water stored during the design precipitation event can be removed within ten days and at least 90 percent of the water stored during the design precipitation event shall be removed within the ten day period following the design precipitation event.
(V) Runoff from areas above the disposal facility or runoff from the surface of the facility that may cause instability or erosion of the impounding structure shall be diverted into stabilized diversion channels designed to meet the requirements for diversions, and designed to safely pass the runoff from a 100- year, 6-hour design precipitation event or a storm duration having a greater peak flow.
(E) The Administrator may specify additional design criteria for waste piles or impounding structures on a case-by-case basis as necessary to meet the general performance standards of this subsection.
(F) Coal mine waste fires shall be extinguished by the operator in accordance with a plan approved by the Administrator and the Mine Safety and Health Administration. The plan shall contain, at a minimum, provisions to ensure that only those persons authorized by the operator, and who have an understanding of the procedures to be used, shall be involved in the extinguishing operations. No burning or burned coal mine waste may be removed from a permitted disposal area without a removal plan approved by the Administrator. Consideration shall be given to persons working or living in the vicinity of the structure.
(G) Coal preparation plants shall be included within a permit area. Refer to Chapter 3, Section 6 for requirements applicable to coal preparation plants.
(xiii) Acid-forming and toxic materials, other waste and noncoal mine waste.
(A) All exposed coal seams remaining after mining and any acid-forming, toxic, and combustible materials, or any waste materials that are exposed, used or produced during mining shall be adequately covered, within 30 days of its exposure with nontoxic, nonacid-forming and noncombustible material, or treated. Compaction followed by burial or treatment shall be provided to prevent pollution of surface and groundwater quality, prevent sustained combustion and to minimize adverse effects on plant growth and postmining land uses. Such materials may be stored in a controlled manner until final burial and/or treatment first becomes feasible as long as storage will not result in any risk of water pollution or other environmental or public health and safety damage. Storage, final burial and treatment shall be done in accordance with all local, State and Federal requirements.
(B) Acid-forming or toxic material, or any other waste material capable of polluting water, shall not be buried or stored in the proximity of a drainage channel or its flood plain so as to cause or pose a threat of water pollution.
(C) Disposal of noncoal mine wastes.
(I) Temporary storage of noncoal mine wastes. Noncoal mine wastes including, but not limited to grease, lubricants, paints, flammable liquids, garbage, abandoned mining machinery, lumber and other combustible materials generated during mining activities shall be placed and stored in a controlled manner in a designated portion of the permit area. Placement and storage shall ensure that leachate and surface runoff do not degrade surface or groundwater, that fires are prevented, and that the area remains stable and suitable for reclamation and revegetation compatible with the natural surroundings.
(II) Final disposal of noncoal mine wastes. Final disposal of noncoal mine wastes, including any solid wastes generated by a mine mouth power plant, coal drier or coal processing facility shall be in a designated disposal site in the permit area or a State-approved solid waste disposal area. Disposal sites in the permit area shall be designed and constructed to ensure that leachate and drainage from the noncoal mine waste does not degrade surface or underground water. Wastes shall be routinely compacted and covered to prevent combustion and wind-borne waste. When the disposal is completed, a minimum of four (4) feet of suitable cover material shall be placed over the site, slopes stabilized and revegetation accomplished in accordance with Section 2(d) of this Chapter. Operation of the disposal site shall be conducted in accordance with all local, State and Federal requirements.
(III) At no time shall any noncoal mine waste be deposited in a refuse pile or impounding structure, nor shall an excavation for a noncoal mine waste disposal site be located within eight (8) feet of any coal outcrop or coal storage area.
(d) Revegetation.
(i) General Revegetation Performance Standards
(A) The operator shall establish on all affected lands a diverse, permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety native to the area or a mixture of species that will support the approved postmining land use in a manner consistent with the approved reclamation plan. This cover shall be self-renewing, and capable of stabilizing the soil.
(B) Land which did not support vegetation prior to becoming affected because of natural soil conditions need not be revegetated unless subsoil from such affected land will support vegetation. The operator shall demonstrate to the Administrator's satisfaction that revegetation or reforestation is not possible if he seeks to proceed under the provisions of the subsection.
(C) After backfilling, grading, contouring, and the replacement of topsoil and/or approved substitutes, revegetation shall be commenced in such a manner so as to most efficiently retain moisture and control erosion on all affected lands to be revegetated. In addition, any fertilizer requirements based on previous analysis must be fulfilled.
(D) Mulch or other equivalent procedures which will control erosion and enhance soil moisture conditions shall be used on all retopsoiled areas.
(E) Any tillage and/or drill seeding shall be on the topographic contour, unless for safety reasons it is not practicable, or perpendicular to the prevailing wind on flat areas. Seeding of affected lands shall be conducted during the first normal period for favorable planting conditions after final preparation unless an alternative plan is approved.
(F) Any rills or gullies that would preclude successful establishment of vegetation or achievement of postmining land use shall be removed or stabilized.
(G) The bond for revegetation shall be retained for not less than ten years after the operator has completed seeding, fertilizing, irrigation, or other work to ensure revegetation. The bond responsibility period shall not be affected where normal husbandry practices are being followed as described in Chapter 4, Section 2(d)(i)(M). The success of revegetation shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(d)(ii).
(H) The Administrator shall not release the entire bond of any operator until such time as revegetation is completed, if revegetation is the method of reclamation as specified in the operator's approved reclamation plan.
(I) Trees shall be returned to a number equal to the premining number. On affected lands, the total number of postmining trees shall be at least equal to the premining total number on those lands. The Reclamation Plan shall specify the tree species, the number per species and the location of tree plantings. The operator may also receive credit for tree species which invade the reclaimed lands if those tree species support the postmining land use and are approved by the Administrator. Planted trees counted to meet the approved stocking rate shall be healthy, and at least 80 percent shall have been planted for at least eight years. All planted trees must have been in place at least two growing seasons. Invaded trees that are counted to meet the approved stocking rate shall be healthy and may be of any age.
(J) Monitoring of permanent revegetation on reclaimed areas before and after grazing shall be conducted at intervals throughout the bond responsibility period in accordance with the plan required by Chapter 2, Section 6(b)(iii)(J). Monitoring results shall be presented in the annual report.
(K) The operator must protect young vegetative growth from being destroyed by livestock by fencing or other approved techniques for a period of at least two years, or until the vegetation is capable of renewing itself with properly managed grazing and without supplemental irrigation or fertilization. The Administrator, operator, and the landowner or land managing agency shall determine when the revegetated area is ready for livestock grazing.
(L) The operator must control and minimize the introduction and/or spread of noxious weeds on all affected lands in accordance with Federal and State requirements throughout the entire bond responsibility period.
(M) The following is a list of normal husbandry practices which, if conducted in a prudent manner, will not restart the minimum ten-year bond responsibility period for re-establishing vegetation.
(I) The operator may interseed species contained in the approved seed mix over established revegetation, but not within 6 years before the end of the bond responsibility period. The operator may add mulch to an interseeded area to facilitate plant establishment. Augmented seeding (reseeding) is not considered normal husbandry practice.
(II) Using approved species, the operator may transplant tree and shrub stock and/or plant containerized or bare root tree or shrub stock into reclamation provided the performance standards of Chapter 4 Section 2(d)(i)(I) for trees, and Chapter 4 Section 2(d)(ii)(B)(II)(2) for shrubs are not compromised.
(III) Grazing of reclamation is a normal husbandry practice.
(IV) For trees and shrubs planted in an approved shelterbelt, the practices of fertilization, irrigation and rototilling may be used as normal husbandry/nursery practices in accordance with standard practices.
(V) Beyond establishment, fertilization is a normal husbandry practice for cropland and pastureland throughout the bond responsibility period. Irrigation is a normal husbandry practice beyond establishment for cropland and pastureland, provided the approved postmine land use is irrigated cropland or irrigated pastureland.
(VI) Mechanical husbandry practices such as selective cutting, mowing, combining, aerating, land imprinting, raking, or harrowing to stimulate permanent vegetation establishment, increase decomposition of organic matter, control weeds, harvest hay, and/or reduce standing dead vegetation and litter are considered normal husbandry practices. Other mechanical practices may be used if approved by the Administrator prior to their application.
(VII) Tillage and replanting are considered normal husbandry practices for croplands.
(VIII) Acceptable weed and pest control techniques representing normal husbandry practices include manual or mechanical removal, controlled burning, biological controls, and herbicide/pesticide applications. The operator may reseed treated areas of less than five acres per year as a component of this husbandry practice without restarting the bond responsibility period.
(IX) Controlled burning may be used to reduce the buildup of litter, weed seeds, and to control undesirable species. The operator may interseed any portion of the treated area, or reseed up to five acres, as a component of this husbandry practice without restarting the bond responsibility period.
(X) Subsidence, settling, and erosional features, such as rills, gullies, or headcuts less than five acres in size may be repaired as a normal husbandry practice. Repairs considered to be normal husbandry practices include hand work, mechanical manipulation, installation of erosion-control matting, silt fences, straw bales, or other similar work. The operator may reseed treated areas of less than five acres as a component of this husbandry practice without restarting the bond responsibility period.
(XI) Removal of pipelines, small culverts, and small sediment control measures, such as traps, riprap, rock or straw bale check dams, small sediment ponds, and silt fences are considered normal husbandry practices. The operator may reseed treated areas of less than five acres as a component of this husbandry practice without restarting the bond responsibility period, provided the structures are reclaimed at least two years prior to the end of the bond responsibility period.
(N) The following actions have been administratively identified as those which qualify as routine land management activities; implementing these actions will not restart the bonding liability period:
(I) Installation and/or removal of power lines and substations;
(II) Installation and/or removal of fences;
(III) Installation and/or removal of any monitoring equipment or features;
(IV) Establishment and/or reclamation of two-track trails; and
(V) Emplacement and/or removal of above-ground pipelines.
(ii) Revegetation Success Standards
(A) Success standards vary by land use. Where standards for cover, production, and shrub density apply, they are quantitative and must be demonstrated to equal or exceed the success standards using methods and statistical analyses approved and published by the Administrator as required by OSM rules (CFR §816.116 (a)(1), August 30, 2006). Statistical analyses must use a 90-percent statistical confidence interval.
(B) Grazingland and Pastureland
(I) Revegetation shall be deemed to be complete when: (1)the vegetation cover of the affected land is shown to be capable of renewing itself under natural conditions prevailing at the site, and the absolute total vegetative cover is at least equal to the cover on the reference area or technical standard, (2) the annual herbaceous production is at least equal to the annual herbaceous production on the reference area or technical standard, (3) the species diversity and composition are suitable for the approved postmining land use, and (4) the requirements in (1), (2) and (3) are all met during the same two out of four years beginning no sooner than year seven of the bond responsibility period. Species diversity and composition suitable to the postmine land use must be demonstrated using methods approved by the Administrator. The following reference area type options are available:
(1.) The operator may choose to use control areas for lands where control areas were originally selected for revegetation success evaluation. Control areas will not be approved for new amendments or permits, after (date of rule approval
(2.) The operator shall choose one type of "Reference area" as defined in Chapter 1, Section 2. The "Reference area" shall be approved by the Administrator.
(3.) The Administrator may set or approve quantitative technical success standards for cover and/or production based on data collected from undisturbed portions of the permit area or adjacent areas during a minimum of five independent sampling programs over a minimum of five years. The technical success standards may be approved for a single mine or a group of mines in the same geographical area.
(II) The shrub standard for grazingland shall include the postmining density, composition, and distribution of shrubs, and shall be based upon site- specific evaluation of premining vegetation and wildlife use. Shrub reclamation procedures shall be conducted through the application of best technology currently available as approved in the permit.
(1.) For lands affected between May 3, 1978 and August 6, 1996, a goal of a minimum of one shrub (full shrubs plus subshrubs) per square meter within a mosaic of shrub patches shall be restored using the best practicable technology. These shrub patches shall: cover a minimum of 10 percent of the postmining (affected area) landscape; be no smaller than 0.05 acres; and be arranged in a mosaic that will optimize interspersion and edge effect.
a. Acreage from permit-wide shrub goal mosaics that is in excess of the required acreage may be banked for credit toward shrub standard lands provided (1) the shrub goal requirement for all shrub goal lands is met, and (2) the methods used to evaluate the shrub goal lands meet the methods and statistical analyses required to achieve the shrub standard.
(2.) Except where a lesser density is justified from premining conditions in accordance with Appendix 4A of Chapter 4, at least 20 percent of the eligible lands shall be restored to shrub patches supporting an average density of one shrub per square meter. Patches shall be no less than 0.05 acres each and shall be arranged in a mosaic that will optimize habitat interspersion and edge effect. Criteria and procedures for establishing the standard are specified in Appendix 4A of Chapter 4. This standard shall apply to all lands affected after August 6, 1996. For bond release purposes, the average postmine total density and species specific density(ies) shall be at least 90 percent of the calculated criteria for the applicable standard.
a. The shrub density standard requires a statistical test using a 90% confidence interval to demonstrate achievement of the standard. The standard must be demonstrated for one year, the last year of the bond responsibility period. At least 80% of the shrubs shall have been planted for at least 60% of the ten-year bond responsibility period, and all planted shrubs shall have been in place for at least two years.
b. Approved shrub species and seeding techniques shall be applied to all remaining grazingland.
c. Shrub mosaic patches must pass the standard for shrub density, based on the shrub option chosen from Appendix 4A of Chapter 4. Shrub patches must also be included in the Sample Unit for evaluation of the standards for total absolute vegetative cover and species diversity and composition. Shrub patches are exempt from the production standard. The operator may change the selected shrub option during the bond responsibility period, if baseline data support the new shrub option, and subject to Administrator approval.
d. For areas designated as crucial or critical habitat, consultation and approval by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department shall be required for minimum stocking rates and planting arrangements of shrubs, including species composition. The approved shrub success standards shall be specified in the Reclamation Plan. Habitat shall be designated as crucial prior to the submittal of a permit application or any subsequent amendment. For areas determined to be important habitat, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department shall be consulted for recommended minimum stocking and planting arrangements of shrubs, including species composition, that may exceed the programmatic standard discussed above. Approval of shrub stocking plans by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is not required for areas designated as important habitat.
(C) Cropland
(I) When the approved postmining land use is cropland, the reclaimed area shall be stabilized and revegetated to control erosion unless cropping shall immediately occur. The bond responsibility period shall begin the first season a crop is planted.
(II) Reclamation shall be deemed complete when productive capability is equivalent to an approved "reference area" (Chapter 1 Section 2) or published county production data collected the same years the crops are harvested. This standard shall be demonstrated for the two out of four years of the bond responsibility period, starting no sooner than year seven.
(1.) When using a reference area comparison, the operator may choose a reference area under operator control or on a nearby property. The comparison may be made using production quadrats or total field harvest. Appropriate statistical tests will be used for quantitative production quadrat comparisons. Total field harvest comparisons do not require a statistical test. The Administrator shall approve the reference area.
(2.) When using county production data, the total field harvest will be used for a comparison. No statistical test will be required for this comparison.
(D) Fish and Wildlife Habitat. The operator shall gain approval from the Administrator and Wyoming Game and Fish for development of permit-specific performance standards for fish and/or wildlife habitat. These standards shall be stated in the reclamation plan. Specific information shall include:
(I) Which vegetation parameters are used in the standard (e.g. cover, shrubstocking, species diversity and composition);
(II) If shrub stocking is required, then the standards Section 2(d)(ii)(B)(II)(2.) of this chapter apply; and
(III) Indicate if the standards require a statistical test, a numerical comparison with no statistical test, or a qualitative comparison.
(E) Postmining Wetlands
(I) Reclamation plans for postmining mitigation wetlands shall be reviewed and approved by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Administrator and incorporated into the Land Quality Division permit. Wetland mitigation shall be considered successful when the Army Corps of Engineers determines that mitigation was successful.
(1.) The operator may create and receive success credit for up to 25 percent additional acreage over the Army Corps of Engineers' required mitigation acreage for each mitigation wetland type.
(2.) The minimum bond responsibility period for areas containing mitigation wetlands is ten years and no request for Phase 3 Incremental Bond release shall be made earlier than the last year of the bond responsibility period. A statement of successful mitigation from the Army Corps of Engineers shall be submitted by the operator to the Administrator as demonstration of successful mitigation. If successful mitigation is approved by the Army Corps of Engineers prior to the last year of the bond responsibility period, then the wetland will be evaluated as part of the surrounding area using the standards applied to that area.
(II) Reclamation plans and success standards for postmining enhancement wetlands shall be reviewed and approved by the Administrator and the Game and Fish Department as a type of wildlife habitat and incorporated into the Land Quality Division permit. The reclamation plan and success standards shall be determined by the postmining land use, and fish and wildlife habitat standards in Section 2(d)(ii)(C) of this chapter apply. The minimum bond liability period for enhancement wetlands is ten years and no demonstration of successful reclamation shall be made earlier than the last year of the bond responsibility period.
(F) Industrial, Commercial, and Residential. When the approved postmining land use is residential or industrial/commercial, the reclaimed area shall be stabilized and revegetated to control erosion unless development shall immediately occur.
(I) Industrial, commercial and residential areas may be released from area and all incremental bond costs as soon as the area is reclaimed to a condition that is ready for the approved land use. The exact criteria will vary with the postmine land use, and shall be specified in the approved Reclamation Plan.
(G) Developed water resource. For lands within the high water line of a developed water resource there are no revegetation reclamation standards.
(H) Recreational. The operator shall gain approval from the Administrator and the appropriate agency for development of permit-specific performance standards. The standards and the reclamation plan shall be included in the permit. If the reclamation plan includes stocking of trees or shrubs approved by Wyoming Game and Fish, then successful tree/shrub establishment must be demonstrated for one year, the last year of the bond responsibility period. At least 80% of the trees/shrubs shall have been planted for at least 60% of the last ten years of the bond responsibility period, and all planted trees/shrubs shall have been in place for at least two years.
(I) Forestry. Standards for the success of reforestation for commercial harvest shall be established in consultation with and approval from forest management agencies, prior to approval of any mining and reclamation plan that proposes reforestation. The quality and quantity of trees, and the cover of the understory vegetation community shall be not less than that required to achieve the postmining landuse and shall be determined in accordance with scientifically acceptable sampling procedures approved by the Administrator. Successful tree establishment must be demonstrated for one year, the last year of the bond responsibility period. At least 80% of the trees shall have been planted for at least 60% of the last ten years of the bond responsibility period, and all planted trees shall have been in place for at least two years.
(J) Special Success Standards.
(I) For areas previously disturbed by mining and not reclaimed to the requirements of these regulations, the areas shall, at a minimum, be revegetated to a ground cover and productivity level existing before redisturbance and shall be adequate to control erosion.
(II) For lands and facilities that were affected prior to May 3, 1978, and continuously used by the mining operation since that date, the areas shall be reclaimed to the performance standards that were in effect in Rule and Regulation at the time of initial disturbance. At a minimum, the area must be revegetated to a ground cover adequate to control erosion.
(e) Diversion systems and drainage control.
(i) Diversion of streams.
(A) All diversions shall be designed to assure public safety, prevent material damage outside the permit area, and minimize adverse impacts to the hydrologic balance.
(B) All diversions and associated structures shall be designed, constructed, maintained and used to ensure stability, prevent, to the extent possible using best technology currently available, additional contribution of suspended solids to streamflow outside the permit area, and comply with all applicable local, State and Federal rules.
(C) Permanent diversions of intermittent and perennial streams shall be designed and constructed so as to be erosionally and geomorphically compatible with the natural drainage system.
(D) The design and construction of all diversions for perennial or intermittent streams shall be certified by a qualified registered professional engineer as meeting the diversion standards of these regulations and the approved permit.
(E) When permanent diversions are constructed or stream channels restored after temporary diversions, the operator shall:
(I) Restore, enhance where practicable, or maintain natural riparian vegetation on the banks and flood plain of the stream;
(II) Establish or restore the stream characteristics, including aquatic habitats to approximate premining stream channel characteristics; and
(III) Establish and restore erosionally stable stream channels and flood plains.
(F) The operator shall renovate all permanent diversions in accordance with the approved reclamation plan prior to abandonment of the permit area.
(G) When no longer needed to achieve the purpose for which they were authorized, all temporary diversions shall be removed and the affected land regraded and revegetated, in accordance with this Chapter. Before diversions are removed, downstream water treatment facilities previously protected by the diversion shall be modified or removed, as necessary, to prevent overtopping or failure of the facilities. This requirement shall not relieve the operator from maintaining water treatment facilities as otherwise required.
(ii) Control of discharge or drainage.
(A) Discharge from sedimentation ponds, permanent and temporary impoundments, coal-processing waste dams and embankments, and diversions shall be controlled, by energy dissipators, riprap channels, and other devices, where necessary, to reduce erosion, to prevent deepening or enlargement of stream channels, and to minimize disturbance of the hydrologic balance. Discharge structures shall be designed according to standard engineering design procedures.
(B) Drainage from acid-forming and toxic-forming material into ground and surface water shall be avoided by:
(I) Identifying, burying, and treating where necessary, material which, in the judgment of the Administrator may adversely affect water quality if not treated or buried;
(II) Preventing water from coming into contact with acid-forming and toxic-forming material and other measures as required by the Administrator; and
(III) Complying with the requirements of subsection (c)(xiii) of this Section and such other measures deemed necessary by the Administrator to protect surface water and groundwater.
(C) Surface water shall not be diverted or otherwise discharged into underground mine workings unless specifically authorized by the Administrator per the requirements of Chapter 19, Section 2(a) of these regulations.
(iii) In addition to meeting the standards of this Section, all diversions of groundwater discharge flows shall meet the standards of Section 2(e).
(iv) Diversion systems - Unchannelized surface water and ephemeral streams.
(A) Surface water shall be diverted around the operation for the following purposes:
(I) To control water pollution.
(II) To control unnecessary erosion.
(III) To protect the on-going operation.
(IV) To protect the water rights of downstream users.
(B) Temporary diversion of surface runoff or diversions used for erosion control shall meet the following standards:
(I) In soils or other unconsolidated material, the sides of diversion ditches shall be no steeper than 1½:1.
(II) In rock, the sides of diversion ditches shall not overhang.
(III) In soils or unconsolidated materials, the sides and, in ditches carrying intermittent discharges, the bottom shall be seeded with approved grasses so as to take advantage of the next growing season.
(IV) Rock riprap, concrete, soil cement or other methods shall be used where necessary to prevent unnecessary erosion.
(V) Culverts or bridges shall be installed where necessary to allow access by the surface owner for fire control and other purposes.
(VI) Diversion ditches shall in a nonerosive manner pass the peak runoff from a 2-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or a storm duration that produces the largest peak flow, as specified by the Administrator.
(C) In no case shall diversion ditches discharge upon topsoil storage areas, spoil or other unconsolidated material such as newly reclaimed areas.
(D) Permanent diversion structures shall be designed to be erosionally stable during the passage of the peak runoff from a 100-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or a storm duration that produces the largest peak flow, as specified by the Administrator.
(v) Diversion of intermittent and perennial streams.
(A) In no case shall spoil, topsoil, or other unconsolidated material be pushed into, or placed below the flood level of a perennial or intermittent stream except during the approved construction of the diversion of said stream.
(B) The Wyoming Game and Fish Department shall be consulted prior to the approval of a diversion of a perennial or intermittent stream.
(C) The banks of a diverted perennial or intermittent stream shall be protected by vegetation by planting approved species to take advantage of the next growing season.
(D) The banks and channel of a diverted perennial or intermittent stream shall be protected where necessary by rock, riprap or similar measures to minimize erosion and degradation of water quality. Permanent diversions shall be designed and constructed to be erosionally stable. The design of the permanent diversion shall also be consistent with the role of the fluvial system.
(E) Mining on the flood plain of a perennial or intermittent stream shall not be permitted if it would cause the uncontrolled diversion of the stream during periods of high water.
(F) Waters flowing through or by the mining operation shall meet the standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wyoming Water Quality Division in regard to the effect of the operation upon such waters.
(G) If temporary, the channel and flood plain shall be designed to pass, in a nonerosive manner, the 10-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or the capacity of the unmodified stream channel immediately above and below the diversion, whichever capacity is greater, or a duration having a greater peak flow, as specified by the Administrator. Cross-sections of the existing stream above, below and within the disturbed area may be used to determine the flow capacities, channel configuration and shape.
(H) If permanent, the channel and flood plain shall be designed to pass, in a nonerosive manner, the 100-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or a duration having a greater peak flow, as specified by the Administrator. Cross-sections of the existing stream above, below and within the disturbed area may be used to determine the flow capacities, channel configuration and shape.
(f) Sedimentation ponds.
(i) All surface drainage from affected lands excluding sedimentation ponds, diversion ditches, and road disturbances, shall pass through a sedimentation pond(s) before leaving the permit area. Sedimentation control devices shall be constructed prior to disturbance. The Administrator may grant exemptions to the use of sedimentation ponds where, by the use of alternative sediment control measures, the drainage will meet effluent limitation standards or will not degrade receiving waters.
(ii) Where the sedimentation pond(s) results in the mixing of drainage from affected lands with the drainage from undisturbed areas, the permittee shall comply with the applicable effluent limitation standards for all of the mixed drainage where it leaves the permit area.
(iii) Sedimentation ponds shall be designed and constructed to comply with the applicable requirements of subsection 2(g)(iv-vii) of this Chapter. They shall be located as near as possible to the affected lands and out of intermittent or perennial streams; unless approved by the Administrator.
(iv) Sedimentation ponds shall be operated and maintained to comply with the requirements of the Water Quality Division and the State Engineer's Office and satisfy the following requirements:
(A) Chemicals that will harm fish, wildlife, and related environmental values shall not be used for flocculation or other water treatments or if used these ponds will be protected.
(B) Sedimentation ponds shall be designed and maintained to contain adequate sediment storage as determined by acceptable empirical methods.
(C) Sluicing of collected sediments shall be prevented for the design precipitation event.
(D) All areas disturbed by the construction of the sedimentation pond shall be revegetated as soon as practicable to reduce erosion.
(v) The design, construction, and maintenance of a sedimentation pond or other sediment control measures in accordance with this subsection shall not relieve the operator from compliance with applicable effluent limitation standards of the Water Quality Division.
(vi) Sediment ponds shall be maintained until removal is authorized by the Division and the affected lands have been stabilized and initial vegetation established in accordance with the approved reclamation plan and the requirements of this Chapter. In no case shall sediment ponds treating reclaimed lands be removed sooner than two years after the last augmented seeding.
(vii) Sediment control measures for affected lands. Appropriate sediment control measures shall be designed, constructed, and maintained using the best technology currently available to prevent additional contributions of sediment to streamflow or to runoff outside the affected land. Such measures may consist of limiting the extent of disturbed land and stabilizing, diverting, treating or otherwise controlling runoff.
(g) Permanent and temporary water impoundments.
(i) Permanent water impoundments are prohibited unless authorized by the Administrator on the basis that:
(A) The impoundment and its water quality and quantity will support or constitute a postmining use equal to or greater than the highest previous use of the land.
(B) Discharge of water, if any, from the impoundment shall not degrade the quality of receiving waters.
(C) The surface landowner, if different from the mineral owner, has consented to the impoundment.
(ii) Permanent water impoundments. Permanent water impoundments shall be constructed in accordance with the following requirements:
(A) Dams must contain an overflow notch and spillway so as to prevent failure by overfilling and washing. Overflow notches and spillways must be riprapped with rock or concrete to prevent erosion.
(B) The slopes around all water impoundments must be gentle enough so as not to present a safety hazard to humans or livestock and so as to accommodate revegetation. Variations from this procedure may be approved by the Administrator based on the conditions present at the individual locality.
(C) Mineral seams and other sources of possible water contamination within the impoundment area must be covered with overburden or stabilized in such a manner to prevent contamination of the impounded water.
(D) Bentonite or other mire-producing material within the impoundment basin shall be removed or covered with materials which will prevent hazards to man or beast.
(iii) The phrase "major impoundment" shall mean any structure impounding water, sediment or slurry:
(A) To an elevation of 20 feet or more above the upstream toe to the crest of the emergency spillway; or
(B) To an elevation of five feet above the upstream toe of the structure and has a storage volume of 20 acre-feet or more; or
(C) Which will be retained as part of the postmining land use, and:
(I) Has an embankment height greater than 20 feet as measured from the downstream toe of the embankment to the top of the embankment; or
(II) Has an impounding capacity of 20 acre-feet or greater.
(iv) The design, construction and maintenance of permanent and temporary impoundments shall be approved by the State Engineer's Office. In addition, the following design and construction requirements shall be applicable:
(A) The design of impoundments shall be certified by a qualified registered professional engineer as designed to meet the requirements of this part and the applicable requirements of the State Engineer, using current, prudent engineering practices. For major impoundments, the certification also shall be filed with the State Engineer.
(B) The vertical portion of any remaining highwall shall be located far enough below the low water line along the full extent of highwall to provide adequate safety and access for the proposed water users.
(C) Faces of embankments and surrounding areas shall be vegetated, except that faces where water is impounded may be riprapped or otherwise stabilized in accordance with accepted design practices, or where appropriate, Water Quality Division rules and regulations.
(D) The embankment, foundation, and abutments for all impoundments shall be designed and constructed to be stable. For any major impoundment or any impoundment which may present a danger to life, property or the environment, the Administrator shall require sufficient foundation investigations and laboratory testing to demonstrate foundation stability, and shall require a minimum static safety factor of 1.5 for the normal pool with steady seepage saturation conditions, and a seismic safety factor of at least 1.2.
(E) All vegetative and organic materials shall be removed and foundations excavated and prepared to resist failure. Cutoff trenches shall be installed if necessary to ensure stability.
(F) All impoundments shall be inspected regularly during construction and immediately after construction by a qualified registered professional engineer or qualified professional specialist under the direction of a qualified professional engineer. These individuals shall be experienced in impoundment construction. Immediately following each inspection a report shall be prepared and certified by the engineer describing the construction work observed and its conformance with the approved designs. All inspection reports shall be retained at the mine site and submitted in the annual report to the Administrator.
(G) After completion of construction and until final bond release or removal, all impoundments shall be inspected annually by a qualified registered professional engineer, or by a qualified professional specialist under the direction of the qualified professional engineer. These individuals shall be experienced in impoundment construction. Immediately following each inspection a report shall be prepared and certified by the engineer describing:
(I) Existing and required monitoring procedures and instrumentation;
(II) Depth and elevation of any impounded water;
(III) Existing storage capacity;
(IV) Aspects of the dam that may affect its stability or present any other hazardous condition; and
(V) If the impoundment is being maintained in accordance with the approved design and this Chapter. All annual inspection reports shall be retained at the mine site and annually submitted to the Administrator.
(H) In addition to the post-construction annual inspection requirements contained in paragraph (G) immediately above, all impoundments must be inspected during each of the intervening calendar quarters by a qualified individual designated by the operator. These inspections shall look for appearances of structural weakness and other hazardous conditions.
(I) Those impoundments subject to 30 CFR § 77.216 shall also be inspected in accordance with 30 CFR § 77.216-3.
(J) If any examination of inspection discloses that a potential hazard exists, the operator shall promptly inform the Administrator of the finding and of the emergency procedures formulated for public protection and remedial action. If adequate procedures cannot be formulated or implemented the Administrator shall be notified immediately. The Administrator shall then notify the appropriate agencies that other emergency procedures are required to protect the public.
(K) Impoundments meeting the criteria of 30 CFR § 77.216(a) shall comply with the requirements of 30 CFR § 77.216. The plan required to be submitted to the District Manager of MSHA under 30 CFR § 77.216 shall also be submitted to the Administrator as part of the permit application.
(L) Impoundments shall include either a combination of principal and emergency spillways or a single open channel spillway designed to pass the design precipitation events discussed in subsection (v) below at non-erosive velocities.
(M) In lieu of meeting the requirements in section (L) above, the Administrator may approve a temporary impoundment that relies primarily on storage to control the runoff from the design precipitation event when it is demonstrated by the operator and certified by a qualified registered professional engineer or qualified registered professional land surveyor that the impoundment will safely control the design precipitation event, the water from which could be safely removed in accordance with current, prudent, engineering practices. Such an impoundment shall be located where failure would not be expected to cause loss of life or serious property damage.
(v) The design precipitation event for the spillways for temporary water impoundments shall be a 25-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or a storm duration having a greater peak flow, as may be required by the Administrator or as specified below:
(A) The design precipitation event for spillways on temporary impoundments which meet the criteria of 30 CFR § 77.216(a) shall be a 100-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or a storm duration having a greater peak flow, as may be required by the Administrator; and
(B) Temporary impoundments which meet the criteria of 30 CFR § 77.216(a) and that are intended to impound coal mine waste shall have sufficient spillway and/or storage capacity to safely pass or control runoff from the probable maximum precipitation of a 6-hour precipitation event, or a storm duration having a greater flow, as may be required by the Administrator.
(vi) The design precipitation event for the spillways for a permanent impoundment shall be a 100-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or a storm duration having a greater peak flow, as may be required by the Administrator.
(vii) Before abandoning an area or seeking bond release, the operator shall ensure that all temporary structures are removed and reclaimed, and that all permanent structures are renovated, if necessary to meet the requirements of this subsection and to conform to the approved reclamation plan.
(viii) Tailings impoundments.
(A) Impoundments to contain mill tailings or slurry tailings shall be constructed in accordance with established engineering principles and shall be approved by the Wyoming State Engineer's Office. A copy of the State Engineer's approval shall be attached to the application.
(B) Reclamation of tailings impoundments shall be accomplished by removal and storage of all topsoil present within the tailings basin. After termination of operations, the topsoil shall be replaced and revegetated in accordance with these rules and regulations. If other methods of reclamation and stabilization against wind and water erosion are found to be necessary because of natural conditions, this must be stated and described subject to the Administrator's approval.
(h) Protection of Groundwater Recharge Capacity - The recharge capacity of the reclaimed lands shall be restored to a condition which:
(i) Supports the approved postmining land use;
(ii) Minimizes disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance in the permit area and in adjacent areas; and
(iii) Provides a rate of recharge that approximates the premining recharge rate.
(i) Surface water and groundwater quality and quantity shall be monitored until final bond release to determine the extent of the disturbance to the hydrologic balance. Monitoring shall be adequate to plan for modification of surface mining activities, if necessary, to minimize adverse effects on the water of the State. The operator is responsible for properly installing, operating, maintaining and removing all necessary monitoring equipment. In addition, the operator is responsible for conducting monitoring in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 2, Section 5(a)(ix)(D) and the approved monitoring plan. Noncompliance results for NPDES discharges shall be promptly reported by the operator to the Water Quality Division Administrator. The operator shall promptly report all other noncompliance results to the Land Quality Division Administrator and shall, after consultation with the Administrator, implement appropriate and prompt mitigative measures for those noncompliance situations determined to be mining caused. The monitoring system shall be based on the results of the probable hydrologic consequences assessment and shall include:
(i) A groundwater monitoring program to determine:
(A) Infiltration rates, subsurface flows, and storage characteristics of the reclaimed land and adjacent areas; and
(B) The effects of reclamation on the recharge capacity of the reclaimed lands.
(ii) A surface water monitoring program which includes monitoring of surface water flow and quality from affected lands including those that have been graded and stabilized. Results of the monitoring will be used to demonstrate that the quality and quantity of runoff from affected lands with or without treatment will minimize disturbance to the hydrologic balance. Water quality monitoring results for discharges other than those authorized by Water Quality Division shall be reported whenever results indicate noncompliance with effluent limitation standards or degradation of the quality of receiving water shall be reported immediately. Monitoring results shall be available for inspection at the mine site.
(j) Roads.
(i) Road classification system.
(A) Each road, as defined in Chapter 1, shall be classified as either a primary road or an ancillary road.
(B) A primary road is any road which is:
(I) Used for transporting mineral or spoil;
(II) Frequently used for access or other purposes for a period in excess of six months; or
(III) To be retained for an approved postmining land use.
(C) An ancillary road is any road not classified as a primary road.
(ii) General performance standards. Each road shall be located, designed, constructed, reconstructed, used, maintained and reclaimed so as to:
(A) Control or prevent erosion, siltation, and the air pollution attendant to erosion, including road dust as well as dust occurring on other exposed surfaces, by measures such as vegetating, watering, using chemical or other dust suppressants, or otherwise stabilizing all exposed surfaces in accordance with current, prudent engineering practices;
(B) Control or prevent damage to fish, wildlife, or their habitat and related environmental values;
(C) Control or prevent additional contributions of suspended solids to stream flow or runoff outside the permit area;
(D) Neither cause nor contribute to, directly or indirectly, the violation of State or Federal water quality standards applicable to receiving waters;
(E) The normal flow of water in streambeds and drainage channels shall not be seriously altered;
(F) Prevent or control damage to public or private property, including the prevention or mitigation of adverse effects on lands listed in Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v)(A); and
(G) Use nonacid- and nontoxic-forming substances in road surfacing.
(iii) Design and construction limits and establishment of design criteria. To ensure environmental protection appropriate for their planned duration and use, including consideration of the type and size of equipment used, the design and construction or reconstruction of roads shall incorporate appropriate limits for grade, width, surface materials, surface drainage control, culvert placement, and culvert size, in accordance with current, prudent engineering practices.
(iv) Location.
(A) No part of any road shall be located in the channel of an ephemeral stream that has the potential for sufficient flow to cause substantial environmental harm unless a downstream sediment control structure exists within the permit boundaries, any intermittent stream channel or any perennial stream channel unless specifically approved by the Administrator in accordance with subsections 2(c), 2(e), 2(f), 2(h), 2(i), 2(r)(ii) and 2(w) of this Chapter and Section 2(a)(i) of Chapter 19.
(B) Roads shall be located to minimize downstream sedimentation and flooding.
(v) Maintenance.
(A) A road shall be maintained to meet the performance standards of this Chapter.
(B) A road damaged by a catastrophic event, such as a flood or earthquake, shall be repaired as soon as is practicable after the damage has occurred.
(vi) Reclamation. A road not to be retained under an approved postmining land use shall be reclaimed in accordance with the approved reclamation plan as soon as practicable after it is no longer needed for mining and reclamation operations. This reclamation shall include:
(A) Closing the road to traffic;
(B) Removing all bridges unless approved as part of the postmining land use and removing all culverts unless approved as part of the postmining land use or approved for burial in place;
(C) Removing or otherwise disposing of road-surfacing materials that are incompatible with the postmining land use and revegetation requirements;
(D) Reshaping cut-and-fill slopes as necessary to be compatible with the postmining land use and to complement the natural drainage pattern of the surrounding terrain;
(E) Protecting the natural drainage patterns by installing dikes or cross drains as necessary to control surface runoff and erosion; and
(F) Scarifying or ripping the roadbed, replacing topsoil, subsoil or substitute material and revegetating disturbed surfaces in accordance with subsections 2(c)(i) through 2(c)(x) and 2(d) of this Chapter.
(vii) Primary roads.
(A) Certification. The construction or reconstruction of primary roads shall be certified in a report to the Administrator by a registered professional engineer. The report shall indicate that the primary road has been constructed or reconstructed as designed and in accordance with the approved plan. The report shall be available for review at the mine site within 30 days following the completion of construction of each primary road.
(B) Each primary road embankment shall have a minimum static safety factor of 1.3 or meet the requirements established under Chapter 2, Section 5(a)(xvi)(B).
(C) Location.
(I) To minimize erosion, a primary road shall be located, insofar as is practicable, on the most stable available surface.
(II) Fords of intermittent or perennial streams by primary roads are prohibited unless they are specifically approved by the Administrator as temporary routes during periods of road construction.
(D) Drainage control. In accordance with the approved plan:
(I) Each primary road shall be constructed or reconstructed and maintained to have adequate drainage control, using structures such as, but not limited to, bridges, ditches, cross drains, and ditch relief drains. The drainage control system shall be designed to safely pass the peak runoff from a 10-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or greater event as specified by the Administrator;
(II) Drainage pipes and culverts shall be installed as designed, and maintained in a free and operating condition and to prevent or control erosion at inlets and outlets;
(III) Drainage ditches shall be constructed and maintained to prevent uncontrolled drainage over the road surface and embankment;
(IV) Culverts shall be installed, and maintained to sustain the vertical soil pressure, passive resistance of the foundation, and the weight of vehicles using the road;
(V) Natural stream channels shall not be altered or relocated without the prior approval of the Administrator in accordance with applicable Sections 2(c), 2(e), 2(f), 2(h), 2(i), 2(r)(ii) and 2(w) of this Chapter and Section 2(a)(i) of Chapter 19; and
(VI) Except as provided in (vii)(C)(II) of this section, structures for channel crossings of ephemeral streams that have the potential for sufficient flow to cause substantial environmental harm unless a downstream sediment control structure exists within the permit boundaries, any intermittent stream or any perennial stream shall be made using bridges, culverts, low-water crossings or other structures designed, constructed, and maintained using current, prudent engineering practices. The Administrator shall ensure that low-water crossings are designed, constructed and maintained to prevent erosion of the structure or streambed and additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow.
(E) Surfacing: Primary roads shall be surfaced with material approved by the Administrator as being sufficiently durable for the anticipated volume of traffic and weight and speed of vehicles using the road.
(viii) Exemptions concerning roads.
(A) If approval is obtained from the surface landowner to leave a road unreclaimed, an operator may request in writing to the Land Quality Division that a road be permitted to remain unreclaimed. The operator must furnish proof of the surface landowner's approval. Final decision of road reclamation will be made by the Land Quality Division Administrator.
(B) In the event that the surface landowner, a city or town, another agency of the State of Wyoming or an agency of the United States government has requested that a road not be reclaimed, no bond shall be required of the applicant for the reclamation of the road and reclamation of the road shall not be required; provided, however, that the Administrator receives a copy of the written request from the surface owner, city or town, or agency of the State or Federal Government, for retention of the road.
(k) Time schedule.
(i) Reclamation must begin as soon as possible after mining commences and must continue concurrently until such time that the mining operation is terminated and all of the affected land is reclaimed. If conditions are such that final reclamation procedures cannot begin until the mining operation is completed, this must be explained in the reclamation plan. A detailed time schedule for the mining and reclamation progression must be included in the reclamation plan. This time schedule shall:
(A) Apply to reclamation of all lands to be affected in the permit area;
(B) Designate times for backfilling, grading, contouring and reseeding;
(C) Be coordinated with a map indicating the areas of progressive mining and reclamation;
(D) Establish reclamation concurrently with mining operations, whenever possible. If not possible, the schedule shall provide for the earliest possible reclamation consistent with the orderly and economic development of the property; and
(E) If the Administrator approves a schedule where reclamation follows the completion of mining, describe the conditions which will constitute completion or termination of mineral production.
(l) Unanticipated conditions.
(i) An operator encountering unanticipated conditions shall notify the Administrator as soon as possible and in no event more than five days after making the discovery.
(ii) An unanticipated condition is any condition encountered in a mining operation and not mentioned by the operator in his mining or reclamation plan which may seriously affect the procedures, timing, or outcome of mining or reclamation. Such unanticipated conditions include but are not limited to the following:
(A) The uncovering during mining operations of any acid- forming, radioactive, inflammable, or toxic materials which must be burned, impounded, or otherwise disposed of in order to eliminate pollution or safety hazards.
(B) The discovery during mining operations of a significant flow of groundwater in any stratigraphic horizon.
(C) The occurrence of slides, faults, or unstable soil and overburden materials which may cause sliding or caving in a pit which could cause problems or delays with mining or reclamation.
(D) The occurrence of uncontrolled underground caving or subsidence which reaches the surface, causing problems with reclamation and safety hazards.
(E) A discovery of significant archaeological or paleontological importance.
(F) For permits that are issued to conduct a surface coal mining operation on lands eligible for remining an unanticipated event or condition is one which arises after permit issuance, is related to prior mining and was not addressed in the permit application.
(iii) In the case of the uncovering of hazardous materials, the operator shall take immediate steps to notify the Administrator and comply with any required measures to eliminate the pollution or safety hazard. Under all conditions the operator must take appropriate measures to correct, eliminate, or adapt to an unanticipated condition before mining resumes in the immediate vicinity of that condition.
(m) Disposal of mine facilities.
(i) All mine facilities constructed, used or improved by the operator must be removed or dismantled and shall be reclaimed in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter when no longer needed for the operation unless it can be demonstrated to the Administrator's satisfaction that the buildings or structures will be of beneficial use in accomplishing the proposed use of the land after reclamation or for environmental monitoring.
(ii) If the operator does not wish to remove certain mine facilities, the operator must obtain the written consent of the surface landowner to leave the mine facilities intact. The operator must make a request in writing, providing written proof of the above to the Land Quality Division, that the mine facilities be permitted to remain intact.
(n) Mine Facilities.
(i) Mine facilities shall be operated in accordance with the permit issued for the mine or coal preparation operation to which it is incident or from which its operation results.
(ii) In addition to the other provisions of this Chapter, mine facilities shall be located, maintained, and used in a manner that:
(A) Prevents or controls erosion and siltation, water pollution, and damage to public or private property;
(B) To the extent possible using the best technology currently available;
(1.) Minimizes damage to fish, wildlife, and related environmental values; and
(2.) Minimizes additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area. Any such contributions shall not be in excess of limitations of State or Federal law.
(o) Signs and markers. Uniform and durable signs and markers of an adequate size shall be posted by the operator at those points applicable to the areas or activities to which they pertain. Such signs and markers shall include mine and permit identification signs, perimeter markers, buffer zone markers, blasting signs and soil markers. The operator shall place and maintain all signs and markers prior to commencement and until the completion of the activities to which they pertain, which, for mine and permit identification signs, shall be at the time the bond is released.
(p) Drilled holes and other exposed underground openings: Plugging, sealing and capping of all drilled holes except those used solely for blasting or developmental drill holes which will be mined through within one year shall meet the requirements of Chapter 14. Developmental drilling shall meet the plugging and sealing requirements of W.S. § 35-11-404, where necessary. Temporary sealing and use of protective devices may be approved by the Administrator if the hole will be used for returning coal- processing waste or water to underground workings or monitoring groundwater conditions, and shall be used, at a minimum, for developmental drilling. Other exposed underground openings shall be properly managed as required by the Administrator to prevent access to mine workings and to keep acid or other toxic drainage from entering ground or surface water.
(i) With the prior approval of the Administrator and the State Engineer, wells may be transferred to another party for further use. The permittee shall remain responsible for the proper management of the well until final bond release.
(q) Air resources protection. All exposed surface areas shall be protected and stabilized to effectively control erosion and air pollution attendant to erosion.
(r) Fish and wildlife performance standards.
(i) An operator shall, to the extent possible using the best technology currently available and consistent with the approved postmining land use, minimize disturbance and adverse impacts on fish, wildlife, and related environmental values, and achieve enhancement of such resources where practicable, which activities shall include:
(A) Properly construct, locate and operate roads and powerlines, including proper design of powerlines to avoid electrocution of raptors.
(B) Prevent access to areas such as roadways or ponds with hazardous materials, to avoid damage to wildlife without limiting access to known important routes.
(C) Afford protection, restore and enhance where practicable important habitats to fish and wildlife. This shall include, but is not limited to, wetlands and riparian vegetation along rivers and streams and bordering ponds and lakes.
(D) Select plant species with shrubs well represented, which will enhance the nutritional and cover aspects of fish and wildlife habitat, where such habitat is identified as part of the postmining use, and distribute the reestablished habitat in a manner which includes a diversity and interspersion of habitats, optimizes edge effect, cover and other benefits for fish and wildlife, and is consistent with Section 2(d)(x)(E).
(E) Promptly report to the regulatory authority any species or critical habitat of such species listed as threatened or endangered, or any golden or bald eagle nest in or adjacent to the permit area, which was not reported or investigated in the permit application. Upon notification the Administrator shall consult with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and, after consultation, shall identify whether and under what conditions the operator may proceed.
(F) Where the postmining land use is for cropland, to the extent not inconsistent with this intended use, operators shall restore habitat types to break up large blocks of monocultures.
(ii) Stream buffer zone.
(A) No land within 100 feet of a perennial or intermittent stream shall be affected unless the Administrator specifically authorizes such activities closer to or through such a stream upon a finding that:
(I) Surface mining activities will not cause or contribute to the violation of applicable state or federal water quality standards, and will not adversely affect the water quantity and quality or other environmental resources of the stream; and
(II) If there will be a temporary or permanent stream- channel diversion, it will comply with all stream diversion requirements.
(B) The area not to be affected shall be designated a buffer zone, marked in the field and on the mine plan map.
(iii) No surface mining activity shall be conducted which is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species listed by the State or the Secretary of the Interior or which will result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitats of such species in violation of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). No surface mining activity shall be conducted in a manner which would result in the unlawful taking of a bald or golden eagle, its nest, or any of its eggs. The Administrator shall consult with the State and Federal Fish and Wildlife Agencies to identify whether and under what conditions the operation may continue under this provision.
(iv) The operator shall perform periodic surveys, in the level of detail and for those areas as determined by the Administrator, in accordance with Appendix B of these rules and regulations.
(s) Slides and other damage. Where instability may exist in backfill materials, an undisturbed natural barrier shall be provided to prevent slides and erosion, beginning at the elevation of the lowest coal seam to be mined and extending from the outslope for such distance as may be determined by the Administrator.
(t) Only those operations designed to protect disturbed surface areas and which result in improved resource recovery, abatement of water pollution, or elimination of hazards to the public shall be conducted within 500 feet of an active or abandoned underground mine. Approval for such operation shall be obtained from MSHA for operations proposed to be conducted within 500 feet of an active underground mine. The Administrator shall specifically approve operations proposed to be conducted within 500 feet of an abandoned underground mine.
(u) Cessation of operations. When it is known that a temporary cessation of operations will extend beyond 30 days, the operator shall submit to the Administrator that information required in an annual report.
(v) The operator shall conduct operations so as to maximize the utilization and conservation of the solid fuel resource being recovered so that reaffecting the land in the future can be minimized.
(w) The operator shall conduct all operations in such a manner as to minimize disturbance of the hydrologic balance within the permit and adjacent areas, to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area, to assure the protection or replacement of water rights, and to support approved postmining land uses in accordance with the terms and conditions of the approved permit and the performance standards of this Chapter. The Administrator may require additional preventative, remedial, or monitoring measures to assure that material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area is prevented. Mining and reclamation practices that minimize water pollution and changes in flow shall be used in preference to water treatment.
(x) Utility installations which are not part of the surface coal mining operation. All operations shall be conducted in a manner which minimizes damage, destruction, or disruption of services provided by oil, gas, and water wells; oil, gas, and coal-slurry pipelines; railroads; electric and telephone lines; and water and sewage lines which pass over, under or through the permit area, unless otherwise approved by the Administrator or owner of the utility installation.
History
- Effective 2012-12-17
Chapter 5 Performance Standards for Special Categories of Coal Mining
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.5.07282009 Performance Standards for Special Categories of Coal Mining
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
LAND QUALITY DIVISION
CHAPTER 5
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF COAL MINING
Section 1. Applicability. The requirements of this Chapter, together with the general performance standards in Chapter 4, apply to all operations described herein. If a conflict occurs between any particular requirements of this Chapter and any other Chapter of Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations, this Chapter shall be controlling.
Section 2. Prime Farmlands.
(a) Prime farmland soil removal, stockpiling and replacement.
(i) Soil materials to be used in the reconstruction of the prime farmland shall be removed before drilling, blasting, or mine related disturbances in a manner that prevents mixing or contaminating these materials with undesirable material.
(ii) The A soil horizon, then the B and C soil horizons, either separately or in combination, or other suitable material that will allow for reconstruction of a root zone of greater productive capability to that existing prior to mining must be separately removed and segregated. Where it is impractical to immediately replace the soil horizon material or other suitable materials, each horizon separately removed must be separately stockpiled and properly identified. The Administrator may approve a plan which does not provide for the separation of soil horizons if the application can document by acceptable scientific procedures that removal of all topsoil in one step would not diminish prime farmland restoration objectives.
(iii) During reconstruction of prime farmland soil, the C horizon material and then the B horizon material or a combination thereof shall be replaced first. The A horizon material shall be replaced as the surface layer unless the Administrator has approved an alternative segregation plan. Reconstruction of prime farmland soil shall include:
(A) Replacement of a minimum depth of 48 inches of soil and other approved plant growth materials or a depth equal to the depth of a subsurface horizon in the natural soil that inhibits root penetration, whichever is shallower. The Administrator may require a depth greater than 48 inches whenever necessary to restore productive capacity due to uniquely favorable soil horizons at greater depths. Soil horizons shall be considered to inhibit root penetration if their densities, chemical properties, or water holding capacities restrict or prevent penetration by roots of plants commonly grown in the vicinity of the permit area and have little or no beneficial effect on soil productive capacity.
(B) Replacement only on land which has been returned to a slope not to exceed premining conditions and scarified to reduce compaction of the graded spoil surface.
(C) Replacement in a manner that avoids excessive compaction, so that the pore space of the soil, after reconstruction, is of a size, distribution, and amount which allows a favorable rooting zone; minimizes soil erosion; and restores an available water holding capacity consistent with the premining soil condition.
(b) Prime farmland soil stabilization, productivity, and revegetation.
(i) Following soil replacement, a vegetative cover capable of stabilizing the soil surface shall be established as soon as practicable. The revegetation soil amendments and mulching requirements of Chapter 4, Section 2(d) of the regulations shall be met.
(ii) Prime farmland soil productivity shall be measured within ten years after soil replacement.
(A) Soil productivity shall be measured on a representative sample, or on all the mined and reclaimed prime farmland area, using the reference crop determined under paragraph (C) immediately below. A statistically valid sampling technique at a 90 percent or greater statistical confidence level shall be used as approved by the Administrator in consultation with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service.
(B) Restoration of soil productivity shall be considered achieved when the average yield during the measurement period equals or exceeds the average yield of the reference crop established for the same period for nonmined soils of the same or similar texture or slope phase of the soil series in the surrounding area under equivalent management practices.
(C) The reference crop on which restoration of soil productivity is proven shall be selected from the crops most commonly produced on the surrounding prime farmland. Where row crops are the dominant crops grown on prime farmland in the area, the row crop requiring the greatest rooting depth shall be chosen as one of the reference crops.
(D) Reference crop yields for a given crop season are to be determined from:
(I) The current yield records of representative local farms in the surrounding area, with concurrence by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service; or
(II) The average county yields recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has been adjusted by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service for local yield variation within the county that is associated with differences between nonmined prime farmland soil and all other soils that produce the reference crop.
(E) Under either procedure in paragraph (D) immediately above, the average reference crop yield may be adjusted, with the concurrence of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, for:
(I) Disease, pest, and weather-induced seasonal variations; or
(II) Differences in specific management practices where the overall management practices of the crops being compared are equivalent.
(iii) Areas where permits were issued prior to August 3, 1977 are exempt from the reconstruction standards of this Section.
Section 3. Alluvial Valley Floors.
(a) Surface coal mining operations shall be conducted to preserve and reestablish throughout the mining and reclamation process those geologic, hydrologic and biologic characteristics that support the essential hydrologic functions, as identified during premining investigations or monitoring conducted during the surface coal mining and reclamation operation.
(b) Environmental monitoring:
(i) If environmental monitoring shows that a surface coal mining operation is interrupting, discontinuing, or precluding farming on alluvial valley floors or is causing material damage to water supplying alluvial valley floors not subject to the statutory exclusions of W.S. § 35-11-406(n)(v), the operation shall immediately take remedial measures and report this condition to the Administrator within 24 hours.
(ii) An environmental monitoring system shall be installed, maintained and operated by the operator on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation operations and continued until all bonds are released. The monitoring system shall provide sufficient information to show that the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor are being preserved or reestablished.
(iii) All monitoring data collected and analyses thereof shall be provided in the annual report.
(c) For all operations, the operator shall:
(i) Restore the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors located on affected lands; and
(ii) Preserve the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors located outside the affected lands.
Section 4. Coal In Situ Processing Activities.
(a) Coal in situ processing activities shall:
(i) Be planned and conducted to minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance;
(ii) Avoid discharge of fluids into holes or wells, other than as approved by the Administrator;
(iii) Prevent discharge of process fluid into surface waters;
(iv) Conduct air and water quality monitoring programs as necessary to comply with appropriate Federal and State air and water quality standards; and
(v) Conduct all activities in accordance with the performance standards contained in Chapter 18, 4 and 7.
Section 5. Combined Surface and Underground Mining Operations. In addition to the requirements of Chapters 4 and 7, each operator shall ensure that the vertical distance between combined surface and underground mining activities working separate seams shall be sufficient to provide for the health and safety of the workers and to prevent surface water from entering the underground workings.
Section 6. Auger Mining.
(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator that the coal reserves make it impracticable to recover the remaining resource, the operator shall leave areas of undisturbed coal as approved by the Administrator to provide access for removal of those reserves by future underground mining.
(b) Auger mining may be limited or prohibited to minimize disturbance of the prevailing hydrologic balance, unwarranted subsidence, or if the prohibition is necessary to maximize the utilization, recoverability or conservation of the solid fuel resources.
(c) Each auger hole shall be capped, sealed, or plugged in accordance with Chapter 14, unless other management techniques are approved by the Administrator. Each auger hole shall be plugged within 72 hours after completion if it is discharging water containing toxic-forming or acid-forming material by backfilling and compacting noncombustible and impervious material into the hole to a depth sufficient to form a water- tight seal. Auger holes shall not be sealed with an impervious material if the Administrator determines that the resulting impounded water may create a hazard to the environment or public health or safety. Auger holes that are not discharging water, or if the discharging water does not contain toxic-forming or acid-forming material and will not pose a threat of pollution to groundwater as required by Chapter 4, Section 2(c)(xiii), shall be backfilled as contemporaneously as practicable and will not require sealing with an impervious material.
(d) Subsidence control shall be provided as required by Chapter 7, Section 2.
(e) Where auger mining operations are conducted in previously mined areas that were not reclaimed to the standards of Chapter 4, Section 2(b), the reaffected lands shall be reclaimed in accordance with the requirements of Section 7 of this Chapter. Any coal seam mined shall be covered with a minimum of four feet of nonacid and nontoxic-forming material and graded to a slope which is stable, compatible with the approved postmining land use, and provides drainage. The operator shall provide the Administrator a written demonstration, prepared by a qualified registered professional engineer, showing the fill has a minimum static safety factor of 1.3.
Section 7. Remining.
(a) Under the following conditions, the requirements in Chapter 4, Section 2(b)(iv), requiring the elimination of highwalls shall not apply to operations which affect land disturbed by previous coal mining operations which were not reclaimed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 4, Section 2(b) (i.e., State Program requirements):
(i) Where the volume of all reasonably available spoil is demonstrated in writing to the Administrator to be insufficient to completely backfill the reaffected or enlarged highwall, and this condition is documented in writing by the Administrator, the highwall shall be eliminated to the maximum extent technically practical in accordance with the following criteria:
(A) All spoil generated by the remining operation and any other reasonably available spoil shall be used to backfill the area. Under this Section, "reasonably available spoil" means spoil located in the immediate vicinity of the remining operation, which shall be included in the permit area, that is accessible and available for use and that when rehandled will not cause a hazard to public safety or significant damage to the environment.
(B) The backfill shall be graded to a slope which is compatible with the approved postmining land use and which provides adequate drainage and long-term stability.
(C) Any portion of highwall that remains after backfilling and grading of the remining permit area shall be stable and not pose a hazard to the public health and safety or to the environment. The operator shall demonstrate to the Administrator that the remaining highwall is stable.
(b) For revegetation success standards, as a minimum, the vegetative ground cover shall not be less than the ground cover existing before redisturbance and shall be adequate to control erosion.
History
- Effective 2009-07-28
Chapter 6 Blasting for Surface Coal Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.6.08272014 Blasting for Surface Coal Mining Operations
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
LAND QUALITY DIVISION
CHAPTER 6
BLASTING FOR SURFACE COAL MINING OPERATIONS
Section 1. General.
(a) The permittee shall comply with all applicable State, local and Federal laws and regulations and the requirements of this Chapter in the use of explosives.
(b) Blasts that use more than five pounds of explosives or blasting agent shall be conducted according to the schedule required under Section 3.
(c) All persons working with explosive material shall be, or be under the direct supervision of, an experienced, trained, and competent person who understands the hazards involved and who:
(i) Possesses current knowledge of the local, State and Federal laws and regulations applicable to this work; and
(ii) Has obtained a certificate of completion of training and qualification as required by State law.
(d) Blasting operations within 500 feet of active underground mines require approval of the State and Federal regulatory authorities concerned with the health and safety of underground miners.
(e) Blasting signs clearly warning that explosives are in use in particular areas, explaining blast-warning and all-clear signals, and explaining the marking of blast areas, shall be posted at all public entrances to the permit area. Signs containing "blasting area" shall be posted along the edge of any blasting area that comes within 100 feet of any public road right-of-way and at the point where any other road provides access to the blasting area.
Section 2. Preblasting Survey.
(a) On the request of a resident or owner of a man-made dwelling or structure that is located within one-half mile of any part of the area covered under the term of the permit, the applicant or permittee shall conduct a preblasting survey. The request may be made either directly to the applicant or permittee with confirming documents forwarded to the Administrator, or to the Administrator with confirming documents forwarded to the applicant or permittee. The operator shall promptly conduct a preblasting survey of the dwelling or structure and promptly prepare a written report of the survey. An updated survey of any additions, modifications, or renovations shall be performed by the operator if requested by the resident or owner. The operator shall determine the condition of the dwelling(s) and structure(s) and document any preblasting damage and other physical factors that could reasonably be affected by the blasting. Assessments of structures such as pipes, cables, transmission lines, and wells and other water systems shall be limited to surface condition and other readily available data. Special attention shall be given to the preblasting condition of wells and other water systems used for human, animal, or agricultural purposes and to the quantity and quality of the water.
(b) A written report of the survey shall be prepared and signed by the person who conducted the survey. The report shall include recommendations of any special conditions or proposed adjustments to the blasting procedures outlined in this Section which should be incorporated into the blasting plan to prevent damage. Copies of the report shall be provided to the person requesting the survey and to the Administrator. The person requesting the survey may submit any written disagreements he has with the results of the survey to the permittee and the Administrator.
(c) Any surveys requested more than three days before the planned initiation of blasting shall be completed by the operator before the initiation of blasting.
Section 3. Public Notice of Blasting Schedule.
(a) At least 30 days, but not more than 60 days before beginning a blasting program in which more than five pounds of explosives or blasting agent are detonated, the permittee shall publish a blasting schedule in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the proposed site. Copies of the schedule shall be distributed by mail to local governments, public utilities and to each residence or owner of a man-made dwelling or structure within one-half mile of the blasting sites described in the schedule. The residents or owners within one-half mile shall also be notified of the manner for requesting a preblasting survey. The permittee shall republish and redistribute the schedule by mail at least every 12 months. The permittee also shall revise and republish the schedule at least 30 days, but not more than 60 days, prior to blasting whenever the area covered by the schedule changes or time periods significantly differ from the prior announcement. Blasting schedules shall identify as accurately as possible the location of the blasting sites and the time periods when blasting will occur. The blasting schedule shall contain at a minimum:
(i) Name, address and telephone number of the operator;
(ii) Identification of the specific areas in which blasting will take place;
(iii) Dates and time periods when explosives are to be detonated;
(iv) Methods to be used to control access to the blasting area; and
(v) Types and patterns of audible warnings and all-clear signals to be used before and after blasting.
Section 4. Blasting Standards.
(a) General.
(i) Blasting shall be conducted to prevent injury to persons, damage to public or private property outside the permit area, adverse impacts on any underground mine, and change in the course, channel, or availability of ground or surface waters outside the permit area.
(ii) All blasting shall be conducted during time approved by the Administrator and announced on the blasting schedule. Based on public requests or other considerations, including the proximity to residential areas, the Administrator may limit the area covered, timing and sequence of blasting. Blasting shall be conducted between sunrise and sunset unless night-time blasting is approved by the Administrator based on public protection and annoyance considerations.
(iii) Blasting may not be conducted at times different from those announced in the blasting schedule except in conditions where operator or public safety requires unscheduled detonation or for emergency blasting actions. Reasons for unscheduled detonation shall be documented.
(iv) Warning and all-clear signals of different character that are audible within a range of one-half mile from the point of the blast shall be given. All persons within the area covered under the term of permit and those who reside or regularly work within one- half mile of this same area shall be notified of the meanings of the signals in the blasting schedule.
(v) Area of control. Access to the blasting area shall be controlled to protect the public and livestock from the effects of blasting and to prevent unauthorized entry. Access control shall continue until the permittee's authorized representative has determined that no unusual circumstances such as imminent slides or undetonated charges exist and access to and travel in or through the area can safely resume.
(vi) Areas in which charged (loaded) holes are awaiting firing shall be guarded against unauthorized entry.
(b) Limitations.
(i) Airblast shall not exceed the values specified below at any dwelling, public building, school, church, and community or institutional building outside the permit area, unless the building is owned by the operator and not leased to another, or, if leased, the lessee signs a waiver relieving the operator from meeting the limitations. If necessary to prevent damage, the Administrator shall specify lower maximum allowable airblast levels.
| Lower frequency limit of measuring system, Hz (+3dB) 0.1 Hz or lower-flat response1 2 Hz or lower-flat response | Maximum level in dB | | --- | --- | | 134 peak | | | 133 peak | | | 6 Hz or lower-flat response1 | 129 peak | | C-weighted, slow response | 105 peak dBC |
Only if approved by the Administrator.
(A) The operator shall conduct periodic monitoring to ensure compliance with the airblast standards. The Administrator shall request monitoring in certain instances, including but not limited to complaints, blasting in sensitive areas, and in areas where there is reason to believe airblast limits may be exceeded. The measuring systems shall have an upper-end flat frequency response of at least 200 Hz.
(ii) Flyrock shall not be cast from the blasting site more than half the distance to the nearest occupied structure or beyond either the permit boundary or the area of control required under (a)(v) above.
(iii) In all blasting operations except as specified below, the maximum ground vibration shall not exceed the values approved in the blasting plan. The maximum ground vibration at the location of any dwelling, public building, school, church, and community or institutional building outside the permit area shall not exceed the values established by paragraph (iv), the scaled-distance equation of paragraph (v), the blasting level chart of paragraph (vi), or by the Administrator under paragraph (vii). All other structures such as water towers, pipelines, tunnels, dams, impoundments, and underground mines, shall be protected from damage by establishment of a maximum allowable limit on ground vibration, submitted by the operator in the blasting plan and approved by the Administrator. The ground vibration standards do not apply at structures owned by the operator and not leased to another, or, if leased, the lessee signs a waiver relieving the operator from meeting the limitations.
| Distance (D) from the Blasting Site in feet | Maximum allowable peak particle velocitcy (Vmax) for ground vibration in inches/second1 | Scaled distance to be applied without seismic monitoring2 | | --- | --- | --- | | 0 to 300 | 1.25 | 50 | | 301 to 5000 | 1.00 | 55 | | 5001 and beyond | 0.75 | 65 |
1 Ground vibration shall be measured as the particle velocity. Particle velocity shall be recorded in three mutually perpendicular directions. The maximum allowable peak particle velocity shall apply to each of the three measurements.
2 Applicable to the scaled-distance equation of Paragraph (v).
(iv) Maximum peak particle velocity applicable when seismograph records are provided for each blast:
(v) An operator may use the scaled-distance equation, W=(D/Ds)2 to determine the allowable charge weight of explosives to be detonated in any eight millisecond period, without seismic monitoring; where W = the maximum weight of explosives, in pounds; D = the distance, in feet, from the blasting site to the nearest protected structure; and Ds = the scaled-distance factor, which may initially be approved by the Administrator using the values for scaled-distance factor listed in paragraph (iv) above.
(A) Upon written request by the operator with seismographic records, the Administrator may authorize a modified scaled-distance factor. The modified scaled-distance factor shall be determined such that particle velocity of the predicted ground vibration will not exceed the prescribed maximum allowable peak particle velocity of paragraph (iv) above, at a 95 percent confidence level.
(vi) An operator may use the ground vibration limits in Figure 1 (blasting- level chart) to determine the maximum allowable ground vibration. A seismograph record including both particle velocity and vibration frequency levels shall be provided for each blast. The method for the analysis of the predominant frequency contained in the blasting records shall be approved by the Administrator before application of this alternative blasting criterion.
(vii) The maximum allowable ground vibration shall be reduced by the Administrator beyond the limits otherwise provided by paragraphs (iv)-(vi), if necessary to provide damage protection. The Administrator may require an operator to conduct seismic monitoring of any or all blasts or may specify the location at which the measurements are taken and the degree of detail necessary in the measurements.
(c) Blast Design. Permit requirements pertaining to blasting are located in Chapter 2, Section 2(b)(v).
(i) Anticipated blast design(s) shall be submitted if blasting operations will be conducted within:
(A) 1,000 feet of any building used as a dwelling, public building, school, church, or community or institutional building outside the permit area; or
(B) 500 feet of an active or abandoned underground mine.
(ii) The blast design may be presented as part of a permit application or at a time, before the blast, approved by the Administrator.
(iii) The blast design shall contain sketches of the drill patterns, delay periods, and decking and shall indicate the type and amount of explosives to be used, critical dimensions, and the location and general description of structures to be protected, as well as a discussion of design factors to be used, which protect the public and meet the applicable airblast, flyrock, and ground-vibration standards in (b) above.
(iv) The blast design shall be prepared and signed by a certified blaster.
(v) The Administrator may require changes to the design submitted.
Section 5. Records of Blasting Operations.
(a) A record of each blast, including seismograph reports, shall be retained for at least three years and shall be available for inspection by the Administrator and the public on request. The record shall contain the following data:
(i) Name of permittee, operator, or other person conducting the blast;
(ii) Location, date and time of blast;
(iii) Name, signature, and certification number of blaster conducting the blast;
(iv) Identification, direction and distance, in feet, from the nearest blast hole to the nearest dwelling, public building, school, church, and community or institutional building outside the permit area neither owned nor leased by the permittee;
(v) Weather condition;
(vi) Type of material blasted;
(vii) Sketches of the blast pattern including number of holes, burden, spacing, decks and delay pattern;
(viii) Diameter and depth of holes;
(ix) Types of explosives used;
(x) Total weight of explosives used per hole;
(xi) Maximum weight of explosives detonated within any eight millisecond period;
(xii) Initiation system;
(xiii) Type and length of stemming;
(xiv) Mats or other protections used;
(xv) Seismograph and airblast records, where required, including:
(A) Type of instrument, sensitivity, and calibration signal or certification of annual calibration;
(B) Exact location of instrument and the date, time, and distance from the blast;
(C) Name of person and firm taking the seismograph reading;
(D) Name of person and firm analyzing the seismograph record; and
(E) The vibration and/or airblast level recorded.
(xvi) Reasons and conditions for each unscheduled blast.
Section 6. Blaster Certification.
(a) General.
(i) The Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division and the State Inspector of Mines will jointly administer this Section by Memorandum of Understanding.
(b) Definition.
(i) A blaster or shot-firer is a person directly responsible for the use of explosives in surface coal mining operations or surface blasting operations incident to underground coal mining operations.
(c) Requirements.
(i) All blasting operations shall be conducted under the direction of a certified blaster having a minimum of two years of blasting experience.
(ii) Certificates of blaster certification shall be carried by blasters or shall be on file at the mine site during blasting operations and shall be exhibited to any authorized State or Federal inspector upon request.
(iii) A blaster and at least one other person shall be present in the blasting area at the firing of a blast.
(iv) Persons responsible for blasting operations at a blasting site shall be familiar with the operator's blasting plan and site-specific performance standards.
(d) Training.
(i) The Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division, shall establish or approve training programs for persons seeking to become certified as blasters. These training programs shall include:
(A) Selection of the type of explosives to be used;
(B) Determination of the properties of explosives which will produce desired results at an acceptable level of risk;
(C) Handling, transportation, and storage of explosives;
(D) Geologic and topographic considerations of blast designs;
(E) Design of a blast hole with critical dimensions;
(F) Pattern design, field layout, and timing of blast holes;
(G) Field applications of blast designs;
(H) Loading blast holes, including priming and boostering;
(I) Initiation systems and blasting machines;
(J) Blasting vibrations, airblast, and flyrock, including monitoring techniques and methods to control adverse affects;
(K) Secondary blasting applications;
(L) Current Federal and State rules applicable to the use of explosives;
(M) Blast records;
(N) Schedules;
(O) Preblasting surveys, including availability, coverage, and the use of in-blast designs;
(P) Blast plan requirements;
(Q) Certification and training;
(R) Signs, warning signals, and site control; and
(S) Unpredictable hazards, including lightning, stray currents, radio waves, and misfires.
(ii) Reciprocity of blaster's certificates from other approved State or Federal programs will require approval of the Administrator and the State Mine Inspector and at a minimum, knowledge of site-specific performance standards and blasting plan.
(e) Examination.
(i) To attain certification, a candidate must receive a passing score on the written and oral examinations which are prepared and approved by the Administrator.
(ii) The written examination for candidates for blaster certification shall test their competence in and practical application of the topics set forth in Section 6(d).
(iii) The oral examination for candidates for blaster certification shall test the use of explosives in relation to site-specific performance standards and the blasting plan under which they will be operating.
(f) Issuance of Certification.
(i) Certificates will be issued to those candidates receiving a passing score on the certification examination. The certification will expire five years from the issuance date.
(g) Renewal.
(i) Certificates may be renewed upon completion of the training, examination and certification program as required by the Administrator.
(h) Revocation.
(i) Following written notice and opportunity for hearing, the blasting certification will be revoked or suspended upon finding of:
(A) Noncompliance with any blasting-related order of Land Quality Division or the State Inspector of Mines;
(B) Unlawful use in the workplace of, or current addiction to, alcohol, narcotics, or other dangerous drugs;
(C) Violation of any provision of the State or Federal explosives laws or regulations; and
(D) Providing false information or a misrepresentation to obtain certification.
(ii) If advance notice and opportunity for hearing cannot be provided, an opportunity for a hearing shall be provided as soon as practical following the suspension or revocation.
(iii) Upon notice of revocation, the blaster shall immediately surrender to the Land Quality Division the revoked certification.
(i) Maintenance of Certificates.
(i) Certificates will be protected from loss, theft, or unauthorized duplication and any such occurrence shall be reported to the Land Quality Division immediately.
(ii) Certificates shall not be assigned or transferred.
(iii) The blasters shall not delegate their responsibilities to any individual who is not a certified blaster.
History
- Effective 2014-08-27
Chapter 7 Underground Coal Mining
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.7.04112011 Underground Coal Mining
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
LAND QUALITY DIVISION
CHAPTER 7
UNDERGROUND COAL MINING
Section 1. Underground Coal Mining Permit Application Content Requirements.
(a) In addition to the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-406, and the applicable regulations contained in Chapter 2, Section 1, applications for a permit for underground coal mining operations shall contain all information required by Chapter 2, except Section 5(a)(ix)(C), (E) and (xi), and as limited below:
(i) Information required on soils, vegetation, archaeology, fish and wildlife resources, topography, geology, and mineral deposits shall be limited to those areas affected by surface operations or subsidence. Information required on surface water shall be limited to the immediate drainage area of those lands affected by surface operations or subsidence. Information required for the geological description pursuant to Chapter 2, Section 4(a)(viii) shall be as follows:
(A) For areas where surface operations and facilities will cause removal of overburden down to the level of the coal seam ( this does not include test boring and core sampling areas), all information outline in Chapter 2, Section 4(a)(viii);
(B) For all other areas, all information outlined in Chapter 2, Section 4(a)(viii), except that the information called for in paragraph (C) is restricted to the strata immediately overlying and underlying the coal seam(s) to be mined; and
(C) For areas where room-and-pillar operations are proposed, information on the thickness and engineering properties of clays or soft rock, if any, in the mined coal overlying and underlying strata.
(ii) The pre-application investigation to determine whether lands may be prime farmland shall be limited to the area proposed to be affected by surface operations or subsidence.
(iii) A narrative description of the construction, modification, use, maintenance, and removal of mine development waste.
(iv) A detailed description, with appropriate drawings of permanent entry seals and downslope barriers designed to ensure stability under anticipated hydraulic heads within the mine workings, or measures to prevent or control gravity discharges of water.
(v) Information and evaluations on the potential for and the extent of subsidence, and the effect it may have on structures, the continued use of the surface land and aquifers or recharge areas. Such information shall include a map of all underground workings showing areas of planned and potential subsidence. If the Administrator determines that subsidence may cause material damage to the reasonably foreseeable use of structures, the land surface or groundwater, a subsidence control plan shall be developed and shall include:
(A) A description of the mining methods;
(B) Extent and effect of any planned and controlled subsidence;
(C) Except for areas where planned subsidence is projected to be used, measures to be taken in the mine to prevent or minimize subsidence, including backfilling of voids and leaving areas in which no coal is removed; and
(D) Measures to be taken to prevent, lessen, or mitigate material damage or loss of value to property, including reinforcement, relocation, restoration, or replacement of structures and features; monitoring; and purchase of property or insurance. The manner of determining the degree of material damage or loss of value of property shall be described.
(vi) A description including detailed maps and cross-sections for the location, design and construction of surface entries and access to underground workings including ventilation shafts.
(vii) A detailed reclamation plan which shall demonstrate that reclamation shall be accomplished in accordance with Section 2 of this Chapter.
Section 2. Environmental Protection Performance Standards Applicable to Underground Mining Operations.
(a) General performance standards:
(i) All surface land affected in conjunction with an underground mining operation will be subject to the appropriate backfilling, grading, and contouring requirements as described in Chapter 4, Section 2(b), depending on the physical land description in the permit area and the nature of the surface disturbance.
(ii) All shafts and adits to underground mine workings must be properly sealed at closure.
(iii) Portal entries into adits must be backfilled, graded and contoured so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain.
(iv) All substantial surface disturbances due to subsidence into underground workings within five years after completion of mining shall be backfilled, graded, contoured and revegetated so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. If conditions prevent such reclamation, the Administrator, after considering the conditions, and after consultation with the Advisory Board, will determine the reclamation requirements.
(v) The applicable performance standards contained in the Act and Chapter 4 shall apply to underground mining operations.
(b) Performance standards applicable to underground coal mining operations:
(i) Underground development waste and excess spoil shall be disposed of in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(c).
(ii) Surface entries and accesses to underground workings, including adits and slopes, shall be located, designed, constructed, and utilized to prevent or control gravity discharge of water from the mine in excess of State or Federal water quality standards.
(iii) Underground mining activities shall be planned and conducted so as to prevent subsidence from causing material damage to structures, the land surface, and groundwater resources.
(iv) Underground mining shall not be conducted beneath or adjacent to any park, cemetery, public building, facility (churches, schools, hospitals, etc.), or body of water with a volume of 20 acre-feet or more, unless the Administrator approves otherwise on the basis of detailed subsurface information demonstrating that subsidence will not cause material damage or reduce the reasonably foreseeable use of the feature or facility.
(v) Underground mining activities beneath any aquifer that serves as a source of water for public drinking, domestic, industrial or agricultural use should be conducted so as to avoid disruption of the aquifer and consequent exchange of groundwater between the aquifer and other strata. The Administrator may prohibit mining in the vicinity of the aquifer or may limit extraction to protect the aquifer and water supply.
(vi) The Administrator shall suspend underground mining under urbanized areas, cities, towns and communities, and adjacent to industrial or commercial buildings, major impoundments or permanent streams, if imminent danger is found to inhabitants of the urbanized areas, cities, towns, or communities or material damage is threatened to the urbanized areas, cities, towns or communities.
(vii) All applicable regulations contained in the Act and Chapter 4, Section 2 shall apply to underground coal mining operations. The approximate original contour requirements of Section 2(b) may be waived in situations where settled surface disturbances have become stabilized and revegetated.
(viii) The performance standards contained in the Act and Chapter 5 shall apply to underground mining operations, excluding Section 1 for areas that will be actively used over extended periods and which affect a minimal amount of land.
(ix) Noncoal mine waste shall be managed in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(c).
(c) The operator of an underground coal mining operation shall submit a plan of underground workings pursuant to a schedule approved by the Administrator. The plan shall include maps and descriptions of significant features of the underground mine, extraction ratios, measures taken to prevent or minimize subsidence and related damage, areas of full extraction and other information, as required by the Administrator.
Section 3. Public Notice.
(a) The public notice required pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-406(j) shall include the following additional information for proposed underground coal mining operations:
(i) Dates when the underground mining activities could cause subsidence and affect specific structures; and
(ii) Any proposed measures which may be taken to prevent or control adverse surface effects.
(b) The applicant shall send a notice to owners and occupants of surface property or structures within the area covered under the term of the permit.
(c) The information required by (a) may be submitted at a later date if approved by the Administrator. Any late submittal shall occur at least six months prior to mining.
Section 4. Surface Owner Protection.
(a) Each operator who conducts underground coal mining activities shall:
(i) Correct any material damage resulting from subsidence caused to surface lands by restoring the land to a condition capable of maintaining the value and reasonably foreseeable uses which it was capable of supporting before subsidence; and
(ii) Either correct material damage resulting from subsidence caused to any structures or facilities by repairing the damage or compensate the owner of such structures or facilities in the full amount of the reduction in value resulting from the subsidence. Repair of damage includes rehabilitation, restoration, or replacement of damaged structures or facilities.
History
- Effective 2011-04-11
Chapter 8 Special Bituminous Coal Mines
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.8.04151998 Special Bituminous Coal Mines
CHAPTER 8
SPECIAL BITUMINOUS COAL MINES
Section 1. Definitions.
(a) For the purpose of this Chapter:
(i) Existing special bituminous surface coal mine means a surface coal mining operation where:
(A) The excavation of the specific mine pit takes place on the same relatively limited site for an extended period of time;
(B) The excavation of the specific mine pit follows a coal seam having an inclination of 15 degrees or more from the horizontal, and continues in the same area proceeding downward with lateral expansion of the pit necessary to maintain stability or as necessary to accommodate the orderly expansion of the total mining operation;
(C) The excavation of the specific mine pit involves the mining of more than one coal seam and mining has been initiated on the deepest coal seam contemplated to be mined in the current operation;
(D) The amount of material removed is large in proportion to the surface area disturbed;
(E) There is no practicable alternative method of mining the coal involved;
(F) There is no practicable method to reclaim the land in the manner required by this Act; and
(G) The specific mine pit has been actually producing coal since January 1, 1972, in such a manner as to meet the criteria set forth in this Section, and, because of past duration of mining, is substantially committed to a mode of operation which warrants exceptions to some performance standards.
(ii) New special bituminous surface coal mines means surface coal mining operations which:
(A) Meet the criteria in (i) above, except for (C) and (G); and
(B) Are developed after August 3, 1977 on lands immediately adjacent to lands upon which are located the existing special bituminous surface coal mines.
(iii) Developed after August 3, 1977 means opening or developing any new or previously mined or abandoned site for surface coal mining operations after August 3, 1977.
Section 2. Permit Application Contents.
(a) A permit application under this Chapter shall include:
(i) Support for classification of the proposed operation as a special bituminous surface coal mine; and
(ii) All information required by the Act and regulations, except that the mining and reclamation plan shall include descriptions, maps and plans demonstrating compliance with Section 3 in lieu of other conflicting backfilling and grading performance standards.
Section 3. Special Alternative Standards for Existing Special Bituminous Surface Coal Mines.
(a) This Section applies to those portions of existing special bituminous coal mines which:
(i) Were approved for operation before January 1, 1972, including the orderly expansion of the mine pit to the extent authorized by the Administrator;
(ii) Have actually been producing coal since January 1, 1972;
(iii) Are committed to a mode of operation that warrants an exception to some of the provisions of the Act because of past duration of mining; and
(iv) Involve the mining of more than one seam, and mining was initiated before August 3, 1977, on the deepest coal seam contemplated to be mined in the current operation.
(b) Operations subject to this Section shall, at a minimum, comply with the following requirements for backfilling and grading the mine pit area and spoil piles:
(i) Highwalls may remain, if demonstrated to be stable, and benches may be constructed on the highwall.
(ii) Spoil piles shall be graded and contoured to blend with the adjacent topography, be consistent with the approved postmining land use, and provide for drainage. Terracing and overall slope design of spoil piles shall be approved by the Administrator. The slopes on the spoil pile shall not exceed 17 degrees or if steeper will comply with all applicable reclamation requirements and be consistent with the approved postmining land use.
(iii) The exposed pit floors shall be sloped and graded to provide access.
(iv) Where permanent water impoundments are proposed as part of the reclamation plan, the water quality and quantity shall be reasonably demonstrated to be adequate for the postmining use. If, upon review of the application, water quality and quantity are not demonstrated to be of sufficient quality or quantity for the postmining use, the applicant shall be so notified in writing and shall submit further documentation in support of the proposed plan to reasonably satisfy the Administrator. If upon review by the Administrator of the further documentation the applicant has not reasonably demonstrated that the water quality and quantity will be sufficient for the postmining land use, the applicant shall provide an alternate plan.
Section 4. Special Alternative Standards for New Special Bituminous Surface Coal Mines. New special bituminous surface coal mines and pits not covered under Section 3(a) above shall comply with the following requirements for backfilling and grading of the mine pit area and spoil piles:
(a) Backfilling, grading, and contouring of affected land shall be accomplished by one or more of the following as detailed in the approved reclamation plan:
(i) Reestablishment of the contour of the land in a manner consistent with the proposed future use of the land.
(ii) Reestablishment of adequate through drainage if such a provision is necessary to prevent pollution or diminution of the quantity and quality of the surface water and groundwater.
(iii) Contouring of affected land to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain unless so doing would create an erosion problem or a hazard to man or beast.
(iv) Creation of water impoundments for a use certified in an approved plan in accordance with the statutes and Chapter 4, Sec. 2(g)(ii).
(v) If the reclamation plan does not provide for a permanent water impoundment, the final pit area shall be backfilled, graded, compacted and contoured to the extent necessary to return the land to the use specified in the approved plan. In preparation of slope specifications in the plan, the operator shall consider an average of the measured slopes in the immediate area of the proposed mine site. Slopes in the reclaimed area shall approximate the premining slopes. Slopes greater than the approximate premining slopes may be approved if the operator can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that returning the mined area to a slope equal to or less than the approximate premining slopes would create an unwarranted increase in the amount of affected lands. Individual slope measurements, locations of the measurements, and the average measurement shall be submitted with the reclamation plan. In determinations of the approximate premining slope, the Land Quality Division may make an independent slope survey. All backfilling, grading, and contouring will be done in such a manner so as to preserve the original drainage or provide for approved adequate substitutes. No depressions to accumulate water will be permitted unless approved in the reclamation plan as being consistent with the proposed future use of the land.
(vi) Terraces or benches may be used only when it can be shown to the Administrators satisfaction that other methods of contouring will not provide the required result. If terracing is proposed, detailed plans indicating the dimensions and design of the terraces, check dams, any erosion prevention techniques, and slopes of the terraces and their intervals will be required.
(vii) If the reclamation plan provides for a permanent water impoundment and this use has been approved according to the requirements outlined in the Act and these regulations, the exposed pit areas must be sloped, graded, and contoured so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain and provide for access and revegetation. Riprapping where necessary to prevent erosion will be required. Sloping requirements will be as described above. Under certain conditions wherein it can be demonstrated to the Administrators satisfaction that the pitwall can be stabilized by terracing or other techniques it may be permissible to leave not more than one-half of a proposed shoreline composed of the stabilized pitwall. The remaining portion of the shoreline must be graded and contoured so as to provide access and blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. In the event that a partial pitwall is proposed as final reclamation, the operator must submit a detailed explanation of the techniques to be used to establish the stability of the pitwalls in his reclamation plan. At the Administrators discretion, study of the proposed pitwall stabilization techniques may be required from an independent engineering company for purposes of verifying the effectiveness of the proposed stabilization techniques. The Land Quality Division will determine the acceptability of the proposed stabilization techniques based on this information and an on-site inspection.
(viii) Highwall retention may be considered on a case-by-case basis for enhanced wildlife habitat. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department shall be consulted by the applicant for need and design of the land form. Any approval under this paragraph shall be based on a demonstration of safety, stability, environmental protection, and equal or better land use considerations.
Section 5. General Performance Standards. All other performance standards contained in the Act and Chapter 4 shall apply to special bituminous coal mines to the extent that such performance standards do not preclude the benefit intended under the special alternative regulations contained in Sections 3 and 4 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 1998-04-15
Chapter 9 Variances for Surface Coal Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.9.04151998 Variances for Surface Coal Mining Operations
CHAPTER 9
VARIANCES FOR SURFACE COAL MINING OPERATIONS
Section 1. Content of Requests.
(a) All requests for a variance authorizing departures in individual cases from the environmental protection performance standards generally applicable to surface coal mining and reclamation operations shall describe:
(i) The nature of the departure from the standard;
(ii) How the variance:
(A) Is from a State standard that is more stringent than the corresponding Federal regulation and does not result in less stringent requirements than provided for by that Federal regulation; or
(B) Encourages advances in mining and reclamation technology for experimental or research purposes. This experimental practice request shall include a demonstration:
(I) That the proposed mining and reclamation operation is limited to determine the effectiveness and economic feasibility of the experimental practice;
(II) That the experimental practice is potentially more or at least as environmentally protective, during and after the proposed mining and reclamation operations, as those required under Chapter 4, and that equivalent protection is afforded the public health and safety;
(III) That the applicant will conduct special monitoring with respect to the experimental practice during and after the operations involved so that sufficient and reliable data are collected and reported for comparison with other practices and to assure protection of the environment and public health and safety; and
(IV) The reclamation practices which will be implemented if the proposed operation is a failure.
Section 2. Procedures for Variance.
(a) All variances:
(i) Any person intending to request a variance under this Chapter may obtain an initial determination from the Administrator on the advisability of pursuing the variance by submitting information addressing Section 1(a)(ii)(A), (a)(ii)(B) and (a)(ii)(B)(I) of this Chapter. Within 60 days from receipt of this information, the Administrator shall make an initial determination and, if favorable, generally specify the information, tests or other requirements which will be necessary to satisfy Section 1(a)(ii)(B)(II)-(IV).
(ii) All variances shall be specifically identified through the newspaper advertisements required by W.S. § 35-11-406(j) and the written notifications by the Administrator required by Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(ii)(B).
(iii) Any variance relating to prime farmlands shall require consultation with the Soil Conservation Service.
(iv) The special procedures of this Chapter shall apply to permit applications, renewals, or revisions which include any variance proposal.
(b) Experimental practice variances:
(i) No experimental practice variance shall be approved without the written approval of the Administrator and Director of the Department, and the Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement after a finding that (a)(ii)(B) of Section 1 will be achieved. The results of the experimental practice variance will be specifically reviewed by the Division at the annual report period.
(ii) In accordance with W. S. § 35-11-411, results of special monitoring shall be submitted and reviewed by the Administrator to assure that an approved experimental practice variance is being conducted in accordance with the minimum requirements of the Act and the contents of the request. If the Administrator determines upon a review of the data that the experimental practice is a failure, the Administrator will request that the operator implement alternative reclamation practices.
History
- Effective 1998-04-15
Chapter 10 Coal Exploration
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.10.11022022 Coal Exploration
DEPT
CHAPTER 10
COAL EXPLORATION
Section 1. General Requirements: Exploration of 250 Tons or Less.
(a) Any person who intends to conduct coal exploration outside a permit area and remove less than 250 tons of coal in the area to be explored shall, before conducting the exploration, file with the Administrator a notice of intent to explore.
(b) The notice shall include:
(i) The person's name, address, and telephone number;
(ii) The name, address, and telephone number of the person who will be present at and responsible for the exploration operation;
(iii) A narrative describing the proposed exploration area and a map at a scale of 1:24,000, or greater, showing the proposed area of exploration and the general location of drill holes and trenches, existing and proposed roads, occupied dwellings, topographic features, bodies of surface water, and pipelines. The narrative shall clearly describe the areas to be disturbed as well as the natural and man-made features in and immediately around the exploration area;
(iv) The proposed period of exploration; and
(v) The method of exploration to be used and the practices proposed to protect the environment and reclaim the area, including those necessary to comply with Section 3 of this Chapter.
Section 2. General Requirements: Exploration of More than 250 Tons or in an Area Designated as Unsuitable.
(a) Any person who intends to conduct coal exploration outside a permit area and remove more than 250 tons of coal in the area to be explored or which will take place on lands designated as unsuitable for surface mining under Chapter 17 of these rules and those protected under Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v) of these rules shall file an application for a coal mine exploration license with and obtain the approval of the Administrator before conducting the exploration.
(b) The application shall include at a minimum, the following information:
(i) The applicant's name, address, and telephone number;
(ii) The name, address and telephone number of the applicant's representative who will be present at, and responsible for, conducting the exploration activities;
(iii) A narrative describing the proposed exploration area;
(iv) A narrative description of the methods and equipment to be used to conduct the exploration and reclamation;
(v) An estimated timetable for conducting and completing each phase of the exploration and reclamation;
(vi) The estimated amount of coal to be removed, a description of the methods to be used to determine the amount, and a statement explaining why extraction of more than 250 tons of coal is necessary for exploration;
(vii) A description of historic or cultural features or resources listed or known to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This shall include a detailed description of all archeological and historic resources located within the areas to be directly affected by the proposed exploration activities. This shall also include any other information which the Administrator may require regarding known or possible historic or archeological resources;
(viii) A description of any endangered or threatened species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and identified within the proposed exploration area;
(ix) A description of the measures to be used to comply with Section 3 of this Chapter;
(x) The name and address of the owner of record of the surface land and of the subsurface mineral estate of the area to be explored;
(xi) A map(s) at a scale of 1:24,000 or larger, showing the areas of land to be disturbed by the proposed exploration and reclamation. The map(s) shall specifically show the location of: existing roads, occupied dwellings, topographic and drainage features, bodies of surface water, and pipelines; proposed trenches, roads, access routes, and other structures to be constructed; proposed land excavations; exploration holes or other drill holes or underground openings; excavated earth or waste material disposal areas; and critical habitats of any endangered or threatened species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act;
(xii) If the surface is owned by a person other than the applicant, a description of the basis upon which the applicant claims the right to enter the area for the purpose of conducting the exploration and reclamation; and
(xiii) For any lands designated as unsuitable for surface mining under Chapter 17 or listed under Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v) of these rules, a demonstration that to the extent technologically and economically feasible, the proposed exploration activities have been designed to minimize interference with the features for which those lands were designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations or listed under Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v). Where applicable, the applicant shall document its consultation with the owner of the feature causing the land to be designated as unsuitable for surface mining under Chapter 17 or listed under Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v), as well as the applicant's consultation with the agency with primary jurisdiction over that feature of the land.
(c) Within thirty days after submittal of an application for a license to explore under this Section, the Administrator will notify the applicant whether the application is complete. Upon a determination that the application is complete, the Administrator shall require the applicant to publish a notice of filing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of the proposed exploration area. The notice shall state the name and address of the person seeking approval, the filing date of the application, the address where written comments on the application may be submitted, the closing date of the comment period, and a description of the area of exploration.
(d) Any interested person shall have the right to file written objections to the application within thirty days from the date of publication. The Director shall consider any objections, conduct an informal conference upon request, and make a decision on the application in accordance with Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-406(p).
(e) The Director shall approve a complete application and issue the license only if the Administrator finds in writing that the exploration and reclamation:
(i) Will be conducted in accordance with Section 3 of this Chapter;
(ii) Will not jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species list pursuant to Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat of those species;
(iii) Will not adversely affect any cultural or historical resources listed on the National Register of Historic Places, pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, unless the proposed exploration has been approved by the Administrator and the agency with jurisdiction over such matters; and
(iv) With respect to exploration activities on any lands designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining under Chapter 17 or listed under Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v) of these rules, will minimize interference, to the extent technologically or economically feasible, with the features for which those lands were designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations or listed under Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v). Before making this finding, the Administrator shall provide reasonable opportunity to the owner of the feature causing the land to come under the protection of Chapter 17 or Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(v), and, where applicable, to the agency with primary jurisdiction over that feature of the land to comment on whether the finding is appropriate.
Section 3. Exploration and Reclamation Performance Standards.
(a) Any person who conducts coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface shall minimize environmental damage to the area by complying with the requirements of this Section.
(b) Backfilling, regrading, and recontouring shall be conducted as necessary to promptly return the affected land to its approximate original contour.
(c) Topsoil removal, storage, and redistribution practices shall be used, including those measures designed to assure successful revegetation.
(d) Revegetation shall be conducted by seeding or planting to the same seasonal variety native to the areas disturbed, so as to encourage stabilization of the affected land and prompt recovery of a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetative cover.
(e) Critical habitats of threatened or endangered species identified pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) shall not be disturbed during coal exploration. Crucial or important habitat for wildlife shall not be disturbed during coal exploration unless written evidence of consultation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and any resulting recommendations are submitted to the Administrator as part of either a notice of intent to explore under Section 1 of this Chapter or an exploration license application under Section 2 of this Chapter.
(f) Diversions shall be made in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2 of these rules.
(g) All drill holes shall meet the requirements of Chapter 14, Section 3 of these rules.
(h) Vehicular travel and road construction, maintenance, and reclamation shall meet the requirements of Chapter 4, Section 2, of these rules.
(i) Toxic or acid-forming materials shall be handled and disposed of in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(c) of these rules.
(j) Activities shall be conducted to minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance, including, at a minimum, sediment control measures or sedimentation ponds that comply with Chapter 4, Section 2(e)(ii)(A) and Chapter 4, Section 2(f) of these rules.
(k) Facility removal shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(m) of these rules.
Section 4. Additional Requirements.
Proposed coal exploration operations that include activities described as exploration by drilling shall also meet the requirements of W. S. § 35-11-404 and Chapter 14 of these rules.
Section 5. Public Availability of Information.
Information requested to be held confidential shall not be made publicly available until after notice and opportunity to be heard is afforded persons both seeking and opposing disclosure of the information.
Section 6. Commercial Use or Sale of Coal Extracted under a Coal Exploration License.
(a) Except as provided under subparagraph (b) below, any person who intends to commercially use or sell coal extracted during coal exploration operations under an exploration license, shall first obtain a permit to conduct surface coal mining operations for those operations.
(b) With prior written approval of the Administrator, a licensee may sell or commercially use coal extracted during exploration operations for coal testing purposes. To obtain approval for sale or commercial use, the licensee shall submit an application demonstrating that the coal testing is necessary for the development of a surface coal mining and reclamation operation for which a surface coal mining operations permit application is to be submitted in the near future, and that the proposed sale or commercial use of coal extracted during exploration operations is solely for the purpose of testing the coal. The application shall contain the following:
(i) The name of the testing firm and the locations at which the coal will be tested;
(ii) A statement from the intended end user of the coal, or an agent or broker, describing:
(A) The specific reason for the test, including why the coal may be so different from the intended user's other coal supplies as to require testing;
(B) The amount of coal necessary for the test and why a lesser amount is not sufficient; and
(C) A description of the specific tests that will be conducted;
(iii) Evidence demonstrating that the amount of coal to be removed is not the total reserve, but a sampling of reserves large enough to adequately supply the intended end user; and
(iv) An explanation why other means of exploration, such as core drilling, are not adequate to determine the quality of the coal or the feasibility of developing a surface coal mining operation.
History
- Effective 2022-11-02
Chapter 11 Financial Assurance
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.11.04262023 § 1 Definitions
(a) "Irrevocable letter of credit" is a negotiated financial instrument that is used to pay a beneficiary issued by a banking institution to guarantee payment.
(b) "Liabilities" means obligations to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future as a result of past transactions including off-balance sheet liabilities.
(c) "Net worth" means total assets minus total liabilities including on and off-balance sheet liabilities.
(d) "Real property" means land and appurtenances as defined in Wyoming Statute (W.S.) §39-15-101(a)(v).
(e) "Real property collateral" means the actual or constructive deposit of a perfected, first lien security interest in real property located within the State of Wyoming, in favor of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality which meets the requirements of this Chapter. The property may include land which is part of the permit area; however, land pledged as collateral for a bond shall not be disturbed under any permit while it is serving as security.
(f) "Self-bond" means an indemnity agreement in a sum certain made payable to the State, with or without separate surety. The indemnity agreement is signed by the permittee and, if applicable, the ultimate parent entity guarantor.
(g) "Tangible net worth" means net worth minus intangibles such as goodwill, patents or royalties.
(h) "Ultimate parent entity" means an entity not controlled by any other entity and is the topmost responsible entity which owns or controls the applicant and is the guarantor for a self-bond.
(i) "Voluntary irrevocable assigned trust" means a permit specific trust account established with the state treasurer for all or a portion of the full cost of reclamation for permits or licenses as determined by the annual Director's bond letter and funded by the operator through payments to the assigned trust to the permit or license for the benefit of the Department.
History
- Effective 2023-04-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.11.04262023 § 2 Acceptable Financial Instruments
The following bond instruments are accepted by the Division: corporate surety, irrevocable letters of credit, self-bond, federally insured certificates of deposit, cash, government securities, real property collateral, and voluntary irrevocable assigned trust.
History
- Effective 2023-04-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.11.04262023 § 3 Irrevocable Letters of Credit
(a) Letters of credit as authorized by W.S. § 35-11-418, shall be subject to the following conditions and submitted on forms provided by the Department:
(i) The letter must be payable to the Department in part or in full upon demand and receipt from the Director of a notice of forfeiture issued in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-421;
(ii) The letter shall not be in excess of ten percent of the issuing or supporting bank's capital surplus account as shown on a balance sheet liabilities certified by a certified public accountant;
(iii) The Administrator shall not accept standby letters of credit;
(iv) The Administrator shall not accept letters of credit from a bank for any person, on all permits held by that person, in excess of the limitations imposed by W.S. §13-3-402; and
(v) The letter of credit shall provide that:
(A) The bank will give prompt notice to the permittee and the Director of any notice received or action filed alleging the insolvency or bankruptcy of the bank, or alleging any violations of regulatory requirements which could result in suspension or revocation of the bank's charter or license to do business;
(B) In the event the bank becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the letter of credit for any reason, notice shall be given immediately to the permittee and the Director; and
(C) Upon the incapacity of a bank by reason of bankruptcy, insolvency, or suspension or revocation of its charter or license, the permittee shall be deemed to be without performance bond coverage in violation of the Act. The Director shall issue a notice of violation against any operator who is without bond coverage, specifying a reasonable period to replace bond coverage, not to exceed 90 days. During this period the Director or his designated representative shall conduct weekly inspections to ensure continuing compliance with other permit requirements, the regulations and the Act. If the notice is not abated in accordance with the schedule, a cessation order shall be issued.
(D) The irrevocable letter of credit may be cancelled by the surety only after ninety (90) days notice to the Director, and upon receipt of the Director's written consent, which may be granted only when the requirements of the bond have been fulfilled.
(b) The letter may only be issued by a bank organized to do business in the U.S. which identifies by name, address, and telephone number an agent upon whom any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the bank may be served.
(i) If the bank fails to appoint or maintain an agent in this State, or whenever any such agent cannot be reasonably found, then the Director shall be an agent for such bank upon whom any process, notice or demand may be served for the purpose of this Chapter. In the event of any such process, the Director shall immediately cause one copy of such process, notice or demand to be forwarded by registered mail to the bank at its principal place of business. The
Director shall keep a record of all processes, notices, or demands served upon him under this paragraph, and shall record therein the time of such service and his action with reference thereto.
(ii) Nothing herein contained shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the bank in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.
History
- Effective 2023-04-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.11.04262023 § 4 Self-bonds
(a) Application to Self-bond.
(i) Initial application to self-bond shall be made at the time the operator makes written application to the Administrator for a license to mine. An operator conducting an existing operation with greater than a five (5)-year life of mine remaining may submit an application to self-bond to the Administrator. The application shall be on forms furnished by the Administrator and shall contain:
(A) Identification of operator:
(I) For corporations, name, address, telephone number, state of incorporation, a description of the corporate structure, principal place of business and name, title and authority of person signing application, and statement of authority to do business in the State of Wyoming, or
(II) For all other forms of business enterprises, name, address and telephone number and statement of how the enterprise is organized, law of the state under which it is formed, place of business, and relationship and authority of the person signing the application.
(B) Amount of bond proposed to be under a self-bond in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-417(c)(i). The proposed self-bond maximum amount shall not exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the required bond amount.
(C) Type of operation and anticipated dates performance is to be commenced and completed.
(D) Brief chronological history of business operations conducted within the last five years which would illustrate a continuous operation for five years immediately preceding the time of application. The Administrator may allow a joint venture or syndicate with less than five years of continuous operation to qualify under this requirement, if each member of the joint venture or syndicate has been in continuous operation for at least five years immediately preceding the time of application.
(E) Information in sufficient detail to show good faith performance of past mining and reclamation obligations. The compliance information in the permit and/or annual reports may be referenced to satisfy part of this requirement.
(F) Financial information in sufficient detail to show that the operator and ultimate parent entity:
(I) Have a rating for all bond issuance actions and long term credit rating within the current year of "Aa3" or higher as issued by Moody's Investor Service, "AA-" or higher as issued by Standard and Poor's Corporation or "AA-" or higher as issued by Fitch Ratings. The operator is eligible for a maximum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the approved reclamation cost estimate in the most recent Director's bond letter.
(II) Have a rating for all bond issuance actions and long term credit rating within the current year of "A2" or higher as issued by Moody's Investor Service, "A" or higher as issued by Standard and Poor's Corporation or "A" or higher as issued by Fitch Ratings. The operator is eligible for a maximum of seventy percent (70%) of the approved reclamation cost estimate in the most recent Director's bond letter unless the requirements of subsection (I) are met above.
(III) Have a rating for all bond issuance actions and long term credit rating within the current year of "Baa2" or higher as issued by Moody's Investor Service, "BBB" or higher as issued by Standard and Poor's Corporation or "BBB" or higher as issued by Fitch Ratings. The operator is eligible for a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the approved reclamation cost estimate in the most recent Director's bond letter unless the requirements of subsection (II) are met above.
(IV) In the event of a split rating, the Director has the discretion to determine which rating would be accepted and applied to (I), (II) or (III) of this subsection.
(G) A statement identifying by name, address and telephone number:
(I) A registered office which may be, but need not be, the same as the operator's place of business.
(II) A registered agent, which agent must be either an individual resident in this State, whose business office is identical with such registered office, a domestic corporation, or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this State, having a business office identical with such registered office. The registered agent so appointed by the operator shall be an agent to such operator upon whom any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the operator may be served.
(III) If the operator fails to appoint or maintain a registered agent in this State, or whenever any such registered agent cannot be reasonably found at the registered office, then the Director shall be an agent for such operator upon whom any process, notice or demand may be served. In the event of any such process, the Director shall immediately cause one copy of such process, notice or demand to be forwarded by registered mail, to the operator at his principal place of business. The Director shall keep a record of all processes, notices, or demands served upon him under this paragraph, and shall record therein the time of such service and his action with reference thereto.
(IV) Should the operator change the registered office or registered agent, or both, a statement indicating such change shall be filed immediately with the Land Quality Division.
(V) Nothing herein contained shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon an operator in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.
(H) A written guarantee for an operator's self-bond from the ultimate parent entity guarantor if the guarantor meets the conditions of subsections (a)(i)(D), (a)(i)(F) and (a)(i)(G) of this Section as if it were the operator. Such a written guarantee may be accepted by the Administrator and shall be referred to as an "ultimate parent entity guarantee." The terms of the ultimate parent entity guarantee shall provide for the following:
(I) If the operator fails to complete the reclamation plan, the ultimate parent entity guarantor shall do so or the ultimate parent entity guarantor shall be liable under the indemnity agreement to provide funds to the state sufficient to complete the reclamation, but not to exceed the actual reclamation costs.
(II) The ultimate parent entity guarantee shall remain in force unless the ultimate parent entity guarantor sends notice of cancellation by certified mail to the operator and to the Administrator at least 120 days in advance of the cancellation date, and the Administrator accepts the cancellation. The cancellation shall be accepted by the Administrator if the operator obtains a suitable replacement bond before the cancellation date, if the lands for which the self-bond, or portion thereof, was accepted have not been disturbed, or if the lands have been released under Chapter 15 or W.S. §§ 35-11-417(e) and 423.
(I) The Administrator shall require the operator to submit any information specified in subsection (a)(i)(F) of this Section in order to determine the financial capabilities of the operator.
(J) The following in order:
(I) For the Administrator to accept an operator's self-bond, the total amount of the outstanding self-bonds of the operator shall not exceed 25 percent of the operator's tangible net worth in the United States; and
(II) For the Administrator to accept an ultimate parent entity guarantee, the total amount of the ultimate parent entity guarantor's outstanding self-bonds and guaranteed self-bonds shall not exceed 25 percent of the ultimate parent entity guarantor's tangible net worth in the United States.
(b) Approval or Denial of Operator's Self-bond Application.
(i) The Administrator, within 60 days of operator's submission of all materials necessary to base a decision on the application shall:
(A) Approve or reject such application and declare in writing his reasons for such action to the operator or his registered agent. The decision shall be based on all the information submitted and shall be sufficient to meet the demonstrations required by W.S. § 35-11-417(d).
(B) If a rejection is based on inadequate information or failure of the operator to supply all necessary material, the Administrator shall allow the operator 30 days to remedy the deficiencies. Such corrections must be made to the satisfaction of the Administrator. The Administrator shall have an additional 60 days to approve or reject the corrected application.
(ii) If the Administrator accepts self-bond, an indemnity agreement shall be submitted subject to the following requirements:
(A) The indemnity agreement shall be executed by all persons and parties who are to be bound by it, including the ultimate parent entity guarantor, and shall bind each jointly and severally.
(B) Corporations applying for a self-bond or ultimate parent corporations guaranteeing an operator's self-bond shall submit an indemnity agreement signed by two corporate officers who are authorized to bind their corporations. A copy of such authorization shall be provided to the Administrator along with an affidavit certifying that such an agreement is valid under all applicable Federal and State laws. In addition, all corporate guarantors shall provide a copy of the corporate authorization demonstrating that the corporation may guarantee the self-bond and execute the indemnity agreement.
(C) If the applicant is a partnership, joint venture or syndicate, the agreement shall bind each partner or party who has a beneficial interest directly or indirectly, in the operator.
(D) The indemnity agreement shall provide that the persons or parties bound shall pay all litigation costs incurred by the State in any successful effort to enforce the agreement against the operator.
(c) Self-Bond Renewal.
(i) Information for the self-bond renewal under the self-bonding program which shall accompany the annual credit rating evaluation shall include:
(A) The amount of bond required which is determined by the reclamation cost estimate in accordance with W. S. § 35-11-417(c)(ii) and the amount which is proposed to be under a self-bond.
(B) Financial information in sufficient detail to show that the guarantor still meets one of the criteria in Section 4(a)(i)(F), and the limitation in Section 4(a)(i)(J). The guarantor shall submit the full report from the credit reporting agency or agencies supporting its rating for the current year. Additional information may be requested by the Director when a split rating occurs.
(ii) Any valid initial self-bond shall carry the right of successive renewal as long as the above listed information is submitted and demonstrates that the guarantor remains qualified under W.S. § 35-11-417(d) and there is a minimum five (5)-year life of mine remaining.
(iii) Renewal of self-bonds approved prior to the effective date of these rules shall require the bond and credit ratings described in Section 4(a)(i)(F) and shall meet the limitations in Section 4(a)(i)(J). Operators with self-bonds approved prior to the effective date of these rules shall submit a new application to self-bond within eighteen (18) months of the effective date of these rules.
(d) Self-bond Substitution.
(i) The Administrator may require the operator to substitute a good and sufficient bond instrument if the Administrator determines in writing that the self-bond of the operator fails to provide the protection consistent with the objectives and purposes of this Act. The Administrator shall require full or partial substitution if the financial information submitted or requested under Section 4(c)(i)(B) indicates that the operator and/or the ultimate parent entity no longer qualifies under the self-bonding program. Substitution of an alternate bond shall be made within 90 days. The operator may also request substitution. This request is contingent upon the operator meeting all the requirements of the bond provisions (W.S. §§ 35-11-417 through 424) of the Act. If these requirements are met, the Administrator shall accept substitution.
(ii) If the operator fails within 90 days to make a substitution for the revoked self-bond the Administrator shall suspend or revoke the license of the operator to conduct operations upon the land described in the permit until such substitution is made.
(iii) All methods of substitution shall be made in accordance with the bonding provisions (W.S. §§ 35-11-417 through 418) of the Act. The Administrator shall require substitution of a good and sufficient bond.
(e) Reporting Requirements.
(i) If a devaluation in the credit rating occurs, the Administrator shall be notified within thirty (30) days of the change and a copy of the rating report shall be provided to the Administrator.
(ii) A statement listing any notices issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or proceedings against the operator or the ultimate parent entity initiated by any party alleging a failure to comply with any public disclosure or reporting requirements under the securities laws of the United States. Such statement shall include a summary of each such allegation, including the date, the requirement alleged to be violated, the party making the allegation, and the disposition or current status thereof. The Administrator shall be notified within thirty (30) days of the filing.
History
- Effective 2023-04-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.11.04262023 § 5 Collateral Bonds
(a) Collateral bond means an indemnity agreement in a sum certain executed by the operator as principal which is supported by the deposit with the Department of one or more of the following:
(i) Cash directly deposited with the Department is exempt from the trust provisions;
(ii) Negotiable bonds of the United States, a State or a municipality, endorsed to the order of the Department and placed in possession of the Department. Possession may be in the form of the cash value of the irrevocable trust for the full amount of the reclamation obligation and payable to the Department and federally insured. An operator may satisfy the requirements of this subsection by establishing an irrevocable trust that conforms to the requirements below and submitting an originally signed duplicate of the trust agreement to the Administrator for consideration.
(A) The wording of the irrevocable trust must be identical to the wording specified on the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Irrevocable Trust for Coal Reclamation Form and be signed by the operator or guarantor as principal, the financial institution as Trustee and be made payable to the Department;
(B) The Trustee must be a bank organized to do business in the United States that has the authority to act as a trustee and whose trust operations is regulated and examined by a Federal or State Agency;
(C) The irrevocable trust must be cash funded for the full amount of the reclamation obligation to be provided in the irrevocable trust before it may be approved to satisfy the requirements of financial assurance in lieu of a bond. For purposes of this subsection, "the full amount of the reclamation obligation to be provided" means the amount of coverage for reclamation required to be provided for the permit, less the amount of financial assurance for reclamation obligation that is being provided by other financial assurance mechanisms being used to demonstrate financial assurance by the operator or guarantor;
(D) Cancellation of an irrevocable trust shall follow the same procedures detailed in W.S. 35-11-419 for performance bonds; and
(E) Forfeiture proceeding for an irrevocable trust shall follow the same procedures detailed in W.S. 35-11-421 for performance bonds.
(iii) For any real property collateral, the following information shall be provided:
(A) The value of the real property. The property shall be valued at the difference between the fair market value and any reasonable expense anticipated by the Department in selling the property. The fair market value shall be determined by a market analysis that may be conducted by an appraiser or qualified agent proposed by the operator. The appraiser shall be selected by the Administrator. The Administrator has the option to reject any appraiser proposed by the operator. The expense of the appraisal shall be borne by the operator. The real property shall be appraised every three (3) years.
(B) A description of the property satisfactory for deposit to further assure that the operator shall faithfully perform all requirements of the Act. The Administrator shall have full discretion in accepting any such offer.
(I) Real property shall not include any lands in the process of being mined, reclaimed, or the subject of this application. The operator may offer any lands within the permit boundary which have received phase 3 bond release or which will not be disturbed while pledged as collateral. The acceptance of real property within the permit boundary shall be at the discretion of the Director.
(C) Evidence of ownership of the real property shall be in the form of a clear and unencumbered title.
(D) If the Administrator accepts any real property as collateral, the Administrator shall require possession by the Department of the mortgage agreement executed by the operator in favor of the Department of Environmental Quality. The requirement shall be sufficient to vest such interest in the property in the Department to secure the right and power to sell or otherwise dispose of the property by public or private proceedings so as to ensure reclamation of the affected lands in accordance with the Act. Any mortgage shall be executed and duly recorded as required by law so as to be first in time and constitute notice to any prospective subsequent purchaser of the same real property or any portion thereof.
(E) Any security interest created by a security agreement shall be perfected by filing a financing statement or taking possession of the collateral in accordance with W.S. §§ 34.1-9-401 through 406. The Department shall have all rights and duties set forth in W.S. § 34.1-9-207 when the collateral is in its possession as a secured party, as defined in W.S. § 34.1-9-102(a)(lxxv). Any money received from the collateral during this period of time shall be remitted to the operator. When the collateral is left in the possession of the operator, the security agreement shall require that, upon default, the operator shall assemble the collateral and make it available to the Department at a place to be designated by the Department which is reasonably convenient to both parties.
(F) The operator may, with written approval by the Administrator, substitute for any of the real property held hereunder other real property upon submittal of all information required under this section.
(G) All parties with a claim subordinate to the Department in property held as collateral under this section shall be notified by the operator of all actions affecting the collateral.
(iv) Securities.
(A) Securities that are unencumbered shall only include those which are United States government securities or State government securities which are acceptable to the Administrator. Certificates of deposit shall be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
(B) If the instrument offered for deposit is a security, the operator's interest must be evidenced by possession of the original or a notarized copy of the certificate or a certified statement of account from a brokerage house.
(C) If the Administrator accepts any government securities, the Administrator shall require possession by the Department of the security agreement executed by the operator in favor of the Department of Environmental Quality. The requirement shall be sufficient to vest such interest in the property in the Department to secure the right and power to sell or otherwise dispose of the property by public or private proceedings so as to ensure reclamation of the affected lands in accordance with the Act.
History
- Effective 2023-04-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.11.04262023 § 6 Voluntary Irrevocable Assigned Trusts
(a) All coal permits and licenses are eligible for a voluntary irrevocable assigned trust.
(b) An operator may file an application with the Department for a permit or license specific voluntary irrevocable assigned trust managed by the state treasurer for the benefit of the Department. Funds from the assigned trust shall only be available to the department to cover the cost of completing reclamation in the event of forfeiture.
(c) The assigned trust may bond all or a portion of the full cost of reclamation of a permit or license as determined by the annual Director's Bond Letter (DBL). The operator shall provide other acceptable bonding instruments for any portion of the approved reclamation cost estimate that is not covered by the assigned trust.
(d) Voluntary irrevocable assigned trusts shall be in accordance with the following:
(i) Application forms will be provided by the Department for enrollment and shall include:
(A) A reclamation cost estimate for the permit or license. The estimate shall be determined by the current Director's Bond Letter. Permits or licenses with Underground Injection Control (UIC) bond requirements that are pledged to the Water Quality Division shall be bonded with an alternative acceptable bond instrument;
(B) An estimate of the remaining life of mine and reclamation operations as disclosed in the current annual report for the permit or license;
(C) A proposed amount of the initial deposit to the trust. In no case shall the initial and subsequent deposits in the first year be less than one percent of the total annual reclamation cost estimate as disclosed in the current DBL;
(D) A proposed schedule of annual payments;
(E) Approval from federal agencies for permits or licenses that include federal lands with a federal bonding requirement.
(ii) For each approved voluntary assigned trust:
(A) The department shall provide the state treasurer with a copy of the DBL that discloses the reclamation cost estimate and the estimated remaining life of mine and reclamation operations annually;
(B) Participants shall provide annual payments of not less than one percent of the total annual reclamation cost estimate until the assigned trust is fully funded;
(C) Participants shall provide other acceptable bonding instruments as noted in Section 2 of this chapter to cover the remaining full cost of reclamation until such time as the voluntary assigned trust is fully funded;
(D) Funds received by the Department shall be invested by the state treasurer as authorized by law. The funds shall be invested in a manner that preserves one hundred percent of the corpus;
(E) Earnings from investment of the corpus of the assigned trust shall be credited by the state treasurer to the balance of each voluntary assigned trust;
(F) The Department shall provide a statement of account as defined by the treasurer annually at the end of the fiscal year; and
(G) Bond reductions to the permit or license shall be made from any other bond instruments first until the assigned trust is fully funded.
(e) Assigned trust withdrawals.
(i) No funds shall be withdrawn by the participant from the assigned trust account during the first year after the date of establishment of the assigned trust;
(ii) Assets from the assigned trust may only be withdrawn after complete funding of the trust;
(iii) Funds from the assigned trust shall be withdrawn last after any approved alternative reclamation bonding instruments have been released by the Department;
(iv) The assigned trust may not be substituted by another bonding instrument;
(v) Funds from the assigned trust shall only be released following certification of the requested bond release by the director per the provisions of W.S. 35-11-423 or in the event of bond forfeiture under W.S. § 35-11-421;
(vi) The assets of each assigned trust shall only be available to the Department to cover the cost of completing reclamation in the event of forfeiture; and
(vii) Once the assigned trust fully funded and the balance is in excess of the reclamation costs the operator may request a release of the excess funds using forms provided by the Department and state treasurer.
(f) Assigned trust transfers.
(i) Assets from the assigned trust may be transferred to a new eligible operator upon approval of a permit or license transfer in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-408.
(ii) Assigned trust transfer requirements shall include:
(A) The assigned trust may not be substituted and shall be transferred along with the permit transfer if the estimated life of mine is equal to five years or less; and
(B) All expenses and penalties associated with the transfer of the assigned trust are the responsibility of the license or permit holder.
(iii) Upon the application for a permit or license transfer no funds in the assigned trust shall be released to either the transferor or transferee until a final decision on the transfer application is made by Department.
(iv) Double bonding shall not be required for any reclamation costs of the permit or license covered by assigned trust funds, however the proposed transferee shall provide additional acceptable bond instruments for that portion of the reclamation costs not covered by the assigned trust prior to the transfer of the permit or license. Bond instruments shall be released to the transferor at the time of acceptance of the transferee's bond instruments and approval of the permit or license transfer.
History
- Effective 2023-04-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.11.04262023 § 7 Requirements for Forfeiture and Release
.
(a) All requirements as to bond forfeiture proceedings and the release of bonds shall be consistent with W.S. § 35-11-417(e) and W.S. §§ 35-11-421 through 424 of the Act, excepting the requirements as to notification to the surety.
(b) The Department shall retain the full value of the real property until the bond liability equal to the value of the real property is released or substituted with another financial instrument.
(c) Forfeitures with reclamation bonds held in an assigned trust shall be processed in accordance with Section 6(e) above.
History
- Effective 2023-04-26
Chapter 12 Procedures Applicable to Surface Coal Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.12.10292025 Procedures Applicable to Surface Coal Mining Operations
CHAPTER 12
Chapter 12
Procedures Applicable to Surface Coal Mining Operations
Section 1. Permitting Procedures.
(a) In addition to the permitting procedures described in the Act, the following shall be applicable to applications for a permit for a surface coal mine operation:
(i) For the purposes of alluvial valley floors, prior to determining that an application is suitable for publication in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11‑406(j) and upon the basis of sufficient information, the Administrator shall make a determination in writing as to the existence and extent of an alluvial valley floor within the permit area or on adjacent areas where the mining operation may affect surface water or groundwater that supply an alluvial valley floor unless the preapplication determination in Chapter 3, Section 2(a) has already been made. Any preapplication determination and all information submitted for this determination shall be included in the permit application and shall be available for public notice, opportunity for comment and any conference or hearing. The Administrator shall determine that an alluvial valley floor exists when, in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11‑103(e)(xviii), it is found that:
(A) Unconsolidated streamlaid deposits holding streams are present; and
(B) There is sufficient water to support subirrigation or flood irrigation agricultural activities.
(ii) The public notice required by W.S. § 35‑11‑406(j) shall:
(A) Contain detailed information which identifies a USGS map(s) and appropriate landmarks locating and allowing local residents to readily identify the proposed permit area.
(B) Be sent by the Administrator to Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, including planning agencies, with jurisdiction over or an interest in the proposed operation or permit area, and local sewage and water treatment authorities. At a minimum this shall include the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service District office, the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Engineer, the National Park Service if NPS lands are adjacent, State and Federal fish and wildlife agencies, and the State Historic Preservation Officer. Such entities and any person who filed a comment or objection shall also receive the final decision on the application. In addition, the Administrator will publish a summary of his decision in a newspaper of general circulation in the general area of the proposed operation.
(iii) Any subsequent revision of the application, or objections or comments to the application, shall be filed in the offices of the county clerks of the counties in which the proposed permit area is located. Copies of comments and objections shall also be transmitted to the applicant.
(iv) In addition to the specific findings required by W.S. § 35‑11‑406(n), no permit shall be approved unless the Administrator also finds in writing that:
(A) The proposed operation will not be inconsistent with other surface coal mining and reclamation operations proposed or contemplated in pending or approved mining permits;
(B) The effect of the proposed operation on properties listed on and properties eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places has been taken into account; and
(I) Mining has been prohibited within 100 feet of any such properties by permit condition; or
(II) The applicant has provided for the protection of such properties in the approved mining and reclamation plan; or
(III) The Administrator has determined, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, that no additional protection measures are necessary.
(v) The criteria contained in W.S. § 35‑11‑406(n)(iv) regarding Section 522(e) of P.L. 95‑87 shall mean that, prior to approval of any complete application for a surface coal mining permit, the applicant must demonstrate and the Administrator determine, utilizing the assistance of the appropriate Federal, State or local government agency, if necessary, that the application does not propose a surface coal mining operation on those lands where such operation is prohibited or limited by Section 522(e) of P.L. 95‑87; or if one is so proposed, that the applicant either has valid existing rights or was conducting a surface coal mining operation on those lands on August 3, 1977. Subject to the above stated limitations, surface coal mining operations are prohibited or limited:
(A) On any lands within the boundaries of the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National System of Trails, the National Wilderness Preservation System, the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, including study rivers designated under Section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act or study rivers or study river corridors as established in any guidelines pursuant to that Act and National Recreation Areas designated by Act of Congress;
(B) On any federal lands within the boundaries of any national forest unless the applicant demonstrates compliance with 30 CFR §761.11(b) and submits a finding by the Secretary in his favor using the procedures at 30 C.F.R. §761.13 (2009) (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html);
(C) On any lands where mining will adversely affect any publicly owned park or any properties listed on and any properties eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, unless jointly approved by the Administrator and the Federal, State or local agency with jurisdiction over the park or place;
(D) Within 100 feet, measured horizontally, of the outside right-of-way line of any public road, except where mine primary roads join such right-of-way line. Provided, however, the Administrator may specifically authorize operations where the road is to be relocated, closed, or where the area affected lies within 100 feet of a public road. Such specific authorization shall provide a public comment period and an opportunity to request a public hearing in the locality of the proposed operation together with a written finding on whether the interests of the public and the affected landowners will be protected from the proposed operation. If a hearing is requested, a public notice shall be published at least two weeks prior to the hearing in a local newspaper of general circulation. If a hearing is held, the Administrator shall make this finding within 30 days after the hearing or if a hearing is not held the Administrator must make this finding within 30 days after the end of the public comment period. The Administrator may rely upon findings of the public road authority with jurisdiction over the road in specifically authorizing road relocations or closures;
(E) Within 300 feet from any occupied dwelling except when the owner has provided a written waiver consenting to operations within a closer distance, clarifying that the owner and signator had the legal right to deny mining and knowingly waived that right. Such a waiver shall remain effective, regardless of when it was obtained, against subsequent purchasers who had actual or constructive knowledge of the existing waiver at the time of purchase. Subsequent purchasers shall be deemed to have constructive knowledge if the waiver has been properly filed in the public property records or if the mining has proceeded to within the 300-foot limit prior to the date of purchase;
(F) Within 300 feet, measured horizontally, of any public building, school, church, community, or institutional building, or public park; or
(G) Within 100 feet, measured horizontally, of a cemetery.
(vi) For Federal lands described in subsections (v)(A) and (v)(B) above the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement shall be the responsible agency for making valid existing rights (VER) determinations. For Non-Federal lands described in subsection (v)(A) above the Division is the responsible agency for making VER determinations and shall make evaluations using the Federal VER definition.
(vii) VER submission requirements and procedures.
(A) A request for a VER determination shall be submitted to the appropriate agency identified in subsection (vi) above if the applicant intends to conduct surface coal mining operations on the basis of valid existing rights under 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009), (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html), or wishes to confirm the right to do so. Requests may be submitted prior to submitting an application for a permit or boundary revision for the land.
(I) Property rights demonstrations required under the VER definition at Chapter 1, Section 2(fq)(i) for requests that rely on the good faith/all permits standard or the needed for and adjacent standard detailed in the VER definition at Chapter 1, Section 2(fq)(ii)(A) and (B) respectively shall include the following:
(1.) A legal description of the land to which the request pertains;
(2.) Complete documentation of the character and extent of the current interests in the surface and mineral estates of the land to which the request pertains;
(3.) A complete chain of title for the surface and mineral estates of the land to which the request pertains;
(4.) A description of the nature and effect of each title instrument that forms the basis of the request, including any provision pertaining to the type or method of mining or mining related surface disturbances and facilities;
(5.) A description of the type and extent of surface coal mining operations that the requestor claims the right to conduct, including the method of mining, any mining related surface activities and facilities, and an explanation of how those operations would be consistent with State property law;
(6.) Complete documentation of the nature and ownership, as of the date that the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009), (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/uscode/) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009), (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html), of all property rights for the surface and mineral estates of the land to which the request pertains;
(7.) Names and addresses of the current owners of the surface and mineral estates of the land to which the request pertains;
(8.) If the coal interests have been severed from other property interests, documentation that the requestor has notified and provided reasonable opportunity for the owner of other property interests in the land to which the request pertains to comment on the validity of the property rights claims made; and
(9.) Any comments that are received in response to the notification discussed in (8.) above.
(II) If the VER determination request relies on the good faith/all permits standard, the request shall include the documentation discussed in (I) above, and:
(1.) Approval and issuance dates and identification numbers for any permits, licenses and authorizations that the person seeking the request or a predecessor in interest obtained before the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009);
(2.) Application dates and identification numbers for any permits, licenses and authorizations that the person seeking the request or a predecessor in interest submitted an application before the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009); and
(3.) An explanation of any other good faith effort that was made by the person seeking the request or a predecessor in interest made to obtain the necessary permits, licenses and authorizations as of the date that the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009).
(III) If the request relies on the needed for and adjacent standard, the request shall include the documentation discussed in (I) above and shall also explain how and why the land is needed for and immediately adjacent to the operation on which the request is based including a demonstration that prohibiting expansion of the operation onto that land would unfairly impact the viability of the operation as originally planned before the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009).
(IV) If the request relies on one of the standards for roads detailed in the definition of VER at Chapter 1, Section 2(fq)(iii)(A) through (C), the request shall include documentation that:
(1.) The road existed when the land on which it is located came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) and that the person making the request has a legal right to use the road for surface coal mining operations;
(2.) A properly recorded right of way or easement for a road in that location existed when the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) and under the document creating the right of way or easement, and under any subsequent conveyances the person making the request has a legal right to use or construct a road across the right of way or easement to conduct surface coal mining operations; or
(3.) A valid permit for use or construction of a road in that location for surface coal mining operations existed when the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009).
(B) Initial review of request.
(I) The responsible agency shall conduct an initial review to determine whether the request includes all applicable components of the submission requirements discussed in subsection (A) above. This review only examines completeness of the request not the legal or technical adequacy of the materials submitted.
(II) If the request does not include all applicable components of the submission requirements, the responsible agency shall notify the requestor and establish a reasonable time for submitting the missing components.
(III) When the request contains all applicable submission requirements the responsible agency shall implement the notice and comment requirements discussed in subsection (C) below.
(IV) If the information requested in (II) above is not submitted within the time specified or amended the responsible agency shall issue a determination that VER has not been demonstrated as discussed in Section 1(a)(vii)(D)(IV) below.
(C) Notice and comment requirements and procedures.
(I) When the VER request satisfies the completeness requirements of (B) above, the VER applicant must publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the land is located. This notice must invite comment on the merits of the request. The applicant must provide the Division with a proof of publication. Each notice shall include:
(1.) Location of land to which the VER request pertains;
(2.) A description of the type of surface coal mining operations planned;
(3.) A reference to and brief description of the applicable standards, found in the definition of VER at Chapter 1, Section 2(fq) of these rules;
a. If the request relies upon the good faith/all permits standard or the needed for and adjacent standard found in Chapter 1, Section 2(fq)(ii)(A) and (B), the notice shall also contain a description of the property rights claimed and the basis for the claim.
b. If the request relies upon the standard in subsection (A)(IV)(1.) above, the notice shall also include a description of the basis for the claim that the road existed when the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009). In addition the notice shall include a description of the basis for your claim that the VER requestor has a legal right to use that road for surface coal mining operations.
c. If the request relies upon the standard in subsection (A)(IV)(2.) above, the notice shall also include a description of the basis for the claim that a properly recorded right-of-way or easement for a road in that location existed when the land came under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009). In addition the notice shall include a description of the basis for the claim that, under the document creating the right of way or easement, and under any subsequent conveyances, the VER requestor has a legal right to use or construct a road across the right of way or easement to conduct surface coal mining operations.
d. If the request relies upon one or more of the standards in Chapter 1, Section 2(fq)(ii), (iii)(A) and (iii)(B) of the VER definition, a statement that the Division will not make a decision on the merits of the request if, by the close of the comment period under this notice or the notice required below, a person with a legal interest in the land initiates appropriate legal action in the proper venue to resolve any differences concerning the validity or interpretation of the deed, lease, easement or other documents that form the basis of the VER claim.
e. A description of the procedures that the agency will follow to process a VER request.
f. The closing date of the comment period, which must be a minimum of 30 days after the publication date of the notice.
g. A statement that interested persons may obtain a 30-day extension of the comment period on request.
h. The name and address of the agency office where a copy of the request is available for a public inspection and to which comments and requests for extension of the comment period should be sent.
(II) The Division shall promptly provide a copy of the notice required under this Section to:
(1.) All reasonably locatable owners of surface and mineral estates in the land included in the VER request.
(2.) The owner of the feature causing the land to come under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009) and, when applicable, the agency with primary jurisdiction over the feature with respect to the values causing the land to come under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009). For example, both the landowner and the State Historic Preservation Officer must be notified if surface coal mining operations would adversely impact any site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As another example, both the surface owner and the National Park Service must be notified if the request includes non-Federal lands within the authorized boundaries of a unit of the National Park System.
(III) The letter transmitting the notice required under subsection (II) above shall provide a 30-day comment period, starting from the date of service of the letter, and specify that another 30 days is available upon request. At its discretion, the Division, as the agency responsible for the determination of VER may grant additional time for good cause upon request. The Division need not necessarily consider comments received after the closing date of the comment period.
(D) How a VER decision will be made.
(I) The Division shall review the materials submitted under Subsection (A) above, any comments received under Subsection (C) above and any other relevant reasonably available information to determine whether the record is sufficiently complete and adequate to support a decision on the merits of the request. If not, the Division shall notify the requestor in writing, explaining the inadequacy of the record and requesting submittal, within a specified reasonable time, of any additional information that the agency deems necessary to remedy the inadequacy.
(II) Once the record is complete and adequate, the Division shall determine whether the requestor has demonstrated VER. The decision document shall explain how the requestor has or has not satisfied all the applicable elements, shall contain findings of fact and conclusions and shall specify the reasons for the conclusions.
(III) Impact of property rights disagreements. This subsection only applies when the request relies upon on or more of the standards in the Chapter 1, VER definition.
(1.) The Division shall issue a determination that the requestor has not demonstrated VER if the property rights claims are the subject of pending litigation in a court or administrative body with jurisdiction over the property rights in question. A requestor may refile the request once the property rights dispute is finally adjudicated. This subsection only applies if the legal action has been initiated as of the closing date of the comment periods discussed under Subsections (C)(I) and (C)(III) above.
(2.) If the record indicates disagreement as to the accuracy of the requestor's property rights claims, but the disagreement is not the subject of pending litigation in a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, the Land Quality Division shall evaluate the merits of the information in the record and determine whether the requestor has demonstrated that the requisite property rights exist under Subsections (i), (iii)(A) or (iii)(B) of the VER definition in Chapter 1 of these Rules and Regulations, as appropriate. The Division shall then proceed to subsection (D)(II) above.
(IV) The Division must issue a determination that the requestor has not demonstrated VER if the requestor has not submitted the information requested under subsections (B)(II) and (D)(I) above within the time specified or as subsequently extended. A requestor may submit a revised request at any time after that determination has been made.
(V) After making a VER determination, the Division shall:
(1.) Provide a copy of the determination, together with an explanation of appeal rights and procedures to the VER requestor, the owner or owners of the land to which the determination applies, the owner of the feature causing the land to come under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11(2009) and when applicable, to the agency with primary jurisdiction over the feature with respect to the values that caused the land to come under the protection of 522(e) of P.L. 95-87 (2009) or 30 C.F.R. §761.11 (2009).
(2.) Require the VER requestor to publish notice of the determination in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the land is located and provide the Division with proof of publication. If the initial VER request contained Federal lands with an area listed in subsections (v)(A) and (B) above, the OSM will publish the determination, together with an explanation of appeal rights and procedure in the Federal Register.
(E) Administrative and judicial review. A determination that the VER requestor does or does not have VER is subject to administrative and judicial review under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, W.S. 16-3-101 through 16-3-115 (2011).
(F) Availability of records. When the Land Quality Division is the agency responsible for processing a request subject to notice and comment under subsection (C) above the Division shall make a copy of that request and related materials available to the public in the same manner as public availability of permit applications under these Rules and Regulations. In addition, the Division shall make records associated with that request, and any subsequent determination under subsection (D) above available to the public in accordance with the requirements and procedures of W.S. §35-11-1101 (2011), the Wyoming Public Records Act (W.S. §§ 16-4-201 thru 16-4-205 (2013)), W.S. §35-11-406(d) (2013) and the Division's rules and regulations related to public review and participation, and shall at a minimum make copies of those records immediately available to the public in the area of mining until at least five years after the expiration of the period during which the operation is active or is covered by any portion of a reclamation bond so that they are conveniently available to residents of that area in compliance with 30 CFR 840.14(b), (c) and (d), (2013) (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/).
(G) Procedures for joint approval of surface coal mining operations that will adversely affect publicly owned parks or historic places.
(I) If the regulatory authority determines that the proposed surface coal mining operation will adversely affect any publicly owned park or any place included in the National Register of Historic Places, the regulatory authority must request that the Federal, State, or local agency with jurisdiction over the park or place either approve or object to the proposed operation. The request shall:
(1.) Include a copy of applicable parts of the permit application.
(2.) Provide the agency with 30 days after receipt to respond, with a notice that another 30 days is available upon request.
(3.) State that failure to interpose an objection within the time specified under subsection (2.) above will constitute approval of the proposed operation.
(II) The regulatory authority may not issue a permit for a proposed operation subject to subsection (I) above unless all affected agencies jointly approve.
(III) Subsections (I) and (II) above do not apply to:
(1.) Lands for which a person has VER, as determined under Section 1(a)(vi) and (vii) of this Chapter;
(2.) Lands within the scope of the exception for existing operations contained in the Chapter 1, Section 2(fq)(iv) "valid existing rights" definition.
(viii) Final Compliance Review. After finding the application administratively complete and suitable for publication but prior to permit issuance, the Department of Environmental Quality shall conduct a review of the following before making a permit eligibility determination under (x) of this section:
(A) The information the applicant submitted regarding applicant, operator and ownership or control information AVS information and any other available information to review the applicants and operators organizational structure and ownership or control relationships;
(B) The information the applicant submitted regarding applicant permit history, AVS information and any other available information to review the applicant and operator's permit history. In addition, the Division shall determine if the applicant and operator have previous mining experience and if the applicant or operator does not have any previous mining experience additional ownership or control investigations may be conducted under subsection (ix)(E) below to determine if someone else with mining experience controls the mining operation; and
(C) The information the applicant submitted regarding compliance history, AVS compliance report and any other available information to review histories of compliance with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and regulations promulgated thereunder and any other air or water quality laws for the applicant, operator, operations owned or controlled by the applicant and operations the operator owns or controls.
(ix) The Division shall enter into AVS:
(A) The information submitted in the application in compliance with Chapter 2, Section 2(a)(i)(B)-(F);
(B) The information submitted pertaining to violations which are unabated or uncorrected after the abatement or correction period has expired; and
(C) The Division shall update the information above upon verification of any additional information submitted or discovered during Division's permit application review.
(D) For the purposes of future permit eligibility determinations and enforcement actions:
(I) All permit records within 30 days after the permit is issued or subsequent changes are made;
(II) All unabated or uncorrected violations within 30 days after the abatement or correction period for a violation expires;
(III) All changes to information initially required to be provided by the applicant as part of the application process within 30 days after receiving notice of a change; and
(IV) All changes in violation status within 30 days after abatement, correction, or termination of a violation or a decision from an administrative or judicial tribunal.
(E) At any time, the Division may identify any person who owns or controls an entire surface coal mining operation or any relevant portion or aspect thereof. If the Division identifies such a person, the Division must issue a written preliminary finding to the person and the applicant or permittee describing the nature and extent of ownership or control. The written preliminary finding must be based on evidence sufficient to establish a prima facie case of ownership or control. After the Division issues a written preliminary finding under this section, the Division will allow, the person subject to the preliminary finding, thirty (30) days in which to submit any information tending to demonstrate that persons lack of ownership or control. If, after reviewing any information submitted, the Division is persuaded that the person is not an owner or controller, the Division will serve a written notice to that effect to the person identified. If, after reviewing any information submitted, the Division still finds that the person identified is an owner or controller, or if the person identified does not submit any information within the 30-day period, the Division will issue a written finding and enter the Division's finding into AVS. If the Division identifies a person as an owner or controller under this section, that person may challenge the finding using the provisions of Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(xiii) and (xiv)(A)-(E). If a hearing is not requested regarding preliminary findings of permanent permit ineligibility and the time for seeking a hearing has expired, the Division will enter our finding into AVS. If a hearing is requested, the Division will enter the finding into AVS only if that finding is upheld on administrative appeal.
(F) The Land Quality Division need not make a finding as provided for under (E) above before entering into AVS the information required to be disclosed in compliance with Chapter 2, Section 2(a)(i)(B) - (E); however, the mere listing in AVS of a person identified in Chapter 2, Section 2(a)(i)(B) - (E) does not create a presumption or constitute a determination that such person owns or controls a surface coal mining operation.
(x) In addition to the specific findings required by W.S. § 35‑11‑406(n) and based on the reviews required in subsection (viii) above, the Land Quality Division (LQD) shall determine whether the applicant is eligible for a coal mining permit. An applicant is not eligible for a permit if the LQD determines for any surface coal mining operation that:
(A) The applicant directly owns or controls has an unabated or uncorrected violation;
(B) The applicant or his operator indirectly controls has an unabated or uncorrected violation and the applicant's control was established or the violation was cited after November 2, 1988; or
(C) The applicant or his operator controls or has controlled mining operations with a demonstrated pattern of willful violations as outlined in W.S. § 35‑11‑406(o).
(D) Exceptions
(I) An applicant is eligible for a permit if an unabated violation occurred after October 24, 1992 and resulted from an unanticipated event or condition at a surface coal mining and reclamation operation on lands that are eligible for remining under a permit that was held by the person applying for the new permit.
(II) An applicant may be eligible for a provisionally issued permit if the applicant owns or controls a surface coal mining and reclamation operation with a notice of violation issued under Chapter 16 of these rules and regulations for which the abatement period has not yet expired or a violation that is unabated or uncorrected beyond the abatement or correction period.
(III) An applicant is eligible for a provisionally issued permit if the applicant is pursuing a good faith challenge to all pertinent ownership or control listings or findings under Chapter 12, Section 1 or administrative or judicial appeal of all pertinent ownership or control listings or findings or contesting the validity of a violation unless there is an initial judicial decision affirming the listing or finding or the violation, and those decisions remains in force.
(IV) A provisionally issued permit will be considered improvidently issued and the Division will begin procedures to suspend or rescind the permit as described in Section 1(a)(xiv)(G) if the violations are not abated within the specified abatement period, or the applicant, operator or operations that the operator or applicant own or control do not comply with the terms of an abatement plan or payment schedule for fees or penalties assessed. Suspension or rescission proceedings will also be initiated if, in the absence of a request for judicial review, the disposition of a challenge and any subsequent administrative review as discussed above affirms the validity of the violation or the ownership or control listing or finding or if the initial judicial review decision discussed above affirms the validity of the violation or the ownership or control listing or finding.
(xi) Following the Director's approval of a permit but prior to issuance of that permit, the applicant shall update, correct or indicate that no change has occurred in the information provided in Chapter 2, Section 2.
(xii) After the applicant completes the above requirements, the DEQ shall request a compliance history report from AVS to determine if there are any unabated or uncorrected violations that affect the applicant's permit eligibility in subsection (x) above. The DEQ shall request this report no more than five business days before a permit is issued. If the applicant is ineligible for a permit the DEQ shall send you written notification of the decision and will detail the reasons for ineligibility and include notice of appeal rights.
(xiii) A person may challenge a listing or finding of ownership or control using the procedures detailed below if that person is:
(A) Listed in a permit application or in AVS as an owner or controller of an entire surface coal mining operation, or any portion or aspect thereof; or
(B) Found to be an owner or controller of an entire surface coal mining operation, or any portion or aspect thereof, under Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(xiv)(G) or Section 1(a)(ix)(E); or
(C) An applicant or permittee affected by an ownership or control listing or finding.
(xiv) In order to challenge an ownership or control listing or finding a written explanation shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality regarding the basis of the challenge along with any evidence or explanatory materials outlined in subsection (E) below. If the challenge concerns a pending permit application the written explanation shall be submitted to the regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the application. If the challenge concerns the applicant's ownership or control of a surface coal mining operation and the applicant is not currently seeking a permit the written explanation shall be submitted to the regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the surface coal mining operation. The provisions of this section and of subsections D through F below apply only to challenges to ownership or control listings or findings and may not be used to challenge liability or responsibility under any other section of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act or the Land Quality Division, Coal Rules and Regulations.
(A) When a challenge concerns a violation under the jurisdiction of a different regulatory authority, the regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the permit application or permit shall consult the regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the violation and the AVS Office to obtain additional information.
(B) The regulatory authority responsible for deciding a challenge under this section may request an investigation by the AVS Office.
(C) At any time a person listed in AVS as an owner or controller of a surface coal mining operation may request an informal explanation from the AVS Office as to the reason they are shown in the AVS in an ownership or control capacity. The AVS Office will provide a response describing why the person is listed in AVS in accordance with 30 C.F.R. §773.26(e) (2013) (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/).
(D) When a challenge is made to a listing of ownership or control, or a finding of ownership or control, the challenger must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that they either:
(I) Do not own or control the entire surface coal mining operation or relevant portion or aspect thereof; or
(II) Did not own or control the entire surface coal mining operation or relevant portion or aspect thereof during the relevant time period.
(E) In order to meet the burden of proof in subsection (D) above, the challenger must present reliable, credible, and substantial evidence and any explanatory materials to the regulatory authority. The materials presented in connection with your challenge will become part of the permit file, an investigation file or another public file. A request to hold materials submitted under this Section confidential may be made to the Administrator subject to Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations and the Wyoming Public Records Act. Acceptable materials include, but are not limited to:
(I) Notarized affidavits containing specific facts concerning the duties that were performed for the relevant operation, the beginning and ending dates pertaining to ownership or control of the operation, and the nature and details of any transaction creating or severing ownership or control of the operation in question;
(II) Certified copies of corporate minutes, stock ledgers, contracts, purchase and sale agreements, leases, correspondence, or other relevant company records;
(III) Certified copies of documents filed with or issued by any State; municipal, or Federal government agency;
(IV) An opinion of counsel, when supported by evidentiary materials, a statement by counsel that they are qualified to render the opinion and a statement that counsel has personally and diligently investigated the facts of the matter.
(F) Within sixty (60) days of receipt of a challenge as described above, the Division will review and investigate the evidence and explanatory materials submitted and any other reasonable available information bearing on the challenge and issue a written decision. The decision shall state whether the challenger owns or controls the relevant surface coal mining operation, or owned or controlled the operation during the relevant time period. Decisions regarding the challenge will be promptly provided to the challenger by either certified mail, return receipt requested or by any alternative means consistent with rules governing service under the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. Service of the decision will be complete upon delivery and is not incomplete if acceptance of delivery is refused. The Division will post all decisions made under this section on AVS. Any person who receives a written decision under this section, and who wishes to appeal that decision shall exhaust all administrative remedies under the procedures of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, the Department's Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, W.S. 16-3-101 through 16-3-115 (2013) and Chapter 12 of these Rules and Regulations before seeking judicial review. Following the Division's written decision or any decision by a reviewing administrative or judicial tribunal, the Division must review the information in AVS to determine if it is consistent with the decision. If it is not, the Division shall promptly revise the information to reflect the decision.
(G) Improvidently issued coal mining permits.
(I) If the Administrator has reason to believe that a permit was improvidently issued to the permittee a review shall be conducted of the circumstances under which the permit was issued. The Administrator shall make a preliminary finding that the permit was improvidently issued if under the permit eligibility requirements in effect at the time of permit issuance the permit should not have been issued because the applicant or operator owned or controlled a surface coal mining and reclamation operation with an unabated or uncorrected violation.
(II) The Administrator will make a finding under subsection (I) above only if the applicant or operator:
(1.) Continue to own or control the operation with the unabated or uncorrected violation;
(2.) The violation remains unabated or uncorrected; and
(3.) The violation would cause the permittee to be ineligible under the permit eligibility criteria under the current rules and regulations.
(III) When a preliminary finding under subsection (I) above is made, a written notice shall be served on the permittee which must be based on evidence sufficient to establish a prima facie case that the permit was improvidently issued. Within thirty (30) days of receiving a written notice the permittee may challenge the preliminary finding by providing the Administrator with evidence as to why the permit was not improvidently issued under the criteria of subsections (I) and (II) above. Challenges under subsections (I) and (II)(1.) above shall use the procedures outlined in subsections (xiii) and (xiv)(A) through (E) above when the challenge is related to whether the permittee or operator currently own or control, or owned or controlled, a surface coal mining operation.
(IV) The Administrator shall serve the permittee with written notice of a proposed suspension or rescission together with a statement of the reasons for the proposed suspension or rescission, if after considering any evidence submitted under subsection (III) above the Administrator finds that a permit was improvidently issued under the criteria of subsections (I) and (II) above or the permit was provisionally issued under Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(x)(D)(II) and one or more of the conditions in Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(x)(D)(III) exists. If a permit suspension is proposed, sixty (60) days notice shall be provided and if a permit rescission is proposed one hundred twenty (120) days notice shall be provided. If the permittee wishes to appeal the notice, the permittee must exhaust administrative remedies under the procedures of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, the Department's Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and Chapter 12 of these Rules and Regulations.
(V) Appeals regarding the notice shall be governed by the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Department's Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and Chapter 12 of these Rules and Regulations. All administrative remedies shall be exhausted if a permittee wishes to appeal the notice under the above statutes and regulations. The times specified in subsection (IV) above shall be applicable unless the Environmental Quality Council has granted a stay for temporary relief to provide the administrative review in subsection (VII) below.
(VI) Service. For purposes of this Section, service of the notice shall be performed on the permittee by certified mail, or by any alternative means consistent with the rules governing service of a summons and complaint under Rule 4 of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. Service shall be complete upon tender of the notice of proposed suspension or recession and any attached information or of the certified mail and shall not be deemed incomplete because of refusal to accept. Except as provided in subsection (VII) below, the Administrator shall suspend or rescind the permit upon expiration of the notice periods provided in subsection (IV) above unless the permittee has submitted evidence and the Administrator finds that:
(1.) The violation has been abated or corrected to the satisfaction of the agency with jurisdiction over the violation;
(2.) The permittee or operator no longer owns or controls the relevant operation;
(3.) The Administrator's finding for suspension or rescission was in error;
(4.) The violation is the subject of a good faith administrative or judicial appeal, unless there is an initial judicial decision affirming the violation and that decision remains in force;
(5.) The violation is the subject of an abatement plan or payment schedule that is being met to the satisfaction of the agency with jurisdiction over the violation; or
(6.) The permittee is pursuing a good faith challenge or administrative or judicial appeal of the relevant ownership or control listing or finding unless there is an initial judicial decision affirming the listing or finding and that decision remains in force.
(VII) If an administrative review is requested of a notice of proposed suspension or rescission, the DEQ will not suspend or rescind the permit unless and until the finding is affirmed that the permit was improvidently issued.
(VIII) When a permit is suspended or rescinded under this section, the DEQ shall:
(1.) Issue a written notice requiring that the permittee and operator shall cease all surface coal mining operations under the permit; and
(2.) Post the notice in the District office closest to the permit area.
(IX) If the Administrator suspends or rescinds your permit under this section, you may request administrative review of the notice under the procedures of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, the Department's Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and Chapter 12 of these Rules and Regulations, or alternatively you may request judicial review of the notice provided all other administrative remedies have been exhausted.
(xv) If the Administrator is unable to determine whether or not the proposed operation is on lands where surface coal mining operations are prohibited, lands described in (v) immediately above, then a copy of relevant portions of the application shall be sent to appropriate State, Federal and local government agencies with an interest or jurisdiction in the lands in question. Along with the copy a notice shall be sent asking for clarification or determination of relevant boundaries or distances, and stating that the agency has 60 days from receipt of the notice to respond. If no response is received, the Administrator may make a determination based on the information available.
(xvi) The criteria for permit approval where prime farmland will be affected by the mining operation shall be that, upon the basis of the complete application:
(A) The postmining land use of the prime farmland will be capable of supporting crop yields equivalent to the surrounding nonmined prime farmland under equivalent levels of management.
(B) Adequate consideration has been given to any soil reconstruction revisions recommended by the local conservation district and Soil Conservation Service.
(C) The applicant has the technological capability to restore the prime farmland.
(xvii) In addition to the specific findings required by W.S. § 35‑11‑406(n), no permit authorizing a delay in the contemporaneous reclamation requirements for a proposed combined surface and underground mining operation shall be approved unless the Administrator finds that:
(A) The proposed underground mining activities will assure maximum practical recovery of the resource and avoid multiple future disturbances of surface land or waters.
(B) The permit for the surface mining activities contains specific conditions:
(I) Delineating the particular surface area for which a delay in reclamation is authorized; and
(II) Identifying the alternative reclamation standards in lieu of those otherwise applicable, together with a detailed schedule for timely compliance.
(xviii) In granting surface coal mining permits, the Director shall impose the following conditions on the operation:
(A) All operations shall be conducted in accordance with the approved mining and reclamation plan and any conditions of the permit or license;
(B) The rights of entry shall be provided as described by the Act and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto;
(C) The operation shall be conducted in a manner which prevents violation of any other applicable State or Federal law;
(D) All possible steps shall be taken to minimize any adverse impact to the environment or public health and safety resulting from noncompliance with the approved mining and reclamation plan and other terms and conditions of any permit or license, including monitoring to define the nature of the noncompliance and warning of any potentially dangerous condition; and
(E) All reclamation fees shall be paid as required by Title IV, P.L. 95‑87, for coal produced under the permit for sale, transfer or use.
(b) All procedural requirements of the Act and the regulations relating to review, public participation, and approval or disapproval of permit applications, and permit term and conditions shall, unless otherwise provided, apply to permit revisions, amendments, renewals and permit transfer, assignment or sale of permit rights. In addition, the following requirements are applicable.
(i) All requirements imposed by W.S. § 35‑11‑405(e) for permit renewals. The application shall be filed at least 120 days before the expiration of the permit term and shall include at a minimum:
(A) A statement of the name and address of the permittee, the term of the renewal requested, the permit number, a description of any changes to the matters set forth in the original application for a permit or prior permit renewal;
(B) A copy of the public notice and proof of publication;
(C) Evidence that the bond and a liability insurance policy will be provided; and
(D) Additional revised or updated information required by the Administrator.
(E) If an application for renewal includes any proposed revisions to the mine or reclamation plan, such revisions shall be identified and subject to the requirements of Chapter 13.
(ii) All requirements imposed by W.S. § 35‑11‑408 and this section shall be applicable to a permit transfer, assignment or sale of permit rights. These requirements shall be met, as evidenced by the written approval of the statement of qualifications by the Administrator and Director, prior to any permit transfer, assignment or sale of permit rights. For purposes of this section, potential transferee, means any person who succeeds to rights granted under a permit, by transfer, assignment, or sale of those rights.
(A) The potential transferee shall obtain a renewal bond by either transfer of the permit holder's bond, written agreement with the permit holder, or providing other sufficient bond or equivalent guarantee.
(B) The statement of qualifications shall contain all legal, financial, compliance and related information required by Chapter 2, Section 2(a)(i) through (iii) which would be required if the potential transferee were the original applicant for the permit and, in addition, the name, address and permit number of the existing permit holder.
(C) The applicant for a transfer, assignment or sale of permit rights shall advertise the filing of the application in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the operations involved once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks, indicating the name and address of the applicant, the permittee, the permit number, the geographic location of the permit and the address to which written comments may be sent.
(D) Public Participation. Any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by a decision on the transfer, assignment or sale of permit rights, including an official of any Federal, State, or local government agency, may submit written comments on the application to the Division within a time specified by the Division.
(E) Criteria for Approval. The Division may allow a permittee to transfer, assign or sell permit rights to a potential transferee, if the Administrator finds in writing that the potential transferee:
(I) Is eligible to receive a permit in accordance with Chapter 12, Section 1(a)(x), (xi) and (xii);
(II) Has submitted a performance bond or other guarantee, or obtained the bond coverage of the original permittee as required in Subsection (A) above; and
(III) Meets any other requirements specified by the Division.
(F) Notification.
(I) The Administrator shall notify the permittee, potential transferee, commenters and the Office of Surface Mining of its findings.
(II) The potential transferee shall immediately provide notice to the Division of the consummation of the transfer, assignment or sale of permit rights.
(G) Continued operation under existing permit. The potential transferee shall assume the liability and reclamation responsibilities of the existing permit and shall conduct the surface coal mining and reclamation operations in full compliance with the Environmental Quality Act, the Division's rules and regulations, and the terms and conditions of the existing permit, unless the applicant has obtained a new or revised permit under the Environmental Quality Act and the Division's rules and regulations.
Section 2. Bonding and Insurance Procedures.
(a) For surface coal mining operations, the following two types of bond calculations shall be required for setting a single bond amount:
(i) Area Bond: This bond calculation shall be no less than the estimated cost of completing the maximum amount of rough backfilling during the annual bonding period set forth in W.S. §§ 35‑11‑411 and 35‑11‑417(c), in order to meet the applicable rough backfilling standards in Chapter 4 of these regulations and any other rough backfilling requirements of the approved permit.
(ii) Incremental Bond: This bond calculation shall be no less than the estimated cost of performing all reclamation requirements other than those covered by (a)(i) above, during the annual bonding period in order to meet the standards of the Act, the regulations, and the provisions of the permit.
(b) For purposes of determining bond amounts, the estimated cost shall include all costs necessary, expedient or incidental to achieve required rough backfilling and reclamation. This shall reflect the probable difficulty of reclaiming the affected lands, giving consideration, as applicable, to such factors as topography, geology of the site, hydrology and revegetation potential. The estimated cost shall be based on the operator's cost estimate submitted with the permit, plus the Administrator's estimate of the additional cost to the State of bringing in personnel and equipment should the operation fail or the site be abandoned, plus an additional amount covering reclamation cost for any land which may reasonably be expected to be affected, as determined by the Administrator's assessment of the applicant's mine plan, prior to filing the renewal bond. All bonds shall be calculated on, and never fall below, the amount necessary to assure that the operator shall faithfully perform all requirements of the Act and comply with all rules and regulations and any provisions of the approved permit.
(c) Upon receipt of the annual report required by W.S. § 35-11‑411, the Administrator shall publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the mining operation, notifying all interested persons that the annual report is available for review, and that the renewal area and incremental bond calculations will be determined. Interested persons may submit information relating to the bond amounts within 30 days of the notice. This information, together with information submitted by the operator and developed by the Division, shall be considered by the Administrator and Director in setting bond amounts.
(d) Liability.
(i) Liability under the bond(s) shall be for the entire permit area.
(ii) Liability under the area bond shall be for a duration sufficient to assure that all rough backfilling has been achieved pursuant to the applicable standards of Chapter 4, Section 2(b) and the approved permit.
(iii) Liability under the incremental bond shall be for the entire duration of the operation and for the ten-year period of revegetation responsibility described in Chapter 4, Section 2(d). The liability period and area for an incremental bond may be limited if it is posted and approved to guarantee only specific increments of reclamation within the permit. Actions of third persons to implement an approved alternative postmining land use, which are beyond the control of the permittee or operator need not be covered by the bond.
(iv) Isolated increments of bonded land.
(A) Isolated and clearly defined portions of the permit area requiring extended liability or limited areas or increments being assessed a specific bond amount may be separated from the original area and bonded separately with the approval of the Administrator.
(B) Such areas shall be of sufficient size and configuration and not constitute a scattered, intermittent, or checkerboard pattern to provide for efficient reclamation operations should reclamation by the Administrator become necessary pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Chapter.
(C) Access to the isolated areas for remedial work may be included in the area under extended liability if deemed necessary by the Administrator.
(e) A permittee may request reduction of the amount of either the area or incremental bond upon submission of evidence to the Administrator proving that the permittee's method of operation, operational parameters, or other circumstances will reduce the estimated cost to the State for reclamation. This reduction of bond shall be deemed a bond adjustment if the reduction is based on a change in method of operation, a decrease in the number of acres projected to be disturbed, or a decrease in the volume of material required to reclaim a final cut, pit, or void created at a surface mining operation by the permit holder or their designated entities. If the reduction is due to a decrease in the number of acres that have already been disturbed to account for areas partially reclaimed, then the request for reduction will be considered a request for partial bond release in accordance with the procedures of Chapter 15.
(f) A corporate surety shall not be considered good and sufficient for purposes of W.S. § 35‑11‑417(b) unless:
(i) It is licensed to do business in the State;
(ii) The estimated bond amount does not exceed the limit of risk as provided for in W.S. § 26‑5‑110, nor raise the total of all bonds held by the applicant under that surety above three times the limit of risk;
(iii) The surety agrees:
(A) Not to cancel bond, except as provided for in W.S. § 35‑11‑419 or where the Administrator approves a good and sufficient replacement surety with transfer of the liability that has accrued against the permittee on the permit area;
(B) To be jointly and severally liable with the permittee; and
(C) To provide notice to the Administrator and operator once it becomes unable or may become unable due to any action filed against it to fulfill its obligations under the bond.
(g) The provisions applicable to cancellation of the surety's license in W.S. § 35‑11‑420 shall also apply if for any other reason the surety becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the bond. Upon such occurrence the operator shall provide the required notice. Failure to comply with this provision shall result in suspension of the permit.
(h) The Administrator shall not accept an individual certificate of deposit in an amount in excess of $100,000 or the maximum insurable amount as determined by the FDIC or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. Such certificates of deposit shall be made payable to the Department both in writing and upon the records of the bank issuing these certificates. The Administrator shall require the banks issuing these certificates to waive all rights of setoff or liens against the certificates. The bond amount may be calculated to include any amount which would be deducted as a penalty for payment before maturity.
(i) Minimum insurance coverages for the public liability insurance policy required in W.S. § 35‑11‑406(a)(xiii) shall be $300,000 for each occurrence of bodily injury or property damage, and $500,000 aggregate.
(j) The public insurance liability policy shall include a rider requiring that the insurer notify the Administrator whenever substantive changes are made in the policy, including any termination or failure to renew. The policy shall be maintained in full force during the life of the permit or any renewal thereof, including the liability period necessary to complete all reclamation operations.
History
- Effective 2025-10-29
Chapter 13 Surface Coal Mining Permit Revisions
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.13.11022022 Surface Coal Mining Permit Revisions
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
SURFACE COAL MINING PERMIT REVISIONS
Section 1. Permit Revision Applications.
(a) Applications for a permit revision shall contain:
(i) The name and address of the operator;
(ii) The permit number and date approved;
(iii) A description of the change and why the change is being sought;
(iv) An outline or index indicating what pages, maps, tables, or other parts of the approved permit will be affected by the revision; and
(v) The following information, if different from that submitted in the original permit application:
(A) The precise location of the permit area by legal subdivision, Ssection, township, range, county, and municipal corporation, if any;
(B) The names and last known addresses of the owners of record of the surface and mineral rights of the land covered by the permit; and
(C) The names and last known addresses of the owners of record of the surface rights of the lands immediately adjacent to the permit area;
(vi) A detailed description of the proposed revised mining or reclamation operation which shall also include:
(A) For any proposed newly affected lands, if not submitted and approved in the original application for the permit:
(I) A USGS topographic map or equivalent of the permit area showing the land to be affected by the revised mining or reclamation operation, in detail, distinctly outlined and identified;
(II) The information required in Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35‑11-406(a)(vii) and (ix) or, for in situ mining operations, the information required in W.S. § 35‑11‑428;
(III) The extent to which the revised mining or reclamation operation will disturb, change or deface the lands proposed to be affected; and
(IV) The proposed future use or uses of the affected lands and the plan whereby the operator will reclaim the affected lands to the proposed use or uses;
(B) Any changes in the estimate of the total cost of reclaiming the affected and proposed affected lands, computed in accordance with established engineering principles;
(vii) Any additional information necessary to support or justify the change; and
(viii) Such other information as the Administrator deems necessary.
(b) The Administrator shall require a revised or updated probable hydrologic consequences assessment if significant changes in the results of the assessment are expected to occur as a result of a revised operation. The assessment shall be in sufficient detail to enable the Administrator to determine whether a new or updated cumulative hydrologic impact assessment (CHIA) is required. If a new or updated CHIA is required, the Administrator shall reassess the probable cumulative hydrologic impacts in accordance with Chapter 19, Section 2 of these rules.
Section 2. Criteria for Public Notice Requirements.
(a) Within ninety days after receiving a permit revision application, the Administrator shall notify the operator whether or not the application is complete and whether the revision is determined to be significant, requiring notice and opportunity for interested parties to submit objections to the revision application.
(b) Notice and opportunity to submit objections is required whenever the application proposes significant deviations from the approved mining and reclamation plan. The following will be considered significant deviations, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator:
(i) A change in the approved future land use or uses that affects more than twenty percent of the land within the permit area;
(ii) A change in the approved method for insuring that all acid-forming or toxic materials, radioactive materials, or materials constituting a fire, health or safety hazard uncovered during or created by the mining process are promptly treated or disposed of during the mining or reclamation process in a manner designed to prevent pollution of surface or subsurface water or threats to human or animal health and safety;
(iii) The construction or relocation of mills or tailings disposal facilities;
(iv) A change in the approved method of mining that results in surface disturbance (e.g. underground, surface or in situ mining);
(v) A change that would adversely affect the quality, quantity, or distribution of water in surface or groundwater systems; or
(vi) Any changes that propose significant alterations in the approved mining or reclamation operation, as determined by the Administrator.
Section 3. Permit Decisions, Public Notice, and Opportunity for Filing Objections.
(a) For all permit revision applications, the Director shall approve or deny the proposed revision in accordance with the applicable criteria set forth in W.S. § 35-11-406 and these rules.
(b) For non-significant revisions, that do not require public notice, the Director shall render a decision on the application within thirty days after the Administrator determines the application to be complete.
(c) For significant permit revisions:
(i) The operator shall cause notice of the application for permit revision to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the mining site once a week for four consecutive weeks commencing within 15 days after notification that publication is required. The notice shall contain that information required by W.S. § 35-11-406(j), the permit number and date approved, and a general description of the proposed revision. The operator shall also mail a copy of the application mine plan map to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11‑406(j);
(ii) Any interested person may file objections and request an informal conference in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11-406(p).
(iii) The Director shall hold an informal conference upon request and render a decision on the application in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-406(p); and
(iv) The applicant or objector may appeal the Director's decision to the Environmental Quality Council in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-406(p).
Section 4. Review of Existing Permits.
Upon review of the operator's annual report or inspection of the existing operation, the Administrator, with the concurrence of the Director, may require an operator to submit an application for permit revision when the Administrator finds in writing that a mine or reclamation plan revision is necessary to account for actual changes in the operator's mining or reclamation operations. An operator may appeal the Administrator's decision to the Environmental Quality Council in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-112(a)(iii).
Section 5. Exception.
This Chapter does not apply to extensions of the mine permit boundary. Any boundary revision other than an incidental boundary revision, must be made in accordance with the Act and by application for a permit amendment with public notice, and opportunity for filing objections. The operator shall notify the Administrator in advance where the extension is an incidental boundary revision, and possess a copy of the notification at the site of the operation. The operator will not be allowed to utilize this provision for incidental boundary revisions so as to circumvent the policy and purpose of this Chapter or the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
History
- Effective 2022-11-02
Chapter 14 Exploration for Coal by Drilling
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.14.01032025 § 1 Conducting Exploration by Drilling
(a) Any discoverer conducting exploration by drilling within this State, shall do so in strict compliance with all the provisions of W.S. § 35‑11‑404 (2015) and this Chapter.
(b) The requirements of this Chapter shall apply to exploration by drilling within and outside of the permit area of a surface coal mining and reclamation operation. The requirements of this Chapter shall not apply to backfill wells or coal developmental drilling conducted within five hundred (500) feet of the active mine area.
(c) Prior to any coal exploration by drilling inside a permit area where the drilling is located five hundred (500) feet or more from the active mine area, the developer shall notify the Administrator and adjust the reclamation bond for the coal permit.
(d) Prior to any coal exploration by drilling outside of the permit area of a surface coal mining and reclamation operation, the discoverer shall provide a Drilling Notification and a reclamation bond acceptable to the Administrator.
(e) The Drilling Notification shall be in a form as specified by the Administrator and shall include:
(i) The approximate number and depth of holes to be drilled; and
(ii) A map showing the approximate hole locations within the exploration area.
(f) The Administrator shall review the notification and the bond and shall notify the discoverer in a timely manner, not to exceed sixty (60) day from receipt, whether the drilling is approved or additional information is required.
(g) For the purpose of this Chapter, the discoverer's hole completion and surface restoration plan is a report or information which, if made public, would divulge trade secrets. Upon request by the discoverer, the Director and Administrator shall consider this report or information confidential pursuant to W.S. § 35‑11‑1101 (2015). This shall be deemed a request to hold the information confidential only for five years unless the discoverer justifies a longer period of time.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.14.01032025 § 2 General Drill Hole Abandonment Requirements
(a) All drill holes sunk for the purpose of conducting exploration, including those drilled within the permit area of a surface coal mining and reclamation operation, by drilling shall be capped, sealed or plugged in the manner described hereinafter.
(b) Drill holes that have artesian flow of groundwater to the surface shall be plugged with cement-based sealant material, as specified and in the manner described below, to prevent fluid communication and adverse changes in water quality or quantity.
(i) When the underground pressure head producing flow is such that a counter pressure must be applied to force a sealant into the drill hole, this counter pressure shall be maintained for the length of time required for the cementing mixture to set.
(ii) The minimum time that must be allowed for materials containing cement to "set" shall be in accordance with ASTM C150 or API RP 10B.
(c) Drill holes that have encountered any groundwater or saturated stratum shall be sealed utilizing sealant materials and emplacement methods as prescribed hereinafter to prevent fluid communication and adverse changes in water quality or quantity.
(d) "Sealant materials" are materials that are stable, have low permeability (1 x 10-7 cm/sec or less) and possesses minimum shrinking properties such that they are optimal sealing materials for well plugging and drill hole abandonment. Used drilling muds are not acceptable.
(e) Sealant materials shall meet the technical requirements for making a proper seal, shall meet applicable recognized industry standards and shall be prepared according to manufacturer's directions for specific site requirements. The following are approved sealant materials:
(i) Neat Cement Slurry must consist of a mixture of Portland Cement and more than six (6) gallons of clean water per bag of cement (one (1) cubic foot or ninety-four (94) pounds);
(ii) Sand Cement Slurry must consist of a mixture of Portland Cement, sand and water in the proportion of not more than one (1) part by weight of sand to one (1) part of cement with not more than six (6) gallons of clean water per bag of cement (one (1) cubic foot or ninety-four (94) pounds);
(iii) Concrete Slurry must consist of a mixture of Portland Cement, sand and gravel aggregate and water in a proportion of not more than one (1) part by weight of aggregate to one (1) part of cement with not more than six (6) gallons of clean water per bag of cement (one (1) cubic foot or ninety-four (94) pounds);
(iv) Cement/Bentonite Slurry must consist of a mixture of cement and bentonite in the proportion of not more than six and a half (6.5) gallons of water and three (3) to five (5) pounds of powdered bentonite per bag of cement (one (1) cubic foot or ninety-four (94) pounds);
(v) High Solids Bentonite Slurry means an inorganic mixture with a slurry density of nine and four tenths (9.4) pounds per gallon (lbs/gal) minimum twenty percent (20%) by weight of solids bentonite, with polymers, water or other additives for the yield/rate control, which forms a low permeability seal (not greater than one (1) x 10-7 cm/sec) and is mixed to the manufacturer's specifications;
(vi) Nonslurry Bentonite must consist of chipped or pelletized bentonite varieties specifically designed to be used to seal drill holes; and
(vii) Abandonment Gel means a mixture of bentonite with polymers and other additives and water in the proportion of one (1) barrel of water to fifteen (15) pounds of abandonment material with a minimum slurry density of eight and six tenths (8.6) pounds per gallon (lbs/gal). Abandonment Gel used to seal boreholes shall meet the following specifications when using American Petroleum Institute Standard Procedures for Testing Drilling Fluids:
(A) Ten minute gel strength of at least twenty (20) pounds per one hundred (100) square feet (20 lbs/100 sq. ft.);
(B) Filtrate volume not to exceed thirteen and one half (13.5) cubic centimeters (cc); and
(C) Minimum Marsh Funnel viscosity of sixty (60) seconds per quart.
(f) Sealant materials shall be emplaced in a manner that provides a water tight seal utilizing one of the following approved methods:
(i) By placing sealant materials by drill pipe, tremie pipe or similar device in an upward direction from the bottom of the drill hole to within approximately five (5) feet of the ground surface; or
(ii) By placing nonslurry bentonite from the bottom of the drill hole to within approximately five (5) feet of the ground surface. Nonslurry bentonite shall not be utilized unless the drill hole is four (4) inches or greater in diameter and less than five hundred (500) feet in depth and the material must be placed in such a manner that a bridge does not occur. Nonslurry bentonite may not be placed in more than three hundred (300) feet of standing liquid.
(g) For any drill hole that has been sealed with a sealant material, the discoverer responsible for sealing the drill hole shall:
(i) Measure the depth of the top of the sealant material column with the appropriate equipment after sufficient time (minimum of twenty-four (24) hours) has been allowed for the column of sealant materials to set up;
(ii) If the column of sealant material has dropped or fallen back, the discoverer shall continue to install sealant material until the top of the sealant material column remains at least fifty (50) feet above the top of the uppermost saturated groundwater stratum; and
(iii) Install uncontaminated fill material, drill cuttings or one of the approved sealant materials listed herein from the top of the sealant material column to within approximately five (5) feet of the ground surface.
(h) If a hole is drilled without the use of drilling fluids and the bottom of the hole is above the preexisting natural elevation of the uppermost saturated groundwater stratum, the drill hole shall be abandoned by completely backfilling from the bottom of the drill hole to the surface with uncontaminated earthen material or drill cuttings as a backfill material. This material should be emplaced in a manner to promote settling and compaction and to minimize voids caused by bridging. If the drill hole is backfilled to the natural ground surface with dry nonslurry materials, then no surface cap is necessary.
(i) All drill holes shall be backfilled to the surface with dry nonslurry materials or capped with a concreted cap set at least two (2) feet below the ground surface and then backfilled to the surface with native earthen materials to ensure the safety of people, livestock, fish and wildlife, and machinery in the area.
(j) Drill holes shall be capped or backfilled immediately after drilling and probing in accordance with W.S. §35-11-404(h) (2015). If it is necessary to temporarily delay the abandonment or keep the drill hole open for any reason, the drill hole must be securely covered with a temporary cap in a manner which will prevent injury to persons or animals. Drill holes shall not be left open for more than thirty (30) days without specific authorization from the Administrator.
(k) For inspection and verification purposes, each drill hole shall be marked with a temporary marker that clearly identifies the name of the discoverer and the hole number until bond release is authorized. Drill holes shall not be marked with rebar, metal pipe or metal posts which could pose a hazard to people, livestock, wildlife or machinery.
(l) The Administrator may approve other drill hole abandonment procedures and/or sealant materials at the request of the discoverer.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.14.01032025 § 3 Reclamation of Drill Sites and Affected Lands
(a) Drill sites and associated ancillary roads, as defined in Chapter 1 and 4 of these rules and regulations, shall be restored as nearly as possible to their original condition.
(b) To the extent possible, all drilling fluids, drill cuttings and geologic samples shall be handled in the following manner:
(i) For those drill holes abandoned as per Subsection 2(h) of this chapter, remaining drill cuttings may be spread on the surface in such a manner as to prevent impairment of vegetation. Excess drilling mud and drill cuttings or any acid-forming or toxic materials uncovered during or created by exploration by drilling, including petroleum contaminated soils, shall be properly disposed of so as not to constitute a fire, health, or safety hazard during or after the exploration by drilling.
(ii) For all other drill holes: drilling fluids, drill cuttings and geologic samples shall be confined and buried below grade to the extent possible. Excess drilling mud and drill cuttings or any acid-forming or toxic materials uncovered during or created by exploration by drilling, including petroleum contaminated soils, shall be properly disposed of so as not to constitute a fire, health, or safety hazard during or after the exploration by drilling.
(c) To the extent possible, any surface preparation of the drill site shall be accomplished in a manner consistent with Chapter 4, Section 2(b), Land Quality Division Coal Rules and Regulations.
(d) To the extent possible, topsoil removal and stockpiling shall precede any excavation within the drill site and associated ancillary roads in a manner consistent with Chapter 4, Section 2(c) and 2(j), Land Quality Division Coal Rules and Regulations.
(e) To the extent possible, the discoverer shall reestablish the vegetative cover where vegetation has been removed or destroyed within the drill site and associated ancillary roads by seeding, planting, transplanting, or by other adequate methods in a manner consistent with Chapter 4, Section 2(d) and 2(i), Land Quality Division Coal Rules and Regulations.
(f) All lands, including ancillary roads or terrain damaged in gaining access to or clearing the site, or lands whose natural state has been substantially disturbed as a result of the exploration by drilling, shall be restored as nearly as possible to their original condition, including reseeding if grass or other crop was destroyed.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.14.01032025 § 4 Bond
(a) In order to assure and secure performance of the discoverer's obligations, each discoverer shall agree to post a bond for each exploration area. The amount of the bond shall be computed in accordance with the established engineering principles, for accomplishing proper drill hole abandonment and surface restoration in accordance with the standards set out in this Chapter.
(b) The bond amount for any drill holes or any portion of the exploration area may be reduced when the discoverer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that drill hole abandonment has been accomplished in accordance with the standards set out in this Chapter. The amount by which the bond is reduced may be returned to the discoverer or applied towards additional drilling. The bond for any drill sites or any portion of the exploration area may be released when reclamation has been completed and the Administrator finds that vegetation has been reestablished. All bonds shall be signed by the discoverer as principal, by a good and sufficient corporate surety licensed to do business in the State, and be made payable to the State of Wyoming.
(c) In lieu of a bond, the discoverer may deposit federally insured certificates of deposit payable to the Department of Environmental Quality, cash or government securities or all three.
(d) The Administrator may accept the bond of the discoverer itself without separate surety when the discoverer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator substantial compliance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 11, Land Quality Division Coal Rules and Regulations.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.14.01032025 § 5 Termination and Report of Operations
(a) Within 12 months after compliance with 3(a) and sufficient compliance with 3(b) and (c) so that full compliance can be predicted by the Administrator, the discoverer shall comply with the reporting requirements of W.S. § 35‑11‑404(e) or (f) (2015). After receipt of such report, the Administrator shall have one year to inspect and evaluate the hole completion and surface restoration work and make a determination of whether to release the bond to the discoverer or institute forfeiture proceedings.
(b) Forfeiture proceedings and release of bonds shall be according to the procedure set forth in W.S. §§ 35‑11‑421 through 35‑11‑423 (2015); substituting therein "discoverer" for "operator"; "surface restoration" for "reclamation" and "exploration by drilling" for "surface mining".
(c) Failure to so inspect and evaluate shall constitute a decision by the Administrator that the discoverer has complied with this Chapter for release of bond purposes only. This one-year limitation shall not be construed to alter or affect W. S. § 35‑11‑404(k) - (n) (2015), or any other rights of action against the discoverer granted pursuant to the statutory provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.14.01032025 § 6 Exceptions
This Chapter shall not apply to holes drilled for the purpose of conducting oil and gas exploration operations. Specific exceptions from certain requirements of this Chapter shall also be preserved in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11‑404(g) and (h) (2015).
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.14.01032025 § 7 Installation of Wells for Collection of Baseline Information
(a) Construction of wells may be authorized by the Administrator under a Drilling Notification for the purpose of collecting groundwater baseline data in preparation of a mine permit application.
(b) Prior to installation, the discoverer is encouraged, but not required, to submit a plan for review by the Administrator that describes the location and completion details of each proposed well. The Administrator shall review the plan and respond within thirty (30) days.
(c) Wells shall be permitted in accordance with the requirements of the State Engineer's Office, in accordance with W. S. §35-11-404(c)(iv) (2015).
(d) Provisions shall be made such that each well is secured to prevent contaminant entry.
(e) Adequate bond shall be provided to assure that all wells are properly plugged and sealed and the sites restored.
(f) Well plugging and sealing and site reclamation shall follow the procedures outlined in Sections 2 and 3. Well casing shall be cut off at least two (2) feet below ground surface and any pump and associated appurtenances removed as applicable, before the well is plugged and sealed.
(g) Well abandonment reports shall be filed with the Administrator and the State Engineer's Office within twelve (12) months of abandonment.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Chapter 15 Release of Bonds or Deposits and Termination of Jurisdiction for Surface Coal Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.15.09292005 Release of Bonds or Deposits and Termination of Jurisdiction for Surface Coal Mining Operations
CHAPTER 15
RELEASE OF BONDS OR DEPOSITS AND TERMINATION OF JURISDICTION FOR SURFACE COAL MINING OPERATIONS
Section 1. Request for Release.
(a) The procedures in this Chapter are administrative in nature and the operator shall submit and resolve with the Division any demonstration of meeting the performance standards of the Act, regulations, or approved permit prior to requesting bond release. The Division shall review any such demonstrations by the operator within the time frames required for revisions specified in Chapter 13 of these regulations. Failure to demonstrate the required performance standards prior to filing a request under this Chapter may be grounds for rejecting the request and the reasons for the denial will be provided by the Administrator.
(b) The operator may file a request with the Division for the release of all or part of an area bond, an incremental bond, or a deposit. The request shall contain the following information:
(i) The precise location of the land affected by legal subdivision, Section, township, range, county and municipal corporation, if any.
(ii) The number of acres affected.
(iii) The permit number and the date approved.
(iv) The type and amount of bond, and type and portion sought to be released.
(v) A map describing the location and acreage of each type of bond release in the request, the dates of rough backfilling, the dates of topsoil replacement and replacement depths, and the dates of seeding.
(vi) A notarized statement, signed by the applicant's authorized representative, which certifies that all applicable reclamation activities have been accomplished in accordance with the Act, the regulations, and the approved permit. Such certification shall be submitted for each bond release application.
(c) Within 15 days of receipt of the request, the Administrator shall determine if the request is complete, i.e., does it contain all information required by (b) immediately above. If it is not complete, the Administrator will promptly notify the operator of any deficiencies. If it is complete, the Administrator will promptly notify the operator in writing of that fact.
(d) Within 15 days of notification by the Administrator that the request is complete, the operator shall cause notice of the request for bond release to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the surface coal mining operation at least once per week for four consecutive weeks commencing within 15 days after filing of the completed request. The publisher's affidavit and copy of the notice shall be promptly submitted to the Administrator. The notice shall contain information regarding:
(i) The name of the operator.
(ii) The information contained in (b)(i)-(iv) above plus a description of the types and dates of reclamation work performed and the results achieved.
(iii) The location and final date for filing objections to and requests for a hearing on the bond or deposit release request.
(e) Also within 15 days of notification by the Administrator that the request is complete, letters stating the operator's intent to seek release from the bond(s) or deposit shall be sent to:
(i) The overlying and adjoining surface owners of record;
(ii) The county or counties in which the operation is located and any incorporated municipality within five miles of the permit area; and
(iii) Sewage and water treatment authorities or water companies in the locality of the operation.
(f) These letters shall contain the information outlined in (d) above. Copies of the letters shall be promptly submitted to the Administrator.
Section 2. Administrative Hearing.
(a) Any affected person has the right to file written comments or objections to the request for bond release with the Administrator within 30 days after the last publication of the above notice. Affected persons are:
(i) Any person with an interest which is or may be adversely affected by bond release; and
(ii) The responsible officer or head of any Federal, State or local government agency which:
(A) Has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental, social or economic impact involved; or
(B) Is authorized to develop and enforce environmental standards with respect to surface coal mining.
(b) If written objections are filed, and public hearing requested, the Council shall hold a public hearing within 60 days after the final date for filing objections unless different period is stipulated to by all parties. The Council shall inform the operator and all interested parties of the public hearing. The Council shall also publish notice of the time, date, and location of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the surface coal mining operation at least once a week for two consecutive weeks immediately prior to the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted as a contested case in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, and right of judicial review will be afforded as provided in said Act.
(c) Without prejudice to the right of an objector or the applicant, the Administrator may hold an informal conference to resolve written objections after notification to all parties. The Administrator shall make a record of the conference unless waived by all parties, which shall be accessible to all parties. The Administrator shall furnish all parties of the conference with a written finding of the Division based on the conference, and the reasons for the finding.
Section 3. Inspection of the Permit Area.
(a) Within 60 days of notification to the operator of a complete request, the Administrator shall conduct an inspection and evaluation of the mining and reclamation work involved, conditions permitting. Such evaluation shall consider whether the operator has complied with his approved mining and reclamation plan which shall include, among other things:
(i) Degree or difficulty to complete any remaining reclamation.
(ii) Whether pollution of surface and subsurface waters is occurring.
(iii) Probability of future occurrence of such pollution.
(iv) The estimated cost of abating such pollution.
(b) A surface owner, agent or lessee of record for the area covered by the release request shall be given notice of the inspection and may participate. The Administrator may arrange with the permittee to allow access to the permit area, upon request by any person with an interest in bond release, for the purpose of gathering information relevant to the hearing in Section 2. Access shall be under the same terms and conditions as required in Chapter 16, Section 1(e) and W.S. § 35-11-701(b).
Section 4. Notification.
(a) The Director shall notify the operator in writing of his decision to release or not to release all or part of the bond(s) within 75 days of notification to the operator of a complete request, if no public hearing is held pursuant to Section 2. If there has been a public hearing, the notification to the operator shall be within 30 days from the decision. At the same time, the Director shall also notify any persons who either filed written objections or objectors who were a party to the hearing proceedings, if any, of the decision.
(b) The Administrator shall notify the municipality in which the surface coal mining operation is located by certified mail at least 30 days prior to the release of all or a portion of the bond.
(c) If bond release is disapproved, the notice shall include any recommended corrective actions necessary to secure the release and specify that an opportunity for public hearing is afforded upon request.
Section 5. Schedule for Release of Incremental Bond.
(a) The Administrator may recommend to the Director the release of incremental bond according to the following schedule.
(i) When the operator completes the backfilling, regrading, topsoil replacement, recontouring and drainage control of a bonded area in accordance with his approved reclamation plan, the release of 60 percent of the incremental bond for the applicable permit area.
(ii) After vegetation whose species composition is commensurate with that of the seed mix(es) of the approved reclamation plan and the species composition required by Chapter 4 Section 2(d)(x), the amount of bond to be released shall be determined by:
(A) The amount the Director determines must be retained for the permit area which would be sufficient for a third party to cover the cost of reestablishing vegetation so as to comply with the Act and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B) No part of the remaining bond or deposit shall be released under this provision.
(I) So long as the lands to which the release would be applicable are contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of premining concentrations of receiving waters.
(II) Until soil productivity for prime farmlands has returned to equivalent levels of yield as nonmined land of the same soil type in the surrounding area under equivalent management practices in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 2(b).
(III) Where a permanent impoundment is involved, this portion (B) of the bond may be released only after any renovation which may be required to meet the regulations and the permit has been completed and the State Engineer has approved the impoundment for its intended use.
(iii) The remaining portion of the bond may be released after the operator has successfully completed all surface coal mining and reclamation activities and complied with the reclamation requirements of the Act, regulations and permit.
Section 6. Replacement or Substitution of Bonds. This Chapter in no way governs when the Administrator or operator requests replacement of or substitution for the original bond by another bond, self-bond or deposit.
Section 7. Termination of Jurisdiction.
(a) The Administrator may terminate jurisdiction over the reclaimed site of a completed surface coal mining and reclamation operation, or increment thereof, when the Administrator determines in writing that all requirements imposed under the rules and regulations and Environmental Quality Act have been successfully completed and the Administrator has made a final decision in accordance with Chapters 4 and 15 to release the performance bond fully.
(b) Following a termination under paragraph (a) of this Section, the Administrator shall reassert jurisdiction over a site if it is demonstrated that the bond release or written determination referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section was based upon fraud, collusion, or misrepresentation of a material fact.
History
- Effective 2005-09-29
Chapter 16 Inspections, Enforcement and Penalties for Surface Coal Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.16.08272014 Inspections, Enforcement and Penalties for Surface Coal Mining Operations
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
LAND QUALITY DIVISION
CHAPTER 16
INSPECTIONS, ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES FOR SURFACE COAL MINING OPERATIONS
Section 1. Inspections.
(a) Frequency and extent of inspection: The Director's designated authorized representative shall inspect:
(i) On an irregular basis active surface coal mining and reclamation operations and any other areas outside the permit area which are or may be affected by the surface coal mining and reclamation operation every month, averaging at least one quarterly review of the operator's compliance with all conditions and requirements of the permit, Article IV, and these regulations within the entire affected land. Inspections of coal exploration operations and inactive surface coal mining operations shall occur periodically so as to determine compliance or noncompliance with the permit conditions, Article IV and these regulations; provided that a complete inspection shall occur each calendar quarter for inactive coal mines. All inspections shall occur without prior notice, except as the representative deems necessary, to the person being inspected. The representative shall promptly submit all inspection records, reports or other materials to the head of the district office and the Director for public inspection and enforcement action purposes.
(ii) Immediately to enforce the Act, the regulations, or any condition of a permit or an exploration approval when he has reason to believe that enforcement action under W.S. § 35-11-437(a) or (b) is required.
(b) Aerial inspections may satisfy the monthly/partial inspection requirement if:
(i) It is conducted in a manner which reasonably ensures the identification and documentation of conditions at the coal mining and reclamation site inspected, and
(ii) Any potential violation observed is investigated on site within three days, and any potential condition, practice or violation constituting cause for a cessation order is investigated on site immediately.
(c) Inactive surface coal mining operations are ones for which the Administrator has received a request for temporary cessation under Chapter 4, Section 2(l)(ii) and (u), or ones which have completed the reclamation requirements of Chapter 15, Section 5(a)(ii) and the liability of the permittee has been reduced in accordance with Chapter 15.
(d) Any person who is or may be adversely affected by a surface coal mining or coal exploration operation may notify the Administrator in writing, alleging sufficient information to create a reasonable belief that the Division has failed to comply with the requirements of (a) above. Within 15 days of the receipt of such notification the Administrator shall determine whether there has been compliance and, if not, order an inspection to correct the noncompliance. The Administrator shall furnish a written statement explaining his determination and actions, if any, to the complainant. The identity of the person providing the information shall be held confidential, if requested by that person unless disclosure is required under the Freedom of Information Act.
(e) If an inspection results from a person's written complaint, only the person who submitted the written complaint or, in case of hardship, his designee, has a right of entry to, upon and through the exploration or surface coal mining operation about which he supplied the information, and only if he is in the presence of and is under the control, direction and supervision of the designated authorized representative while on the permit area. In the event that a group submitted the written complaint, only a designated representative of that group may accompany the inspector. The right of entry does not include a right to enter buildings without a search warrant or the consent of the person in control of the building. All persons supplying the complaint shall promptly receive from the Division copies of any inspection report and a description of any enforcement action taken, or reasons why an inspection was not conducted or enforcement action was not taken. The Division shall also inform the person of his right to informal review of the action on the complaint by the Director. If requested, the Director shall review and inform the complainant of the results of the review within 30 days of the request. The Director's decision is final action for purposes of any appeal to the Council.
Section 2. Enforcement.
(a) All violations or minor violations that are observed must be identified in the inspection report, including comments on the abatement of all previously noted minor violations or violations. The enforcement options available to the Department range from the least severe, notation in an inspection report, to the most severe, criminal sanctions.
(b) Formal notices of violation for abatement shall direct the correction of a cited violation. Formal notices of violation will be routinely issued where site conditions constitute an existing or potential danger to the health and safety of the public, or cause or can be expected to cause environmental degradation. Formal notices of violation will be issued where minor violations previously identified in an inspection report are not satisfactorily resolved within the time frame specified in the inspection report as long as the failure to resolve the minor violation is not due to lack of diligence. If the reason is lack of diligence, a failure to abate cessation order will be issued. The total abatement time where a minor violation has been modified to a formal notice of violation shall not exceed 90 days unless allowed by Section 2(j) of this Chapter.
(c) Violations noted only in inspection reports shall be limited only to minor violations as noted in (f)(i) through (f)(ix). A formal notice of violation will be issued to all other violations. The required abatement measures and a reasonable abatement time not to exceed 35 days shall be included in the inspection report. Minor violations will not be tracked for withholding permit approvals, and other permit actions. A handwritten description of the minor violation will be given to the operator on site and will contain the information listed under item (g) of this Section. The operator has the right to appeal any minor violation as outlined in W.S. § 35-11-901.
(d) Civil penalties will not be issued to minor violations. They will, however, be reviewed to determine if a civil penalty would be appropriate. If it is found a civil penalty is appropriate, the minor violation will be upgraded to a formal notice of violation and a formal assessment issued.
(e) Failure to abate a minor violation will result in the issuance of a formal notice of violation and assessment of a civil penalty. Operators who consistently receive minor violations for similar infractions (more than two in a 12 month period) will be issued a formal notice of violation for subsequent similar violations for the remainder of the period. Once an operator receives two similar minor violations within a 12 month period, any subsequent similar violations will be counted toward a pattern of violations.
(f) Examples of minor violations which will be identified in the inspection report but may or may not be subject to a formal notice of violation are the following:
(i) Failure to provide or maintain signs or perimeter markers;
(ii) Reclamation deficiencies such as inadequate topsoil replacement depth, incorrect seeding practices, or improper sampling technique where there is no immediate potential for adverse environmental impact;
(iii) Failure to perform necessary routine maintenance of surface water diversions or erosion control facilities where there is no immediate potential for adverse environmental impact;
(iv) Failure to perform necessary routine maintenance on treatment facilities provided that the matter is referred to the Water Quality Division (WQD) and the WQD finds that effluent limits are being met and there is no immediate potential for adverse water quality impacts;
(v) Required record keeping is unsatisfactory, except where there is a deliberate falsification of records or results;
(vi) Minor construction deficiencies where there is no threat of structural failure or serious harm;
(vii) Noted necessary corrections to maps, plans or other permit materials;
(viii) Failure to comply with other laws applicable to the mine through permit conditions, where the agency with primary jurisdiction has instituted action to obtain compliance pursuant to its laws and regulations; and
(ix) Rills on reclaimed lands or partially blocked culverts which are the result of a recent storm or runoff event.
(g) Any cessation order, notice for abatement or order to show cause issued under the Act shall be signed by the Director or authorized representative and shall contain:
(i) The nature of the violation;
(ii) All affirmative obligations necessary to completely abate the violation or imminent danger or harm in the most expeditious manner possible;
(iii) The time established for abatement, if appropriate; and
(iv) A reasonable description of that portion of the operation to which it applies.
(h) Within sixty (60) days after issuing a cessation order, the DEQ will notify in writing the permittee, the operator, and any person who has been listed or identified by the applicant, permittee, or OSM as an owner or controller of the operation as defined in Chapter 1 of these rules and regulations. All cessation orders remain in effect and, unless otherwise ordered, do not affect continuing reclamation operations, until the condition, practice or violation has been abated, or until vacated, modified or terminated in writing by the designated representative, Administrator, Director, or Council. Within 30 days after the issuance of a cessation order the permittee must provide or update all the information required under Chapter 2 related to ownership or control. Information does not need to be provided if a court of competent jurisdiction granted a stay of the cessation order and that stay remains in effect. Within sixty (60) days of any addition, departure, or change in position of any person identified in Chapter 2, Section 2(a)(i)(E), the applicant or permittee shall provide the information required by that section and the date of any departure.
(i) Any notice or order shall be terminated by written notice to the person to whom it was issued, when it is determined that all violations or conditions listed in the notice or order have been abated. This determination may be made by conducting an investigation to confirm the abatement, by accepting the information obtained from a government agency or by accepting a signed statement from a permittee that the violation in a notice of violation has been abated. The Division reserves the right to confirm the information included in a signed statement. Termination shall not affect the right to assess civil penalties.
(j) If at any time, the DEQ discovers that any person owns or controls an operation with an unabated or uncorrected violation, the LQD will determine whether enforcement action is appropriate under this Chapter. Results of each enforcement action, including administrative and judicial decisions, shall be entered into AVS.
(k) The specified time for abatement of the violation may be extended up to 90 days from issuance of the notice, if the failure to meet the time previously set was not caused by lack of diligence on the part of the person to whom it was issued (W.S. § 35-11-409(c)).
(i) The total time for abatement shall not exceed 90 days from the date of issuance, except upon establishing by clear and convincing proof that the permittee cannot feasibly abate the violation within 90 days due to one or more of the following:
(A) The permittee of an ongoing permitted operation has timely applied for and diligently pursued a permit renewal or other necessary approval of designs or plans but such permit or approval has not been or will not be issued within 90 days after his valid permit expires or is required, for reasons not within the control of the permittee;
(B) There is a valid judicial order precluding abatement within 90 days as to which the permittee has diligently pursued all rights of appeal and as to which he or she has no other effective legal remedy;
(C) The permittee cannot abate within 90 days due to a labor strike;
(D) Climatic conditions preclude abatement within 90 days, or where due to climatic conditions abatement within 90 days clearly would cause more environmental harm than it would prevent; or
(E) Abatement would require the operator to violate a requirement or regulation established under the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
(ii) Whenever an abatement time in excess of 90 days is permitted, interim abatement measures shall be imposed to the extent necessary to minimize harm to the public or the environment.
(iii) An extension beyond 90 days may not be authorized without the concurrence of the Administrator or person acting in this capacity, and the abatement period granted shall not exceed the shortest possible time necessary to abate the violation. The authorized representative shall promptly and fully document in the file the reasons for granting or denying the request. The Administrator or designee shall review that document before concurring in or disapproving the extended abatement period and shall promptly and fully document the reasons for concurrence or disapproval in the file. An extended abatement date shall not be granted when the permittee's failure to abate within 90 days has been caused by a lack of diligence or intentional delay.
(iv) No extension granted under this provision may exceed 90 days in length. Where the condition or circumstance which prevented abatement within 90 days exists at the expiration of any such extension, the permittee may request a further extension in accordance with the procedures of this subsection.
(l) Order to show cause for the suspension or revocation of a permit pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-409(c):
(i) For the purpose of this subsection:
(A) Willful violation means an act or omission which violates this Act or any regulation, and which is committed or omitted with knowledge or reason to know of its unlawfulness.
(B) Unwarranted failure to comply means the failure to prevent or abate the occurrence of any violation due to indifference, lack of diligence, or lack of reasonable care.
(C) Pattern of violations means the occurrence of similar violations not appearing to be isolated departures from lawful conduct as determined during two or more inspections of the permit area within any 12 month period, unless exceptional factors present in the particular case otherwise account for such violations.
(ii) The Director shall make a written explanation for declining to issue an order to show cause or vacating an outstanding order, once he determines that there were violations of the same or related requirements of the Act, regulations, or the permit during three or more inspections within any 12 month period. The explanation shall include that, after taking into account exceptional factors present in the particular case, it would be demonstrably unjust to issue or fail to vacate the show cause order. This shall be included and documented in the records of the case.
(iii) Notice, hearing and any decision by the Council on whether to suspend or revoke the permit shall be the equivalent of that required for permit applications. If the Council suspends or revokes the permit, the operator shall cease operations, continue reclamation, and complete all affirmative obligations as specified in the order.
(m) All cessation orders, notices for abatement and orders to show cause shall be served on the operator either by tendering a copy at the operation or sending it by certified mail or by hand to the operator. All orders to show cause shall issue forthwith upon a determination that the factors exist which justify its issuance.
(n) Pending completion of the investigation and hearing on any enforcement action taken by the Department, the operator may file with the Council a request for temporary relief. The Council shall expeditiously issue an order or decision granting or denying such relief, which shall be within five days from any request for relief from a cessation order. The Council may grant such relief, under such conditions as it may prescribe, if:
(i) A hearing has been held in the locality of the permit area on the request for temporary relief in which all parties were given an opportunity to be heard;
(ii) The operator shows that there is a substantial likelihood that the findings of the Council will be favorable to him; and
(iii) Such relief will not adversely affect the health or safety of the public or cause significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water resources.
(o) Inability to comply shall not be a proper factor for consideration in any decision to vacate, or terminate any notice or order under this subsection or to determine whether a pattern of violation exists. It may only be a factor for the duration of the suspension of a permit and in mitigation of the amount of civil penalty, when not caused by lack of diligence.
(p) Surface coal mining operations conducted by any person without a valid permit constitute a condition or practice which causes or can reasonably be expected to cause significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air or water resources. For those operations which are an integral, uninterrupted extension of previously permitted operations, and where the person conducting such operations has filed a timely and complete application for a permit to conduct such operations, the cessation order shall be limited to the unpermitted operation.
Section 3. Civil Penalties.
(a) Amount - In determining the amount of the penalty, if any, to be assessed, consideration shall be given to:
(i) The operator's history of previous violations at the particular surface coal mining operation, regardless of whether any led to a civil penalty assessment. Special consideration shall be given to violations contained in or leading to a cessation order. However, a violation shall not be considered if the notice or order containing the violation:
(A) Is or may become the subject of pending administrative or judicial review; or
(B) Has been vacated.
(ii) The seriousness of the violation based on the likelihood and extent of the potential or actual impact on the public or environment, both within and outside the permit or exploration area.
(iii) The degree of fault of the operator in causing or failing to correct the violation, either through act or omission. Such degree shall range from inadvertent action causing an event which was unavoidable by the exercise of reasonable care to reckless, knowing or intentional conduct.
(iv) The operator's demonstrated good faith, by considering whether he took extraordinary measures to abate the violation in the shortest possible time, or merely abated the violation within the time given for abatement. Consideration shall also be given to whether the operator gained any economic benefit as a result of a failure to comply.
(v) Inability to comply, unless caused by lack of diligence.
(vi) Any information submitted to the Director by the operator within 15 days of the service of the notice or order relating to the facts surrounding the violation or the amount of penalty.
(b) In determining the amount of the penalty, consideration shall not be given to whether a reduction in the amount of a penalty could be used to abate violations of the Act or regulations.
(c) The procedure for any requested assessment conference, as provided for in W.S. § 35-11-902(d) shall be the equivalent of the informal conference procedure described by the Act and regulations applicable to permit applications excepting that the Director, not the Administrator, shall conduct the conference.
(d) If the operator requests and receives the review proceeding provided for by W.S. § 35-11-437(c), the fact of the violation may not be further contested under this Section.
(e) If any party requests judicial review of a final order of the Council on the penalty, the proposed penalty shall continue to be held in bond or escrow until completion of the review. If any review results in an order increasing the penalty, the person to whom the notice or order was issued shall pay the difference within 15 days after notification.
(f) The civil penalty prescribed by W.S. § 35-11-902(n) shall be assessed for a maximum of 30 days, except that, if the person to whom the notice or order was issued initiated review proceedings with respect to the violation, the abatement period shall be extended as follows:
(i) If suspension of the abatement requirements of the notice or order is ordered in a temporary relief proceeding, the period permitted for abatement shall not end until the date on which the Council issues a final order with respect to the violation in question; and
(ii) If the persons to whom the notice or order was issued initiate judicial review proceedings with respect to the violation, in which the obligations to abate are stayed by the court pending full review, the daily assessment of a penalty shall not be made for any period before entry of a final order by the court.
Section 4. Individual Civil Penalties
(a) For purposes of this section:
(i) "Knowingly" means that a person who authorized, ordered, or carried out an act or omission knew or had reason to know that the act or omission would result in either a violation or a failure to abate or correct a violation;
(ii) "Violation, failure or refusal" means:
(A) A violation of a condition of a permit issued pursuant to the State program or Federal lands program; or
(B) A failure or refusal to comply with any order issued under Section 2 of this Chapter, or any order incorporated in a final decision issued by the Director under the Act, except for failure to pay a civil penalty.
(iii) "Willfully" means that a person who authorized, ordered or carried out an act or omission that resulted in either a violation or the failure to abate or correct a violation acted:
(A) Intentionally, voluntarily or consciously; and
(B) With intentional disregard or plain indifference to legal requirements.
(b) An individual civil penalty may be assessed when:
(i) The Director may assess an individual civil penalty as outlined in W.S. §35-11-902(b), against any corporate director, officer or agent of a corporate permittee who knowingly and willfully authorized, ordered or carried out a violation, failure or refusal, except as provided in subsection (ii) below.
(ii) The Director shall not assess an individual civil penalty in situations resulting from a permit violation by a corporate permittee until a cessation order has been issued by the Department to the corporate permittee for the violation, and the cessation order has remained unabated for thirty (30) days and the procedures for assessment in subsection (d) below have been complied with.
(c) Amount of Civil Penalty.
(i) In determining the amount of an individual civil penalty assessed under this Section, the Director shall consider the criteria specified in Section 3 of this Chapter, including:
(A) The individual's history of authorizing, ordering or carrying out previous violations, failures or refusals at the particular surface coal mining operation;
(B) The seriousness of the violation, failure or refusal (as indicated by the extent of damage and/or the cost of reclamation), including any irreparable harm to the environment and any hazard to the health or safety of the public; and
(C) The demonstrated good faith of the individual charged in attempting to achieve rapid compliance after notice of the violation, failure or refusal.
(ii) The penalty shall not exceed the limits prescribed in W.S. 35-11- 902(b) for each day during which a violation, failure or refusal continues, or, for multiple violations, a penalty not to exceed the limits prescribed in W.S. 35-11-902(b) for each violation for each day during which a violation, failure or refusal continues from the date of service of the underlying notice of violation, cessation order or other order incorporated into a final decision issued by the Director, until abatement or compliance is achieved.
(d) Procedure for assessment of individual civil penalty.
(i) Notice. The Director shall serve on each individual to be assessed an individual civil penalty a notice of proposed individual civil penalty assessment, including a narrative explanation of the reasons for the penalty, the amount to be assessed and a copy of any underlying notice of violation and cessation order.
(ii) Final order and opportunity for review. The notice of proposed individual civil penalty assessment shall become a final order of the Director thirty (30) days after service upon the individual unless:
(A) The individual files within 15 days of service of the notice of proposed individual civil penalty assessment a petition for review with the Environmental Quality Council, or
(B) The Department and the individual or responsible corporate permittee agree, within thirty (30) days of service of the notice of proposed individual civil penalty assessment, to a schedule or plan for the abatement or correction of the violation, failure or refusal.
(iii) Service. For purposes of this Section, service shall be performed on the individual to be assessed an individual civil penalty, by certified mail, or by any alternative means consistent with the rules governing service of a summons and complaint under Rule 4 of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. Service shall be complete upon tender of the notice of proposed assessment and any attached information or of the certified mail and shall not be deemed incomplete because of refusal to accept.
(e) Payment of Penalty
(i) No abatement or appeal. If a notice of proposed individual civil penalty assessment becomes a final order in the absence of a petition for review or abatement agreement, the penalty shall be due upon issuance of the final order.
(ii) Appeal. If an individual named in a notice of proposed individual civil penalty assessment files a petition for review in accordance with the Environmental Quality Council, the penalty shall be due upon issuance of a final administrative order affirming, increasing or decreasing the proposed penalty.
(iii) Abatement agreement. Where the Department and the corporate permittee or individual have agreed in writing on a plan for the abatement of or compliance with the unabated order, an individual named in a notice of proposed individual civil penalty assessment may postpone payment until receiving either a final order from the Department stating that the penalty is due on the date of such final order, or written notice that abatement or compliance is satisfactory and the penalty has been withdrawn.
History
- Effective 2014-08-27
Chapter 17 Designation of Areas Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.17.04151998 Designation of Areas Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining
CHAPTER 17
DESIGNATION OF AREAS UNSUITABLE FOR SURFACE COAL MINING
Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this Chapter,
(a) "Fragile lands" means geographic areas containing natural, ecologic, scientific or aesthetic resources that could be damaged or destroyed by surface coal mining operations. Examples of fragile lands include crucial or important habitats for fish or wildlife, critical habitats for endangered species, uncommon geologic formations, National Natural Landmark sites, areas where mining may result in flooding, environmental corridors containing a concentration of ecologic and aesthetic features, areas of recreational value due to high environmental quality, and buffer zones adjacent to the boundaries of areas where surface coal mining operations are prohibited under W.S. § 35-11-406(n)(iv).
(b) "Historic lands" means historic, cultural and scientific areas that could be damaged or destroyed by surface coal mining operations. These include, but are not limited to archaeological and paleontological sites, National Historic Landmark sites, sites listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, sites having religious or cultural significance to native Americans or religious groups, or sites for which historic designation is pending.
(c) "Natural hazard lands" means geographic areas in which natural conditions exist which pose or, as a result of surface coal mining operations, may pose a threat to the health, safety or welfare of people, property or the environment, including areas subject to landslides, caveins, large or encroaching sand dunes, severe wind or soil erosion, frequent flooding, avalanches, and areas of unstable geology.
(d) "Person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected" shall include any person:
(i) Who uses any resource of economic, recreational, aesthetic, or environmental value that may be adversely affected by coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operations; or
(ii) Whose property is or may be adversely affected by coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
(e) "Renewable resource lands" means geographic areas which contribute significantly to the long-range productivity of ground or surface water supply or of food or fiber products.
(f) "Substantial legal and financial commitments in a surface coal mining operation" means significant investments that have been made on the basis of a long-term coal contract in power plants, railroads, coal-handling, preparation, extraction or storage facilities and other capital-intensive activities. An example would be an existing mine not actually producing coal, but in a substantial stage of development prior to production. Costs of acquiring the coal in place or of the right to mine it without an existing mine, as described in the above example, alone are not sufficient to constitute legal and financial commitments.
Section 2. Petitions.
(a) Any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected has the right to petition the council to have an area designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations, or to have an existing designation terminated.
(b) Designation. A petition for designation shall be notarized and must contain:
(i) The petitioner's name, address, and telephone number;
(ii) A discussion of the petitioner's interest which is or may be adversely affected;
(iii) A precise description of the boundaries of the area covered by the petition, including its location and size, and a USGS topographic map outlining the perimeter of the petitioned area;
(iv) An identification of the criterion or criteria on which the proposed designation rests, including potential adverse effects on people, land, air or other resources including petitioner's interests, resulting from mining in the area;
(v) Allegations of fact, specific to the petitioned area and to the petitioner's interests, which tend to establish the criterion or criteria on which the proposed designation rests;
(vi) A specific identification of the sources of supporting evidence on which the allegations of fact rest;
(vii) Where the petitioner does not own all property interests affected by the designation, an identification of any or all such property interests known to the petitioner; and
(viii) Other information which is requested by the Administrator.
(c) Termination of designation. A petition to terminate a designation or designations shall be notarized and must contain:
(i) The petitioner's name, address, and telephone number;
(ii) A discussion of the petitioner's interest which is or may be adversely affected;
(iii) A precise description of the boundaries of the area to be covered by the petition, including its location and size, and a USGS topographic map outlining the perimeter of the petitioned area;
(iv) An identification of the designation or designations which the petitioner seeks to terminate;
(v) For each such designation, an identification of the specific criterion or criteria which the petitioner seeks to challenge;
(vi) Allegations of fact which support the challenge;
(vii) A specific identification of the sources of evidentiary support on which the allegations rest. This must not include evidence presented in the designation proceeding;
(viii) Where the petitioner does not own all property interests which may be affected by the termination of a designation, an identification of any or all such property interests known to the petitioner; and
(ix) Other information which is requested by the Administrator.
(d) All allegations of fact and supporting evidence must assume that contemporary mining practices required under the Act and regulations would be followed if the area were to be mined.
Section 3. Processing the Petition.
(a) (i) Promptly after a petition is received, the Administrator shall notify the general public of the receipt of the petition by a newspaper advertisement placed in the locale of the area covered by the petition and in the newspaper providing broadest circulation in the region of the petitioned area. The Administrator may provide for an informal conference or a period of written comments on completeness of the petition. Within 60 days of receipt of a petition, the Administrator shall notify the petitioner by certified mail whether or not the petition is complete.
(ii) The Administrator shall determine whether any identified coal resources exist in the area covered by the petition, without requiring any showing from the petitioner. If the Administrator finds there are not any identified coal resources in that area, he shall return the petition to the petitioner with a statement of the findings.
(iii) When considering a petition for an area which was previously and unsuccessfully proposed for designation, the Administrator shall determine if the new petition presents new allegations of facts with supporting evidence. If the petition does not contain new allegations of facts with supporting evidence, the Administrator shall not consider the petition and shall return the petition to the petitioner, with a statement of his findings and a reference to the record of the previous designation proceedings where the facts were considered.
(iv) If the Administrator determines that the petition is incomplete or frivolous, he shall return the petition to the petitioner, with a written statement of the reasons for the determination and, if incomplete, the categories of information needed to make the petition complete.
(v) The Administrator shall notify the person who submits a petition of any application for a permit received which proposes to include any area covered by the petition.
(vi) The Administrator may determine not to process any petition received insofar as it pertains to land for which an administratively complete permit application has been filed and the first newspaper notice pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-406(g) has been published. If the petition is not processed in whole or in part, the Administrator shall inform the petitioner.
(b) (i) Promptly after the determination that a petition is complete, the Administrator shall circulate copies of the petition to, and request submissions of relevant information from, other interested governmental agencies, intervenors, persons with an ownership interest of record in the property, and other persons known to the Administrator to have an interest in the property.
(ii) Promptly after the determination that a petition is complete, the Administrator shall notify the general public of the receipt of the petition and request submissions or relevant information by a newspaper advertisement placed once a week for two consecutive weeks in the locale of the area covered by the petition, the newspaper of largest circulation in the State, and in the offices of the county clerks of the counties in which the area covered by the petition is located. Those county clerks shall also receive a copy of the petition.
(iii) Until three days before the Council holds a hearing under Section 4, any person may intervene in the proceeding by filing allegations of facts and supporting evidence describing the interests of the intervenor which are affected by the designation decision, a short statement identifying the petition to which the allegations pertain, and the intervenor's name, address and telephone number.
(iv) Beginning immediately after a complete petition is filed, the Administrator shall compile and maintain a record consisting of all documents relating to the petition filed with or prepared by the Council. The Administrator shall make the record available for public inspection free of charge, and copying at reasonable cost during normal working hours at the main office of the Department.
(v) Prior to the hearing, the Administrator and, at the request of the Council, all parties shall each prepare a detailed statement using existing and readily available information on potential coal resources of the area, the long-term demand for coal resources, and the impact of such designation on the environment, the economy, and the supply of coal.
Section 4. Hearing.
(a) Within ten months after receipt of a complete petition, the council shall hold a public hearing in the locality of the area covered by the petition. If all petitioners and intervenors agree, the hearing may be held at a later date or need not be held.
(b) Notice of the hearing shall be sent no less than 30 days before the scheduled date of the hearing to all petitioners and intervenors by certified mail and by regular mail to local, State and Federal agencies which may have an interest in the decision on the petition and persons known to the Administrator as having property interests in the petitioned area.
(c) The Council shall notify the general public of the date, time, and location of the hearing by placing a newspaper advertisement once a week for two consecutive weeks in the locale of the area covered by the petition and once during the week prior to the scheduled date of the public hearing. The consecutive weekly advertisement must begin between four and five weeks before the scheduled date of the public hearing.
(d) Hearing procedures include the following:
(i) The Council may subpoena witnesses as necessary.
(ii) Expert witnesses may be cross-examined.
(iii) No person shall bear the burden of proof of persuasion.
(iv) A record of the hearing shall be made and preserved in accordance with applicable State laws.
(v) All relevant parts of the database and inventory system and all public comments received during the public comment period shall be included in the record and considered by the Council in its decision on the petition.
(e) In the event that all petitioners and intervenors stipulate agreement prior to the hearing, the petition may be withdrawn from consideration.
Section 5. Decision.
(a) In reaching its decision, the Council shall use:
(i) The information contained in the database and inventory system;
(ii) Information provided by other governmental agencies;
(iii) The detailed statement prepared under Section 3(b)(iv); and
(iv) Any other relevant information.
(b) A final written decision shall be issued by the Council, including a statement of reasons, within 60 days of completion of the public hearing, or, if a public hearing is held, then within 12 months after receipt of the complete petition. The Council shall simultaneously send the decision by certified mail to the petitioner and intervenors, and by regular mail to every other party to the proceeding.
(c) The time limit in (b) may be suspended if the Council is taking action together with the Office of Surface Mining for intermixed Federal and non-federal lands, and the Office of Surface Mining is not yet prepared to take final action.
History
- Effective 1998-04-15
Chapter 18 In Situ Mining
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.18.11132018 In Situ Mining
CHAPTER 18
IN SITU MINING
Section 1. Definitions.
(a) "Abandoned well" means a well whose use has been permanently discontinued or which is in a state of disrepair such that it cannot be used for its intended purpose or for observation purposes.
(b) "Affected Land or Affected Area" means as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(e)(xvi).
(c) "Annular Space" means the space between the well casing and the borehole or the space between two or more strings of well casing.
(d) "Area Permit" means that, for the purposes of this Chapter, the Administrator may issue a permit on an area basis, rather than for each well individually, provided that the permit is for UIC Class III Wells:
(i) Described and identified by location in permit application(s) if the wells are existing wells, except that the Administrator may accept a single description of wells with substantially the same characteristics;
(ii) Located within the same well field, facility site, reservoir, project or similar unit in the same state;
(iii) Operated by a single owner or operator;
(iv) Used to inject non-hazardous waste; and
(v) Other than Class VI wells; and
(vi) Located within an approved well field data package.
(e) "Baseline" means the constituents or parameters and the concentrations or measurements which describe water quality and water quality variability prior to the injection of recovery fluid.
(f) "Best Practicable Technology" means as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103 (f)(i).
(g) "Catastrophic collapse" means the sudden and utter failure of overlying strata caused by removal of underlying materials. This can occur in salt solution mining and other processes that remove reservoir material to recover product.
(h) "Class III well" means a well used for in situ mining which injects for extraction of minerals, or products, or recovers recovery fluids, minerals or products, including a well used in:
(i) Mining of sulfur by the Frasch process;
(ii) In situ mining of uranium or other metals; this category includes in situ production from ore bodies that have not been conventionally mined by means of an open pit or underground excavation;
(iii) In situ mining of salts, trona, or potash;
(iv) Underground coal gasification operations;
(v) Solution mining of open pits or underground excavations used for the production of minerals, such as stopes leaching;
(vi) Fossil fuel recovery including coal, lignite, oil shale, and tar sands; or
(vii) Experimental technologies, such as pilot scale in situ mining wells in previously unmined areas.
(i) "Compliance schedule" means a schedule of remedial activities included in a permit, including an enforceable sequence of interim requirements (for example, actions, operations, or milestone events) leading to compliance with the applicable statues and regulations.
(j) "Confining zone" means a geological formation, group of formation, or part of a formation that is capable of significantly limiting fluid movement above or below an injection zone.
(k) "Contaminant" means any unwanted or unauthorized physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.
(l) "Excursion" means as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(f)(ii).
(m) "Excursion detection" means the detection of any migrating injection or recovery fluids at or beyond the immediate in situ mining area. Excursion detection could include, but is not limited to:
(i) Groundwater monitoring wells;
(ii) Thermocouple devices;
(iii) Gas monitoring devices.
(n) "Exempted aquifer" means an aquifer or its portion that meets the criteria in the definition of "Underground Source of Water" but which has been exempted according to the procedures of Section 11 of this Chapter.
(o) "Flow rate" means the volume per time unit given to flow of gases or other fluid substance which emerges from an orifice, pump, turbine, or passes along a conduit or channel.
(p) "Fluid" means material or substance which flows or moves whether in a semisolid, liquid, sludge, gas or any other form or state.
(q) "Formation" means a body of rock characterized by a degree of lithologic homogeneity which is prevailingly, but not necessarily, tabular and is mappable on the earth's surface or traceable in the subsurface.
(r) "Formation fluid" means a "fluid" present in a "formation" under natural conditions as opposed to introduced fluids.
(s) "Groundwater restoration" means as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(f)(iii).
(t) "Injection well" means a well or conduit through which recovery fluid is introduced into the subsurface. If a well is used for both injection and recovery, it is considered an injection well for the purposes of this Chapter until the operator has adequately demonstrated to the Administrator that the well has been converted to a use other than injection, per the requirements of Section 10 of this Chapter.
(u) "In situ mining" means as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(f)(iv).
(v) "License area" means, with respect to an In Situ Research and Development License, an area described in the license application within which all affected land and water is contained.
(w) "Mechanical integrity" means an injection well, a production well, or a monitor well where there is no significant leak in the casing, tubing, or packer, and there is no significant fluid movement into an unauthorized zone through vertical channels adjacent to the injection or recovery well bore.
(x) "Mechanical Integrity Testing (MIT)" means the demonstrations that there are no significant leaks or fluid movement and is based on the results of the mechanical integrity testing required in Section 9 of this Chapter. A schedule and methods for Mechanical Integrity Testing shall be approved by the Administrator and included in the permit or Research and Development Testing License application (per Section 5(c)(vii) of this Chapter) and shall constitute requirements of the permit.
(y) "Mining permit or permit" means as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(c)(xi).
(z) "Monitor well" means as defined in Chapter 1, Section 2(cj).
(aa) "Monitor Well Ring" means the series of monitor wells surrounding a wellfield used to assess possible chemical and physical changes in groundwater due to in-situ mining.
(ab) "Production Well or Recovery Well" means a well through which a recovery fluid or soluble mineral is produced or recovered from the subsurface. If a well is used for both injection and recovery, it is considered an injection well for the purposes of this chapter, until the operator adequately demonstrates to the Department that the well has been converted to use(s), other than injection, per requirements of Chapter 10 of this Chapter.
(ac) "Production Zone" means as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(f)(v).
(ad) "Public water supply" means as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(c)(viii).
(ae) "Receiving strata" means the geologic unit within which the production zone is contained.
(af) "Recovery fluid" means any material which flows or moves, whether semi-solid, liquid, sludge, gas or other form or state, used to dissolve, leach, gasify or extract a mineral. This may also include restoration fluid.
(ag) "Research and Development License" means the permitting vehicle issued by the Administrator, per W.S. § 35-11-431 et seq., approving research and development testing as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(f)(viii).
(ah) "Sealing" means the operation whereby a cement slurry or other approved material is pumped into a drilled hole and/or forced into a well's annulus between the borehole and casing. "Sealant materials" are materials that are stable, have very low to no permeability and possesses minimum shrinking properties such that they are optimal sealing materials for well plugging and drill hole abandonment.
(ai) "Target Restoration Values" means the numerical groundwater protection standards, developed on a parameter-by-parameter basis for water quality constituents, used to assess the success of groundwater restoration within the production zone.
(aj) "The Division" means the Land Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
(ak) "Topsoil" means as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(e)(xiv).
(al) "Underground Injection Control (UIC)" program under Part C of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 USC 300h et seq.), including an "approved State program".
(am) "Underground Source of Water (USW)" means:
(i) Those aquifers or portions thereof which have a total dissolved solids content of less than 10,000 milligrams per liter (mg/L) and which contain a sufficient quantity of water to supply a public water supply as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(c)(viii);
(ii) Those that can be classified as a "known source of supply" pursuant to Chapter 8, Section 4 (c), Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(an) "Upper Control Limit (UCL)" means a value greater than the maximum value of a chemical or physical parameter that can be attributed to natural fluctuations and sampling and agree upon by the Administrator and the operator prior to initiation of mining. UCLs are used to determine when there is movement of recovery fluid out of authorized areas or unapproved changes to a chemical or physical parameter. For certain parameters, such as pH, a UCL may be defined as an acceptable range of values.
(ao) "Waters of the State" means as defined in W.S. 35-11-103(c)(vi).
(ap) "Well" means a bored, drilled, or driven shaft whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension; or, a dug hole whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension; or an improved sinkhole, or a subsurface fluid distribution system, as codified in 40 CFR 144.3.
(aq) "Well field area" means the surface area overlying the injection and recovery zones. This area may be all or a portion of the entire area proposed for the injection and production of recovery fluid throughout the life of the mine.
Section 2. General Requirements.
It is the operator's responsibility for the submission of an application to obtain a permit in accordance with these regulations. All applications for mining permits and amendments must be submitted in a format satisfactory to the Administrator. The applicant shall provide information that is complete, current, presented clearly and concisely, and supported by appropriate references to technical and other written material. The Administrator may require the applicant to supplement the application with information beyond that specifically required by these rules if the Administrator believes that additional information is necessary to make an informed decision.
(a) In addition to the requirements of this Chapter, Chapter 2 - Coal Rules and Regulations shall apply to coal in situ mining permits and coal in situ Research and Development licenses.
(b) Applicable Sections of Chapters 8 and 27, Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations, regarding groundwater use classification, quality standards, and testing procedures, and, outside the aquifer exemption boundary, applicable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Rules (40 CFR 141) shall also apply to in situ mining or Research and Development license operations.
(c) No in situ mining operation shall commence or be conducted unless a valid mining permit or license has been issued to the operator from the Department. Applications for an In Situ Mining Permit or Research and Development license shall be filed with the Administrator of the Land Quality Division. The applicant shall file two copies of the application to the Administrator in a format required by the Administrator.
(d) The Administrator shall review the in situ mining permit or license application and determine its suitability for publication in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11‑406. A permit or Research and Development license shall be issued by the Director upon the recommendations of the Administrator. In meeting the requirements of W.S. 35-11-406(a)(ix) the map should extend a minimum of one mile beyond the permit boundary.
(e) Area permits shall specify the area within which underground injections or recovery operations are authorized and the requirements for construction, monitoring, reporting, operation, and abandonment for all well authorized. The area permit may authorize the permittee to construct and operate, convert, or plug and abandon wells within the area permit provided the permittee notifies the Administrator at such times as the permit requires, the additional well meets the requirements under the definition of "area permit" and this section and the cumulative effects of drilling and operation of additional injection wells are considered by the Administrator during evaluation of the permit application and are acceptable to the Administrator. The area permit does not allow for the construction of non-bonded infrastructure.
(f) Operators having an in situ mining permit or license issued before the effective date of these regulations shall present evidence demonstrating compliance with the requirements of W. S. § 35‑11‑426 through W.S. § 35‑11‑436 and this Chapter. The Administrator shall review such evidence and shall advise the operator in writing of such additional information or procedures necessary to satisfy the provisions of this Chapter and of W.S. § 35‑11‑426 through W.S. § 35‑11‑436 within one (1) year of the effective date of this Chapter.
(g) All applications shall be signed by a responsible corporate officer. All reports required by permits (including Annual Reports, Quarterly Monitoring Reports, and reports related to excursion monitoring and control) or other information required by the Administrator which pertain to Class III injection wells shall be signed by a responsible corporate officer or duly authorized representative. Any responsible corporate officer or duly authorized representative signing a document under this Section shall make the following certification:
"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for known violations."
(i) "Responsible corporate officers" means:
(A) A president, secretary, treasurer, or vice president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs policy or decision-making functions for the corporation, or
(B) The manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operation facilities employing more than 250 persons or having gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25 million (in second quarter 1980 dollars), if authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures, or
(C) In the case of a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor, respectively; or
(D) For a municipality, State, Federal or other public agency: by either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For purposes of this section, a principal executive officer of a Federal Agency includes:
(I) The chief executive officer of the agency, or
(II) A senior executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency (e.g. Regional Administrators of the EPA).
(ii) "Duly authorized representative" means a person who is authorized to sign a document to be submitted to the Land Quality Division as part of the official record regarding an in situ mining permit or Research and Development license. A person shall quality for this title only if:
(A) The authorization is made in writing by a responsible corporate officer;
(B) The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity, such as the position of plant manager, operation of a well or well field, superintendent or position of equivalent responsibility.
(C) The written authorization is submitted to the Director.
Section 3. Applications Content Requirements - Adjudication.
(a) All applications for an in situ mining permit shall include, at a minimum, the information and materials related to adjudication required pursuant to W.S. § 35‑11‑406(a)(i) through (vi) and (viii) through (xiv).
(b) All applications for an in situ mining permit shall include all the information included in Land Quality Division - Coal, Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, Section 2 (Adjudication Requirements).
(c) All applications for an in situ mining permit shall include a description of the activities conducted by the applicant for which permits are required under State and Federal regulatory programs. Copies or identifying numbers of all permits or construction approvals received or applied for in association with the in situ permit area shall also be included with the permit application.
Section 4. Application Content Requirements - Baseline Information.
All applications for in situ mining permit shall contain:
(a) All information and materials required pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-406(a)(vii) through (xi) and (xv) and W.S. § 35-11-428(a)(i) and (ii).
(b) All applicable information and materials pertaining to vegetation, pursuant to Land Quality Division - Coal, Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2, Section 3 (Vegetation Baseline Requirements).
(c) All applicable information and materials required pursuant to Land Quality Division - Coal, Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2, Section 4 (Other Baseline Requirements).
(d) Geology. A description of the geology shall include the requirements of Land Quality Division - Coal, Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2, Section 4(a)(viii) through (x) and the following information:
(i) Discussions, supported by maps, cross-sections, 3-D modeling, and geologist's, driller's, and geophysical logs, which identifies:
(A) Formations and aquifers;
(B) Geologic features that could influence aquifer properties;
(C) Areal and stratigraphic position of the production zone in relation to other geologic features; and
(D) Structural features.
(ii) Discussion of geomechanical properties of coal and overburden, supported by laboratory testing or other analytical means, to include:
(A) Porosity;
(B) Permeability;
(C) Fractures; and
(D) Compressibility.
(iii) Discussion of the geochemical properties of coal, supported by laboratory testing, to include:
(A) BTU;
(B) Inorganic contaminants;
(C) Volatile organic compounds;
(D) Gas reactivity; and
(E) Ash content.
(e) Groundwater. A discussion of groundwater which may be affected in the permit area and adjacent areas which complies with Land Quality Division - Coal, Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2, Section 4(a)(xii), (xiii), and (xiv). In addition, the application shall discuss the following:
(i) For groundwater within the permit area and on adjacent lands:
(A) The names (or numbers), descriptions, and a map of all wells installed for water supply or monitoring and all wells which penetrate the production zone. The description shall include: names of present owners, well completion data, producing interval(s), and variations in water level to the extent such information is available in the public records and from a reasonable inspection of the property.
(B) A list and map of all adjudicated and permitted groundwater rights.
(ii) A list and map of all abandoned wells and drill holes, giving the location, depth, producing interval(s), type of use, condition of casing, plugging procedures and date of completion for each well or drill hole within the permit area and on adjacent lands to the extent such information is available in public records and from a reasonable inspection of the property.
(iii) A groundwater potentiometric surface contour map for each aquifer that may be affected by the mining process, including overlying and underlying aquifers in which monitoring wells are installed.
(iv) A description of aquifer characteristics for the water saturated portions of the strata proposed to be mined and aquifers which may be affected by the mining process. This shall include, but is not limited to:
(A) Aquifer thickness;
(B) Velocity and direction of groundwater movement;
(C) Storage coefficients or specific yields;
(D) Transmissivity or hydraulic conductivity;
(E) Direction(s) of preferred flow under hydraulic stress in the saturated zones of the receiving strata and/or aquifer which may be affected by the mining process;
(F) Hydraulic connection between the strata to be mined and overlying and underlying aquifers;
(G) Hydraulic characteristics of any influencing boundaries in or near in situ mining area; and
(H) Information required under Section 11 of this Chapter.
(v) Discussion of groundwater sampling, to include a tabulation of water quality analyses for samples collected from all groundwater which may be affected by proposed mining. Sampling to characterize the pre-mining groundwater quality and its variability shall be conducted in accordance with established Department guidelines. All baseline groundwater quantity and quality information must be provided in an electronic format prescribed by the Administrator.
Section 5. Application Content Requirements - Mine (Operations) Plan.
(a) The permit application shall include a mine plan containing all information required by W.S. § 35‑11‑406(b)(i) through (ix) and (xi) through (xviii), and consistent with the applicable in situ technology.
(b) The mine plan shall include applicable parts of Land Quality Division - Coal, Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2, Section 5(a).
(c) A description of operations specific to in situ mining, to include, but is not limited to the following:
(i) A description of the proposed method of operation, including the following:
(A) Injection and recovery rate, with the average and maximum daily rate and the volume of fluid and/or gas to be injected;
(B) Injection and recovery pressures, with average and maximum injection pressures;
(C) Proposed stimulation program;
(D) Proposed injection and recovery procedure;
(E) Expected changes in pressure and direction of movement of injection fluid;
(F) Underground gasifier design, operation and maintenance; and
(G) A description of chemical or physical reactions that may occur during mining as a result of injection or recovery fluid injection.
(ii) The following information concerning the production zone shall be determined or calculated and submitted for new Class III wells or projects:
(A) Where the production zone is in a receiving strata which is naturally water bearing:
(I) Fluid pressure;
(II) Fracture pressure; and
(III) Physical and chemical characteristics of the receiving strata fluids.
(B) Where the receiving strata is not a water-bearing formation, the fracture pressure in the production zone.
(iii) The procedure(s) to insure that the installation of recovery, injection, and monitor wells will not result in hydraulic communication between the production zone and overlying stratigraphic horizons.
(iv) The procedures utilized to verify that the injection and recovery wells are in communication with monitor wells completed in the receiving strata and employed for the purpose of detecting excursions.
(v) Descriptions of:
(A) Completion details for all monitor wells; and
(B) Detailed description of the typical proposed well completion for injection and recovery wells, as required by Section 8 of this Chapter.
(vi) Details of a monitoring program and reporting schedule as required by Sections 15 and 16 of this Chapter, respectively.
(vii) A schedule and procedures to check for mechanical integrity of Class III injection wells as required by Section 9 of this Chapter.
(viii) A corrective action plan, for any wells which are improperly sealed, completed, or abandoned, consisting of such steps or modifications as are necessary to prevent movement of fluid into unauthorized zones as required by Section 19 of this Chapter.
(ix) The composition of all known and anticipated wastes and procedures for their disposal, including disposal of any waste water generated during hydraulic fracturing.
(x) Details of a program to monitor the quantity and quality of waters that may be affected by the operation from premining through release of bond, including a description of procedures and time schedules used to confirm excursions.
(xi) A description of measures employed to prevent an excursion, and contingency plans to be implemented in the event of an excursion.
(xii) An assessment of impacts that may reasonably be expected as a result of the mining operation to water resources and water rights inside the permit area and on adjacent lands, and the steps that will be taken to mitigate these impacts.
(xiii) A subsidence analysis, using established geotechnical principles, which estimates based upon the proposed mining operation the effect of subsidence upon the land surface and overlying groundwater aquifers. Subsidence shall be planned and controlled to the extent that the values and uses of the surface land resources and the groundwater aquifers will not be degraded.
(xiv) A maintenance plan to ensure:
(A) Wells are sufficiently covered to protect against entrance of undesirable material into the wells;
(B) The wells are marked and can clearly be seen;
(C) The area surrounding each well is kept clear of brush or debris;
(D) Monitoring equipment is appropriately serviced and maintained so the monitoring requirements of Section 16 of this Chapter can be met; and
(E) Spill response and reporting plan.
Section 6. Application Content Requirements - Reclamation Plan.
(a) The permit application shall include a reclamation plan containing all information required by W. S. § 35‑11‑406(b)(ii), (iv), (xv), (xix), and consistent with the applicable in situ technology.
(b) The reclamation plan shall include applicable parts of Land Quality Division - Coal, Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2, Section 6(a) and (b) and Chapter 4, Section 2.
(c) A description of operations specific to in situ mining, to include, but is not limited to the following:
(i) Discussion and illustration of the proposed groundwater restoration schedule including:
(A) A list of the proposed wellfields;
(B) A map(s) which shows the proposed sequence for restoration of the wellfields;
(C) A proposed time schedule for each wellfield;
(D) The capacity of the water/waste water treatment systems and correlation capacity with the mining and restoration schedules.
(ii) The information necessary to demonstrate that the operation will return all affected groundwater, including affected groundwater within the production zone, receiving strata, and any other areas, to a condition such that its quality of use is equal to or better than, and consistent with, the uses for which the water was suitable prior to the operation by employing the best practicable technology. Such a demonstration shall be made by showing that through the employment of the best practicable technology, as defined in W.S. § 35‑11‑103(f)(i) and in accordance with the following provisions:
(A) In deciding whether a demonstration has been made by the operator that Best Practicable Technology has been applied, the Administrator shall, at a minimum, take the following factors into consideration:
(I) The pre-mining baseline water quality;
(II) The character and decree of injury or interference with the health and well-being of the people, animals, wildlife, aquatic life and plant life affected;
(III) The social and economic value of the source of pollution;
(IV) The social and economic value of the impacted aquifer;
(V) The priority of the location in the area involved;
(VI) The technical practicability and economic reasonableness of reducing or eliminating the source of pollution;
(VII) The effect upon the environment; and
(VIII) The potential impacts to other waters of the state.
(B) The evaluation of restoration of the groundwater within the production zone shall be based on the target restoration values.
(C) The evaluation of groundwater restoration success is conducted on a parameter by parameter basis; and
(D) Regardless of the restored groundwater quality in the production zone, the adjacent aquifers and other waters within the same aquifer must be fully protected to their class of use and, outside the aquifer exemption boundary, to applicable MCLs from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Rules (40 CFR 141). If the restored groundwater in the production zone poses a threat to groundwater outside the production zone, then flow and/or fate and transport models shall be used to assist in determining what action, including monitoring sufficient to verify the model, needs to be taken. A monitoring program sufficient to verify the model may be required.
(E) If the operator demonstrates the application of Best Practicable Technology to the satisfaction of the Administrator, but is unable to achieve the pre-mining class of use, then the operator can:
(I) Request that the Director recommend the Environmental Quality Council modify the water quality criteria used for groundwater restoration, in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-429 (a)(iii);
(II) Provided the operator can demonstrate the requirements of Section 6 (a)(ii)(D) will be met.
(F) A minimum of 1 year of quarterly monitoring data for a full suite of parameters, except those shown to be unaffected by the mining and restoration process, must be provided to demonstrate groundwater stability during the evaluation of restoration.
(iii) A plan for well repair, plugins, and conversion as required by Section 10 of this Chapter.
(iv) A proposed time schedule for achieving reclamation, including commitments that reclamation of mining-related surface disturbances in any mining area shall be completed within two years following approval of groundwater restoration in that area and that reclamation of all mining-related surface disturbances shall be completed within two years following approval of final groundwater restoration within the permit area.
(v) A contour map showing the approximate post-reclamation surface contours for affected lands and the immediate surrounding areas if the operation will substantially alter the premining contours.
(vi) Procedures for reestablishing any surface drainage that may be disrupted by the mining operation.
(vii) Procedures for the reclamation of any temporary diversion ditches or impoundments.
(viii) Procedures for permanently disposing of any toxic or acid-forming materials.
(ix) Procedures for removing and disposing of structures used in conjunction with the mining operation.
(x) Procedures for mitigating or controlling the effects of subsidence.
(xi) Procedures for surface preparation, depth of topsoil replacement, erosion control and water conservation practices.
(xii) Procedures for revegetation to return the affected land to the proposed post-mining land use and procedures for evaluation of revegetation success in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 2(d).
(xiii) The estimated costs for reclamation as computed in accordance with established engineering principles, including, but not limited to:
(A) Cost of removing and disposing of structures;
(B) Cost of topsoil restoration and reseeding all affected lands;
(C) Cost of facilities, materials, and chemicals used for groundwater restoration;
(D) Cost of capping, plugging, and sealing of all wells; and
(E) Costs for personnel working on reclamation-related activities.
Section 7. Research and Development License Application.
An application for a Research and Development License shall contain all information required by W.S. § 35‑11‑431 and Sections 7 through 17 of this Chapter and shall:
(a) Demonstrate that the operation is designed to:
(i) Evaluate mineability or workability of a mineral deposit using in situ mining techniques.
(ii) Affect the land surface, surface waters and groundwater of the State to the minimum extent necessary.
(iii) Provide premining, operational and postmining data, information and experience that will be used for developing reclamation techniques for in situ mining.
(b) Contain a general description of the land, geology and groundwater hydrology for the proposed license area including:
(i) The land use, vegetation, and topsoil characteristics of the affected lands.
(ii) The location and name of surface waters and adjudicated water rights inside and within one-half mile of the license areas.
(iii) The locations and present owners of all wells inside and within one-half mile of the license area to include information concerning plugging and well completion and producing interval(s) to the extent such information is available in the public record or by a reasonable inspection of the property.
(iv) Groundwater quality data and potentiometric surface elevations for aquifers that may be affected by the proposed operation.
Section 8. Well Construction Requirements.
(a) Methods for well construction shall:
(i) Be approved by the Administrator and included in the permit or Research and Development License application (per Section 5(c)(v) of this Chapter);
(ii) Constitute a requirement of the permit;
(iii) Construction requirements listed in Sections 8(a) through 8(f) of this Chapter are applicable to all wells installed for activities related to in situ mining. Additional requirements for Class III injection wells are included in Section 8(g). Additional requirements for monitoring wells are included in Section 8(h).
(iv) The Administrator may grant a deviation from the requirements, except those in Section 8(g), provided the operator can supply documentation of reliability, mechanical integrity, design, and construction to protect groundwater of the State in accordance with the water quality standards contained in Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(b) In selecting well locations, protecting wells, and maintaining well covers, the following requirements apply:
(i) The top of the casing shall end above grade. Where possibly the top of the casing shall end above any known high-water conditions of flooding from runoff or ponded water, and the immediate area around the collar of the well shall slope away from the well to direct surface runoff away from the well. Installation of wells in the channels and flood plains of perennial drainages is prohibited. If a wells must be located in an ephemeral or intermittent drainage:
(A) The well shall not be located in the streambed (i.e. the channel) of the drainage;
(B) During well construction and use, steps shall be taken to minimize the potential for damage to the channel, such as from erosion and sedimentation, and to protect the well from damage due to erosion and to prevent surface water runoff from entering the well;
(ii) The well opening shall be closed with a cover to prevent the introduction of undesirable material into the well.
(c) Annular seals shall be installed to protect the casing against corrosion, assure structural integrity of the casing, stabilize the upper formations; protect against contamination or pollution of the well from the surface; and prevent migration of groundwater from one aquifer or water-bearing strata to another.
(i) The drill hole shall be of sufficient diameter for adequate sealing and, at any given depth, at least three inches greater in nominal diameter than the diameter of the outer casing at that depth;
(ii) Before placing the annular seal, all loose drill cuttings, rock chips, or other obstructions shall be removed from the annular space by circulating the borehole with water or drilling mud slurry;
(iii) The annular sealing material shall be placed from the bottom to the top of the well casing. The displacement fluid used to force the final sealing material through the casing shall remain shut-in, to prevent back flow, until the sealing material is set. If settling occurs during setting of the sealing material, additional material must be placed into the annular space, to bring the level of the sealing material to the groundwater surface. If, during cementing, the cement does not return to the surface and settling during curing of the cement is more than forty feet, then a tremie pipe must be used to complete the cement to the surface to ensure that bridging does not occur.
(iv) Annular seals shall meet the standards of Land Quality Division, Rules and Regulations - Coal, Chapter 14.
(d) The casing of all wells shall be sufficient strength and diameter to prevent casing collapse during installation, convey liquid or gas at specified injection/recovery rate, pressure and temperature; and allow for sampling. Casing materials must be compatible with injection/recovery rates, pressure and temperature and must meet the relevant standards of ASTM International.
(e) Casing shall be placed with sufficient care to avoid damage to casing sections and joints. All joints in the casing above the perforation or screens shall be water tight. The uppermost perforations or top of the screen shall be below the bottom of the annular seal. Casing shall be equipped with centralizers placed at a maximum spacing of one per forty feet to ensure even thickness of annular seal and gravel pack.
(i) Casing shall be joined in a manner that is compatible with injection fluids, formation fluids, recovery fluids, process by-products, and injection/recovery fluid pressures.
(ii) Documentation of compatibility with paragraph (i) above will be provided prior to well installation.
(iii) Steel casing may be joined by either threading or coupling.
(iv) PVC casing may be glued or mechanically joined (no metal screws), depending on the type of material and its fabrication. Compatibility between injection fluids, formations fluids, process by-products, recovery fluids, and the glue shall be demonstrated.
(f) Well development shall be done by methods which will not cause damage to the well or cause adverse subsurface conditions that may destroy barriers to the vertical movement of water between water-bearing strata.
(g) For Class III injection wells, the following construction requirements are in addition to the requirements listed in (a) through (f) of this Section:
(i) Appropriate logs and other tests shall be conducted during the drilling and construction of new Class III wells. A descriptive report prepared by a knowledgeable log analyst interpreting the results of such logs and tests shall be compiled and maintained by the operator and made available to the Division for inspection. The logs and tests appropriate to each type of Class III well shall be determined based on the intended function, depth, construction, and other characteristics of the well, availability of similar data in the area of the drilling site and the need for progresses. Deviation checks shall be conducted on all holes where pilot holes and reaming are used, unless the hole will be cased and sealed by circulating the sealing material to the surface. Where deviation checks are necessary, they shall be conducted at sufficiently frequent intervals to assure that vertical avenues for fluid migration are not created during drilling.
(ii) All Class III wells shall be constructed to prevent the migration of fluids to unauthorized zones. The casing and annular sealing material used in the construction of each newly drilled well shall be designed for the life expectancy of the well. In determining and specifying casing and annular sealing requirements, the following factors shall be considered:
(A) Depth to production zone;
(B) Injection pressure, external pressure, internal pressure, axial loading, or other factors as determined by the Administrator;
(C) Injection and recovery fluid temperature and chemical characteristics;
(D) Drill hole diameter;
(E) Size and grade of all casing strings (wall thickness, diameter, nominal weight, length, joint specification and construction material;
(F) Corrosiveness of injected fluids, formation fluids, process by-products, and recovery fluids;
(G) Lithology of the receiving strata and confining zones; and
(H) Type and grade of sealing material.
(h) The following monitoring well construction requirements are in addition to the requirements listed in (a) through (f) of this Section.
(i) Where injection is into a receiving strata which contains water with less than 10,000 milligrams per liter (mg/L) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), monitoring wells shall be completed into the production zone and any unauthorized zone or water-bearing strata which could be adversely affected by the mining operation. These wells shall be located in such a fashion as to detect any excursion of injection fluids, formation fluids, process by-products, or recovery fluids. If the operation may be affected by subsidence or catastrophic collapse, the monitoring wells shall be located so that they will not be physically affected.
(ii) Where injection is into a receiving strata which contains water with greater than 10,000 mg/L TDS, no monitoring wells are necessary in the production zone.
(iii) Where the injection wells penetrate an USW in an area subject to subsidence or catastrophic collapse, an adequate number of monitoring wells shall be completed into the USW to detect any movement of injection fluids, formation fluids, process by-products, or recovery fluids into the USW. The monitoring wells shall be located outside the physical influence of the subsidence or catastrophic collapse.
(iv) In determining the number, location, and construction of the monitoring wells and frequency of monitoring, the following criteria shall be considered:
(A) The uses for which the groundwater in the receiving strata is suitable under premining conditions, in any aquifer affected or potentially affected by the is situ mining operation;
(B) The proximity of the injection operation to points of withdrawal;
(C) The local geology and hydrology;
(D) The operating pressures and whether a negative pressure gradient is being maintained;
(E) The chemical nature and volume of the injection fluids, formation fluids, process by-products, and recovery fluids; and
(F) The injection and recovery well density.
(i) No Class III well construction may commence until a permit or Research and Development License has been issued which includes well construction information in accordance with the requirements of Section 8 of this Chapter. Construction of wells needed to obtain the information required in Section 4 of this Chapter may be:
(i) Allowed with approval of the Administrator; but
(ii) May not be used for injection until after permit issuance and only if those wells were constructed in accordance with the requirements of Section 8(g).
(j) The operator may not commence injection in a new injection well until construction is complete and the operator has demonstrated mechanical integrity. The operator shall submit notice of completion of construction and demonstrated mechanical integrity in the quarterly monitoring reports. Except for all new wells authorized by an area permit or well field data package under Section 2(e) of this chapter, the operator may not commence injection in a new injection well until:
(i) The operator has submitted notice of completion of construction to the Administrator: and
(ii) With respect to inspection and review:
(A) The Administrator has inspected or otherwise reviewed the new injection well and finds the well is in compliance with the permit or Research and Development Testing License; or
(B) The operator has not received notice from the Administrator of the intent to inspect or otherwise review the new injection wells within 13 days of the date of the notice in paragraph (b)(i) of this subjection, in which case prior inspection or review is waived and the operator may commence injection. If notice is given, the Administrator shall include in the notice a reasonable time period in which he or she shall inspect the well.
Section 9. Mechanical Integrity Testing (MIT) of Class III Injection, Production, and Monitor Wells
(a) A schedule and methods for Mechanical Integrity Testing shall be approved by the Administrator and included in the permit or Research and Development Testing License application (per Section 5(a)(v) of this Chapter) and shall constitute requirements of the permit. The schedule and methods shall meet the following requirements:
(i) The operator of a Class III injection or production well shall establish mechanical integrity as defined in Section 1 of this Chapter for each well prior to commencing injection.
(ii) For demonstrating mechanical integrity as defined in Section 1 of this Chapter:
(A) One of the following methods must be used to evaluate the absence of significant leaks in the casing, tubing, or packer:
(I) Following an initial pressure test, monitoring of the tubing-casing annulus pressure with sufficient frequency to be representative, as determined by the Administrator, while maintaining an annulus pressure different from atmospheric pressure measured at the surface; or
(II) Pressure test with liquid or gas.
(B) One of the following methods must be used to determine the absence or significant fluid movement into any unauthorized zone or water-bearing strata through vertical channels adjacent to the injection bore:
(I) The results of a temperature or noise log (e.g. cement bond log); or
(II) Where the nature of the casing precludes the use of the logging technique prescribed above, sealing records demonstrating the presence of adequate sealing material to prevent such migration shall be provided; or
(III) Where the Administrator elects to rely on sealing records to demonstrate the absence of significant fluid movement, the monitoring program prescribed in Section 14 of this Chapter shall be designed to verify the absence of significant fluid movement.
(C) The Administrator may allow the operator to use a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity other than those listed in subsection (A) above, if the alternate testing method is approved by the EPA. To obtain approval, the Administrator with concurrence of the Director, shall submit a written request to the EPA, which shall set forth the proposed test and all technical data supporting its use.
(iii) Maintenance of the mechanical integrity of each Class III well, which has not been plugged or converted as required by Section 10 of this Chapter, shall be demonstrated at least once every five years or on a schedule determined by the Administrator.
(iv) Before resuming injection into any Class III well that has been damaged by surface or subsurface activity or that has undergone an activity that may jeopardize the mechanical integrity of the well, such as the use of downhole cutting and underreaming tools, the operator must demonstrate the mechanical integrity of that well.
(v) If the Administrator determines that a Class III well lacks mechanical integrity, he or she shall give written notice of this determination to the operator of the well. Unless the Administrator requires immediate cessation, the operator shall cease injection into the well within 48 hours of receipt of the Administrator's determination. The Administrator may allow plugging of the well or require the operator to perform such additional construction, operation, monitoring, reporting, and corrective action as is necessary to prevent the movement of fluid into unauthorized zones or onto the surface caused by the lack of mechanical integrity. The operator may resume injection upon written notification from the Administrator that the operator has demonstrated mechanical integrity.
(vi) Results of MIT testing shall be reported quarterly in an electronic format as prescribed by the Administrator in accordance with the requirements in Section 15 of this Chapter.
Section 10. Requirements of Plugging of Drill Holes and Repair, Conversion, and Plugging of Wells.
(a) A plan for drill holes and well repair, plugging and conversion shall be approved by the Administrator and included in the permit or Research and Development License application, as required by Section 6(v) of this Chapter and shall constitute a requirement of the permit.
(b) All drill holes and monitor wells shall be plugged in accordance with Land Quality Division, Rules and Regulations - Coal, Chapter 14 and W.S. § 35-11-404.
(c) If a well lacks mechanical integrity, repair or plugging of the well is required to prevent the movement of fluid into unauthorized zones or onto the surface caused by the lack of mechanical integrity. Repair or plugging of the well must be completed within 120 days of the testing which indicates the well lacks mechanical integrity. If the well is repaired rather than plugged, retesting of the well, in accordance with the requirements of Section 9 of this Chapter must be completed within 120 days after the repair is completed. The operator may resume injection upon written notification from the Administrator that the operator has demonstrated mechanical integrity.
(d) The operator shall notify the Administrator, as required by the permit or Research and Development Testing License, before plugging a well or wells within a permit area, or converting a well to uses other than those defined in Section 1(h) of this Chapter.
(e) All abandoned wells shall be plugged or converted in accordance with the Plugging/Conversion Plan in the permit or Research and Development Testing License, in order to assure that groundwater is protected and preserved for future use and to eliminate any potential physical hazard. A well is considered "abandoned" when it has not been used for a period of two years, unless the operator submits to the Administrator and receives approval for a non-significant revision demonstrating their intention to use the well again and the actions and procedures they will take to ensure that mechanical integrity of the well are maintained and the well will not endanger any unauthorized zone or water-bearing strata in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter.
(f) A well shall be plugged to meet the requirements below, using an approved sealant material as outlined in Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations - Coal, Chapter 14, to assure that plugging of the well will not allow the movement of fluids into or between unauthorized zones or water-bearing strata:
(i) The well shall be plugged using a method which prevents fluid communication and adverse changes in water quality or quantity. Sealant materials shall be emplaced in a manner that provides a water tight seal utilizing one of the approved methods detailed in Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations - Coal, Chapter 14, Section 2(e) through (g) and shall meet the following requirements:
(A) If specific sections of the casing are to be plugged with cement:
(I) The type and number of plugs to be used;
(II) The placement of each plug including the elevation of the top and bottom;
(III) The method of placement of the plugs, in accordance of Section 10(f);
(IV) That the well to be plugged shall be in a state of static equilibrium with the mud weight equalized top to bottom, either by circulating the mud in the well at least once or by a comparable methods prescribed by the Administrator prior to the placement of the cement plug(s); and
(V) That the placement of cement plugs shall be accomplished by one of the following:
(1.) The Balance method;
(2.) The Dump Bailer method;
(3.) The Two-Plug method; or
(4.) An alternative method approved by the Administrator, which:
a. Includes placement of plugging materials in the interval or intervals to be sealed by methods that prevent free fall, dilution and/or separation of aggregates from sealing methods; and
b. Provides a comparable level of reliable protection to the methods identified in Section 10(f).
(B) When the underground pressure head producing flow (i.e. gassy or artesian) is such that a counter-pressure must be applied to force a sealing material into the annular space, this counter-pressure shall be maintained for the length of time required for the plugging material to set or fully hydrate.
(C) The top of the plugging mixture of any plugged and abandoned well shall be backfilled to the surface with dry nonslurry materials or capped with a concrete cap set at least 2 below the ground surface and then backfilled to the surface with native earthen materials to ensure the safety of people, livestock, wildlife, and machinery in the area.
(g) In the case of an in situ operation which underlies or is in an aquifer which has been exempted under Section 11 of this Chapter, the Plugging/Conversion Plan in the permit or Research and Development Testing License shall also demonstrate adequate protection of USWs. The Administrator shall prescribe aquifer cleanup and monitoring where he deems it necessary and feasible to assure adequate protection of USWs.
(h) To ensure the locations of the abandoned wells are adequately identified:
(i) The location of each well shall be recorded as a deed notice with the appropriate county; and
(ii) The top of the plugging mixture in each abandoned well shall include a steel plate which clearly shows the well identification number, LQD permit number, and the date of plugging. All marking devices shall be installed a minimum depth of two feet below the land surface.
(i) Plugging and conversion activities shall be reported in accordance with the requirements in Section 15 of this Chapter.
Section 11. Aquifer Classification and Exemption
(a) Injections from Class III wells shall be restricted to those production zones that:
(i) Have been classified by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality as Class V aquifers under Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations; and
(ii) Have concentrations of Total Dissolved Solids:
(A) Less than 10,000 milligrams per liter; meet the definition of an "Underground Source of Water" as defined in Section 1 of this Chapter; and have been approved as an exempted aquifer by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Section 11(b) of this Chapter; or
(B) Greater than 10,000 milligrams per liter; and
(iii) Are located in a geologic and hydrologic setting in which movement of fluid, containing any contamination, into unauthorized zones can be prevented.
(b) An aquifer, or a portion thereof, which meets the criteria for an Underground Source of Water as defined in Section 1 of this Chapter maybe designated as an "exempted aquifer":
(i) If it meets the following criteria:
(A) It does not currently serve as a source of water for Class I, II, III, Special (A) or Class IV (A) uses as described in Chapter 8 of Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations, and
(B) It cannot now and will not in the future serve as a source of water because:
(I) It is a mineral, hydrocarbon, or geothermal energy producing, or can be demonstrated by a permit or Research and Development License applicant or operator to contain minerals or hydrocarbons that, considering their quantity and location, are expected to be commercially producible; or
(II) It is situated at a depth or location which makes recovery of water economically or technologically impractical; or
(III) It is so contaminated that it would be economically or technologically impractical to render that water fit for human consumption; or
(IV) It is located over a Class III well mining area subject to subsidence or catastrophic collapse; or
(V) The total dissolved solids content of the groundwater is less than 10,000 mg/L and it is not reasonably expected to supply a public water supply as defined by W.S. § 35-11-103(c)(viii); and
(ii) As demonstrated by information in the permit or Research and Development Testing License application, including:
(A) A map and description identifying and describing in geographic and/or geometric terms (such as vertical and lateral limits and gradient) all aquifers or parts thereof which the applicant proposes to exempt;
(B) Information to document that the exemption area is commercially producible as demonstrated by:
(I) The permit boundary;
(II) A description and calculations that support the proposed distance beyond the area required to mine and to restore the groundwater;
(III) General information on the mineralogy and geochemistry of the receiving strata; and
(IV) The type of mining technology used to extract the mineral; and
(C) Analysis of the amenability of the receiving strata to the proposed mining method; and a timetable of planned development of the receiving strata.
(c) A request for an aquifer exemption shall be presented by the WQD Administrator to the EPA as a state program revision pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 145.32 and the Working Agreement between Water Quality Division (WQD) and Land Quality Division (LQD), Section III (C), UIC Wells.
Section 12. Permit and Research and Development License Requirements
(a) The following requirements shall apply to permits and Research and Development Licenses. Each requirement shall be incorporated into the permit or Research and Development License either expressly or by reference. If incorporated by reference, a specific citation to these regulations must be given in the permit or Research and Development Testing License.
(i) The operator has a duty to comply with all terms, conditions, and requirements of the approved permit or Research and Development License.
(A) Any permit or Research and Development License noncompliance is grounds for enforcement action and any Research and Development License noncompliance is grounds for denial of a Research and Development License renewal application.
(B) The filing of a request by the operator for a permit or Research and Development License revision per Chapter 13 or Section 14 of this Chapter does not waive any permit or Research and Development Testing License requirement.
(ii) It shall not be a defense for an operator in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the requirements of this permit or Research and Development License.
(iii) The operator has a duty to take all reasonable steps to minimize, mitigate, or correct any adverse impact on the environment resulting from noncompliance with this permit or Research and Development License.
(iv) The operator shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the operator to achieve compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit or Research and Development License. Proper operation and maintenance includes effective performance, adequate funding, adequate operator staffing and training, and adequate laboratory and process controls including appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems only when necessary to achieve compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit or Research and Development License.
(v) The permit or Research and Development License does not convey any property rights of any sort or any exclusive privilege.
(vi) The operator has a duty to provide the Administrator, within a time specified, any information which the Administrator may request to determine whether cause exists for revising or revoking the permit or Research and Development License. The operator shall also furnish to the Administrator, upon request, copies or records to be kept as required by the permit or Research and Development License.
(vii) In compliance with all the provisions of Chapter 13 and Section 14 of this Chapter:
(A) The operator shall give notice to the Administrator as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted or licensed facility and;
(B) When the operator becomes aware of failure to submit any relevant facts in a permit or Research and Development License application, or submitted incorrect information in a permit or Research and Development License application or in any report to the Administrator, the operator shall promptly submit such facts or information to the Administrator.
(viii) Prior to requesting bond reduction for abandonment of a Class III well or wells within a well field area or for conversion of a Class III well to another use, the operator shall provide documentation and receive approval from the Administrator regarding the plugging of the wells or wells within a well field area or conversion of the well.
(ix) The following shall also constitute requirements of the permit:
(A) Plans for corrective action, including injection pressure limitation, as specified in Section 19(a) of this Chapter;
(B) Monitoring requirements as specified in Section 16 of this Chapter;
(C) Schedule and methods to establish and maintain Mechanical Integrity as specified in Section 9 of this Chapter;
(D) A plan for well repairs, plugging, and conversion as specified in Section 10 of this Chapter;
(E) Subsidence plans, as specified Section 5 of this Chapter;
(F) Air quality monitoring and sampling
(G) By-product management; and
(H) Decommissioning plans.
(x) The approved permit or Research and Development License shall include maximum injection and recovery volumes and/or pressures necessary to assure that fractures are not initiated in the confining zone, injected ore recovered fluids do not migrate into any unauthorized zone, and formation fluids are not displaced into any unauthorized zone. Operating requirements shall, at a minimum, specify that:
(A) Except during well stimulation, injection pressure at the well head shall be calculated to assure that the pressure in the production zone during injection does not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures.
(B) Operating temperatures and pressures which would trigger shut down procedures.
(C) Any other monitoring required by the Administrator which could be used to that fractures or other indications of failure are not initiated in the confining zone.
(xi) No operator shall construct, operate, maintain, convert, plug, abandon, or conduct any other injection or mining-related activity in a manner that allows the movement of fluid containing any contaminant into zones or intervals other than those zones authorized in the approved permit or Research and Development License. The operator shall have the burden of showing that the requirements of this paragraph are met.
Section 13. Duration of Permits and Research and Development Licenses.
(a) Permit shall be issued:
(i) For a period coinciding with the estimated schedules for termination of all mining and reclamation activities in conformance with the approved mining plan (Section 5(a)(i)), as provided by W.S. § 35-11-405(a) and (b); and
(ii) With the option for revising the mining and reclamation schedules, as provided in W.S. § 35-11-411(a)(iii) and 429(a)(iv).
(b) The Administrator shall review the permit at least once every five years to determine whether it should:
(i) Remain unchanged;
(ii) Be revised in accordance with the requirements of Section 19 of this Chapter; or
(iii) Revoked in accordance with the requirements of Section 20 of this Chapter.
(c) As specified in W.S. § 35-11-431(a), a Research and Development License is issued for up to one year and may be renewed annually.
Section 14. Revisions to Class III Well Portions of an In Situ Mine Permit or Research and Development License.
(a) A permit, license to mine, or Research and Development License may be revised as a significant or non-significant revision as specified in Sections 14(b) and (c), respectively, to address one or more of the following considerations, subject to the limitations of Sections 14(d) and (e).
(i) A revision may be necessary to address:
(A) A permit requirement or condition, per Section 12 of this Chapter and W.S. § 35-11-429(a)(ii); or
(B) An excursion or other aspect of noncompliance per Section 18 of this Chapter;
(C) A corrective action or compliance schedule per Section 19 of this Chapter;
(D) A concern noted during the five-year review per Section 13 of this Chapter;
(E) An objection by the Administrator to a part of the Annual Report per W.S. § 35-11-411(b);
(F) A change that could jeopardize reclamation or protection of any waters of the state per W.S. § 35-11-429(a)(iv);
(ii) Any interested person, including the operator, may request a revision provided the request is in writing and contains facts or reasons supporting the request. If the Administrator decides that a request or a permit or license revision is not justified, he or she shall send the requester a brief written response giving the reason(s) for the decision. Denials of requests for revisions are not subject to public notice and comments;
(iii) If the Administrator requires the operator to revise any Class III Well portions of a permit or Research and Development License, he or she shall prepare a letter to the operator specifying the needed changes and additional information.
(b) The occurrence of any of the following with regards to the Class III Well portion of a permit or Research and Development License shall result in the operator being required to revise the permit or Research and Development License. These revisions shall be treated as significant revisions and require public notice as specified in Chapter 7 of these regulations and Section 21 of this Chapter. In addition, the fact sheet or State Decision Document, will be updated for these revisions:
(i) Any material or substantial alterations or additions to the facility which occurred after issuance of the permit or license, which justify the application of permit or licenses conditions or requirements that are different or absent in the existing permit or license, including:
(A) Any increase in the amount of land related to installation or operation of additional Class III wells, from that which was approved in the original in situ mining permit or Research and Development License. Such a revision shall include (if not already presented in the permit or Research and Development License), the information required in W.S. § 35-11-428 and the requirements of Sections 3 through 19 of this Chapter. However, if the increase in the amount of land is for purposes unrelated to installation or operation of Class III wells, then the provisions of Section 2(b)(ii) of Chapter 7 apply.
(ii) The Underground Injection Control standards or regulations on which the permit or license was based have been changed by promulgation of new or amended standards or regulations or by judicial decision after the permit or license was issued;
(iii) The Administrator determines good cause exists for modification of a compliance schedule, such as an act of God, strike, flood, or materials shortage, or other events over which the permittee has little or no control and for which there is no reasonably available remedy.
(iv) Cause exists for revocation, as described in Section 23 of this Chapter, but the Administrator determines that revision is appropriate;
(v) A determination is made that the activity endangers human health or the environmental and can only be regulated to acceptable levels by a permit revision.
(c) A non-significant revision to any Class III Well portion of a permit or Research and Development license shall meet the requirements of Chapter 7 of these regulations, except that a non-significant revision, with operator consent shall be for the following reasons only:
(i) To correct typographical errors;
(ii) To require more frequent monitoring or reporting by the operator;
(iii) To change an interim compliance date in a schedule of compliance, provided the new date is not more than 120 days after the date specified in the existing schedule of compliance and does not interfere with attainment of the final compliance date requirement;
(iv) To allow for a change in ownership or operational control of a facility where the Administrator determines that no other change in the permit or Research and Development license is necessary provided that a written agreement is submitted in a format and on forms required by the Administrator containing a specific date for transfer of permit or Research and Development license responsibility, coverage, and liability between the current operator and new operator;
(v) To change quantities or types of fluids injected which are within the capacity of the facility as permitted or licensed and would not interfere with the operation of the facility or its ability to meet conditions described in the permit or Research and Development license and would not change its classification;
(vi) To change well construction requirements approved by the Administrator pursuant to Section 8 of this Chapter, provided that any such alteration shall comply with the requirements of Section 8;
(vii) To amend a well plugging/conversion plan which has been updated under Section 10 of this Chapter; or
(viii) To submit a wellfield data package that conforms to the specifics of the permit document.
(d) Suitability of the Class III well location will not be considered at the time of permit revision unless new information or standards indicate that a threat to human health or the environment exists which was unknown at the time of permit issuance.
(e) Only those conditions or requirements to be revised shall be reopened when a revision is necessary. All other aspects of the existing permit shall remain in effect for the duration of the unrevised permit unless they are in violation of law that was enacted after the permit was approved.
(f) Reviews and decisions on a permit revision application shall be conducted according to the provisions in Chapter 7.
Section 15. Reporting Requirements.
(a) All chemical analysis submitted to the Administrator in accordance with a valid permit or Research and Development License shall include:
(i) A description of, or reference for, the procedures and methods used for sample collection, preservation, and quality control.
(ii) The name, address, and telephone number of the laboratory performing the analysis, and the laboratory identification number; and
(iii) Signatures as required in Section 2(g) of this Chapter.
(b) Quarterly monitoring reports shall include, at a minimum:
(i) The results of monitoring required per Section 16 of this Chapter.
(ii) The results of all mechanical integrity testing conducted during that quarter, including the following information identified by Class III well, production well, or monitor well:
(A) Date of mechanical integrity testing;
(B) Identification of the method by which mechanical integrity was established;
(C) Verification of whether the mechanical integrity was or was not established in a well, including:
(I) Identification of a well which failed to have mechanical integrity established and consequently required repair; and
(II) A description of the method of plugging or repair.
(iii) The status of any corrective action on defective wells, required per Section 19 of this Chapter.
(iv) The results of well repair and plugging required per Section 10 of the Chapter, including:
(A) A Statement that:
(I) Wells were plugged in accordance with the approved permit or Research and Development Testing License; or
(II) Documentation that prior approval was obtained from the Administrator where plugging procedures differed from the procedures approved in the permit or Research and Development License.
(c) Annual reports shall include, at a minimum:
(i) All information required by W.S. § 35-11-411; and
(ii) A map(s) showing the location of all wells installed in conjunction with the mining activity and showing all areas where:
(A) Groundwater restoration has been achieved, is actively taking place and is expected to commence during the next year.
(B) Mining is expected to commence during the next year.
(iii) The total quantity of recovery fluid injected and the total quantity of recovery fluid extracted during the reporting period for each well field area including a description of how these quantities were determined.
(iv) Monitoring program results pursuant to Section 16 of this Chapter, including a map and description of all excursions, their location and extent, that occurred during the reporting period. Completion details shall be included for all monitor wells installed during the previous year.
(v) An updated potentiometric surface map(s) for all aquifer(s) that are or may be affected by the mining operation.
(vi) Supporting data sufficient to demonstrate groundwater restoration in accordance with Section 6 of this Chapter.
(d) During excursions, results from excursion-related monitoring shall be reported in accordance with the requirements of Section 18 of this Chapter.
(e) Well abandonment reports shall be made to the Land Quality Division and the State Engineer's Office:
(i) Within sixty days after the abandonment of any well which has artesian or gassy flow at the surface. The report, set forth in affidavit form, should contain the location of the well to the depth of the well, estimated rate of flow, and the facts of the plugging technique.
(ii) Within twelve months after the abandonment of any well. The report should include the location of the well to the nearest 40-acre legal subdivision (quarter, quarter, Section), survey locations utilizing decimal Latitude and Longitude coordinates, the depth of the well, and the facts of the plugging technique.
Section 16. Monitoring Requirements.
(a) A detailed monitoring program shall be approved by the Administrator and included in the permit or Research and Development License application, as required by Section 4(a)(xv) of this Chapter, and shall constitute a requirement of the permit. The program shall describe the procedures for monitoring the quantity and quality of waters that may be affected by the operation before mining through reclamation and shall, at a minimum, specify:
(i) Requirements for:
(A) The proper use, maintenance, and installation of monitoring equipment or methods;
(B) The intervals and frequency of monitoring, sufficient to yield data which are representative of the monitored activity, including continuous monitoring when appropriate; and
(C) The test and methods used to generate monitoring data.
(ii) Monitoring of:
(A) The nature of the injected fluids;
(B) The nature of the recovery fluids;
(C) The injection fluid pressure and flow rate or volume, as appropriate;
(D) The produced fluid volumes and flow rate or volume, as appropriate;
(E) Class III injection wells;
(F) Production zone;
(G) Water levels and other parameters used to detect any movement of injected or recovered fluids, process by-products, or formation fluids;
(H) Pressure changes or other physical parameters if such monitoring provides for more rapid detection of excursions; and
(I) At the Administrator's discretion, based on site-specific conditions, surface air monitoring and/or soil/gas monitoring to detect movement of gases that could threaten human health, safety or the environment.
(iii) A description of procedures and schedules used to:
(A) Detect and confirm excursions; and
(B) Monitor excursions and excursion control efforts.
(iv) Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be representative of the monitored activity and must be based on site-specific geologic factors, modeling, and operations.
Section 17. Maintenance and Retention of Records.
(a) The operator shall maintain records at the mine site in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11‑430(b), including, for any laboratory analyses that an operator is allowed to retain on site for inspection rather than submit to the Administrator:
(i) A description of, or reference for, the procedures and methods used for sample collection, preservation, analysis and quality control;
(ii) The name, address, and telephone number of the laboratory performing the analyses, and the laboratory identification number.
(b) The operator shall:
(i) Retain records of all monitoring information, including the following:
(A) Records of all data used to complete the permit and/or license applications and any supplemental information submitted under Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 of this Chapter;
(B) Calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recording for continuous monitoring instruments, copies of all reports required by the permit or Research and Development Testing License, and records of all data used to complete the application for the permit or Research and Development Testing License;
(C) The nature and compensation of all injected and recovered fluids; and
(D) Information requested by the Administrator for inclusion in an Annual Report as required by W.S. § 35-11-411.
(ii) Retain all records listed in subsections 17(b)(i)(A) through (D) at the mine site until termination of the permit or Research and Development Testing License, unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator. However, the record retention schedule cannot be less than three years after the date of the sample, measurement, report, or application. The Administrator may require the operator to deliver the records to the Administrator at the conclusion of the retention period.
Section 18. Noncompliance
(a) The operator shall:
(i) Verbally report to the Administrator any noncompliance which may endanger public health or the environment within 24 hours of the time the operator becomes aware of the occurrence, including:
(A) Any monitoring or other information which indicates that any contaminant may cause endangerment to an USW or unauthorized zone; and
(B) Any noncompliance with a permit or Research and Development License or malfunction of the injection or recovery system which may cause fluid migration into, or between USWs or unauthorized zones.
(C) Any automatic shutdown due to operating parameters such as injection rate, injection pressure, production pressure, production temperature, production flow, or other parameters approved by the Administrator diverge beyond ranges and/or gradients specified in the permit.
(D) Any subsurface yielding or deformation, as determined by subsidence monitoring.
(ii) Provide a written report to the Administrator within five days of the operator becoming aware of the noncompliance occurrence. The Administrator of the Land Quality Division will forward one copy to the Administrator of the Water Quality Division. The written report shall describe:
(A) A noncompliance and its cause;
(B) The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times;
(C) If the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and
(D) Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.
(iii) Report all instances of noncompliance, not reported under Sections 19(a)(i) and (iii), at the time monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in Section 18(a)(i) and (ii) as applicable.
Section 19. Excursions
(a) "Confirmation" of an excursion event means that an excursion detected in a regularly scheduled sampling or monitoring event is subsequently detected in a second or third sampling event conducted in accordance with the following requirements:
(i) The second sampling event shall be conducted within 24 hours of the receipt of the results from the first sampling event in which the excursion was initially detected. If the results from the first and second sampling event both indicate an excursion has occurred, then the excursion will be considered confirmed for the purpose of meeting the reporting requirements of W.S. § 35-11-429(a).
(ii) If the results from the first and second sampling events provide conflicting information about whether or not an excursion has occurred, then a third sampling event must be conducted within 24 hours of receipt of the results from the second sampling event. However, if the results of the confirmatory sampling are not complete within 30 days of the initial sampling event which indicated an excursion might be present, then the excursion will be considered confirmed for the purpose of meeting the reporting requirements of W.S. § 35-11-429(a).
(b) The operator shall:
(i) Verbally report any confirmed excursion to the Administrator within 24 hours of confirmation of the excursion and;
(ii) Submit a written report to the Administrator within five days of the confirmation of the excursion detailing the procedures for mitigating or controlling the excursion. The Administrator of the Land Quality Division will forward one copy to the Administrator of the Water Quality Division.
(c) An excursion is controlled when it can be demonstrated through water quality and groundwater gradient, or if applicable, pressure measurements, that recovery fluid in unauthorized areas is declining.
(i) If an excursion is not controlled within 30 days following confirmation of the excursion, additional sampling specific to the in situ mining operation will be required.
(ii) If an excursion is not controlled within 60 days following confirmation of the excursion, the Administrator may, after consultation with the Director, terminate the mining operation and revoke the permit or Research and Development License or modify the mining operation and require modification of the permit or Research and Development License.
(iii) If the excursion is controlled, but the fluid which moved out of the production zone during the excursion has not been recovered within 60 days following confirmation of the excursion (i.e. the monitor well is still "on excursion"), the operator will submit, within 90 days following confirmation of the excursion, a plan and compliance schedule, acceptable to the Department, for bringing the well (or wells) off excursion. The plan and compliance schedule can be submitted as part of the monthly excursion report required in Section 18(e) of this Chapter. The compliance schedule shall meet the requirements of Section 19(b) of this Chapter.
(d) In addition to the excursion notifications and control plan required above, a monthly report on the status of the excursion shall be submitted to the Administrator beginning the first month the excursion is confirmed and continuing until that excursion is over. The monthly report shall be a requirement of the compliance schedule and shall include, at a minimum:
(i) Concentrations of UCL parameters and groundwater elevations in all monitoring wells on excursion and, as necessary, surrounding wells;
(ii) Such information deemed necessary by the Administrator to show that the excursion is being controlled and that the bond amount for groundwater restoration or other remediation activities remains sufficient;
(iii) Information on steps taken to control the excursion.
Section 20. Corrective Action and Compliance Schedules
(a) Corrective actions are:
(i) Needed when a well is improperly sealed, completed, or abandoned, in which case:
(A) Operators shall provide the well information, as required in Section 5(c)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this Chapter, and the corrective action plan as required in Section 5(c)(viii) of this Chapter. Where the Administrator's review of the plan indicates that the operator's plan is inadequate (based on the factors presented below), the Director shall require the operator to revise the plan, prescribe a plan for corrective action as a term and condition of the permit, or deny the application.
(B) In determining the adequacy of corrective action proposed by the operator and in determining the additional steps needed to prevent fluid movement into an unauthorized zone, the following criteria and factors shall be considered by the Administrator:
(I) Nature and volume of injected fluid;
(II) Nature and volume of recovery fluid;
(III) Nature and volume of native groundwater;
(IV) Compatibility of injected and recovery fluid and native groundwater;
(V) Potentially affected population;
(VI) Geology, including geomechanical properties of coal and overburden;
(VII) Hydrogeology;
(VIII) Proposed method of operation as required by Section 5 (c) (i) of this Chapter or history of the injection operation if the corrective action is needed in response to amending new wells into an existing operation;
(IX) Completion and plugging records;
(X) Plugging procedures in effect at the time the well was abandoned;
(XI) Hydraulic connections with unauthorized zones.
(ii) Needed if any water quality monitoring of an USW or unauthorized zone indicates the movement of any contaminant into an USW or unauthorized zone, except as specifically authorized in the approved permit or Research and Development License, in which case, the Administrator shall prescribe such additional requirements for construction, corrective action, operation, monitoring or reporting (including closure of the injection or recovery well and/or limitation of injection pressures) as are necessary to prevent such movement. These additional requirements shall be imposed by requiring the operator to revise the permit or Research and Development License, the permit or Research and Development License may be revoked, or appropriated enforcement actions may be taken if the permit or Research and Development License has been violated.
(iii) The status of corrective action on defective wells shall be reported in accordance with the requirements of Section 15 of this Chapter.
(b) Compliance Schedule. When appropriate, a permit or license may include, or be revised to include, a compliance schedule leading to compliance with the applicable statutes and regulations. The schedule shall be applicable whether the operator is continuing or ceasing regulated activities.
(i) Any compliance schedule shall require compliance as soon as possible, and in no case later than 3 years after the date the schedule is put into effect. In addition:
(A) The schedule shall set forth interim requirements, the dates for their achievement, and a projected date of compliance with the requirements;
(B) The time between interim dates shall not exceed 1 year; and
(C) The schedule shall specify dates for the submission of progress reports, no later than 30 days following interim date and the final date of compliance.
(c) Emergency and Remedial Response Plan. As part of the permit application, the operator must provide the Administrator with an emergency and remedial response plan that describes actions to be taken to address movement of the injection or recovery fluids, or formation fluids that may cause an endangerment to a USW or threaten human health, safety, or the environment during construction, operation, closure, and post-closure periods.
(i) The emergency and remedial response plan must be reviewed and updated, as necessary. Any changes in the well field, operational and/or maintenance activities may trigger a review. At a minimum, the plan shall be reviewed every five years.
(d) Emergency Response. If monitoring data, or other evidence obtained by the operator indicate that the recovery fluid; production pressure, temperature or flow; cavity growth; or operation of surface facilities endangers a USW or threatens human health, safety, or the environment, the operator must:
(i) Immediately initiate safety measures, as per the emergency response plan;
(ii) Take all steps reasonably necessary to identify and characterize the danger; and
(iii) As soon as practical, provide verbal notice to the Department of any excursion.
(iv) If required by the Department, provide written notice of the excursion to all surface owners, mineral claimants, mineral owners, lessees and other owners of the record of subsurface interests within 30 days.
(v) Implement the emergency and remedial response plan, as approved by the Administrator.
(e) The Administrator may allow the operator to resume injection prior to remediation if the operator demonstrates that the operation will not endanger USWs or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment.
Section 21. Public Notice, Public Hearing, Comment and Decision Requirements.
(a) In addition to the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-406(g), (j), and (k) and Chapter 7, public notice for actions related to in situ permits or Research and Development Licenses, except permit or license revocation, shall be given by the following methods:
(i) All public notices issued under this Section shall contain the following:
(A) Name and address of the office processing the permit action for which notice is being given;
(B) Name and address of the operator and, if different, of the facility or activity regulated by the permit;
(C) A brief description of the business conducted at the facility or activity;
(D) Name, address, and telephone number of a person from whom interested persons may obtain further information;
(E) A brief description of the comment procedures, including a statement of procedures to request a hearing or, if a hearing has already been scheduled, the time and place of that hearting, and other procedures by which the public may participate in the final permit decision; and
(F) Any additional information considered necessary or proper.
(ii) The Administrator shall mail a copy of the notice to the following persons (any person otherwise entitled to receive notice under this paragraph may waive his or her rights to receive notice for any classes or categories of permits):
(A) Any other agency (including EPA when the draft permit is prepared by the State) which the Administrator knows has issued or is required to issue a permit for the same facility or activity under the following programs:
(I) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA);
(II) Underground Injection Control (UIC);
(III) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (or other permit requirement under the Clean Air Act;
(IV) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (including sludge management permits); and
(V) Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
(B) Federal and State agencies with jurisdiction over fish, shellfish, wildlife resources, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Officers, including any affected Indian Tribes, and the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
(C) Persons on a mailing list developed by including:
(I) Those who request in writing to be on a list;
(II) Soliciting persons for "area lists" from participants in past permit proceedings in that area and;
(III) Persons notified of the opportunity to be put on the mailing list through periodic publication in the public press. The Administrator may update the mailing list from time to time by requesting written indication of continued interest from those listed. The Administrator may delete from the list the name of any person who fails to response to such a request.
(D) Any unit of local government having jurisdiction over the area where the facility is proposed to be located.
(E) Each State agency having any authority under State law with respect to the construction or operation of such a facility.
(iii) In addition to mailing a copy of the public notice, the Administrator shall mail or electronically transfer a copy of the fact sheet, permit application or draft permit to the following persons:
(A) The applicant;
(B) Any other agency (including EPA when the draft permit is prepared by the State) which the Administrator knows has issued or is required to issue a permit for the same facility or activity under the following programs:
(I) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA);
(II) Underground Injection Control (UIC);
(III) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (or other permit requirement under the Clean Air Act;
(IV) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (including sludge management permits); and
(V) Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
(C) Federal and State agencies with jurisdiction over fish, shellfish, wildlife resources, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Officers, including any affected Indian Tribes, and the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
(iv) To supplement the required methods of public notice listed above, public notice can also be given by any other method reasonably affected by it, including press releases or any other forum or medium to elicit public participation.
(b) Objections may be filed in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-406(k), which objections shall list one or more reasons for denying the permit or Research and Development Testing License revision application as set out in W.S. § 35-11-406(m). If such written objections are filed, a public hearing shall be held in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-406(k) and the requirements of this Chapter. In addition to the hearing notice requirements described in W.S. § 35-11-406(k), the public notice of a hearing shall contained the following information:
(i) Reference to the date of the previous public notices relating to the permit;
(ii) Date, time and place of the hearing; and
(iii) A brief description of the nature and purpose to the hearing, including the applicable rules and procedures.
(c) A decision on the application of the nature and purpose of the hearing, including the applicable rules and procedures.
(i) Within 30 days after completion of the notice period, if no hearing is requested; or
(ii) If a hearing is requested:
(A) The Environmental Quality Council shall issue findings of fact and make a decision on the application within 60 days after the final hearing; and
(B) The Director will make a decision on the application within 15 days from receipt of any finds of fact and decision of the Council.
(C) Be sent to the applicant and objectors, along with a copy of the Director's decision, and be available to the public.
(iii) The Administrator will publish a summary of the decision in a newspaper of general circulation in the general area of the proposed operation.
(d) For permit or license revocation, all provisions of this Chapter shall apply, except that the Director shall cause notice of the revocation to be published.
Section 22. Confidential Records.
(a) Information submitted to satisfy the requirements of this Chapter may be held confidential pursuant to W.S. § 35‑11‑1101.
Section 23. Revocation.
(a) A permit, license to mine, or Research and Development license may be revoked by the Administrator to address one or more of the following:
(i) Revocation may be necessary to address:
(A) An excursion or other aspect of noncompliance per Section 18 of this Chapter; or
(B) One of the items listed in Section 20(b).
(ii) Any interested person, including the operator, may request revocation provided the request is in writing and contains facts or reason supporting the request. If the Administrator decides that a request for revocation is not justified, he or she shall send the requester and operator a brief written response giving the reasons(s) for the decision. Denials of request for revocations are not subject to public notice and comment;
(iii) If the Administrator revokes any Class III Well portions of a permit or Research and Development license, he or she shall prepare a letter to the operator specifying the needed changes and additional information.
(b) The Directory or Administrator may revoke a permit, License to Mine, or Research and Development license:
(i) If an excursion cannot be controlled or mitigated per W.S. § 35-11-429(a);
(ii) For failure to comply with permit terms, conditions, or requirements per W.S. § 35-11-412(b) and (c);
(iii) For the operator's failure in the application or during the issuance process to disclose fully all relevant facts or for misrepresenting any relevant facts at any time, as provided in W.S. § 35-11-409(a); and
(iv) Per the provisions of W.S. § 35-11-109(a)(xiii) and 110(b);
(c) A revocation requires public notice as specified in Section 3 of Chapter 7 of these regulations and Section 21 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2018-11-13
Chapter 19 Required Studies for Surface Coal Mining Permit Applications and Assistance for Such Studies
Wyo. Code R. 020.0006.19.04151998 Required Studies for Surface Coal Mining Permit Applications and Assistance for Such Studies
CHAPTER 19
REQUIRED STUDIES FOR SURFACE COAL MINING
PERMIT APPLICATIONS AND ASSISTANCE FOR SUCH STUDIES
Section 1. Definitions.
(a) "Production" means the amount determined by the pro rata share, based upon percentage of ownership, of coal produced by surface coal mining operations.
(b) "Qualified laboratory" means a public agency, private consulting firm, institution, or analytical laboratory the name of which appears on the Director's list of those laboratories which can provide the required determination or statement described in Section 2 and which are named as qualified laboratories within the list published in the Federal Register.
(c) "Qualified small operators" means any person who intends to apply for and is eligible to receive a permit pursuant to the Act who has not organized or reorganized a business solely for the purpose of receiving assistance and who establishes that the probable total annual production will not exceed 100,000 tons from:
(i) All operations in which the applicant owns more than a 5 percent interest, or controls it in any manner whatsoever;
(ii) All operations owned or controlled by persons who own more than 5 percent of the applicant or control the applicant, either directly or indirectly; and
(iii) All operations owned by members of the applicant's family and the applicant's relatives, unless it is established that there is not direct or indirect business relationship between or among them.
Section 2. Required Studies.
(a) In addition to other information required by the Act and these regulations, all surface coal mining permit applications shall contain:
(i) A determination of the projected result of proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operations, both on and off the mine site, which may reasonably be expected to change the quantity or quality of the surface and groundwater; the surface and groundwater flow, timing and availability, the surface and groundwater quality under seasonal flow conditions, including dissolved and suspended solids; the effect of acid-forming and toxic material on surface and groundwaters; the stream channel conditions; and the aquatic habitat in the permit area and other affected areas. This information shall be in sufficient detail to enable the Administrator to determine the probable cumulative hydrologic impacts on surface and groundwater systems including the impacts resulting from the proposed operation and their interaction with the impacts of all anticipated mining upon all affected hydrologic systems. Anticipated mining shall be projected over the life of the operation, and shall include all other existing coal mining operations, any proposed coal mining operation for which a permit application has been filed and all proposed operations required to meet diligent development requirements for leased federal coal where mine development and geological information is available. The assessment of the probable cumulative hydrologic impacts shall be sufficient to make the determination of W.S. § 35-11-406(n)(iii).
(ii) Unless determined in writing by the Administrator to be unnecessary, a statement of the physical and chemical analyses of test borings or core samplings from the permit area of the coal seam, overburden, and stratum lying immediately under the coal seam to be mined, including logs of the drill holes and thickness and sulfur content of any coal seam.
Section 3. Assistance for the Studies and Investigations.
(a) For the purpose of the determination required by Section 2(a)(i) of this Chapter, hydrologic information on the general area prior to mining may be obtained from an appropriate Federal or State agency. The Administrator shall not make a determination of completeness nor approve or deny any application until such information is available, or until it is otherwise voluntarily submitted by the applicant.
(b) For the purpose of the determinations required by Section 2 of this Chapter, the Director shall provide assistance to qualified small operators who submit and obtain approval of an application for assistance. The application shall include:
(i) A statement of intent to file a permit application;
(ii) The names and addresses of the potential permit applicant and operator;
(iii) The basis upon which the applicant claims to be a qualified small operator, including actual and estimated production for the year preceding the application for assistance and for each year of estimated operation;
(iv) A description of the proposed operation including the method, duration and number of acres of land to be affected by the proposed operation;
(v) A description of the area, including a general description of the coal resource and the coal reserve (including the method which they were calculated), and a USGS topographic map showing the area to be affected, drainage and the water sources, existing structures, known underground mines, and names of property owners for the proposed permit area and adjacent lands; and
(vi) Documents showing that the applicant or other qualified personnel have a legal right to enter and commence mining within the permit area, and to inspect, collect data, or install equipment within the permit area and on adjacent areas which may be affected by the proposed operation.
Section 4. Decision.
(a) Within 30 days from submittal the Director shall approve or deny the application for assistance based on the Administrator's recommendation that the applicant is a qualified small operator and nothing appears to preclude the applicant from obtaining a mining permit for the proposed operation.
(b) The Director shall inform the applicant of his decision and:
(i) If the application is approved, select and pay for the services of one or more qualified laboratories to do the work that the Administrator determines to be necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 2; or
(ii) If the application is denied, state the reasons for denial.
(c) The decision on the application for assistance shall not be a factor in any decision on a subsequent permit application.
Section 5. Evaluation and Reimbursement.
(a) The Director or authorized representative shall conduct periodic on-site evaluations of the activities of the qualified laboratories and the small operators to ensure that the necessary assistance is, and is only provided to qualified small operators.
(b) The Director may require reimbursement for the cost of the laboratory services if the applicant is not a qualified small operator, if he fails to submit a permit application within one year from the date of receipt of the laboratory reports, or if he fails to mine after obtaining a permit.
(c) If the permit is sold, transferred, or assigned to another person and the transferee's total actual and attributed production exceeds the 100,000 ton annual production limit during any consecutive 12 month period of the remaining term of the permit, the applicant and its successor are jointly and severally obligated to reimburse the State for the cost of the laboratory services.
(d) The Director may waive the reimbursement obligation if he finds that the applicant at all times acted in good faith.
History
- Effective 1998-04-15
72 Land Quality - Non Coal
Chapter 1 Noncoal Authorities and Definitions
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.1.05222000 Noncoal Authorities and Definitions
CHAPTER 1
NONCOAL
AUTHORITIES AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1. Authority. These rules and regulations are adopted by the Environmental Quality Council and the Administrator of the Land Quality Division pursuant to the authority granted the Council and the Administrator by the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Sections 35-11-101 through 35-11-1106, Wyoming Statutes, 1977, as amended. These rules and regulations are effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Section 2. Definitions. The definitions included in the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, are hereby adopted by this reference. All references to the "Act" herein refer to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, as amended.
(a) "Acid drainage" means water with a pH of less than 6.0 and in which total acidity exceeds total alkalinity, discharged from an active or inactive mine or from an area affected by mining and reclamation operations.
(b) "Acid-forming materials" means earth materials that contain sulfide minerals or other minerals which exist in a natural state or if exposed to air, water or weathering processes, will cause acid conditions that may hinder plant establishment or create acid drainage.
(c) "Adjacent areas" means land located outside the permit area upon which air, surface water, groundwater, fish, wildlife, or other resources protected by the Act may reasonably be expected to be adversely impacted by mining or reclamation operations. Unless otherwise specified by the Administrator, this area shall be presumptively limited to lands within one-half mile of the proposed permit area.
(d) "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Division of Land Quality.
(e) "Animal-unit" means one mature beef cow of approximately 1,000 pounds and a calf (up to 6 months old).
(f) "Applicant" means any "person" seeking a permit, permit revision, transfer, or other approval from the Administrator to conduct mining and reclamation operations, or "person" seeking license to explore, but does not include subsidiaries or parents of the "person," as "person" is defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(a)(vi).
(g) "Aquifer" is a zone, stratum or group of strata that stores and transmits water in sufficient quantities for a specific use.
(h) "Best technology currently available" means equipment, devices, systems, methods, or techniques which, as determined by the Administrator, are currently available and practicable, and will:
(i) Prevent, to the extent possible, additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the affected land or permit area. But in no case shall contributions exceed requirements set by applicable State or Federal laws, and
(ii) Minimize, to the extent possible, disturbances and adverse impacts on fish, wildlife and related environmental values, and achieve enhancement of those resources where practicable.
(i) "Bond" means a surety or self-bond instrument by which the permit applicant assures faithful performance of all requirements of the Act, all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the provisions of the permit and license to mine. This term shall also include any Federal insured certificates of deposit, cash, government securities, or irrevocable letters of credit which the operator has deposited with the Department of Environmental Quality in lieu of a Surety Bond or Self-Bond Instrument.
(j) "Combustible material" means organic material that is capable of burning.
(k) "Compaction" means the reduction of pore spaces among particles of soil or rock, generally done by controlled placement and running heavy equipment over the earthen material.
(l) "Comparison area" means a land unit which is representative, in terms of physiography, soils, vegetation and land use history, or a premining plant community from which no or insufficient vegetation data were collected prior to disturbance.
(m) "Complete application" means, for purposes of W.S. § 35- 11-406(m)(i) and to indicate the Administrator's assessment of completeness and suitability for publication under W.S. § 35-11-406(h) and (j), an application for a permit which contains all information required by the Act and the Land Quality Division regulations that is necessary to make a decision on permit issuance.
(n) "Control area" means a land unit which is representative, in terms of physiography, soils, vegetation and land use history, of a plant community to be affected by mining activities as verified by a comparison of its quantitative and qualitative characteristics to similar information from the plant community it typifies and where a mathematical climatic adjustment is made.
(o) "Cover" means vegetation, litter, and rock over the soil which intercept rainfall.
(p) "Discoverer" means any person conducting or intending to conduct any exploration by drilling. This includes locater, owner or agent thereof who will drill or has drilled the hole.
(q) "Diversion" means a channel, embankment, device, or other manmade structure constructed for the purpose of diverting water from one area to another.
(i) "Permanent diversion" means a diversion remaining after bond release.
(ii) "Temporary diversion" means a diversion utilized during mining or reclamation operations, which must be removed and reclaimed prior to bond release.
(r) "Drill site" means all areas of land that are or will be disturbed or utilized by exploration drilling. This area includes drill holes or other drilled excavations, drilling pads, areas disturbed by mud pits, and any land over which drilling mud mixtures overflow or may disturb.
(s) "Embankment" means an artificial deposit of material that is raised above the natural surface of the land and used to contain, divert, or store water, support roads or railways, or other similar purposes.
(t) "Ephemeral stream" means a stream which flows only in direct response to precipitation in the immediate watershed or in response to snowmelt, and which has a channel bottom that is always above the prevailing water table.
(u) "Exploration area" means, for bonding purposes, one or more drill sites, comprising an integrated project conducted by a discoverer within one of the three districts presently established by the Land Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality.
(v) "Exploration by drilling" means any exploration drilling for the purpose of gathering subsurface geologic, physical or chemical data to determine the location, quantity or quality of the natural mineral deposit of an area, excluding holes drilled for use as water wells.
(w) "Gel strength" means the minimum shear stress which results in permanent deformation of a gel.
(x) "Groundwater" is subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil materials such that they may be considered water-saturated.
(y) "Hard rock surface mining" means surface mining of minerals deposited within or as igneous or metamorphic rocks or surface mining of rocks of sedimentary origin which are extremely well lithified. These include: anorthosite, copper ore, gold ore, uranium, iron ore, dolomite, limestone, marble, serpentinite, phosphate, sandstone, pumice, feldspar, jade, and ballast rock.
(z) "Hazardous materials" means any material or substance which results from or is encountered in a mining operation which could reasonably be expected to cause physical harm if not controlled in an approved manner.
(aa) "Highest previous use" means a sustainable use of the land which has the greatest economic and social values to the people of the area prior to the commencement of the mining operation.
(ab) "Highwall" means the face of exposed overburden or minerals in an open cut of a surface mine or entry to an underground mine.
(ac) "Hydrologic balance" means the relationship between the quality and quantity of inflow to, outflow from, and storage in a hydrologic unit such as a drainage basin, aquifer, soil zone, lake or reservoir. It encompasses the quantity and quality relationships between precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and the change in ground and surface water storage.
(ad) "Hydrologic regime" means the entire state of water movement in a given area. It is a function of the climate and includes the phenomena by which water first occurs as atmospheric water vapor, passes into a liquid or solid form and falls as precipitation, moves thence along or into the ground surface, and returns to the atmosphere as vapor by means of evaporation and transpiration.
(ae) "Important habitat" means areas of especially high value for a diversity of wildlife or areas that provide certain elements essential to the existence of certain groups of wildlife. Examples of important habitat include, but are not limited to, wetlands, riparian areas, rimrocks, areas offering special shelter or protection, reproduction and nursery areas and wintering areas.
(af) "Impoundment" means a closed basin formed naturally or artificially built which is dammed or excavated for the retention of water, slurry or other liquid or semi-liquid material. A permanent impoundment is a structure that will remain after final bond release.
(ag) "Intermittent stream" means a stream or part of a stream that is below the local water table for some part of the year, but is not a perennial stream.
(ah) "Irreparable harm to the environment" means, for the purpose of W.S. § 35-11- 406(o), any damage to the environment in violation of the Act or regulations, that cannot be corrected by actions of the applicant.
(ai) "Mine facilities" means those structures and areas incidental to the operation of the mine, including mine offices, processing facilities, mineral stockpiles, storage facilities, shipping, loadout and repair facilities, utility corridors, mill facilities, tailings impoundments (excluding uranium mill tailings and mill facilities within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission license area), disposal areas, heap leach facilities, and spent ore disposal areas.
(aj) "Monitor well" means a well constructed or utilized to measure static water levels or to obtain liquid, solid, or gaseous analytical samples or other physical data that would be used for controlling the operations or to indicate potential circumstances that could affect the environment.
(ak) "Monitoring" means the collection of environmental and hydrological data by either continuous or periodic sampling methods.
(al) "Mulch" means plant residue or other suitable materials placed upon the soil surface to aid in soil stabilization and soil moisture conservation.
(am) "Outslope" means the face of the spoil or embankment sloping downward from the highest elevation to the toe.
(an) "Perennial stream" means a stream or part of a stream that flows continuously during all of the calendar year as a result of groundwater discharge or surface runoff.
(ao) "Permit area" means the area of land and water within the boundaries of the approved permit or permits during the entire life of the operation and includes all affected lands and water.
(ap) "Permit transfer" means a change in ownership or control over the right to conduct mining operations under a permit or license to mine.
(aq) "Potentiometric surface" means the surface that coincides with the static level of water in an aquifer. The surface is represented by the levels to which water from a given aquifer will rise under its full head.
(ar) "Precipitation event" means a quantity of water resulting from drizzle, rain, snow, sleet, or hail in a limited period of time. It may be expressed in terms of recurrence interval and duration.
(as) "Public road" means any thoroughfare open to the public which has been and is being used by the public for passage of vehicles, and is maintained by public funds.
(at) "Recharge capacity" means the ability of the soils and underlying materials to allow precipitation and runoff to infiltrate and reach the zone of saturation.
(au) "Reclaimed land surface" means affected land which has been backfilled, graded, contoured, and revegetated in accordance with an approved reclamation plan.
(av) "Reference area" means a land unit which is representative, in terms of physiography, soils, vegetation and land use history, of a plant community to be affected by mining activities as verified by a statistical comparison of absolute values of percent cover and total herbaceous productivity between affected area and reference area data and no mathematical climatic adjustment is made.
(aw) "Revised mining or reclamation operations" means, except for incidental operation changes, mining and/or reclamation operations conducted during the term of a permit which differ from those operations described in the original mine permit application and approved under the original permit.
(ax) "Road(s)" means a surface right-of-way for purposes of travel by land vehicles including the roadbed, shoulders, parking areas, structures, and drainage features. Roads shall be classified to include:
(i) Haul roads: all roads utilized for the transport of the extracted mineral, over- burden, or other earthen materials.
(ii) Access roads: all roads, exclusive of haul and light-use roads, utilized for the transportation of personnel, equipment, and small payloads of material within the permit area.
(iii) Light-use roads: those roads established and utilized for exploration, for occasional inspection of monitoring equipment, weather station, test plots, or for other purposes necessary to comply with the requirements of these regulations. Light-use roads shall be limited to:
(A) Roads or portions thereof which exist for less than six months and where the road is constructed by grading, cutting, filling or other methods whereby the natural land surface is disturbed; or
(B) Nonconstructed roads where the natural land surface is not physically altered by construction or grading; however, a two-tracked road occurs due to vehicle travel over the same course. Nonconstructed roads may include pioneer construction roads or roads used for transport of spoil and topsoil to stockpile sites which exist for not greater than two weeks and are then stabilized or replaced in accordance with these requirements.
(iv) Exempted roads: roads within the pit and those roads maintained by the county, State or Federal government, or those roads which are existing private roads except:
(A) When the existing road requires extensive regrading and resurfacing in order to render the road usable; or
(B) Upgrading of the road requires cuts, fills, and borrow areas.
(ay) "Safety factor" means the ratio of the available shear strength to the developed shear stress on a potential surface of sliding determined by accepted engineering practice.
(az) "Small operator" means any mining operation for which not more than 10,000 cubic yards of overburden are removed in any one year and the affected land does not exceed ten acres in any one year.
(ba) "Soft rock surface mining" means surface mining of materials deposited within or as sedimentary rock formations which include: uranium, sand and gravel, jade, bentonite, hot springs deposit, placer mining, clay, gypsum, oil shale, and scoria.
(bb) "Soil survey" means a field and other investigation which results in a map showing the geographic distribution of different kinds of soils based on taxonomic characteristics and includes a report that describes, classifies and interprets such soils for use in reclamation.
(bc) "Species composition" means number, kinds, amount, and quality of species.
(bd) "Species diversity" means number of species per unit area.
(be) "Spoil" means overburden removed during the mining operation to expose the mineral and does not include the marketable mineral, subsoil or topsoil.
(bf) "Stabilize" means to control movement of spoil, spoil piles, or areas of disturbed earth by modifying the geometry of the mass, adding control structures, or by otherwise modifying physical or chemical properties.
(bg) "Stagnant water" means naturally or artificially impounded water which, because of its poor quality or shallow depth, is unusable for livestock or wildlife watering, wildlife habitat, or recreational uses.
(bh) "Subsidence" means the measurable lowering of a portion of the earth's surface or substrata.
(bi) "Subsoil" means the B and C Horizons excluding consolidated bedrock material.
(bj) "Substantially affect" means to conduct activity which, in the determination of the Administrator will significantly impact land, air or water resources so as to disturb the natural land surface.
(bk) "Surface water" means water, either flowing or standing, on the surface of the earth.
(bl) "Suspended solids" means organic or inorganic material carried or held in suspension in water which are retained by a standard glass fiber filter in the procedure outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency's regulations for wastewater analyses (40 CFR 136).
(bm) "Topsoil" means the A and E Horizons or any combination thereof.
(bn) "Toxic materials" means earthen materials or refuse which, if acted upon by air, water, weather, or microbiological processes, are likely to produce chemical or physical conditions in soils or water that are detrimental to biota or would restrict the common uses of water.
(bo) "Underground development waste" means earthen materials excavated, moved, and disposed of from underground workings in connection with mining activities.
(bp) "Underground mining activities" means underground operations necessary for the extraction of solid minerals by manmade excavations underneath the surface of the earth.
(bq) "Upland areas" means those geomorphic features located outside the area of unconsolidated streamlaid deposits and may include isolated higher terraces, alluvial fans, pediment surfaces, landslide deposits, and surfaces covered with residuum, mud flows or debris flows, as well as highland areas underlain by bedrock and covered by residual weathered material or debris deposited by sheetwash, rillwash, or windblown material.
(br) "Vegetation type" means a recognizable group of species growing together due to similar requirements and tolerances.
(bs) "Water table" means the upper surface of a zone of saturation, where the body of groundwater is not confined by an overlying impermeable zone.
Section 3. Applicability.
(a) All mining operations or operations by which solid minerals are intended to be extracted from the earth, which are commenced or conducted after the effective date of these rules and regulations, shall comply with the requirements hereof, except as specific exemptions are allowed by the Act.
(b) The discretionary exemptions shall be limited as follows:
(i) For the purpose of extraction of minerals pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-401(e)(ii), cooperative agreements between the individual counties and the Division may be entered into by the County Commissioners, the Director and the Administrator in order to facilitate the reclamation activities of those areas affected by the county.
(A) The County Commissioners of each county shall designate a person to coordinate the mining and reclamation activities of the individual county with the Division.
(B) The Division will assist each county in determining the best possible methods of reclamation and prevention of pollution and erosion arising from their mining operations.
(C) The county shall make an annual report to the Administrator detailing past year's activity of the county in mining and reclamation.
(c) Uranium mill tailings and uranium mill tailings impoundments permitted prior to March 13, 1987 may remain in or be removed from the permit area at the option of the permittee. Those tailings and impoundments remaining in the permit area will be regulated according to the conditions in the permit. Permit conditions relating to the uranium mill tailings and uranium mill tailing impoundments shall be amended as requested by the permittee. Removal of tailings areas and impoundment areas from the permit area shall be approved by the Administrator at the request of the permittee and may be accomplished either through a permit revision or through the annual report.
History
- Effective 2000-05-22
Chapter 2 Regular Noncoal Mine Permit Applications
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.2.08212026 § 1 General Requirements
.
(a) All applications shall be filed in a format required by the Administrator and shall include, at a minimum, all information required by the Act and all the applicable information required under Section 2 of this Chapter.
(b) Information set forth in the application shall be current, presented clearly and concisely, and supported or authenticated, when appropriate, by references to technical material, persons, or public or private organizations which were used, consulted, or were responsible for collecting and analyzing the data.
(c) Maps submitted with the application shall be, or be the equivalent of, a U.S. Geological Survey topographic map at a scale determined by the Administrator, but in no event smaller than 1:24,000. All maps shall contain a title relative to the subject matter of the map, a map number, legend, and show the limits of the permit area.
(d) Applicants may reference materials. If used in the application, referenced materials shall either be provided to the Division or be readily available to the Division. Relevant portions of referenced materials shall be presented briefly and concisely in the application by photocopying or abstracting and with explicit citations.
(e) The applicant may consult with the local conservation district during preparation of the reclamation plan for conformance with technical standards and specifications which may have been adopted by the local conservation district for mined land reclamation.
(f) The applicant shall consult with both the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to submission of the permit application. The Administrator shall also consult with both wildlife agencies during permit application review. The Administrator shall review recommendations from the wildlife agencies and may reject recommendations that are outside the scope of the Act. Those recommendations accepted by the Administrator shall be presented to the applicant for their review and comment. Those recommended mitigation plans from the wildlife agencies resulting from review and comment and accepted by the Administrator shall be incorporated into the permit application.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.2.08212026 § 2 General Application Content Requirements
.
(a) In addition to that information required by W.S. § 35‑11‑406(a), each application for a mining permit shall contain:
(i) A description of the lands to be affected within the permit area, how these lands will be affected, for what purpose these areas will be used during the course of the mining operation, and a time schedule for affecting these lands. This description shall include:
(A) The major past and present uses of the proposed permit area and adjacent lands. Previous uses of affected lands must be ranked on an individual basis according to the overall economic or social value of the land use to the landowner, community, or area in which these lands are found. The Administrator of the Land Quality Division shall bear the responsibility of making the final decision on the ranking of land uses in a particular area. This decision must be based on information concerning the economy, historical use of the area, and the needs and desires of the landowner. The Land Quality Advisory Board may be consulted for suggestions or recommendations on the ranking of land uses in a given area.
(B) Vegetative cover.
(I) Grasses, forbs, trees and shrubs ‑ the description shall include the common and scientific names of the predominating species and their estimated abundance within the proposed permit area. If trees are present within the proposed permit area, then the description shall include an estimate of the range of their heights and diameters.
(II) Noxious weeds ‑ if any weeds or other plants listed by the local Weed and Pest Control District as harmful are present within the proposed permit area, the description shall include a list of their names, either common or scientific, and their abundance.
(III) Endangered or Threatened Species. If any State or Federally listed endangered or threatened plant species are known to exist within the permit area or in adjacent areas, their location shall be described and an evaluation provided on potential habitats within the permit area or in adjacent areas.
(C) Annual precipitation ‑ the operator shall submit an estimated total annual precipitation for the proposed permit area. Data from the nearest official weather reporting station may be used. Operations more than 50 miles from an official weather station that are permanently staffed may be required to keep precipitation records.
(D) Average wind direction and velocity ‑ the operator shall submit the average wind direction and velocity recorded at the nearest official weather station or as measured at the site.
(E) Indigenous wildlife.
(I) The operator shall submit a list of the indigenous vertebrate wildlife species in the permit area by common and scientific names. Special attention shall be paid to the possible presence of wildlife on or adjacent to the proposed permit area which are listed on the "Threatened or Endangered Species List."
(F) Overburden, topsoil, subsoil, mineral seams or other deposits.
(I) Overburden ‑ the operator shall submit a description including the thickness, geological nature (rock type, orientation, etc.), the presence of toxic, acid‑forming, or vegetative‑retarding substances, or any other factor that will influence the mining or reclamation activities.
(II) Topsoil ‑ the operator shall submit a description of the thickness and nature of the topsoil, if any, over the proposed affected lands. A soils survey and soil analyses conducted in accordance with standard methods acceptable to the Administrator, may be required to show variations in topsoil depth and suitability.
(III) Subsoil ‑ the nature, thickness and distribution of the subsoil, if any, shall be described over the proposed affected lands. Detailed analyses of the subsoil may be required, if there is reason to suspect it may be of better quality for revegetation than the topsoil, or if it is to function as a topsoil supplement in reclamation efforts. If the subsoil is suspected of containing substances that might cause pollution or hinder reclamation, analyses will provide a basis for determining how to handle this material during reclamation.
(IV) Mineral seams or other deposits ‑ the operator shall submit a description of the mineral seams in the proposed permit area, including, but not limited to, their depth, thickness, orientation (strike and dip), and rock or mineral type. Maps or geologic cross‑sections may be used to illustrate the description of the mineral seams.
(G) Surface waters.
(I) The operator shall list and describe the name and location for the present surface waters in and adjacent to the proposed permit area. The list shall include, but not be limited to, rivers, creeks, lakes, reservoirs, springs and marshes. Streams shall be classified as ephemeral, intermittent or perennial.
(II) The operator shall submit a description of the immediate drainage area which includes the proposed permit area. Surface water use shall be identified as to domestic, municipal, industrial, agricultural, and wildlife.
(H) Groundwater.
The operator shall submit an estimate of the depth and quantity of any groundwater existing in the proposed permit area down to and including the strata immediately below the lowest mineral seam to be mined. The operator may be required to conduct test drilling and monitoring in order to determine the exact depth, quantity and quality of groundwater in geological formations affected by the mining operations. Such drilling will require permits from the State Engineer's Office.
(I) Water rights.
(I) The operator shall list by name and owner all known adjudicated and permitted water rights on the proposed permit area and adjacent lands.
(II) The operator shall submit a list by name and owner of all existing water wells on the proposed permit area and adjacent lands, including all wells filed with the State Engineer's Office three miles or less from the proposed permit area. A survey of the premining water levels in the above wells may be required.
(J) A description of any significant artifacts, fossil or other article of cultural, historical, archaeological or paleontological value. Upon recommendation by a qualified archaeologist or a qualified paleontologist, the Administrator may require an evaluation of the proposed permit area prior to the time that a permit or license is issued.
(b) In addition to that information required by W.S. § 35‑11‑406(b), each application for a mining permit shall contain:
(i) A description of the mining operation proposed to be conducted during the life of the mine, including:
(A) A narrative description of the type and method of mining, the number of acres that will be affected annually, overburden and mineral removal and transport, anticipated annual and total production by tonnage, and the major equipment to be used for all aspects of the operations.
(B) A map showing the estimated orderly progression of mining and reclamation on all proposed affected lands.
(C) If blasting is anticipated, a blasting plan, in accordance with Chapter 14 Blasting For Noncoal Surface Mining Operations shall be in place for the area to be mined during the term of the permit, which shall include:
(I) Proposed compliance with limitations on ground vibration and airblast, the basis for those limitations and methods to be applied in controlling the adverse effects of blasting operations. The applicant shall also include:
(1.) A blasting plan which depicts the worst case scenario (i.e., the maximum probable amount of explosives to be detonated in any eight millisecond period).
(2.) The identification, direction and distance, in feet to the nearest dwelling, public building, school, church and community or institutional building from any blasting area during the term of the permit. This paragraph shall not apply if the building is owned by the operator and not leased to another or, if leased, the lessee signs a waiver relieving the operator from meeting the limitations in Chapter 14.
(II) If blasting operations will be conducted within 1,000 feet of any building used as a dwelling, public building, school, church and community or institutional building outside the permit area, or within 500 feet of an active or abandoned underground mine, an anticipated blast design, prepared and signed by a certified blaster will be provided. The design shall contain sketches of the drill patterns, delay periods and decking and shall indicate the type and amount of explosives to be used, critical dimensions, and the location and general description of structures to be protected, as well as a discussion of design factors to be used which protect the public and meet the applicable airblast, flyrock and ground vibration standards in Chapter 14. This paragraph shall not apply if the building is owned by the operator and not leased to another or, if leased, the lessee signs a waiver relieving the operator from meeting the limitations in Chapter 14.
(III) Description and location of blasting monitoring, warning and site access control equipment and procedures proposed to be used pursuant to Chapter 14, Section 4.
(IV) Description of procedures and plans for recording and retaining information required by Chapter 14, Section 5.
(V) A sample copy of the public notice required by Chapter 14, Section 3.
(VI) Other information requested by the Administrator which he/she determines necessary to ensure compliance with Chapter 14.
(ii) A time schedule for each major step in the reclamation which coordinates the operator's reclamation plan with the mining plan in such a manner so as to facilitate reclamation at the earliest possible time consistent with Chapter 3, Section 2(k) and the orderly development of the mining property.
(iii) A plan whereby the operator will reclaim the affected lands to the proposed postmining land use in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 2(a) which shall include:
(A) A plan for topsoil and subsoil removal, storage, protection, and replacement; and for handling and disposal of all toxic, acid‑forming, or otherwise hazardous materials, in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 2(c). This shall include a description with location maps and, where appropriate, typical topographic profiles of the mine facility area, mineral stockpiles, spoil piles, and topsoil and subsoil stockpiles. The location, and where required, the capacity of each stockpile shall be described and shown on a map. The application shall also explain how the topsoil will be replaced on the affected land during reclamation, including a description of the thickness of topsoil to be replaced and procedures that will be followed to protect the topsoil from excessive compaction and wind and water erosion until vegetation has become adequately established.
(B) A plan for backfilling, grading and contouring of all affected lands in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 2(b). The plan shall include:
(I) A description of the reclaimed land surface with contour maps or cross‑sections that show the final surface configuration of the affected lands;
(II) Where terraces or benches are proposed, detailed drawings shall be provided which show dimension and design of the terraces, check dams, any erosion prevention techniques and slopes of the terraces and their interval;
(III) Where permanent water impoundments are proposed, contour maps and cross‑sections which show slope conditions around the impoundment and the anticipated high and low postmining water level. The plan shall contain a description of erosion control techniques and such other design criteria and water quality and quantity conditions to comply with Chapter 3, Section 2(g);
(IV) Maps and descriptions necessary to demonstrate that the slopes of the reclaimed land surface do not exceed the approximate premining slopes; and
(V) Procedures for assuring stability of the reclaimed land surface.
(VI) Applications for disposal of inert material as backfill, shall be subject to the following requirements:
(1.) Applications for disposal of inert material as backfill shall be considered a significant permit revision and will be processed in accordance Noncoal Chapter 7.
(2.) On-site stockpiling of inert materials shall not be allowed prior to the use of the materials as final backfill. Inert materials shall not be processed at the mining operation, only final products may be used as backfill.
(3.) Inert materials shall be approved by the Administrator prior to being used as backfill.
(4.) Approved backfill locations shall include:
a. Inert materials shall only be used as backfill on privately owned land with surface owner's consent;
b. Inert materials shall only be placed in the end walls or the final pit voids that are not located in drainages or impoundments;
c. The inert backfill material shall be placed in a lift not to exceed ten feet and covered by a minimum lift of at least fifteen feet of suitable backfill material in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 2(b) of these rules in order to minimize potential future surface subsidence. Multiple lifts are permitted. The approved materials shall be placed a minimum of twenty feet above the pre-mining potentiometric surface of the native aquifer and a minimum of twenty feet below the final regraded spoils surface. The pit shall not be saturated. If the mined pit is dry, the disposal shall be above the confining layer; and
d. The proposed backfill disposal location shall be mapped and a legal description of the location shall be provided. The proposed location shall also comply with Chapter 4, Section 4 of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Rules.
(5.) Monitoring and reporting requirements.
a. Backfill disposal location maps and groundwater monitoring locations shall be updated annually in the required annual report;
b. The groundwater monitoring plan required by Section 2(b)(iii)(D) of this Chapter shall include monitoring wells to be installed and monitored in accordance with the Chapter 4, Section 8(b)(i)(A) through (C) and 8(b)(iv)(A) of the Solid Waste Rules. The monitoring results shall be reported in the annual report; and
c. The groundwater and vegetation monitoring shall continue until final bond release and shall at a minimum continue for five years after final reclamation. Groundwater constituents to be monitored shall be based on the type of material used as backfill.
d. If the monitoring data demonstrates any groundwater contamination associated with the disposed backfill materials, the Administrator may require the operator to characterize the nature and extent of the release, conduct an assessment of corrective measures, and institute corrective action remedies approved by the Administrator.
(6.) Final surface reclamation requirements.
a. The final reclamation surface must blend with the surrounding mine reclamation and have a permanent vegetative cover in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 2 (c) and (d) of these rules;
b. Final reclamation must drain properly and not impound water in accordance with the Chapter 3, Section 2(c)(iv) requirements;
c. The backfill site shall be released by the Division in accordance with the approved reclamation plan; and
d. Upon final reclamation, a disclosure must be placed on the real property deed for the described lands prior to final bond release.
(7.) The operator shall remit fees quarterly to the Department in the amount of ten percent of any revenues collected by the operator for the disposal of inert materials.
(C) A plan to assure revegetation of all affected land in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 2(d). The plan shall include the method and schedule of revegetation, including but not limited to species of plants, seeding rates, seeding techniques, mulching requirements or other erosion control techniques, and seeding times to be used in a given area for reclamation purposes. The plan shall also reflect reclamation recommendations accepted by the Administrator through consultation with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture if the applicant is proposing to reclaim an area to croplands.
(D) Descriptions, including maps and cross‑sections, of the surface water diversion systems which meet the requirements of Chapter 3, Sections 2(e) and (f). Monitoring of surface and groundwater conditions may be required during the course of the operation based on the existing water conditions and the nature of the proposed operation. If so required, the application shall include a description of the location, construction, maintenance, and removal, where necessary, of such monitoring stations.
(E) Where a permanent water impoundment is proposed as final reclamation, the application shall include:
(I) Written consent from the surface landowner if different than the mineral owner;
(II) A description of the proposed use of the impoundment;
(III) A statement of the source, quality and quantity of water available for impoundment and a statement regarding its suitability for recreational, irrigation, livestock or wildlife watering. If, upon review of this information, water quality and quantity are not reasonably demonstrated to be suitable for the postmining use, the applicant shall be so notified in writing and shall be allowed to submit further documentation in support of the proposed impoundment to reasonably satisfy the Administrator. If the applicant is unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the water quality and quantity will be suitable for the postmining land use, the applicant shall provide an alternate plan;
(IV) The operator may be required to monitor surface and groundwater in order to determine that upon completion of the operation, the water quality and quantity will be consistent with the approved postmining use; and
(V) A description of the construction of the impoundment so as to meet the requirements of Chapter 3, Section 2(g).
(F) A plan to assure proper design, construction, operation, monitoring, maintenance and reclamation of any tailings impoundments, tailings disposal areas, heap leaching facilities and spent ore disposal areas utilizing best technology currently available in accordance with the Act and these regulations.
(G) A classification and description, including maps and cross‑sections, if appropriate, of all roads (except exempted roads), other transportation facilities, shipping areas and rights‑of‑way to be built or utilized during the operation. The classification shall designate the road as either a haul road, access road, or light‑use road. The description shall include:
(I) Legal ownership ‑ if the operator includes roads or spur lines within the permit area but does not possess the mineral rights or the right‑to‑mine for these lands, the legal land description shall then be listed in the application as a separate subsection in Appendix "C." The heading of the subsection shall make it clear that the right‑to‑mine is not claimed on the described lands. Surface owners shall be listed for all lands crossed by spur lines and roads.
(II) All information necessary to show compliance with the requirements of Chapter 3, Section 2(i).
(H) A plan for the disposal of buildings and structures erected, used or modified by the applicant in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3, Section 2(j).
(I) A plan for the management and disposal within the proposed permit area of industrial solid wastes generated by the operation (such as, but not limited to, grease, lubricants, paints, flammable liquids, garbage, trash, discarded mining machinery, lumber and other combustible materials) in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 2(c) and with those provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules and Regulations deemed appropriate by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Chapter 3 Environmental Protection Performance Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.3.04252006 Environmental Protection Performance Standards
CHAPTER 3
NONCOAL MINE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Section 1. General. This Chapter sets forth the environmental protection performance standards applicable to all mining operations. No mining operation shall be conducted except in compliance with the requirements hereof.
Section 2. General Environmental Protection Performance Standards.
(a) Land uses.
(i) Reclamation shall restore the land to a condition equal to or greater than the "highest previous use." The land, after reclamation, must be suitable for the previous use which was of the greatest economic or social value to the community area, or must have a use which is of more economic or social value than all of the other previous uses.
(ii) Operators are required to restore wildlife habitat, whenever the Administrator determines that this restoration is possible, on affected land in a manner commensurate with or superior to habitat conditions which existed before the land became affected, unless the land is private and the proposed use is for a residential or agricultural purpose which may preclude its use as wildlife habitat.
(iii) Water impoundments used for recreational purposes shall be constructed in accordance with the statutes and (g) of this Section. Recreational lands, other than water impoundments, represent changes in the land which may or may not be suitable for wildlife habitat.
(b) Backfilling, grading and contouring.
(i) Backfilling, grading, and contouring of affected land shall be accomplished by one or more of the following as detailed in the approved reclamation plan:
(A) Reestablishment of the contour of the land in a manner consistent with the proposed future use of the land;
(B) Reestablishment of adequate through drainage if such a provision is necessary to prevent pollution or diminution of the quantity and quality of the surface water and groundwater;
(C) Contouring of affected land to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain unless so doing would create an erosion problem or a hazard to man or beast; and
(D) Creation of water impoundments for a use certified in an approved plan in accordance with the statutes and (g) of this Section.
(ii) Soft rock surface mining.
(A) If the reclamation plan does not provide for a permanent water impoundment, the final pit area shall be backfilled, graded, compacted and contoured to the extent necessary to return the land to the use specified in the approved plan. In preparation of slope specifications in the plan, the operator shall consider an average of the measured slopes in the immediate area of the proposed mine site. Slopes in the reclaimed area shall approximate the premining slopes. Slopes greater than the approximate premining slopes may be approved if the operator can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that returning the mined area to a slope equal to or less than the approximate premining slopes would create an unwarranted increase in the amount of affected lands or that greater slopes would enhance the postmining land use. Individual slope measurements, locations of the measurements, and the average measurement shall be submitted with the reclamation plan. In determinations of the approximate premining slope, the Land Quality Division may make an independent slope survey. All backfilling, grading, and contouring will be done in such a manner so as to preserve the original drainage or provide for approved adequate substitutes. No depressions to accumulate water will be permitted unless approved in the reclamation plan as being consistent with the proposed future use of the land.
(B) Terraces or benches may be used only when it can be shown to the Administrator's satisfaction that other methods of contouring will not provide the required result. If terracing is proposed, detailed plans indicating the dimensions and design of the terraces, check dams, any erosion prevention techniques, and slopes of the terraces and their intervals will be required.
(C) If the reclamation plan provides for a permanent water impoundment and this use has been approved according to the requirements outlined in the Act and these regulations, the exposed pit areas must be sloped, graded, and contoured so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain and provide for access and revegetation. Riprapping where necessary to prevent erosion will be required. Sloping requirements will be as described above. Under certain conditions wherein it can be demonstrated to the Administrator's satisfaction that the pitwall can be stabilized by terracing or other techniques it may be permissible to leave not more than one-half of a proposed shoreline composed of the stabilized pitwall. The remaining portion of the shoreline must be graded and contoured so as to provide access and blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. In the event that a partial pitwall is proposed as final reclamation, the operator must submit a detailed explanation of the techniques to be used to establish the stability of the pitwalls in his reclamation plan. At the Administrator's discretion, a study of the proposed pitwall stabilization techniques may be required from an independent engineering company for purposes of verifying the effectiveness of the proposed stabilization techniques. The Land Quality Division will determine the acceptability of the proposed stabilization techniques based on this information and an on-site inspection.
(D) Highwall retention may be considered on a case-by-case basis for enhanced wildlife habitat. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department shall be consulted by the applicant for need and design of the land form. Any approval under this paragraph shall be based on a demonstration of safety, stability, environmental protection, and equal or better land-use considerations.
(iii) Hard rock surface mining.
(A) If the reclamation plan does not provide for a permanent water impoundment, all disturbed areas shall be returned to a condition suitable for the use specified in the approved plan. The final pit area shall be backfilled, graded, and contoured as much as possible considering the physical characteristics of the land and rock materials. Whenever possible, pitwalls shall be reduced, graded, and contoured to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. Where it is not possible to reduce pitwalls, based on the character of the rock encountered or economic considerations, the pitwalls must be stabilized by terracing or other acceptable engineering techniques. Plans for pitwall stabilization shall be submitted in compliance with procedures specified. The base of the pits which will be partially surrounded by highwalls must be graded, contoured and prepared for topsoil placement. Graded and contoured access to the base of such pits must be provided.
(B) If the reclamation plan provides for a permanent water impoundment and this use has been approved, all sources of possible water contamination within the pit must be covered with overburden or stabilized in such a manner so as not to contaminate the water in the resulting impoundment. Where possible, based on the characteristics of the rock, nature and extent of the mining operation, pitwalls extending above the projected water level within the pit area must be reduced, graded and contoured so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. Where it is not possible to reduce pitwalls, based on the character of the rock involved or economic feasibility of reducing the highwalls, the highwalls must be stabilized by terracing or other acceptable engineering techniques. Plans for pitwall stabilization must be submitted following the procedure as indicated in this Chapter. Graded and contoured access to the impoundment must be provided. Backfilling, grading and contouring of affected areas above the projected high water line that is not occupied by stabilized highwalls will be required when the physical land characteristics are such that this activity is possible.
(c) Topsoil, subsoil, overburden, and refuse.
(i) Topsoil.
(A) All topsoil or approved surface material shall be removed from all areas to be affected in the permit area prior to these areas being affected unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator. The topsoil may be mixed with the subsoil but shall be segregated so as not to become mixed with spoil or waste material, stockpiled in the most advantageous manner and saved for reclamation purposes. The Administrator may authorize topsoil to remain on areas where minor disturbance will occur associated with construction and installation activities including, but not limited to, light-use roads, signs, utility lines, fences, monitoring stations and drilling provided that the minor disturbance will not destroy the protective vegetative cover, increase erosion, or adversely affect the soil resource.
(B) When topsoil is not promptly redistributed, the topsoil or approved surface material shall be stockpiled on stable areas within the permit area in such a manner so as to minimize wind and water erosion and unnecessary compaction. In order to accomplish this, the operator shall establish, through planting or other acceptable means, a quick growing cover of vegetation on the topsoil stockpiles. The topsoil shall also be protected from acid or toxic materials, and shall be preserved in a usable condition for sustaining vegetation when placed over affected land. Provided however, where long-term disturbance will occur, the Administrator may authorize the temporary distribution of topsoil to enhance stabilization of affected lands within the permit area. Where this is authorized, the Administrator shall find that the topsoil or subsoil capacity and productive capabilities are not diminished, that the topsoil is protected from erosion, and will be available for reclamation.
(C) Reclamation shall follow mining as soon as is feasible so as to minimize the amount of time topsoil must be stockpiled. Where topsoil has been stockpiled for more than one year, the operator may be required to conduct nutrient analyses to determine if soil amendments are necessary.
(D) Topsoil stockpiles shall be marked with a legible sign containing letters not less than six inches high on all approach roads to such stockpiles. Said signs shall contain the word "Topsoil" and shall be placed not more than 150 feet from any and all stockpiles of topsoil. Such signs must be in place at the time stockpiling is begun.
(E) Topsoil, or an approved substitute, shall be distributed at an approximate uniform depth on the surface of all lands affected consistent with the approved permit and the postmining land use.
(F) If abundant topsoil is present, and it is not all needed to accomplish the reclamation required in the approved reclamation plan, the Administrator may approve of use of this topsoil by this or another operator in another area for reclamation purposes.
(G) Trees, large rocks and other waste material which may hinder redistribution of topsoil shall be separated from the topsoil before stockpiling.
(ii) Subsoil.
(A) Except as provided in (B), all subsoil determined by field methods or chemical analysis to be suitable as a plant-growth medium shall be removed from all areas to be affected and handled in accordance with the topsoil requirements of this Section.
(B) Upon an adequate demonstration by the operator that all or a portion of the subsoil material is not needed to meet the revegetation and land use requirements of these regulations, the Administrator may authorize all or a portion of the subsoil to not be used for reclamation. The unused subsoil may then be regarded as overburden material and handled in accordance with the requirements of this Section.
(iii) Topsoil and subsoil substitutes.
(A) If insufficient suitable topsoil or subsoil is available for salvage or redistribution, then an operator may use selected overburden as a topsoil substitute. The operator shall demonstrate by analysis or test plots that the substitute material is suitable as an alternative material.
(B) Topsoil substitute stockpiles shall be segregated from topsoil and overburden piles and shall be identified as substitute material. Identification signs shall be placed not more than 150 feet from all stockpiles of substitute material. Such signs shall be in place at the time stockpiling is begun.
(C) If overburden is to be used in reclamation as a substitute for topsoil, all large rocks and other waste material which may hinder redistribution shall be separated before stockpiling.
(iv) Overburden, spoil and refuse.
(A) All overburden, spoil material and refuse shall be segregated from the topsoil and subsoil and stockpiled in such a manner to facilitate the earliest reclamation consistent with the approved reclamation plan.
(B) Except where diversions are authorized by these regulations, all overburden, spoil material, and refuse piles must be located to avoid blocking intermittent or perennial drainages and floodplains in order to minimize loss and spread of material due to water erosion. Ephemeral drainages may be blocked if environmentally sound methods for dealing with runoff control and sedimentation are approved by the Administrator.
(I) For temporary stockpiles, material should be replaced in pits as soon as possible consistent with the approved reclamation plan to minimize the amount of time material is stockpiled.
(II) If permanent overburden, spoil, or refuse piles have been approved by the Administrator, they shall be designed, graded and contoured so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. Spoil material shall not be deposited on slopes that exceed 20 degrees, unless the operator demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that this material will be stable and can be revegetated as required by this Section. The slopes of all spoil areas must be designed so that they will be stabilized against wind and water erosion. After the grading and contouring of these stockpiles, topsoil or approved subsoil must be distributed over them in preparation for the revegetation procedure. Revegetation must be completed in accordance with requirements of this Chapter. A permanent drainage system must be established consistent with these regulations.
(C) All topsoil shall be removed from areas to be used for piling spoil material prior to the beginning of piling this material.
(D) The operator may be required to have analyses made of spoil material in order to determine if it will be a source of water pollution through reaction with leaching by surface water. If it is determined that this condition may exist, the operator shall describe proposed procedures for eliminating this condition.
(E) All overburden and spoil material that is determined to be toxic, acid- forming or will prevent adequate reestablishment of vegetation on the reclaimed land surface, unless such materials occur naturally on the land surface, must be properly disposed of during the mining operation.
(v) Management and final burial on the permit area of all industrial solid wastes generated by the operation (such as, but not limited to, grease, lubricants, paints, flammable liquids, garbage, trash, discarded mining machinery, lumber and other combustible materials) shall be in accordance with this Section and with provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules and Regulations deemed appropriate by the Administrator.
(d) Revegetation.
(i) Revegetation of all affected lands shall be accomplished in a manner consistent with the approved reclamation plan and the proposed future use of the land.
(ii) Land which did not support vegetation prior to becoming affected land need not be revegetated unless subsoil or overburden from such affected land will support vegetation. The operator shall demonstrate to the Administrator's satisfaction that revegetation or reforestation is not possible if he seeks to proceed under the provisions of this subsection.
(iii) After backfilling, grading, and contouring and the replacement of topsoil, and/or approved substitutes, revegetation shall be commenced in such a manner so as to most efficiently accommodate the retention of moisture and control erosion on all affected lands to be revegetated. In addition, any fertilizer requirements as determined on the basis of previous analysis must be fulfilled.
(iv) Seeding which is accomplished by mechanical drilling shall be on the topographic contour, unless for safety reasons it is not practicable, or perpendicular to the prevailing wind on flat areas. Seeding of affected lands shall be conducted during the first normal period for favorable planting conditions after final preparation unless an alternative plan is approved. Any rills or gullies that would preclude successful establishment of vegetation or achievement of postmining land use shall be removed or stabilized. The species of vegetation to be used in revegetation efforts shall be described in the reclamation plan indicating the composition of seed mixtures and the amount of seed to be distributed on the area on a per acre basis. Seed types will depend on the climatic and soil conditions prevailing in the permit area and the proposed use of the land after reclamation. Species to be planted as permanent cover shall be self- renewing. Seeding rates will depend on seed types, climatic and soil conditions and the techniques to be used in seeding.
(v) Introduced, naturalized or non-indigenous native plant species, may be included in the approved seed mixture if they support the approved postmining land uses. The operator shall document, unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, the suitability of these species using data from published literature, from experimental test plots, from on-site experience, or from other information sources.
(vi) The Administrator shall not release the entire bond of any operator until such time as revegetation is completed, if revegetation is the method of reclamation as specified in the operator's approved reclamation plan. Revegetation shall be deemed to be complete when: (1) the vegetation species of the reclaimed land are self-renewing under natural conditions prevailing at the site; (2) the total vegetation cover of perennial species (excluding noxious weed species) and any species in the approved seed mix is at least equal to the total vegetation cover of perennial species (excluding noxious weed species) on the area before mining; (3) the species diversity and composition are suitable for the approved postmining land use; and (4) the requirements in (1), (2) and (3) are achieved during one growing season, no earlier than the fifth full growing season on the reclaimed lands. The Administrator shall specify quantitative methods and procedures for determining whether equal total vegetation cover has been established and procedures for evaluating postmining species diversity and composition. The following options or an alternative success standard approved by the Administrator are available:
(A) The method utilizing control areas may be selected. If selected, the control areas shall be sampled for total vegetation cover and species diversity and composition in the same season that the area to be affected is sampled for baseline data. Quantitative premining and postmining vegetation data from the control areas shall be used to mathematically adjust premining affected area data for climatic change. Premining affected area total vegetation cover data will be directly compared by statistical procedures to data from the reclaimed vegetation type when evaluating revegetation success for final bond release. Species diversity and composition data will be qualitatively or quantitatively evaluated as determined by the Administrator;
(B) The method utilizing reference areas may be selected. If selected, the representativeness of the reference area is verified by a statistical comparison to the plant community that it typifies. Postmining total vegetation cover data from the reference area are directly compared by standard statistical procedures to total vegetation cover data from the reclaimed area when evaluating revegetation success for final bond release. Species diversity and composition data will be qualitatively or quantitatively evaluated as determined by the Administrator;
(C) Where the premining total vegetation cover and species diversity and composition data cannot be collected, or where the area to be affected is small and incidental to the operation, comparison areas may be selected. For purposes of this method, postmining qualitative and quantitative data from the comparison area are directly compared by procedures acceptable to the Administrator to data from the reclaimed lands when evaluating success of revegetation for final bond release;
(D) Without regard to the type of method selected, control, reference or comparison areas should be at least two acres in size, located in areas where they will not be affected by future mining, while serving their designated use, managed in a fashion which will not cause significant changes in the vegetation parameters of total vegetation cover and species diversity and composition and be representative of the postmining land use;
(E) If reforestation for commercial harvest is the method of revegetation, reforestation shall be deemed to be complete when a reasonable population density as established in the reclamation plan has been achieved, the trees have shown themselves capable of continued growth for a minimum period of five years following planting, and the understory vegetation is adequate to control erosion and is appropriate for the land-use goal. Quality and quantity, vegetation cover, productivity, and species diversity shall be determined in accordance with scientifically acceptable sampling procedures approved by the Administrator; and
(F) When the approved reclamation plan is to return to cropland, reclamation shall be deemed to be complete when productive capability is equivalent, for at least two consecutive crop years, to the premining conditions or approved reference areas. The premining production data for the reclaimed site shall be considered in judging completeness of reclamation whenever said data are available.
(vii) Any plans for irrigation must be explained.
(viii) The operator must protect young vegetative growth from being destroyed by livestock by fencing or other approved techniques for a period of at least two years, or until the vegetation is capable of renewing itself with properly managed grazing and without supplemental irrigation or fertilization. The Administrator, permittee and the landowner or land managing agency shall determine when the revegetated area is ready for livestock grazing.
(ix) In those areas where there were no or very few noxious weeds prior to being affected by mining, the operator must control and minimize the introduction of noxious weeds into the revegetated areas for a period of at least five years after the initial seeding.
(e) Diversion systems - unchannelized surface water and ephemeral streams.
(i) Surface water shall be diverted around the operation for the following purposes:
(A) To control water pollution;
(B) To control unnecessary erosion;
(C) To protect the on-going operation; and
(D) To protect the water rights of downstream users.
(ii) Temporary diversion of surface runoff or diversions used for erosion control shall meet the following standards:
(A) In soils or other unconsolidated material, the sides of diversion ditches shall be no steeper than 1.5:1;
(B) In rock, the sides of diversion ditches shall not overhang;
(C) In soils or unconsolidated materials, the sides and, in ditches carrying intermittent discharges, the bottom shall be seeded with approved grasses so as to take advantage of the next growing season;
(D) Rock riprap, concrete, soil cement or other methods shall be used where necessary to prevent unnecessary erosion;
(E) Culverts or bridges shall be installed where necessary to allow access by the surface owner for fire control and other purposes; and
(F) Diversion ditches shall in a nonerosive manner pass the peak runoff from 2-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or a storm duration that produces the largest peak flow, as specified by the Administrator.
(iii) In no case shall diversion ditches discharge upon topsoil storage areas, spoil or other unconsolidated material such as newly reclaimed areas.
(iv) Permanent diversion structures shall be designed to be erosionally stable during the passage of the peak runoff from a 100-year, 6-hour precipitation event, or a storm duration that produces the largest peak flow, as specified by the Administrator.
(f) Diversion of intermittent and perennial streams.
(i) In no case shall spoil, topsoil, or other unconsolidated material be pushed into, or placed below the flood level of a perennial or intermittent stream except during the approved construction of the diversion of said stream.
(ii) The Wyoming Game and Fish Department shall be consulted prior to the approval of a diversion of a perennial or intermittent stream.
(iii) The banks of a diverted perennial or intermittent stream shall be protected by vegetation by planting approved species to take advantage of the next growing season.
(iv) The banks and channel of a diverted perennial or intermittent stream shall be protected where necessary by rock, riprap or similar measures to minimize erosion and degradation of water quality. Permanent diversions shall be designed and constructed to be erosionally stable. The design of the permanent diversion shall also be consistent with the role of the fluvial system.
(v) Mining on the floodplain of a perennial or intermittent stream shall not be permitted if it would cause the uncontrolled diversion of the stream during periods of high water.
(vi) Waters flowing through or by the mining operation shall meet the standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wyoming Water Quality Division in regard to the effect of the operation upon such waters.
(vii) Channel and floodplain shall be designed to pass, in a nonerosive manner, the 10- year, 6-hour precipitation event, if temporary, or the 100-year, 6-hour precipitation event, if permanent, or a duration having a greater peak flow, as specified by the Administrator. Cross-sections of the existing stream above, below and within the disturbed area may be used to determine the flow capacities, channel configuration and shape.
(g) Permanent water impoundments. Permanent water impoundments shall be constructed in accordance with the following requirements:
(i) Dams must contain an overflow notch and spillway so as to prevent failure by overfilling and washing. Overflow notches and spillways must be riprapped with rock or concrete to prevent erosion;
(ii) The slopes around all water impoundments must be gentle enough so as not to present a safety hazard to humans or livestock and so as to accommodate revegetation. Variations from this procedure may be approved by the Administrator based on the conditions present at the individual locality;
(iii) Mineral seams and other sources of possible water contamination within the impoundment area must be covered with overburden or stabilized in such a manner to prevent contamination of the impounded water; and
(iv) Bentonite or other mire-producing material within the impoundment basin shall be removed or covered with materials which will prevent hazards to man or beast.
(h) Tailings impoundments, tailings disposal areas, heap leach facilities, and spent ore disposal areas, excluding uranium mill tailings facilities regulated by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
(i) Tailings impoundments, tailings disposal areas, heap leach facilities and spent ore disposal areas shall be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with established engineering principles using best technology currently available to ensure long term stability and to prevent contamination of surface or groundwater. Appropriate leak detection and groundwater monitoring systems shall be installed to detect any movement of contaminated fluids from the facility. Any leakage or movement of contaminated fluids shall be promptly controlled and remediated using the best technology currently available subject to the Administrator's approval. Impoundments shall be permitted by the Wyoming State Engineer's Office and copies of the State Engineer's permits shall be attached to the application.
(ii) Reclamation of tailings impoundments, tailings disposal areas, heap leach facilities, and spent ore disposal areas shall be accomplished by removal and storage of all topsoil present within the affected lands. After termination of operations, the facility shall be reclaimed in accordance with the approved plan using best technology currently available to ensure long term stability, prevent contamination of surface or groundwater and facilitate the approved postmining land uses. Placement of tailings and spent ore within mine pits or underground mine areas is considered to be a preferred option which shall be thoroughly evaluated in the development of the mine and reclamation plan. The topsoil shall be replaced and revegetated in accordance with these rules and regulations. If other methods of reclamation and stabilization against wind and water erosion are found to be necessary because of natural conditions, this must be stated and described subject to the Administrator's approval.
(i) Roads and railroads. Constructed or upgraded roads and railroad spurs shall be included within the permit area from that point that they provide exclusive service and shall be covered by a reclamation bond.
(i) Roads shall not be constructed up a stream channel or so close that the material shall spill into the channel, unless specifically approved by the Administrator.
(ii) Streams shall be crossed at or near right angles unless contouring down to the streambed will result in less potential streambank erosion. Structure of ford entrances and exits must be constructed to prevent water from flowing down the roadway.
(iii) Drainage control structures shall be used as necessary to control runoff and to minimize erosion, sedimentation and flooding. Drainage facilities shall be installed as road construction progresses.
(iv) Culverts shall be installed at prominent drainageways, or as required by the Administrator. Where necessary, culverts must be protected from erosion by adequate rock, concrete or riprap. Culverts and drainage pipes shall be constructed to avoid plugging, collapsing, or erosion at inlets and outlets.
(v) Trees and vegetation may be cleared only for the essential width necessary to maintain slope stability and to serve traffic needs.
(vi) Access, haul roads and drainage structures shall be routinely maintained.
(vii) Other transport facilities and utilities shall be constructed and maintained to control diminution of degradation of water quality and quantity and to the extent possible prevent additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow outside the permit area.
(viii) Exemptions concerning roads.
(A) If approval is obtained from the surface landowner to leave a road unreclaimed, an operator may request in writing to the Land Quality Division that a road be permitted to remain unreclaimed. The operator must furnish proof of the surface landowner's approval. Final decision of road reclamation will be made by the Land Quality Division Administrator.
(B) In the event that the surface landowner, a city or town, another agency of the State of Wyoming or an agency of the United States Government has requested that a road not be reclaimed, no bond shall be required of the applicant for the reclamation of the road and reclamation of the road shall not be required; provided, however, that the Administrator receives a copy of the written request from the surface owner, city or town, or agency of the State or Federal Government, for retention of the road.
(j) Disposal of buildings and structures.
(i) All buildings and structures constructed, used or improved by the operator must be removed or dismantled unless it can be demonstrated to the Administrator's satisfaction that the buildings or structures will be of beneficial use in accomplishing the proposed use of the land after reclamation or for environmental monitoring.
(ii) If the operator does not wish to remove certain buildings or facilities, he must obtain the written consent of the surface landowner to leave the buildings or facilities intact. The operator must make a request in writing, providing written proof of the above to the Land Quality Division, that the buildings or facilities be permitted to remain intact.
(k) Time schedule.
(i) Reclamation must begin as soon as possible after mining commences and must continue concurrently until such time that the mining operation is terminated and all of the affected land is reclaimed. If conditions are such that final reclamation procedures cannot begin until the mining operation is completed, this must be explained in the reclamation plan. A detailed time schedule for the mining and reclamation progression must be included in the reclamation plan. This time schedule shall:
(A) Apply to reclamation of all lands to be affected in the permit area;
(B) Designate times for backfilling, grading, contouring and reseeding;
(C) Be coordinated with a map indicating the areas of progressive mining and reclamation;
(D) Establish reclamation concurrently with mining operations, whenever possible. If not possible, the schedule shall provide for the earliest possible reclamation consistent with the orderly and economic development of the property; and
(E) If the Administrator approves a schedule where reclamation follows the completion of mining, describe the conditions which will constitute completion or termination of mineral production.
(ii) If reclamation of an area is delayed beyond 180 days after termination of a mining operation on the basis that economic conditions may make it profitable to continue mining in the area in the future, this must be explained in a written request for interim mine stabilization.
(A) The Administrator has the authority to approve or disapprove a request for interim mine stabilization for a period not to exceed five years. The Administrator shall evaluate the operator's written request for interim mine stabilization on the operator's demonstration that:
(I) Economic conditions are such that mining cannot continue at the present time;
(II) There are marginal reserves remaining in the area. The permit mine plan must show a plan for mining these reserves; if the mine plan does not, the operator shall submit a permit revision subject to the requirements of Chapter 7;
(III) Certain affected lands must remain unreclaimed in order to provide practicable access to, or development of, the marginal reserves identified in (II) above. These areas must be stabilized to protect public health, safety and welfare; and
(IV) Sufficient means are employed to reclaim and stabilize all affected lands, excluding those identified in (III) above, to protect the public health, safety and welfare and the environment. This shall include the prevention of surface and subsurface water pollution, avoid public nuisance and provide safety measures to protect human and animal life.
(B) All interim mine stabilization requests and renewals must be accompanied by written consent from the surface landowners to the proposed plan. The Council may issue an order in lieu of consent if it finds that:
(I) The stabilization plan has been submitted to the surface landowner for approval;
(II) All affected lands, excluding those identified in (A)(III), have been or are being reclaimed; and
(III) The interim mine stabilization will not substantially interfere with the operations of the surface landowners.
(C) All bonding and monitoring requirements shall be maintained during the approved interim period.
(D) Renewal for interim mine stabilization, not to exceed five years, may be requested of and approved by the Environmental Quality Council upon referral by the Administrator. This is provided that the request contains supporting evidence for the continued delay, and shows that interim mine stabilization monitoring requirements have been and are being maintained.
(E) Public notice requirements for requests and renewals of Interim Mine Stabilization for minerals other than coal.
(I) The initial request for Interim Mine Stabilization requested under this regulation shall include an affidavit from the newspaper verifying that notice of the request for interim mine stabilization has been published once a week for two consecutive weeks in the newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the mined area.
(II) The second request after approval of Interim Mine Stabilization shall include an affidavit from the newspaper verifying that notice of the renewal request was published for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the mine area, and if requested, a public hearing will be held.
(III) Subsequent renewal requests shall require a public hearing. At the public hearing the operator shall present to the Council the requirements of (A), (B), (C), and (D) and the public shall have the opportunity to present their comments.
(F) Marginal reserves, for the purpose of Interim Mine Stabilization, shall be as defined in U.S. Geological Survey Circular 831, 1980, i.e., "that part of the reserve base which, at the time of determination, borders on being economically producible. Its essential characteristic is economic uncertainty. Included are resources that would be producible, given postulated changes in economic or technical factors."
(l) Unanticipated conditions.
(i) An operator encountering unanticipated conditions shall notify the Administrator as soon as possible and in no event more than five days after making the discovery.
(ii) An unanticipated condition is any condition encountered in a mining operation and not mentioned by the operator in his mining or reclamation plan which may seriously affect the procedures, timing, or outcome of mining or reclamation. Such unanticipated conditions include but are not limited to the following:
(A) The uncovering during mining operations of any acid-forming, radioactive, inflammable, or toxic materials which must be burned, impounded, or otherwise disposed of in order to eliminate pollution or safety hazards;
(B) The discovery during mining operations of a significant flow of groundwater in any stratigraphic horizon;
(C) The occurrence of slides, faults, or unstable soil and overburden materials which may cause sliding or caving in a pit which could cause problems or delays with mining or reclamation;
(D) The occurrence of uncontrolled underground caving or subsidence which reaches the surface, causing problems with reclamation and safety hazards; and
(E) A discovery of significant archaeological or paleontological importance.
(iii) In the case of the uncovering of hazardous materials, the operator shall take immediate steps to notify the Administrator and comply with any required measures to eliminate the pollution or safety hazard. Under all conditions the operator must take appropriate measures to correct, eliminate, or adapt to an unanticipated condition before mining resumes in the immediate vicinity of that condition.
History
- Effective 2006-04-25
Chapter 4 Noncoal Underground Mining
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.4.12011992 Noncoal Underground Mining
CHAPTER IV
NONCOAL UNDERGROUND MINING
Section 1. Underground mining permit application content requirements.
(a) In addition to the requirements of W.S. 35-11-406, and the applicable regulations contained in Chapter II, Sections 1 and 2., applications for an underground mining permit shall contain:
(i) A description of the effects of possible mine land subsidence along with the proposed measures to be taken to minimize the effects of subsidence, and procedures that will be taken in terms of backfilling, grading, and contouring in the event any subsidence occurs.
(ii) Plans for controlled subsidence such as would be the result of mining techniques similar to longwall mining.
Section 2. Environmental protection performance standards applicable to underground mining operations.
(a) General performance standards:
(i) All surface land affected in conjunction with an underground mining operation will be subject to the appropriate backfilling, grading, and contouring requirements as described in Chapter III, Section 2. (b), depending on the physical land description in the permit area and the nature of the surface disturbance.
(ii) All shafts and adits to underground mine workings must be properly sealed at closure.
(iii) Portal entries into adits must be backfilled, graded and contoured so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain.
(iv) All substantial surface disturbances due to subsidence into underground workings within five years after completion of mining shall be backfilled, graded, contoured and revegetated so as to blend in with the topography of the surrounding terrain. If conditions prevent such reclamation, the Administrator, after considering the conditions, and after consultation with the Advisory Board, will determine the reclamation requirements.
(v) The applicable performance standards contained in the Act and Chapter III shall apply to underground mining operations.
History
- Effective 1992-12-01
Chapter 5 Exploration by Dozing
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.5.04292021 § 1 Exploration by Dozing for Operations that Affect Three Acres or Less
(a) Any person proposing exploration activities of three acres or less for the removal of gold, silver, jade, opal, agate, diamond or titanium shall be exempt from the requirements of Sections 2 through 5 of this Chapter. Operators shall notify the Administrator of their intent to conduct mineral exploration activities by submitting an application for a license to explore on the form furnished by the Administrator at least thirty days prior to the commencement of operations. The operator shall also notify the Inspector of Mines within the Department of Workforce Services of the location of the land to be mined and the postal address of the operator at least thirty days prior to commencing operations.
(b) A bond in the amount of $2,500.00 per acre shall be submitted to and approved by the Administrator prior to commencing mineral exploration activities. Any exploration activities one acre or less in size shall be subject to a minimum bond in the amount of $2,500.00. Within ninety days after receiving an application, a renewal report or a notice of increased affected acreage, the administrator may require the operator to post an additional bond per acre of affected land if he determines that such amount is necessary to ensure reclamation. The operator shall post the additional bond not later than thirty days after receipt of such notification.
(c) An exploration and reclamation plan shall be submitted with the required application for exploration on the form furnished by the Administrator. The exploration plan for the proposed disturbance shall include a plan for topsoil removal, stockpiling, a timetable for initiation and completion of reclamation. The reclamation plan shall include a plan for backfilling all pits and trenches, removal of any excess material not used for backfilling (stockpiles), highwall reduction to no greater than 3:1 slope, contouring and grading to prevent erosion, re-establishment of pre-existing drainages, replacement of topsoil, and seeding with an approved native seed mixture. All areas disturbed by the exploration activities shall be reclaimed so as to return the disturbance area to its pre-exploration conditions prior to bond release.
(d) A license to explore will be issued for one year, but the operator may file a renewal request and renewal report within thirty days before the expiration of the exploration license term on the form furnished by the Administrator. In no case shall the Administrator grant more than two successive renewals after the initial license period.
(e) Any time the total affected acres exceeds the acres estimated in the application or renewal report, the operator shall, within thirty days notify the Administrator of the increase in affected acres.
(a)
(b)
(f) Minerals discovered during exploration activities may be processed and sold at the discretion of the operator including assay material or material with an unknown market valuation, subject to any restrictions on sale by the surface and mineral owner. Any material sold must be reported at the conclusion of operations or on a renewal report form. All requests for confidentiality shall be in accordance with Section 2(d).
(g) The license to explore shall be terminated if the operator does not commence operations within one year.
(h) For an active exploration operation with affected area that has not submitted a renewal notification in accordance with section (d), the operator shall initiate reclamation immediately and a renewal shall not be issued.
(i) The bond will be released upon completion of successful reclamation, and termination of the license.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.5.04292021 § 2 Requirements
(a) Any person desiring to engage in exploration by dozing so as to substantially affect greater than three acres and less than forty acres in any four contiguous sixteenth sections shall submit an application to the Administrator for a license.
(b) If the proposed exploration by dozing will substantially affect forty or more acres in any four contiguous sixteenth sections, the applicant must apply for a surface mining permit, and the provisions of this Chapter shall not apply.
(c) The application for a license to explore by dozing shall be made upon the form furnished by the Administrator, in duplicate, and shall contain the following information:
(i) The applicant's name, address and telephone number;
(ii) If different from the applicant, the name, address and telephone number of the operator for the exploration activities;
(iii) An original USGS topographic map, if one has been issued, showing the general area in which exploration is to be conducted, any access roads to be constructed, locations of public roads providing access to the area, dwellings, surface drainage, utilities, surface waters and impoundments, springs, land excavations to be conducted, exploratory holes to be drilled or altered, and earth and debris disposal areas. The area of activity shall be shown in more detail and distinctly outlined and identified. In lieu of a topographic map, an aerial photo of suitable scale may be substituted provided the above information is submitted and all section, township and range lines, identifying numbers, and a north arrow are added. These may be approximated where the land has not been surveyed and section corners set;
(iv) The estimated acreage of land which the applicant proposes to substantially affect in each section;
(v) The location of the lands to be explored by legal subdivision, section, quarter section (when available), township, and range;
(vi) A general description of the land within the area covered by the license cross‑referenced to the map required in (iii) above, which shall include, as nearly as possible, its surface topography and geology, surface water, vegetative cover, past and present uses, and nature and depth of the overburden, topsoil, and mineral seams;
(vii) Names and addresses of the owners of record of the surface of all land to be affected;
(viii) Names and addresses of the owners of record of the mineral rights to all land to be affected;
(ix) A reclamation plan which shall include a description of the measures to be used to comply with the requirements of Section 3 of this Chapter;
(x) A timetable showing:
(A) The anticipated length of time between initial surface disturbance and the beginning of reclamation.
(B) A proposed termination date for all exploration activities.
(C) A date for the completion of all reclamation activities.
(xi) An estimate, prepared in accordance with established engineering principles, of the cost of hiring an independent contractor to accomplish the reclamation of all land in the license area which will be affected by the exploration. Such estimate shall also give a breakdown of costs including the costs per acre of backfilling, replacement of topsoil, and the cost of seed or seedlings, and the planting thereof; and
(xii) Such other information as the Administrator deems necessary to enable him to ensure compliance with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and all rules adopted pursuant thereto.
(d) For the purposes of Chapter 5, the application for exploration by dozing is a report or information which, if made public, would divulge trade secrets. Upon request by the licensee, the Director and Administrator shall consider this report or information confidential pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 35‑11‑1101. This shall be deemed a request to hold the information confidential only until the proposed termination date set forth in (c)(x)(C) of this Section, unless the licensee justifies a longer period of time.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.5.04292021 § 3 Exploration and Reclamation Standards
(a) Backfilling, regrading and recontouring shall be conducted in a manner consistent with Chapter 3, Section 2(b) of the Land Quality Non-Coal Rules.
(b) Topsoil removal and stockpiling shall precede any dozing activities, unless otherwise approved by the Administrator.
(c) All vegetative cover that is removed or destroyed shall be reestablished by seeding, planting, transplanting, or other methods approved by the Administrator in a manner consistent with Chapter 3, Section 2(d) of the Land Quality Non-Coal Rules.
(d) All areas disturbed by dozing for the purpose of providing access (as a road or for the ease of off‑road travel) shall be reclaimed in accordance with this Chapter.
(e) All acid‑forming or toxic materials or materials constituting a fire, health or safety hazard uncovered during or created by exploration shall be promptly treated or disposed of during the exploration activity in a manner designed to prevent pollution of surface or subsurface water or threats to human or animal health and safety. Such method may include covering, burying, temporarily impounding or otherwise containing or disposing of the acid, toxic, radioactive or otherwise dangerous material.
(f) Procedures shall be implemented to avoid constituting a public nuisance, endangering the public safety, human or animal life, property, and plant life in and adjacent to the license area, including but not limited to fencing all pits and refuse or waste areas to protect the surface owner's on‑going operations.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.5.04292021 § 4 Timetables
Reclamation and restoration shall begin as early as practicable so as to prevent unnecessary erosion, sedimentation, and pollution. In no event shall reclamation begin later than the end of the license period unless the Administrator approves such a delay in writing.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.5.04292021 § 5 License Issuance
(a) Within thirty days following receipt of a complete license application, the Administrator shall notify the applicant of the required bond amount. Such bond shall be in an amount sufficient to pay all costs which would be incurred by the State to reclaim the affected area including access roads, drill pads, and exploration pits.
(i) Upon receipt of a satisfactory bond in the amount required by the Administrator, the Administrator shall approve the application if it is otherwise in order and shall return a duplicate to the applicant to serve as his license to explore by dozing.
(ii) The operator shall inform the Administrator whenever the amount of affected land increases greater than the amount estimated in the license application. The Administrator shall notify the applicant of the increased bond amount and the operator shall submit the required bond increase within thirty days of notification.
(iii) Minerals discovered during exploration activities may be processed and sold at the discretion of the operator including assay material or material with an unknown market valuation, subject to any restrictions on the sale by the surface or mineral owner. Any material sold must be reported on the Annual Report form.
(b) The Administrator may deny the issuance of a license to explore by dozing if he finds any one of the following:
(i) The application is incomplete;
(ii) The operation will irreparably harm lands which lie within an area designated by the Council as of unique and irreplaceable, historical, archaeological, scenic or natural value;
(iii) The information submitted by the operator is found to be intentionally misrepresentative; or
(iv) The application otherwise violates the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act or the Land Quality Non-Coal Rules.
(c) The license to explore shall last no longer than one year, but may be renewed annually. In no case shall the Administrator grant more than two successive renewals after the initial license period. Renewal reports shall be filed within thirty days before the anniversary date of the license on forms provided by the Land Quality Division and shall include:
(i) Name of licensee and license number;
(ii) Location of area by section, quarter section (when available), township, and range;
(iii) Number of acres disturbed during the last year;
(iv) Estimated number of acres to be disturbed in the next twelve months;
(v) Updated maps;
(vi) Current status of reclamation performed; and
(vii) Estimated cost of reclaiming all existing disturbance and lands to be disturbed during the renewal period.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.5.04292021 § 6 Bond release and forfeitures
Bonds shall be released in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-414(g). Forfeiture proceedings shall be equivalent to the procedure set forth in W.S. §§ 35‑11‑421 through 35‑11‑422.
History
- Effective 2021-04-29
Chapter 6 Financial Assurance
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.6.01122026 Financial Assurance
CHAPTER 6
Chapter 6
Financial Assurance
Section 1. Definitions.
(a) "Irrevocable letter of credit" is a negotiated financial instrument that is used to pay a beneficiary issued by a banking institution to guarantee payment.
(b) "Liabilities" means obligations to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future as a result of past transactions including off-balance sheet liabilities.
(c) "Net worth" means total assets minus total liabilities including on and off-balance sheet liabilities.
(d) "Real property" means land and appurtenances as defined by Wyoming Statute (W.S.) §39-15-101(a)(v).
(e) "Real property collateral" means the actual or constructive deposit of a perfected, first lien security interest in real property located within the State of Wyoming, in favor of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality which meets the requirements of this Chapter. The property may include land which is part of the permit area; however, land pledged as collateral for a bond shall not be disturbed under any permit while it is serving as security.
(f) "Self-bond" means an indemnity agreement in a sum certain made payable to the State, with or without separate surety. The indemnity agreement is signed by the permittee and, if applicable, the ultimate parent entity guarantor.
(g) "Tangible net worth" means net worth minus intangibles such as goodwill, patents or royalties.
(h) "Ultimate parent entity" means an entity not controlled by any other entity and is the topmost responsible entity which owns or controls the applicant and is the guarantor for a self-bond.
(i) "Voluntary irrevocable assigned trust" means a permit specific trust account established with the state treasurer for all or a portion of the full cost of reclamation for permits or licenses as determined by the annual Director's bond letter and funded by the operator through payments to the assigned trust to the permit or license for the benefit of the Department.
Section 2. Acceptable Financial Instruments.
The following bond instruments are accepted by the Division: corporate surety, self-bond, federally insured certificates of deposit, cash, government securities, real property collateral, irrevocable letters of credit, and voluntary irrevocable assigned trust.
Section 3. Irrevocable Letters of Credit.
(a) Letters of credit as authorized by W.S. § 35‑11‑418, shall be subject to the following conditions and submitted on forms provided by the Department:
(i) The letter must be payable to the Department in part or in full upon demand and receipt from the Director of a notice of forfeiture issued in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11‑421;
(ii) The letter shall not be in excess of ten percent of the issuing or supporting bank's or credit union's capital surplus account as shown on a balance sheet certified by a certified public accountant;
(iii) The Administrator shall not accept standby letters of credit;
(iv) The Administrator shall not accept letters of credit from a bank or credit union for any person, on all permits held by that person, in excess of the limitation imposed by W.S. § 13‑3‑402; and
(v) The letter of credit shall provide that:
(A) The bank or credit union will give prompt notice to the permittee and the Director of any notice received or action filed alleging the insolvency or bankruptcy of the bank or credit union, or alleging any violations of regulatory requirements which could result in suspension or revocation of the bank's or credit union's charter or license to do business;
(B) In the event the bank or credit union becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the letter of credit for any reason, notice shall be given immediately to the permittee and the Director; and
(C) Upon the incapacity of a bank or credit union by reason of bankruptcy, insolvency, or suspension or revocation of its charter or license, or the disavowal or rejection of the letter of credit by a conservator, trustee, receiver, or a person acting in a similar capacity, the permittee shall be deemed to be without performance bond coverage in violation of the Act. The Director shall issue a notice of violation against any operator who is without bond coverage, specifying a reasonable period to replace bond coverage, not to exceed 90 days. During this period the Director or his designated representative shall conduct weekly inspections to ensure continuing compliance with other permit requirements, the regulations and the Act. If the notice is not abated in accordance with the schedule, a cessation order shall be issued.
(D) The irrevocable letter of credit may be cancelled by the issuer only after ninety (90) days notice to the Director, and upon receipt of the Director's written consent, which may be granted only when an alternative financial assurance substitution has been approved.
(b) The letter may only be issued by a bank insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation or credit union that is insured by the national credit union administration and is organized to do business in the U.S. which identifies by name, address, and telephone number an agent upon whom any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the bank or credit union may be served.
(i) If the bank or credit union fails to appoint or maintain an agent in this State, or whenever any such agent cannot be reasonably found, then the Director shall be an agent for such bank or credit union upon whom any process, notice or demand may be served for the purpose of this Chapter. In the event of any such process, the Director shall immediately cause one copy of such process, notice or demand to be forwarded by registered mail to the bank or credit union at its principal place of business. The Director shall keep a record of all processes, notices, or demands served upon him under this paragraph, and shall record therein the time of such service and his action with reference thereto.
(ii) Nothing herein contained shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the bank or credit union in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.
Section 4. Self-bonds.
(a) Application to Self-bond.
(i) Initial application to self-bond shall be made at the time the operator makes written application to the Administrator for a license to mine. An operator conducting an existing operation with greater than a five (5)-year life of mine remaining may submit an application to self-bond to the Administrator. The application shall be on forms furnished by the Administrator and shall contain:
(A) Identification of operator:
(I) For corporations, name, address, telephone number, state of incorporation, principal place of business and name, title and authority of person signing application, and statement of authority to do business in the State of Wyoming, or
(II) For all other forms of business enterprises, name, address and telephone number and statement of how the enterprise is organized, law of the State under which it is formed, place of business, and relationship and authority of the person signing the application.
(B) Amount of bond proposed to be under a self-bond in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-417(c)(i). The proposed self-bond maximum amount shall not exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the required bond amount.
(C) Type of operation and anticipated dates performance is to be commenced and completed.
(D) Brief chronological history of business operations conducted within the last five years which would illustrate a continuous operation for five years immediately preceding the time of application. The Administrator may allow a joint venture or syndicate with less than five years of continuous operation to qualify under this requirement, if each member of the joint venture or syndicate has been in continuous operation for at least five years immediately preceding the time of application.
(E) Information in sufficient detail to show good-faith performance of past mining and reclamation obligations. The compliance information in the permit and/or annual reports may be referenced to satisfy part of this requirement.
(F) Financial information in sufficient detail to show that the operator and ultimate parent entity:
(I) Have a rating for all bond issuance actions and long term credit rating within the current year of "Aa3" or higher as issued by Moody's Investor Service, "AA-" or higher as issued by Standard and Poor's Corporation or "AA-" or higher as issued by Fitch Ratings. The operator is eligible for a maximum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the approved reclamation cost estimate in the most recent Director's bond letter.
(II) Have a rating for all bond issuance actions and long term credit rating within the current year of "A2" or higher as issued by Moody's Investor Service, "A" or higher as issued by Standard and Poor's Corporation or "A" or higher as issued by Fitch Ratings. The operator is eligible for a maximum of seventy percent (70%) of the approved reclamation cost estimate in the most recent Director's bond letter unless the requirements of subsection (I) are met above.
(III) Have a rating for all bond issuance actions and long term credit rating within the current year of "Baa2" or higher as issued by Moody's Investor Service, "BBB" or higher as issued by Standard and Poor's Corporation or "BBB" or higher as issued by Fitch Ratings. The operator is eligible for a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the approved reclamation cost estimate in the most recent Director's bond letter unless the requirements of subsection (II) are met above.
(IV) In the event of a split rating, the Director has the discretion to determine which rating would be accepted and applied to (I), (II) or (III) of this subsection.
(G) A statement identifying by name, address and telephone number:
(I) A registered office which may be, but need not be, the same as the operator's place of business;
(II) A registered agent, which agent must be either an individual resident in this State, whose business office is identical with such registered office, or a domestic corporation, or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this State, having a business office identical with such registered office. The registered agent so appointed by the operator shall be an agent to such operator upon whom any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the operator may be served;
(III) If the operator fails to appoint or maintain a registered agent in this State, or whenever any such registered agent cannot be reasonably found at the registered office, then the Director shall be an agent for such operator upon whom any process, notice or demand may be served. In the event of any such process, the Director shall immediately cause one copy of such process, notice or demand to be forwarded by registered mail, to the operator at his principle place of business. The Director shall keep a record of all processes, notices, or demands served upon him under this paragraph, and shall record therein the time of such service and his action with reference thereto;
(IV) Should the operator change the registered office or registered agent, or both, a statement indicating such change shall be filed immediately with the Land Quality Division; and
(V) Nothing herein contained shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon an operator in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.
(H) The Administrator may accept a written guarantee for an operator's self-bond from an ultimate parent entity guarantor if the guarantor satisfies the financial criteria of this Chapter as if it were the operator. The terms of the ultimate parent entity guarantee shall provide for the following:
(I) If the operator fails to complete the reclamation plan the ultimate parent entity guarantor shall do so or the ultimate parent entity guarantor shall be liable under the indemnity agreement to provide funds to the State sufficient to complete the reclamation, but not to exceed the actual reclamation costs; and
(II) The ultimate parent entity guarantee shall remain in force unless the ultimate parent entity guarantor sends notice of cancellation by certified mail to the operator and to the Administrator at least one hundred and twenty (120) days in advance of the cancellation date, and the Administrator accepts the cancellation. The cancellation shall be accepted by the Administrator if the operator obtains suitable replacement bond before the cancellation date, if the lands for which the self-bond, or portion thereof, was accepted have not been disturbed, or if the lands have been released under W.S. §§ 35-11-417(e) and 423.
(I) If the Administrator accepts a foreign ultimate parent entity guarantee the Administrator shall require:
(I) A legal opinion from a firm recognized to do business in the country of the firm's international headquarters concerning the collectability of the self-bond under the laws of that foreign country. The firm shall be selected by the Administrator form a list provided by the applicant. The applicant shall be responsible for the cost of the opinion;
(II) A separate bonding instrument to cover the estimated cost of recovering the reclamation bond in the foreign country. This separate bond shall be highly liquid such as cash, letters of credit, certificates of deposit or government securities and be redeemable within 90 days of forfeiture. The Administrator may also require additional information that is deemed necessary to support the self-bond;
(J) For a noncoal operator, the obligation shall not exceed 50 percent of the operator's tangible net worth in the United States. For the Administrator to accept an ultimate parent entity guarantee, the total amount of the ultimate parent entity guarantor's outstanding self-bonds shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the ultimate parent entity guarantor's tangible net worth in the United States.
(b) Approval or Denial of Operator's Self-bond Application.
(i) The Administrator, within 60 days of operator's submission of all materials necessary to base a decision on the application shall:
(A) Approve or reject such application and declare in writing his reasons for such action to the operator or his registered agent. The decision shall be based on all the information submitted and shall be sufficient to meet the demonstrations required by W.S. § 35-11-417(d); and
(B) If a rejection is based on inadequate information or failure of the operator to supply all necessary material, the Administrator shall allow the operator 30 days to remedy the deficiencies. Such corrections must be made to the satisfaction of the Administrator. The Administrator shall have an additional 60 days to approve or reject the corrected application.
(ii) An indemnity agreement shall be submitted subject to the following requirements:
(A) The indemnity agreement shall be executed by all persons and parties who are to be bound by it, including the ultimate parent entity guarantor, and shall bind each jointly and severally;
(B) Corporations applying for a self-bond or parent corporations guaranteeing a subsidiary's self-bond shall submit an indemnity agreement signed by two corporate officers who are authorized to bind the corporation. A copy of such authorization shall be provided to the Administrator;
(C) If the applicant is a partnership, joint venture or syndicate, the agreement shall bind each partner or party who has a beneficial interest directly or indirectly, in the operator; and
(D) The indemnity agreement shall provide that the persons or parties bound shall pay all litigation costs incurred by the State in any successful effort to enforce the agreement against the operator.
(c) Self-Bond Renewal.
(i) Information for the self-bond renewal under the self-bonding program which shall accompany the annual report shall include:
(A) Amount of bond required, which shall be determined in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-417(c)(ii) and the amount which is proposed to be under a self-bond; and
(B) Financial information in sufficient detail to show that the guarantor still meets the information in Section 4(a)(i)(F), and the limitations in Section 4(a)(i)(I) and (J). The guarantor shall submit the full report from the credit reporting agency or agencies supporting its rating for the current year. Additional information may be requested by the Director when a split rating occurs.
(ii) Any valid initial self-bond may carry the right of successive renewal as long as the above listed information is submitted and demonstrates that the guarantor remains qualified under W.S. § 35-11-417(d) and there is a minimum five (5)-year life of mine remaining.
(iii) Renewal of self-bonds approved prior to the effective date of these rules shall require the bond and credit ratings described in Section 4(a)(i)(F) and shall meet the limitations in Section 4(a)(i)(I) and (J). Operators with self-bonds approved prior to the effective date of these rules shall submit a new application to self-bond within eighteen (18) months of the effective date of these rules.
(d) Self-bond Substitution.
(i) The Administrator may require the operator to substitute a good and sufficient bond instrument if the Administrator determines in writing that the self-bond of the operator fails to provide the protection consistent with the objectives and purposes of this Act. The Administrator shall require full or partial substitution if the financial information submitted or requested under Section 4(c)(i)(B) indicates that the operator and/or the ultimate parent entity no longer qualifies under the self-bonding program. Substitution of an alternate bond shall be made within 90 days. The operator may also request substitution. This request is contingent upon the operator meeting all the requirements of the bond provisions (W.S. §§ 35-11-417 through 424) of the Act. If these requirements are met, the Administrator shall accept substitution.
(ii) If the operator fails within 90 days to make a substitution for the revoked self-bond the Administrator shall suspend or revoke the license of the operator to conduct operations upon the land described in the permit until such substitution is made.
(iii) All methods of substitution shall be made in accordance with the bonding provisions (W.S. §§ 35-11-417 through 418) of the Act. The Administrator shall require substitution of a good and sufficient bond.
(e) Reporting requirements.
(i) If a devaluation in the credit rating occurs, the Administrator shall be notified within thirty (30) days of the change and a copy of the rating report shall be provided to the Administrator.
(ii) A statement listing any notices issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or proceedings against the operator or ultimate parent entity initiated by any party alleging a failure to comply with any public disclosure or reporting requirements under the securities laws of the United States. Such statement shall include a summary of each such allegation, including the date, the requirement alleged to be violated, the party making the allegation, and the disposition or current status thereof. The Administrator shall be notified within thirty (30) days of the filing.
Section 5. Collateral Bonds.
(a) Collateral bond means an indemnity agreement in a sum certain executed by the operator as principal which is supported by the deposit with the Department of one or more of the following:
(i) Cash directly deposited with the Department is exempt from the trust provisions;
(ii) Negotiable bonds of the United States, a State or a municipality, endorsed to the order of the Department and placed in possession of the Department. Possession may be in the form of the cash value of the irrevocable trust for the full amount of the reclamation obligation and payable to the Department and federally insured. An operator may satisfy the requirements of this subsection by establishing an irrevocable trust that conforms to the requirements below and submitting an originally signed duplicate of the trust agreement to the Administrator for consideration.
(A) The wording of the irrevocable trust must be identical to the wording specified on the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Irrevocable Trust for Coal Reclamation Form and be signed by the operator or guarantor as principal, the financial institution as Trustee and be made payable to the Department;
(B) The Trustee must be a bank organized to do business in the United States that has the authority to act as a trustee and whose trust operations is regulated and examined by a Federal or State Agency;
(C) The irrevocable trust must be cash funded for the full amount of the reclamation obligation to be provided in the irrevocable trust before it may be approved to satisfy the requirements of financial assurance in lieu of a bond. For purposes of this subsection, "the full amount of the reclamation obligation to be provided" means the amount of coverage for reclamation required to be provided for the permit, less the amount of financial assurance for reclamation obligation that is being provided by other financial assurance mechanisms being used to demonstrate financial assurance by the operator or guarantor;
(D) Cancellation of an irrevocable trust shall follow the same procedures detailed in W.S. 35-11-419 for performance bonds; and
(E) Forfeiture proceeding for an irrevocable trust shall follow the same procedures detailed in W.S. 35-11-421 for performance bonds.
(iii) For any real property collateral, the following information shall be provided:
(A) The value of the real property. The property shall be valued at the difference between the fair market value and any reasonable expense anticipated by the Department in selling the property. The fair market value shall be determined by a market analysis that may be conducted by an appraiser or qualified agent proposed by the operator. The appraiser shall be selected by the Administrator. The Administrator has the option to reject any appraiser proposed by the operator. The expense of the appraisal shall be borne by the operator. The real property shall be appraised every three (3) years; and
(B) A description of the property satisfactory for deposit to further assure that the operator shall faithfully perform all requirements of the Act. The Administrator shall have full discretion in accepting any such offer.
(I) Real property shall not include any lands in the process of being mined, reclaimed, or the subject of this application. The operator may offer any lands within the permit boundary which have received phase 3 bond release or which will not be disturbed while pledged as collateral. The acceptance of real property within the permit boundary shall be at the discretion of the Administrator.
(C) Evidence of ownership of the real property shall be in the form of a clear and unencumbered title.
(D) If the Administrator accepts any real property as collateral, the Administrator shall require possession by the Department of the mortgage agreement executed by the operator in favor of the Department of Environmental Quality. The requirement shall be sufficient to vest such interest in the property in the Department to secure the right and power to sell or otherwise dispose of the property by public or private proceedings so as to ensure reclamation of the affected lands in accordance with the Act. Any mortgage shall be executed and duly recorded as required by law so as to be first in time and constitute notice to any prospective subsequent purchaser of the same real property or any portion thereof.
(E) Any security interest created by a security agreement shall be perfected by filing a financing statement or taking possession of the collateral in accordance with W.S. §§ 34.1-9-401 through 406. The Department shall have all rights and duties set forth in W.S. § 34.1-9-207 when the collateral is in its possession as a secured party, as defined in W.S. § 34.1-9-102(a)(lxxv). Any money received from the collateral during this period of time shall be remitted to the operator. When the collateral is left in the possession of the operator, the security agreement shall require that, upon default, the operator shall assemble the collateral and make it available to the Department at a place to be designated by the Department which is reasonably convenient to both parties.
(F) The operator may, with written approval by the Administrator, substitute for any of the real property held hereunder other real property upon submittal of all information required under this section.
(G) All parties with a claim subordinate to the Department in property held as collateral under this section shall be notified by the operator of all actions affecting the collateral.
(iv) Securities.
(A) Securities that are unencumbered shall only include those which are United States Government securities or State Government securities which are acceptable to the Administrator. Certificates of deposit shall be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC).
(B) If the instrument offered for deposit is a security, the operator's interest must be evidenced by possession of the original or a notarized copy of the certificate or a certified statement of account from a brokerage house.
(C) If the Administrator accepts any government securities, the Administrator shall require possession by the Department of the security agreement executed by the operator in favor of the Department of Environmental Quality. The requirement shall be sufficient to vest such interest in the property in the Department to secure the right and power to sell or otherwise dispose of the property by public or private proceedings so as to ensure reclamation of the affected lands in accordance with the Act.
Section 6. Voluntary Irrevocable Assigned Trusts
(a) Minerals eligible for a voluntary irrevocable assigned trust include bentonite, trona and uranium.
(b) An operator may file an application with the Department for a permit or license specific voluntary irrevocable assigned trust managed by the state treasurer for the benefit of the Department. Funds from the assigned trust shall only be available to the Department to cover the cost of completing reclamation in the event of forfeiture.
(c) The assigned trust may bond all or a portion of the full cost of reclamation of a permit or license as determined by the annual Director's Bond Letter (DBL). The operator shall provide other acceptable bonding instruments for any portion of the approved reclamation cost estimate that is not covered by the assigned trust.
(d) Voluntary irrevocable assigned trusts shall be in accordance with the following:
(i) Application forms will be provided by the Department for enrollment and shall include:
(A) A reclamation cost estimate for the permit or license. The estimate shall be determined by the current Director's Bond Letter. Permits or licenses with Underground Injection Control (UIC) bond requirements that are pledged to the Water Quality Division shall be bonded with an alternative acceptable bond instrument;
(B) An estimate of the remaining life of mine and reclamation operations as disclosed in the current annual report for the permit or license;
(C) A proposed amount of the initial deposit to the trust. In no case shall the initial and subsequent deposits in the first year be less than one percent of the total annual reclamation cost estimate as disclosed in the current DBL;
(D) A proposed schedule of annual payments;
(E) Approval from federal agencies for permits or licenses that include federal lands with a federal bonding requirement.
(ii) For each approved voluntary assigned trust:
(A) The Department shall provide the state treasurer with a copy of the DBL that discloses the reclamation cost estimate and the estimated remaining life of mine and reclamation operations annually;
(B) Participants shall provide annual payments of not less than one percent of the total annual reclamation cost estimate until the assigned trust is fully funded;
(C) Participants shall provide other acceptable bonding instruments as noted in Section 2 of this chapter to cover the remaining full cost of reclamation until such time as the voluntary assigned trust is fully funded;
(D) Funds received by the Department shall be invested by the state treasurer as authorized by law. The funds shall be invested in a manner that preserves the corpus and obtains the highest net return possible less any administrative fees required by the state treasurer and Department;
(E) Earnings from investment of the corpus of the assigned trust shall be credited by the state treasurer to the balance of each voluntary assigned trust annually at the end of the fiscal year;
(F) The Department shall provide a statement of account as defined by the treasurer annually at the end of the fiscal year; and
(G) Bond reductions to the permit or license shall be made from any other bond instruments first until the assigned trust is fully funded.
(e) Assigned trust withdrawals.
(i) No funds shall be withdrawn by the participant from the assigned trust account during the first year after the date of establishment of the assigned trust;
(ii) Assets from the assigned trust may only be withdrawn after complete funding of the trust;
(iii) Funds from the assigned trust shall be withdrawn last after any approved alternative reclamation bonding instruments have been released by the Department;
(iv) The assigned trust may not be substituted by another bonding instrument;
(v) Funds from the assigned trust shall only be released following certification of the requested bond release by the director per the provisions of W.S. 35-11-423 or in the event of bond forfeiture under W.S. § 35-11-421;
(vi) The assets of each assigned trust shall only be available to the Department to cover the cost of completing reclamation in the event of forfeiture; and
(vii) Once the assigned trust is fully funded and the balance is in excess of the reclamation costs the operator may request a release of the excess funds using forms provided by the Department and state treasurer.
(f) Assigned trust transfers.
(i) Assets from the assigned trust may be transferred to a new eligible operator upon approval of a permit or license transfer in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-408.
(ii) Assigned trust transfer requirements shall include:
(A) The assigned trust may not be substituted and shall be transferred along with the permit transfer if the estimated life of mine is equal to five years or less; and
(B) All expenses and penalties associated with the transfer of the assigned trust are the responsibility of the license or permit holder.
(iii) Upon the application for a permit or license transfer no funds in the assigned trust shall be released to either the transferor or transferee until a final decision on the transfer application is made by Department.
(iv) Double bonding shall not be required for any reclamation costs of the permit or license covered by assigned trust funds, however the proposed transferee shall provide additional acceptable bond instruments for that portion of the reclamation costs not covered by the assigned trust prior to the transfer of the permit or license. Bond instruments shall be released to the transferor at the time of acceptance of the transferee's bond instruments and approval of the permit or license transfer.
Section 7. Requirements for Forfeiture and Release.
(a) All requirements as to bond forfeiture proceedings and the release of bonds shall be consistent with W.S. § 35-11-417(e) and W.S. §§ 35-11-421 through 35-11-424 of the Act, excepting the requirements as to notification to the surety.
(b) The Department shall retain the full value of the real property until the bond liability equal to the value of the real property is released or substituted with another financial instrument.
(c) Forfeitures with reclamation bonds held in an assigned trust shall be processed in accordance with Section 6(e) above.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 7 Noncoal Mine Permit or Research and Development Testing License Revisions
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.7.11172022 § 1 Permit and License Revision Applications
(a) Any permit or research and development testing license may be revised by identifying alterations to the mining or reclamation plan in the annual report or addendum thereto, or by submitting an application in accordance with this Section, at the noncoal operator's discretion. However, an operator must submit an application for any significant permit revision that would require public notice under Section 2.
(b) Each application to revise a permit or research and development testing license shall contain:
(i) The name and address of the operator;
(ii) The permit number and date approved;
(iii) A description of the change and why the change is being sought;
(iv) An outline or index indicating what pages, maps, tables, or other parts of the approved permit or license will be affected by the revision;
(v) The following information, if different from that submitted in the original permit or license application:
(A) The precise location of the permit or license area by legal subdivision, section, township, range, county, and municipal corporation, if any;
(B) The names and last known addresses of the owners of record of the surface and mineral rights of the land covered by the permit or license; and
(C) The names and last known addresses of the owners of record of the surface rights of the lands immediately adjacent to the permit or license area.
(vi) A detailed description of the proposed revised mining, reclamation, or research and development testing operation, which shall also include:
(A) For any proposed newly affected lands, if not submitted and approved in the original application for the permit:
(I) A USGS topographic map or equivalent of the permit or license area distinctly outlining and identifying the land to be affected by the revised mining or reclamation operation;
(II) The information required in Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-406(a)(vii) and (ix) or, for in situ mining operations, the information required in W.S. § 35-11-428;
(III) The extent to which the revised mining or reclamation operation will disturb, change, or deface the lands proposed to be affected; and
(IV) The proposed future use or uses of the affected lands and the plan whereby the operator will reclaim the affected lands to the proposed use or uses.
(B) Any changes in the estimate of the total cost of reclaiming the affected and proposed affected lands, computed in accordance with established engineering principles.
(vii) Any additional information necessary to support or justify the changes; and
(viii) Such other information as the Administrator deems necessary.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.7.11172022 § 2 Criteria for Public Notice Requirements
(a) Within ninety days after receiving a permit or license revision application the Administrator shall notify the operator of whether or not the application is complete and whether the revision is determined to be significant, requiring notice and opportunity for interested person(s) to submit written objections. Unless otherwise instructed, an operator may begin implementing a non-significant permit or license revision upon receiving this determination from the Administrator.
(b) Notice and opportunity for submitting written objections is required for revisions to the Class III well portion of an in situ mining permit or research and development testing license when the proposed revision meets one or more of the criteria in Chapter 11, Section 14(d) of these rules.
(c) Notice and opportunity for submitting written objections is required for other revisions to a permit or license whenever the application proposes significant deviations from the approved mining plan, and reclamation plan, or research and development testing operation. The following will be considered significant deviations unless otherwise determined by the Administrator:
(i) More than a twenty percent increase in affected land from that which was approved in the original permit or license, with the following exception:
(ii) A change in the approved future land use or uses which affects more than twenty percent of the land within the permit or license area;
(iii) A change in the approved method for insuring that all acid-forming or toxic materials, radioactive materials, or materials constituting a fire, health or safety hazard uncovered during or created by the mining or license process are promptly treated or disposed of during the mining, reclamation, or license process in a manner designed to prevent pollution of surface or subsurface water or threats to human or animal health and safety;
(iv) The construction or relocation of mills, tailings disposal facilities, or heap leach facilities;
(v) A change in the approved method of mining that results in surface disturbance (e.g. underground, surface or in situ mining);
(vi) A change that would adversely affect the quality, quantity, or distribution of water in surface or groundwater systems; or
(vii) Any changes that propose significant alterations in the approved mining, reclamation, or research and development testing operation as determined by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.7.11172022 § 3 Permit Decisions, Public Notice, and Opportunity for Filing Objections
(a) For non-significant revisions, which do not require public notice, the Director shall render a decision of the application within thirty days after the Administrator determines the application is complete.
(b) For significant revisions:
(i) The operator shall publish notice of its permit or license revision application in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the operation once a week for four consecutive weeks commencing within fifteen days after receiving notification that publication is required. The notice shall contain the information required by W.S. § 35-11-406(j), the permit number and date approved, and a general description of the proposed revision. The operator shall also mail a copy of the application mine plan map to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission in accordance with W. S. § 35-11-406(j);
(ii) Any interested person may file objections in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-406(q);
(iii) The Director shall render a decision on the application in accordance with W. S. § 33-11-406(q); and
(iv) An applicant or objector may appeal the Director's decision to the Environmental Quality Council in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-406(q).
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.7.11172022 § 4 Review of Permits or Research and Development Testing Licenses
The Administrator, with the concurrence of the Director, may require the operator to submit an application for a permit or license revision when, upon review of the operator's annual report, annual renewal request, or upon inspection of the existing operation, the Administrator finds in writing that the mining plan, reclamation plan, or license revision is necessary to account for actual changes in the operator's mining, reclamation, or research and development testing operations. An operator may appeal the Administrator's decision to the Environmental Quality Council in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-112(a)(iii).
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Chapter 8 Exploration by Drilling
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.8.09262012 Exploration by Drilling
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
LAND QUALITY DIVISION
NONCOAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 8
EXPLORATION BY DRILLING
Section 1. Conducting Exploration by Drilling.
(a) Any discoverer conducting exploration by drilling within this State, shall do so in strict compliance with all the provisions of W.S. § 35-11-404 (2007) and this Chapter. The requirements of this Chapter shall apply to exploration drilling within permitted mine operations.
(b) Prior to conducting any exploration by drilling outside of a permitted mine operation, the discoverer shall provide notification (Drilling Notification) and a reclamation bond acceptable to the Administrator. Construction of water wells outside of a permitted mine operation may be authorized under a drilling notification in accordance with Section 7 and in compliance with applicable requirements of the Wyoming State Engineer's Office. The Drilling Notification shall be in a form as specified by the Administrator and shall include information describing the approximate number and depth of holes to be drilled and a map showing approximate hole locations within the exploration area. The Administrator shall review the notification and the bond and notify the discoverer in a timely manner not to exceed 60 days from receipt whether the drilling is approved or additional information is required.
Section 2. General Drill Hole Abandonment Requirements.
(a) All drill holes sunk for the purpose of conducting exploration by drilling, including those drilled within a permitted mine operation, shall be capped, sealed or plugged in the manner described hereinafter.
(b) Drill holes that have artesian flow of groundwater to the surface shall be plugged with cement-based sealant material, as specified and in the manner described below, to prevent fluid communication and adverse changes in water quality or quantity.
(c) Drill holes that have encountered any ground water or saturated stratum shall be sealed utilizing sealant materials and emplacement methods as prescribed hereinafter to prevent fluid communication and adverse changes in water quality or quantity.
(d) "Sealant materials" are materials that are stable, have low permeability and possesses minimum shrinking properties such that they are optimal sealing materials for well plugging and drill hole abandonment. Sealant materials shall be either: 1) a fluid mixture of water plus a cement-based or bentonite-based material, or 2) a dry bentonite- based material, either chips or pellets specifically designed for sealing drill holes. Sealant materials shall meet the technical requirements for making a proper seal, shall meet applicable recognized industry standards and shall be prepared according to manufacturer's directions for specific site requirements. The following are approved sealant materials:
(i) Neat Cement Slurry must consist of a mixture of Portland Cement and not more than 6 gallons of clean water per bag (1 cubic foot or 94 pounds) of cement;
(ii) Sand Cement Slurry must consist of a mixture of Portland Cement, sand, and water in the proportion of not more than 1 part by weight of sand to 1 part of cement with not more than 6 gallons of clean water per bag of cement (1 cubic foot or 94 pounds);
(iii) Concrete Slurry must consist of a mixture of Portland Cement, sand and gravel aggregate, and water in the proportion of not more than 1 part by weight of aggregate to 1 part of cement with not more than 6 gallons of clean water per bag of cement;
(iv) Cement/Bentonite Slurry must consist of a mixture of cement and bentonite in the proportion of not more than 6.5 gallons of water and 3 to 5 pounds of powdered bentonite per 94-pound sack of Portland cement;
(v) High Solids Bentonite Slurry means an inorganic mixture with a slurry density of 9.4 lbs./gal. minimum (20%) by weight of solids bentonite, with polymers, water, or other additives for the yield/rate control, which forms a low permeability seal (not greater than 1 x 10-7 cm/sec), and is mixed to the manufacturer's specifications; and
(vi) Nonslurry Bentonite must consist of chipped or pelletized bentonite varieties specifically designed to be used to seal drill holes.
(vii) Abandonment Gel means a mixture of bentonite with polymers and other additives and water in the proportion of one (1) barrel of water to 15 pounds of abandonment material with a minimum slurry density of 8.6 lbs./ gal. Abandonment Gel used to seal boreholes shall meet the following specifications when using American Petroleum Institute Standard Procedures for Testing Drilling Fluids:
(A) Ten minute gel strength of at least 20 lbs. / 100 sq. ft.
(B) Filtrate volume not to exceed 13.5 cc.
(C) Minimum Marsh Funnel viscosity of 60 sec. / quart.
(e) Sealant materials shall be emplaced in a manner that provides a water tight seal utilizing one of the following approved methods:
(i) By placing sealant materials by drill pipe, tremie pipe, or similar device in an upward direction from the bottom of the drill hole to within approximately five (5) feet of the ground surface; or
(ii) By placing nonslurry bentonite from the bottom of the drill hole to within approximately five (5) feet of the ground surface. Nonslurry bentonite shall not be utilized unless the drill hole is four inches or greater in diameter and less than 500 feet in depth and the material must be placed in such a manner that a bridge does not occur. Nonslurry bentonite may not be placed in more than 300 feet of standing liquid.
(f) For any hole that has been sealed with a sealant material, the discoverer responsible for sealing the drill hole shall:
(i) Measure the depth of the top of the sealant material column with the appropriate equipment after sufficient time (minimum 24 hours) has been allowed for the column of sealant material to set up; and
(ii) If the column of sealant material has dropped or fallen back, the discoverer shall continue to install sealant material until the top of the sealant material column remains at least 50 feet above the top of the uppermost saturated groundwater stratum; and
(iii) Install uncontaminated fill material, drill cuttings or one of the approved sealant materials listed herein from the top of the sealant material column to within approximately 5 feet of the ground surface.
(g) If a hole is drilled without the use of drilling fluids and the bottom of the hole is above the preexisting natural elevation of the uppermost saturated groundwater stratum, the drill hole shall be abandoned by completely backfilling from the bottom of the drill hole to the surface with uncontaminated earthen material or drill cuttings or approved grout materials described herein. When using uncontaminated earthen material or drill cuttings as a backfill material, this material should be emplaced in a manner to promote settling and compaction and to minimize voids caused by bridging. If the drill hole is backfilled to the natural ground surface with dry nonslurry materials then no surface cap is necessary.
(h) All drill holes shall be backfilled to the surface with dry nonslurry materials or capped with a concrete cap set at least 2 feet below the ground surface and then backfilled to the surface with native earthen materials to ensure the safety of people, livestock, wildlife, and machinery in the area.
(i) Drill holes shall be capped or backfilled immediately after drilling and probing in accordance with W.S. 35-11-404(h). If it is necessary to temporarily delay the abandonment or keep the drill hole open for any reason, the drill hole must be securely covered with a temporary cap in a manner which will prevent injury to persons or animals. Drill holes shall not be left open for more than 30 days without specific authorization from the Administrator.
(j) For inspection and verification purposes, each drill hole shall be marked with a temporary marker that clearly identifies the name of the discoverer and the hole number until bond release is authorized. Holes shall not be marked with rebar, metal pipe or metal posts which could pose a hazard to people, livestock, wildlife or equipment.
(k) The Administrator may approve other drill hole abandonment procedures, and/or sealant materials, at the request of the discoverer.
Section 3. Reclamation of Drill Sites and Affected Lands.
(a) Drill sites and associated Light-use roads, as defined in Chapter 1, shall be restored as nearly as possible to their original condition.
(b) All drilling fluids, drill cuttings and geologic samples shall be confined and buried below grade to the extent possible. Excess drilling mud and drill cuttings or any acid- forming or toxic materials uncovered during or created by exploration by drilling, including petroleum contaminated soils, shall be properly disposed of so as not to constitute a fire, health, or safety hazard during or after the exploration by drilling.
(c) To the extent possible, any surface preparation of the drill site shall be accomplished in a manner consistent with Chapter 3, Section 2(b), Land Quality Noncoal Rules and Regulations.
(d) To the extent possible, topsoil removal and stockpiling shall precede any excavation within the drill site and associated light-use roads in a manner consistent with Chapter 3, Section 2(c) and 2(i), Land Quality Noncoal Rules and Regulations.
(e) To the extent possible, the discoverer shall reestablish the vegetative cover where vegetation has been removed or destroyed within the drill site and associated light-use roads by seeding, planting, transplanting, or by other adequate methods in a manner consistent with Chapter 3, Section 2(d) and 2(i), Land Quality Noncoal Rules and Regulations.
(f) All lands, including access roads or terrain damaged in gaining access to or clearing the site, or lands whose natural state has been substantially disturbed as a result of the exploration by drilling, shall be restored as nearly as possible to their original condition, including reseeding if grass or other crop was destroyed.
Section 4. Bond.
(a) In order to assure and secure performance of the discoverer's obligations, each discoverer shall agree to post a bond for each exploration area. The amount of the bond shall be computed in accordance with established engineering principles, for accomplishing proper drill hole abandonment and surface restoration in accordance with the standards set out in this Chapter.
(b) The bond amount for any drill holes or any portion of the exploration area may be reduced when the discoverer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that drill hole abandonment has been accomplished in accordance with the standards set out in this Chapter. The amount by which the bond is reduced may be returned to the discoverer or applied towards additional drilling. The bond for any drill sites or any portion of the exploration area may be released when reclamation has been completed and the Administrator finds that vegetation has been re-established.
(c) The Administrator may accept the bond of the discoverer itself without separate surety when the discoverer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator substantial compliance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 6, Land Quality Noncoal Rules and Regulations.
Section 5. Termination and Report of Operations.
(a) Within 12 months after the completion and proper abandonment of any exploration drill hole, the discoverer shall comply with the reporting requirements of W.S. § 35-11-404(e) or (f). The report shall be in a form as specified by the Administrator. After receipt of such report, the Administrator shall have one year to inspect and evaluate the abandoned drill holes, drill sites, and access routes and make a determination of whether to release the bond to the discoverer, require additional reclamation, or institute forfeiture proceedings. The abandoned drill hole reports shall be held as confidential for a period of five years from the date of filing. The period may be extended for additional five (5) year periods upon request of the person filing the report.
(b) Forfeiture proceedings and release of bonds shall be according to the procedure set forth in W.S. §§ 35-11-421 through 35-11-423; substituting therein "discoverer" for "operator;" "surface restoration" for "reclamation," and "exploration by drilling" for "surface mining."
(c) Failure to so inspect and evaluate abandoned drill holes shall constitute a decision by the Administrator that the discoverer has complied with this Chapter for release of bond purposes only. This one year limitation shall not be construed to alter or affect W.S. § 35-11-404(k)-(n), or any other rights of action against the discoverer granted pursuant to the statutory provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
Section 6. Exceptions.
Sections 2 and 3 of this Chapter, relating to drill hole abandonment and site reclamation, shall not apply to holes drilled in conjunction with open-pit development within an existing permitted surface mine operation that are within 500 feet of the active pit and are projected to be mined through within 12 months of drilling. This Chapter shall not apply to holes drilled for the purpose of conducting oil and gas exploration operations. Specific exceptions from certain requirements of this Chapter shall also be preserved in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-404(g) and (h).
Section 7. Installation of Wells for Collection of Baseline Information.
(a) Construction of wells may be authorized by the Administrator under a Drilling Notification for the purpose of collecting ground water baseline data in preparation of a mine permit application.
(b) Prior to installation, the discoverer is encouraged, but not required, to submit a plan for review by the Administrator that describes the location and completion details of each proposed well. The Administrator shall review the plan and respond within 30 days.
(c) Wells shall be permitted in accordance with requirements of the State Engineer's Office, in accordance with W.S. 35-11-404 (c)(iv).
(d) Wells shall be constructed according to the standards contained in Chapter 11, Sections 6(b), 6(c), 6(d), 6(e), and 6(f), Land Quality Noncoal Rules and Regulations.
(e) Provisions shall be made such that each well is secured to prevent contaminant entry.
(f) Adequate bond shall be provided to assure that all wells are properly plugged and sealed and the sites restored.
(g) Well plugging and sealing and site reclamation shall follow the procedures outlined in Sections 2 and 3. Well casing shall be cut off at least two (2) feet below ground surface and any pump and associated appurtenances removed, as applicable, before the well is plugged and sealed.
(h) Well abandonment reports shall be filed with the Administrator and the State Engineer's Office within 12 months of abandonment.
History
- Effective 2012-09-26
Chapter 9 Permit Application Requirements for Small Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.9.08212026 § 1 General
(a) Small mine operations are defined pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-401(j) as surface mining operations that remove no more than thirty-five thousand cubic yards of overburden, excluding topsoil, and disturb no more than ten acres of land in any one year, excluding roads used to access the mining operation.
(b) This Chapter sets out the information required for small mine permit applications. The requirements of Chapter 2, Regular Noncoal Mine Permit Applications, shall not apply to small mine operations except the application requirements for the use of inert materials as backfill contained in Section 2(b)(iii)(B)(VI). The requirements of Chapter 3, Environmental Protection Performance Standards, shall apply to small mine operations, except as specifically noted herein.
(c) The Administrator shall not accept or approve small mine permit applications for coal, uranium, underground, or in-situ mines.
(d) No person shall commence small surface mining operations without first receiving a permit under this Chapter. Permit applications shall be submitted to the Administrator containing the information set out in this Chapter and in the format required by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.9.08212026 § 2 Application Requirements
(a) Each application for a small mine permit shall include the following:
(i) The name and address of the applicant, and, if the applicant is a partnership, association, or corporation, the names and addresses of all managers, partners and executives directly responsible for operations in this state;
(ii) A sworn statement that the applicant has the right and power by legal estate owned to mine from the land for which the permit is desired;
(iii) A sworn statement that the applicant has not forfeited a bond posted for reclamation purposes and that all statements contained in the permit application are true and correct to the best knowledge of the applicant;
(iv) The names and last known addresses of the owners of record of the surface and mineral rights on the land to be covered by the proposed permit. If more than one landowner is included, then a map shall be provided to illustrate land ownership;
(v) The names and last known addresses of the owners of record of the surface rights on the lands adjacent to the proposed permit area. Adjacent means all lands within one-half mile of the proposed permit area. If more than one landowner is included, then a map shall be provided to illustrate land ownership;
(vi) An instrument of consent from the surface landowner, if different from the owner of the mineral estate, to the proposed mining and reclamation plan. If surface owner consent cannot be obtained, the options contained in W.S. § 35-11-406(b)(xii) shall apply;
(vii) An identification of the lands to be included in the permit area to include:
(A) A legal description of the proposed permit area by legal subdivision, section, township, and range. If the permit area or any portion thereof cannot be properly described using legal subdivisions then the permit area shall be described by protracted survey or metes and bounds description, which shall be accompanied by a map prepared by a licensed surveyor;
(B) The name, if any, by which such lands or any part thereof are known;
(C) The total number of acres in the area covered by the permit application and the approximate number of acres to be affected by the proposed operation; and
(D) The nearest town, village, or city;
(viii) A United States Geological Survey topographic map at a scale of 1:24,000 if available, or an equivalent map, clearly identifying the boundaries of the proposed permit area, including access roads, and illustrating the surrounding area at least one-half mile in all directions from the permit area;
(ix) A map at an appropriate scale showing the boundaries of the permit area and the lands to be affected and including the following features within and adjacent to the permit area:
(A) Any surface waters, including lakes, ponds, streams, springs, canals, drainages, irrigation ditches, and water courses within and adjacent to the proposed permit area;
(B) Water wells on and within one-half mile of the permit area, if the maximum expected depth of the mine pit is within 20 feet of or below the water table;
(C) Buildings, structures, and dwellings;
(D) Roads, railroads, public or private rights-of-way or easements, utility lines, and oil and gas wells; and
(E) An outline of all areas previously disturbed by surface or underground mining;
(x) The mineral or minerals to be mined;
(xi) The estimated dates of commencement and termination of the proposed permit operation;
(xii) A written statement from the appropriate city or county agency documenting that the proposed mining operation does not conflict with existing city regulations or ordinances or county zoning or planning provisions;
(xiii) If the proposed operation will affect any lands within 300 feet of any existing occupied dwelling, home, public building, school, church, community or institutional building, park or cemetery, the written consent of the appropriate landowner shall be provided; and
(xiv) A filing fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) plus ten dollars ($10.00) for each acre in the requested permit, but the maximum fee for any single permit shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(b) Notification and publication requirements. The procedures contained in W.S. § 35-11-406(d) through (m), (o), and (q) shall apply.
(c) The applicant shall post a reclamation bond in the amount and in a form acceptable to the Administrator prior to approval of the small mine permit application. Roads used to access a small mining operation shall be included in the permit and bonded for reclamation liability.
(d) The permit may be amended without public notice and opportunity for interested parties to file objections to the proposed amendment if the area sought to be included by amendment does not exceed twenty percent of the total permit acreage and is contiguous to the permit area, and if the amendment applicant provides all of the information required in this Chapter, including mining and reclamation plans acceptable to the Administrator. The fee for a permit amendment shall be two hundred dollars ($200.00) plus ten dollars ($10.00) for each acre not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.9.08212026 § 3 Environmental Baseline Information
The permit application shall include a general description of the land within the permit area, which shall include the following information:
(a) A description of the present land use(s) within the permit boundary;
(b) A map of vegetation types, range sites, or ecological response units and a range site‑range condition survey, or equivalent, on the proposed permit area, including a list of species and a ranking of their relative abundance in each vegetation type. The applicant shall submit labeled photographs to demonstrate each vegetation type and to document areas of sparse vegetation and any areas containing noxious weeds. Locations photographed shall be shown on the vegetation map;
(c) A description of any surface waters within the proposed permit area including estimated average flow rates, the storage volume of any reservoirs, associated water rights within the permit area of any stream, reservoir, or lake, and depth to groundwater within the permit area, including a description of how groundwater depth was determined;
(d) A soil map which identifies the soil types, sampling locations, and proposed salvage depths;
(e) A report describing the soil types and their suitability for reclamation, the depths and volume of suitable topsoil present on the proposed affected lands, and the subsoil and/or overburden material existing between the topsoil and mineral seams;
(f) Correspondence or other documents showing that the applicant consulted with both the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to submission of the permit application and have addressed their recommendations relative to wildlife surveys, monitoring and mitigation in the mine permit application as required by state and federal law; and
(g) A copy of the appropriate National Wetlands Inventory Map with the permit area and disturbance boundary delineated. If potential wetlands exist that will be disturbed or impacted by mine related activity, then the applicant shall perform a wetland delineation according to Army Corps of Engineers accepted procedures. If the proposed operation will avoid any impact to the potential wetland, either through direct disturbance or by affecting the watershed, then this shall be clearly stated in the mine plan.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.9.08212026 § 4 Mine Operations Plan
The application shall include a mining plan with the following information:
(a) A description of the nature and scope of the proposed operation, including roads to be constructed, mining technique, equipment, method of operation, and a projected schedule for the operation;
(b) A map showing the location of all activities associated with the operation including roads, mine pit areas, out-of-pit spoil piles, waste water ponds, temporary drainage diversions, settling ponds, stockpiles for topsoil, overburden, ore, product, and waste, plant sites, and other processing facilities;
(c) Typical cross sections as appropriate to illustrate the proposed mine area, oriented perpendicular to each other and showing the natural ground surface elevation, the top and bottom of the mineral seam, the maximum expected depth of mining and the approximate elevation of the water table;
(d) A description of how topsoil and subsoil will be salvaged, stockpiled, and conserved for reclamation, including an estimate of the depth and volume of topsoil and subsoil to be salvaged on an annual basis;
(e) A plan for ensuring that all acid-forming, or toxic material, or materials constituting a fire, health, or safety hazard uncovered during or created by the mining process are promptly treated or disposed of during the mining process in a manner designed to prevent pollution of surface or subsurface water or threats to human or animal health and safety. The plan may include methods such as covering, burying, impounding, or otherwise containing or disposing of the acid, toxic, radioactive, or otherwise dangerous material;
(f) A description of all waste materials that may be generated by the operation and plans for their storage and disposal. Only waste materials classified as clean fill shall be disposed within the mine permit area and only with the written permission of the landowner. Clean fill, for the purposes of this Chapter, means only uncontaminated natural soil materials, rock, hardened asphalt rubble, brick, and concrete rubble with no protruding rebar. All other waste materials shall be taken off-site for disposal at an authorized disposal site;
(g) The procedures proposed to avoid constituting a public nuisance, endangering the public safety, human or animal life, property, wildlife and plant life in or adjacent to the permit area. The plan shall include fencing as necessary to prevent unauthorized access of persons, livestock or wildlife and to protect the surface owner's ongoing operations;
(h) The methods of diverting surface water around the affected lands where necessary to effectively control pollution or unnecessary erosion; and
(i) If blasting is anticipated, a blasting plan, in accordance with Chapter 14 Blasting for Noncoal Surface Mining Operations shall be in place for the area to be mined during the term of the permit.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.9.08212026 § 5 Reclamation Plan
The application shall include a reclamation plan describing how the applicant will reclaim all of the affected lands to the proposed future use or uses. The reclamation plan shall include the following:
(a) A statement of the proposed uses of the land by the landowner after reclamation;
(b) Plans for grading and contouring suitable for the proposed land uses after reclamation, including the maximum slope that will be created and a plan to reestablish the surface drainage;
(c) A post-mine contour map at an appropriate scale showing the proposed contours of the affected area after completion of reclamation. The Administrator may waive this requirement if requested by the applicant and the degree of surface disturbance is small. Typical cross sections oriented perpendicular to each other shall be provided to show the original natural ground surface, the maximum depth of mining, the maximum horizontal extent of mining, and the proposed reclamation surfaces and slopes;
(d) The methods of reclamation for effective control of erosion, siltation, and pollution of affected stream channels and stream banks by the mining operations;
(e) If the reclamation plan proposes a permanent water impoundment:
(i) Copies of correspondence or permit documents showing the applicant has consulted with the Wyoming State Engineer's Office and complied with all applicable State Engineer requirements;
(ii) Plans demonstrating that the impoundment has been designed to ensure permanent stability and that the slopes and contouring will prevent safety hazards and allow for safe access for all water users, including livestock and wildlife; and
(iii) Documentation that the size of the impoundment and the expected quantity and quality of water will be suitable for the proposed uses. If the applicant is unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the water quantity and quality will be suitable for the proposed uses, the applicant shall provide an alternate plan, the applicant may be required to monitor the water in the impoundment following construction to demonstrate that the quantity and quality are suitable for the proposed uses;
(f) Plans for topsoil replacement and seedbed preparation, including the depth of subsoil and topsoil to be applied and the methods for preparing a proper seedbed;
(g) A description of the species to be seeded, seeding rates, seeding methods, description of any other revegetation treatments to be employed, the schedule for seedbed preparation and seeding, and protective measures against grazing animals;
(h) Method of disposal of all buildings and structures erected or utilized for the operation and a description of any buildings or structures that will be left in place at the request of the surface owner;
(i) A projected timetable for accomplishment of the reclamation plan; and
(j) An itemized estimate of the cost to reclaim all lands to be affected during the first twelve months of operation.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.9.08212026 § 6 Evaluation of Revegetation Success
Revegetation success shall be evaluated by the Administrator utilizing qualitative methods, no sooner than the fifth growing season following completion of reclamation. In consultation with the landowner, revegetation shall be deemed successful when:
(a) The established vegetation species are self-renewing;
(b) The total vegetative cover of perennial species, excluding noxious weeds, and any species in the approved seed mix is at least equal to the total vegetative cover of perennial species, excluding noxious weeds, on the area before mining; and
(c) The species diversity and composition are suitable for the approved post-mining land uses.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.9.08212026 § 7 Conversion of Small Mine Permit to Regular Mine Permit
(a) If an operator, holding a valid permit under this Chapter for a small mining operation, intends to expand his operation within the approved permit area to remove more than thirty-five thousand cubic yards of overburden, excluding topsoil, per year or affect more than ten acres of land per year, excluding roads used to access the mining operation, the operator shall submit an application for a permit revision and obtain approval for the expansion prior to the time when he intends to exceed the established limits. The application shall include the following information:
(i) Application on forms supplied by the Division;
(ii) Revised mining and reclamation plans and schedules;
(iii) Revised maps, in such detail as required by the Administrator;
(iv) Updated environmental baseline information in such detail as required by the Administrator; and
(v) An appropriate reclamation bond.
(b) The provisions of W.S. § 35‑11‑406(d) through (m), (o) and (q) shall apply. Objections to the application, and any hearing before the Environmental Quality Council, shall be limited to the operator's request to expand his operation and shall not affect the valid small mining permit already held by the operator.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Chapter 10 Limited Mining Operations for Fifteen Acres or Less of Affected Land
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.10.08212026 § 1 Commencement
(a) At least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of surface mining operations for the removal of sand, gravel, scoria, limestone, dolomite, shale, ballast, or feldspar from an area of fifteen (15) acres or less of affected land, excluding access roads, a notification shall be submitted by the operator to the Administrator and the inspector of mines within the department of workforce services. The notification must be on forms supplied by the Division and shall contain the following:
(i) The name, address, and telephone number of the operator.
(ii) The written consent for the operation from the surface owner and surface lessee, if any, of the land to be affected.
(iii) The location of the area of the operation by legal subdivision, section, township, and range. If there is no other survey, the location by protracted survey, metes and bounds, or claims.
(iv) The mineral to be mined.
(v) A USGS topographic map:
(A) The notification submitted to the Administrator must be accompanied by an original quadrangle map (photo copies or other similar copies are not acceptable unless prior approval is obtained from the Land Quality Division).
(B) The following information shall be shown on the quadrangle map:
(I) A legal description of the fifteen (15) acres or less of land to be affected.
(II) If any previous mining has taken place, or is taking place, within the fifteen (15) acres or less to be affected, show the location and identity of this mining as an existing mining operation.
(III) Show any existing or proposed access or haul roads into, or away from the proposed mining operation. Any roads to be constructed or upgraded by the operator shall be included as part of the operation from that point that they provide exclusive service and shall be covered by a reclamation bond but are not included in the fifteen (15) acres of affected land limitation.
(vi) The operator shall provide a description of the proposed mining operation. This description shall include:
(A) Number of acres to be affected.
(B) Maximum depth to which mining will occur.
(C) Depth to groundwater where known.
(D) The premining and proposed postmining land use.
(b) At least thirty (30) days prior to commencing operations, the operator must notify by mail all surface owners located within one (1) mile of the proposed boundary of the limited mining operation. The surface owner notification must include:
(i) A copy of the notification submitted to the Administrator in Subsection (a) above;
(ii) A copy of the map submitted in compliance with Subsection (a)(v) above; and
(iii) The name, postal address and telephone number of the operator.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.10.08212026 § 2 Bond
The operator shall file a bond pursuant to W.S. § 35‑11‑401(e)(vi)(B) in the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) per acre, except for quarries for which the bond amount shall not exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) per acre of affected land. Roads used to access the mining operation must be included in the acreage total when calculating bond amounts. Within ninety (90) days after limited mining operations commence, the Administrator may require the operator to post an additional bond per acre of affected land if it is determined that such amount is necessary to insure reclamation. The operator shall post the additional bond not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of such notification.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.10.08212026 § 3 Annual Reports
The operator shall file annual reports pursuant to W.S. § 35‑11‑401(k).
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.10.08212026 § 4 Operation
.
(a) A sign shall be posted and maintained at the entrance of the operation that, at a minimum, clearly shows:
(i) The name, address, and telephone number of the operator;
(ii) The name of the operator's local authorized agent; and
(iii) The LQD limited mining operation number.
(b) All topsoil from affected lands shall be saved and stockpiled in such a manner to minimize wind and water erosion. Such stockpiles shall be clearly identified by a sign.
(c) In no case shall any materials be pushed or dumped over natural escarpments.
(d) The affected lands shall not be within three hundred (300) feet of any existing occupied dwelling, home, public building, school, church, community or institutional building, park or cemetery unless the landowner's consent has been obtained.
(e) If blasting is anticipated, a blasting plan, in accordance with Chapter 14 Blasting For Noncoal Surface Mining Operations shall be in place for the area to be mined during the term of limited mining operations.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.10.08212026 § 5 Reclamation
(a) After the mining operations have ceased the operator shall notify the Administrator of such fact and commence reclamation and restoration. Provided however, that immediate reclamation will not be required if the landowner advises the Department in writing of his intent to further utilize the product of the mine, and if he assumes the obligation of reclamation and furnishes an appropriate bond to the Administrator.
(b) The reclamation of the affected lands shall be in accordance with the following:
(i) Reclamation shall be consistent with the proposed postmining land use.
(ii) On commencement of reclamation the topsoil shall be redistributed evenly over the affected area.
(iii) The affected land shall be reclaimed using sound agricultural practices. Surface preparation of affected areas to be seeded, seed types, amounts, methods of seeding and time shall be subjected to approval by the Division prior to seeding.
(iv) Mulching and/or fertilization may be required at the Administrator's discretion to ensure revegetation.
(v) Petroleum wastes and other toxic materials shall be disposed of by methods which ensure that topsoil, vegetation, surface water and groundwater are not contaminated.
(vi) For soft rock operations, final slopes shall be gentle enough to allow for contour seeding and final topography shall be approved by the Division, provided that the final slope shall not be greater than a ratio of 3:1.
(vii) For hard rock operations, whenever possible, the highwall shall be reduced to no greater than a 3:1 slope. The operator must demonstrate the stability of any steeper slope or of any remaining highwall, so that the reclaimed area is left in a condition so as not to create a potential erosion problem or safety hazard to the public or wildlife. Slopes, including any remaining highwall, shall be modified to blend as much as possible to the native landscape.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.10.08212026 § 6 Renewals
Limited mining operations may be renewed after five (5) years from the date of commencement. An applicant seeking renewal beyond the initial five (5) year period shall file a notification to extend operations on a form provided by the Division. The notification to extend operations shall be filed with the operator's fifth annual report and, for successive renewals, with an annual report every five (5) years thereafter.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.10.08212026 § 7 Transfers
The right to operate under a limited mining exemption may be transferred to a new operator with written approval of the existing operator and written acceptance by the Administrator, provided the new operator submits a new notification and bond required for the new operation and assumes the reclamation liability of the existing operator and does not violate the limitations provided in Section 9 below.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.10.08212026 § 8 Release of Bonds and Forfeiture of Bonds
Bond release. Forfeiture and cancellation shall be handled as provided in W.S. §§ 35‑11‑417 through 35‑11‑424.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.10.08212026 § 9 Limitation of Operations
(a) The operator will not be allowed to:
(i) Conduct more than one operation under W.S. § 35‑11‑401(e)(vi) within adjacent areas when the operations are to mine the same minerals, or
(ii) Conduct more than one operation of fifteen (15) acres or less within any six-mile radius when the two operations are to mine the same mineral, so as to circumvent the general requirements of the Environmental Quality Act. The Administrator may allow two operations for the same mineral within the six-mile radius if one of the operations has completed reclamation work and is awaiting bond release. Complete reclamation for the purposes of this section means backfilling, grading, topsoil application and final seeding activities have been completed.
10 - 1
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
Chapter 11 In Situ Mining
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 1 Definitions
(a) "Abandoned well" means a well whose use has been permanently discontinued or which is in a state of disrepair such that it cannot be used for its intended purpose or for observation purposes.
(b) "Annular space" means the space between the well casing and the borehole or the space between two or more strings of well casing.
(c) "Area Permit" means that, for the purposes of this Chapter, the Administrator may issue a permit on an area basis, rather than for each well individually, provided that the permit is for UIC Class III wells:
(i) Described and identified by location in permit application(s) if the wells are existing wells, except that the Administrator may accept a single description of wells with substantially the same characteristics;
(ii) Within the same well field, facility site, reservoir, project, or similar unit in the same state;
(iii) Operated by a single owner or operator; and
(iv) That are not used to inject hazardous waste.
(d) "Baseline" means the constituents or parameters and the concentrations or measurements which describe water quality and water quality variability prior to the injection of recovery fluid.
(e) "Catastrophic collapse" means the sudden and utter failure of overlying strata caused by removal of underlying materials. This can occur in salt solution mining and other processes that remove reservoir material to recover product.
(f) "Class III well" means a well used for in situ mining for the injection of recovery fluid for the purpose of extracting minerals, or products, including a well used in:
(i) Mining of sulfur by the Frasch process;
(ii) In situ mining of uranium or other metals; this category includes only in situ production from ore bodies which have not been conventionally mined. Wells used for solution mining (such as stope leaching) of conventional mines are classified as Class V wells;
(iii) In situ mining of salts, trona, or potash. With the exception that wells, used in reclamation activities, to inject into previously mined areas of underground trona mines will be classified as Class V wells rather than Class III wells (and therefore not regulated under this Chapter), regardless of whether such wells are used for secondary recovery of trona;
(iv) Fossil fuel recovery, including oil shale and tar sands; or
(v) Experimental technologies, such as pilot scale in situ mining wells in previously unmined areas.
(g) "Compliance schedule" means a schedule of remedial measures included in a permit, including an enforceable sequence of interim requirements (for example, actions, operations, or milestone events) leading to compliance with the applicable statutes and regulations.
(h) "Confining zone" means a geological formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that is capable of significantly limiting fluid movement above or below an injection zone.
(i) "Contaminant" means any unwanted or unauthorized physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.
(j) "Exempted aquifer" means an aquifer or any portion thereof that meets the criteria in the definition of "Underground Source of Water" but which has been exempted according to the procedures of Section 11 of this Chapter.
(k) "Fact sheet" means a document that briefly sets forth the principal facts and the significant factual, legal, methodological and policy questions considered in preparing a draft in situ class III permit.
(l) "Flow rate" means the volume per time unit given to the flow of gases or other fluid substance which emerges from an orifice, pump, turbine or passes along a conduit or channel.
(m) "Fluid" means material or substance which flows or moves whether in a semisolid, liquid, sludge, gas, or any other form or state.
(n) "Formation" means a body of rock characterized by a degree of lithologic homogeneity which is prevailingly, but not necessarily, tabular and is mappable on the earth's surface or traceable in the subsurface.
(o) "Formation fluid" means "fluid" present in a "formation" under natural conditions as opposed to introduced fluids.
(p) "Injection well" means a well or conduit through which recovery fluid is introduced into the subsurface. If a well is used for both injection and recovery, it is considered an injection well for the purposes of this Chapter until the operator has adequately demonstrated to the Administrator that the well has been converted to a use other than injection, per the requirements of Section 10 of this Chapter.
(q) "License area" means, with respect to an In Situ Research and Development License, an area described in the license application within which all affected land and water is contained.
(r) "Mechanical integrity" means, an injection well, a production well, or monitor well where there is no significant leak in the casing, tubing or packer, and there is no significant fluid movement into an unauthorized zone through vertical channels adjacent to the injection or recovery well bore.
(s) "Mechanical integrity testing" means the testing used to determine that a well has mechanical integrity as required in Section 9 of this Chapter.
(t) "Monitor well" means a well constructed or utilized to measure static water levels or to obtain liquid, solid, or gaseous analytical samples or other physical data that would be used for controlling the operations or to indicate potential circumstances that could affect the environment.
(u) "Monitor well ring" means the series of monitor wells surrounding a wellfield used to assess possible chemical and physical changes in groundwater due to ISR development.
(v) "Production well" or "Recovery well" means a well through which a recovery fluid or soluble mineral is produced or recovered from the subsurface. If a well is used for both injection and recovery, it is considered an injection well for the purposes of this chapter until the operator adequately demonstrates to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (Department) that the well has been converted to use as a Production or Recovery Well.
(w) "Receiving strata" means the geologic units within which the production zones are contained.
(x) "Recovery fluid" means any material which flows or moves, whether semi-solid, liquid, sludge, gas or other form or state, used to dissolve, leach, gasify or extract a mineral. This may also include restoration fluid.
(y) "Research and Development License" means the permitting vehicle issued by the Administrator, per W.S. § 35-11-431 et seq., approving research and development testing as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(f)(viii).
(z) "Sealing" means the operation whereby a cement slurry or other approved material is pumped into a drilled hole and/or forced into a well's annulus between the borehole and the casing.
(aa) "Target Restoration Values" means the numerical groundwater protection standards, developed on a parameter-by-parameter basis for water quality constituents, used to assess the success of groundwater restoration within the production zone.
(ab) "The Division" means the Land Quality Division of the Department.
(ac) "Underground Injection Control" (UIC) means the Underground Injection Control program under Part C of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 USC 300h et seq. (2005)), including an "approved State program."
(ad) "Underground Source of Water" (USW) means:
(i) Those aquifers or portions thereof which have a total dissolved solids content of less than 10,000 milligrams per liter (mg/l) and which contain a sufficient quantity of water to supply a public water supply as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(c)(viii);
(ii) Those that can be classified as a "known source of supply" pursuant to Chapter 8, Section 4(c), Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters, Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(ae) "Upper Control Limit" (UCL) means a value greater than the maximum value of a chemical or physical parameter that can be attributed to natural fluctuations and analytical variability. UCL parameters and amounts are determined from the baseline sampling and agreed upon by the Administrator and the operator prior to initiation of mining. UCLs are used to determine when there is movement of recovery fluid out of authorized areas or unapproved changes to a chemical or physical parameter.
(af) "Well" means a bored, drilled, or driven shaft whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension; or, a dug hole whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension; or, an improved sinkhole, or a subsurface fluid distribution system, as codified in the UIC regulations at 40 CFR 144.3.
(ag) "Wellfield area" means the surface area overlying the injection and recovery zones. This area may be all or a portion of the entire area proposed for the injection and production of recovery fluid throughout the life of the mine.
(ah) "Well Stimulation" means a well mediation performed on an ISR well to increase production by improving the flow of injection fluids from the injection wells into the production well bore.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 2 General Requirements
(a) All applications for mining permits and amendments must be submitted in a format satisfactory to the Administrator. The applicant shall provide information that is complete, current, presented clearly and concisely, and supported by appropriate references to technical and other written material. The Administrator may require the applicant to supplement the application with information beyond that specifically required by these rules if the Administrator believes that additional information is necessary to make an informed decision.
(b) In addition to the requirements of this Chapter, Chapter 7 of the Land Quality Noncoal Rules shall apply to in situ mining and Research and Development License operations.
(c) Applicable sections of Chapters 8 and 27 of the Water Quality Rules, regarding groundwater use classification, quality standards, and testing procedures, and, outside the aquifer exemption boundary, applicable Maximum Contaminant Levels from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Rules (40 CFR 141), shall also apply to in situ mining or Research and Development License operations.
(d) Applications for a permit or Research and Development License shall be filed with the Administrator. The applicant shall file two copies of the application to the Administrator.
(e) The Division shall prepare a fact sheet for each in situ Class III permit application.
(i) The fact sheet shall include, where applicable:
(A) A brief description of the type of facility or activity which is the subject of the draft permit;
(B) The type and quantity of wastes, fluids, or pollutants which are proposed to be or are being treated, stored, disposed of, injected, emitted, or discharged;
(C) Reasons why any requested variances or alternatives to required standards do or do not appear justified;
(D) A description of the procedures for reaching a final decision on the draft permit including:
(I) The beginning and ending dates of the comment period and the address where comments will be received;
(II) Procedures for requesting a hearing and the nature of that hearing; and
(III) Any other procedures by the public may participate in the final decision.
(E) The name and telephone number of a person to contact for additional information.
(ii) The Administrator shall send the fact sheet to the applicant and, on request, to any other person.
(f) Area permits shall specify the area within which underground injections are authorized and the requirements for construction, monitoring, reporting, operation and abandonment for all wells authorized. The area permit may authorize the permittee to construct and operate, convert, or plug and abandon wells within the area permit provided the permittee notifies the Administrator at such times as the permit requires, the additional well meets the requirements under the definition of "area permit" and this section and the cumulative effects of drilling and operation of additional injection wells are considered by the Administrator during evaluation of the permit application and are acceptable to the Administrator. The area permit does not allow for the construction of non-bonded infrastructure.
(g) The operator shall allow the Administrator, or an authorized representative of the Division, to enter and inspect any property as provided by W.S. §§ 35-11-109(a)(iv), (v) and (vi).
(h) All applications shall be signed by a responsible corporate officer. All reports required by permits (including Annual Reports, Quarterly Monitoring Reports, and reports related to excursion monitoring and control) or other information required by the Administrator which pertain to Class III injection wells shall be signed by a responsible corporate officer or duly authorized representative. Any responsible corporate officer or duly authorized representative signing a document under this Section shall make the following certification:
I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for known violations.
(i) "Responsible corporate officer" shall be:
(A) A president, secretary, treasurer, or vice president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs policy or decision-making functions for the corporation, or
(B) The manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities employing more than 250 persons or having gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25 million (in second-quarter 1980 dollars), if authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures, or
(C) In the case of a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor, respectively; or
(D) For a municipality, State, Federal, or other public agency: by either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For purposes of this section, a principal executive officer of a Federal agency includes:
(I) The chief executive officer of the agency, or
(II) A senior executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency (e.g., Regional Administrators of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)).
(ii) "Duly authorized representative" shall be a person who is authorized to sign a document to be submitted to the Land Quality Division as part of the official record regarding an in situ mining permit or Research and Development License. A person shall qualify for this title only if:
(A) The authorization is made in writing by a responsible corporate officer;
(B) The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity, such as the position of plant manager, operator of a well or a well field, superintendent, or position of equivalent responsibility. (A duly authorized representative may thus be either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position); and
(C) The written authorization is submitted to the Division.
(iii) If the responsible corporate officer or duly authorized representative is no longer correctly listed with the Administrator, a new name must be submitted, with required written authorization as required by Sections 2(h)(ii)(A) and (C) of this Chapter, to the Administrator prior to or with any reports, information, or applications to be signed by that individual.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 3 Application Content Requirements - Adjudication
(a) All applications for a permit must include, at a minimum, the information and materials required in: W.S. § 35-11-428 and Chapter 2, Sections 1 and 2(a)(i)(A) through (J) of these rules and:
(i) A description of the activities conducted by the applicant for which permits are required under: the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the UIC program of the Safe Drinking Water Act; the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program of the Clean Water Act; and the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program of the Clean Air Act.
(ii) A listing of all permits or construction approvals received or applied for in association with the in situ permit area under the following programs:
(A) Hazardous Waste Management program under RCRA;
(B) UIC program under the Safe Drinking Water Act (as it pertains to wells other than Class III wells);
(C) Aquifer exemption from the EPA;
(D) NPDES program under the Clean Water Act (CWA);
(E) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program under the Clean Air Act (CAA);
(F) Nonattainment program under the CAA;
(G) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Pollutants preconstruction approval under the CAA;
(H) Dredge and fill permits under Section 404 of the CWA;
(I) U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or Wyoming Uranium Recovery Program, Source Material License; or
(J) Other relevant environmental permits, including State permits.
(b) The map required in W.S. 35-11-406(a)(ix) must extend a minimum of one mile beyond the permit boundary.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 4 Application Content Requirements - Baseline Information
(a) All applications for a permit must also include:
(i) A soil survey which maps and describes the general distribution of the soils within the permit area. A detailed soil survey and associated laboratory analysis may be required for soils on the affected lands.
(ii) A description of the nature and depth of the topsoil that will be removed from proposed affected land prior to disturbance by mining activities.
(iii) A survey of vegetative cover and species diversity on the proposed affected land determined by scientifically acceptable sampling procedures. Vegetation productivity sampling may be required, at the Administrator's discretion, depending on the nature of the communities to be disturbed. However, if existing data from other sources, such as National Resources Conservation Service publications or adjacent permit areas, can be provided and demonstrated to be applicable to the communities in question, the collection of production data may be waived.
(iv) A list of the indigenous vertebrate species by common and scientific names observed within the proposed permit area. Surface waters supporting fish that may be affected by the operation shall be sampled for benthic invertebrates and periphyton. As required in Chapter 2, Section 1(f), the applicant shall consult with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to submission of a permit application to determine permitting requirements.
(v) A description of climatic conditions of the site in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 2, Section 2(a)(i)(C) and (D).
(vi) A description of the geology, including:
(A) Discussion, supported by maps, cross-sections and geologist's, driller's, and geophysical logs, which identifies: formations and aquifers; geologic features that could influence aquifer properties; and the areal and stratigraphic position of the production zone in relation to other geologic features within the proposed permit or Research and Development License area; and
(B) A generalized map and cross-sections illustrating the regional geologic setting.
(vii) A geochemical, lithological, and mineralogical description of the receiving strata and any aquifers that may be affected by the injection of recovery fluid.
(viii) For surface waters within the permit area and on adjacent lands:
(A) The names, descriptions, and a map of all such waters; and
(B) A list and map of all adjudicated and permitted surface water rights.
(ix) For groundwater within the permit area and on adjacent lands:
(A) The names (or numbers), descriptions, and a map of all wells installed for water supply or monitoring and all wells which penetrate the production zone. The description shall include: names of present owners, well completion data, producing interval(s), and variations in water level to the extent such information is available in the public records and from a reasonable inspection of the property;
(B) A list and map of all adjudicated and permitted groundwater rights;
(C) A list and map of all abandoned wells and drill holes, giving location, depth, producing interval(s), type of use, condition of casing, plugging procedures and date of completion for each well or drill hole within the permit area and on adjacent lands to the extent such information is available in public records and from a reasonable inspection of the property;
(D) A groundwater potentiometric surface contour map for each aquifer that may be affected by the mining process, including overlying and underlying aquifers in which monitoring wells are installed.
(E) Aquifer characteristics for the water saturated portions of the receiving strata and aquifers which may be affected by the mining process, which may include, but is not limited to, aquifer thickness, velocity and direction of groundwater movement, storage coefficients or specific yields, transmissivity or hydraulic conductivity and the direction(s) of preferred flow under hydraulic stress in the saturated zones of the receiving strata. The extent of hydraulic connection between the receiving strata and overlying and underlying aquifers, and the hydraulic characteristics of any influencing boundaries in or near the proposed well field area(s) shall be determined and described. Information needed to meet the requirements of Section 8(d) of this Chapter shall also be provided; and
(F) Tabulated water quality analyses for samples collected from all groundwater which may be affected by the proposed operation. Sampling to characterize the pre-mining groundwater quality and its variability shall be conducted in accordance with established Department guidelines. All baseline groundwater quantity and quality information must be provided in an electronic format prescribed by and/or acceptable to the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 5 Application Content Requirements - Mine (Operations) Plan
(a) All applications for a mine permit and amendments must include, at a minimum, the information and materials related to mine plans required in: W.S. §§ 35-11-428 and 35-11-429, Chapter 2, Section 1, and Chapter 3, Section 2 (excepting Subsections (b)(ii) and (iii), (c)(iv), and (h) and, with respect to subsection (k)(i), as modified in Section 6(a)(iv) of this Chapter) and:
(i) Contour (topographic) map(s) which accurately locate and identify the permit area and show the location of any public highways, dwellings, utilities and easements within the permit area and adjacent lands in relation to all proposed affected lands and proposed activities associated with the operation including, but not limited to: plant site, chemical storage areas, wellfield areas, roads, temporary and permanent drainage diversions, impoundments, stockpiles for topsoil, ore product and waste, and all processing facilities. The map(s) shall also clearly illustrate the location of monitoring wells required by Section 16 of this Chapter.
(ii) Discussion and illustration of the proposed mining schedule, including:
(A) A list of the proposed wellfields;
(B) Map(s) showing the proposed sequence for mining of the wellfields;
(C) A proposed time schedule for mining each wellfield; and
(D) The capacity of the water/waste water treatment systems and correlation of the capacity with the mining and restoration schedules.
(iii) The procedure(s) used to protect the topsoil and subsoil, as required in Chapter 3, Section 2(c)(i) through (iii), from excessive compaction, degradation, and wind and water erosion where stockpiling of topsoil and subsoil is necessary. The Administrator may authorize topsoil to remain on areas where minor disturbance will occur associated with construction and installation activities including but not limited to light-use roads, signs, wellfields, utility lines, fences, monitoring stations, and drilling provided that the minor disturbance will not destroy the protective vegetative cover, increase erosion, nor adversely affect the soil resource.
(iv) A description of and dimensions for all proposed impoundments, as defined by the State Engineer's Office. A leak detection plan may be required for impoundments that are not regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. For impoundments holding toxic or acid forming material, contingency plans to control unanticipated leakage shall be provided.
(v) A description of all temporary and permanent surface water diversions in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3, Section 2(e) and (f).
(vi) The composition of all known and anticipated wastes and procedures for their disposal.
(vii) Procedures for ensuring that all acid-forming, or toxic, or other materials constituting a fire or health and safety hazard encountered during or created by the mining process are promptly treated, confined, or disposed of in a manner designed to prevent pollution of surface water or groundwater, degradation of soils, or vegetation, or threat to human or animal health and safety.
(viii) A description of the mitigating measures developed from the consultations with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as required per Chapter 2, Section 1(f).
(ix) A description of the location within the permit area where underground injection is planned.
(x) A description of the proposed method of operation, including:
(A) Injection rate, with the average and maximum daily rate and the volume of fluid to be injected;
(B) Injection pressures, with average and maximum injection pressures, as required by Section 8 of this Chapter;
(C) Proposed stimulation program;
(D) Type of injection/recovery fluid to be used;
(E) Proposed injection procedure; and
(F) Expected changes in pressure, native groundwater displacement and direction of movement of injection fluid.
(xi) The following information concerning the production zone shall be determined or calculated and submitted for new Class III wells or projects:
(A) Where the production zone is in a receiving strata which is naturally water-bearing:
(I) Fluid pressure;
(II) Fracture pressure; and
(III) Physical and chemical characteristics of the receiving strata fluids.
(B) Where the receiving strata is not a water-bearing formation, the fracture pressure in the production zone.
(xii) The procedure(s) to assure that the installation of recovery, injection, and monitor wells will not result in hydraulic communication between the production zone and overlying or underlying stratigraphic horizons.
(xiii) The procedures utilized to verify that the injection and recovery wells are in communication with monitor wells completed in the receiving strata and employed for the purpose of detecting excursions.
(xiv) Descriptions of:
(A) The completion details for all monitor wells; and
(B) A detailed description of the typical proposed well completion for monitoring, injection and recovery wells, as required by Section 8 of this Chapter.
(xv) Details of a monitoring program and reporting schedule as required by Sections 15 and 16 of this Chapter.
(xvi) A schedule for and description of the procedures to demonstrate and maintain mechanical integrity of all monitoring, recovery, and Class III injection wells as required by Section 9 of this Chapter. Monitor wells need only be tested upon completion.
(xvii) A corrective action plan, for any wells which are improperly sealed, completed, or abandoned, consisting of such steps or modifications as are necessary to prevent movement of fluid into unauthorized zones as required by Section 20 of this Chapter.
(xviii) A description of chemical reactions that may occur during mining as a result of recovery fluid injection.
(xix) A subsidence analysis, using established geotechnical principles, which estimates, based upon the proposed mining operation, the effect of subsidence upon the land surface and overlying groundwater aquifers. Subsidence shall be planned and controlled to the extent that the values and uses of the surface land resources and the groundwater aquifers will not be degraded.
(xx) A description of measures employed to prevent an excursion, and contingency and corrective action plans to be implemented in the event of an excursion, in accordance with Sections 19 and 20 of this Chapter.
(xxi) An assessment of impacts that may reasonably be expected as a result of the mining operation to water resources and water rights inside the permit area and on adjacent lands, and the steps that will be taken to mitigate these impacts.
(xxii) A maintenance plan to ensure:
(A) Wells are sufficiently covered to protect against entrance of undesirable material into the well;
(B) The wells are marked and can be clearly seen;
(C) The area surrounding each well is kept clear of brush or debris;
(D) Monitoring equipment is appropriately serviced and maintained so the monitoring requirements in Section 16(a)(i) of this Chapter can be met; and
(E) Effective spill response and reporting.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 6 Application Content Requirements - Reclamation Plan
(a) All applications for a permit shall include, at a minimum, the information and materials related to reclamation required in: W.S. §§ 35-11-428 and 35-11-429, Chapter 2, Section 1, and Chapter 3, Section 2 (excepting Subsections (b)(ii) and (iii), (c)(iv), and (h) and with respect to subsection (k)(i), as modified in Section 6(a)(iv) of this Chapter); and
(i) Discussion and illustration of the proposed groundwater restoration schedule, including:
(A) A list of the proposed wellfields;
(B) Map(s) showing the proposed sequence for restoration of the wellfields;
(C) A proposed time schedule for each wellfield;
(D) The capacity of the water/waste water treatment systems and correlation of the capacity with the mining and restoration schedules.
(ii) The information necessary to demonstrate that the operation will return all affected groundwater to the pre-mining class of use or better using Best Practicable Technology, in accordance with the following provisions:
(A) In deciding whether a demonstration has been made by the operator that Best Practicable Technology has been applied, the Administrator shall, at a minimum, take the following factors into consideration:
(I) The pre-mining background baseline water quality;
(II) The character and degree of injury or interference with the health and well-being of the people, livestock, wildlife, aquatic life and plant life affected:
(III) The social and economic value of the source of pollution;
(IV) The social and economic value of the impacted aquifer;
(V) The priority of location in the area involved;
(VI) The technical practicability and economic reasonableness of reducing or eliminating the source of pollution;
(VII) The effect upon the environment; and
(VIII) The potential impacts to other waters of the state.
(B) The evaluation of restoration of the groundwater within the production zone shall be based on the target restoration values;
(C) The evaluation of groundwater restoration success shall be conducted on a parameter by parameter basis; and
(D) Regardless of the restored groundwater quality in the production zone, the adjacent aquifers and other waters within the same aquifers must be fully protected to their class of use and, outside the aquifer exemption boundary, to applicable Maximum Contaminant Levels from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Rules (40 CFR 141). If the restored groundwater in the production zone poses a threat to groundwater outside the production zone, then flow and/or fate and transport models shall be used to assist in determining what action, including monitoring sufficient to verify the model, needs to be taken. A monitoring program sufficient to verify the model may be required.
(E) If the operator demonstrates the application of Best Practicable Technology to the satisfaction of the Administrator, but is unable to achieve the pre-mining class of use, then the operator can can request that the Director recommend the Environmental Quality Council modify the water quality criteria used for groundwater restoration, in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-429(a)(iii), provided the operator can demonstrate the requirements of Section 6(a)(ii)(D) will be met.
(F) A minimum of one year of quarterly monitoring data for a full suite of parameters, except those shown to be unaffected by the mining and restoration process, must be provided to demonstrate groundwater stability during the evaluation of restoration.
(iii) A plan for well repair, plugging, and conversion as required by Section 10 of this Chapter.
(iv) A proposed schedule for achieving reclamation, including commitments that reclamation of mining-related surface disturbances in any mining area shall be completed within two years following approval of groundwater restoration in that area and that reclamation of all mining-related surface disturbances shall be completed within two years following approval of final groundwater restoration within the permit area.
(v) A contour map showing the approximate post-reclamation surface contours for affected lands and the immediate surrounding areas if the operation will substantially alter the pre-mining contours.
(vi) Procedures for reestablishing any surface drainage that may be disrupted by the mining operation.
(vii) Procedures for the reclamation of any temporary diversion ditches or impoundments.
(viii) Procedures for permanently disposing of any toxic or acid-forming materials.
(ix) Procedures for removing and disposing of structures used in conjunction with the mining operation.
(x) Procedures for mitigating or controlling the effects of subsidence.
(xi) Procedures for ground surface preparation, depth of topsoil replacement, erosion control and water conservation practices.
(xii) Procedures for revegetation to return the affected lands to the proposed post-mining land use and procedures for evaluation of revegetation success in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 2(d).
(xiii) The estimated costs for reclamation as computed in accordance with established engineering principles, including, but not limited to:
(A) Cost of removing and disposing of structures;
(B) Cost of topsoil restoration and reseeding all affected lands;
(C) Cost of facilities, materials, and chemicals used for groundwater restoration;
(D) Cost of capping, plugging, and sealing of all wells; and
(E) Costs for personnel working on reclamation-related activities.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 7 Research and Development License Application
(a) All applications for a Research and Development License shall include, at a minimum, the information and materials related to reclamation required by W.S. § 35-11-431 and Sections 8 through 12 and 15 through 20 of this Chapter, and shall:
(i) Demonstrate that the operation is designed to:
(A) Evaluate mineability or workability of a mineral deposit using in situ mining techniques;
(B) Affect the land surface, surface waters and groundwater of the State to the minimum extent necessary; and
(C) Provide pre-mining, operational and post-mining data, information and experience that will be used for developing reclamation techniques for in situ mining.
(ii) Contain a general description of the land, geology and groundwater hydrology for the proposed Research and Development License area including:
(A) The land use, vegetation, and topsoil characteristics of the affected lands;
(B) Location and name of surface waters and adjudicated water rights inside and within one-half mile of the Research and Development License area;
(C) Locations and present owners of all wells inside and within one-half mile of the Research and Development License area to include information concerning plugging and well completion and producing interval(s) to the extent such information is available in the public record or by a reasonable inspection of the property; and
(D) Groundwater quality data and potentiometric surface elevations for aquifers that may be affected by the proposed operation.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 8 Well Construction Requirements
Construction requirements listed in Sections 8(a) through 8(f) of this Chapter are applicable to all wells installed for activities related to in situ mining, including pre-mining aquifer groundwater sampling and pumping tests. Additional requirements for Class III injection wells are included in Section 8(g). Additional requirements for monitoring wells are included in Section 8(h). The Administrator may grant a deviation from the requirements of this Section, except those in Section 8(g), provided the operator can supply documentation of reliability, mechanical integrity, design and construction to protect ground water of the state.
(a) Methods for well construction shall:
(i) Be approved by the Administrator and included in the permit or Research and Development License application (per Section 5(a)(xiv) of this Chapter);
(ii) Constitute a condition of the permit;
(b) In selecting well locations, protecting wells, and maintaining well covers, the following requirements apply:
(i) The top of the casing shall end above grade. Where possible, the top of the casing shall end above any known high-water conditions of flooding from runoff or ponded water, and the immediate area around the collar of the well shall slope away from the well to direct surface runoff away from the well. Installation of wells in the channels and flood plains of perennial drainages is prohibited. If a well must be located in an ephemeral or intermittent drainage:
(A) The well shall not be located in the streambed (i.e., the channel) of the drainage; and
(B) During well construction and use, steps shall be taken to minimize the potential for damage to the channel, such as from erosion and sedimentation, and to protect the well from damage due to erosion and to prevent surface water runoff from entering the well.
(ii) The well opening shall be closed with a cover to prevent the introduction of undesirable material into the well.
(c) Annular seals shall be installed to: protect the casing against corrosion; assure structural integrity of the casing; stabilize the upper formations; protect against contamination or pollution of the well from the surface; and prevent migration of ground water from one aquifer or water-bearing strata to another in accordance with the following requirements:
(i) The drill hole shall be of sufficient diameter for adequate sealing and, at any given depth, at least three inches greater in nominal diameter than the diameter of the outer casing at that depth;
(ii) Before placing the annular seal, all loose drill cuttings, rock chips, or other obstructions shall be removed from the annular space by circulating the borehole with water or drilling mud slurry;
(iii) The annular sealing material shall be placed from the bottom to the top of the well casing. The displacement fluid used to force the final sealing material through the casing shall remain shut-in, to prevent back flow, until the sealing material is set. If settling occurs during setting of the sealing material, additional material must be placed into the annular space, to bring the level of the sealing material to the ground surface. If, during cementing, the cement does not return to the surface and settling during curing of the cement is more than forty feet, then a tremie pipe must be used to complete the cement to the surface to ensure that bridging does not occur; and
(iv) Annular seals shall be created using one of the approved sealant materials outlined in Chapter 8, Section 2(d), of the of the noncoal rules.
(d) The casing shall be of sufficient strength and diameter to: prevent casing collapse during installation; convey liquid at a specified injection/recovery rate and pressure; and allow for sampling. Casing materials may include steel or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which meet the relevant standards of ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials).
(e) Casing shall be placed with sufficient care to avoid damage to casing sections and joints. All joints in the casing above the perforations or screens shall be watertight. The uppermost perforations or top of the screen shall be below the bottom of the annular seal. Casing shall be equipped with centralizers placed at a maximum spacing of one per forty feet to ensure even thickness of annular seal and gravel pack.
(i) Steel casing may be joined by either threading or coupling.
(ii) PVC casing may be glued or mechanically joined (no metal screws), depending on the type of material and its fabrication. Compatibility between injection fluids, formation fluids, process by-products, recovery fluids and the glue shall be demonstrated.
(f) Well development shall be done by methods which will not cause damage to the well or cause adverse subsurface conditions that may destroy barriers to the vertical movement of water between water-bearing strata.
(g) For Class III injection wells, the following construction requirements are in addition to the requirements listed in (a) through (f) of this Section:
(i) Appropriate logs and other tests shall be conducted during the drilling and construction of new Class III wells. A descriptive report prepared by a knowledgeable log analyst interpreting the results of such logs and tests shall be compiled and maintained by the operator and made available to the Division for inspection. The logs and tests appropriate to each type of Class III well shall be determined based on the intended function, depth, construction and other characteristics of the well, availability of similar data in the area of the drilling site and the need for additional information that may arise from time to time as the construction of the well progresses. Deviation checks shall be conducted on all holes where pilot holes and reaming are used, unless the hole will be cased and sealed by circulating the sealing material to the surface. Where deviation checks are necessary, they shall be conducted at sufficiently frequent intervals to assure that vertical avenues for fluid migration are not created during drilling.
(ii) All Class III wells shall be constructed to prevent the migration of fluids to unauthorized zones. The casing and annular sealing material used in the construction of each newly drilled well shall be designed for the life expectancy of the well. In determining and specifying casing and annular sealing requirements, the following factors shall be considered:
(A) Depth to the production zone;
(B) Injection pressure, external pressure, internal pressure, axial loading, or other factors as determined by the Administrator;
(C) Drill hole diameter;
(D) Size and grade of all casing strings (wall thickness, diameter, nominal weight, length, joint specification, and construction material);
(E) Corrosiveness of injected fluids, formation fluids, process by-products, and recovery fluids;
(F) Lithology of receiving strata and confining zones; and
(G) Type and grade of sealing material.
(h) The following monitoring well construction requirements are in addition to the requirements listed in (a) through (f) of this Section:
(i) Where injection is into a receiving strata which contains water with less than 10,000 milligrams per liter (mg/l) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), monitoring wells shall be completed into the production zone and any unauthorized zone or water-bearing strata which could be adversely affected by the mining operation. These wells shall be located in such a fashion as to detect any excursion of injection fluids, formation fluids, process by-products, or recovery fluids. If the operation may be affected by subsidence or catastrophic collapse, the monitoring wells shall be located so that they will not be physically affected.
(ii) Where injection is into a receiving strata which contains water with greater than 10,000 mg/l TDS, no monitoring wells are necessary in the production zone.
(iii) Where the injection wells penetrate an Underground Source of Water (USW) in an area subject to subsidence or catastrophic collapse, an adequate number of monitoring wells shall be completed into the USW to detect any movement of injection fluids, formation fluids, process by-products, or recovery fluids into the USW. The monitoring wells shall be located outside the physical influence of the subsidence or catastrophic collapse.
(iv) In determining the number, location, and construction of the monitoring wells and frequency of monitoring, the following criteria shall be considered:
(A) The uses for which the groundwater in the receiving strata is suitable under pre-mining conditions, in any aquifer affected or potentially affected by the injection operation;
(B) The proximity of the injection operation to points of withdrawal;
(C) The local geology and hydrology;
(D) The operating pressures and whether a negative pressure gradient is being maintained;
(E) The chemical nature and volume of the injection fluids, formation fluids, process by-products, and recovery fluids; and
(F) The injection well density.
(i) No Class III well construction may commence until a permit or Research and Development License has been issued which includes well construction information in accordance with the requirements of Section 8 of this Chapter. Construction of wells needed to obtain the information required in Sections 3 and 4 of this Chapter may be:
(i) Allowed with approval of the Administrator; but
(ii) May not be used for injection until after permit issuance and only if those wells were constructed in accordance with the requirements of Section 8(g).
(j) The operator may not commence injection in a new injection well until construction is complete and the operator has demonstrated mechanical integrity. The operator shall submit notice of completion of construction and demonstrated mechanical integrity in the quarterly monitoring reports. Except for all new wells authorized by an area permit under Subsection 2(e) of this chapter, the operator may not commence injection in a new injection well until:
(i) The operator has submitted notice of completion of construction to the Administrator; and
(ii) With respect to inspection and review:
(A) The Administrator has inspected or otherwise reviewed the new injection well and finds the well is in compliance with the permit or Research and Development Testing License; or
(B) The operator has not received notice from the Administrator of the intent to inspect or otherwise review the new injection wells within 13 days of the date of the notice in paragraph (b)(i) of this subjection, in which case prior inspection or review is waived and the operator may commence injection. If notice is given, the Administrator shall include in the notice a reasonable time period in which he or she shall inspect the well.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 9 Mechanical Integrity Testing of Class III Injection, Production, and Monitor Wells
(a) A schedule and methods for mechanical integrity testing shall be approved by the Administrator and included in the permit or Research and Development License application (per Section 5(a)(xvi) of this Chapter) and shall constitute requirements of the permit. The schedule and methods shall meet the following requirements:
(i) The operator of a Class III or Production well shall establish mechanical integrity as defined in Section 1 of this Chapter for each well prior to commencing injection.
(ii) For demonstrating mechanical integrity as defined in Section 1 of this Chapter:
(A) One of the following methods must be used to evaluate the absence of significant leaks in the casing, tubing or packer:
(I) Following an initial pressure test, monitoring of the tubing-casing annulus pressure with sufficient frequency to be representative, as determined by the Administrator, while maintaining an annulus pressure different from atmospheric pressure measured at the surface; or
(II) Pressure test with liquid or gas.
(B) One of the following methods must be used to determine the absence of significant fluid movement into any unauthorized zone or water-bearing strata through vertical channels adjacent to the injection bore:
(I) The results of a temperature or noise log (e.g., cement bond log); or
(II) Where the nature of the casing precludes the use of the logging techniques prescribed above, sealing records demonstrating the presence of adequate sealing material to prevent such migration shall be provided; or
(III) Where the Administrator elects to rely on sealing records to demonstrate the absence of significant fluid movement, the monitoring program prescribed by Section 16 of this Chapter shall be designed to verify the absence of significant fluid movement.
(C) The Administrator may allow the operator to use a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity other than those listed in subsection (A) above, if the alternate testing method is approved by the EPA. To obtain approval, the Administrator with concurrence of the Director shall submit a written request to the EPA, which shall set forth the proposed test and all technical data supporting its use.
(iii) The operator shall demonstrate the mechanical integrity of each Class III and Production well at least once every five years, or on a schedule approved by the Administrator.
(iv) Before resuming operation of any well that has been damaged by surface or subsurface activity or that has undergone an activity that may jeopardize the mechanical integrity of the well, such as the use of downhole cutting and under reaming tools, the operator must demonstrate the mechanical integrity of that well, or with the approval of the administrator, demonstrate the ability to prevent the movement of fluid into unauthorized zones or onto the surface.
(v) If the Administrator determines that a well lacks mechanical integrity, he or she shall give written notice of this determination to the operator of the well. Unless the Administrator requires immediate cessation, the operator shall cease injection into, or production from the well within 48 hours of receipt of the Administrator's determination. The Administrator may allow plugging of the well or require the operator to perform such additional construction, operation, monitoring, reporting, and corrective action as is necessary to prevent the movement of fluid into unauthorized zones or onto the surface caused by the lack of mechanical integrity. The operator may resume injection or production upon written notification from the Administrator that the operator has demonstrated mechanical integrity.
(vi) The operator shall report the results of mechanical integrity testing shall be reported quarterly in an electronic format acceptable to the Administrator in accordance with the requirements in Section 15 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 10 Requirements for Plugging of Drill Holes and Repair, Conversion, and Plugging of Wells
(a) A plan for drill holes and well repair, plugging, and conversion shall be approved by the Administrator and included in the permit or Research and Development License application, as required by Section 6(a)(iii) of this Chapter, and shall constitute a condition of the permit.
(b) All drill holes shall be plugged in accordance with Chapter 8 of the noncoal rules and W.S. § 35-11-404.
(c) If a well lacks mechanical integrity, the operator shall repair or plug the well to prevent the movement of fluid into unauthorized zones or onto the surface caused by the lack of mechanical integrity. Repair or plugging of the well must be completed within 120 days of the testing which indicates the well lacks mechanical integrity. If the well is repaired rather than plugged, retesting of the well, in accordance with the requirements of Section 9 of this Chapter must be completed within 120 days after the repair is completed. The operator may resume use of the well upon written notification from the Administrator that the operator has demonstrated mechanical integrity.
(d) The operator shall notify the Administrator, as required by the permit or Research and Development License, before plugging a well or wells within an area permit or converting a well to uses other than those defined in Section 1(f) of this Chapter.
(e) All abandoned wells shall be plugged or converted, in accordance with the Plugging/Conversion Plan in the permit or Research and Development License, in order to assure that groundwater is protected and preserved for future use and to eliminate any potential physical hazard. A well is considered "abandoned" when it has not been used for a period of two years, unless the operator submits to the Administrator and receives approval for a non-significant revision under Section 19(c)(vi) of this Chapter demonstrating their intention to use the well again and the actions and procedures they will take to ensure that mechanical integrity of the well is maintained under Section 7(a)(i) of this Chapter and the well will not endanger any unauthorized zone or water-bearing strata in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter.
(f) A well shall be plugged to meet the requirements below, using an approved sealant material as outlined in Chapter 8, Section 2(d), to assure that plugging of the well will not allow the movement of fluids into or between unauthorized zones or water-bearing strata:
(i) The well shall be plugged using a method which prevents fluid communication and adverse changes in water quality or quantity. Sealant materials shall be emplaced in a manner that provides a water tight seal utilizing one of the approved methods detailed in Chapter 8, Section 2(e) - (g) and shall meet the following requirements:
(A) If specific sections of the casing are to be plugged with cement:
(I) The operator shall log:
(1.) The type and number of plugs to be used;
(2.) The placement of each plug including the elevation of the top and the bottom;
(3.) The method of placement of the plugs, in accordance with Section 10(f);
(II) The operator shall ensure that the well to be plugged shall be in a state of static equilibrium with the mud weight equalized top to bottom, either by circulating the mud in the well at least once or by a comparable method prescribed by the Administrator, prior to the placement of the cement plug(s); and
(III) That the placement of the cement plugs shall be accomplished by one of the following:
(1.) The Balance method;
(2.) The Dump Bailer method;
(3.) The Two-Plug method; or
(4.) An alternative method approved by the Administrator, which:
a. Includes placement of plugging materials in the interval or intervals to be sealed by methods that prevent free fall, dilution and/or separation of aggregates from sealing materials; and
b. Provides a comparable level of reliable protection to the methods identified in Section 10(f)(i).
(B) When the underground pressure head producing flow (i.e. gassy or artesian) is such that a counter-pressure must be applied to force a sealing material into the annular space, this counter-pressure shall be maintained for the length of time required for the plugging mixture to set or fully hydrate.
(C) The top of the plugging mixture of any plugged and abandoned well shall be backfilled to the surface with dry non-slurry materials or topped with a concrete cap set at least 2 feet below the ground surface and then backfilled to the surface with native earthen materials to ensure the safety of people, livestock, wildlife, and machinery in the area.
(g) In the case of an ISR operation which underlies or is in an aquifer which has been exempted under Section 11 of this Chapter, the Plugging/Conversion Plan in the permit or Research and Development License shall also demonstrate adequate protection of Underground Sources of Water (USWs). The Administrator shall prescribe aquifer cleanup and monitoring where he deems it necessary and feasible to assure adequate protection of USWs.
(h) To ensure the locations of the abandoned wells are adequately identified the operator shall:
(i) Record the boundaries of each wellfield and the location of the monitor well ring around each wellfield shall be recorded as a deed notice with the appropriate county; and
(ii) The top of the plugging mixture in each abandoned monitor well in the monitor well ring around each wellfield shall clearly show on a steel plate placed atop the sealing mixture, the permit number, well identification number, and date of plugging. All marking devices shall be installed at a minimum depth of two feet below the land surface.
(j) The operator shall report plugging and conversion activities in accordance with the requirements in Section 15 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 11 Aquifer Classification and Exemption
(a) Injections from Class III wells shall be restricted to those production zones that:
(i) Have been classified by the Department as Class V aquifers under Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Rules;
(ii) Have concentrations of Total Dissolved Solids:
(A) Less than 10,000 milligrams per liter; meet the definition of an "Underground Source of Water" as defined in Section 1 of this Chapter; and have been approved as an exempted aquifer by the EPA pursuant to Section 11(b) of this Chapter; or
(B) Greater than 10,000 milligrams per liter; and
(iii) Are located in a geologic and hydrologic setting in which movement of fluid, containing any contaminant into unauthorized zones can be prevented.
(b) An aquifer, or a portion thereof, which meets the criteria for an Underground Source of Water as defined in Section 1 of this Chapter may be designated as an "exempted aquifer":
(i) If it meets the following criteria:
(A) It does not currently serve as a source of water for uses as described in Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Rules; and
(B) It cannot now and will not in the future serve as a source of drinking water as defined by the EPA by meeting standards listed in 40 CFR 146.4(b);
(ii) As demonstrated by information in the permit or Research and Development License application, including:
(A) A map and description identifying and describing in geographic and/or geometric terms (such as vertical and lateral limits and gradient) all aquifers or parts thereof which the applicant proposes to exempt;
(B) Information to document that the exemption area is commercially producible as demonstrated by:
(I) The permit boundary;
(II) A description and calculations that support the proposed distance beyond the monitor well ring boundary required to mine and to restore groundwater;
(III) General information on the mineralogy and geochemistry of the receiving strata; and
(IV) The type of mining technology used to extract the mineral; and
(C) Analysis of the amenability of the receiving strata to the proposed mining method and a timetable of planned development of the receiving strata.
(c) A request for an aquifer exemption shall be presented by the Water Quality Administrator to the EPA as a state program revision pursuant to 40 CFR 145.32.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 12 Permit and Research and Development License Requirements
(a) Every permits and Research and Development Testing Licenses shall include the following provisions, either expressly or by reference:
(i) The operator has a duty to comply with all terms and requirements of the approved permit or Research and Development License.
(A) Any permit or Research and Development License noncompliance is grounds for enforcement action and any Research and Development License noncompliance is grounds for denial of a Research and Development License renewal application.
(B) The filing of a request by the operator for a permit or Research and Development License revision per Chapter 7 or Section 14 of this Chapter does not waive any permit or Research and Development License condition.
(ii) It shall not be a defense for an operator in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the requirements of this permit or Research and Development License.
(iii) The operator has a duty to take all reasonable steps to minimize, mitigate, or correct any adverse impact on the environment resulting from noncompliance with this permit or Research and Development License.
(iv) The operator shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the operator to achieve compliance with the terms and requirements of the permit or Research and Development License. Proper operation and maintenance includes effective performance, adequate funding, adequate operator staffing and training, and adequate laboratory and process controls including appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems only when necessary to achieve compliance with the terms and requirements of the permit or Research and Development License.
(v) The permit or Research and Development License does not convey any property rights of any sort or any exclusive privilege.
(vi) The operator has a duty to provide to the Administrator, within a time specified, any information which the Administrator may request to determine whether cause exists for revising or revoking the permit or Research and Development License, or to determine compliance with this permit or Research and Development License. The operator shall also furnish to the Administrator, upon request, copies of records to be kept as required by the permit or Research and Development License.
(vii) In compliance with all the provisions of Chapter 7 and Section 14 of this Chapter:
(A) The operator shall give notice to the Administrator as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted or licensed facility; and
(B) When the operator becomes aware of a failure to submit any relevant facts in a permit or Research and Development License application, or the submission of incorrect information in a permit or Research and Development License application or in any report to the Administrator, the operator shall promptly submit a correction of such facts or information to the Administrator.
(viii) Prior to requesting bond reduction for abandonment of a Class III well or wells within a wellfield area or for conversion of a Class III well to another use, the operator shall provide documentation and receive approval from the Administrator regarding the plugging of the well or wells within a wellfield area or conversion of the well.
(ix) The following are incorporated into and constitute requirements of the permit:
(A) Plans for corrective action, including injection pressure limitation, as specified in Section 20(a) of this Chapter;
(B) Monitoring requirements as specified in Section 16 of this Chapter;
(C) Schedule and methods to establish and maintain mechanical integrity as specified in Section 9 of this Chapter: and
(D) A plan for well repairs, plugging, and conversion as specified in Section 10 of this Chapter.
(x) The approved permit or Research and Development License shall include maximum injection volumes and/or pressures necessary to assure: fractures are not initiated in the confining zone; injected fluids do not migrate into any unauthorized zone; and formation fluids are not displaced into any unauthorized zone. Operating requirements shall, at a minimum, specify that:
(A) Except during well stimulation, injection pressure at the wellhead shall be calculated to assure that the pressure in the production zone during injection does not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures. In no case, shall injection pressure initiate fractures in the confining zone, if confinement is present, or cause the migration of injection or formation fluids into an unauthorized zone; and
(B) Injection between the outermost casing protecting unauthorized zones and the well bore is prohibited.
(xi) No operator shall construct, operate, maintain, convert, plug, abandon, or conduct any other injection or mining-related activity in a manner that allows the movement of fluid containing any contaminant into zones or intervals other than those zones authorized in the approved permit or Research and Development License. The operator shall have the burden of showing that the requirements of this paragraph are met.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 13 Duration of Permits and Research and Development Licenses
(a) Permits shall be issued:
(i) For a period coinciding with the estimated schedules for termination of all mining and reclamation activities in conformance with the approved mining plan (Section 5(a)(ii)) and reclamation plan (Section 6(a)(i)) as provided in W.S. §§ 35-11-405(a) and (b); and
(ii) With the option for revising the mining and reclamation schedules, as provided in W.S. §§ 35-11-411(a)(iii) and 35-11-429(a)(iv).
(b) The Administrator shall review the permit at least once every five years to determine whether it should: remain unchanged; be revised in accordance with the requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter; or be revoked in accordance with the requirements of Section 23 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 14 Revisions to Class III Well Portions of an In Situ Mine Permit or Research and Development License
(a) A permit, license to mine, or Research and Development License may be revised to address:
(i) A permit condition per Section 12 of this Chapter;
(ii) An excursion or other aspect of noncompliance per Sections 18 and 19 of this Chapter and W.S. 35-11-429(a)(ii); or
(iii) A corrective action or compliance schedule per Section 20 of this Chapter;
(iv) A concern noted during the five-year review per Section 13 of this Chapter;
(v) An objection by the Administrator to a part of the Annual Report per W.S. § 35-11-411(b); or
(vi) A change that could jeopardize reclamation or protection of any waters of the state per W.S. 35-11-429(a)(iv).
(b) Any interested person, including the operator may request a revision provided the request is in writing and contains facts or reasons supporting the request. If the Administrator decides that a request for a permit or license revision is not justified, he or she shall send the requester a brief written response giving the reason(s) for the decision.
(c) The operator shall submit a revision upon notice from the Administrator to revise any Class III Well portions of a permit or Research and Development License.
(d) The operator shall revise the permit or Research and Development License upon the occurrence of any of the following with regards to the Class III Well portion of a permit or Research and Development License. These revisions shall be considered significant revisions and require public notice as specified in Chapter 7 of these regulations and Section 21 of this Chapter. In addition, the fact sheet will be updated for these revisions:
(i) Any material or substantial alterations or additions to the facility occurring after issuance of the permit or license, which justify additional or modified permit or license conditions, including any increase in the amount of land related to installation or operation of additional Class III wells, from that which was approved in the original in situ mining permit or Research and Development License. Such a revision shall include (if not already presented in the permit or Research and Development License) the information required in W.S. § 35-11-428 and the requirements of Sections 5 through 20 this Chapter. However, if the increase in the amount of land is for purposes unrelated to installation or operation of Class III wells, then the provisions of Section 2(b)(ii) of Chapter 7 apply;
(ii) The UIC standards or regulations on which the permit or license was based have been changed by promulgation of new or amended standards or regulations or by judicial decision after the permit or license was issued;
(iii) The Administrator determines good cause exists for modification of a compliance schedule, such as an act of God, strike, flood, or materials shortage or other events over which the permittee has little or no control and for which there is no reasonably available remedy;
(iv) Cause exists for revocation, as described in Section 23 of this Chapter, but the Administrator determines that revision is appropriate; or
(v) The Administrator determines that the activity endangers human health or the environment and can only be regulated to acceptable levels by a permit revision.
(e) A non-significant revision to any Class III Well portion of a permit or Research and Development License shall meet the requirements of Chapter 7 of these regulations, except that a non-significant revision, with operator consent, shall be for the following reasons only:
(i) To correct typographical errors;
(ii) To require more frequent monitoring or reporting by the operator;
(iii) To change an interim compliance date in a schedule of compliance, provided the new date is not more than 120 days after the date specified in the existing schedule of compliance and does not interfere with attainment of the final compliance date requirement;
(iv) To allow for a change in ownership or operational control of a facility where the Administrator determines that no other change in the permit or Research and Development License is necessary provided that a written agreement is submitted in a format and on forms required by the Administrator containing a specific date for transfer of permit or Research and Development License responsibility, coverage, and liability between the current operator and new operator;
(v) To change quantities or types of fluids injected which are within the capacity of the facility as permitted or licensed and would not interfere with the operation of the facility or its ability to meet conditions described in the permit or Research and Development License and would not change its classification;
(vi) To change well construction requirements approved by the Administrator pursuant to Section 8 of this Chapter, provided that any such alteration complies with the requirements of Section 8;
(vii) To amend a well plugging/conversion plan which has been updated under Section 10 of this Chapter; or
(viii) To submit a wellfield data package that conforms to the specifics of the permit document.
(f) Suitability of the Class III well location will not be considered at the time of permit revision unless new information or standards indicate that a threat to human health or the environment exists which was unknown at the time of permit issuance.
(g) Only those conditions to be revised shall be reopened when a revision is necessary. All other aspects of the existing permit shall remain in effect for the duration of the unrevised permit.
(h) Reviews and decisions on a permit revision application shall be conducted according to the provisions in Chapter 7.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 15 Reporting Requirements
(a) All chemical analyses submitted to the Administrator in accordance with a valid permit or Research and Development License shall include:
(i) A description of, or reference for, the procedures and methods used for sample collection, preservation, and quality control;
(ii) The name, address, and telephone number of the laboratory performing the analyses, and the laboratory identification number; and
(iii) Signatures as required by Section 2(g) of this Chapter.
(b) Quarterly monitoring reports shall include, at a minimum:
(i) The results of monitoring required per Sections 16(a)(ii) and (iii) of this Chapter.
(ii) The results of all mechanical integrity testing conducted during that quarter, including the following information identified by Class III, Production, or Monitor well;
(A) Date of mechanical integrity testing;
(B) Identification of the method by which mechanical integrity was established;
(C) Verification of whether the mechanical integrity was or was not established in a well, including:
(I) Identification of a well which failed to have mechanical integrity established and consequently required repair; and
(II) A description of the method of plugging or repair.
(iii) The status of corrective action on defective wells, required per Section 20 of this Chapter.
(iv) The results of well repair and plugging required by Section 10 of this Chapter, including:
(A) A statement that wells were plugged in accordance with the approved permit or Research and Development License or, where different plugging procedures were used, documentation that prior to approval was obtained from the Administrator. This documentation shall be included in the report and contain a description of the procedure used, specifying the difference between the permit or Research and Development License approved method and the alternative method; and
(B) Documentation that the volume of material placed in the well at least equals the volume of the empty hole, to ensure that the well is filled and there has been no bridging of the sealing material.
(c) Annual reports shall include, at a minimum:
(i) All information required by W.S. § 35-11-411;
(ii) Map(s) showing the location of all wells installed in conjunction with the mining activity and showing all areas where:
(A) Groundwater restoration has been achieved, is actively taking place and is expected to commence during the next year; and
(B) Mining is expected to commence during the next year;
(iii) The total quantity of recovery fluid injected and the total quantity of recovery fluid extracted during the reporting period for each well-field area including a description of how these quantities were determined;
(iv) Monitoring program results pursuant to Section 5(a)(xvii) and Section 16 of this Chapter, which have not been previously reported;
(v) Updated potentiometric surface map(s) for all aquifer(s) that are or may be affected by the mining operation, if requested at the Administrator's discretion; and
(vi) Supporting data sufficient to demonstrate groundwater restoration in accordance with Section 6(a)(xiii) of this Chapter.
(d) During excursions, results from excursion-related monitoring shall be reported in accordance with the requirements of Section 19 of this Chapter.
(e) Well abandonment reports shall be made to the Land Quality Division and the State Engineer's Office:
(i) Within sixty days after the abandonment of any well which has artesian or gassy flow at the surface. The report, set forth in affidavit form, should contain the location of the well, depth of the well, estimated rate of flow, and the facts of the plugging technique.
(ii) Within twelve months after the abandonment of any other well. The report should include the location of the well to the nearest 40-acre legal subdivision (quarter, quarter, section), survey locations utilizing decimal Latitude and Longitude coordinates, the depth of the well, and the facts of the plugging technique.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 16 Monitoring Requirements
(a) A detailed monitoring program shall be approved by the Administrator and included in the permit or Research and Development License application, as required by Section 5(a)(xv) of this Chapter, and shall constitute a requirement of the permit or license. The program shall describe the procedures for monitoring the quantity and quality of waters that may be affected by the operation before mining through reclamation and shall, at a minimum, specify:
(i) Requirements for:
(A) The proper use, maintenance, and installation, when appropriate, of monitoring equipment or methods (including biological monitoring methods);
(B) The intervals and frequency of monitoring, sufficient to yield data which are representative of the monitored activity, including continuous monitoring when appropriate; and
(C) Tests and methods used to generate monitoring data.
(ii) Monitoring of:
(A) The nature of the injected fluids, at least monthly, to yield representative data on the characteristics of the fluid. Whenever the injection fluid is modified to the extent that the previous analysis is incorrect or incomplete, a new analysis shall be provided to the Administrator; and
(B) The injection pressure and either flow rate or volume at least weekly or metering and daily recording of injected and produced fluid volumes as appropriate.
(iii) Requirements for:
(A) Semi-monthly monitoring of the fluid level in the production zone, where appropriate;
(B) Semi-monthly monitoring of the water levels and parameters chosen to measure the water quality in monitoring wells;
(C) Quarterly monitoring of the water levels and parameters chosen to detect any movement of injected fluids, process by-products, or formation fluids in the monitoring wells where the injection wells penetrate an Underground Source of Water in an area subject to subsidence or catastrophic collapse (Section 8(h)(iii) of this Chapter); and
(D) Periodic monitoring of pressure changes or other physical parameters if such monitoring provides for more rapid detection of excursions.
(iv) A description of procedures and schedules used to:
(A) Detect and confirm excursions; and
(B) Monitor excursions and excursion control efforts.
(b) Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be representative of the permitted activity.
(c) Class III injection wells may be monitored for the parameters required by subsections (A) and (B) on a field or project basis rather than an individual well basis by manifold monitoring. Manifold monitoring may be used in cases of facilities consisting of more than one injection well operating with a common manifold. Separate monitoring systems for each well are not required provided the operator demonstrates that manifold monitoring of injection pressure is comparable to individual well monitoring.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 17 Maintenance and Retention of Records
(a) The operator shall maintain records at the mine site in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-430(b), including, for any laboratory analyses that an operator is allowed to retain on site for inspection rather than submit to the Administrator:
(i) A description of, or reference for, the procedures and methods used for sample collection, preservation, and quality control; and
(ii) The name, address, and telephone number of the laboratory performing the analyses, and the laboratory identification number.
(b) The operator shall:
(i) Retain records of all monitoring information, including the following:
(A) Records of all data used to complete permit and license applications and any supplemental information submitted under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Chapter;
(B) Calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation;
(C) Copies of all reports required by the permit or Research and Development License;
(D) The nature and composition of all injected fluids; and
(E) Information requested by the Administrator for inclusion in the Annual Report as required by W.S. § 35-11-411.
(ii) Retain the records listed in Section 17(b)(i)(A) through (D) at the mine site until termination of the permit or Research and Development License, unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator. However, the operator shall maintain these records no less than three years after the date of the sample, measurement, report, or application. The Administrator may require the operator to deliver the records to the Administrator at the conclusion of the retention period.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 18 Noncompliance
(a) The operator shall:
(i) Verbally report to the Administrator any noncompliance which may endanger public health or the environment, within 24 hours of the time the operator becomes aware of the occurrence, including:
(A) Any monitoring or other information which indicates that any contaminant may endanger an Underground Source of Water (USW) or unauthorized zone; and
(B) Any noncompliance with a permit or Research and Development License or malfunction of the injection system which may cause fluid migration into, or between USWs or unauthorized zones.
(ii) Provide a written report to both the Administrator and the Water Quality Division within five days of the operator becoming aware of the noncompliance occurrence. The written report shall describe:
(A) The noncompliance and its cause;
(B) The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times;
(C) If the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue;
(D) Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance; and
(E) The procedures for mitigating or controlling the excursion.
(iii) Report all instances of noncompliance, not reported under Sections 18(a)(i) and (ii), at the time monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in Sections 18(a)(i) and (ii), as applicable.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 19 Excursions
(a) "Confirmation" of an excursion occurs when an excursion detected in a regularly scheduled sampling event is subsequently detected in a second or third sampling event conducted in accordance with the following requirements:
(i) The second sampling event shall be conducted within 24 hours of the receipt of the results from the first sampling event in which the excursion was initially detected. If the results from the first and second sampling event both indicate an excursion has occurred, then the excursion will be considered confirmed for the purpose of meeting the reporting requirements of W.S. § 35-11-429(a)(i).
(ii) If the results from the first and second sampling events provide conflicting information about whether or not an excursion has occurred, then a third sampling event must be conducted within 24 hours of the receipt of the results from the second sampling event. However, if the results of the confirmatory sampling are not complete within thirty days of the initial sampling event which indicated an excursion might be present, then the excursion will be considered confirmed for the purpose of meeting the reporting requirements of W.S. § 35-11-429(a)(i).
(b) The operator shall:
(i) Verbally report any confirmed excursion to the Administrator within 24 hours of confirmation of the excursion; and
(ii) Submit a written report to both the Administrator and the Water Quality Division within five days of the confirmation of the excursion detailing the procedures for mitigating or controlling the excursion.
(c) An excursion is controlled when it can be demonstrated through water quality and groundwater gradient or if applicable, pressure measurements, that recovery fluid in unauthorized areas is declining.
(i) If an excursion is not controlled within 30 days following confirmation of the excursion, a sample must be collected from each of the affected monitoring wells and analyzed. The parameters to be analyzed shall be site specific and based on baseline data.
(ii) If an excursion is not controlled within 60 days following confirmation of the excursion, the Administrator may, after consultation with the Director, terminate the mining operation and revoke the permit or Research and Development License or modify the mining operation and require modification of the permit or Research and Development License. Modifying the operation may include: sampling of additional wells for the parameters in Section 19(c)(i); installation of additional monitor wells; termination of injection in the portion of the well field in which the excursion originated; or a combination of approaches to assure control within the necessary time frames.
(iii) If the excursion is controlled, but the fluid which moved out of the production zone during the excursion has not been recovered within sixty days following confirmation of the excursion (i.e., the monitor well is still "on excursion"), the operator shall submit, within ninety days following confirmation of the excursion, a plan and compliance schedule, acceptable to the Department, for bringing the well(s) off excursion. The plan and compliance schedule can be submitted as part of the monthly excursion report required in Section 19(d) of this Chapter. The compliance schedule shall meet the requirements of Section 20(b) of this Chapter.
(d) In addition to the excursion notifications and control plan required above, a monthly report on the status of an excursion shall be submitted to the Administrator beginning the first month the excursion is confirmed and continuing until that excursion is over. The monthly report shall be a requirement of the compliance schedule and shall include, at a minimum:
(i) Concentrations of UCL parameters and groundwater elevations in all monitoring wells on excursion and, as necessary, surrounding wells;
(ii) Such information deemed necessary by the Administrator to show that the excursion is being controlled and that the bond amount for groundwater restoration remains sufficient; and
(iii) Information on steps taken to control the excursion.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 20 Corrective Actions and Compliance Schedules
.
(a) Corrective actions are required when a well is improperly sealed, completed, or abandoned, in which case operators shall provide the well information, as required in Sections 4(a)(xi) and (xii) of this Chapter, and the corrective action plan as required in Section 5(a)(xvii) of this Chapter. Where the Administrator's review of the plan indicates that the operator's plan is inadequate (based on the factors presented below), the Director may require the operator to revise the plan, prescribe a plan for corrective action as a term and condition of the permit, or deny the application.
(b) In determining the adequacy of corrective action proposed by the operator and in determining the additional steps needed to prevent fluid movement into an unauthorized zone, the Administrator shall consider the following criteria and factors:
(i) Nature and volume of injected fluid;
(ii) Chemical nature and volume of native groundwater;
(iii) Compatibility of injected fluid and native groundwater;
(iv) Potentially affected population;
(v) Geology;
(vi) Hydrology;
(vii) Proposed method of operation as required by Section 5(a)(x) of this Chapter or history of the injection operation if the corrective action is needed in response to amending new wells into an existing operation;
(viii) Completion and plugging records;
(ix) Plugging procedures in effect at the time the well was abandoned; and
(x) Hydraulic connections with unauthorized zones.
(c) Corrective action is also required if any water quality monitoring of an Underground Source of Water or unauthorized zone indicates the movement of any contaminant into an Underground Source of Water or unauthorized zone, except as specifically authorized in the approved permit or license, in which case, the Administrator shall prescribe such additional requirements for construction, corrective action, operation, monitoring, or reporting (including closure of the injection well and limitation of injection pressure) as are necessary to prevent such movement. The Administrator may impose these additional requirements by requiring the operator to revise the permit or license, by recommending the revocation of the permit or license, or by taking other appropriate enforcement action for violations of the permit or license.
(d) The status of corrective action on defective wells shall be reported in accordance with the requirements of Section 15 of this Chapter.
(e) When appropriate, a permit or license may include, or be revised to include, a compliance schedule leading to compliance with the applicable statutes and regulations. The schedule shall be applicable whether the operator is continuing or ceasing regulated activities.
(i) Any compliance schedule shall require compliance as soon as possible, and in no case later than three years after the date the schedule is put into effect. In addition:
(A) The schedule shall set forth interim requirements, the dates for their achievement, and a projected date of compliance with all the requirements;
(B) The time between interim dates shall not exceed one year; and
(C) The schedule shall specify dates for the submission of progress reports, no later than thirty days following each interim date and the final date of compliance.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 21 Public Notice, Public Hearing, Comment, and Decision Requirements
(a) In addition to the requirements of W.S. §§ 35-11-406(g), (j), and (q) and Chapter 7, public notice for actions related to in situ permits or Research and Development Licenses, except permit or license revocation, shall be given by the following methods. Public notice for permit or license revocation shall be given by the methods in Section 23 of this Chapter.
(i) All public notices issued under this Section shall contain the following:
(A) Name and address of the office processing the permit action for which notice is being given;
(B) Name and address of the operator and, if different, of the facility or activity regulated by the permit;
(C) A brief description of the business conducted at the facility or activity;
(D) Name, address and telephone number of a person from whom interested persons may obtain further information;
(E) A brief description of the comment procedures, including a statement of procedures to request a hearing or, if a hearing has already been scheduled, the time and place of that hearing, and other procedures by which the public may participate in the final permit decision; and
(F) Any additional information considered necessary or proper.
(ii) The Administrator shall mail a copy of the notice to the following persons (any person otherwise entitled to receive notice under this paragraph may waive his or her rights to receive notice for any classes or categories of permits):
(A) Any other agency (including EPA when the draft permit is prepared by the State) which the Administrator knows has issued or is required to issue a permit for the same facility or activity under the following programs: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); UIC; Prevention of Significant Deterioration (or other permit requirement under the Clean Air Act); National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (including sludge management permits); and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
(B) Federal and State agencies with jurisdiction over fish, shellfish, and wildlife resources, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Officers, including any affected Indian Tribes, and the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission.
(C) Persons on a mailing list developed by including:
(I) Those who request in writing to be on the list;
(II) Soliciting persons for "area lists" from participants in past permit proceedings in that area; and
(III) Persons notified of the opportunity to be put on the mailing list through periodic publication in the public press. The Administrator may update the mailing list from time to time by requesting written indication of continued interest from those listed. The Administrator may delete from the list the name of any person who fails to respond to such a request.
(D) Any unit of local government having jurisdiction over the area where the facility is proposed to be located.
(E) Each State agency having any authority under State law with respect to the construction or operation of such facility.
(iii) In addition to mailing a copy of the public notice, the Administrator shall mail or electronically transfer a copy of the fact sheet, permit application or draft permit to the following persons:
(A) The applicant;
(B) Any other agency (including EPA when the draft permit is prepared by the State) which the Administrator knows has issued or is required to issue a permit for the same facility or activity under the following programs: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); UIC; Prevention of Significant Deterioration (or other permit requirement under the Clean Air Act); National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (including sludge management permits); and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act; and
(C) Federal and State agencies with jurisdiction over fish, shellfish, and wildlife resources, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Officers, including any affected Indian Tribes.
(iv) To supplement the required methods of public notice listed above, public notice can also be given by any other method reasonably calculated to give actual notice of the action in question to the persons potentially affected by it, including press releases or any other forum or medium to elicit public participation.
(b) Objections may be filed in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-406(q).
(c) A decision on the application will be made by the Director after reviewing the report and recommendations on the objections received provided by the Administrator. The Director shall issue to the applicant and to any objector a final written decision issuing or denying the permit or license within thirty days of the deadline to file objections.
(d) The applicant or objector may appeal the Director's written decision to the Environmental Quality Council. If a hearing is held the Environmental Quality Council shall issue findings of fact and make a decision on the application within sixty days after the final hearing; and
(e) The Administrator will publish a summary of the decision in a newspaper of general circulation in the general area of the proposed operation.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 22 Confidential Records
(a) Information submitted to satisfy the requirements of this Chapter may be held confidential pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-1101.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.11.11172022 § 23 Revocation
(a) A permit, license to mine, or Research and Development License may be revoked by the Administrator to address one or more of the following:
(i) Revocation may be necessary to address:
(A) An excursion or other aspect of noncompliance per Sections 18 and 19 of this Chapter; or
(B) One of the items listed in Section 23(b).
(ii) Any interested person, including the operator, may request revocation provided the request is in writing and contains facts or reasons supporting the request. If the Administrator decides that a request for revocation is not justified, he or she shall send the requester and operator a brief written response giving the reason(s) for the decision. Denials of requests for revocations are not subject to public notice and comment;
(iii) If the Administrator revokes any Class III Well portions of a permit or Research and Development License, he or she shall prepare a letter to the operator specifying the needed changes and additional information.
(b) The Director or Administrator may revoke a permit, License to Mine, or Research and Development License:
(i) If an excursion cannot be controlled or mitigated per W.S. § 35-11-429(a);
(ii) For failure to comply with permit terms and conditions per W.S. §§ 35-11-412(b) and (c);
(iii) For the operator's failure in the application or during the issuance process to disclose fully all relevant facts or for misrepresenting any relevant facts at any time, as provided in W.S. §§ 35-11-409(a) and 412(a); and
(iv) Per the provisions of W.S. §§ 35-11-109(a)(xiii) and 35-11-110(b);
(c) A revocation requires public notice as specified in Noncoal Chapter 7, Section 3 and Section 21 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Chapter 13 Noncoal Requirements for Existing Bentonite Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.13.05222000 Noncoal Requirements for Existing Bentonite Mining Operations
CHAPTER 13
NONCOAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BENTONITE MINING OPERATIONS
Section 1. Applicability. The provisions of this Chapter apply to all bentonite operations permitted as of August 31, 1981. If a conflict occurs between any particular requirements of this Chapter and any other Chapter of Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations, this Chapter shall be controlling.
Section 2. Information Submittal Requirements.
(a) Except as required to implement the provisions of (b) below, the requirements of Chapter 2, Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations, shall not apply to previously issued bentonite mining permits.
(b) For lands for which permits were issued by August 31, 1981, but which have not been affected by August 31, 1981, the following general information shall be provided to the Administrator:
(i) The location, extent, and time schedule for mining and reclamation operations.
(ii) A description of overburden, topsoil and subsoil present and a plan for removal, handling and stockpiling of it. For soil surveys, the SCS Order 2 Soils Survey and Soils Analysis shall be used.
(iii) Establishment of vegetation data to fulfill the requirements of Section 3(a)(ii) below.
(iv) The applicant shall consult with both the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to submission of the mine and reclamation plan. The Administrator shall also consult with both wildlife agencies during review of the proposed mine and reclamation plan. The Administrator shall review recommendations from the wildlife agencies and may reject recommendations that are outside the scope of the Act. Those recommendations accepted by the Administrator shall be presented to the applicant for their review and comment. Those recommended mitigation plans from the wildlife agencies resulting from review and comment and accepted by the Administrator shall be incorporated into the mine and reclamation plan.
(v) A reclamation plan for the lands identified in (i) including the proposed revegetation and/or any reclamation features planned for those sites such as impoundments, spoil piles and the final grading plans.
(c) Within one year from August 31, 1981, the information required by (b) shall be furnished for lands to be affected between August 31, 1981, and August 31, 1983. Thereafter, data for a one-year period shall be furnished one year in advance of the time that additional lands will be affected. In the event that the operator encounters an exceptional situation where mining is necessary on a site that had not been described in the above plan, he will notify the Administrator and provide the above information prior to affecting the land. Provided, however, this shall not affect the requirements applicable to permit revisions.
Section 3. Environmental Protection Performance Standards.
(a) For permitted bentonite mining operations, the requirements of Chapter 3, Sections 1 and 2, Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations shall apply only to lands affected after August 31, 1981, with the following exceptions:
(i) Subsoil suitability tests shall be conducted, if required by the Administrator, in accordance with standard methods.
(ii) Standards for the success of revegetation shall consist of a combination of scientific (objective) and visual (subjective) methods of determining if revegetation is complete. For these methods, the operator may select, upon the Administrator's approval, one of the following techniques:
(A) Control Areas. A control area is defined as an area of at least one acre, which will not be disturbed by mining activities, and which is managed in a fashion equivalent to non-affected lands within the permit area, and which is to be used to adjust the vegetation data for climatic changes which is collected on affected areas prior to mining.
(B) Reference Areas. A reference area is a land unit of at least one acre, managed in a fashion equivalent to non-affected lands within the permit area, to be used for the purpose of judging reclamation success. Reference areas must be representative of geology, slope and vegetation that was present on the affected areas prior to mining. Locations of reference areas shall be mutually agreed upon by the Administrator and the operator. The location of reference areas shall be illustrated on a map, and metes and bounds description of their location will be provided. Reference areas will be sampled in accordance with standard techniques at the time the operator requests bond release. The operator, with the Administrator's prior approval, may employ the reference area concept without premining vegetation sampling.
(iii) The Department will consult with the landowners prior to bond release.
(iv) There is no requirement to divert all unchannelized surface water or ephemeral streams except as required to meet State laws.
(v) Road regulations shall only apply to those roads constructed or improved by the permittee or licensee.
(vi) The time schedule for reclamation shall require that reclamation begin within two years and be completed within four years of the date the land is affected, except where field drying is to take place, in which case reclamation must begin within three years and be completed within five years of the date the land is affected. The time schedule shall:
(A) Apply to reclamation of all lands to be affected in the permit area;
(B) Designate times for backfilling, grading, contouring and reseeding;
(C) Be coordinated with a map indicating the areas of progressive mining and reclamation; and
(D) Establish reclamation concurrently with mining operations, whenever possible.
(b) For permitted bentonite mining operations, the reclamation standards of W.S. § 35-11-402(a)(i)-(vi) shall apply to lands affected before August 31, 1981, which shall assure at a minimum that land is reclaimed to an acceptable use after mining, considering the land's utility and capacity to support such uses.
History
- Effective 2000-05-22
Chapter 14 Blasting for Noncoal Surface Mining Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0007.14.08212026 Blasting for Noncoal Surface Mining Operations
CHAPTER 6
Chapter 14
Blasting for Noncoal Surface Mining Operations
Section 1. General.
(a) The permittee shall comply with all applicable State, local and Federal laws and regulations and the requirements of this Chapter in the use of explosives.
(b) Blasts that use more than five pounds of explosives or blasting agent shall be conducted according to the schedule required under Section 3.
(c) All persons working with explosive material shall be, or be under the direct supervision of, an experienced, trained, and competent person who understands the hazards involved and who:
(i) Possesses current knowledge of the local, State and Federal laws and regulations applicable to this work; and
(ii) Has obtained a certificate of completion of training and qualification as required by State law.
(d) Blasting operations within 500 feet of active underground mines require approval of the State and Federal regulatory authorities concerned with the health and safety of underground miners.
(e) Blasting signs clearly warning that explosives are in use in particular areas, explaining blast-warning and all-clear signals, and explaining the marking of blast areas, shall be posted at all public entrances to the permit area and any public road right-of-way and at the point where any other road provides access to the blasting area.
Section 2. Preblasting Survey.
(a) Based on public requests or other considerations, including the proximity to residential areas, the Administrator may require, on the request of a resident or owner of a man-made dwelling or structure that is located within one-half mile of the anticipated blasting sites, the applicant or permittee to conduct a preblasting survey. The request may be made either directly to the applicant or permittee with confirming documents forwarded to the Administrator, or to the Administrator with confirming documents forwarded to the applicant or permittee. In the event the Administrator requires the applicant or permittee to conduct a preblasting survey, the operator shall promptly conduct a preblasting survey of the dwelling or structure and promptly prepare a written report of the survey. An updated survey of any additions, modifications, or renovations shall be performed by the operator if requested by the resident or owner. The operator shall determine the condition of the dwelling(s) and structure(s) and document any preblasting damage and other physical factors that could reasonably be affected by the blasting. Assessments of structures such as pipes, cables, transmission lines, wells and other water systems shall be limited to surface condition and other readily available data. Special attention shall be given to the preblasting condition of wells and other water systems used for human, animal, or agricultural purposes and to the quantity and quality of the water.
(b) A written report of the survey shall be prepared and signed by the person who conducted the survey. The report shall include recommendations of any special conditions or proposed adjustments to the blasting procedures outlined in this Section which should be incorporated into the blasting plan to prevent damage. Copies of the report shall be provided to the person requesting the survey and to the Administrator. The person requesting the survey may submit any written disagreements he has with the results of the survey to the permittee and the Administrator.
(c) Any surveys requested more than three days before the planned initiation of blasting shall be completed by the operator before the initiation of blasting.
Section 3. Public Notice of Blasting Schedule
(a) At least 30 days, but not more than 180 days before beginning a blasting program and for all existing permits, in which more than five pounds of explosives or blasting agent are detonated, the permittee shall publish a blasting schedule in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the proposed site. The blasting schedule shall be republished when there are changes to the blasting schedule. Copies of the schedule shall be distributed by mail to local governments, public utilities and to each residence or owner of a man-made dwelling or structure within one-half mile of the blasting sites described in the schedule. The residents or owners within one-half mile shall also be notified of the manner for requesting a preblasting survey. Blasting schedules shall identify as accurately as possible the location of the blasting sites and the time periods when blasting will occur. The blasting schedule shall contain at a minimum:
(i) Name, address and telephone number of the operator;
(ii) Identification of the specific areas in which blasting will take place;
(iii) Dates and time periods when explosives are to be detonated;
(iv) Methods to be used to control access to the blasting area; and
(v) Types and patterns of audible warnings and all-clear signals to be used before and after blasting.
Section 4. Blasting Standards.
(a) General.
(i) Blasting shall be conducted to prevent injury to persons, damage to public or private property outside the permit area, adverse impacts on any underground mine, and change in the course, channel, or availability of ground or surface waters outside the permit area. Any failure to comply with these requirements shall be documented and the Administrator shall be notified in writing within 30 days.
(ii) All federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to obtaining, owning, transporting, storing, handling, and using explosive materials shall be followed.
(iii) Where blasting is conducted in the vicinity of utility lines or rights-of-way, the blaster shall notify the representatives of the utility at least twenty-four hours in advance of blasting, specifying the location and the intended time of such blasting. Verbal notice shall be confirmed with written notice. In an emergency situation, the time limit shall not apply where approved by the Administrator.
(iv) All blasting shall be conducted during the time approved by the Administrator and announced on the blasting schedule. Based on public requests or other considerations, including the proximity to residential areas, the Administrator may limit the area covered, timing and sequence of blasting. Blasting shall be conducted between sunrise and sunset unless night-time blasting is approved by the Administrator based on public protection and annoyance considerations.
(v) Blasting may not be conducted at times different from those announced in the blasting schedule except in conditions where operator or public safety requires unscheduled detonation or for emergency blasting actions. Reasons for unscheduled detonation shall be documented.
(vi) Warning and all-clear signals of different character that are audible within the blast area shall be given. All persons within the blast area shall be notified of the meanings of the signals in the blasting schedule.
(vii) Area of control. The blaster-in-charge shall be responsible for determining the blast area, based on site conditions and ensuring that the blast area is secure. Access to the blasting area shall be controlled to protect the public and livestock from the effects of blasting and to prevent unauthorized entry. Access control shall continue until the blaster-in-charge has determined that no unusual circumstances such as imminent slides or undetonated charges exist and access to and travel in or through the area can safely resume.
(viii) Areas in which charged (loaded) holes are awaiting firing shall be guarded or barricaded and posted against unauthorized entry.
(ix) The Blasting Plan shall be part of the Mine Plan for the area to be mined and shall include a plan to comply with Section 4 and Section 5 of this Chapter and include the following:
(A) Types of explosives and detonation equipment to be used and the size, timing and frequency of blasts.
(B) Methods to control adverse effects of blasting.
(C) Blasters shall use every reasonable precaution including, but not limited to, warning signals, flags, barricades, mats, or other effective means to ensure the safety of the general public and workers.
(D) Holes shall not be drilled where there is a danger of intersecting another hole containing explosive material.
(E) During the time that holes are being loaded or are loaded with explosive materials, blasting agents, or detonators, the blast site shall be off limits to all, but those persons authorized to engage in the drilling and loading operation or who are otherwise authorized to enter the site.
(F) After blasting, no person will be allowed to return to the blast area until the blaster-in-charge has performed the following:
(I) The blaster shall allow sufficient time for smoke and fumes to dissipate and for the dust to settle before returning to or approaching the blast area; and
(II) The blaster shall inspect the entire site for misfire before allowing other personnel to return to the blast area. Where a misfire is found or suspected, the blaster-in-charge shall provide the proper safeguards for excluding all personnel from the blast area. Misfire shall be addressed in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the explosive material.
(III) Access control shall continue until the blaster-in-charge has determined that no unusual circumstances such as imminent slides or undetonated charges exist and access to and travel in or through the area can safely resume.
(x) During the approach of and for the duration of an electrical storm, all personnel shall move to a safe location.
(xi) No person shall smoke or possess an open flame within fifty feet of any location where explosives are being handled, used or stored except for approved devices for lighting safety fuses.
(xii) No firearms shall be discharged into or in the vicinity of a vehicle containing explosive material, or into or in the vicinity of a location where explosives materials are being handled, used, or stored.
(xiii) No person under the influence of intoxicating beverages, narcotics, or other dangerous drugs shall be permitted to handle explosive materials.
(xiv) No blasting operation shall be performed in a manner contrary to the instructions of the manufacturer of the explosive materials being used.
(xv) The use of safety fuse, cap and fuse, or electric detonators shall require a blasting plan approved by the Administrator to limit adverse effects and accidental initiation.
(b) Limitations.
(i) Airblast shall not exceed the values specified below at any dwelling, public building, school, church, and community or institutional building outside the permit area, unless the building is owned by the operator and not leased to another, or, if leased, the lessee signs a waiver relieving the operator from meeting the limitations. If necessary to prevent damage, the Administrator shall specify lower maximum allowable airblast levels.
| Lower Frequency limit of measuring system, Hz (-3dB)1,2 | Maximum level in dB | | --- | --- | | 2 Hz system (linear from 4 Hz to 125 Hz) | 133 peak |
1 Blasting seismographs used to monitor ground vibrations and airblast shall comply with the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) document, "Performance Specifications for Blasting Seismographs" or use the best available technology as approved by the Administrator.
2 Blasting seismographs shall be deployed in the field according to ISEE document, "Field Practice Guidelines for Blasting Seismographs" or use the best available technology as approved by the Administrator.
(A) The operator shall conduct periodic monitoring to ensure compliance with the airblast standards. The Administrator shall request monitoring in certain instances, including but not limited to complaints, blasting in sensitive areas, and in areas where there is reason to believe airblast limits may be exceeded.
(ii) Flyrock shall not be cast from the blasting site in an uncontrolled manner that could result in personal injury or property damage. Flyrock shall not be propelled from the blast site onto property for which the owner has not provided a written waiver to the blasting operation.
(iii) In all blasting operations except as specified below, the maximum ground vibration shall not exceed the values approved in the blasting plan. The maximum ground vibration at the location of any dwelling, public building, school, church, community or institutional building outside the permit area shall not exceed the values established by paragraph (iv), the scaled-distance equation of paragraph (v), the blasting level chart of paragraph (vi), or by the Administrator under paragraph (vii). All other engineered structures such as water towers, pipelines, tunnels, dams, impoundments, and underground mines, shall be protected from damage by establishment of a maximum allowable limit on ground vibration, submitted by the operator in the blasting plan and approved by the Administrator. The ground vibration standards do not apply to structures owned by the operator and not leased to another, or, if leased, the lessee signs a waiver relieving the operator from meeting the limitations.
(iv) Maximum peak particle velocity applicable when seismograph records are provided for each blast:
| Distance (D) from the Blasting Site in feet | Maximum allowable peak particle velocity (Vmax) for ground vibration in inches/second1,3,4 | Scaled distance factor to be applied without seismic monitoring2 | | --- | --- | --- | | 0 to 300 | 1.25 | 50 | | 301 to 5000 | 1.00 | 55 | | 5001 and beyond | 0.75 | 65 |
1 Ground vibration shall be measured as the particle velocity. Particle velocity shall be recorded in three mutually perpendicular directions. The maximum allowable peak particle velocity shall apply to each of the three measurements.
2 Applicable to the scaled-distance equation of Paragraph (v).
3 Blasting seismographs used to monitor ground vibrations and airblast shall comply with the ISEE document, "Performance Specifications for Blasting Seismographs" or use the best available technology as approved by the Administrator.
4 Blasting seismographs shall be deployed in the field according to the ISEE document, "Field Practice Guidelines for Blasting Seismographs" or use the best available technology as approved by the Administrator.
(v) An operator may use the scaled-distance equation, W=(D/Ds)2 to determine the allowable charge weight of explosives to be detonated in any eight millisecond period, without seismic monitoring; where W = the maximum weight of explosives, in pounds; D = the distance, in feet, from the blasting site to the nearest protected structure; and Ds = the scaled-distance factor, which may initially be approved by the Administrator using the values for scaled-distance factor listed in paragraph (iv) above.
(A) Upon written request by the operator with seismographic records, the Administrator may authorize a modified scaled-distance factor for engineered structures. The modified scaled-distance factor shall be determined such that particle velocity of the predicted ground vibration will not exceed the prescribed maximum allowable peak particle velocity of paragraph (iv) above, at a 95 percent confidence level.
(vi) An operator may use the ground vibration limits in Figure 1 (blasting-level chart) to determine the maximum allowable ground vibration. A seismograph record including both particle velocity and vibration frequency levels shall be provided for each blast. The method for the analysis of the predominant frequency contained in the blasting records shall be approved by the Administrator before application of this alternative blasting criterion.
FIGURE 1
ALTERNATIVE BLASTING LEVEL CRITERIA
Blast Vibration Frequency, Hz
(Source modified from OSM training material)
(vii) The maximum allowable ground vibration shall be reduced by the Administrator beyond the limits otherwise provided by paragraphs (iv)-(vi), if necessary to provide damage protection. The Administrator may require an operator to conduct seismic monitoring of any or all blasts or may specify the location at which the measurements are taken and the degree of detail necessary in the measurements.
(c) Blast Design.
(i) Anticipated blast design(s) shall be submitted if blasting operations will be conducted within:
(A) 1,000 feet of any building used as a dwelling, public building, school, church, or community or institutional building outside the permit area; or
(B) 500 feet of an active or abandoned underground mine.
(ii) The blast design may be presented as part of a permit application or at a time, before the blast, approved by the Administrator.
(iii) The blast design shall contain sketches of the drill patterns, delay periods, and decking and shall indicate the type and amount of explosives to be used, critical dimensions, and the location and general description of structures to be protected, as well as a discussion of design factors to be used, which protect the public and meet the applicable airblast, flyrock, and ground-vibration standards in (b) above.
(iv) The blast design shall be prepared and signed by a certified blaster.
(v) The Administrator may require changes to the design submitted.
Section 5. Records of Blasting Operations.
(a) A record of each blast, including seismograph reports, shall be retained for at least three years and shall be available for inspection by the Administrator and the public on request. The record shall contain the following data:
(i) Name of permittee, operator, or other person conducting the blast;
(ii) Location, date and time of blast;
(iii) Name, signature, and certification number of blaster conducting the blast;
(iv) Identification, direction and distance, in feet, from the nearest blast hole to the nearest dwelling, public building, school, church, and community or institutional building outside the permit area neither owned nor leased by the permittee;
(v) Weather condition;
(vi) Type of material blasted;
(vii) Sketches of the blast pattern including number of holes, burden, spacing, decks and delay pattern;
(viii) Diameter and depth of holes;
(ix) Types of explosives used;
(x) Total weight of explosives used per hole;
(xi) Maximum weight of explosives detonated within any eight millisecond period;
(xii) Initiation system;
(xiii) Type and length of stemming;
(xiv) Mats or other protections used;
(xv) Seismograph and airblast records, where required, including:
(A) Type of instrument, sensitivity, and calibration signal or certification of annual calibration;
(B) Exact location of instrument and the date, time, and distance from the blast;
(C) Name of person and firm taking the seismograph reading;
(D) Name of person and firm analyzing the seismograph record; and
(E) The vibration and/or airblast level recorded.
(xvi) Reasons and conditions for each unscheduled blast.
Section 6. Blaster Certification.
(a) General.
(i) The Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division and the State Inspector of Mines will jointly administer this Section by Memorandum of Understanding.
(b) Definition.
(i) A blaster or shot-firer is a person directly responsible for the use of explosives in surface mining operations or surface blasting operations incident to underground mining operations.
(c) Requirements.
(i) All blasting operations shall be conducted under the direction of a certified blaster having a minimum of two years of blasting experience.
(ii) Certificates of blaster certification shall be carried by blasters or shall be on file at the mine site during blasting operations and shall be exhibited to any authorized State or Federal inspector upon request.
(iii) A blaster and at least one other person shall be present in the blasting area at the firing of a blast.
(iv) Persons responsible for blasting operations at a blasting site shall be familiar with the operator's blasting plan and site-specific performance standards.
(d) Training.
(i) The Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division, shall establish or approve training programs for persons seeking to become certified as blasters. These training programs shall include:
(A) Selection of the type of explosives to be used;
(B) Determination of the properties of explosives which will produce desired results at an acceptable level of risk;
(C) Handling, transportation, and storage of explosives;
(D) Geologic and topographic considerations of blast designs;
(E) Design of a blast hole with critical dimensions;
(F) Pattern design, field layout, and timing of blast holes;
(G) Field applications of blast designs;
(H) Loading blast holes, including priming and boostering;
(I) Initiation systems and blasting machines;
(J) Blasting vibrations, airblast, and flyrock, including monitoring techniques and methods to control adverse affects;
(K) Secondary blasting applications;
(L) Current Federal and State rules applicable to the use of explosives;
(M) Blast records;
(N) Schedules;
(O) Preblasting surveys, including availability, coverage, and the use of in-blast designs;
(P) Blast plan requirements;
(Q) Certification and training;
(R) Signs, warning signals, and site control; and
(S) Unpredictable hazards, including lightning, stray currents, radio waves, and misfires.
(ii) Reciprocity of blaster's certificates from other approved State or Federal programs will require approval of the Administrator and the State Mine Inspector and at a minimum, knowledge of site-specific performance standards and blasting plan.
(e) Examination.
(i) To attain certification, a candidate must receive a passing score on the written and oral examinations which are prepared and approved by the Administrator.
(ii) The written examination for candidates for blaster certification shall test their competence in and practical application of the topics set forth in Section 6(d).
(iii) The oral examination for candidates for blaster certification shall test the use of explosives in relation to site-specific performance standards and the blasting plan under which they will be operating.
(f) Issuance of Certification.
(i) Certificates will be issued to those candidates receiving a passing score on the certification examination. The certification will expire five years from the issuance date.
(g) Renewal.
(i) Certificates may be renewed upon completion of the training, examination and certification program as required by the Administrator.
(h) Revocation.
(i) Following written notice and opportunity for hearing, the blasting certification will be revoked or suspended upon finding of:
(A) Noncompliance with any blasting-related order of Land Quality Division or the State Inspector of Mines;
(B) Unlawful use in the workplace of, or current addiction to, alcohol, narcotics, or other dangerous drugs;
(C) Violation of any provision of the State or Federal explosives laws or regulations; and
(D) Providing false information or a misrepresentation to obtain certification.
(ii) If advance notice and opportunity for hearing cannot be provided, an opportunity for a hearing shall be provided as soon as practical following the suspension or revocation.
(iii) Upon notice of revocation, the blaster shall immediately surrender to the Land Quality Division the revoked certification.
(i) Maintenance of Certificates.
(i) Certificates will be protected from loss, theft, or unauthorized duplication and any such occurrence shall be reported to the Land Quality Division immediately.
(ii) Certificates shall not be assigned or transferred.
(iii) The blasters shall not delegate their responsibilities to any individual who is not a certified blaster.
History
- Effective 2026-08-21
73 Practice and Procedure
Chapter 1 General Rules
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 1 Authority
(a) These rules are promulgated as authorized by the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, W.S. 16-3-101 through 16-3-115, and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, as defined by W.S. 35-11-103(a)(xiii). These rules shall apply in all proceedings before the Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Quality Council.
(b) In case of conflict between these rules and the provisions of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act or the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, those acts shall govern. In case of conflict between the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act shall govern.
(c) All hearings before the Council shall be held pursuant to these rules, the provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, and, to the extent they do not conflict, the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 2 Definitions
The following definitions are intended to supplement the definitions set forth and contained in the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act:
(a) "Attorney" means an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Wyoming or an attorney who is licensed to practice law in another state and who is associated with an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Wyoming;
(b) "Contested case" means a proceeding in which legal rights, duties, or privileges of a party are required by law to be determined by the Council after an opportunity for hearing;
(c) "Council" means the Environmental Quality Council;
(d) "Hearing officer" means a person designated by the Chair of the
Council to conduct contested case and rulemaking hearings;
(e) "Office" means the Office of Administrative Hearings;
(f) "Petition" means a written request for relief, submitted to the Council, in accordance with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act;
(g) "Petitioner" means a person who submits a written request for relief to the Council in accordance with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act;
(h) "Representative" means an individual other than an attorney who is authorized to function in a representative capacity on behalf of a party to a contested case;
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 3 Computation of Time
(a) In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules, by order or by any applicable statutes or regulations, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, or, when the act to be done is the filing of a paper, a day on which weather or other conditions have made agency offices inaccessible, in which event the period runs until the end of the following day which is not one of the aforementioned days. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than eleven (11) days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation. As used in this rule, "legal holiday" includes any day officially recognized as a legal holiday in this state by designation of the legislature or appointment as a holiday by the governor.
(b) Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act within a prescribed period after the service of a notice or other paper upon the party, and the notice or paper is served upon the party by mail or by delivery to the agency for service, three (3) days shall be added to the prescribed period. The three-day provision does not apply to rulemaking deadlines.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 4 Notice of Hearing
(a) The Council or its designee shall provide notice of any hearing, which shall include:
(i) The time, place, and nature of the hearing;
(ii) The legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held;
(iii) The particular sections of the statutes and rules involved; and
(iv) A short and plain statement of the matters asserted. If the Council is unable to state the matters in detail at the time the notice is provided, the initial notice may be limited to a statement of the issues involved, and upon a party's request, a more definite and detailed statement shall be furnished.
(b) The Council may provide notice by posting through its website, where allowed by the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 5 Record of Proceedings
The Council or Department shall make appropriate arrangements to assure that a record of the proceeding is kept pursuant to W.S. 16-3-107(o) and (p), as appropriate. Copies of the transcript taken at any hearing may be obtained by any party, interested person, or entity from the court reporter taking the testimony at such fee as the reporter may charge.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 6 Contested Surface Water Discharge Permit Hearings
Members of the Council shall recuse themselves from contested case proceedings involving the review of surface water discharge permits if they receive, or have during the previous 2 years received, a significant portion of income directly or indirectly from permit holders or applicants for a permit, as required by the Clean Water Act, Section 304(i)(D), 33 U.S.C. § 1314(i)(D), and 40 C.F.R. § 123.25(c).
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 7 Air Quality Division, State Implementation Plan
(a) The following are the only requirements in these procedural rules that are part of the Air Quality Division's State Implementation Plan:
(i) The Council shall have at least a majority of members who represent the public interest and do not derive a significant portion of their income from persons subject to Air Quality permits or enforcement orders, as required by the Clean Air Act, Section 128(a)(1), 42 U.S.C. § 7428(a)(1);
(ii) Members of the Council shall disclose any potential conflicts of interest in a public meeting of the Council, as required by the Clean Air Act, Section
128(a)(2), 42 U.S.C. § 7428(a)(2).
(b) All other requirements of these procedural rules, except those described in Section 7, are reserved to the authority of the State and are not part of the Air Quality Division's State Implementation Plan.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 8 Appeals to Council
(a) Where authorized by the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, appeals to the Council from final actions of the Administrators or Director shall be made within thirty (30) days of notification of such action.
(b) Within thirty (30) days after notification of the Director's decision following an informal conference governed by Chapter 9, Section 2 of these rules, the applicant or any person with an interest that is or may be adversely affected may appeal the decision to the Council for a hearing in accordance with Chapters 1 and 2 of these rules. The Director shall notify all persons who submitted timely public comments on the underlying application. The Council shall start the hearing within thirty (30) days of the request for a hearing. The Council shall make a final written decision within thirty (30) days after the hearing and furnish the decision to the applicant and all parties to the hearing.
(c) Where a hearing is requested under subsection (b) of this section, the Council may, under such conditions as it may prescribe, grant such temporary relief as it deems appropriate pending final determination of the proceedings if:
(i) All parties to the proceedings have been notified and given an opportunity to be heard on a request for temporary relief;
(ii) The persons requesting that relief show that there is a substantial likelihood that they will prevail on the merits of the final determination of the proceeding;
(iii) Such relief will not adversely affect the public health or safety or cause significant imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water resources; and
(iv) The relief sought is not the issuance of a permit where a permit has been denied by the Director, except that continuation under an existing permit may be allowed where the operation has a valid permit issued under W.S. § 35-11-406.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 9 Appeals from Final Council Action
Any party to an action before the Council may seek judicial review of the Council's final decision, in accordance with applicable law and court rules.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 10 Incorporation by Reference
(a) These rules incorporate by reference the following statutes, rules, and regulations, as in effect of July 1, 2016:
(i) Section 128(a) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7428(a), available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/;
(ii) Section 304(i)(d) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1314(i)(d), available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/; and
(iii) 40 C.F.R. § 123.25(c), available at: http://www.ecfr.gov.
(b) These rules do not incorporate later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(c) All incorporated matter is available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office or at the Council's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Department's Cheyenne office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov/ or from (307) 777-7937. Contact information for the Council's Cheyenne office may be obtained at http://wyomingeqc.wyo.gov/ or from (307) 777-7170.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.1.12032018 § 11 Public Records
(a) These rules incorporate by reference the following rules and regulations, in effect as of September 6, 2016:
(i) Wyoming Department of Administration and Information, Director's Office, Chapter 2, Uniform Procedures, Fees, Costs, and Charges for Inspection, Copying, and Producing Public Records, available at https://rules.wyo.gov.
(b) These rules do not incorporate later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(c) All incorporated matter is available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Cheyenne Office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov or from (307) 777-7937.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Chapter 2 Contested Case Hearings
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 1 Purpose and Scope
These rules are promulgated with the intent to adopt as much of the Chapter 2 Rules for Contested Case Practice and Procedure before the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH Rules) adopted under W.S. 16-3-102(d) as is consistent with the specific and distinct requirements of the Department and the Council and applicable law. These rules shall govern all contested case proceedings before the Council.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 2 Applicability of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure
The Council shall conduct all contested case hearings with reference to the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. Section 26 of this chapter specifically incorporates Rules 11, 12(b)(6), 24, 45, 52, 56, and 56.1 of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 3 Informal Proceedings and Alternative Dispute Resolution
(a) Parties to a contested case are encouraged to resolve the contested case through settlement, mediation, arbitration, or other means throughout the duration of a contested case. If the parties choose to engage in mediation or arbitration, they shall file a joint request for continuance pending outcome of the mediation or arbitration. If the parties choose to engage in informal settlement discussions, they may file a joint request for continuance pending outcome of the informal settlement discussions.
(b) With the consent of all parties, the hearing officer may assign a contested case to a mediating hearing officer on limited assignment for the purpose of nonbinding alternative dispute resolution methods. Such methods shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the mediating hearing officer.
(c) Parties shall promptly notify the hearing officer of all settlements, stipulations, agency orders, or other action eliminating the need for a contested case hearing. The hearing officer shall forward such notice to the Council. Upon such notice, the Council shall enter an order dismissing the case.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 4 Initiation of Contested Case
(a) All persons requesting a contested case hearing or protesting a permit shall file the original written petition with the Council and serve additional copies to the Director of the Department and any other parties.
(i) A person initiating a contested case shall serve the petition by registered mail, return receipt requested. Thereafter, all service shall be proved in accordance with the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure.
(ii) Where a person is objecting to a permit, service of all documents shall include the permit applicant when serving the petition and all other pleadings and motions.
(b) The petition for hearing shall set forth:
(i) Name, phone number, electronic mail address, and physical address of the petitioner and, if applicable, the petitioner's attorney;
(ii) The action, decision, order, or permit upon which a hearing is requested;
(iii) A statement in ordinary but concise language of the specific allegations on which the petition is based, including references to the statute, rule, or order that the petitioner alleges has been violated, and
(iv) A request for hearing before the Council.
(c) The contested case shall be deemed commenced on the date of filing the petition with the Council.
(d) No responsive pleadings are mandatory prior to the prehearing scheduling conference.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 5 Filing and Service of Papers
(a) In all contested case proceedings, the parties shall file all original documents, pleadings, and motions with the Council and serve all other parties with true and correct copies of the particular document, pleading, or motion. The original and all copies shall be accompanied by a certificate of service. The Council shall maintain the complete original file, and all parties and the hearing officer shall be provided copies of all contested case documents, pleadings, and motions contained therein.
(b) Filing and service under this rule shall be made by hand delivery, U.S. mail transmittal to the last known address, or electronically uploaded to the relevant docket at http://wyomingeqc.wyo.gov/. Where all parties have not consented to receive electronic service, the party electronically filing shall otherwise serve the documents to the parties who have not consented to receive electronic service. Parties may file by means other than those described in this Section upon approval from the hearing officer.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 6 Referral to Office
(a) Upon referral to the Office to conduct a contested case in accordance with W.S. 35-11-112(a), the Council shall transmit to the Office copies of appropriate documents reflecting the dispute and the basis thereof, including any written challenge(s) initiating the contested case and a reference to applicable law.
(b) The Council shall submit a transmittal sheet, on a form provided by the
Office, sufficiently identifying the contested case, including:
(i) The name of the known parties and their attorneys or representatives;
(ii) A concise statement of the nature of the contested case;
(iii Notification of any time limits for the setting of a hearing or entry of a decision, location requirements, and anticipated special features or unique requirements; and
(iv) Certification by an authorized officer of the Council that all parties have been properly served with a true and complete copy of the transmittal form.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 7 Designation and Authority of Hearing Officer; Recusal
(a) The Chair may refer, assign, or designate a hearing officer to preside over any contested case unless otherwise provided by law. When appropriate under applicable law and at the Council's request, the hearing officer may provide a recommended decision.
(b) At any time while a contested case is pending, a hearing officer or Council member may withdraw from a contested case by filing written notice of recusal or entering a verbal notice of recusal into the record. As soon as the notice of recusal is entered, the recused hearing officer or Council member shall not participate in the contested case.
(c) Upon motion of any party, recusal of a hearing officer or Council member shall be for cause. Whenever the grounds for such motion become known, any party may move for recusal of a hearing officer or Council member on the ground that the hearing officer or Council member:
(i) Has been engaged as counsel in the action prior to being appointed as hearing officer;
(ii) Has a material interest in the outcome of the action;
(iii) Is related by consanguinity to a party;
(iv) Is a witness in the action;
(v) Is biased or prejudiced against the party or the party's attorney or representative; or
(vi) Any other ground provided by law.
(d) A motion for recusal shall be supported by an affidavit or affidavits of any person or persons stating sufficient facts to show the existence of grounds for the motion. Prior to a hearing on the motion, any party may file counter-affidavits. The motion shall be heard by the hearing officer or, at the discretion of the hearing officer, by another hearing officer. If the motion is granted, the Council Chair shall immediately designate another hearing officer to preside over the contested case or shall excuse the Council member(s).
(e) A hearing officer appointed from outside the Council members shall not be subject to a voir dire examination by any party.
(f) Subject to limitations imposed by the hearing officer, any party may be permitted to conduct a voir dire examination of a Council member.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 8 Appearances and Withdrawals
(a) A party, whether it be an individual, corporation, partnership, governmental organization, or other entity may appear through an attorney or representative. An individual may represent himself/herself. An individual or entity seeking to intervene in a contested case under Rule 24 of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure may appear through an attorney or representative prior to a ruling on the motion to intervene.
(b) Prior to withdrawing from a contested case, an attorney shall file a motion to withdraw. The motion for an attorney's withdrawal shall include a statement indicating the manner in which notification was given to the client and setting forth the client's last known address and telephone number. The hearing officer shall not grant the motion to withdraw unless the attorney has made reasonable efforts to give actual notice to the client that:
(i) The attorney wishes to withdraw;
(ii) The client has the burden of keeping the hearing officer informed of the address where notices, pleadings, or other papers may be served;
(iii) The client has the obligation to prepare, or to hire another attorney or representative to prepare, for the contested case and the dates of proceedings;
(iv) The client may suffer an adverse determination in the contested case if the client fails or refuses to meet these burdens;
(v) The pleadings and papers in the case shall be served upon the client at the client's last known address; and
(vi) The client has the right to object within fifteen (15) days of the date of notice.
(c) Prior to withdrawing from a contested case, a representative shall provide written notice of withdrawal to the Council.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 9 Intervention
(a) Any person interested in obtaining the relief sought by a party or otherwise interested in the determination of a proceeding, other than surface coal mining operations pending before the Council, may file a motion to intervene before or at the hearing, but not thereafter except for good cause shown. The motion shall set forth the grounds of the proposed intervention, the position and interest of the petitioner in the proceeding, and affirmative relief sought. Leave shall not be granted unless the Council determines that the movant is adversely affected by the action and has a legal right to intervene, under the standards set out in W.R.C.P. Rule 24.
(b) For proceedings related to surface coal mining operations, any person may file a motion for leave to intervene as a full party or in a limited capacity at any stage of a proceeding conducted by the Council. The motion shall include the basis for intervention and shall be granted to any person who either could have initiated the proceeding or has an interest that may be adversely affected by the outcome of the proceeding. Regardless of these bases, intervention may be granted whenever appropriate after considering the nature of the issues, the adequacy of the existing parties' representation of movant's interest, the ability of the movant to present relevant evidence and argument, and the effect of intervention on the implementation of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act. The extent and terms of participation by an intervenor in a limited capacity shall be determined by the Council.
(c) If the motion to intervene is granted, the movant becomes an intervenor and a party to the proceeding with the right to have notice, appear at the taking of testimony, produce and cross-examine witnesses, and be heard on the argument of the case. The party intervening shall give notice of intervention to all other parties.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 10 Ex Parte Communications
Except as authorized by law, a party or a party's attorney or representative shall not communicate with any Council member in connection with any issue of fact or law concerning any pending contested case, except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. Should ex parte communication occur, the Council member shall advise all parties of the communication as soon as possible thereafter and, if requested, shall allow any party an opportunity to respond prior to ruling on the issue.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 11 Motions and Motion Practice
(a) Unless these rules or an order of the hearing officer establish time limitations other than those contained herein, all motions except motions for enlargement of time and motions made during hearing shall be served at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing on the motion. A party affected by the motion may serve a response together with affidavits, if any, at least three (3) days before the hearing on the motion or within twenty (20) days after service of the motion, whichever is earlier. Unless the hearing officer permits service at some other time, the moving party may serve a reply, if any, at least one day prior to the hearing on the motion or within fifteen (15) days after service of the response, whichever is earlier. Unless the hearing officer otherwise orders, any party may serve supplemental memoranda or rebuttal affidavits at least one day prior to the hearing on the motion.
(b) Unless the hearing officer otherwise orders, a request for a hearing on the motion may be served by the moving party or any party affected by the motion within twenty (20) days after service of the motion. The hearing officer may determine such motion without a hearing.
(c) Prior to filing any non-dispositive motion, a moving party shall make reasonable efforts to contact all other parties, representatives, and attorneys. Any such non- dispositive motion shall include a statement concerning efforts made to confer with the other party(s) and position(s) on the motion.
(d) All written motions filed with the Council shall be accompanied by a proposed order.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 12 Setting Hearings and Other Proceedings
(a) The hearing officer or Chair of the Council, as applicable, shall assign a docket number to each contested case. All papers, pleadings, motions, and orders filed thereafter shall contain:
(i) A conspicuous reference to the assigned docket number;
(ii) A caption setting forth the title of the contested case and a brief designation describing the document filed; and
(iii) The name, address, telephone number, and signature of the person who prepared the document.
(b) The hearing officer shall set the course of proceedings through the issuance of a scheduling order. This may include, but is not limited to, pre-hearing conferences, confidentiality issues, summary disposition deadlines, motion practice,
settlement conferences, and the evidentiary hearing.
(c) Prehearing conferences may be held at the discretion of the hearing officer. Any party may request a prehearing conference to address issues such as discovery, motion deadlines, scheduling orders, or case status.
(d) At the hearing officer's discretion and unless otherwise provided by the Council, telephone or videoconference calls may be used to conduct any proceeding. At the discretion of the hearing officer, parties or their witnesses may be allowed to participate in any hearing by telephone or videoconference.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 13 Consolidation
A party may seek consolidation of two or more contested cases by filing a motion to consolidate in each case sought to be consolidated. If consolidation is ordered and unless otherwise ordered by the hearing officer, all subsequent filings shall be in the case first filed, and all previous filings related to the consolidated cases shall be placed together under that docket number. Consolidation may be ordered on a hearing officer's own motion.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 14 Continuances and Extensions of Time
(a) A motion for a continuance of any scheduled hearing shall be in writing, state the reasons for the motion, and be filed and served on all parties and the hearing officer. A motion for a continuance shall be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
(b) A motion for an extension of time for performing any act prescribed or allowed by these rules or by order of the hearing officer shall be filed and served on all parties and the hearing officer prior to the expiration of the applicable time period. A motion for extension of time shall be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
(c) For contested cases conducted regarding objections pursuant to W.S. 35-11-406(k), a motion for continuance may not be granted if the motion would continue the hearing beyond the 20-day period provided in that statute unless the parties stipulate to a different period.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 15 Discovery
(a) The taking of depositions and discovery shall be in accordance with
W.S. 16-3-107(g).
(b) Unless the hearing officer orders otherwise, parties shall not file discovery requests, answers, and deposition notices with the Council.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 16 Subpoenas
Any party may request the hearing officer to issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a witness or for the production of documents. Requests for a subpoena shall be accompanied by a completed subpoena that conforms to Rule 45 of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 17 Summary Disposition
Rules 12(b)(6), 52(c), 56.1, and 56, Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, apply to contested cases.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 18 Prehearing Procedures
(a) Unless otherwise ordered by the hearing officer, each party to a contested case shall file and serve on all other parties and the hearing officer a prehearing disclosure statement setting forth:
(i) A complete list of all witnesses who will or may testify, together with information on how that witness may be contacted, and a brief description of the testimony the witness is expected to give in the case. If a deposition is to be offered into evidence, the original shall be filed with the Council;
(ii) A statement of the specific claims, defenses, and issues which the party asserts are before the hearing officer for hearing, based on the party's initial filing;
(iii) A statement of the burden of proof to be assigned in the contested case with reference to specific regulatory, statutory, constitutional, or other authority established by relevant case law;
(iv) A statement of stipulated facts. If the parties are unable to stipulate to facts, the parties shall indicate what efforts have been made to stipulate to facts and the reasons facts cannot be stipulated;
(v) A complete list of all documents, statements, etc., which the party will or may introduce into evidence; and
(vi) An approximation of the time required for the hearing.
(b) Parties shall file and serve prehearing disclosure statements on or before the date established by the hearing officer.
(c) The information provided in a prehearing disclosure statement shall be binding on each party throughout the course of the contested case unless modified for good cause.
(d) Additional witnesses or exhibits may be added only if the need to do so was not reasonably foreseeable at the time of filing of the prehearing disclosure statement, it would not unfairly prejudice other parties, and good cause is shown.
(e) The hearing officer may modify the requirements of a prehearing disclosure statement.
(f) Failure to file a prehearing disclosure statement may result in the hearing officer's striking of witnesses, exhibits, claims and defenses, or dismissal of the contested case.
(g) If a prehearing order is entered, the prehearing order shall control the course of the hearing.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 19 Burden of Proof
The hearing officer shall assign the burden of proof in accordance with applicable law.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 20 Evidence
(a) The hearing officer shall rule on the admissibility of evidence in accordance with the following:
(i) Evidence of the type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of their serious affairs shall be admissible. Irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence shall be excluded.
(ii) Evidence may be offered through witness testimony or in documentary form;
(iii) Testimony shall be given under oath administered by the hearing officer. Deposition testimony and other pre-filed testimony may be submitted as evidence, provided the testimony is given under oath administered by an appropriate authority, and is subject to cross- examination by all parties;
(iv) The rules of privilege recognized by Wyoming law shall be given effect; and
(v) A hearing officer may take administrative notice of judicially cognizable facts, provided the parties are properly notified of any material facts noticed.
(b) Each party shall have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. The hearing officer may allow cross-examination on matters not covered on direct examination. Each party shall have the opportunity to perform re-direct examination of witnesses on matters covered during cross-examination.
(c) The hearing officer or Council member, when applicable, may ask questions of any party or witness.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 21 Contested Case Hearing Procedure
(a) The hearing officer shall conduct the contested case and shall have discretion to direct the order of the proceedings.
(b) Unless otherwise provided by law, and at the hearing officer's discretion, the party with the burden of proof shall be the first to present evidence. All other parties shall be allowed to cross-examine witnesses in an orderly fashion. When that party rests, other parties shall then be allowed to present their evidence. Rebuttal and surrebuttal evidence shall be allowed only at the discretion of the hearing officer.
(c) The hearing officer shall have discretion to allow opening statements and closing arguments.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 22 Default
Unless otherwise provided by law, a hearing officer may enter an order of default or an order affirming agency action for a party's failure to appear at a lawfully noticed hearing.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 22 Expedited Hearing
(a) At the hearing officer's or Council's discretion and when allowed by applicable law, a contested case may be heard as an expedited hearing upon the motion of any party.
(b) An expedited hearing shall be decided on written arguments, evidence, and stipulations submitted by the parties. A hearing officer or the Council may permit oral arguments upon the request of any party.
(c) The hearing officer may require an evidentiary hearing in any case in which it appears that facts material to a decision in the case cannot be properly determined by an expedited hearing.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 24 Recommended Decision
In those contested cases where the hearing officer makes a recommended decision, the hearing officer shall file the recommended decision with the Council and serve copies of the recommended decision on all parties to the contested case. Unless otherwise ordered, parties shall have ten (10) days to file written exceptions to the hearing officer's recommended decision. Written exceptions shall be filed with the Council and served on all parties.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 25 Final Decision
(a) A final decision containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an order entered by the Council shall be in writing and served upon all parties to the contested case and the hearing officer, if applicable.
(b) A final decision shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated. When the hearing officer allows the parties to submit a proposed final order, the parties shall file the original with the Council and serve copies of the proposed order on all other parties and the hearing officer.
(c) A hearing officer may at any time prior to judicial review correct clerical errors in final decisions or other parts of the record. A party may move that clerical errors or other parts of the record be corrected. During the pendency of judicial review, such errors may be corrected only with leave of the court having jurisdiction.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.2.04242017 § 26 Incorporation by Reference
(a) The code, standard, rule, or regulation below is incorporated by reference and can be found at:
http://www.courts.state.wy.us/Documents/CourtRules/Rules/WYOMING_RULES_OF_CIVIL_PROCEDURE.pdf
(i) Rule 11, Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Wyoming Supreme Court and in effect on March 1, 2017:
(ii) Rule 12(b)(6), Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Wyoming Supreme Court and in effect on March 1, 2017;
(iii) Rule 24, Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Wyoming Supreme Court and in effect on March 1, 2017;
(iv) Rule 45, Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Wyoming Supreme Court and in effect on March 1, 2017;
(v) Rule 52, Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Wyoming Supreme Court and in effect on March 1, 2017;
(vi) Rule 56, Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Wyoming Supreme Court and in effect on March 1, 2017;
(vii) Rule 56.1, Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Wyoming Supreme Court and in effect on March 1, 2017.
(b) These rules do not incorporate later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(c) All incorporated matter is available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office or at the Council's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Department's Cheyenne office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov/ or from (307) 777-7937. Contact information for the Council's Cheyenne office may be obtained at http://wyomingeqc.wyo.gov/ or from (307) 777-7170.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Chapter 3 Rulemaking
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.3.09272021 § 1 Authority
The Council may promulgate rules necessary for the administration of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act after receiving a recommendation to adopt a proposed rule or rules from the Director under Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-112(a)(i). The Department may begin preliminary rulemaking on its own, in response to a suggestion from the Council or advisory boards, or in response to a petition for rulemaking.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.3.09272021 § 2 Definitions
The following definitions supplement the definitions found in the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(a) "Initiate rulemaking" means to submit notice of the intent to adopt, amend, or repeal any rule, other than an interpretive rule or statement of general policy, to the Secretary of State's Office, the Legislative Service Office, and the Attorney General's Office, as required by W.S. § 16-3-103(a)(i).
(b) "Preliminary rulemaking" is the rule development process that occurs at the Department prior to initiating rulemaking.
(c) "Preliminary rule" is a rule that the Department has not filed with the Council.
(d) "Proposed rule" is a rule that the Department has filed with the Council.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.3.09272021 § 3 Petition for Rulemaking
Any interested person may petition the Council or the Department requesting the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of any rule. The Director shall be copied on any petition directed to the Council and the Chair of the Council shall be copied on any petition directed to the Department.
(a) Each petition shall identify the rule or rules to be promulgated, amended, or repealed and shall provide support for the proposed rulemaking in the form of argument, data, legal citation, or other justification, as appropriate.
(b) For any petition that is directed to the Council, the Council shall, as soon as practicable, either deny or redirect the petition to the Director.
(i) The Council may hold a hearing to request additional information from the petitioner or members of the public before acting on a petition.
(ii) If the Council denies the petition, the Council shall notify the petitioner in writing, setting forth the reasons for denial. The Council shall provide a copy of the denial to the Director.
(iii) If the Council redirects the petition to the Director, the Council shall provide a copy of that determination to the petitioner.
(c) Upon receiving a petition from a member of the public or one that is redirected by the Council, the Director shall, as soon as practicable, either deny the petition in writing or begin preliminary rulemaking.
(i) The Director may request additional information from the petitioner before acting on the petition and may seek additional input from members of the public through public meetings, hearings, or other outreach.
(ii) If the Director denies the petition, the Director shall notify the petitioner in writing, setting forth the reasons for the denial.
(iii) If the Director begins preliminary rulemaking in response to a petition, the Director shall notify the petitioner in writing of that determination.
(iv) If the Director begins preliminary rulemaking in response to a petition and subsequently decides not to initiate rulemaking, the Director shall notify the petitioner in writing of that decision, setting forth the reasons for doing so. The decision not to initiate rulemaking is a denial of the rulemaking petition.
(v) The Director shall provide the Council with a copy of all notices required by this subsection.
(d) A written denial of any rulemaking petition is final agency action and is not subject to judicial review.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.3.09272021 § 4 Preliminary Rulemaking Hearings before the Advisory Boards
(a) The air, land, solid and hazardous waste management, and water divisions of the Department may conduct preliminary rulemaking hearings before their related advisory boards by submitting the following materials to the affected board:
(i) Strike and underscore and clean copies of the preliminary rule;
(ii) Copies of all public comments received to date and proposed responses, if applicable; and
(iii) Any additional materials that the divisions and advisory boards believe are necessary to explain the content of the preliminary rules.
(b) The Department may not initiate rulemaking and submit a proposed rule to the Council for consideration without first consulting with and receiving the advice of the affected advisory board on the preliminary rule. At the conclusion of the preliminary rulemaking hearing, an advisory board may advise the Department to:
(i) Continue discussion of the preliminary rule at its next regularly scheduled meeting, schedule a special meeting specifically to discuss the proposed rule, or reopen and extend the public comment period;
(ii) Return the preliminary rule to the division for further action, including addressing questions regarding specific aspects of the preliminary rule;
(iii) Initiate rulemaking and submit the preliminary rule to the Council for adoption; or
(iv) Take other such action as the advisory board deems appropriate.
(c) When preliminary rules involve more than one of the divisions of the Department, the Director may call a joint meeting of the affected advisory boards. The advisory boards shall select one member to preside over the joint meeting.
(d) The divisions may consult with the advisory boards through special meetings after preliminary rulemaking hearings. The divisions may incorporate suggestions that arise during preliminary rulemaking hearings or any subsequent special meetings without conducting additional preliminary rulemaking hearings.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.3.09272021 § 5 Promulgating Rules
(a) When the Department initiates rulemaking, it shall file the following with the Council:
(i) Strike and underscore and clean copies of the proposed rule;
(ii) Proposed Statement of Principal Reasons for adopting the proposed rule;
(iii) Copies of all public comments received to date and proposed responses, if applicable;
(iv) Record or minutes of any public hearings or meetings conducted by the Department and the affected advisory board or boards;
(v) Statement from the Director indicating that the Department consulted with the affected advisory board or boards and the affected division administrator or administrators on the proposed rule;
(vi) Recommendation from the Director that the Council adopt the proposed rule; and
(vii) Any additional materials that the Department believes are necessary to explain the contents of the proposed rule.
(b) When initiating rulemaking, the Department shall provide the Council with an index of materials relied upon to develop the proposed rule.
(i) The Department may update the index until the public comment period on the proposed rule, as required by W.S. § 16-3-103(a)(i), is closed. After the comment period is closed, the Department may only update the index with responses to comments.
(ii) All indexed materials shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times during business hours of the Department.
(c) In the case of judicial review of any rule adopted by the Council, all indexed materials shall be included in the administrative record submitted to the court, together with any additional materials considered by the Council during rulemaking hearings.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.3.09272021 § 6 Rulemaking Hearings before the Council
(a) The Council chair shall assign a hearing officer from among the Council members within thirty (30) days of the Department filing the proposed rule with the Council. The appointed hearing officer shall preside over all proceedings before the Council related to the proposed rule. If the assigned Council member leaves the Council through resignation, expiration of membership, or otherwise, the chair shall assign a hearing officer as a replacement and shall serve as the hearing officer in the interim before the substitute assignment is made.
(b) Any member of the public, subject to reasonable time restrictions established by the presiding officer, may address the Council at any meeting in which the Council is considering proposed rules. The Council shall allow meaningful opportunity for public comment at each rulemaking hearing.
(i) No person may address the Council without first being recognized by the presiding officer.
(ii) The Council may provide a telephonic or internet-based method to receive public comments during Council proceedings.
(iii) Members of the public may not directly address each other in proceedings before the Council, and shall address any questions to the hearing officer.
(iv) Members of the public seeking recognition in proceedings before the Council shall state their name and whether they are speaking on behalf of an organization. The Council shall consider all comments to be made in a person's individual capacity unless an affiliation is disclosed to the Council.
(v) In considering proposed rules, the Council shall consider all properly submitted public comments.
(vi) Comments shall be directed to the Council as a whole and not to individual Council members. If a member of the public approaches an individual Council member to discuss a proposed rule, that member shall direct the person to submit a comment for full consideration by the Council. If a Council member receives information through informal contact with a member of the public, that member shall disclose the contact and the information received to the rest of the Council in an open meeting. If the information is reduced to writing in physical or electronic format, the Council member shall provide the information to the other Council members and the writing shall become part of the record.
(c) The Council may make changes to proposed rules based on its independent analysis of the form and substance of the proposed rules. In doing so, the Council may consider testimony received during a rulemaking hearing and materials submitted to the rulemaking docket.
(i) In considering potential changes to proposed rules, the Council shall consider the following:
(A) Whether the contemplated change meets all procedural requirements of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, including whether the change is a logical outgrowth of the proposed rule;
(B) Whether the opportunity for public participation was meaningful and sufficient given the nature of the contemplated change to the proposed rule;
(C) Whether the contemplated change imposes an unwarranted administrative burden on the Department; and
(D) Whether the contemplated change impacts the Department's ability to maintain primacy over the relevant regulatory area. The Council shall allow the Department to provide a primacy analysis in the context of any contemplated changes.
(ii) The Council shall not modify a proposed rule if the Council determines that:
(A) The contemplated change conflicts with state or federal law;
(B) The contemplated change is not a logical outgrowth of the proposed rule; or
(C) The opportunity for public participation was not meaningful or sufficient given the nature of the contemplated change.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Chapter 5 Petitions for Award of Costs & Expenses
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.5.04242017 Petitions for Award of Costs & Expenses
CHAPTER 5 PETITIONS FOR AWARD OF COSTS AND EXPENSES UNDER W.S. 35-11-437(f)
Section 1. Petition and Answer.
(a) As described in W.S. 35-11-437(f), a petition for award of costs and expenses must be filed with the Council within forty-five (45) days of receipt of a final order from the Council, in accordance with Chapter 2, Section 5 of these rules. Any person served with a copy of the petition shall have thirty (30) days from service within which to file an answer to the petition. Failure to make a timely filing of the petition may constitute a waiver of the right to such an award.
(b) The petition shall contain the petitioner's name and a detailed accounting, including receipts, of all costs and expenses authorized under W.S. 35-11-437(f). Where attorneys' fees are claimed, the petition shall include evidence concerning the hours expended on the case, the customary commercial rate of payment for such services in the area, and the experience, reputation and ability of the individual(s) performing the services.
(c) Any proceeding to award costs under W.S. 35-11-437(f) shall follow the contested case procedures outlined in Chapter 2 of these rules.
Section 2. Who May Receive an Award.
(a) Appropriate costs and expenses including attorneys' fees may be awarded:
(i) To a permittee from any person, but only if the Council finds that:
(A) The person initiated or participated in enforcement action in bad faith for the purpose of harassing or embarrassing the permittee.
(ii) To a permittee from the Department, but only if the Council finds that:
(A) The Department issued an order of cessation, a notice of violation, or an order to show cause why a permit should not be suspended or revoked, in bad faith and for the purpose of harassing or embarrassing the permittee.
(iii) To any person from the permittee, but only if the Council finds that:
(A) The person initiated or participated in an administrative proceeding reviewing enforcement actions;
(B) A violation of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, regulations, or permit has occurred, or that an imminent hazard existed; and
(C) The person substantially contributed to a full and fair determination of the issues.
(iv) To any person, other than a permittee or its representative, from the Department, but only if the Council finds that:
(A) The person initiated or participated in a contested case proceeding under the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act as it provides for regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in accordance with P.L. 95-87;
(B) The person prevailed in whole or part, achieving at least some degree of success on the merits;
(C) The person substantially contributed to a full and fair determination of the issues.
(v) To the Department from a person, but only if the Council finds that:
(A) The Department has demonstrated that a person initiated or participated in reviewing of any enforcement action in bad faith for the purpose of harassing or embarrassing the Department.
Section 3. Awards.
(a) An award under this chapter may include:
(i) All costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees and expert witness fees, reasonably incurred as a result of initiation and/or participation in a proceeding under the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act as it provides for regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in accordance with P.L. 95-87.
(ii) All costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees and expert witness fees, reasonably incurred in seeking the award before the council.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Chapter 7 Very Rare or Uncommon Areas
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.7.04242017 § 1 Purpose and Scope
These rules are intended to provide a process to implement W.S. 35-11-112(a)(v), which provides that the Council may remove rare and uncommon designations made prior to July 1, 2011.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.7.04242017 § 2 Definitions
(a) "Critical habitat" means fish and wildlife habitat designated as critical by the United States Secretary of the Interior or Secretary of Commerce, for the survival and recovery of listed threatened and endangered species.
(b) "Fragile lands" means geographic areas containing natural, ecologic, scientific or aesthetic resources that could be damaged or destroyed by mining operations.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.7.04242017 § 3 General Procedure
(a) The rules in this Chapter govern petitions to remove designation of lands pursuant to W.S. 35-11-112(a)(v).
(b) The hearing under this chapter is not a contested case proceeding. Hearings shall be conducted consistent with rules hearings before the Council under Chapter 3 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.7.04242017 § 4 Initiation of Proceedings
(a) Any person may file a petition to remove an existing designation. The petition shall contain the following:
(i) The name, address, phone number, and email address for the petitioner;
(ii) The location by legal description, including section, township, and range, of the area the petitioner is proposing to be removed;
(iii) The names, if any, by which an area is locally known;
(iv) The distance from the area to the nearest city or town;
(v) The county in which the area is located;
(vi) An original U.S. Geological Survey topographic map showing the area reflecting the surface land ownership pattern (private, state, federal) in the area;
(vii) A list of the names and addresses of the surface and mineral owners whose lands are included within the area proposed for removal with a description of the ownership interest of each surface and mineral owner including a legal description of the lands in which each person has an interest;
(viii) A concise statement of the reasons for the removal including an explanation of the substantial change in circumstances that has occurred since designation;
(ix) A description of the current and historical land use in the area;
(x) A list of any special designations or descriptions of the area made by other governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, designations by the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, or Office of Surface Mining, designations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and designations by the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish;
(xi) The names and addresses of all expert witnesses whose work or whose testimony may be offered by the petitioner to support the petition;
(xii) The names and addresses of the surface owners of lands contiguous to the area proposed for removal; and
(xiii) A list of any scientific documents to be offered by the petitioner to support the petition that discuss the area to be removed.
(b) Petitioner shall submit eight (8) copies of the petition to the Chair of the Environmental Quality Council at the Council's office in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The petition shall be considered to be filed in the Council's office as of the date it is received in that office.
(c) The Council shall consider the petition at a regularly scheduled Council meeting and shall notify the petitioner and surface and mineral owners whose lands or minerals are within the area of the time, date, and location of the meeting. The Council's consideration shall be limited to whether the petition should be accepted or dismissed.
(d) The Council may dismiss a petition if, after review, the Council determines that the petition does not provide the information required by these rules or that the petition does not provide sufficient information to support the conclusion that the area may be removed if the Council were to proceed.
(e) If the Council votes to dismiss the petition, the Council shall issue a brief statement of the reasons for dismissal.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.7.04242017 § 5 Hearing and Notice
(a) The Council shall:
(i) Set the time, date, and location of a hearing on the petition, and
(ii) Schedule the hearing within the county in which the lands or a major portion thereof are located.
(b) Subject to the review and approval of the form of the public notice by the Council or the hearing officer assigned to the petition, the petitioner shall:
(i) Publish notice of the hearing once per week for four (4) consecutive weeks beginning at least forty-five (45) days before the hearing in a newspaper of statewide circulation and a newspaper of general circulation in the vicinity of the area proposed for removal;
(ii) Provide notice of the hearing by personal service or by certified mail, including a copy of the petition, to all surface and mineral owners whose lands or mineral interests are included within the area proposed for removal;
(iii) Provide notice of the hearing by regular mail to all surface owners whose lands are contiguous to the area proposed for removal; and
(iv) Provide notice of the hearing by regular mail to the county commissioners of the counties that contain lands proposed to be removed, the Attorney General's Office, and the Governor's Office.
(c) Petitioner shall pay costs of publishing and mailing notices of the proceedings.
(d) A party electing to have the hearing transcribed by a certified court reporter shall make the necessary arrangements and bear the cost.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.7.04242017 § 6 Decision
(a) The Council may direct the petitioner, the Council's staff, or others to analyze the oral and written comments.
(b) An analysis of comments shall be in writing, submitted at a time to be set by the Council, and be a part of the record. The analysis may include recommendations to modify the petition.
(c) The Council shall issue a written decision. The decision may be to grant or deny the petition. The Council shall issue a written order stating the reasons for the decision.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.7.04242017 § 7 Criteria for Removal
(a) In considering removing designations, the Council shall follow a two-tiered review process. First, the Council shall determine whether the area is no longer eligible for designation by virtue of the existence of one or more of the particular values specified in the statute. Secondly, the Council must determine whether any particular value that was previously found to exist either no longer exists or is no longer very rare or uncommon.
(b) For an area to be eligible for removal, the Council must make an initial finding that the area at issue no longer possesses particular historical, archaeological, wildlife, surface geological, botanical or scenic value. For purposes of making the initial finding, or refusing to make the initial finding, the Council shall consider the significance and the weight of all specifically identified factors that are set forth in these criteria.
(c) For purposes of determining whether an area of the State may be considered to have particular historical, prehistorical, or archaeological value the Council shall consider the following factors:
(i) Whether the area is mentioned prominently in historic journals or other historic literature;
(ii) Whether the area is important because it is associated with cultural or religious traditions and practices;
(iii) Whether the area has received designation pursuant to state or federal laws that provide for special protection and management due to outstanding historic or prehistoric values such as national historic landmarks, national historic sites, or the National Register of Historic Places; or
(iv) Whether the area contains buildings, structures, artifacts, or other features that are significant in the history or prehistory of the state.
(d) For purposes of determining whether an area has particular wildlife value the Council shall consider the following factors:
(i) Whether the area includes lands that are considered irreplaceable fish or wildlife habitat;
(ii) Whether the area includes preserves or easements that have been established and used for the protection for habitat for wildlife;
(iii) Whether the area includes lands that the Game and Fish Department has designated as crucial or vital habitat for resident species;
(iv) Whether the area contains or may affect fisheries classified as class I by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department;
(v) Whether the area includes fragile lands that offer unique wildlife or scientific values;
(vi) Whether the area includes federally designated critical habitat for threatened or endangered plant or animal species which is determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to be of essential value and where the presence of threatened or endangered species has been scientifically documented;
(vii) Whether the area contains a bald or golden eagle nest or nest site that is determined to be active and includes all or a portion of a buffer zone of land around the nest which has been evaluated and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
(viii) Whether the area includes bald and golden eagle roost and concentration areas used during migration and wintering;
(ix) Whether the area contains a falcon (excluding kestrel) cliff nesting site with an active nest and a buffer zone around the nest site which has been evaluated and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; or
(x) Whether the area includes lands that are high priority habitat for migratory birds of high federal interest on a regional or national basis as determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(e) For purposes of determining whether an area has particular surface geological value the Council shall consider the following factors:
(i) Whether the area has unique surface geological formations that expose upheavals and faults that are indicative of sub-surface geological features;
(ii) Whether the area has significant paleontological resources; or
(iii) Whether the area has geologic features with unusual or substantial recreational, aesthetic, or scientific value.
(f) For purposes of determining whether an area has particular botanical value the Council shall consider the following factors:
(i) Whether the area is critical habitat for endangered or threatened plant species as designated by state or federal agencies;
(ii) Whether the area contains stands of a rare native vegetation type, or contains stands of a native vegetation type that is now rare, or contains stands of a native vegetation type in pristine condition for which pristine stands are unusual; or
(iii) Whether the area contains plant species and habitat determined to be crucial or vital for resident wildlife species.
(g) For purposes of determining whether an area has particular scenic value the Council shall consider the following factors:
(i) Whether the area includes lands within or adjacent to a corridor for a river designated as a National Wild and Scenic River or a corridor for a National Scenic Byway;
(ii) Whether the area has been the subject of substantial artistic attention in the works of artists, sculptors, photographers, or writers; or
(iii) Whether the area has substantial aesthetic value and its value would be apparent to a reasonable person.
(h) An area shall be removed from designation under W.S. §35-11-112(a)(v) if, in addition to finding that the area is no longer eligible for designation, the Council finds that the area is no longer very rare or uncommon. For purposes of determining if an area is very rare or uncommon the Council shall consider the following:
(i) Whether the area exhibits historical, archaeological, wildlife, surface geological, botanical, or scenic values that are very rare or uncommon when compared with other areas of the state or a region therein;
(ii) Whether the area contains historical, archaeological, wildlife, surface geological, botanical, or scenic values seldom found within the state or a region therein; or
(iii) Whether the area contains historical, archaeological, wildlife, surface geological, botanical, or scenic values known or suspected to be declining which, if left unprotected, could become extinct or extirpated.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
Chapter 8 Small Business Voluntary Disclosure Incentive
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.8.11191997 Small Business Voluntary Disclosure Incentive
CHAPTER 8
SMALL BUSINESS VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE INCENTIVE
Section 1. PURPOSE
This Rule sets forth the requirements for waiving penalties against small businesses that volun- tarily disclose environmental non-compliance to the Department or discover violations through compli- ance assistance or outreach seminars, and then, correct those violations in accordance with this rule. It is the Department's objective to provide small businesses with an incentive to approach the agency for assistance by reducing the fear of penalties.
Section 2. DEFINITION OF A SMALL BUSINESS
(a) A small business includes any person, as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(vi), with 100 or fewer employees in all of its facilities or operations, whether located in or outside of the State of Wyo- ming, except that:
(i) Businesses seeking a penalty waiver for air quality violations under Article 2 of the Environmental Quality Act, W.S. §§ 35-11-201 through 212, must meet the definition of a small business stationary source found in W.S. § 35-11-209 and cannot be a major source of hazardous pollut- ants under W.S. § 35-11-203(a)(i)(B);
(ii) Businesses regulated under Article 5 of the Environmental Quality Act, W.S. §§ 35-11-501 through 520, are not entitled to a penalty waiver under this rule for violations of W.S. §§ 35-11-501 through 520 if they are a large quantity generator or are classified as a treatment, storage or disposal facility under the state hazardous waste regulations; and
(iii) Businesses under control or ownership of a large parent organization that does not qualify under this rule, are not small businesses.
(b) The number of employees shall be calculated by determining the full-time equivalents on an annual basis and does not include contractors and consultants. The Department shall not consider employees who work less than 35 hours per week as full-time equivalents.
Section 3. QUALIFICATIONS FOR PENALTY WAIVER
(a) The Department will not seek civil penalties from a small business that voluntarily discloses in writing to the Department non-compliance with the Act, any rule, regulation or standard promulgated under the Act, within 60 days of discovering the violation, provided that the business has corrected the violation or corrects the violation in accordance with a compliance schedule approved by the Department. The burden will be on the business to demonstrate that it has disclosed the violation within 60 days of discovery. If the business is unable to correct the violation within 180 days or violates compliance schedule issued by the Department establishing a shorter period for correcting the viola- tion, the business will no longer qualify for the penalty waiver. Upon good cause shown by the small business, the Director may grant an extension of the deadline for correcting the violation.
(b) The Department will not seek civil penalties from a small business that has made a good faith effort to operate in compliance prior to discovery of the violation, as evidenced by a request for compliance assistance from the Department or attendance at one or more compliance assistance semi- nars; and as evidenced by prompt correction of any violations discovered through such efforts and implementation of good environmental management practices. To qualify for the waiver, the business must document its participation in compliance assistance or outreach seminars and the steps it has taken as a result to improve compliance or correct the violations. In the event that the Department believes the small business needs to take further steps to correct a violation, the Department shall issue a compliance schedule. The small business must meet the requirements of the compliance schedule to maintain the penalty waiver.
Section 4. EXCEPTIONS TO PENALTY WAIVER
(a) The penalty wavier is unavailable if:
(i) The Department has previously issued a warning letter, a notice of violation or taken other enforcement action against the small business for violation of the same standard disclosed to the Department;
(ii) The small business has been subject to three or more enforcement actions for any non-compliance of environmental regulations within the last 5 years;
(iii) The small business violates a Department permit or order of the Council;
(iv) The small business is under investigation for any violation of the Act at the time it discloses the violation to the Department, seeks compliance assistance from the Department or partici- pates in an outreach seminar;
(v) The violation involves criminal conduct;
(vi) The violation results in a significant economic advantage for the business;
(vii) The violation was committed willfully;
(ix) The violation presents a significant threat or imminent and substantial endanger- ment to public health or the environment;
Section 5. MANDATORY DISCLOSURE
Notwithstanding Sections 1 through 4 above, disclosure of a violation is mandatory and not subject to a penalty waiver under this rule when the Environmental Quality Act, any rule, regulation, standard, federal law or regulation, local ordinance, order of the Council or any court, or any Department permit requires reporting of the violation to the Department.
Section 6. LIMITATIONS OF THE RULE
(a) Nothing in this rule diminishes the Department's authority to conduct investigations, investigate complaints, or to issue notices of violation and orders under Article 7 of the Environmental Quality Act, W.S. § 35-11-701, or to seek injunctive relief under W.S. § 35-11-115 or Article 9 of the Environmental Quality Act, W.s. §§ 35-11-901 through 904.
(b) Nothing in this rule prohibits a small business that otherwise qualifies for a penalty waiver from declining to exercise the waiver and allowing the Department to seek a penalty.
History
- Effective 1997-11-19
Chapter 9 Director Review of Actions Involving Surface Coal Mining Operations and All Hearings Before The Department
Wyo. Code R. 020.0008.9.04242017 Director Review of Actions Involving Surface Coal Mining Operations and All Hearings Before The Department
CHAPTER 9 DIRECTOR REVIEW OF ACTIONS INVOLVING SURFACE COAL MINING OPERATIONS AND ALL HEARINGS BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT
Section 1. Scope.
This Chapter shall apply to any hearings, informal conferences, or review before the Department, the Director, an Administrator, or any combination thereof. This Chapter does not apply to rulemaking hearings, contested case hearings, or other hearings before the Council.
Section 2. Requests for Informal Conferences Involving Surface Coal Mining Operations.
(a) Unless otherwise specified in the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, and in accordance with W.S. 35-11-406, a request for an informal conference shall be in writing and, at a minimum, contain:
(i) The name(s) and contact information of the person requesting the informal conference;
(ii) A brief statement identifying the purpose of the request;
(iii) A brief statement of the issues to be discussed or details supporting the written objection to the application for the surface coal mining operation;
(iv) A brief statement on whether the person desires the informal conference to be held in the locality of the proposed mining operation; and
(v) A brief statement on whether the person desires access to the proposed permit area.
(b) The Director shall inform the applicant, the person requesting the informal conference, and all persons who submitted timely public comments on the underlying application, whether the request is granted or denied.
(c) If requested, the Director may arrange with the applicant to grant parties to the informal conference access to the permit area for the purpose of gathering information relevant to the informal conference.
(d) The informal conference shall be held in accordance with W.S. 35-11-406(k) in the locality of the proposed mining operation or in Cheyenne, at the option of the requesting person.
(e) The procedure for the informal conference shall be informal. The Director may accept oral or written statements and any other relevant information from any party to the informal conference. An electronic or stenographic record shall be made of the informal conference, unless waived by all parties. The record shall be maintained and shall be accessible to the parties until final release of the performance bond.
(f) If all parties requesting the informal conference withdraw their request before the conference is held, the informal conference may be cancelled.
Section 3. Requests for Informal Disposition Conferences and Conferences to Review Notices for Abatement and Cessation Orders Involving Surface Coal Mining Operations.
(a) Unless otherwise specified in the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, and in accordance with W.S. 35-11-437, a request for the Director or his authorized representative to review and affirm, modify, vacate, or terminate a notice for abatement or cessation order shall be in writing and, at a minimum, contain:
(i) The name(s) and contact information of the person requesting the affirmation, modification, vacation, or termination of the notice for abatement or cessation order;
(ii) If applicable, the permit number;
(iii) A copy of the notice for abatement or cessation order; and
(iv) A brief statement identifying whether the person is requesting affirmation, modification, vacation, or termination of the notice or order, the facts on which that request is based, the reasoning for the request, and reference to any applicable statutes, rules, or orders supporting the request.
(b) Unless otherwise specified in the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, and in accordance with W.S. 35-11-902, a request for an informal disposition conference shall be in writing and, at a minimum, contain:
(i) The name(s) and contact information of the person requesting the informal disposition conference;
(ii) If applicable, the permit number;
(iii) A copy of the notice for abatement or cessation order;
(iv) A copy of the notice of assessment of the penalty;
(v) A brief statement identifying whether the dispute is over the amount of the penalty or the occurrence of the violation; and
(vi) A brief statement describing why the violation or the amount of the penalty is unwarranted.
(c) A request for a conference to review a notice for abatement or cessation order shall be filed within thirty (30) days. A request for an informal disposition conference shall be filed within the time period provided under W.S. 35-11-902(d).
(d) If the Director grants a request under subsections (a) or (b) of this section, the Director shall inform the requesting person. If the Director denies a request under subsections (a) or (b) of this section, the denial shall be in writing.
(e) If an informal disposition conference or a conference to review a notice for abatement or cessation order is held, any person has the right to attend and participate in the conference. The procedure for the conference shall be informal with no pre-hearing conference, discovery, or cross-examination. The Director may record the conference by audio recording or court reporter and shall make any such recording available to all participants.
(f) The Director shall provide the participants:
(i) A written statement of any action taken or decisions rendered as a result of the conference; and
(ii) A notice of any available appeal to the Council.
(g) The terms of subsections (d), (e), and (f) of this section shall also apply to decisions made, or proceedings held, by the Director's authorized representative.
(h) At formal review proceedings before the Council that may follow an informal disposition conference or conference to review a notice for abatement or cessation order, no evidence as to statements made or evidence produced by one participant at the conference or review shall be introduced as evidence by another participant.
Section 4. Requests for Hearings Before the Department.
(a) Requests for hearings in accordance with Section 1 of this chapter before the Department, the Director, an Administrator, or any combination thereof provided for under the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act shall be in writing and contain:
(i) The name(s) and contact information of the person(s) requesting the hearing;
(ii) A brief statement identifying the purpose of the request; and
(iii) A brief statement of the issues to be discussed.
(b) Within thirty (30) days of the request, the Department shall grant or deny the request. If the Department grants the request, it shall schedule the hearing and notify the requesting party in writing. If the Department denies the request, it shall provide the requesting party a brief statement in writing of the reasons for denial.
Section 5. General Procedures for Hearings Before the Department.
(a) The Department shall designate a presiding officer for the hearing. The presiding officer shall adopt whatever procedures are reasonable and necessary for the conduct of the hearing.
(b) Unless otherwise stated in statute, such hearings are non-adversarial in nature and require no pleadings. Any interested persons shall be given the opportunity to appear and make their views known to the Department. Oral and written statements may be presented without regard to the rules of evidence.
(c) No cross-examination is permitted, but persons appearing to make statements or present information may answer questions from or through the presiding officer. Questions for the person appearing to make statements or present information may be submitted to the presiding officer orally or in writing, and the presiding officer may direct appropriate questions to the person presenting. The presiding officer may limit the questioning and length of oral statements in the interest of conducting the hearing in an efficient and orderly manner.
(d) The Department may record the meeting by audio recording or court reporter and shall make any such recording available to all participants.
(e) The Department shall designate a location for any hearing before the Department and may provide an opportunity for interested persons to attend a hearing remotely.
(f) At the conclusion of the hearing, the Department shall issue:
(i) A written statement of any action taken or decisions rendered as a result of the hearing, if applicable; and
(ii) A notice of any available appeal to the Director or to the Council.
Section 6. Hearing Notice.
(a) Unless otherwise specified in the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, the Department shall provide written notice by email or regular mail to the person requesting the hearing and shall post a notice of the hearing on its website.
(b) The notice shall include:
(i) The name(s) of the person(s) requesting the hearing, if any;
(ii) A brief statement identifying the purpose of the hearing;
(iii) A brief statement of the issues to be discussed;
(iv) The date, time, and location of the hearing;
(v) The method for remote attendance, if applicable; and
(vi) A copy of the request for a hearing. The Department shall redact personal contact information such as the requesting person's address and phone number.
Section 7. Variance Hearings Before the Department.
(a) The Department shall hold variance hearings pursuant to W.S. 35-11-601.
(b) Following the hearing, the relevant Administrator(s) shall consider the views of the persons who may be affected by the grant of the variance and approve or deny the variance with the Director's approval.
History
- Effective 2017-04-24
74 Solid Waste Management
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.1.09272021 § 1 In General
(a) This Chapter is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, specifically Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-503.
(b) Definitions: In addition to the definitions in the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, for the purpose of these rules and unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) "Act" means the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. §§ 35-11-101 et seq.
(ii) "Active life" means the period of operation beginning with the initial receipt of solid waste and ending at completion of closure activities.
(iii) "Active portion" means that part of a facility or unit that has received or is receiving wastes and that has not been closed or reclaimed.
(iv) "Applicant" means that person, as defined in the Act, submitting an application to the Administrator for a permit for a solid waste management facility, who shall be:
(A) For a city owned facility, the city;
(B) For a county owned facility, the county;
(C) For a facility owned by any other public entity, that public entity;
(D) For an individual, the individual;
(E) For a corporation, the corporation; and
(F) For a sole proprietorship or partnership, the partnership or proprietorship.
(v) "Aquifer" means, in relation to all solid waste facilities except municipal solid waste landfills, a geologic formation, group of formations, or portion of a formation capable of yielding significant quantities of groundwater to wells or springs. For municipal solid waste landfills, "aquifer" means an underground geologic formation:
(A) Which has boundaries that may be ascertained or reasonably inferred;
(B) In which water stands, flows, or percolates;
(C) Which is capable of yielding to wells or springs significant quantities of groundwater that may be put to beneficial use; and
(D) Which is capable of yielding to wells or springs which produce a sustainable volume of more than one-half gallon of water per minute.
(vi) "Asbestos-containing solid wastes" or "asbestos" means solid wastes containing greater than one percent by weight asbestos in any of the asbestiform varieties of: chrysotile (serpentine), amosite (cummingtonite, grunerite), crocidolite (riebeckite), anthophyllite, actinolite, or tremolite, and which may be considered friable asbestos.
(vii) "Buffer zone" means that portion of the solid waste management facility which is not used for waste management activities but is reserved for the placement and operation of monitoring equipment or for preventing public access during specific waste disposal events, such as the disposal of friable asbestos. The fire lane may be within the buffer zone.
(viii) "Cell" means compacted solid wastes that are enclosed by natural soil or other cover material within a trench, unit, or area-fill in a land disposal facility.
(ix) "Cease Disposal" for the purposes of the Cease and Transfer Program created pursuant to W.S. §§ 35-11-528 through 532, means ceasing disposal of municipal solid waste.
(x) "Clean fill" means fill consisting solely of uncontaminated natural soil and rock, hardened asphalt rubble, bricks, and concrete rubble.
(xi) "Clean wood" means untreated wood which has not been painted, stained, or sealed. Clean wood does not include treated railroad ties, treated posts, paper, or construction/demolition wastes containing non-wood materials.
(xii) "Closed facility" means a regulated facility at which operations have been properly terminated in accord with an approved facility closure plan on file with the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division or the Water Quality Division and complying with all applicable rules and requirements concerning its stabilization.
(xiii) "Closure" in the context of a facility means the act of securing and stabilizing a regulated facility pursuant to the requirements of these rules. Closure of an individual unit means securing and stabilizing an individual unit of a facility, including the construction of final cover over disposal units that have reached their permitted capacity and may also be referred to as intermediate or phased reclamation.
(xiv) "Closure period" means the period of time during which a facility is completing closure. The closure period begins when the facility ceases receipt of wastes. The closure period ends when the Administrator approves certification from a registered professional engineer confirming that the provisions of the closure plan have been carried out and that the facility has been closed in compliance with the closure standards specified in these rules.
(xv) "Commercial solid waste management facility" means any facility receiving a monthly average greater than 500 short tons per day of unprocessed household refuse or mixed household and industrial refuse for management or disposal excluding lands and facilities subject to W.S. § 35-11-402(a)(xiii).
(xvi) "Complete application" means a permit application that the Administrator has determined to contain all the information required to be submitted by the rules, in sufficient detail to allow a technical review of the information to commence.
(xvii) "Constituent" when used in the context of groundwater monitoring, generally means inorganic substances and organic compounds that may be found in groundwater and in particular the constituents that must be monitored in groundwater samples collected under the applicable chapter of the Solid Waste Rules and Regulations.
(xviii) "Construction/demolition landfill" means a solid waste management facility that accepts only inert construction waste, demolition waste, street sweepings, brush, or other material specifically approved by the Administrator. This excludes garbage, liquids, sludges, friable asbestos, and hazardous or toxic wastes.
(xix) "Construction/demolition waste" includes but is not limited to stone, clean and treated wood, concrete, asphaltic concrete, cinder blocks, brick, plaster and metal or other material specifically approved by the Administrator.
(xx) "Container" means any portable device in which a material is stored, transported, treated, disposed of or otherwise handled.
(xxi) "Corrective action" means all actions necessary to eliminate the public health threat or environmental threat from a release to the environment of pollutants from an operating or closed regulated facility and to restore the environmental conditions as required.
(xxii) "Cover material" means soil or other suitable material that is used to cover compacted solid wastes in a land disposal facility.
(xxiii) "Decommissioning" means removing all liquids and accumulated sludges, and cleaning a storage tank for its intended reuse or disposal.
(xxiv) "Disposal" means the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any waste material into or on any land or water so that such waste material or any constituent thereof may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into any waters, including groundwaters.
(xxv) "Existing facility" means any facility that was receiving solid wastes on or before September 13, 1989.
(xxvi) "Existing unit" means any municipal solid waste landfill unit receiving solid waste as of October 9, 1993.
(xxvii) "Facility" means the total contiguous area described in the permit application and which is occupied by any solid waste management area, unit, site, process, or system and the operation thereof including, but not limited to, equipment, buildings, solid waste treatment, storage, transfer, processing, and disposal areas, buffer zones, monitor well systems, fire lanes, working area litter and access fences, systems for the remediation of releases to the environment, and perimeter access control fences. The term "facility" does not include contiguous or noncontiguous lands which may be owned or leased by the applicant which are not disturbed by solid waste management operations and which are external to the contiguous area occupied by the solid waste management area, unit, site, process, or system.
(xxviii) "Farming and ranching operation" means agricultural operations whose principal function is the growing of crops and the raising of livestock, but does not include large concentrated animal feeding operations as defined by the Water Quality Rules, Chapter 2, Appendix G.
(xxix) "Final cover" means cover material that is used to completely cover the top of a land disposal facility or unit, including, but not limited to, compacted soils, drainage layers, synthetic membranes, soil-cement admixtures, and topsoils.
(xxx) "Fire lane" means an area which does not contain combustible materials, including vegetation, and which can be utilized to provide access to firefighting equipment.
(xxxi)"Floodplain" means low land and relatively flat areas adjoining inland and coastal waters, including flood-prone areas of offshore islands that are inundated by the 100-year flood.
(xxxii)"Friable asbestos" means asbestos that, when dry, can be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by hand pressure, and includes previously nonfriable asbestos after such previously nonfriable asbestos becomes damaged to the extent that when dry it may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
(xxxiii) "Garbage" means any putrescible solid or semi-solid animal or vegetable waste material resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, serving and consumption of food.
(xxxiv) "Green waste" means organic plant materials, such as yard trimmings, grass clippings, house and garden plants, tree trimmings, and brush. Green waste does not include other putrescible waste including, but not limited to food waste, animal waste, and manure.
(xxxv)"Groundwater" means, in relation to all solid waste facilities except municipal solid waste landfills, water below the land surface in a saturated zone of soil or rock. For municipal solid waste landfills, "groundwater" means any water, including hot water and geothermal steam, under the surface of the land or the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface water, including water that has been exposed to the surface by an excavation such as a pit which:
(A) Stands, flows or percolates; and
(B) Is capable of being produced to the ground surface in sufficient quantity to be put to beneficial use.
(xxxvi)"Incineration" means the controlled process by which combustible solid wastes are burned and altered to noncombustible gases and other residues. A solid waste incineration facility is considered to be a solid waste management facility.
(xxxvii) "Incorporated city or town" shall mean a "first class city" or a "town" as defined in W.S. § 15-1-101(a).
(xxxviii) "Industrial landfill" means a solid waste management facility utilizing an engineered method of land disposal primarily for industrial solid waste.
(xxxix) "Industrial solid waste" means solid waste resulting from, or incidental to, any process of industry, manufacturing, mining or development of any agricultural or natural resources.
(xl) "Irrevocable letter of credit" means a negotiated financial instrument that is used to pay a beneficiary issued by a banking institution to guarantee payment.
(xli) "Landfill" means a solid waste management facility for the land burial of solid wastes, utilizing an engineered method of controls to avoid creating a hazard to the public health, the environment, plants, or animals.
(xlii) "Lateral expansion" of a facility means the horizontal enlargement of the boundaries of a solid waste management facility. Lateral expansion of a disposal unit means the horizontal enlargement of the permitted waste boundaries of a disposal unit.
(xliii) "Liabilities" means obligations to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future as a result of past transactions including off-balance sheet liabilities.
(xliv) "Lower explosive limit" means the lowest percent by volume of a mixture of explosive gases in air that will propagate a flame at 25° Celsius and atmospheric pressure.
(xlv) "Low hazard or low volume treatment, processing, storage, and transfer facility" means a solid waste management facility which accepts only solid wastes as described in this subsection. This provision does not apply to facilities whose owner or operator simultaneously owns or operates more than one such solid waste management facility within one mile of each other.
(A) Mobile transfer, treatment, and storage facilities.
(B) Clean wood waste storage facilities: Facilities storing clean wood waste in storage piles with a combined base surface area larger than 10,000 square feet or containing greater than 100,000 cubic feet of clean wood waste. So long as clean wood waste at such facilities is stored no less than 100 feet from off-site structures, storm water is properly managed, and the pile does not create a public or private nuisance.
(C) Solid waste transfer, treatment, storage, and processing facilities: Solid waste transfer, treatment, storage, and processing facilities receiving fifty cubic yards or less of solid waste per day and occupying no more than ten acres, including a twenty-foot buffer zone within a fenced facility boundary, which individually or in combination manage no more than the specified types and quantities of the following wastes:
(I) Paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum cans, glass, and metal, or other nonputrescible municipal solid wastes which may be specifically authorized by the Administrator, for the primary purposes of transfer to a recycling facility or beneficial reuse in a manner approved by the Administrator. This provision applies to the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, baling, and storage of these wastes, except CRTs as noted below, prior to transfer to a recycling facility or approved beneficial reuse site; and
(II) 5,000 gallons of used oil; and
(III) 5,000 gallons of used antifreeze; and
(IV) 1,000 scrap tires stored in compliance with standards in Chapter 8 of these rules, if the scrap tires are stored to be recycled, reclaimed, reused, or are destined for disposal at a permitted facility; and
(V) Green waste and clean wood waste storage piles, and
(VI) Compost piles for green waste and manure operated in a manner that does not create odors, constitute a nuisance, or attract vectors; and
(VII) Household hazardous waste collected no more frequently than quarterly collection days, provided that the household hazardous waste collected is removed from the site and transported to a permitted facility within thirty days of receipt; and
(VIII) 50 cubic yards of electronic waste, other than CRTs, stored in containers; and
(IX) 50 cubic yards of CRTs stored intact in containers and kept whole without any shredding, grinding, crushing, or baling; and
(X) 500 lead acid batteries, if the batteries are stored in an upright position and are not leaking, for the purpose of transfer to a recycling facility; and
(XI) 100 cubic yards of construction and demolition waste stored in containers; and
(XII) 150 cubic yards of mixed solid wastes stored in containers and animal mortality managed in mixed municipal solid waste or separate containers.
(D) Commercially operated used oil management facilities: Used oil collection centers, aggregation points, transfer facilities, processors, re-refiners, burners, and used oil fuel marketers that store greater than 10,000 gallons of used oil to be recycled or burned for energy recovery, subject to the used oil management requirements contained in the Wyoming Hazardous Waste Rules and Regulations.
(E) Facilities storing waste, other than construction/demolition waste, for transfer to a recycling facility: Facilities occupying no more than ten acres and used only for the transfer, treatment, and storage of less than 500 short tons received per day of paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum cans, glass, metal, clean wood, and other nonputrescible municipal solid wastes which may be specifically authorized by the Administrator, for the primary purposes of transfer to a recycling facility or beneficial reuse in a manner approved by the Administrator. This provision applies to the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, baling, and storage of these wastes prior to transfer to a recycling facility or approved beneficial reuse site. This provision does not apply to facilities that manage scrap tires or CRTs.
(F) Facilities storing construction/demolition waste for transfer to a recycling facility: Facilities occupying no more than ten acres and used only for the transfer, treatment, and storage of less than 500 short tons received per day of construction/demolition waste authorized by the Administrator, for the primary purposes of transfer to a recycling facility or beneficial reuse in a manner approved by the Administrator. This provision applies to the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, baling, and storage of these wastes prior to transfer to a recycling facility or approved beneficial reuse site. This provision applies only if all waste management activities occur either indoors or outdoors in containers. This provision does not apply to scrap tire or electronic waste management facilities.
(G) Facilities not considered low hazard or low volume: Transfer, treatment, storage, and processing facilities managing wastes or materials having or exhibiting one or more of the following criteria or characteristics are not low hazard and low volume waste management facilities. Exceptions may be granted by the Administrator based on consideration of concentration and volumes of wastes to be managed:
(I) Toxicity, Carcinogenicity, Ignitability, Flammability, Explosivity, Instability, Corrosivity, Incompatibility;
(II) Special wastes as defined in this subsection;
(III) Medical/infectious wastes, PCB-containing wastes;
(IV) Excluded hazardous wastes as defined in 40 CFR part 261, or the Department's Hazardous Waste Rules;
(V) Wastes that have the potential to create odor, vector, dust, or other nuisances;or
(VI) Wastes that in the evaluation of the Administrator have a significant potential to impact public health or the environment, unless the operator of a proposed facility can demonstrate by submittal of a waste analysis and characterization plan that the waste treatment, processing, storage, or transfer activity can be considered a low hazard and low volume waste management activity consistent with the Act.
(xlvi) "Major Change" means a change to any solid waste management facility location, design or construction, or to any operating, monitoring, closure or post-closure activities, involving one or more of the following items:
(A) The total permitted volumetric capacity of the facility is to be increased by more than five percent;
(B) The effectiveness of any liner, leachate collection or detection system, gas detection or migration system, or pollution control or treatment system may be reduced; or
(C) The facility modification will, in the judgment of the Administrator, be likely to alter the fundamental nature of the facility's activities.
(xlvii) "Mixed household and industrial refuse" means any mixture of municipal solid wastes, industrial solid wastes, or sludge.
(xlviii) "Mixed solid waste" means municipal solid waste and industrial solid waste.
(xlix) "Mobile transfer, treatment and storage facility" means a facility which is mobilized to conduct transfer, treatment or storage of a solid waste at or near the point of generation.
(l) "Monitoring" means all procedures and techniques used to systematically collect, analyze and inspect data on operational parameters of the facility or on the quality of the air, groundwater, surface water and soil.
(li) "Municipal solid waste" means solid waste resulting from or incidental to residential, community, trade or business activities, including garbage, rubbish, dead animals, abandoned automobiles and all other solid waste other than construction and demolition, industrial or hazardous waste.
(lii) "Municipal solid waste landfill" (MSWLF) means a solid waste management facility for the land burial of municipal solid waste that utilizes an engineered method of controls to avoid creating a hazard to the public health, the environment, plants, or animals.
(liii) "Municipal solid waste landfill unit" means a discrete area of land or an excavation that receives municipal solid waste and that is not a land application unit, surface impoundment, injection well, or waste pile. A MSWLF unit may also receive other types of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle D waste such as commercial solid waste, nonhazardous sludge, conditionally exempt small quantity generator waste, and industrial solid waste. Such a landfill unit may be publicly or privately owned. A MSWLF unit may be a new MSWLF unit, an existing MSWLF unit, or a lateral expansion of an existing MSWLF unit. A construction and demolition landfill that receives residential lead-based paint waste and does not receive any other household waste is not a MSWLF unit.
(liv) "Net worth" means total assets minus total liabilities including on and off-balance sheet liabilities.
(lv) "New facility" means:
(A) Any facility that did not receive solid waste on or before September 13, 1989; or
(B) Any modification or lateral expansion of an original permit boundary for the purpose of increasing capacity or site life by more than five percent. An incidental facility boundary enlargement for the development of, but not limited to fire lanes, buffer zones, surface water diversion systems, and monitoring systems which are not in conflict with local zoning, land use, or land ownership is not considered to be a new facility.
(lvi) "New municipal solid waste landfill unit" means any municipal solid waste landfill unit that did not receive waste prior to October 9, 1993.
(lvii) "Occupied dwelling house" means a permanent building or fixed mobile home that is currently being used on a permanent or temporary basis for human habitation.
(lviii) "100-year floodplain" means an area where a flood has a one-percent or greater chance of recurring in any given year or a flood of a magnitude equaled or exceeded once in 100 years on the average over a significantly long period.
(lix) "On-site decommissioning" means decommissioning performed within a facility's property boundary.
(lx) "Open burning" means uncontrolled burning of solid waste in the open.
(lxi) "Open dump" means an uncontrolled solid waste management facility at which solid wastes are placed on the land in such a manner that they present a real or potential hazard to public health and the environment. Open dump includes any solid waste management facility subject to the permitting requirements of these rules which does not have a current, valid permit.
(lxii) "Operator" means the applicant who has been granted a permit, who may manage and operate the solid waste management facility or who may hire another person, who shall be known as the solid waste manager, for these responsibilities.
(lxiii) "Petroleum-contaminated soils" means solid waste consisting of any natural or manmade soil or rock material into which petroleum product has been added, excluding hardened asphalt rubble.
(lxiv) "Petroleum product" means any crude oil or any liquid petroleum fraction including but not limited to gasoline, diesel fuels, and used and unused motor oils.
(lxv) "Pile" means any noncontainerized accumulation of solid, nonflowing waste that is used for treatment or storage.
(lxvi) "Plans" means maps, specifications, drawings and narrative description, prepared to describe the solid waste management facility and its operation.
(lxvii) "Population" when used in the context of statistical evaluations of groundwater data, means the total set of all possible concentration measurements for any given constituent.
(lxviii) "Post-closure period" means the period of time during which a closed facility is maintained and monitored. The post-closure period begins when the Administrator approves certification from a registered professional engineer confirming that the provisions of the closure plan have been carried out and that the facility has been closed in compliance with the closure standards specified in these rules
(lxix) "Principal officer" means an officer described in the bylaws of a corporation or appointed by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws who serves at least at the level of vice president.
(lxx) "Private industrial solid waste disposal facility" means any industrial solid waste disposal facility used solely for the disposal of solid waste generated by the owner of the facility where wastes are not transported over public roadways for delivery to the facility and access by persons other than employees of the facility owner is restricted.
(lxxi)"Processing plant" means a solid waste management facility used or designed to transfer, shred, grind, bale, compost, salvage, separate, reclaim or provide other treatment of solid wastes.
(lxxii) "Recycling facility" means a facility where used or waste materials are processed or broken down into raw materials which are then used to make or produce new items or products.
(lxxiii) "Release" includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, emitting, discharging, dumping, addition, escaping, leaching, or unauthorized disposal of any oil or hazardous substance which enters, or threatens to enter, waters of the state.
(lxxiv) "Routine cover" means cover material that is applied to the top and side slopes of compacted solid wastes at the end of each operating day.
(lxxv) "Salvaging" means the controlled removal by the operator or his or her agent of solid waste from a solid waste management facility for the purpose of reuse.
(lxxvi)"Sanitary landfill" means a municipal solid waste landfill.
(lxxvii)"Scavenging" means the removal by persons other than the operator or his agent of solid wastes from any solid waste management facility.
(lxxviii)"Scrap tire" means a tire that is no longer used for its original purpose.
(lxxix)"Seismic impact zone" means an area with a ten percent or greater probability that the maximum horizontal acceleration in hard rock, expressed as a percentage of the earth's gravitational pull (g), will exceed 0.10g in 250 years.
(lxxx)"Self-bond" means an indemnity agreement in a sum certain made payable to the State, with or without separate surety. The indemnity agreement is signed by the operator and, if applicable, the operator's ultimate parent guarantor.
(lxxxi)"Silviculture waste" means any wood wastes generated during the management and development of forests. This includes but is not limited to all wood wastes that are generated during the operation of a sawmill.
(lxxxii)"Sludge" means the accumulated semisolid mixture of solid wastes and water, oils, or other liquids.
(lxxxiii)"Solid waste manager" means any person designated by the applicant who has primary responsibility for the daily management and operation of the solid waste management facility.
(lxxxiv)"Solid waste management unit" means a contiguous area of land on or in which solid waste is placed, or the largest area in which there is significant likelihood of mixing solid waste constituents in the same area of a solid waste management facility. Examples of solid waste management units include a surface impoundment at a solid waste management facility, a waste pile, a land treatment area, a municipal, construction/demolition, or industrial landfill unit, an incinerator, a tank and its associated piping and underlying containment systems at a solid waste management facility and a container storage area. A container alone does not constitute a unit; the unit includes containers and the land or pad upon which they are placed.
(lxxxv)"Solid waste petroleum storage tank" means any underground or aboveground storage tank that has been taken out of service and which contained any petroleum substance, including but not limited to motor fuels, jet fuels, distillate fuel oils, residual fuel oils, lubricants, petroleum solvents, and used oils.
(lxxxvi)"Special wastes" are those wastes which require special handling as described in Chapter 8 of these rules.
(lxxxvii)"Storage" means the holding of solid waste for a temporary period, at the end of which time the solid waste is treated, disposed of, or stored elsewhere.
(lxxxviii)"Storage facility" means any facility that stores solid waste for a temporary period, at the end of which time the solid waste is treated, disposed, or stored elsewhere.
(lxxxix)"Surface impoundment" means a facility or part of a facility which is a natural topographic depression, man-made excavation, or diked area formed primarily of earthen materials (although it may be lined with man-made materials), which is designed to hold an accumulation of liquid wastes or wastes containing free liquids, and which is not an injection well. Examples of surface impoundments include, but are not limited to holding, storage, settling, and aeration pits, ponds and lagoons.
(xc) "Tangible net worth" means net worth minus intangibles such as goodwill, patents or royalties.
(xci) "Tank" means a stationary device designed to contain an accumulation of waste that is constructed primarily of nonearthen materials (e.g., wood, concrete, steel, plastic) that provide structural support and integrity.
(xcii) "Topsoil" means all surface soil usually including the organic layer in which plants have most of their roots, or in the case where no topsoil is present, the top six inches of in-place native material.
(xciii) "Transfer of waste" means the temporary holding of solid waste pending transportation of the solid waste for treatment, storage, or disposal.
(xciv) "Transfer facility" means any solid waste transportation related facility including loading docks, parking areas, storage areas and ancillary features.
(xcv) "Treatment" means any method, technique, or process designed to change the physical, chemical, or biological character or composition of any solid waste so as to recover energy or material resources from the waste or so as to render it safer to transport, store, or dispose of, or to make it amenable for recovery, use, or storage, or for reduction in volume. Treatment includes but is not limited to baling, chipping, composting, distilling, incinerating, processing, reconditioning, recovering, recycling, re-refining, reclaiming, and shredding.
(xcvi) "Treatment facility" means any facility that treats solid waste. Types of treatment facilities include but are not limited to solid waste incinerators, tire shredding/chipping facilities, tire pyrolysis plants, solid waste shredding or baling facilities, drum and barrel reconditioning/recycling facilities, composting facilities, and facilities used to distill, re-refine, recover, recycle, or incinerate used antifreeze, oils or solvents.
(xcvii) "Ultimate parent guarantor" means an entity not controlled by any other entity and is the topmost responsible entity which owns or controls the operator and is the guarantor for a self-bond.
(xcviii) "Unprocessed household refuse" means municipal solid wastes which have not been treated, processed, or recycled at a facility subject to the requirements of these rules.
(xcix) "Unstable area" means a location that is susceptible to natural or human-induced events or forces capable of impairing the integrity of some or all of the landfill structural components responsible for preventing releases from a landfill. Unstable areas can include poor foundation conditions, areas susceptible to mass movements, and karst terrains.
(c) "Uppermost aquifer" means the geologic formation nearest the natural ground surface that is an aquifer, as well as lower aquifers that are hydraulically connected with this aquifer within the facility's property boundary.
(ci) "Used antifreeze" means any antifreeze that has been used and new antifreeze which has not been used for its intended purpose but is being discarded.
(cii) "Used oil" means any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has been used and new oil which has not been used for its intended purpose but is being discarded. Used oil does not include animal or vegetable oil.
(ciii) "Used tire" means a tire that cannot be described as new, but which is structurally intact and, for passenger tires, has a tread depth greater than two thirty-seconds (2/32) of an inch. A used tire can be mounted on a vehicle's rim without repair.
(civ) "Vadose zone" means the unsaturated zone between the land surface and the water table.
(cv) "Vector" means a carrier capable of transmitting a pathogen from one organism to another, including flies, mosquitoes, skunks, or rodents.
(cvi) "Waste management unit boundary" for the purpose of establishing a relevant point of compliance for municipal solid waste landfills, "waste management unit boundary" means a vertical surface located at the hydraulically downgradient limit of the municipal solid waste landfill unit. This vertical surface extends down to the uppermost aquifer.
(cvii) "Waste pile" means any noncontainerized accumulation of solid waste used for treatment or storage of solid waste.
(cviii) "Water table" means the seasonally high surface of groundwater which is subject to atmospheric pressure in an unconfined aquifer. Water table does not mean the piezometric surface of a confined aquifer.
(cix) "Wetlands" means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal conditions do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands include, but are not limited to, swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas.
(cx) "Working face" means that portion of the land disposal site where solid wastes are being deposited and are being spread and compacted prior to the placement of cover materials.
(c) Permit required for new and existing facilities:
(i) A permit or a one-time or emergency disposal authorization is required for the location, construction, operation or closure of any new or existing solid waste management facility. All facilities shall be located, designed, constructed, operated and closed in accordance with the permit or disposal authorization issued by the Director or Administrator.
(ii) A permit or disposal authorization may not be required for the facilities or activities specified in subsection (f) of this section.
(iii) Any facility that is regulated under more than one Chapter of these rules can apply for and receive a single solid waste management permit if the operator demonstrates compliance with each applicable Chapter.
(d) Recordkeeping, monitoring and reporting requirements:
(i) Operators of any solid waste management facility will be required to establish and maintain monitoring equipment or methods, sample effluent discharges or emissions, or provide such other information as may be reasonably required and specified by the Administrator.
(ii) All records required by these rules shall be maintained by the operator of the facility for a minimum of three years from the date of recording, except for those records required to be kept through the life and post-closure period of the facility as specified in these rules. All records shall be available for inspection and copying by Department personnel during reasonable business hours. Copies of these records shall be submitted to the Administrator when requested.
(e) The following acts are prohibited:
(i) Open dumping;
(ii) Scavenging and animal feeding at active solid waste management facilities;
(iii) Dumping bulk liquid wastes at solid waste management facilities unless specifically authorized by the Administrator;
(iv) Dumping hazardous wastes (other than hazardous wastes generated by residential households and conditionally exempt small quantity waste generators) in any facility other than a facility authorized as a hazardous waste disposal facility by these rules unless specifically authorized by the Administrator;
(v) Open burning of any wastes not exempted in subsection (f) of this section; and
(vi) Speculative accumulation of solid wastes at a facility intended for use as a solid waste management facility without a permit.
(f) Exemptions: The Administrator may exempt the following from a permit or any requirement to obtain a waste management authorization under these rules, provided that persons engaged in such activities may be required to supply information to the Administrator which demonstrates that the act, practice, or facility is exempt, and shall allow entry of Department inspectors for purposes of verification of such information:
(i) Auto salvage yards and scrap metal dealers: Baling of used motor vehicles or scrap metals, and operation of metal smelters regulated by the Air Quality Division and storage for sale or reuse of used motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, or scrap metals at auto salvage yards or scrap metal dealers as authorized under W.S. § 31-13-114, provided that for used oil, used antifreeze, tires, and lead acid batteries the following storage accumulation limits are not exceeded:
(A) 1,000 scrap tires, excluding any scrap tires remaining on wheels attached to vehicles;
(B) 1,000 gallons of used motor oil;
(C) 1,200 used lead acid batteries, excluding any used lead acid batteries remaining in vehicles, if the batteries are being stored in an upright position and are not leaking, for the purpose of being transferred to a recycling facility; and
(D) 500 gallons of used antifreeze, if the antifreeze is being stored to be recycled, and the owner or operator only stores used antifreeze they generate or receive from do-it-yourself antifreeze changers or other similar sources.
(ii) Single family units or households: The collection, storage and disposal of household wastes generated by a single family unit or household on their own property in such a manner that does not create a health hazard, public or private nuisance, or detriment to the environment.
(iii) Clean fill: The disposal or beneficial use of clean fill in such a manner that does not create a health hazard, public or private nuisance or detriment to the environment.
(iv) Clean wood waste storage facilities: Facilities storing clean wood waste in storage piles with a base surface area no larger than 10,000 square feet containing no greater than 100,000 cubic feet of clean wood waste. Clean wood waste at such facilities shall be stored no less than 100 feet from off-site structures, and the pile shall not create a public or private nuisance.
(v) De minimis waste management activities: The management of solid wastes, which in the judgement of the Administrator, constitute de minimis quantities which are managed in a manner that does not create a health hazard, public or private nuisance, or detriment to the environment.
(vi) Retail business facilities: Retail business facilities which have fewer than 1,000 scrap tires on the premises at any one time.
(vii) Facilities that store lead acid batteries: A retail business facility or a solid waste storage or transfer facility used only for the storage or transfer of no more than 1,200 used lead acid batteries for the purpose of transfer to a recycling facility, if the batteries are stored in an upright position and are not leaking.
(viii) Commercially operated used oil management facilities: Used oil collection centers, aggregation points, transfer facilities, processors, re- refiners, burners, and used oil fuel marketers that store no more than 10,000 gallons of used oil to be recycled or burned for energy recovery, provided the storage tanks are properly labeled, and subject to the used oil management requirements contained in the Wyoming Hazardous Waste Rules.
(ix) Used oil generators: Used oil generators subject to the used oil management requirements contained in the Wyoming Hazardous Waste Rules.
(x) Facilities storing waste, other than construction/demolition waste, for transfer to a recycling facility: A solid waste storage, treatment, or transfer facility occupying no more than five acres and used only for the storage, treatment, or transfer of paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum cans, glass, metal, clean wood, construction/demolition waste, and other nonputrescible municipal solid wastes, for the primary purposes of transfer to a recycling facility or beneficial reuse in a manner approved by the Administrator. Unless all waste management occurs indoors, the facility shall maintain a twenty-foot buffer zone/fire lane separating waste from a fenced facility boundary. This exemption applies to the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, baling and storage of these wastes prior to transfer to a recycling facility or approved beneficial reuse site. This exemption does not apply to facilities that manage scrap tires, CRTs, or that decommission petroleum storage tanks.
(xi) Facilities storing construction/demolition waste for transfer to a recycling facility: A solid waste storage, treatment, or transfer facility occupying no more than one acre and used only for the storage, treatment, or transfer of construction/demolition waste for the primary purposes of transfer to a recycling facility or beneficial reuse in a manner approved by the Administrator. Unless all waste management occurs indoors, the facility shall maintain a twenty-foot buffer zone/fire lane separating waste from a fenced facility boundary. This exemption applies to the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, baling, and storage of these wastes prior to transfer to a recycling facility or approved beneficial reuse site. This exemption does not apply to facilities that manage scrap tires, electronic waste, or that decommission petroleum storage tanks.
(xii) Solid waste transfer, treatment, storage, and processing facilities: Solid waste transfer, treatment, storage, and processing facilities receiving twenty cubic yards or less of solid waste per day and occupying no more than five acres, including a twenty-foot buffer zone within a fenced facility boundary, which individually or in combination manage no more than the quantities of wastes specified in this subsection. This exemption does not apply to facilities whose owner or operator simultaneously owns or operates more than one transfer facility within one mile of each other.
(A) 50 cubic yards of mixed solid wastes stored in containers;
(B) 50 cubic yards of construction and demolition waste stored in containers;
(C) Green waste and clean wood waste storage or compost piles;
(D) Compost piles for green waste and manure operated in a manner that does not create odors, constitute a nuisance, or attract vectors;
(E) 500 scrap tires stored in a manner that prevents fires and vector habitat;
(F) 20 cubic yards of electronic waste, except CRTs, stored in containers for shipment to a recycling facility;
(G) 20 cubic yards of CRTs stored intact in containers and kept whole without any shredding, grinding, crushing, or baling. Devices containing CRTs, such as televisions and computer monitors, may be disassembled, but the CRTs shall remain intact. If inadvertently broken, CRTs must be promptly containerized for proper management;
(H) 1,000 gallons of used oil;
(I) 1,000 gallons of used antifreeze, if the used antifreeze is stored to be recycled, reclaimed, or reused;
(J) 250 used lead acid batteries, if the batteries are stored in an upright position and are not leaking, for the purpose of transfer to a recycling facility;
(K) 150 cubic yards of paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum cans, glass, and metal, or other nonputrescible municipal solid wastes which may be specifically authorized by the Administrator, for the primary purposes of transfer to a recycling facility or beneficial reuse in a manner approved by the Administrator. This provision applies to the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, baling, and storage of these wastes prior to transfer to a recycling facility or approved beneficial reuse site; and
(L) Household hazardous waste collected no more frequently than semiannual collection days, provided that the household hazardous waste collected is removed from the site and transported to a permitted facility within thirty days.
(xiii) Vehicle service and maintenance facilities: In addition to used oil stored pursuant to this subsection, used antifreeze storage tanks located at vehicle service facilities, provided the storage tanks are properly labeled, have a used antifreeze storage capacity of no more than 500 gallons, and are used only to contain used antifreeze that the owner or operator generates or receives from do-it-yourself antifreeze changes.
(xiv) Medical waste management facilities: Medical waste storage units, incinerators, autoclaves, or other treatment devices, used to store or treat only medical wastes which are generated by the owner or operator of the medical facility or by doctor's offices, medical clinics, dental offices and other medical waste generators within the county or local area where the medical waste storage units, incinerators, autoclaves, or other treatment devices are located.
(xv) Beneficial use: The reuse of wastes in a manner which is both beneficial and protective of human health and the environment, and conducted in a manner approved by the Administrator.
(xvi) Household hazardous waste collection events: The collection of household hazardous waste on no more than a quarterly basis by the operator of a permitted solid waste facility or by a person at a site where landowner consent has been obtained. Collected household hazardous waste must be removed from the collection site within thirty days and transported to a permitted facility for proper management.
(xvii) An exemption or solid waste management permit are not required for facilities which are not solid waste facilities as defined by W.S. § 35-11-103(d)(ii).
(g) Inspections:
(i) No permit, authorization or exemption shall be issued unless the owner of the facility provides written authorization for the Department's authorized representative, upon the presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to access and enter upon the operator's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of a permit, authorization or exemption; have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the conditions of any permit, authorization or exemption; inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under the Act; and collect resource data, sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of ensuring compliance or as otherwise authorized by the appropriate rules of the Department, any substances or parameters at any location.
(ii) Inspections shall be conducted at the discretion of the Administrator and may consist of:
(A) Pre-application inspections;
(B) Preconstruction inspections;
(C) Construction inspections;
(D) Closure, post-closure, and annual operational compliance inspections; and
(E) Routine or complaint-related inspections.
(iii) The operator shall allow Department personnel entry to the facility for the purpose of inspection. Department personnel shall not be required to provide advance notice or a waiver of liability as a condition of entry to any facility for the purpose of conducting any solid waste management facility compliance inspection.
(iv) The Administrator shall provide copies of all inspection reports to the operator following completion of the inspection.
(v) The inspection requirements for municipal solid waste landfills with lifetime permits are in Chapter 2 of these rules.
(vi) Following any inspection by Department personnel, the operator will be notified in writing of any deficiencies within forty-five days from the date of the inspection unless the Department is waiting to receive additional information from the operator.
(h) Financial assurance: No permit or permit amendment shall be issued for any regulated facility unless the operator provides financial assurance, in accordance with Chapter 7 of these rules, that ensures there are adequate sources of funds to provide for closure, post-closure, and corrective action.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.1.09272021 § 2 Permit Application Procedure
(a) Application requirements: Each application for a solid waste management facility permit shall contain information adequate to demonstrate compliance with the minimum standards for location, design and construction, operating, monitoring, closure and post-closure as specified in the applicable chapter of these rules. Permit application procedures are set out in W.S. § 35-11-502, except general permit procedures for closure of municipal solid waste landfills with less than thirty acres of municipal solid waste disposal area, which are set forth in Section 2(h) of this Chapter.
(b) Permit application format: For all permit applications, amendments, transfers, and one-time or emergency waste management authorizations, shall be submitted in a format approved by the Administrator. The information in the application shall be presented in an order that conforms to the order set forth in the applicable sections of these rules, unless the Administrator approves an alternate format for the organization of the application.
(i) For permit amendments, the application shall include a description of the amendment sought, including additional plates or drawings as necessary to completely describe the proposed amendment.
(ii) For resubmittal of permit applications or submittal of supplemental information, the applicant shall have the option to submit copies of only the updated and revised portion of the application, if the revised and updated pages and drawings are appropriately numbered and dated to facilitate incorporation into the previous permit document and the revisions are clearly identified using strikethrough and underline presentation of words unless the Administrator approves an alternate format.
(c) Public notice and comment: Each application for a new, renewal, or closure permit shall be submitted for public notice and comment as follows:
(i) Upon receipt of notification that the application has been determined to be complete, the applicant shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) Within fifteen days of being notified that the application is complete:
(I) Provide written notice to landowners with property located within a half mile of the site, using certified, return receipt requested mail for disposal facilities and first-class mail for other solid waste management facilities;
(II) Provide written notice to each member of the interested parties mailing list maintained by the Administrator, the mayor of each city or town within fifty miles of the proposed facility and to the county commission and any solid waste district for the county in which the potential facility is located, using first-class mail;
(III) Cause a written notice to be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the county where the applicant plans to locate the facility; and
(IV) Specific text for the written notice shall be provided to the applicant by the Administrator. The notice shall contain information about the permit application including the identity of the applicant, the proposed facility location and size, the wastes types intended for management, the method of waste management, and the operating life. The notice shall identify the last date for filing comments on the application;
(B) Provide the Administrator with documentation that the notice requirements of subsection (c)(i)(A) of this section have been followed. Documentation shall consist of copies of return receipt cards, publisher's affidavits and other documentation, as appropriate; and
(C) The public comment period shall begin on the first date of publication and shall end at 5:00 pm on the thirtieth day following the last date of publication.
(D) The Administrator may, at his or her discretion, conduct a public hearing on the application submission.
(ii) For each new, renewal, or closure permit application or any application for a major change, the Administrator shall issue a proposed permit following completion of the Administrator's permit analysis, unless the permit is denied pursuant to Section 4 of this Chapter. Upon receipt of a proposed permit, the applicant shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) Within fifteen days of receiving a proposed permit:
(I) Provide written notice to landowners with property located within a half mile of the site, the mayor of each city or town within fifty miles of the proposed facility, the local county commission and any solid waste district for the county in which the potential facility is located, using certified, return receipt requested mail for disposal facilities and first-class mail for other solid waste management facilities;
(II) Provide written notice to each member of the interested parties mailing list maintained by the Administrator using first-class mail;
(III) Cause a written notice to be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the county where the applicant plans to locate the facility; and
(IV) Specific text for the written notice shall be provided to the applicant by the Administrator. The notice shall contain information about the permit application including the identity of the applicant, the proposed facility location and size, the wastes types intended for management, the method of waste management, the operating life, and the Administrator's findings. The notice shall identify the period for filing objections to the application;
(B) Provide the Administrator with documentation that the notice and filing requirements of subsection (c)(ii)(A) of this section have been followed. Documentation shall consist of copies of return receipt cards, and publisher's affidavits or affidavits of personal delivery as appropriate.
(C) The public comment period shall begin on the first date of publication and shall end at 5:00 pm on the thirtieth day following the last date of publication.
(D) Any interested person may submit written objections no later than 5:00 pm Mountain Time on the last day of the public comment period. If substantial written objections are received by the Director, a public hearing will be held in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-502(k).
(d) Permit renewal applications:
(i) In addition to the following requirements, permit renewal applications are subject to the application procedures set forth in W.S. § 35-11-502 and subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section.
(ii) The operator subject to solid waste management facility permit requirements shall provide the Administrator with a renewal application. The permit renewal application shall contain the information specified in the relevant chapter(s) of these rules and be submitted in accordance with the time frames specified.
(iii) Except for municipal solid waste landfills with lifetime permits, issued under Chapter 2 of these rules shall submit a permit renewal application no less than twelve months prior to the expiration of said permit unless a closure permit application has been submitted. Municipal solid waste landfills with lifetime permits shall submit a renewal application no later than three years prior to the expiration of the lifetime municipal solid waste landfill permit. The renewal application shall contain the information specified in the applicable chapter of these rules.
(e) Closure permit applications:
(i) In addition to the following requirements, closure permit applications are subject to the application procedures set forth in W.S. § 35-11-502 and subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section.
(ii) The operator shall provide the Administrator with a closure permit application if required by the applicable chapter of these rules in accordance with the time frames specified therein.
(iii) Anticipated closure: The operator of a facility with a valid permit shall submit a closure permit application to the Administrator no less than twelve months prior to the anticipated facility closure.
(iv) Unanticipated closure: In the event any solid waste management facility ceases operation, as determined by nonreceipt of solid wastes for any continuous nine month period or any continuous one year period for landfarm facilities or petroleum- contaminated soils land treatment facilities, the facility operator shall provide written notification to the Administrator no later than thirty days after the end of such nine month (or one year) period. This notification shall be accompanied by a closure permit application unless the Administrator approves interim measures with delayed final closure for good cause upon application by the operator.
(f) Variance application procedure for location standards specified in W.S. § 35-11-502(c):
(i) For solid waste disposal facilities which do not meet the location standards specified in paragraphs (i) through (iv) of W.S. § 35-11-502(c), the applicant may apply to the Director for a variance from the standards by submitting a written variance application. The variance application shall contain the following information:
(A) For proposed facilities which do not meet the location standards for proximity to towns, schools or any occupied dwelling house in W.S. § 35-11-502(c)(i) or (ii), the applicant shall:
(I) Present an analysis of additional traffic which would result from the proposed facility, and demonstrate that additional traffic caused by operation of a disposal facility will not pose a safety threat to the public;
(II) Demonstrate that the operation of the proposed facility will not present odor, dust, litter, insect, noise, health (human and animal) or aesthetic problems, and will not present a public nuisance by its proximity to the town, schools or dwellings. This demonstration may be made through analysis of the facility design and operation practices; and
(III) Provide design features and monitoring specifications used to preclude methane migration from affecting any buildings within one mile of the proposed facility, if the facility is used for the disposal of wastes which may form methane as a decomposition product.
(B) For proposed facilities which do not meet the location standard for proximity to, and visual screening from, state or federal highways in W.S. § 35-11-
502(c) (iii), the applicant shall provide information describing how the design and operation of the facility will minimize visual impacts to the highway(s).
(C) For proposed facilities, excluding incinerators, which do not meet the location standard for proximity to water wells in W.S. § 35-11-502(c)(iv), the applicant shall provide:
(I) A detailed description of the site's geologic and hydrologic characteristics, supported by data from on-site soil borings and groundwater monitoring wells;
(II) A detailed description of the proposed facility's containment system (cap and liner systems) and surface water diversion structures;
(III) A detailed description of the groundwater monitoring program (including location of wells, sampling frequency and sampling parameters) which would be instituted when the facility begins operations; and
(IV) An analysis of the potential for contaminants which may leak from the disposal facility to adversely affect the nearby water well(s). This analysis may be in the form of contaminant transport modeling results, an evaluation of hydrologic conditions or aquifer properties, or other applicable information.
(D) In addition to the other information requested in this subsection, all variance applications made under this subsection shall be accompanied by the following information:
(I) The proposed size of the facility;
(II) The name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
(III) The legal description of the property;
(IV) A detailed description of the facility which includes information on the amount, rate (tons per day), type (including chemical analyses if other than household refuse) and source of incoming wastes, a narrative describing the facility operating procedures, and the estimated site capacity and site life;
(V) The names and addresses of the property owners of all lands within one mile of the proposed facility boundary;
(VI) A USGS topographic map (scale of
1:24,000 or 1: 62,500) which shows the boundaries of the proposed landfill site or other suitable topographic map may be submitted if a 1:24,000 map is unavailable; and
(VII) Information sufficient to evaluate the conditions specified in paragraph (i)(ii) of this section.
(ii) In granting any variance as provided by this paragraph, the Director shall issue written findings that the variance will not injure or threaten to injure the public health, safety, or welfare. The Director shall only make such a finding if the evidence presented in the application and obtained at a public hearing demonstrates that:
(A) There are no available alternative locations which meet the location standards to meet the disposal needs of the applicant, within a reasonable distance of the boundary of the service area of the facility;
(B) It is not possible to use existing facilities owned by another person within a reasonable distance of the boundary of the service area of the facility; and
(C) Special or unique conditions or circumstances apply to the applicant and justify granting the variance.
(iii) In granting any variance the Director shall condition the variance such that it applies only to the facility described in the application. Changes to the facility size, type or source of waste, rate at which waste is received, or any other aspect of the facility may render the variance invalid as determined by the Director.
(iv) The Administrator shall review the variance application within ninety days of the receipt of the application. If the application is incomplete or technically inadequate, the Administrator shall so advise and state in writing to the applicant the information required. Additional information submitted in response to any deficiency notification shall be reviewed by the Administrator within ninety days.
(v) If the application is complete and technically adequate the Administrator shall provide draft findings and recommendations to the Director and the applicant. The draft findings shall state whether or not the Administrator has found that the variance will not injure or threaten to injure the public health, safety or welfare and the basis for the draft findings.
(vi) Unless a delay is requested by the applicant, the Director shall schedule a public hearing on the draft findings within forty-five days. Notice of the hearing shall be published at least thirty days prior to the date of the hearing. Notice shall be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a paper of general circulation within the county where the facility is located. The notice shall contain the identity of the applicant, summary information on the variance application, the location where the public can view copies of the application and the Administrator's review, the Administrator's draft decision regarding granting or denying the variance application, and the date, time and location of the hearing.
(vii) A public comment period shall begin on the first date of publication and shall end at the conclusion of the hearing. The Director shall make a final decision regarding the variance within sixty days from the date of the hearing.
(g) Permit application procedures for low hazard or low volume treatment, processing, storage, and transfer facilities:
(i) The Administrator shall conduct a completeness and technical review of each application submittal within thirty days of receipt of the application. If the Administrator deems the application incomplete or technically inadequate, the Administrator shall so advise and state in writing to the applicant the information required.
(ii) Public notice for low hazard or low volume facilities: For each new low hazard or low volume treatment, processing, storage, and transfer facility permit application or application for a major amendment to an existing facility permit, the Administrator shall issue a proposed permit following completion of the Administrator's permit analysis, unless the permit is denied pursuant to Section 4 of this Chapter. Upon receipt of a proposed permit the applicant shall within fifteen days:
(A) Cause a written notice to be published once a week for two consecutive weeks. If the facility is mobile, notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the state. If the facility is not mobile, notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the county where the applicant plans to locate the facility. Specific text of the notice shall be provided to the applicant by the Administrator. The notice shall contain information about the permit application including the identity of the applicant, the proposed facility service area, location, if not mobile, size, the waste types intended for management, the method of waste management, the operating life, and the Administrator's findings. The notice shall identify the period for filing objections to the application;
(B) If a fixed facility, notify adjacent landowners by first-class mail; and
(C) Provide the Administrator documentation that the notice requirements of this subsection have been followed, including copies of the publisher's affidavits and sworn statement.
(iii) The public comment period shall begin on the first date of publication and shall end at 5:00 pm on the thirtieth day following the last day of publication of the notice.
(iv) Any interested person may submit written objections no later than 5:00 pm on the last day of the public comment period. If substantial written objections are received by the Director within the public comment period a public hearing will be held in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-502(k).
(v) Low hazard or low volume permit issuance: If documentation has been received that the public notice requirements of this section have been met and no substantial objections are received, the Director shall issue an operating permit or within thirty days.
(vi) The operator of a facility with a valid operating permit issued under this subsection, shall submit a permit renewal application no later than 180 days prior to the expiration of said permit unless a closure permit application has been submitted. The renewal application shall contain the information specified in the applicable chapter of these rules.
(h) General Closure Permit for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills:
(i) A general closure permit shall apply to the closure and post-closure activities for municipal solid waste landfills with less than thirty acres of municipal solid waste disposal area.
(ii) Notice of intent for coverage under a general permit shall be made on forms provided by the Department which require a signature of agreement by the applicant to abide by all conditions of the permit.
(iii) All activities shall meet the standards of Chapter 2 of these rules.
(iv) All notice of intent for coverage forms shall be prepared under the supervision of a professional engineer licensed in the State of Wyoming. All notice of intent for coverage forms shall be stamped, signed and dated by a professional engineer. In addition, all portions of the notice of intent for coverage which require geological services or work shall be stamped, signed and dated by a professional geologist licensed in the State of Wyoming.
(v) All notices of intent for coverage under a general permit shall be processed as follows:
(A) The Administrator shall review each notice of intent or resubmittal within sixty days from the date the notice of intent or resubmittal is received.
(B) The Administrator may request additional information if it is determined that the information is inadequate to satisfy the requirements of these rules.
(C) The Department shall issue an Authorization of Coverage within thirty days of finding that the notice of intent or resubmittal is complete.
(D) No closure or post-closure activities shall commence until a written Authorization of Coverage under the general closure permit has been received from the Department.
(vi) Authorizations of Coverage for municipal solid waste landfills shall be issued through the end of the post-closure period specified in Chapter 2 of these rules and shall be extended until the Administrator determines, upon petition by the operator accompanied by submission of relevant information, that the facility has been adequately stabilized in a manner protective of human health and the environment. Petitions to terminate the post-closure period shall include certification from a Wyoming licensed professional engineer that post-closure care has been completed in compliance with the approved post-closure plan and in a manner protective of human health and the environment. No renewals of Authorizations of Coverage shall be required.
(vii) The general permit shall be developed pursuant to the permit issuance procedures of W.S. § 35-11-502(j), (k), and (m).
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.1.09272021 § 3 Permit Amendments and Transfers
(a) Permit amendments constituting a major change for municipal solid waste landfills shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2 of these rules.
(b) Permit amendments constituting a major change for all non-municipal solid waste facilities and minor changes at all solid waste facilities shall comply with the following:
(i) Within sixty days of receipt of any application for a permit amendment, the Administrator shall conduct a review of the application and provide a written response to the operator.
(A) If the amendment is deemed complete and demonstrates compliance with applicable standards and constitutes a major change, the public notice and comment period in Section 2(c)(ii) of this Chapter shall commence.
(B) If the amendment is deemed complete and demonstrates compliance with applicable standards and constitutes a minor change, the Administrator shall render a decision.
(ii) If the proposed amendment is determined to be inadequate, the operator shall be required to submit any additional information required by the Administrator, unless there is a basis for denial.
(c) All amendments shall comply with the location, design and construction, operating, monitoring, financial assurance, and closure standards of the applicable chapter of these rules.
(d) Permit transfers:
(i) An operator shall receive written approval from the Director prior to transfer of any permit authorized by these rules.
(ii) Permit transfer applications shall be in writing by the operator. The application shall contain:
(A) The name, address and telephone number of the legal operator of the facility to whom the permit will be transferred, and, at a minimum, a summary, listing of any administrative order, civil or administrative penalty assessment, bond forfeiture, civil, misdemeanor, or felony conviction, or court proceeding for any violations of any local, state or federal law occurring within a minimum of five years of application submittal relating to environmental quality or criminal racketeering, of the solid waste manager, the applicant, or if the applicant is a partnership or corporation, any partners in the partnership or executive officers or corporate directors in the corporation;
(B) The name, address and telephone number of the solid waste manager;
(C) Proposed date of the transfer of the permit; and
(D) Signed and notarized documentation from the new operator indicating that the new operator has agreed to accept and be bound by the provisions of the permit and any amendments, agreed to construct and operate the facility in accordance with the approved plan, and agreed to accept responsibility for the facility's compliance with the standards specified in the applicable chapter of these rules, including the responsibility to perform corrective actions.
(iii) The original operator shall retain responsibility for the facility according to the terms of the original permit until the application for permit transfer has been approved by the Director. The new operator may not operate the facility until the permit transfer has been approved.
(iv) No permit may be transferred from one operator to another unless the new operator demonstrates compliance with the financial assurance requirements of Chapter 7 of these rules.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.1.09272021 § 4 Permit Denial, Revocation, Modification, or Termination
(a) The Director may deny a permit if:
(i) Permit issuance would conflict with any provision of the Act or these rules;
(ii) The applicant fails to submit the required information;
(iii) The facility history indicates continual noncompliance with these rules;
(iv) The application indicates that the facility would not comply with the location, design and construction, operating, monitoring, closure or post- closure standards as specified in the applicable sections of these rules;
(v) The application misrepresents actual site conditions;
(vi) The applicant fails to employ a solid waste manager who meets the qualifications of the applicable chapter of these rules; or
(vii) The applicant, or any partners, executive officers, or corporate directors, has been found civilly or criminally liable for violations of environmental quality or criminal racketeering laws or regulations which in the judgment of the Director constitutes evidence that the applicant cannot be relied upon to conduct the operations described in the application in compliance with the Act and these rules.
(b) Permit revocation:
(i) The Director may revoke a permit in instances of continual noncompliance, or if it is determined that the permit application misrepresented actual site conditions, or if the continued operation is inconsistent with any provision of the Act or these rules.
(ii) The Director shall notify the operator of his or her intent to revoke the permit. The written notification shall contain the basis for revoking the permit. All permit revocation procedures shall be accomplished in accordance with the requirements of the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act.
(iii) The Director may order facility closure following permit revocation. Closure and post-closure activities shall be accomplished in accordance with a plan approved by the Administrator. If a closure/post-closure plan has not been approved, closure and post-closure activities shall be accomplished in accordance with the standards specified in the applicable chapter of these rules.
(c) Permit modification: The Director may modify an existing permit by notifying the facility operator in writing. The written notification shall contain the basis for modifying the permit.
(d) Permit termination:
(i) Operating permit termination:
(A) Upon completion of closure activities, the operator shall provide a certification, with supporting documentation, from a Wyoming registered professional engineer confirming that the provisions of the closure plan have been carried out and that the facility has been closed in compliance with the closure standards specified in these rules. The operator shall be notified in writing whether the closure certification is deficient or a written termination of the operating permit shall be issued. Operating permits shall not terminate until written authorization has been provided by the Administrator.
(ii) Closure permit termination:
(A) Following the initial minimum post-closure period specified in the applicable chapter of these rules, the owner or operator may submit a petition to the Administrator requesting termination of the facility's closure permit and post-closure period. Petitions shall include supporting documentation and certification from a Wyoming registered engineer that post-closure care has been completed in compliance with the post-closure plan and in a manner protective of human health and the environment. The operator shall be notified in writing whether the post-closure certification is deficient or a written termination of the closure permit shall be issued. Closure permits shall not terminate until written authorization has been provided by the Administrator.
(iii) Release of financial assurance: Following permit termination, financial assurance shall be released as prescribed in Chapter 7 of these rules.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.1.09272021 § 5 One-Time or Emergency Waste Management Authorizations
(a) Authorization application procedure:
(i) This section applies to emergency situations, spilled solid wastes and residues from uncontrolled releases. This section does not apply to the land disposal of municipal solid wastes, mixed wastes, hazardous wastes or actions completed under either a hazardous waste permit or a hazardous waste corrective action order.
(ii) The Administrator may choose to issue a one-time or emergency waste management authorization in lieu of the permits specified in Section 2 of this Chapter. This type of waste management authorization shall only be considered under the following conditions:
(A) The proposed waste management activity shall be a single occurrence of limited duration;
(B) The applicant documents that other waste management and reuse options were thoroughly investigated and that no other reasonable alternatives had been identified;
(C) The proposed waste disposal site would meet the applicable location standards specified in Chapter 3, or 4 of these rules or the proposed waste management site would meet the applicable location standards specified in Chapter 8 of these rules;
(D) The proposed waste management activity would not present a significant threat to public health or the environment;
(E) The waste management activity would result in de minimis impacts which would not warrant the initiation of public participation procedures;
(F) The total waste disposal area would be no more than one acre;
(G) The applicant can document that permission has been obtained from the landowner to manage the materials at the proposed waste management location, if that location is not owned by the applicant; and
(H) The applicant commits to promptly record a notarized notice with the county clerk, in the county where the facility is located, which adequately describes the location, nature and extent of any waste disposal activity.
(iv) The waste management authorization request shall document compliance with the conditions specified in subsection (a)(ii) of this section allowing for the Administrator's consideration of a one-time or emergency waste management authorization. The request shall contain information adequate to demonstrate compliance with the standards specified in the applicable chapter of these rules.
(v) The waste management authorization request shall be reviewed by the Administrator within forty-five days after submission.
(b) Authorization issuance:
(i) The Administrator may deny a one-time or emergency waste management authorization for any of the reasons specified in Section 4(a) of this Chapter. The Administrator may also deny a one-time or emergency waste management authorization if it is determined that the proposed waste management activity would not be subject to the provisions described in subsections (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of this section.
(ii) If the waste management authorization request is determined to be complete and the request demonstrates compliance with the standards in the relevant application requirements section, a waste management authorization will be granted by the Administrator.
(iii) The operator shall notify the Administrator following completion of authorized waste management activities. This notification shall be accompanied by site photographs adequate to demonstrate the site conditions following closure.
(iv) The term of the waste management authorization shall be no longer than one year unless, for good cause, the Administrator approves additional time.
History
- Effective 2021-09-27
Chapter 2 Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Regulations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 1 In General
(a) Authority: The authority for the rules and regulations promulgated in this chapter is the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. §§ 35-11-101 et seq.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 2 Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) Permit Application Requirements
(a) Permit transition: The following rules concerning permit application submittals under Chapter 1 will apply.
(i) Existing facilities:
(A) Existing facilities that have received wastes after September 13, 1989:
(I) Existing facilities with closure permits issued before July 1, 2012, shall continue closure and post-closure under their existing permits.
(II) Existing facilities that intend to cease disposal of all waste before July 1, 2017, need not submit a renewal application, but shall submit a closure permit application no later than twelve (12) months prior to the expiration date of the facility's existing permit or the date the facility is anticipated to cease disposal of waste, whichever comes first, unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause.
(III) Existing facilities that do not have a lifetime permit and intend to continue disposal of waste after July 1, 2017, shall submit a permit renewal application twelve (12) months prior to the expiration of their current permit, unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause.
(B) Existing facilities that have not received wastes after September 13, 1989:
(I) The operator may be required to submit a closure permit application upon request by the Administrator.
(II) The Administrator may request such an application whenever the Administrator has reason to believe that health and safety hazards are present, there has been evidence of environmental contamination, or the facility does not comply with the location, monitoring, closure or post-closure standards.
(ii) New facilities:
(A) The operator of any new facility shall submit an operating permit application in accord with the requirements set forth in these rules.
(iii) Closing facilities:
(A) Anticipated closure: For facilities where disposal of all waste is anticipated to cease before July 1, 2017, the operator shall submit a closure permit application no later than twelve (12) months prior to the expiration date of the facility's existing permit or the date the facility is anticipated to cease disposal of waste, whichever comes first, unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause. For facilities where disposal is anticipated to continue after July 1, 2017, the operator shall submit a closure permit application no later than twelve (12) months prior to the date the facility is anticipated to cease disposal of waste, unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause.
(B) Unanticipated closure: In the event any solid waste management facility ceases operation, as determined by nonreceipt of solid wastes for any continuous nine (9) month period, the facility operator shall provide written notification to the Administrator no later than thirty (30) days after the end of such nine (9) month period. This notification shall be accompanied by a closure permit application unless the Administrator approves interim measures with delayed final closure for good cause upon application by the operator.
(b) Permit application requirements:
(i) The permit application shall contain a completed application form, and a written report containing the applicable information in Sections 3 through 18 of this chapter. Records and supporting documents such as well logs, maps, cross-sections, and monitoring reports should generally be included in the written report as appendices. Documents previously submitted and approved by the Department may be included by reference.
(ii) All permit application forms shall be signed by the operator, the landowner and any real property lien holder of public record. All applications shall be signed by the operator under oath subject to penalty of perjury. All persons signing the application shall be duly authorized agents. The following persons are considered duly authorized agents:
(A) For a municipality, state, federal or other public agency, by the head of the agency or ranking elected official. A copy of a valid lease agreement from a federal agency shall satisfy this requirement;
(B) For corporations, at least one principal officer;
(C) For a sole proprietorship or partnership, a proprietor or general partner, respectively.
(iii) All permit applications shall be prepared under the supervision of a professional engineer registered in the State of Wyoming. All permit application forms shall be stamped, signed and dated by a professional engineer. In addition, all portions of the permit application which require geological services or work shall be stamped, signed and dated by a professional geologist.
(c) Renewal application requirements: Renewal applications shall be submitted as required in Chapter 1 and shall include a compilation of previous permit application materials and supplemental information updated and revised as necessary to document facility operations and activities carried out during the last permit term. Renewal applications shall include a copy of the approved permit or renewal permit application or revisions to the previous application if the revised and updated pages and drawings are appropriately numbered and dated to facilitate incorporation into the previous permit document.
(i) Renewal applications shall contain:
(A) Any necessary plan revisions for the upcoming permit renewal period and any requests for approval of amendments;
(B) Detailed construction and operation specifications for the upcoming permit period, if such specifications were not included in an approved facility permit application.
(d) Permit terms:
(i) Effective July 1, 2012, new MSWLF operating permits and renewal permits for existing MSWLFs shall be lifetime permits.
(ii) Closure permits shall be for a period which includes the time required to complete closure activities and the post-closure term specified in Section 12 of this chapter. The closure permit period will extend until the Administrator finds that the facility has been adequately stabilized and the environmental monitoring or control systems have demonstrated that the facility closure is protective of human health and the environment consistent with the purposes of the act.
(e) Permit amendments constituting a major change:
(i) All amendments constituting a major change shall comply with the location, design and construction, operating, monitoring, financial assurance and closure standards of the applicable chapters of these rules and regulations. No amendment shall be implemented by the operator without the prior written authorization of the Administrator.
(ii) The operator shall submit three (3) complete paper copies and one (1) complete electronic copy of the proposed amendment unless an alternative is approved by the Administrator. Permit amendments may be proposed independently or in conjunction with a permit renewal or closure permit application. Permit amendments may be proposed in conjunction with annual reports, but must be separately designated as amendments. Minor permit amendments proposed in conjunction with annual reports will be processed in accordance with Chapter 1, Section 3 of these rules. Major permit amendments will be processed in accordance with this section. The application shall include a cover letter describing in detail the amendment sought. The application for amendment shall include revisions to the permit application sufficient to fully describe the proposed amendment including a revised table of contents and replacement text, plates, and/or drawings which are fully formatted and numbered for insertion into the permit application.
(iii) The Administrator shall conduct a completeness review and notify the applicant within sixty (60) days of receipt of the application whether or not it is complete. If the Administrator deems the application incomplete, he or she shall so advise and state in writing to the applicant the information required. All items not specified as incomplete at the end of the first sixty (60) day period shall be deemed complete for the purposes of this subsection.
(A) If the applicant resubmits an application or further information, the Administrator shall review the application or additional information within sixty (60) days of each submission and advise the applicant in writing if the application is complete.
(B) After the application is determined complete, the applicant shall give written notice of the application as required in Chapter 1, Section 2(b)(i).
(iv) The Administrator shall review the application and unless the applicant requests a delay, advise the applicant in writing within ninety (90) days from the date of determining that the application is complete, that a proposed permit amendment is suitable for publication under Chapter 1, Section 2(b)(ii), or that the application is deficient, or that the application is denied. All reasons for deficiency or denial shall be stated in writing to the applicant. All items not specified as being deficient at the end of the first ninety (90) day period shall be deemed sufficient for the purposes of this subsection.
(A) If the applicant submits additional information in response to any deficiency notice, the Administrator shall review such additional information within thirty (30) days of submission and advise the applicant in writing if a proposed permit amendment is suitable for publication, or that the application is still deficient, or that the application is denied.
(B) If the application is determined to be complete and demonstrates compliance with the applicable standards, the Administrator shall prepare a proposed permit amendment. The applicant shall provide public notice as specified in Chapter 1, Section 2(b)(ii).
(C) If no hearing is requested, the Director shall render a decision on the proposed permit amendment within thirty (30) days after completion of the notice period. If substantial written objections are received by the Director by 5:00 pm on the last day of the public comment period, a public hearing will be held within twenty (20) days after the last day of the public comment period, unless a different schedule is deemed necessary by the council. The council or Director shall publish notice of the time, date, and location of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the applicant plans to locate the facility or where the facility is located, once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks immediately prior to the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted as a contested case in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act, and right of judicial review shall be afforded as provided in that Act. The Director shall issue or deny the permit amendment no later than fifteen (15) days from receipt of any findings of fact and decision of the environmental quality council.
(D) In granting permit amendments, the Director may impose such conditions as may be necessary to accomplish the purpose of the act and which are not inconsistent with the existing rules, regulations, and standards.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 3 General Facility Information
(a) Operator: The name, address and telephone number of the legal operator of the facility to whom the permit would be issued and, at a minimum, a summary, listing of any administrative order, civil or administrative penalty assessment, bond forfeiture, civil, misdemeanor, or felony conviction, or court proceeding for any violations of any local, state or federal law occurring within a minimum of five (5) years of application submittal relating to environmental quality or criminal racketeering, of the solid waste manager, the applicant, or if the applicant is a partnership or corporation, any partners in the partnership or executive officers or corporate directors in the corporation;
(b) Manager: Position title, address and telephone number of the solid waste manager. A description of the solid waste manager training and examination program to be used by the operator to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. The description shall include a specific listing of the training courses, and the required frequency of attendance at each course by the solid waste manager;
(c) Legal description: Legal description of the property to be used as a disposal site. The complete legal description shall consist of a plat and legal description, monumented and signed by a Wyoming licensed land surveyor;
(d) Facility narrative: A brief narrative describing the disposal facility. The narrative should include an estimate of the size of the facility, the type of waste disposal activities that are planned (area fill, trench fill, special waste areas) and the type, amount, and source of incoming waste;
(e) Surface and mineral ownership: Information describing surface and mineral ownership of the site and surface ownership of all lands within one (1) mile of the facility boundary;
(f) Site suitability: Any information known to the applicant that would limit the site's suitability as a sanitary landfill;
(g) Service area: The service area (source of wastes) and the type and quantity of waste (on a daily, weekly or monthly basis) that will be disposed at the facility;
(h) Capacity: Estimated site capacity in tons or cubic yards of waste and site life, including the calculations on which these estimates are based;
(i) Potential to impact surface and groundwater: An evaluation of the facility's potential to impact surface and groundwater quality, based on the facility design and hydrogeologic characteristics;
(j) Intermediate reclamation: For renewal applications provide a summary description of intermediate reclamation activities conducted over the past permit term and anticipated during the next permit term.
(k) Access agreement: The application shall include the following access agreement:
(i) The owner of the facility authorizes Department representatives, upon the presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to access and enter upon the operator's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of a permit, authorization or exemption; have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the conditions of any permit, authorization or exemption; inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under the Act; and collect resource data, sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of ensuring compliance or as otherwise authorized by the appropriate rules and regulations of the Department, any substances or parameters at any location.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 4 Location Standards
All facilities shall meet the following standards:
(a) New facilities: New municipal solid waste landfills shall not be located in violation of W.S. § 35-11-502(c) and the standards described in this section.
(i) Local zoning ordinances: Facility locations shall not be in conflict with local zoning ordinances or land use plans that have been adopted by a county commission or municipality.
(ii) Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Facility locations shall not diminish the scenic, recreational and fish and wildlife values for any section of river designated for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq., and implementing regulations.
(iii) National Historic Preservation Act: Facilities shall not be located in areas where they may pose a threat to an irreplaceable historic or archeological site listed pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq. and implementing regulations, or to a natural landmark designated by the National Park Service.
(iv) Endangered Species Act: Facilities shall not be located within a critical habitat of an endangered or threatened species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., and implementing regulations, where the facility may cause destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat, may jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or contribute to the taking of such species.
(v) Big game winter range: Facilities shall not be located within critical winter ranges for big game unless after considering information from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Administrator determines that facility development would not conflict with the conservation of Wyoming's wildlife resources.
(b) New units, existing units, and lateral expansions: New units, existing units and lateral expansions shall not be located in violation of the applicable standards below. Any supporting information needed to demonstrate compliance with these standards shall be provided in an appendix to the permit application.
(i) Airport safety.
(A) New MSWLF units, existing units, and lateral expansions located within 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) of any airport runway end used by turbojet aircraft or within 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) of any airport runway end used by only piston-type aircraft must be designed and operated so that the MSWLF unit does not pose a bird hazard to aircraft.
(B) Owners or operators proposing to site new MSWLF units and lateral expansions within a five-mile radius of any airport runway end used by turbojet or piston-type aircraft shall notify the affected airport and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and include documentation of the notification in the permit application.
(ii) Floodplains.
(A) New MSWLF units, existing units, and lateral expansions shall not be located in a 100-year floodplain unless the operator demonstrates that the unit will not restrict the flow of the 100-year flood, reduce the temporary water storage capacity of the floodplain, or result in washout of solid waste.
(iii) Wetlands.
(A) New MSWLF units and lateral expansions shall not be located in wetlands.
(iv) Fault areas.
(A) New MSWLF units and lateral expansions shall not be located within 200 feet (60 meters) of a fault that has had displacement in Holocene time unless the owner or operator demonstrates that an alternative setback distance of less than 200 feet (60 meters) will prevent damage to the structural integrity of the MSWLF unit and will be protective of human health and the environment.
(v) Seismic impact zones: New MSWLF units and lateral expansions shall not be located in seismic impact zones, unless the owner demonstrates to the administrator that all containment structures, including liners, leachate collection systems, and surface water control systems, are designed to resist the maximum horizontal acceleration in lithified earth material for the site.
(vi) Unstable areas: New MSWLF units and lateral expansions shall not be located in an unstable area unless the owner has demonstrated to the administrator that engineering measures have been incorporated into the facility's, unit's, or area fill's design to ensure that the integrity of the structural components of the facility, unit, or area fill will not be disrupted. The demonstration must consider:
(A) On-site or local soil conditions that may result in significant differential settling;
(B) On-site or local geologic or geomorphologic features; and
(C) On-site or local human-made features or events (both surface and subsurface).
(c) Access roads: The roads leading to MSWLFs shall not be subject to the location standards described in this section.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 5 Regional Geology
The application shall include a summary description of any available regional geologic or hydrologic information, including copies of all available well logs for wells located within one (1) mile of the proposed site. Supporting documentation such as well logs, cross-sections, and maps shall be supplied as an appendix.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 6 Site Specific Geology
The application shall provide site specific data describing the underlying soils, geology and groundwater, including:
(a) Soil types: A description of the soil types according to the Unified Soil Classification System, and the estimated thickness of the unconsolidated soil materials;
(b) Geologic Conditions: Information on the geologic conditions, including structure, bedrock types, estimated thickness and attitude, and fracture patterns;
(c) Unstable areas: Identification of unstable areas caused by natural features or man-made features or events, and which may result in geologic hazards including, but not limited to, slope failures, landslides, rockfalls, differential and excessive settling or severe erosion;
(d) Groundwater information: Groundwater information including the depth to the uppermost groundwater, aquifer thickness and hydrologic properties such as the groundwater flow direction and rate, and the potentiometric surface, the existing quality of background groundwater and groundwater beneath the facility;
(e) Supporting documentation: Supporting documentation such as well completion logs, geologic cross-sections, soil boring lithologic logs, potentiometric surface maps and soil or groundwater testing data shall be supplied as an appendix.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 7 Design and Construction Standards
. All facilities shall meet the following standards:
(a) Surveyed corners: All site boundary corners shall be surveyed and marked with permanent survey caps.
(b) Access roads: Facility access roads shall be constructed to enable use under inclement weather conditions.
(c) Buffer zones: All facilities shall be designed and constructed with a buffer zone that is a minimum of twenty (20) feet wide within the facility perimeter fence.
(d) Cover Material Availability: Facilities shall be designed and constructed to ensure that sufficient cover material is available to properly operate the facility through the closure period.
(e) Surface water structures: Surface water structures shall be designed and constructed to:
(i) prevent flow onto the active portion of the landfill during the peak discharge from a 25-year storm;
(ii) Collect and control run-off from the active portion of the landfill from at least the water volume resulting from a 24-hour, 25 year storm;
(iii) Sediment control structures shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapter 11 of the Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(f) Performance based design: New units and lateral expansions shall comply with the requirements set out in W.S. § 35-11-527. The administrator may approve replacement of the two (2) foot layer of compacted soil in a composite liner with an alternate component that performs at least as well as a two (2) foot layer of compacted soil, such as a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL).
(g) Design/construction of engineered containment system caps and liners:
(i) Compacted soil barrier layers shall be constructed in lifts which do not exceed six (6) inches in thickness, and uniform compaction of these lifts shall be assured through the use of appropriate equipment.
(ii) All engineered containment system components shall be supported by material of sufficient bearing strength to prevent subsidence and failure of any component. This bearing strength shall be documented through materials testing as approved by the Administrator.
(iii) Synthetic membranes used as part of any containment system shall be of a material and thickness which is suitable for the intended use, but in no case shall be less than 0.030 inches thick (30 mils) or 60 mils thick if the membrane consists of high density polyethylene (HDPE). All synthetic membranes shall be underlain by a suitable bedding material and when used with a compacted soil component, in direct and uniform contact with the compacted soil component.
(iv) Lateral drainage layers included in composite cap and liner system designs shall be composed of either granular material or a synthetic drain net of suitable lateral permeability to promote acceptable drainage, as approved by the Administrator. Lateral drainage layers shall be protected from soil clogging by either a synthetic filter fabric or a graded granular layer of a design approved by the Administrator.
(v) If required by the Administrator, leak detection systems shall be designed to efficiently identify failure of the overlying barrier layer.
(h) Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC):
(i) QA/QC plans shall ensure adequate construction and testing of the containment system components, including applicable observations, inspections, tests, and measurements. Applicable standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) shall be used. As applicable, the QA/QC Plans shall address:
(A) Foundations,
(B) Compacted soil layers,
(C) Flexible membrane liners,
(D) Leachate collection and removal systems including the operations/protective layer,
(E) Gas management systems,
(F) Final cover systems, and
(G) Other components as required by the Administrator.
(ii) For compacted soil layers describe how moisture content will be maintained or adjusted, the technique by which lift thickness will be maintained, the manner in which lifts will be compacted, the method used to measure moisture content and density in the field during construction, and the frequency of moisture content and density testing.
(iii) For synthetic membranes describe the method used to test 100% of all seams for leaks, the frequency of destructive testing for seam strength, the procedure to be followed for post-installation defect identification and repair, the results of testing or literature review which demonstrates the compatibility of the membrane material with the waste and/or waste leachate, and the procedures used to ensure each roll of membrane material meets the manufacturer's specifications for material properties.
(iv) For lateral drainage layers describe the method used to ensure achievement of the approved grain size uniformity and layer thickness for granular layers, the method by which drainage layers shall be installed without damaging any imbedded leachate collection system, leak detection system or membrane, and the installation procedure for the filter fabric or granular filter layer overlying the drainage layer.
(v) Identify key personnel, their qualifications, and their role in the development and implementation of the QA/QC Plan.
(vi) After construction is complete the owner or operator shall submit a certification, signed by an engineer licensed to practice in Wyoming, that the approved QA/QC plan has been carried out and that the unit meets the requirements of this section. Documentation supporting the engineer's certification shall be submitted with the certification. Wastes shall not be accepted in the newly constructed unit without written authorization from the Administrator. Copies of the engineer's certification and supporting documentation shall be maintained in the operating record.
(i) Slope stability for excavations: Trench walls shall not exceed a ratio of 1.5:1 (horizontal:vertical) unless a slope stability analysis demonstrates steeper slopes can be safely constructed and maintained. This analysis may be based on site specific soil stability calculations or Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations for excavations.
(j) Methane control systems for on-site structures: All structures on the landfill facility will be designed to prevent the accumulation of methane such that the concentration of methane gas in facility structures does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for methane.
(k) Landfill gas management systems: If required, the permit application shall include landfill gas management system design and construction information.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 8 Operating Standards
All facilities shall meet the following standards:
(a) Qualified Solid Waste Manager: Each facility shall be managed by a qualified solid waste manager. In the event that a qualified solid waste manager terminates employment for any reason, a new solid waste manager shall be designated within three (3) months of such termination. For any facility which is constructed, operated and monitored in compliance, the solid waste manager's qualifications shall be presumed to be adequate. For any facility which is not being constructed, operated, or monitored in compliance, the solid waste manager may be required to complete additional training and/or demonstrate his or her qualifications by written or oral examination. A qualified solid waste manager shall:
(i) Possess a complete working knowledge of the facility construction, operating and monitoring procedures, as specified in the permit application and the permit letter issued by the Director;
(ii) Attend the classroom or field training program described in the approved permit application, which shall include training for the identification of PCB wastes and hazardous wastes regulated under Subtitle C of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the state hazardous wastes rules and regulations;
(iii) Attend any training course sponsored by the Administrator, which the Administrator requires to provide training on changes to state or federal solid waste rules or guidelines. For any such mandatory training course, the Administrator shall provide each operator with a minimum of ninety (90) days notice prior to the scheduled training course;
(iv) Comply with the requirements of this subsection:
(A) No later than six (6) months following assumption of responsibility for operating a facility, for a new solid waste manager; or
(B) No later than six (6) months following the date the facility is permitted under this chapter, for an existing solid waste manager.
(b) Copy of plan: A copy of the operating plan shall be available at the facility when landfill personnel are on-site.
(c) Access Restrictions:
(i) Public access shall be controlled and unauthorized vehicular traffic and illegal dumping of wastes shall be prevented by using artificial barriers, natural barriers, or both, as appropriate to protect human health and the environment.
(ii) The working area of all facilities shall be fenced in such a manner as to discourage people and livestock from entering the facility and to contain litter within the facility. Additional fencing may be required to restrict access to reclaimed areas or other areas that may present public health and safety hazards.
(iii) All access roads shall be equipped with a gate which shall be locked when the facility is unattended.
(d) Liquid wastes: Bulk or noncontainerized liquid wastes may not be placed in a MSWLF disposal unit unless:
(i) The waste is household waste other than septic waste;
(ii) The waste is leachate or gas condensate derived from the landfill unit and the unit is designed and constructed with a composite liner and leachate collection system.
(e) Hazardous wastes:
(i) No MSWLF may accept hazardous wastes regulated under 40 CFR Part 261, except, hazardous waste excluded under 40 CFR Part 261 may be accepted if specific authorization is granted in writing by the Administrator;
(ii) The facility operator shall implement a program of random inspections of incoming solid wastes or take other steps to detect and prevent the disposal of regulated hazardous wastes and PCB wastes; and
(iii) The facility operator shall promptly notify the Administrator if regulated hazardous wastes or PCB wastes are discovered at the facility.
(f) Dead animals: Dead animals shall be covered by the end of each operating day whenever carcasses are disposed. Dead animals may be disposed with municipal solid waste or in a separate area.
(g) Posting: Signs shall be posted at each point of access to identify the landfill and listing the information in this subsection. Signs shall be easily readable and shall be maintained in good condition.
(i) The facility name;
(ii) The position title and phone number of the responsible person to contact in the event of emergencies;
(iii) The hours of operation;
(iv) Wastes that are prohibited from disposal at the facility;
(v) A requirement to notify the landfill operator of any asbestos wastes.
(h) Traffic: Signs shall be posted to direct traffic to the proper waste management area.
(i) Salvaging: Salvaging, if permitted, shall be conducted in such a manner as not to interfere with normal operations.
(j) Burning: No open burning of solid waste is allowed, with the exception of infrequent burning of clean wood, tree trimmings, brush, agricultural wastes, silvicultural wastes, land clearing debris, diseased trees, or debris from emergency cleanup operations; this exception is valid only when the operator has obtained a permit from the Air Quality Division.
(k) Fire protection and other emergency protection measures: Facilities shall maintain, at a minimum, an unobstructed ten (10) foot firelane around all active solid waste management units or within the perimeter fence. Landfill personnel shall have access to portable fire extinguishers when on-site. Depending on the facility location, personnel may be required to have a communication system (radio, telephone, etc.) with which to alert the local fire department.
(l) Litter: Each facility shall maintain an effective routine litter collection program that shall take place both within the landfill perimeter, as well as off-site. Special operating practices may be required for use during high wind periods. Litter control structures shall control litter within the facility. The application shall specify the frequency for litter collection for internal fences, perimeter roads, and off-site areas; and special operating procedures to be used during periods of high wind. The application shall note the average local wind speed and direction.
(m) Vectors: On-site populations of disease vectors shall be prevented or controlled using techniques appropriate for the protection of human health and the environment.
(n) Dust and odors: Adequate measures shall be taken to minimize dust and odors.
(o) Working face: The working face shall be confined to the smallest practical area using signs and physical barriers, if necessary. All solid wastes shall be deposited in a manner to limit windblown litter.
(p) Topsoil: Topsoil from all disturbed areas shall be stripped and stockpiled in an area which will not be disturbed during facility operation. These stockpiles shall be identified by signs, and vegetated as required for stabilization. This topsoil shall be used for site reclamation. Topsoil shall not be removed from the facility without written authorization from the Administrator.
(q) Routine cover:
(i) All solid waste that has been received during the day shall be covered with an approved material at the end of each day that the facility is open for the receipt of wastes, except for:
(A) Brush, tree trimmings, and clean wood intended to be burned periodically;
(B) Scrap tires managed in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8 of these rules;
(C) Inert construction/demolition debris, which is to be covered as described in the facility permit application and subject to any permit limitation;
(D) White goods, cars, or other metallic wastes being stored for shipment to a metal recycler, if stored as described in the facility permit application;
(E) Petroleum contaminated soils being managed in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8 of these rules;
(F) Friable asbestos wastes being managed in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8 of these rules; and
(G) Any other solid wastes which the Administrator determines to be unlikely to cause, or to contribute to, disease vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging.
(ii) An approved cover material shall be:
(A) Any cover including no less than six (6) inches of compacted soil or any alternative material approved by the Administrator to adequately control disease vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging;
(B) For balefills, no less than six (6) inches of compacted soil, or any alternative material approved by the Administrator to adequately control disease vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging, applied to the top and sides of an active balefill disposal area; balefill operations shall not be required to cover the vertical working face of the balefill facility, unless required by the Administrator to control litter, fire, odor, disease vectors, or scavenging.
(iii) At any facility where an alternate daily routine cover material has been approved for use by the Administrator, the owner or operator shall adequately compact all wastes and apply no less than six (6) inches of compacted soil at least once every thirty (30) calendar days, as a fire control measure.
(r) Intermediate cover: For any area where wastes will not be disposed for a period of 180 days, that area shall be covered with the required six (6) inches of cover material and an additional twelve (12) inches of intermediate cover.
(s) Surface water contact: Standing or running water shall not be allowed to come into contact with solid waste. Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent and/or alleviate ponding of water over filled areas. Surfaces shall be graded to promote lateral surface water run-off.
(t) Surface water discharges: Facilities shall be operated such that leachate, contaminated groundwater, and/or surface water run-off from the active portion of the facility is not allowed to enter any waters of the United States, either on-site or off-site, unless authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued pursuant to the Clean Water Act. Facilities shall not be operated to cause a violation of any requirement of the Clean Water Act, including Sections 402 pertaining to NPDES permits, and Sections 208 or 319 pertaining to area-wide or state-wide nonpoint source discharge water quality management plans.
(u) Groundwater contact: Wastes shall not be allowed to be placed in contact with groundwater.
(v) Groundwater discharges: Solid waste disposal facilities shall not be allowed to alter groundwater quality, as determined by groundwater monitoring.
(w) Leachate Management: Leachate shall be contained in leachate management systems and structures approved by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 9 Monitoring Standards
. All facilities shall meet the following standards:
(a) Collection and management of samples: Groundwater, soil core, vadose zone, and decomposition gas samples shall be collected and managed in accordance with Department guidance or equivalent methods approved by the Administrator.
(b) Groundwater monitoring:
(i) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this section, landfill operators shall comply with the following groundwater monitoring requirements:
(A) Applicability:
(I) The Administrator may suspend the groundwater monitoring requirements of paragraph (B) of this section if the owner or operator demonstrates that there is no potential for migration of constituents from the facility or unit to the uppermost aquifer. This demonstration must be made by a qualified scientist or engineer, and must consider:
(1.) Site-specific field measurements, and information about the specific wastes to be disposed at the facility or unit; and
(2.) Contaminant fate and transport predictions which maximize contaminant migration and consider impacts on human health and the environment.
(II) Once established at a facility or unit, the groundwater monitoring program shall be conducted throughout the active life and post-closure care period.
(III) The Administrator may establish an alternate schedule for compliance with any deadline specified in paragraphs (b)(i)(B), (b)(i)(C), (b)(i)(D), (b)(i)(E), or (b)(i)(F) of this section.
(B) Groundwater monitoring systems:
(I) A groundwater system must be installed which consists of a sufficient number of wells to monitor water from the uppermost aquifer which may be affected by leakage from the facility or unit. The system must be capable of monitoring the quality of background groundwater and groundwater passing the relevant point of compliance pursuant to Section 7(f). Well locations must be approved by the Administrator, and downgradient wells shall be placed in locations within 150 meters (492 feet) of the waste management unit boundary on land owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the operator.
(II) The Administrator may approve a groundwater monitoring system designed to monitor groundwater from the facility, in lieu of individual waste disposal units, if the system is determined to be capable of adequately detecting groundwater pollution. In approving a facility-wide groundwater monitor system, the Administrator shall consider:
(1.) Number, spacing, and orientation of the individual waste units;
(2.) Hydrologic setting;
(3.) Site history and design; and
(4.) Type of waste accepted at the individual waste units.
(III) The design of the groundwater monitoring system must be based on site-specific information on aquifer thickness, aquifer properties, groundwater flow direction and rate (including seasonal variations), and on geologic information on the soils, any aquitards, aquicludes, or confining formations, at the site. The design of the system must be approved by the Administrator.
(C) Groundwater sampling and analysis requirements:
(I) Each facility must have an approved groundwater sampling and analytical plan and maintain that plan as a part of the facility permit application. The plan must address:
(1.) Sample collection;
(2.) Sample preservation and shipment;
(3.) Analytical procedures;
(4.) Chain of custody control; and
(5.) Quality assurance and quality control.
(II) The groundwater sampling and analysis methods must be appropriate and accurate. Sample handling procedures shall be as required by the Administrator. Groundwater samples shall not be field filtered prior to laboratory analysis, although an operator may choose to collect additional filtered samples. Water temperature, specific conductance, and pH shall also be measured in the field during each monitoring event.
(III) Groundwater elevations must be measured in each well prior to purging for sample collection, each time groundwater is sampled. The owner or operator must determine groundwater flow direction at each sampling event. The owner or operator must measure or calculate groundwater flow rate(s) as appropriate to establish an adequate groundwater monitoring system, or when requested to do so by the Administrator.
(IV) The owner or operator must establish background water quality in a hydraulically upgradient or other background well approved by the Administrator.
(V) Prior to conducting the statistical analysis of groundwater data, the owner or operator shall collect a sufficient number of samples to meet the requirements of the statistical analysis procedure selected.
(VI) The owner or operator must include in the permit application a description of the statistical method(s) to be used to evaluate groundwater quality data. The statistical test shall be conducted separately for each constituent in each well. The owner or operator may select any of the following statistical analysis procedures:
(1.) A parametric analysis of variance followed by multiple comparisons procedures to identify statistically significant evidence of contamination. The method must include estimation and testing of the contrasts between each compliance well's mean and the background mean levels for each constituent;
(2.) An analysis of variance based on ranks followed by multiple comparisons procedures to identify statistically significant evidence of contamination. The method must include estimation and testing of the contrasts between each compliance well's median and the background median levels for each constituent;
(3.) A tolerance or prediction interval procedure in which an interval for each distribution of the background data, and the level of each constituent in each compliance well is compared to the upper tolerance or prediction limit;
(4.) A control chart approach that gives control limits for each constituent; or
(5.) Another statistical method approved by the Administrator.
(VII) Any statistical method chosen under paragraph (b)(i)(C)(VI) of this section shall comply with the following performance standards:
(1.) The method shall be appropriate for the distribution of chemical parameters or constituents. If the distribution is not normal, then the data should be transformed or a distribution-free theory test should be used. If the distributions for different constituents differ, more than one statistical method may be needed;
(2.) If an individual well comparison procedure is used to compare an individual compliance well constituent concentration with background constituent concentrations or a groundwater protection standard, the test shall be done at a Type I error level no less than 0.01 for each testing period. If a multiple comparisons procedure is used, the Type I experiment-wise error rate for each testing period shall be no less than 0.05; however, the Type I error of no less than 0.01 for individual well comparisons must be maintained. This performance standard does not apply to tolerance intervals, prediction intervals, or control charts;
(3.) If a control chart approach is used to evaluate groundwater monitoring data, the specific type of control chart and its associated parameter values must be approved by the Administrator;
(4.) If a tolerance interval or a prediction interval is used to evaluate groundwater monitoring data, the levels of confidence and, for tolerance intervals, the percentage of the population that the interval must contain, shall be approved by the Administrator;
(5.) Any data reported as below detection limits shall be entered into the statistical analysis as a value equal to one-half the practical quantitation limit (PQL) for the constituent unless the Administrator approves alternate statistical procedures. The PQL shall be the lowest concentration level that can be reliably achieved within specified limits of precision and accuracy during routine laboratory operating conditions that are available to the facility. A statistical evaluation is not necessary when all concentrations for a constituent are reported below the PQL. Samples reported with estimated concentrations shall be treated as valid measurements for statistical purposes; and
(6.) If approved by the Administrator, the statistical method may include procedures to adjust data to account for seasonal and spatial variability, as well as temporal correlation.
(VIII) The owner or operator must determine whether or not there is a statistically significant increase over background values as follows:
(1.) The owner or operator must compare the groundwater quality of each parameter or constituent at each monitoring well using the approved statistical method; and
(2.) Within thirty (30) days after completing sampling and analysis, unless an alternate time frame is approved by the administrator, the owner or operator must determine whether there has been a statistically significant increase over background at each monitoring well.
(D) Detection monitoring:
(I) Each facility shall institute a detection monitoring program by sampling each well at least semiannually, and testing each sample for the constituents specified in Appendix A and C, unless the Administrator:
(1.) Deletes a constituent because the owner or operator shows that it is not likely to be contained in or derived from the waste disposed at the facility or unit;
(2.) Establishes an alternate list of inorganic indicator parameters in lieu of some or all of the heavy metals, if the alternative parameters provide a reliable indication of inorganic releases from the facility or unit, considering the following factors:
a. The types, quantities, and concentrations of constituents in wastes managed at the facility or unit;
b. The mobility, stability, and persistence of waste constituents or their reaction products in the unsaturated zone beneath the facility or unit;
c. The detectability of indicator parameters, waste constituents, and reaction products in the groundwater; and
d. The concentration or values and coefficients of variation of monitoring parameters or constituents in the groundwater background; or
(3.) Determines that a different, but no less frequent than annual, monitoring schedule is appropriate, considering the following factors:
a. Lithology of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
b. Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
c. Groundwater flow rates;
d. Minimum distance between the edge of the waste boundary at the facility or unit and the downgradient monitor well(s); and
e. The classification of the aquifer.
(II) A minimum of four (4) individual samples is required to be collected and analyzed from each well (background and downgradient) during the first year of sampling. At least one (1) sample must be collected and analyzed from each well during subsequent sampling events.
(III) If there is a statistically significant increase over background for one or more Appendix A constituents in any well at the relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator pursuant to Section 7(f), the operator must:
(1.) Notify the Administrator in a written report with supporting documentation and place a copy of the report in the facility operating record within fourteen (14) days and start assessment monitoring within ninety (90) days; or
(2.) Demonstrate to the Administrator in writing that the statistically significant increase over background is not due to the solid waste disposal facility or unit, but that the difference is due to another source of pollution, error in sampling, analysis or statistical evaluation, or natural variation in groundwater quality. The owner or operator shall prepare a report documenting this demonstration, and following approval by the Administrator, place the report in the operating record for the facility. If the report is approved, the owner or operator shall continue detection monitoring. If, after ninety (90) days, a successful demonstration is not made, the owner or operator must initiate an assessment monitoring program.
(E) Assessment monitoring for Appendix B constituents:
(I) Assessment monitoring is required whenever a statistically significant increase over background water quality has been detected for an Appendix A constituent.
(II) Within ninety (90) days of triggering an assessment monitoring requirement, and annually thereafter, the owner or operator must sample and analyze all downgradient monitor wells for all Appendix B constituents. A minimum of one (1) sample from each downgradient well must be collected during each annual sampling event. If any Appendix B constituent is detected for the first time in any downgradient well, the owner or operator must promptly collect a minimum of four (4) additional independent samples from each background and downgradient well. These samples must be analyzed for each Appendix B constituent which was detected in the initial assessment monitoring sampling event.
(III) The Administrator may specify an appropriate subset of wells to be sampled and analyzed during assessment monitoring, and may delete Appendix B constituents from the monitoring requirements if it can be shown that the deleted constituents are not reasonably expected to be contained in or derived from the waste contained in the facility or unit. The Administrator may also specify an appropriate alternate frequency for the collection of the additional independent samples considering the following factors:
(1.) Lithology of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(2.) Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(3.) Groundwater flow rates;
(4.) Minimum distance between the facility or unit and the downgradient monitor well(s);
(5.) Classification of the aquifer under Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Rules and Regulations; and
(6.) Nature (fate and transport) of any constituents detected under assessment monitoring.
(IV) After obtaining the results from any assessment monitoring sampling event the owner or operator must:
(1.) Within fourteen (14) days, notify the Administrator in a written report and place a copy of the report in the operating record identifying the Appendix B constituents that have been detected;
(2.) Within ninety (90) days, and on at least a semiannual basis thereafter, resample all wells, conduct analyses for all constituents required under detection monitoring of this section), and for all Appendix B constituents which have been detected under assessment monitoring , and record their concentrations in the operating record. At least one (1) sample must be collected from each well during each sampling event under this paragraph. The Administrator may approve an alternate sampling frequency, no less than annual, considering the factors in paragraph (b)(i)(E)(III) of this section;
(3.) Establish background concentrations for any constituents detected for the first time; and
(4.) Request in writing that the Administrator establish groundwater protection standards for all constituents detected.
(V) Within thirty (30) days after completing sampling and analysis, unless an alternate time frame is approved by the administrator, the owner or operator must determine whether there has been a statistically significant increase over established groundwater protection standards at each monitoring well specified by the Administrator.
(VI) If the concentrations of all Appendix B constituents are at or below background values using the approved statistical procedures, for two (2) consecutive sampling events, the owner or operator must notify the Administrator in writing and may return to detection monitoring.
(VII) If the concentrations of any Appendix B constituents are above background values, but all concentrations are below the groundwater protection standard, using the approved statistical procedures, the owner or operator must continue assessment monitoring.
(VIII) If one (1) or more Appendix B constituents are detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard in any sampling event, the owner or operator must, within fourteen (14) days of this finding notify the Administrator of the constituents detected above the groundwater protection standard in a written report with supporting documentation, place a copy of the report in the operating record, and notify all appropriate, as determined by the administrator, local government officials in writing, and:
(1.) Characterize the nature and extent of the release by installing additional monitor wells as necessary;
(2.) Install at least one (1) additional monitor well at the facility boundary downgradient of the release and sample the well in accord with paragraph (b)(i)(E)(IV)(2.) of this section;
(3.) Notify all persons who own or reside on the land that directly overlies any part of the plume of contamination, if that plume has migrated off-site; and
(4.) Initiate an assessment of corrective measures within ninety (90) days; or
(5.) Demonstrate to the Administrator in writing that the contamination was caused by another source, resulted from an error in sampling, analysis or statistical evaluation, or from natural variation in groundwater quality. The owner or operator shall prepare a report documenting this demonstration, and following approval by the Administrator, place the report in the operating record. If a successful demonstration is made, the owner or operator must continue monitoring under the assessment monitoring program, or may return to detection monitoring if all Appendix B constituents are at or below background. Until a successful demonstration is made, the owner or operator must comply with paragraph (b)(i)(E)(VII) of this section including initiating an assessment of corrective measures under Section 14 of this chapter.
(IX) The owner or operator must request in writing that the Administrator establish a groundwater protection standard for each Appendix B constituent detected in the groundwater. The Administrator shall establish groundwater protection standards, which shall be:
(1.) For constituents where a maximum contaminant level (MCL) has been promulgated, the MCL for that constituent;
(2.) For constituents for which MCLs have not been promulgated, the background concentration; or
(3.) For constituents for which the background level is higher than the MCL or health-based levels, the background concentration.
(X) The Administrator may establish an alternative groundwater protection standard for constituents for which MCLs have not been established. These groundwater protection standards shall be health-based levels meeting the requirements of Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(F) Assessment monitoring for Appendix C constituents:
(I) Whenever there is a statistically significant increase over background for an Appendix C constituent with an MCL or a class of use based limit in the Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, the owner or operator shall:
(1.) Notify the Administrator in a written report with supporting documentation and place a copy of the report in the operating record within fourteen (14) days of the finding of statistical significance.
(2.) Request that the Administrator classify groundwater according to Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations and establish groundwater protection standards for applicable Appendix C constituents.
(II) After groundwater protection standards have been established, within thirty (30) days after completing sampling and analysis, unless an alternate time frame is approved by the administrator, the owner or operator shall determine if there has been a statistically significant increase over a groundwater protection standard in each downgradient well specified by the Administrator using a statistical method approved by the Administrator.
(III) If one or more Appendix C constituents are detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard, the owner or operator shall within fourteen (14) days notify the Administrator of the constituents detected above the groundwater protection standard in a written report with supporting documentation.
(1.) Unless the owner or operator demonstrates that the statistically significant increase was caused by another source, resulted from an error in sampling, analysis, or statistical evaluation, or from natural variation in groundwater quality, the Administrator may require the owner or operator to characterize the nature and extent of the release.
(2.) The owner or operator may be required to conduct an assessment of corrective measures and institute corrective actions approved by the Administrator.
(ii) Groundwater monitoring data shall be provided to the administrator as follows:
(A) Operators of all facilities shall submit paper copies of all groundwater monitoring data;
(B) Operators shall also submit groundwater monitoring data electronically in a format specified by the administrator.
(c) Methane:
(i) Facilities shall be operated such that the concentration of methane at the facility boundary does not exceed the lower explosive limit (LEL) for methane and in facility structures does not exceed 25% of the LEL. If methane levels exceed these limits the operator must:
(A) Immediately notify the Administrator and take steps to protect human health;
(B) Within seven (7) days of detection, place a copy of the methane test data in the operating record, and a written description of the steps taken to protect human health; and
(C) Within sixty (60) days of detection, implement a remediation plan which has been approved by the Administrator, and place a copy of that plan in the operating record.
(ii) The Administrator may establish alternative schedules for demonstrating compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (c)(i)(B) and (c)(i)(C) of this section.
(iii) Methane probe system design: Methane probe design, construction, installation and location shall be adequate to monitor compliance.
(iv) Abandonment of methane probe boreholes: Abandoned methane probe boreholes shall be plugged and sealed as approved by the Administrator.
(v) Analyses: Methane analyses shall be conducted at least quarterly using equipment capable of monitoring LEL and % volume methane and following the manufacturer's recommended procedures.
(d) Air monitoring: Air monitoring, if required, shall be conducted in accord with Air Quality Division regulations.
(e) Soil core monitoring: Soil core monitoring, if required, shall be conducted in accord with a plan approved by the Administrator.
(f) Vadose zone monitoring: Vadose zone monitoring, if required, shall be conducted in accord with a plan approved by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 10 Recordkeeping Standards
All facilities shall meet the following standards:
(a) Three year recordkeeping: The following records shall be maintained at the facility or an approved alternative location and available for inspection and copying for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of recording:
(i) Log of litter collection activities specifying the dates and areas of litter collection;
(ii) Types and disposition of special wastes, specifying the volume, date of disposition, and source of waste;
(iii) Records of waste sold or otherwise salvaged;
(iv) Record of any problems causing operations to cease, including but not limited to fire or equipment failure.
(b) Long-term recordkeeping: The following records shall be maintained at the facility or an approved alternative location and available for inspection and copying through the end of the post-closure period:
(i) Any permit application prepared under this chapter;
(ii) If not contained in the permit application, any location restriction demonstration which is required;
(iii) Log of random inspections or other screening activities for regulated hazardous wastes and PCB wastes specifying the date, time, and name(s) of the inspection personnel and any notifications to the Administrator;
(iv) Records of training of landfill operators to detect hazardous wastes and PCB wastes;
(v) Monitoring results, and any notification or remediation plans;
(vi) As-built specifications for disposal units, including liners, caps, and leachate collection systems, with their dates of construction, location, length, width and depth;
(vii) Dates when trenches and units are completed, and their contents;
(viii) Closure and post-closure plans, if not already contained in the permit application, and any monitoring, testing, or analytical data required in the plans;
(ix) Any cost estimates and financial assurance documentation;
(x) If not contained in the permit application, any performance based design demonstration;
(xi) Dates when reclamation activities take place;
(xii) Copies of written correspondence with the Department.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 11 Reporting standards
. All facilities shall meet the following standards:
(a) Annual reports for MSWLFs with lifetime permits: Annual reports for MSWLFs with lifetime permits shall be submitted and facility inspections conducted as specified in W.S. § 35-11-523. Unless an alternative is approved by the Administrator, operators shall submit two (2) complete paper copies and one (1) complete electronic copy of the reports.
(b) Landfill gas reporting: Until facility closure is completed, the following information related to landfill gas emissions shall be reported annually in a format specified by the Administrator:
(i) The maximum design capacity of the landfill in megagrams (Mg) and cubic meters (m3) of waste, including any modifications or expansions in the last year which have increased or decreased the maximum design capacity in megagrams (Mg) and cubic meters (m3) of waste. If the design capacity is converted from mass to volume or volume to mass, the calculations must be provided. Information regarding the site-specific waste density and how it was estimated must also be provided.
(c) Reporting of environmental monitoring data: On an annual basis, operators of all facilities shall provide the administrator with copies of all required environmental monitoring data not previously submitted. An analysis of environmental monitoring data shall also be submitted as follows:
(i) Operators of all facilities may be required to submit supporting charts and/or maps which represent the data.
(d) Additional information: The Administrator may require reporting of additional information needed to demonstrate compliance with these rules and regulations.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 12 Closure and Post-Closure Standards
. All facilities shall meet the following standards:
(a) Commencement of closure: Approved closure activities shall commence no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which each unit receives the known final receipt of wastes and shall be completed within one hundred eighty (180) days following commencement of closure. The Administrator may approve:
(i) Delayed closure of a facility or unit if the facility or unit has additional remaining disposal capacity, and the owner demonstrates that there will be no threats to human health or the environment from the unclosed facility or unit, and
(ii) Extensions of the closure period if needed to adequately complete closure activities and the owner demonstrates that there will be no threats to human health or the environment from the unclosed facility or unit.
(b) Notification and certification of facility and unit closure: Prior to the commencement of closure activities, the operator shall notify the Administrator in writing and place a notice of closure in the operating record. Following closure of each unit and facility, the operator shall submit a certification with supporting documentation signed by an engineer licensed to practice in Wyoming that closure has been completed in accordance with the approved closure plan and place a copy of the certification in the facility operating record.
(i) Notice on deed: At facility closure, an instrument which clearly gives notice of the restrictions that apply to future activities on the disposal facility property shall be filed for recording by the registrar of deeds (county clerk) in the county where the facility is located. Wording of such an instrument shall indicate that the property has been used as a solid waste disposal facility. This shall be recorded prior to any property transaction resulting in another use for the property. The owner/operator, or its successors, shall ensure that post-closure use of the property will be restricted to prevent any disturbance to the facility's containment system including caps and liners, or the functioning of the facility's monitoring system. The owner or operator may request permission from the Administrator to remove the notation from the deed if all wastes are removed from the facility.
(c) Closure permit applications: Closure permit applications shall include the information in this section. A copy of the pertinent materials from the approved permit application or approved renewal permit application, revised and updated as necessary, may be used to fulfill these requirements.
(i) Permit application form: Each closure permit application shall contain a permit application form signed in the manner described in Sections 2(b)(ii) and 2(b)(iii) of this chapter.
(ii) General information:
(A) General site information specified in Sections 3(a) through 3(e) and Section 3(k) of this chapter.
(B) A detailed descriptive statement of the closure/post-closure stage of landfill development, including the following information:
(I) A description of the land use anticipated after closure;
(II) The wording of the deed notice.
(C) A narrative describing the site operating history including the dates of operation, the disposal methods used and the types and amounts of waste accepted.
(iii) Regional geology information: The application shall include the information required by Section 5.
(iv) Site specific geology information: The application shall include the information required by Section 6.
(v) Design and construction information: The application shall demonstrate compliance with the standards in this section.
(A) Prevention of erosion or ponding problems: Facilities shall be engineered to inhibit future problems with erosion or ponding of surface water over filled areas. This may be done via site grading and revegetation, placement of rip rap or other appropriate means. The application shall describe the method and length of time that surface water will be diverted from the site and the methods by which surface erosion or water ponding problems will be corrected.
(B) Revegetation: At facility closure, any portion of the facility that has been disturbed by solid waste disposal activities shall be revegetated to minimize wind and water erosion, consistent with the post-closure land use. Vegetation shall be a diverse mix selected to be compatible with the climatic conditions and require little maintenance.
(C) Final cover shall be designed and constructed to:
(I) Have a permeability less than or equal to the permeability of any bottom liner system or natural subsoils present or a permeability no greater than 1 X 10-5 cm/sec, whichever is less; and
(II) Minimize infiltration through the MSWLF by the use of an infiltration layer that contains a minimum of 18 inches of earthen material; and
(III) Minimize erosion of the final cover by the use of an erosion layer that contains a minimum of 6 inches of earthen material revegetated to sustain native plant growth or an erosion layer that provides equivalent protection from wind and water erosion as approved by the Administrator.
(IV) The Administrator may approve an alternative final cover system design that includes an infiltration layer that achieves an equivalent reduction in infiltration as the layer specified in (C)(I) and (C)(II) above. The Administrator may require monitoring of alternative final cover designs to demonstrate the performance of the designs.
(V) Compacted soil barrier layers forming a cap shall be overlain by a layer of soil which is of suitable thickness to protect the compacted soil barrier layer from frost penetration.
(D) Surveyed corners: At facility closure, all facility boundary corners shall be surveyed and marked with permanent survey caps.
(E) Access control: Facility fences, gates and any other access restrictions shall be maintained until the facility has been satisfactorily closed and revegetated, if post-closure land use requires establishment of vegetative cover.
(F) Waste containment systems, including but not limited to liners, leachate detection, collection, and management systems, and final cover systems, surface water structures, environmental monitoring systems, and corrective action systems shall be maintained throughout the closure and post-closure periods.
(G) The frequency of planned inspections to discover problems such as surface erosion and water ponding during the post-closure period.
(vi) Monitoring information: The application shall demonstrate compliance with Section 9 and describe the method by which any environmental monitoring systems and corrective action systems will be maintained, including the time period over which this will occur.
(vii) Recordkeeping information: The application shall demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 10.
(viii) Reporting information: The application shall demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 11.
(ix) Financial assurance information: The application shall demonstrate compliance with Chapter 7.
(x) Corrective action information: The application shall demonstrate compliance with Section 14 if applicable.
(xi) Transfer, treatment and storage facility information: The application shall demonstrate compliance with applicable closure and post-closure standards of Chapter 6.
(xii) Special waste information: The application shall demonstrate compliance with applicable closure and post-closure standards of Chapter 8.
(xiii) Supporting documentation: The application shall include any supporting documentation listed in Section 18 of this chapter that is pertinent to the closure/post-closure phase, including but not limited to:
(A) A general facility plot plan at a scale approved by the Administrator illustrating past areas of waste deposition, estimated dates of fill and any other pertinent features;
(B) A map of the site area showing land ownership, land use and zoning within one (1) mile of the disposal site. The map or photograph shall be of sufficient scale to show all city boundaries, each occupied dwelling house, schools, hospitals, industrial buildings, water wells, water courses, roads and other applicable details and shall indicate the general topography;
(C) A final contour map showing proposed final contours prepared with a scale and contour intervals approved by the Administrator.
(d) Post-closure land use: Each facility shall be returned to the post-closure land use specified in the permit, unless an alternative use is approved by the Administrator.
(e) Post-closure period:
(i) The post-closure period for MSWLFs which continued to receive wastes on or after October 9, 1997 shall extend for a period of not less than thirty (30) years after certification of all facility closure activities is approved by the Administrator. The minimum post-closure period may be terminated by the Administrator at an earlier date if the Administrator determines that the facility has been adequately stabilized and that the environmental monitoring or control systems have demonstrated that the facility closure is protective of public health and the environment consistent with the purposes of the act.
(ii) The post-closure period for municipal solid waste landfills that ceased receipt of waste prior to October 9, 1997 shall extend for the period specified in rules in place May 28, 2013 and any closure permit issued for the facility.
(f) Post-closure period extension: Following the initial minimum post-closure period, the post-closure period shall be automatically extended until such time when the Administrator determines, upon petition by the operator accompanied by submission of relevant information, that the facility has been adequately stabilized in a manner protective of human health and the environment.
(g) Petitions to terminate post-closure care: Petitions to terminate the post-closure period shall include certification from a Wyoming registered professional engineer that post-closure care has been completed in compliance with the post-closure plan and in a manner protective of human health and the environment.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 13 Financial Assurance Standards
All facilities shall meet the following standards:
(a). Any operator of a MSWLF subject to the financial assurance requirements of Chapter 7 shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 7.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 14 Corrective Action Standards
All facilities shall meet the following standards:
(a) Assessment of corrective measures: All facilities required to start a corrective measures assessment shall initiate an assessment of corrective measures within ninety (90) days of a groundwater quality exceedance and complete the assessment in a reasonable time, determined by the Administrator. The owner or operator shall:
(i) Continue to conduct an assessment monitoring program;
(ii) Analyze the effectiveness of potential corrective measures to meet any alternate remedies which are being considered under paragraph (b) of this section, considering:
(A) The performance, reliability, ease of implementation, and potential impacts of appropriate alternate remedies, including safety impacts, cross-media impacts, and control of exposure to any residual contamination;
(B) The time required to begin and complete the remedy;
(C) The costs of remedy implementation; and
(D) The institutional requirements such as state or local permits or other environmental or public health requirements that may substantially affect implementation of the remedy.
(iii) Provide an opportunity for public review of the corrective measures assessment, prior to selection of the remedy.
(b) Selection of remedy:
(i) The landfill operator must demonstrate to the Administrator how the selected corrective action remedy meets the remedy standards established in this subsection. The Administrator must approve the selected remedy and the remedial activities schedule before it is implemented.
(ii) The selected remedy must:
(A) Be protective of human health and the environment;
(B) Attain the groundwater protection standard;
(C) Control the source of releases of pollution so as to reduce or eliminate, to the maximum extent practicable, further releases of constituents into the environment that may pose a threat to human health or the environment; and
(D) Comply with standards for management of wastes specified in this chapter.
(iii) The selection of the corrective action remedy must consider the following factors:
(A) Short- and long-term effectiveness of the remedy, and the degree of certainty that the remedy will be effective, considering:
(I) Magnitude of reduction of existing risk to public health and the environment;
(II) Magnitude of risk of further releases of pollution;
(III) Type and degree of long-term management required, including monitoring, operation, and maintenance;
(IV) Short-term risks of exposure to the community, workers, or the environment during any excavation, transportation and redisposal of wastes;
(V) Time until full protection is achieved;
(VI) Potential for exposure to humans and the environment from remaining wastes;
(VII) Long-term reliability of the engineering and any institutional controls; and
(VIII) Potential need for replacement of the remedy.
(B) The effectiveness of the remedy in controlling the source to reduce further releases based on consideration of the following factors:
(I) The extent to which containment will reduce further releases; and
(II) The extent to which treatment technologies will be used.
(C) The ease or difficulty of implementing the potential remedy, considering:
(I) Difficulty in constructing the technology;
(II) Expected reliability of the technology;
(III) Availability of necessary equipment and specialists; and
(IV) Available capacity of needed treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.
(D) Practicable capability of the owner or operator, including a consideration of the technical and economic capability.
(E) The degree to which community concerns are addressed by a potential remedy.
(F) The need to coordinate with and obtain necessary approvals and permits from other agencies.
(iv) The Administrator shall approve a schedule for initiating and completing remedial activities, considering the following factors:
(A) Extent and nature of contamination;
(B) Practical capabilities of remedial technologies in achieving compliance with groundwater protection standards and other objectives of the remedy;
(C) Availability of treatment or disposal capacity for wastes managed during implementation of the remedy;
(D) Desirability of utilizing technologies that are not currently available but which may offer significant advantages over already available technologies in terms of effectiveness, reliability, safety, or ability to achieve remedial objectives;
(E) Potential risks to human health and the environment from exposure to contamination prior to completion of the remedy;
(F) Classification of the aquifer under Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Rules and Regulations, plus a consideration of the following factors:
(I) Current and future uses;
(II) Proximity and withdrawal rate of users;
(III) Groundwater quantity and quality;
(IV) The potential damage to wildlife, crops, vegetation, and physical structures caused by exposure to waste;
(V) The hydrologic characteristics of the facility and surrounding lands;
(VI) Groundwater removal and treatment costs; and
(VII) The cost and availability of alternative water supplies;
(G) Practicable capability of the owner or operator; and
(H) Any other factor considered relevant by the Administrator.
(v) The Administrator may determine that remediation of a release from a facility is not necessary if the owner or operator demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that:
(A) The groundwater is additionally contaminated by substances that have originated from a source other than the facility, and those substances are present in concentrations such that the cleanup of the release from the facility would provide no significant reduction in risk to actual or potential receptors; or
(B) The constituent(s) is present in groundwater that:
(I) Is not currently or reasonably expected to be a source of drinking water; and
(II) Is not hydraulically connected with waters to which the hazardous constituents are migrating or are likely to migrate in a concentration(s) that would exceed groundwater protection standards; or
(C) Remediation of the release(s) is technically impracticable; or
(D) Remediation results in unacceptable cross-media impacts.
(vi) A determination by the Administrator not to require remediation under paragraph (v) of this section shall not affect the authority of the Administrator to require the owner or operator to undertake source control measures or other measures that may be necessary to eliminate or minimize further releases to the groundwater, to prevent exposure to the groundwater, or to remediate the groundwater to concentrations that are technically practicable and significantly reduce threats to human health or the environment.
(c) Corrective action implementation:
(i) On a schedule approved by the Administrator, the operator must:
(A) Implement the selected remedy as approved by the Administrator;
(B) Continue groundwater monitoring to meet the requirements of the assessment monitoring program and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the selected remedy in meeting established water quality standards; and
(C) Take interim measures as determined necessary by the Administrator to ensure protection of public health and the environment. The Administrator shall consider the following factors in determining the need for interim measures:
(I) Time required to develop and implement a final remedy;
(II) Actual or potential exposure of nearby populations or environmental receptors to hazardous constituents;
(III) Actual or potential contamination of drinking water supplies or sensitive ecosystems;
(IV) Further degradation of the groundwater that may occur if remedial action is not initiated expeditiously;
(V) Weather conditions that may cause hazardous constituents to migrate or be released;
(VI) Risks of fire or explosion, or potential for exposure to hazardous constituents as a result of an accident or failure of a container or handling system; and
(VII) Other situations that may pose threats to human health and the environment.
(ii) If the selected remedy is not meeting the corrective action standards, the owner or operator shall implement other methods or techniques which have been approved by the Administrator that could practicably achieve compliance with the requirements, unless there is no practicable alternative and the owner or operator meets the requirements of paragraph (c)(iii) of this section.
(iii) If a selected remedy cannot be practically achieved with any currently available methods, the owner or operator must:
(A) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the remedy cannot be achieved;
(B) Implement alternative measures which have been approved by the Administrator to control exposure of humans or the environment to residual contamination, as necessary to protect human health and the environment; and
(C) Implement alternate measures for control of the sources of contamination or for removal or decontamination of equipment, units, devices, or structures, which are consistent with the overall objective of the remedy and which are technically practicable.
(iv) All solid wastes managed pursuant to a remedy or interim measure under this section shall be managed in a manner that complies with the requirements of this chapter and that is protective of human health and the environment.
(d) Remedy completion: Remedies shall be considered complete when:
(i) The owner or operator complies with groundwater protection standards at all points within the plume of contamination that lie beyond the relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator;
(ii) Compliance with the groundwater protection standards shall be considered complete when concentrations of constituents have not exceeded the groundwater protection standard(s) for a period of three (3) consecutive years using the approved statistical procedures. The Administrator may approve an alternate length of time during which the owner or operator must demonstrate compliance with the standard(s), considering:
(A) Extent and concentration of the release(s);
(B) Behavior characteristics of the hazardous constituents in the groundwater;
(C) Accuracy of the monitoring or modeling techniques, including any seasonal, meteorological, or other environmental variables that may affect the accuracy; and
(D) Characteristics of the groundwater; and
(iii) All actions required to complete the remedy have been satisfied;
(iv) When the corrective action remedy is complete, the operator must:
(A) Notify the Administrator in writing, with supporting documentation, and place a copy of the notice in the facility operating record certifying that the remedy has been completed in compliance with Section 14 (d); and
(B) Petition the Administrator to be released from the financial assurance requirements for corrective action under Chapter 7 of these rules and regulations;
(C) When, upon completion of the certification, the Administrator determines that the corrective action remedy has been completed, the owner or operator shall be released from the requirements of financial assurance for corrective action.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 15 Transfer, Treatment and Storage Facility Standards:
The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 6.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 16 Special Waste Standards:
The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 17 Commercial Solid Waste Facility Standards:
The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 10 and W.S. § 35-11-514.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.2.01032017 § 18 Supporting Documentation/Appendices:
At a minimum, appendices shall include the information in this section.
(a) Maps and plans:
(i) An original USGS topographic map with a scale of 1:24,000 with the proposed facility location shown; an original USGS topographic map with a scale of 1:62,500 or other suitable topographic map may be submitted if a 1:24,000 map is unavailable.
(ii) A map or aerial photograph of the area shall be submitted showing land ownership, land use and zoning within one (1) mile of the permitted facility boundary. The map or photograph shall be of sufficient scale to show all city boundaries, each occupied dwelling house, schools, hospitals, industrial buildings, water wells, water courses, roads and other applicable details and shall indicate the general topography.
(iii) A general facility plot plan (map) with a scale and contour intervals approved by the Administrator shall be submitted. The general facility plot plan shall illustrate the following features:
(A) Facility boundaries, including any buffer zones proposed between the solid waste boundary and the property boundary;
(B) Points of access;
(C) Location of soil borings, groundwater monitor wells, and methane monitor wells;
(D) Location of proposed trenches or area fill locations;
(E) Working area/perimeter fire lane;
(F) Locations of any facility buildings to house equipment or for other uses;
(G) Working area/perimeter fence location;
(iv) Additional facility plot plans at a scale approved by the Administrator, shall be submitted as necessary to show orderly development and use of the facility through the life of the site. These plot plans shall contain the following information:
(A) Excavation plans for development of trenches or preparation of area fill locations;
(B) Development of temporary surface water diversion structures which may be necessary to adequately control surface water run-on and run-off;
(C) Access to active waste disposal areas, including development of internal roads;
(D) Daily cover stockpile locations;
(E) Topsoil storage pile locations;
(F) Litter screen placement information;
(G) Location of special waste management or disposal areas;
(H) Other details pertinent to the development and use of the facility.
(v) Detailed design plans, including but not limited to plans for liners, leachate collection and management systems, caps and associated QA/QC plans shall be submitted as part of the lifetime permit or renewal as applicable. Additional or modified detailed design plans for engineered containment systems shall be submitted as a minor change unless a design change is proposed that constitutes a major change.
(vi) A map showing proposed final contours prepared with a scale and contour intervals approved by the Administrator, shall be submitted.
(vii) Cross sections and/or drawing details shall be submitted with sufficient specifications to describe:
(A) Internal litter catch screens or fences;
(B) Working area/perimeter fencing;
(C) Access roads;
(D) Trench or area fill method;
(E) Special waste areas, where appropriate;
(F) Systems used for monitoring, collection, treatment and disposal of leachate, if required;
(G) Groundwater monitoring well design;
(H) Methane gas venting and monitoring system;
(I) Surface and subsurface drain systems to control run-on and run-off and/or inflow;
(J) All components of engineered containment systems, if applicable, which include, but are not limited to, liners, caps and berms;
(K) Construction quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) plans for engineered containment systems;
(L) Any other design details requested by the Administrator.
(b) Recordkeeping logs: A copy of the recordkeeping logs/forms that will be maintained during the operating life and closure/post-closure maintenance period
Appendix A Constituents for Detection Monitoring1
Inorganics (15)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service index name4
Suggested methods5
PQL (µg/L)6
Antimony
(Total)
Antimony
6010
7040
7041
300
2000
30
Arsenic
(Total)
Arsenic
6010
7060
7061
500
10
20
Barium
(Total)
Barium
6010
7080
20
1000
Beryllium
(Total)
Beryllium
6010
7090
7091
3
50
2
Cadmium
(Total)
Cadmium
6010
7130
7131
40
50
1
Chromium
(Total)
Chromium
6010
7190
7191
70
500
10
Cobalt
(Total)
Cobalt
6010
7200
7201
70
500
10
Copper
(Total)
Copper
6010
7210
7211
60
200
10
Lead
(Total)
Lead
6010
7420
7421
400
1000
10
Nickel
(Total)
Nickel
6010
7520
150
400
Selenium
(Total)
Selenium
6010
7740
7741
750
20
20
Silver
(Total)
Silver
6010
7760
70
100
Thallium
(Total)
Thallium
6010
7840
7841
400
1000
10
Vanadium
(Total)
Vanadium
6010
7910
7911
80
2000
40
Zinc
(Total)
Zinc
6010
7950
7951
20
50
0.5
Appendix A Constituents for Detection Monitoring1
Volatiles (47)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical Abstracts service index name4
Suggested methods5
PQL (µg/L)6
Acetone
67-64-1
2-Propanone
8260
100
Acrylonitrile
107-13-1
2-Propenenitrile
8030
8260
5
200
Benzene
71-43-2
Benzene
8020
8021
8260
2
0.1
5
Bromochloromethane; Chlorobromomethane
74-97-5
Methane, bromochloro-
8021
8260
0.1
5
Bromodichloromethane;
Dibromochloromethane
75-27-4
Methane, bromodichloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.2
5
Bromoform; Tribromomethane
75-25-2
Methane, tribromo-
8010
8021
8260
2
15
5
Carbon disulfide
75-15-0
Carbon disulfide
8260
100
Carbon tetrachloride
56-23-5
Methane, tetrachloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.1
10
Chlorobenzene
108-90-7
Benzene, chloro-
8010
8020
8021
8260
2
2
0.1
5
Chloroethane; Ethyl chloride
75-00-3
Ethane, chloro-
8010
8021
8060
5
1
10
Chloroform; Trichloromethane
67-66-3
Methane, trichloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.2
5
Dibromochloromethane; Chlorodibromomethane
124-48-1
Methane, dibromochloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.3
5
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane; DBCP
96-12-8
Propane, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloro-
8011
8021
8260
0.1
30
25
1,2-Dibromoethane;
Ethylene dibromide; EDB
106-93-4
Ethane, 1,2-dibromo-
8011
8021
0.1
10
o-Dichlorobenzene
95-50-1
Benzene, 1,2-dichloro-
8010
8020
8021
8120
8260
8270
2
5
0.5
10
5
10
p-Dichlorobenzene; 1,4 Dichlorobenzene
106-46-7
Benzene, 1,4-dichloro-
8010
2
trans-1,4-Dichloro-2-butene
110-57-6
2-Butene, 1,4-dichloro-, (E)-
8260
100
1,1-Dichloroethane; Ethylidene chloride
75-34-3
Ethane, 1,1-dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.5
5
1,2-Dichloroethane; Ethylene dichloride
107-06-2
Ethane, 1,1-dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.3
5
1,1-Dichloroethylene; 1,1-Dichlorothene; Vinylidene chloride
75-35-4
Ethene, 1,1-dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.5
5
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene;
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
156-59-2
Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (Z)-
8021
8260
0.2
5
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
156-60-5
Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (E)-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.5
5
1,2-Dichloropropane;
Propylene dichloride
78-87-5
Propane, 1,2-dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.05
5
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
10061-01-5
1-Propene, 1,3-dichloro-, (Z)-
8010
8260
20
10
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
10061-02-6
1-Propene, 1,3-dichloro-, (E)-
8010
8260
5
5
Ethylbenzene
100-41-4
Benzene, ethyl-
8020
8221
8260
2
0.05
5
2-Hexanone;
Methyl butyl ketone
591-78-6
2-Hexanone
8260
50
Methyl bromide; Bromomethane
74-83-9
Methane, bromo-
8010
8021
20
10
Methyl chloride; Chloromethane
74-87-3
Methane, chloro-
8010
8021
1
0.3
Methylene bromide; Dibromomethane
74-95-3
Methane, dibromo-
8010
8021
8260
15
20
10
Methylene chloride; Dichloromethane
75-09-2
Methane, dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
5
0.2
10
Methyl ethyl ketone; MEK;
2-Butanone
78-93-3
2-Butanone
8015
8260
10
100
Methyl iodide; Iodomethane
74-88-4
Methane, iodo-
8010
8260
40
10
4-Methyl-2-pentanone;
Methyl isobutyl ketone
108-10-1
2-Pentanone, 4-methyl-
8015
8260
5
100
Styrene
100-42-5
Benzene, ethenyl-
8020
8021
8260
1
0.1
10
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
630-20-6
Ethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrachloro-
8010
8021
8260
5
0.05
5
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
79-34-5
Ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.1
5
Tetrachloroethylene; Tetrachloroethene; Perchloroethylene
127-18-4
Ethene, tetrachloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.5
5
Toluene
108-88-3
Benzene, methyl-
8020
8021
8260
2
0.1
5
1,1,1-Trichloroethane; Methylchloroform
71-55-6
Ethane, 1,1,1-trichloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.3
0.3
5
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
79-00-5
Ethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-
8010
8260
0.2
5
Trichloroethylene; Trichloroethene
79-01-6
Ethene, trichloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.2
5
Trichlorofluoromethane; CFC-11
75-69-4
Methane, trichlorofluoro-
8010
8021
8260
10
0.3
5
1,2,3-Trichloropropane
96-18-4
Propane, 1,2,3-trichloro-
8010
8021
8260
10
5
15
Vinyl acetate
108-05-4
Acetic acid, ethenyl ester
8260
50
Vinyl chloride; Chloroethene
75-01-4
Ethene, chloro-
8010
8021
8260
2
0.4
10
Xylene (total)
See Appendix B Note 11
Benzene, dimethyl-
8020
8021
8260
5
0.2
5
-
The regulatory requirements pertain only to the list of substances; the right hand columns (Methods and PQL) are given for informational purposes only. See also footnotes 5 and 6.
-
Common names are those widely used in government regulations, scientific publications, and commerce; synonyms exist for many chemicals.
-
Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Where "Total" is entered, all species in the groundwater that contain this element are included.
-
CAS index names are those used in the 9th Collective Index.
-
Suggested Methods refer to analytical procedure numbers used in EPA Report SW-846 "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste", third edition, November 1986, as revised, December 1987. Analytical details can be found in SW-846 and in documentation on file at the Department. CAUTION: The methods listed are representative SW-846 procedures and may not always be the most suitable method(s) for monitoring an analyte under the regulations.
-
Practical Quantitation Limits (PQLs) are the lowest concentrations of analytes in groundwaters that can be reliably determined within specified limits of precision and accuracy by the indicated methods under routine laboratory operating conditions. The PQLs listed are generally stated to one significant figure. PQLs are based on 5 mL samples for volatile organics and 1 L samples for semivolatile organics. CAUTION: The PQL values in many cases are based only on a general estimate for the method and not on a determination for individual compounds; PQLs are not a part of the regulation.
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Inorganics (19)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
PQL
(µg/L)6
Antimony
(Total)
Antimony
6010
7040
7041
300
2000
30
Arsenic
(Total)
Arsenic
6010
7060
7061
500
10
20
Barium
(Total)
Barium
6010
7080
20
1000
Beryllium
(Total)
Beryllium
6010
7090
7091
3
50
2
Cadmium
(Total)
Cadmium
6010
7130
7131
40
50
1
Chromium
(Total)
Chromium
6010
7190
7191
70
500
10
Cobalt
(Total)
Cobalt
6010
7200
7201
70
500
10
Copper
(Total)
Copper
6010
7210
7211
60
200
10
Cyanide
57-12-5
Cyanide
9010
200
Lead
(Total)
Lead
6010
7420
7421
400
1000
10
Mercury
(Total)
Mercury
7470
2
Nickel
(Total)
Nickel
6010
7520
150
400
Selenium
(Total)
Selenium
6010
7740
7741
750
20
20
Silver
(Total)
Silver
6010
7760
70
100
Sulfide
18496-25-8
Sulfide
9030
4000
Thallium
(Total)
Thallium
6010
7840
7841
400
1000
10
Tin
(Total)
Tin
6010
40
Vanadium
(Total)
Vanadium
6010
7910
7911
80
2000
40
Zinc
(Total)
Zinc
6010
7950
7951
20
50
0.5
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Volatiles (64)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
PQL
(µg/L)6
Acetone
67-64-1
2-Propanone
8260
100
Acetonitrile; Methyl cyanide
75-05-8
Acetonitrile
8015
100
Acrolein
107-02-8
2-Propenal
8030
8260
5
100
Acrylonitrile
107-13-1
2-Propenenitrile
8030
8260
5
200
Allyl chloride
107-05-1
1-Propene, 3-chloro-
8010
8260
5
10
Benzene
71-43-2
Benzene
8020
8021
8260
2
0.1
5
Bromochloromethane; Chlorobromomethane
74-97-5
Methane, bromochloro-
8021
8260
0.1
5
Bromodichloromethane;
Dibromochloromethane
75-27-4
Methane, bromodichloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.2
5
Bromoform; Tribromomethane
75-25-2
Methane, tribromo-
8010
8021
8260
2
15
5
Carbon disulfide
75-15-0
Carbon disulfide
8260
100
Carbon tetrachloride
56-23-5
Methane, tetrachloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.1
10
Chlorobenzene
108-90-7
Benzene, chloro-
8010
8020
8021
8260
2
2
0.1
5
Chloroethane; Ethyl chloride
75-00-3
Ethane, chloro-
8010
8021
8060
5
1
10
Chloroform; Trichloromethane
67-66-3
Methane, trichloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.2
5
Chloroprene
126-99-8
1,3-Butadiene, 2-chloro-
8010
8260
50
20
Dibromochloromethane; Chlorodibromomethane
124-48-1
Methane, dibromochloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.3
5
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane; DBCP
96-12-8
Propane, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloro-
8011
8021
8260
0.1
30
25
1,2-Dibromoethane;
Ethylene dibromide; EDB
106-93-4
Ethane, 1,2-dibromo-
8011
8021
0.1
10
o-Dichlorobenzene
95-50-1
Benzene, 1,2-dichloro-
8010
8020
8021
8120
8260
8270
2
5
0.5
10
5
10
m-Dichlorobenzene;
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
541-73-1
Benzene, 1,3-dichloro-
8010
8020
8021
8120
8260
8270
5
5
0.2
10
5
10
p-Dichlorobenzene;
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
106-46-7
Benzene, 1,4-dichloro-
8020
8021
8120
8260
8270
5
0.2
10
5
10
p-Dichlorobenzene; 1,4 Dichlorobenzene
106-46-7
Benzene, 1,4-dichloro-
8010
2
trans-1,4-Dichloro-2-butene
110-57-6
2-Butene, 1,4-dichloro-, (E)-
8260
100
Dichlorodifluoromethane
75-71-8
Methane, dichlorodifluoro-
8021
8260
0.5
5
1,1-Dichloroethane; Ethylidene chloride
75-34-3
Ethane, 1,1-dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.5
5
1,2-Dichloroethane; Ethylene dichloride
107-06-2
Ethane, 1,1-dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.3
5
1,1-Dichloroethylene; 1,1-Dichlorothene; Vinylidene chloride
75-35-4
Ethene, 1,1-dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.5
5
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene;
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
156-59-2
Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (Z)-
8021
8260
0.2
5
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
156-60-5
Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (E)-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.5
5
1,2-Dichloropropane;
Propylene dichloride
78-87-5
Propane, 1,2-dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.05
5
1,3-Dichloropropane; Trimethylene dichloride
142-28-9
Propane, 1,3-dichloro-
8021
8260
0.3
15
2,2-Dichloropropane; Isopropylidene chloride
594-20-7
Propane, 2,2-dichloro-
8021
8260
0.5
5
1,1-Dichloropropene;
563-58-6
1-Propene, 1,1-dichloro-
8021
8260
0.2
5
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
10061-01-5
1-Propene, 1,3-dichloro-, (Z)-
8010
8260
20
10
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
10061-02-6
1-Propene, 1,3-dichloro-, (E)-
8010
8260
5
5
Ethylbenzene
100-41-4
Benzene, ethyl-
8020
8221
8260
2
0.05
5
Ethyl methacrylate
97-63-2
2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, ethyl ester
8015
8260
8270
5
10
10
2-Hexanone;
Methyl butyl ketone
591-78-6
2-Hexanone
8260
50
Isobutyl alcohol
78-83-1
1-Propanol, 2-methyl-
8015
8240
50
100
Methacrylonitrile
126-98-7
2-Propenenitrile, 2-methyl-
8015
8260
5
100
Methyl bromide; Bromomethane
74-83-9
Methane, bromo-
8010
8021
20
10
Methyl chloride; Chloromethane
74-87-3
Methane, chloro-
8010
8021
1
0.3
Methylene bromide; Dibromomethane
74-95-3
Methane, dibromo-
8010
8021
8260
15
20
10
Methylene chloride; Dichloromethane
75-09-2
Methane, dichloro-
8010
8021
8260
5
0.2
10
Methyl ethyl ketone; MEK;
2-Butanone
78-93-3
2-Butanone
8015
8260
10
100
Methyl iodide; Iodomethane
74-88-4
Methane, iodo-
8010
8260
40
10
Methyl methacrylate
80-62-6
2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl
ester
8015
8260
2
30
4-Methyl-2-pentanone;
Methyl isobutyl ketone
108-10-1
2-Pentanone, 4-methyl-
8015
8260
5
100
Naphthalene
91-20-3
Naphthalene
8021
8100
8260
8270
0.5
200
5
10
Propionitrile; Ethyl cyanide
107-12-0
Propanenitrile
8015
8260
60
150
Styrene
100-42-5
Benzene, ethenyl-
8020
8021
8260
1
0.1
10
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
630-20-6
Ethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrachloro-
8010
8021
8260
5
0.05
5
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
79-34-5
Ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.1
5
Tetrachloroethylene; Tetrachloroethene; Perchloroethylene
127-18-4
Ethene, tetrachloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.5
0.5
5
Toluene
108-88-3
Benzene, methyl-
8020
8021
8260
2
0.1
5
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
120-82-1
Benzene, 1,2,4-trichloro-
8021
8120
8260
8270
0.3
0.5
10
10
1,1,1-Trichloroethane; Methylchloroform
71-55-6
Ethane, 1,1,1-trichloro-
8010
8021
8260
0.3
0.3
5
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
79-00-5
Ethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-
8010
8260
0.2
5
Trichloroethylene; Trichloroethene
79-01-6
Ethene, trichloro-
8010
8021
8260
1
0.2
5
Trichlorofluoromethane; CFC-11
75-69-4
Methane, trichlorofluoro-
8010
8021
8260
10
0.3
5
1,2,3-Trichloropropane
96-18-4
Propane, 1,2,3-trichloro-
8010
8021
8260
10
5
15
Vinyl acetate
108-05-4
Acetic acid, ethenyl ester
8260
50
Vinyl chloride; Chloroethene
75-01-4
Ethene, chloro-
8010
8021
8260
2
0.4
10
Xylene (total)
See Note 11
Benzene, dimethyl-
8020
8021
8260
5
0.2
5
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Semi-Volatiles (108)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
PQL
(µg/L)6
Acenaphthene
83-32-9
Acenaphthylene, 1,2-dihydro-
8100
8270
200
10
Acenaphthylene
208-96-8
Acenaphthylene
8100
8270
200
10
Acetophenone
98-86-2
Ethanone, 1-phenyl-
8270
10
2-Acetylaminofluorene; 2-AAF
53-96-3
Acetamide, N-9H-fluoren-2-yl-
8270
20
4-Aminobiphenyl
92-67-1
[1,1'-Biphenyl]-4-amine
8270
20
Anthracene
120-12-7
Anthracene
8100
8270
200
10
Benzo[a]anthracene; Benzanthracene
56-55-3
Benz[a]anthracene
8100
8270
200
10
Benzo[b]fluoranthene
205-99-2
Benz[e]acephenanthrylene
8100
8270
200
10
Benzo[k]fluoranthene
207-08-9
Benzo[k]fluoranthene
8100
8270
200
10
Benzo[ghi]perylene
191-24-2
Benzo[ghi]perylene
8100
8270
200
10
Benzo[a]pyrene
50-32-8
Benzo[a]pyrene
8100
8270
200
10
Benzyl alcohol
100-51-6
Benzenemethanol
8270
20
Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane
111-91-1
Ethane, 1,1'-[methylenebis (oxy)]bis[2-chloro-
8110
8270
5
10
Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether;
Dichloroethhyl ether
111-44-4
Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-chloro-
8110
8270
3
10
Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) ether; 2,2'-Dichlorodiisopropyl ether; DCIP, See note 7
108-60-1
Propane, 2,2'-oxybis[1-chloro-
8110
8270
10
10
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
117-81-7
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl)ester
8060
20
4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether
101-55-3
Benzene, 1-bromo-4-phenoxy-
8110
8270
25
10
Butyl benzyl phthalate;
Benzyl butyl phthalate
85-68-7
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, butyl phenylmethyl ester
8060
8270
5
10
p-Chloroaniline
106-47-8
Benzenamine, 4-chloro-
8270
20
Chlorobenzilate
510-15-6
Benzeneacetic acid, 4-chloro-α-(4-chlorophenyl)-α-hydroxy-, ethyl ester
8270
10
p-Chloro-m-cresol;
4-Chloro-3-methylphenol
59-50-7
Phenol, 4-chloro-3-methyl-
8040
8270
5
20
2-Chloronaphthalene
91-58-7
Naphthalene, 2-chloro-
8120
8270
10
10
2-Chlorophenol
95-57-8
Phenol, 2-chloro-
8040
8270
5
10
4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether
7005-72-3
Benzene, 1-chloro-4-phenoxy-
8110
8270
40
10
Chrysene
218-01-9
Chrysene
8100
8270
200
10
m-Cresol; 3-methylphenol
108-39-4
Phenol, 3-methyl-
8270
10
o-Cresol; 2-methylphenol
95-48-7
Phenol, 2-methyl-
8270
10
p-Cresol; 4-methylphenol
106-44-5
Phenol, 4-methyl-
8270
10
Diallate
2303-16-4
Carbamothioic acid, bis(1-methylethyl)- , S- (2,3-dichloro-2-propenyl) ester
8270
10
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
53-70-3
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
8100
8270
200
10
Dibenzofuran
132-64-9
Dibenzofuran
8270
10
3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine
91-94-1
[1,1'-Biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine, 3,3'-dichloro-
8270
20
2,4-Dichlorophenol
120-83-2
Phenol, 2,4-dichloro-
8040
8270
5
10
2,6-Dichlorophenol
87-65-0
Phenol, 2,6-dichloro-
8270
10
Diethyl phthalate
84-66-2
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, diethyl ester
8060
8270
5
10
O,O-Diethyl O-2-pyrazinyl phosphorothioate;Thionazin
297-97-2
Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-diethyl O-pyrazinyl ester
8141
8270
5
20
Dimethoate
60-51-5
Phosphorodithioic acid, O,O-dimethyl S-[2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl] ester
8141
8270
3
20
p-(Dimethylamino)azobenzene
60-11-7
Benzenamine, N,N-dimethyl-4-(phenylazo)-
8270
10
7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene
57-97-6
Benz[a]anthracene, 7,12-dimethyl-
8270
10
3,3'-Dimethylbenzidine
119-93-7
[1,1'-Biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine, 3,3'-dimethyl-
8270
10
2,4-Dimethylphenol; m-Xylenol
105-67-9
Phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-
8040
8270
5
10
Dimethyl phthalate
131-11-3
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl ester
8060
8270
5
10
m-Dinitrobenzene
99-65-0
Benzene, 1,3-dinitro-
8270
20
4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol;
4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol
534-52-1
Phenol, 2-methyl-4,6-dinitro-
8040
8270
150
50
2,4-Dinitrophenol
51-28-5
Phenol, 2,4-dinitro-
8040
8270
150
50
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
121-14-2
Benzene, 1-methyl-2,4-dinitro-
8090
8270
0.2
10
Di-n-butyl phthalate
84-74-2
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dibutyl ester
8060
8270
5
10
2,6-Dinitrotoluene
606-20-2
Benzene, 2-methyl-1,3-dinitro-
8090
8270
0.1
10
Dinoseb; DNBP;
2-sec-Butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol
88-85-7
Phenol, 2-(1-methylpropyl)-4,6-dinitro-
8150
8270
1
20
Di-n-octyl phthalate
117-84-0
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dioctyl ester
8060
8270
30
10
Diphenylamine
122-39-4
Benzenamine, N-phenyl-
8270
10
Disulfoton
298-04-4
Phosphorodithioic acid, O,O-diethyl S-[2-(ethylthio)ethyl]ester
8140
8141
8270
2
0.5
10
Ethyl methanesulfonate
62-50-0
Methanesulfonic acid, ethyl ester
8270
20
Famphur
52-85-7
Phosphorothioic acid, O-[4-[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl]-O,O-dimethyl ester
8270
20
Fluoranthene
206-44-0
Fluoranthene
8100
8270
200
10
Fluorene
86-73-7
9H-Fluorene
8100
8270
200
10
Hexachlorobenzene
118-74-1
Benzene, hexachloro-
8120
8270
0.5
10
Hexachlorobutadiene
87-68-3
1,3-Butadiene, 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexachloro-
8021
8120
8260
8270
0.5
5
10
10
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
77-47-4
1,3-Cyclopentadiene, 1,2,3,4,5,5-hexachloro-
8120
8270
5
10
Hexachloroethane
67-72-1
Ethane, hexachloro-
8120
8260
8270
0.5
10
10
Hexachloropropene
1888-71-7
1-Propene, 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexachloro-
8270
10
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
193-39-5
Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene
8100
8270
200
10
Isodrin
465-73-6
1,4,5,8-Dimethanonaphthalene,1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-1,4,4a,5,8,8a hexahydro-(1α,4α,4aß,5ß,8ß,8aß)-
8270
8260
20
10
Isophorone
78-59-1
2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 3,5,5-trimethyl-
8090
8270
60
10
Isosafrole
120-58-1
1,3-Benzodioxole, 5-(1-propenyl)-
8270
10
Kepone
143-50-0
1,3,4-Metheno-2H-cyclobuta- [cd]pentalen-2-one, 1,1a,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-decachloro-octahydro-
8270
20
Methapyrilene
91-80-5
1,2,Ethanediamine, N,N-dimethyl-N'-2-pyridinyl-N'-(2-thienylmethyl)-
8270
100
3-Methylcholanthrene
56-49-5
Benz[j]aceanthrylene, 1,2-dihydro-3-methyl-
8270
10
Methyl methanesulfonate
66-27-3
Methanesulfonic acid, methyl ester
8270
10
2-Methylnaphthalene
91-57-6
Naphthalene, 2-methyl-
8270
10
Methyl parathion;
Parathion methyl
298-00-0
Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-dimethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl) ester
8140
8141
8270
0.5
1
10
1,4-Naphthoquinone
130-15-4
1,4-Naphthalenedione
8270
10
1-Naphthylamine
134-32-7
1-Naphthalenamine
8270
10
2-Naphthylamine
91-59-8
2-Naphthalenamine
8270
10
o-Nitroaniline; 2-Nitroaniline
88-74-4
Benzenamine, 2-nitro-
8270
50
m-Nitroaniline; 3-Nitroaniline
99-09-2
Benzenamine, 3-nitro-
8270
50
p-Nitroaniline;4-Nitroaniline
100-01-6
Benzenamine, 4-nitro-
8270
50
Nitrobenzene
98-95-3
Benzene, nitro-
8090
8270
40
10
o-Nitrophenol; 2-Nitrophenol
88-75-5
Phenol, 2-nitro-
8040
8270
5
10
p-Nitrophenol; 4-Nitrophenol
100-02-7
Phenol, 4-nitro-
8040
8270
10
50
N-Nitrosodiethylamine
55-18-5
Ethanamine, N-ethyl-N-nitroso-
8270
20
N-Nitrosodimethylamine
62-75-9
Methanamine, N-methyl-N-nitroso-
8070
2
N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamine
924-16-3
1-Butanamine, N-butyl-N-nitroso-
8270
10
N-Nitrosodiphenylamine
86-30-6
Benzenamine, N-nitroso-N-phenyl-
8070
5
N-Nitrosodipropylamine;
N-Nitroso-N-dipropylamine;
Di-n-propylnitrosamine
621-64-7
1-Propanamine, N-nitroso-N-propyl-
8070
10
N-Nitrosomethylethylamine
10595-95-6
Ethanamine, N-methyl-N-nitroso-
8270
10
N-Nitrosomorpholine
59-89-2
Morpholine, 4-nitroso-
8270
10
N-Nitrosopiperidine
100-75-4
Piperidine, 1-nitroso-
8270
20
N-Nitrosopyrrolidine
930-55-2
Pyrrolidine, 1-nitroso-
8270
40
5-Nitro-o-toluidine
99-55-8
Benzenamine, 2-methyl-5-nitro-
8270
10
Pentachlorophenol
87-86-5
Phenol, pentachloro-
8040
8270
5
50
Phenanthrene
85-01-8
Phenanthrene
8100
8270
200
10
Phenol
108-95-2
Phenol
8040
1
p-Phenylenediamine
106-50-3
1,4-Benzenediamine
8270
10
Pentachlorobenzene
608-93-5
Benzene, pentachloro-
8270
10
Pentachloronitrobenzene
82-68-8
Benzene, pentachloronitro-
8270
20
Phenacetin
62-44-2
Acetamide, N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)
8270
20
Phorate
298-02-2
Phosphorodithioic acid, O,O-diethyl S-[(ethylthio)methyl] ester
8140
8141
8270
2
0.5
10
Pronamide
23950-58-5
Benzamide, 3,5-dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)-
8270
10
Pyrene
129-00-0
Pyrene
8100
8270
200
10
Safrole
94-59-7
1,3-Benzodioxole, 5-(2-propenyl)-
8270
10
1,2,4,5-Tetrachloro-benzene
95-94-3
Benzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrachloro-
8270
10
2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol
58-90-2
Phenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachloro-
8270
10
o-Toluidine
95-53-4
Benzenamine, 2-methyl-
8270
10
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
95-95-4
Phenol, 2,4,5-trichloro-
8270
10
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
88-06-2
Phenol, 2,4,6-trichloro-
8040
8270
5
10
O,O,O-Triethyl phosphorothioate
126-68-1
Phosphorothioic acid, O,O,O-triethyl ester
8270
10
sym-Trinitrobenzene
99-35-4
Benzene, 1,3,5-trinitro-
8270
10
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Pesticides (20)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
PQL
(µg/L)6
Aldrin
309-00-2
1,4:5,8-Dimethanonaphthalene, 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro- 1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro- (1α,4α,4aß,5α,
8α,8aß)-
8080
8270
0.05
10
alpha-BHC
319-84-6
Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-,(1α, 2α,3ß,4α,5ß,6ß)-
8080
8270
0.05
10
beta-BHC
319-85-7
Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-,(1α,2ß,3α,4ß,5α,6ß)-
8080
8270
0.05
20
delta-BHC
319-86-8
Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-,(1α,
2α,3α,4ß,5α,6ß)-
8080
8270
0.1
20
gamma-BHC; Lindane
58-89-9
Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-,(1α,2α,3ß,4α,5α,6ß)-
8080
8270
0.05
20
Chlordane
See Note 8
4,7-Methano-1H-indene, 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-
8080
8270
0.1
50
4,4'-DDD
72-54-8
Benzene 1,1'-(2,2-dichloroethylidene)bis[4-chloro-
8080
8270
0.1
10
4,4'-DDE
72-55-9
Benzene, 1,1'-(dichloroethenylidene)bis[4-chloro-
8080
8270
0.05
10
4,4'-DDT
50-29-3
Benzene, 1,1'-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)bis[4-chloro-
8080
8270
0.1
10
Dieldrin
60-57-1
2,7:3,6-Dimethanonaphth[2,3-b]oxirene, 3,4,5,6,9,9-hexa,chloro-
1a,2,2a,3,6,6a,7,7a-octahydro-, (1aα,2ß,2aα,3ß,6ß,6aα,7ß,7aα)-
8080
8270
0.05
10
Endosulfan I
959-98-8
6,9-Methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin, 6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-, 3-oxide, (3α,5aß,6α,9α,9aß)-
8080
8250
0.1
10
Endosulfan II
33213-65-9
6,9-Methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin, 6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro- 1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-, 3-oxide, (3α,5aα,6ß,9ß,9aα)-
8080
8270
0.05
20
Endosulfan sulfate
1031-07-8
6,9-Methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin, 6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro- 1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-, 3,3-dioxide
8080
8270
0.5
10
Endrin
72-20-8
2,7:3,6-Dimethanonaphth[2,3-b]oxirene, 3,4,5,6,9,9-hexachloro-1a,2,2a,3,6,6a,7,7a-octahydro-, (1aα, 2ß,2aß,3α,6α, 6aß,7ß,7aα)-
8080
8270
0.1
20
Endrin aldehyde
7421-93-4
1,2,4-Methenocyclopenta[cd]pentalene-5-carboxaldehyde, 2,2a,3,3,4,7-hexachlorodecahydro-, (1α,2ß,2aß,4ß,4aß,5ß,6ß,,6bß,7R*)-
8080
8270
0.2
10
Heptachlor
76-44-8
4,7-Methano-1H-indene, 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-
8080
8270
0.05
10
Heptachlor epoxide
1024-57-3
2,5-Methano-2H-indeno[1,2-b]oxirene, 2,3,4,5,6,7,7-heptachloro-1a,1b,5,5a,6,6a,-hexahydro-, (1aα,1bß,2α,5α,5aß,6ß,6aα)
8080
8270
1
10
Methoxychlor
72-43-5
Benzene, 1,1'-(2,2,2,trichloroethylidene)bis[4-methoxy-
8080
8270
2
10
Parathion
56-38-2
Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-diethyl-O-(4-nitrophenyl) ester
8141
8270
0.5
10
Toxaphene
See Note 10
Toxaphene
8080
2
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Herbicides (3)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
PQL
(µg/L)6
2,4-D;
2,4-Dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid
94-75-7
Acetic acid, (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-
8150
10
2,4,5-T; 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid
93-76-5
Acetic acid, (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)-
8150
2
Silvex; 2,4,5-TP
93-72-1
Propanoic acid, 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)-
8150
2
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
PCBs (7)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
PQL
(µg/L)6
Polychlorinated biphenyls; PCBs; Aroclors
See Note 9
1,1'-Biphenyl, chloro derivatives
8080
8270
50
200
-
The regulatory requirements pertain only to the list of substances; the right hand columns (Methods and PQL) are given for informational purposes only. See also footnotes 5 and 6.
-
Common names are those widely used in government regulations, scientific publications, and commerce; synonyms exist for many chemicals.
-
Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Where "Total" is entered, all species in the groundwater that contain this element are included.
-
CAS index names are those used in the 9th Collective Index.
-
Suggested Methods refer to analytical procedure numbers used in EPA Report SW-846 "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste", third edition, November 1986, as revised, December 1987. Analytical details can be found in SW-846 and in documentation on file at the Department. CAUTION: The methods listed are representative SW-846 procedures and may not always be the most suitable method(s) for monitoring an analyte under the regulations.
-
Practical Quantitation Limits (PQLs) are the lowest concentrations of analytes in groundwaters that can be reliably determined within specified limits of precision and accuracy by the indicated methods under routine laboratory operating conditions. The PQLs listed are generally stated to one significant figure. PQLs are based on 5 mL samples for volatile organics and 1 L samples for semivolatile organics. CAUTION: The PQL values in many cases are based only on a general estimate for the method and not on a determination for individual compounds; PQLs are not a part of the regulation.
-
This substance is often called Bis(2-chlorolsopropyl) ether, the name Chemical Abstracts Service applies to its noncommercial isomer, Propane, 2,2"-oxybis[2-chloro- (CAS RN 39638-32-9)
-
Chlordane: This entry includes alpha-chlordane (CAS RN 5103-71-9), beta-chlordane (CAS RN 5103-74-2), gamma-chlordane (CAS RN 5566-34-7), and constituents of chlordane (CAS RN 57-74-9 and CAS RN 12789-03-6). PQL shown is for technical chlordane. PQLs of specific isomers are about 20 g/L by method 8270.
9Polychlorinated biphenyls (CAS RN 1336-36-3); this category contains congener chemicals, including constituents of Aroclor 1016 (CAS RN 12674-11-2), Aroclor 1221 (CAS RN 11104-28-2), Aroclor 1232 (CAS RN 11141-16-5), Aroclor 1242 (CAS RN 53469-21-9), Aroclor 1248 (CAS RN 12672-29-6), Aroclor 1254 (CAS RN 11097-69-1), and Aroclor 1260 (CAS RN 11096-82-5). The PQL shown is an average value for PCB congeners.
-
Toxaphene: This entry includes congener chemicals contained in technical toxaphene (CAS RN 8001-35-2), i.e., chlorinated camphene.
-
Xylene (total): This entry includes o-xylene (CAS RN 96-47-6), m-xylene (CAS RN 108-38-3), p-xylene (CAS RN. 106-42-3), and unspecified xylenes (dimethylbenzenes) (CAS RN 1330-20-7). PQLs for method 8021 are 0.2 for o-xylene, and 0.1 for m- or p-xylene. The PQL for m-xylene is 2.0 g/L by method 8020 or 8260.
Appendix C - Constituents for Detection Monitoring
pH1
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)1
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)2
Total Organic Carbon (TOC)2
Ammonia as N1
Bicarbonate2
Calcium2
Carbonate2
Chloride1
Fluoride1
Iron1
Magnesium2
Manganese1
Nitrate as N1
Potassium2
Sodium2
Sulfate1
-
Constituents that may have a class of use based limit in Chapter 8 of the Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations and/or an MCL.
-
Constituents that may be used to characterize and compare groundwater quality. These constituents are useful in determining the similarities and/or differences in the composition of water from specific hydrogeologic units and may help show whether particular units are hydraulically separate or connected. These constituents may be used to classify natural waters and help differentiate between natural variability and a release from a landfill.
History
- Effective 2017-01-03
Chapter 3 Industrial Landfill Regulations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 1 In General
(a) This Chapter is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-503.
(b) These rules set forth permit application requirements and to establish minimum standards for the location, design, construction, operation, monitoring, closure, and post-closure maintenance of industrial landfills.
(c) The definitions in W.S. § 35-11-103(a) and (d) and Chapter 1 of these rules apply to this Chapter.
(i) "Major Amendment" means major change as defined in Chapter 1 Section 1(b)(xlvi) of these rules.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 2 Industrial Landfill Application Requirements
(a) Permit transition: The following rules concerning permit application submittals under Chapter 1 of these rules shall apply.
(i) Existing industrial landfills that do not have a lifetime permit and intend to continue disposal of industrial solid waste after the effective date of this Chapter, shall submit a permit application under this Chapter no later than twelve months prior to the expiration date of the facility's existing permit unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause.
(ii) Existing industrial landfills that do not have a lifetime permit and intend to cease disposal of all industrial solid waste before obtaining a lifetime permit, shall submit a closure permit application no later than twelve months prior to the expiration date of the facility's existing permit or the date the facility is anticipated to cease disposal of industrial solid waste, whichever comes first, unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause.
(b) Permit application requirements:
(i) Permit applications for new facilities and renewal permit applications shall contain a completed application form and a written report containing the applicable information in Sections 3 through 18 of this Chapter, and shall meet all applicable standards. Records and supporting documents such as well logs, maps, cross-sections, and monitoring reports shall be supplied as appendices.
(ii) All permit application forms shall be completed in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-506 of the Act and signed by the operator, the landowner, and any real property lienholder of public record. Applications submitted by a municipality, state, federal or other public agency, shall be signed by the head of the agency or ranking elected official.
(iii) Where the applicant for an existing industrial landfill for disposal of solid wastes associated with oil and gas production holds a legal interest of record entitling dominant use of the site surface for purposes related to oil and gas production, but another party or parties share common ownership in the site surface rights and consent from all such surface landowners cannot be obtained as required in (b)(ii) above, the Administrator may approve the application if, in lieu of surface landowner consent, if the Administrator finds:
(A) The applicant has identified all parties sharing common ownership of record in the site surface rights and has made all reasonable efforts to directly notify each party of the application, obtain their consent for it, and inform them of their right to review by the Environmental Quality Council in the event the Department approves the application without their consent;
(B) The landfill will be used only for disposal of non-hazardous wastes associated with oil and gas production activities at the site;
(C) The application and plans demonstrate that the landfill will be closed and reclaimed in a manner that restores the surface to its prior usefulness;
(D) The applicant has provided a bond in an amount sufficient to serve the purpose specified in W.S. § 35-11-416, where appropriate;
(E) The applicant has provided an affidavit stating that it will be solely responsible for disposed solid wastes at the landfill and will protect non-consenting surface owners from liability under 42 U.S.C. § 9607 (CERCLA) or other applicable laws.
(iv) All permit applications shall be prepared under the supervision of a Wyoming licensed professional engineer. All permit application forms shall be stamped, signed, and dated by a Wyoming licensed professional engineer. In addition, all portions of the permit application that require geological services shall be stamped, signed, and dated by a Wyoming licensed professional geologist.
(c) Permit terms:
(i) Permits for new industrial landfills will be issued for the operating life of the facility through post-closure.
(ii) Renewal permits for existing industrial landfills will be issued for the operating life of the facility through post-closure.
(iii) Closure permits will be issued for a period that includes the time required to complete closure activities and the minimum post-closure period specified at Section 12 of this Chapter. The closure permit will extend until the Administrator finds that the facility has been adequately stabilized and the environmental monitoring or control systems have demonstrated that the facility closure is protective of human health and the environment consistent with the purposes of the Act. If, following receipt of documentation from the operator, the Administrator determines that all closure and post-closure activities have been completed and closure is protective of human health and the environment, the permit shall be terminated as specified in Chapter 1 of these rules.
(d) Permit amendments:
(i) All amendments shall comply with the location, design and construction, operating, monitoring, and closure standards of the applicable chapters of these rules. No amendment shall be implemented by the operator without the prior written authorization of the Administrator.
(ii) The operator shall submit the proposed amendment in a format approved by the Administrator unless an alternative is approved by the Administrator. Permit amendments may be proposed independently or in conjunction with a permit renewal or closure permit application.
(A) Minor permit amendments will be processed in accordance with Chapter 1, Section 3 of these rules.
(B) Major permit amendments will be processed in accordance with this section. The application shall include a cover letter describing in detail the amendment sought. The application for amendment shall include revisions to the permit application sufficient to fully describe the proposed amendment including a revised table of contents and replacement text, plates, and drawings that are fully formatted and numbered for insertion into the permit application.
(I) The Administrator shall review major permit amendment applications for completeness in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-502(e) and (f). After the application is determined complete, the applicant shall give written notice of the application as required in Chapter 1, Section 2(c)(i) of these rules.
(II) The Administrator shall determine whether a proposed permit amendment complies with applicable standards and is suitable for publication under W.S. § 35-11-502(h). The applicant shall provide written notice of a proposed permit amendment as specified in Chapter 1, Section 2(c)(ii) of these rules.
(III) The Director shall render a decision on the major permit amendment in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-502(k) and (m).
(e) Closure permit application requirements: Closure permit applications shall include information to demonstrate compliance with the requirements in Section 12 of this Chapter and include a narrative describing the site operating history including the dates of operation, the disposal methods used, and the types and amounts of solid waste accepted, a final contour map, and information demonstrating compliance with the closure standards in Chapters 6, 7, and 8, as applicable.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 3 General Facility Information
(a) Operator: The name, address, and telephone number of the legal operator of the facility to whom the permit would be issued, and a listing of any administrative order, civil or administrative penalty assessment, bond forfeiture, misdemeanor or felony conviction, or court proceeding, for any violations of any local, state or federal law relating to environmental quality or criminal racketeering, in which the applicant (including any partners in a partnership or executive officers in any corporation, if the applicant is a partnership or corporation) has been or is currently involved.
(b) Manager: Position title, address and telephone number of the solid waste manager. A description of the solid waste manager training and examination program to be used by the operator to ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The description shall include a specific listing of the training courses, and the required frequency of attendance at each course by the solid waste manager.
(c) Legal description: Legal description of the property to be used as a disposal facility. The complete legal description shall consist of a plat and legal description, monumented and signed in accordance with Wyoming Statutes by a Wyoming licensed land surveyor.
(d) Facility narrative: A description of the disposal facility and the planned solid waste disposal activities, including the facility size, area fill, trench fill, special waste areas, and the type, amount, and source of incoming solid waste.
(e) Surface and mineral ownership: Information describing surface and mineral ownership of the site and surface ownership of all lands within one mile of the facility boundary.
(f) Service area: The service area and the solid waste type including trade and common names, and quantity ranges of solid waste on a daily, weekly or monthly basis that will be disposed at the facility.
(g) Capacity: Estimate site capacity in tons or cubic yards of solid waste and site life, including the calculations on which these estimates are based.
(h) Potential to impact surface and groundwater: An evaluation of the facility's potential to impact surface and groundwater quality, based on the facility design and hydrogeologic characteristics;
(i) Waste analyses: As requested by the Administrator, including:
(i) A description of the physical condition of the solid waste;
(ii) Chemical analyses of the total concentrations of solid waste constituents specified by the Administrator;
(iii) Leachate analyses from the extraction procedure specified by the Administrator;
(iv) Analysis of hazardous waste characteristics; and
(v) A description of the sampling and testing protocols to be used in the collection and analysis of solid waste samples. Testing protocols shall be approved by the Administrator and sampling protocols shall allow collection of samples representative of the total solid waste stream, soil, gas, or liquid.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 4 Location Standards
(a) New Facilities: New industrial landfills, regardless of size, shall be located in accordance with the standards of W.S. § 35-11-502(c) and the standards described in this Section.
(i) Local zoning ordinances: Facility locations shall not conflict with local zoning ordinances or land use plans that have been adopted by a county commission or municipality.
(ii) Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Facility locations shall not diminish the scenic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values for any section of river designated for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1271 et seq., and implementing regulations.
(iii) National Historic Preservation Act: Facilities shall not be located in areas where they may pose a threat to an irreplaceable historic or archeological site listed pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 470 et seq. and implementing regulations, or to a natural landmark designated by the National Park Service.
(iv) Endangered Species Act: Facilities shall not be located within a critical habitat of an endangered or threatened species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq., and implementing regulations, where the facility may cause destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat, may jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or contribute to the taking of such species.
(v) Big game winter range/grouse breeding grounds: Facilities shall not be located within critical winter ranges for big game or breeding grounds for grouse unless the Administrator, after consultation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, determines that facility development will not conflict with the conservation of Wyoming's wildlife resources.
(b) New units, existing units, and lateral expansions shall not be located in violation of the standards below. Any supporting information needed to demonstrate compliance with these standards shall be provided in an appendix to the permit application.
(i) Floodplains: New landfill units, existing units, new landfill units at existing facilities, and lateral expansions of existing facilities, shall not be located in a 100-year floodplain, unless the operator demonstrates that the facility or unit will not restrict the flow of a 100-year flood, reduce the temporary water storage capacity of the floodplain, or result in washout of solid waste.
(ii) Wetlands: New landfill units, and lateral expansions, shall not be located in wetlands.
(iii) Fault areas: New units and lateral expansions shall not be located within 200 feet (60 meters) of a fault that has had displacement in Holocene time unless the operator demonstrates that an alternative setback distance of less than 200 feet (60 meters) will prevent damage to the structural integrity of the unit and will be protective of human health and the environment.
(iv) Seismic impact zones: New units and lateral expansions shall not be located in seismic impact zones, unless the owner demonstrates to the Administrator that all containment structures, including liners, leachate collection systems, and surface water control systems, are designed to resist the maximum horizontal acceleration in lithified earth material for the site;
(v) Unstable areas: New units and lateral expansions shall not be located in an unstable area unless the owner has demonstrated to the Administrator that engineering measures have been incorporated into the facility's, unit's, or area fill's design to ensure that the integrity of the structural components of the facility, unit, or area fill will not be disrupted. The demonstration must consider:
(A) On-site or local soil conditions that may result in significant differential settling;
(B) On-site or local geologic or geomorphologic features; and
(C) On-site or local human-made features or events (both surface and subsurface).
(c) Facilities regulated under Chapter 6 or 8: Facilities that are also subject to regulation under Chapter 6 or 8 of these rules shall not be located in violation of the standards in Chapter 6 or 8.
(d) Access roads: The roads leading to industrial landfills shall not be subject to the location standards described in this Section.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 5 Regional Geology
The permit application shall include a description of any available regional geologic or hydrologic information, including copies of all available well logs for wells located within one mile of the proposed facility. Supporting documentation such as cross-sections, and maps shall be supplied as an appendix to the permit application.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 6 Site-Specific Geology
(a) Soil types: A description of the soil types according to the Unified Soil Classification System, and the estimated thickness of the unconsolidated soil materials;
(b) Geologic conditions: Information on the geologic conditions, including structure, bedrock types, estimated thickness and attitude, and fracture patterns;
(c) Unstable areas: Identification of unstable areas caused by natural features or man-made features or events, and which may result in geologic hazards including, but not limited to, slope failures, landslides, rockfalls, differential and excessive settling or severe erosion;
(d) Groundwater information: Including the depth to the uppermost groundwater, aquifer thickness and hydrologic properties such as the groundwater flow direction and rate, and the potentiometric surface, the existing quality of background groundwater and groundwater beneath the facility; and
(e) Supporting documentation: Such as well completion logs, geologic cross-sections, soil boring lithological logs, potentiometric surface maps and soil or groundwater testing data shall be supplied as an appendix to the permit application.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 7 Design and Construction Standards
(a) Surveyed corners: All facility boundary corners shall be surveyed and marked with permanent survey caps.
(b) Access roads: Facility access roads shall be constructed to enable use under inclement weather conditions.
(c) Buffer zones: All facilities shall be designed and constructed with a buffer zone that is a minimum of twenty feet wide within the facility perimeter fence.
(d) Cover material: Sufficient cover material shall be available to properly operate the facility through the closure period.
(e) Surface water structures: Surface water structures shall be designed and constructed to:
(i) Prevent flow onto the active portion of the landfill during the peak discharge from a 25-year storm;
(ii) Collect and control run-off from the active portion of the landfill from at least the water volume resulting from a 24-hour, 25-year storm;
(f) Sediment control structures: Sediment control structures shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapter 11 of the Water Quality Rules.
(g) Engineered containment system or performance-based design:
(i) The Administrator may require either:
(A) An engineered containment system, including a composite liner, leachate collection system, and final cover with a permeability less than or equal to the permeability of the bottom liner system, in new units and lateral expansions, or
(B) A performance-based design that complies with the requirements set out in W.S. § 35-11-527 and demonstrates that concentrations of pollutants will not exceed groundwater protection standards at the relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator that is no more than 150 meters (492 feet) from the solid waste management unit boundary on land owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the owner of the landfill under any of the following conditions:
(I) When native soils underlying the landfill are sufficiently permeable to allow potential contamination of groundwater through operation of the facility;
(II) When solid waste types or operation practices create a reasonable potential for contamination of underlying soils or groundwater;
(III) When site hydrologic conditions create a condition whereby groundwater is not sufficiently protected from contamination; or
(IV) At any facility which receives greater than 500 tons of industrial solid waste per operating day, on a monthly average. Containment systems at these facilities shall include leachate collection and leak detection systems.
(h) Engineered containment systems, if required by the Administrator, shall be designed and constructed as specified in Chapter 2, Section 7(g) and (h) of these rules.
(i) Slope stability for excavations: Trench walls shall not exceed a ratio of 1.5:1 (horizontal:vertical) unless a slope stability analysis demonstrates steeper slopes can be safely constructed and maintained. This analysis may be based on site-specific soil stability calculations or Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations for excavations.
(j) Methane control systems for on-site structures: All structures on the facility will be designed to prevent the accumulation of methane such that the concentration of methane gas in facility structures does not exceed 25% of the lower explosive limit for methane.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 8 Operating Standards
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(a) Qualified solid waste manager: Each facility shall be managed by a qualified solid waste manager. In the event that a qualified solid waste manager terminates employment for any reason, a new solid waste manager shall be designated within three months of such termination. For any facility that is constructed, operated, and monitored in compliance, the solid waste manager's qualifications shall be presumed to be adequate. For any facility that is not being constructed, operated, or monitored in compliance, the solid waste manager may be required to complete additional training or demonstrate his or her qualifications by written or oral examination. Within six months of assuming responsibility for operating a facility, a qualified solid waste manager shall:
(i) Possess a complete working knowledge of the facility construction, operating and monitoring procedures, as specified in the permit application and the permit letter issued by the Director.
(ii) Successfully complete a training program described in the approved permit application, which shall include training for the identification of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) wastes and hazardous waste regulated under Subtitle C of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Wyoming Hazardous Waste Rules.
(iii) Attend any training course required by the Administrator to provide training on changes to state or federal solid waste rules or guidelines. For any such mandatory training course, the Administrator shall provide each operator with a minimum of forty-five days notice prior to the scheduled training course.
(b) Copy of plan: A copy of the operating plan shall be available at the facility when landfill personnel are on-site or at an alternate location approved by the Administrator.
(c) Access restrictions:
(i) The facility shall be fenced in such a manner as to discourage people and livestock from entering the facility and to contain litter within the facility.
(A) Additional fencing may be required to restrict access to reclaimed areas or other areas that may present public health and safety hazards.
(B) If the facility is located on property that already has a restrictive perimeter fence, the requirement for a perimeter fence around the working area may be waived. However, the Administrator may require suitable litter screens or fences.
(ii) If the public has access to the facility:
(A) Access shall be prohibited at any time other than the facility's posted operating hours; and
(B) The access road shall be equipped with a gate that shall be locked when the facility is unattended.
(d) Liquid wastes: Liquid wastes shall not be disposed of, unless the facility has been permitted by the Director to receive such wastes at a separate solid waste management unit for treatment.
(e) Hazardous wastes:
(i) No industrial landfill may accept hazardous wastes regulated under 40 CFR, Part 261, with the exception of, hazardous waste excluded under 40 CFR Part 261 if specific authorization is granted in writing by the Administrator;
(ii) The facility operator shall implement a program of random inspections of incoming solid wastes or take other steps to detect and prevent the disposal of regulated hazardous wastes and PCB wastes; and
(iii) The facility operator shall promptly notify the Administrator if regulated hazardous wastes or PCB wastes are discovered at the facility.
(f) Waste screening: The application shall include solid waste screening procedures that shall ensure disposal of authorized solid wastes only.
(g) Posting: Each point of access shall be identified by a sign, which shall be easily readable and maintained in good condition, and that contains at a minimum the following information:
(i) For facilities not used by the public:
(A) Identification of the site as a solid waste landfill; and
(B) Solid wastes that are accepted for disposal at the facility.
(ii) For facilities used by the public:
(A) The facility name;
(B) The name and phone number of the responsible person to contact in the event of emergencies;
(C) The hours of operation; and
(D) Solid wastes that are accepted for disposal at the facility.
(h) Traffic: If the facility is open to the public, signs shall be posted to direct traffic to the proper area for disposal. Public access shall be controlled so that unauthorized vehicular traffic and illegal disposal of solid wastes are prevented. The facility shall use artificial barriers, natural barriers, or both, as appropriate to protect human health and the environment.
(i) Salvaging: Salvaging shall be conducted in such a manner as not to interfere with normal operations.
(j) Burning: No open burning of solid waste is allowed, with the exception of clean wood, tree trimmings, and brush with prior approval from the Air Quality Division.
(k) Fire protection and other emergency protection measures: Facilities shall maintain, at a minimum, an unobstructed ten foot firelane around all active solid waste management units or within the perimeter fence. The landfill personnel shall have access to portable fire extinguishers when on-site. Personnel shall have a communication system with which to alert the local fire department.
(l) Litter: The operator shall maintain an effective routine litter collection program that shall take place both within the landfill perimeter and off-site. The program shall describe the frequency of litter collection for internal fences, perimeter roads, and off-site areas. The program shall also describe special operating procedures to be used during periods of high wind and provide wind speed and direction data available for the local area.
(m) Vectors: On-site populations of disease vectors shall be prevented or controlled using techniques appropriate for the protection of human health and the environment.
(n) Dust and odors: Adequate measures shall be taken to minimize dust and odors, and to prevent the occurrence of any public nuisance.
(o) Confined working face: The working face shall be confined to the smallest practical area using signs and physical barriers, if necessary. All solid wastes shall be deposited in a manner to limit windblown litter.
(p) Topsoil: Topsoil from all disturbed areas shall be stripped and stockpiled in an area that will not be disturbed during facility operation. These stockpiles shall be identified by signs and vegetated for stabilization. This topsoil shall be used for site reclamation. Topsoil shall not be removed from the facility without written authorization from the Administrator.
(q) Routine cover: All facilities are required to cover all solid waste with an approved cover material at least monthly, or more frequently if required by the Administrator.
(i) Industrial landfills that receive less than twenty cubic yards of solid waste in any calendar month may instead be covered whenever the solid waste on the working face reaches a depth of three feet, so long as the solid waste stream does not include any putrescible waste; and
(ii) Cover material shall be comprised of no less than six inches of uniformly compacted soil or any alternative material approved by the Administrator to control infiltration, fires, litter, odor, disease vectors, and scavenging.
(r) Intermediate cover: For any area where solid wastes will not be disposed for a period of 180 days, that area shall be covered with the required six inches of cover material and an additional twelve inches of intermediate cover.
(s) Phased reclamation: All completed solid waste fill areas shall be promptly reclaimed with final cover, topsoil and revegetation in accordance with the requirements in Section 12 of this Chapter in order to stabilize the landfill surface and reduce the potential for leachate generation.
(t) Surface water contact: Standing or running water shall not be allowed to come into contact with solid waste. Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent and alleviate ponding of water over filled areas. Surfaces shall be graded to promote lateral surface water run-off.
(u) Surface water discharges: Facilities shall be operated such that leachate, contaminated groundwater, and surface water run-off from the active portion of the facility is not allowed to enter any surface water, either on-site or off-site, unless authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit pursuant to the Clean Water Act.
(v) Groundwater contact: Solid wastes shall not be placed in contact with groundwater.
(w) Groundwater discharges: Solid waste disposal facilities shall not alter groundwater quality, as determined by groundwater monitoring.
(x) Leachate management: Leachate shall be contained in leachate management systems and structures approved by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 9 Monitoring Standards
(a) Collection and management of samples: Groundwater, soil core, vadose zone, and decomposition gas samples shall be collected and managed in accordance with Department guidance or equivalent methods approved by the Administrator.
(b) Groundwater monitoring:
(i) Industrial landfills shall comply with the following groundwater monitoring requirements:
(A) Applicability:
(I) Once established at a facility or unit, the groundwater monitoring program required under this Section shall be conducted throughout the active life and post-closure care period, unless modified by the Administrator.
(II) The Administrator may establish an alternate schedule for compliance with any deadline specified in paragraphs (b)(i)(B) through (E) of this Section.
(III) The Administrator may suspend the groundwater monitoring requirements of this Section if the operator demonstrates that there is no potential for migration of hazardous constituents from the facility or unit to the uppermost aquifer. This demonstration must be made by a qualified scientist or engineer, and must consider:
(1.) Site-specific field measurements, and information about the specific solid wastes to be disposed at the facility or unit; and
(2.) Contaminant fate and transport predictions, which maximize contaminant migration and consider impacts on human health and the environment.
(IV) The groundwater monitoring requirements of this Section do not apply to:
(1.) Industrial landfills which ceased receiving solid wastes before January 1, 1998;
(2.) Industrial landfills which do not receive very small quantity generator (VSQG) hazardous wastes; or
(3.) Industrial landfills which accept less than twenty tons of solid waste per day (annual average) for disposal, have no evidence of existing groundwater contamination, serve communities that have no practicable solid waste management alternatives and are located in an area that receives less than or equal to twenty-five inches of precipitation annually.
(B) Groundwater monitoring systems:
(I) A groundwater monitoring system must be installed with a sufficient number of groundwater monitoring wells to monitor water from the uppermost aquifer that may be affected by leakage from the facility. The system must be capable of monitoring the background water quality and groundwater passing the relevant point of compliance pursuant to Section 7(g) of this Chapter. Groundwater monitoring well locations must be approved by the Administrator, and downgradient groundwater monitoring wells shall be placed in locations within 150 meters (492 feet) of the solid waste management unit boundary on land owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the operator.
(II) The Administrator may approve a groundwater monitoring system designed to monitor groundwater from the facility, in lieu of individual solid waste disposal units, if the system is determined to be capable of adequately detecting groundwater pollution. In approving a facility-wide groundwater monitoring system, the Administrator shall consider:
(1.) Number, spacing, and orientation of the individual solid waste units at the facility;
(2.) Hydrologic setting;
(3.) Site history and design; and
(4.) Type of solid waste accepted at the individual solid waste units.
(III) The design of the groundwater monitoring system must be based on site-specific information on aquifer thickness, aquifer properties, groundwater flow direction and rate (including seasonal variations), soil information, and any aquitards, aquicludes, or confining formations at the site. The design of the system must be approved by the Administrator.
(C) Groundwater sampling and analysis shall meet the requirements of Chapter 2, Section 9(b)(i)(C)(I) through (VII).
(D) Detection monitoring:
(I) Each facility shall institute a detection monitoring program by sampling each groundwater monitoring well at least semiannually and testing each sample for the constituents specified in Appendix A, unless the Administrator:
(1.) Deletes a constituent because the operator shows that it is not likely to be present in the solid waste disposed at the facility;
(2.) Establishes an alternate list of inorganic indicator parameters in lieu of some or all of the heavy metals, if the alternative parameters provide a reliable indication of inorganic releases from the facility or unit, considering the following factors:
a. The types, quantities, and concentrations of constituents in solid wastes managed at the facility or unit;
b. The mobility, stability, and persistence of solid waste constituents or their reaction products in the groundwater;
c. The detectability of indicator parameters, solid waste constituents, and reaction products in the groundwater; and
d. The concentration or values and coefficients of variation of monitoring parameters or constituents in the groundwater background; or
(3.) Determines that a different, but no less frequent than annual, monitoring schedule is appropriate, considering the following factors:
a. Lithology of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
b. Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
c. Groundwater flow rates;
d. Minimum distance between the edge of the solid waste boundary at the facility or unit and the downgradient groundwater monitoring well(s); and
e. The classification of the aquifer under Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Rules.
(II) A minimum of four individual samples must be collected and analyzed from each groundwater monitoring well (background and downgradient) during the first year of sampling. At least one sample must be collected and analyzed from each groundwater monitoring well during subsequent sampling events.
(III) If a statistically significant difference in water quality between background and any groundwater monitoring well at the relevant point of compliance is detected, the operator must:
(1.) Notify the Administrator in a written report with supporting documentation and place a copy of the report in the facility operating record within fourteen days and start assessment monitoring within ninety days; or
(2.) Demonstrate to the Administrator that the statistically significant increase over background is not due to the solid waste disposal facility or unit, but that the difference is due to another source of pollution, error in sampling, analysis or statistical evaluation, or natural variation in groundwater quality. The operator shall prepare a report documenting this demonstration and, following approval by the Administrator, place the report in the operating record for the facility. If the report is approved, the operator shall continue detection monitoring . If, after ninety days, a successful demonstration is not made, the operator must initiate an assessment monitoring program.
(E) Assessment monitoring:
(I) Assessment monitoring is required whenever a statistically significant increase over background water quality has been detected, subject to the exception in paragraph (b)(i)(D)(III)(2.) of this Section.
(II) Within ninety days of triggering an assessment monitoring requirement, and annually thereafter, the operator must sample and analyze all downgradient groundwater monitoring wells for all Appendix B constituents. A minimum of one sample from each downgradient groundwater monitoring well must be collected during each annual sampling event. If any Appendix B constituent is detected for the first time in any downgradient groundwater monitoring well, the owner or operator must promptly collect a minimum of four additional independent samples from each background and downgradient well. These samples must be analyzed for each Appendix B constituent which was detected in the initial assessment monitoring sampling event.
(III) The Administrator may specify an appropriate subset of groundwater monitoring wells to be sampled and analyzed during assessment monitoring, and may delete Appendix B constituents from the monitoring requirements if it can be shown that the deleted constituents are not reasonably expected to be contained in or derived from the solid waste contained in the facility or unit. The Administrator may also specify an appropriate alternate frequency for the collection of the additional independent samples considering the following factors:
(1.) Lithology of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(2.) Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer and unsaturated zone;
(3.) Groundwater flow rates;
(4.) Minimum distance between the facility and the downgradient groundwater monitoring well(s);
(5.) Classification of the aquifer under Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Rules; and
(6.) Nature (fate and transport) of any constituents detected under assessment monitoring.
(IV) After obtaining the results from any assessment monitoring sampling event, the operator must:
(1.) Within fourteen days, notify the Administrator in a written report and place a copy of the report in the operating record identifying the Appendix B constituents that have been detected;
(2.) Within ninety days, and on at least a semiannual basis thereafter, resample all groundwater monitoring wells, conduct analyses for all constituents required under detection monitoring of this Section, and for all Appendix B constituents that have been detected under assessment monitoring, and record their concentrations in the operating record. At least one must be collected from each groundwater monitoring well during each sampling event under this paragraph. The Administrator may approve an alternate sampling frequency, no less than annual, considering the factors in paragraph (b)(i)(E)(III) of this Section;
(3.) Establish background concentrations for any constituents detected for the first time; and
(4.) Request in writing that the Administrator establish groundwater protection standards for all constituents detected.
(V) Within thirty days after completing sampling and analysis, unless an alternate time-frame is approved by the Administrator, the operator must determine whether there has been a statistically significant increase over established groundwater protection standards at each groundwater monitoring well specified by the Administrator.
(VI) If the concentrations of all Appendix B constituents are at or below background values for two consecutive sampling events, the operator must notify the Administrator and may return to detection monitoring under this Section.
(VII) If the concentrations of any Appendix B constituents are above background values, but all concentrations are below the groundwater protection standard, using the approved statistical procedures, the operator must continue assessment monitoring.
(VIII) If one or more Appendix B constituents are detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard in any sampling event, the operator must, within fourteen days of this finding, notify the Administrator of the constituents detected above the groundwater protection standard in a written report with supporting documentation and place a copy of the report in the operating record. The operator must notify all local government officials in writing, as determined by the Administrator, and:
(1.) Characterize the nature and extent of the release by installing additional groundwater monitoring wells as necessary;
(2.) Install at least one additional groundwater monitoring well at the facility boundary downgradient of the release and sample the groundwater monitoring well in accordance with paragraph (b)(i)(E)(IV)(2.) of this Section;
(3.) Notify all persons who own or reside on the land that directly overlies any part of a plume of contamination that migrated off-site; and
(4.) Initiate an assessment of corrective measures within ninety days; or
(5.) Demonstrate to the Administrator in writing that the contamination was caused by another source or resulted from an error in sampling, analysis or statistical evaluation, or from natural variation in groundwater quality. The operator shall prepare a report documenting this demonstration, and following approval by the Administrator, place the report in the operating record. If a successful demonstration is made, the operator must continue monitoring under the assessment monitoring program, or may return to detection monitoring if all Appendix B constituents are at or below background. Until a successful demonstration is made, the operator must comply with paragraph (b)(i)(E)(VIII) of this Section including initiating an assessment of corrective measures under Section 13 of this Chapter.
(IX) The operator must request in writing that the Administrator establish a groundwater protection standard for each Appendix B constituent detected in the groundwater. The Administrator shall establish groundwater protection standards for such constituents, which shall be:
(1.) For constituents where a maximum contaminant level (MCL) has been promulgated, the MCL for that constituent;
(2.) For constituents for which MCLs have not been promulgated, the background concentration; or
(3.) For constituents for which the background level is higher than the MCL or health-based level established under subsection (b)(i)(E)( X), the background concentration.
(X) The administrator may establish an alternative groundwater protection standard for constituents for which MCLs have not been established. These groundwater protection standards shall be health-based levels. For constituents where a MCL does not exist, the alternative groundwater protection standard shall be the more stringent standard meeting the requirements of Water Quality Rules, Chapter 8, Table 1 based on groundwater class of use or the Drinking Water Equivalent Level as determined by the procedures found in the Storage Tank Rules Chapter 1, Section 39(e).
(ii) Industrial landfills excluded from groundwater monitoring requirements under paragraph (b)(i)(A)(IV) of this Section, shall, if required by the Administrator, comply with the following groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements:
(A) Groundwater monitoring well placement: All facilities required to install groundwater monitoring wells shall place them in locations approved by the Administrator. Following initial placement of the groundwater monitoring wells, the operator shall confirm that the groundwater monitoring wells are capable of measuring groundwater quality that is representative of conditions hydraulically upgradient and downgradient of the solid waste disposal facility.
(B) Groundwater monitoring well design, construction/installation and abandonment: All groundwater monitoring wells shall be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with the Water Quality Rules Chapter 26 requirements. All abandoned groundwater monitoring wells shall be plugged and sealed in accordance with the Water Quality Rules Chapter 26 requirements.
(C) Permits required: Prior to groundwater monitoring well installation, the groundwater monitoring well design, construction and location specifications shall be approved by the Administrator.
(D) Analyses:
(I) Baseline monitoring: The initial groundwater samples shall be analyzed for pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Ammonia as N, Nitrate as N, Bicarbonate, Carbonate, Chloride, Fluoride, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulfate, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Zinc, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cyanide, Lead, Mercury, Selenium, and Silver. Additionally, water temperature, specific conductance, pH and static water level shall be measured in the field during each baseline monitoring event. The length of this baseline monitoring period shall not exceed one year, and samples shall be obtained at least quarterly during this period.
(II) Detection monitoring: Following the initial baseline monitoring period, the Administrator may specify a reduced set of sampling parameters to be analyzed at least semi-annually. The reduced set of parameters shall include, at a minimum: pH, temperature, static water level, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Chlorides, Ammonia (as N), Iron, Hardness, and Total Organic Carbon (TOC). Additionally, water temperature, specific conductance, pH, and static water level shall be measured in the field during each semi-annual monitoring event.
(III) Assessment monitoring: Should groundwater monitoring data cause the Administrator to determine the facility may be impacting groundwater quality, additional groundwater monitoring wells, a revised set of sampling parameters, and a revised sampling schedule may be required by the Administrator to define the nature and extent of contamination.
(IV) The Administrator may specify alternative or additional water quality parameters for analyses, including organic chemical constituents, based on the Administrator's review of the solid wastes likely to be disposed at any specific solid waste disposal facility.
(E) Corrective actions: Whenever there is a release of contamination which adversely impacts groundwater quality, the operator shall institute corrective actions approved by the Administrator, as specified in Section 13 of this Chapter.
(iii) Operators of industrial landfills that are subject to the groundwater monitoring requirements shall submit groundwater monitoring data electronically in a format specified by the Administrator.
(c) Methane:
(i) Facilities shall be operated such that the concentration of methane at the facility boundary does not exceed the LEL for methane and in facility structures does not exceed 25% of the LEL. If methane levels exceed these limits, the operator must:
(A) Immediately notify the Administrator and take steps to protect human health;
(B) Within seven days of detection, place a copy of the methane test data and a written description of the steps taken to protect human health in the operating record; and
(C) Within sixty days of detection, implement a remediation plan that has been approved by the Administrator, and place a copy of that plan in the operating record.
(ii) The Administrator may establish alternative schedules for demonstrating compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (c)(i)(B) and (C) of this Section.
(iii) Methane probe system design: Methane probe design, construction, installation, and location shall be adequate to monitor compliance.
(iv) Abandonment of methane probe boreholes: Abandoned methane probe boreholes shall be plugged and sealed in accordance with Department recommendations.
(v) Analyses: Methane analyses shall be conducted at least quarterly, if required, using equipment capable of monitoring LEL and percent volume methane and following the manufacturer's recommended procedures.
(d) Air monitoring: Air monitoring, if required, shall be conducted in accordance with the Air Quality Rules.
(e) Soil core monitoring: Soil core monitoring, if required, shall be conducted in accordance with a plan approved by the Administrator.
(f) Vadose zone monitoring: Vadose zone monitoring, if required, shall be conducted in accordance with a plan approved by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 10 Recordkeeping
(a) Three-year recordkeeping: The following records shall be maintained at the facility or an approved alternative location and available for inspection and copying for a minimum of three years from the date of recording:
(i) Log of litter collection activities specifying the dates and areas of litter collection;
(ii) Types and disposition of special wastes, specifying the volume, date of disposition, and source of special waste;
(iii) Records of solid waste sold or otherwise salvaged; and
(iv) Record of any problems causing operations to cease, including but not limited to fire or equipment failure.
(b) Long-term recordkeeping: The following records shall be maintained at the facility or an approved alternative location and available for inspection and copying through the end of the post-closure period:
(i) Any permit application prepared under this Chapter;
(ii) If not contained in the permit application, any location restriction demonstration that is required;
(iii) Log of random inspections or other screening activities for regulated hazardous wastes and PCB wastes specifying the date, time, and name(s) of the inspection personnel and any notifications to the Administrator;
(iv) Records of training of landfill operators to detect hazardous wastes and PCB wastes;
(v) Monitoring results and any notification or remediation plans;
(vi) As-built specifications for disposal units, including liners, caps, and leachate collection systems, with their dates of construction, location, length, width and depth;
(vii) Dates when trenches and units are completed, and their contents;
(viii) Closure and post-closure plans, if not already contained in the permit application, and any monitoring, testing, or analytical data required in the plans;
(ix) Any cost estimates and financial assurance documentation;
(x) Any performance based design demonstration;
(xi) Dates when reclamation activities took place including a description of the areas reclaimed; and
(xii) Copies of written correspondence with the Department.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 11 Reporting Standards
(a) Annual reports: Annual reports for the previous calendar year shall be submitted, by March 1, in a format approved by the Administrator, unless an alternate date is approved by the Administrator. Annual reports shall include:
(i) A summary description of facility operations and activities carried out during the last year including, but not limited to, the construction of new solid waste disposal units, the tons of solid waste received (estimated if the facility has no scales), and the cubic yards of estimated air space used; and
(ii) A description of any final cover and reclamation activities completed and evaluation of revegetation results during the last year with supporting documentation that reclamation was completed in accordance with the Solid Waste Rules and the facility permit.
(iii) Environmental monitoring data: On an annual basis, operators shall provide the Administrator with electronic copies of all required environmental monitoring data not previously submitted, in a format specified by the Administrator.
(b) Additional information: The Administrator may require reporting of additional information needed to demonstrate compliance with these rules.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 12 Closure and Post-Closure Standards
.
(a) Commencement of closure: Approved closure activities shall commence no later than thirty days after the facility stops receiving solid wastes and shall be completed within twelve months following commencement of closure activities. The Administrator may approve:
(i) Delayed closure of a facility or unit if the facility or unit has additional remaining disposal capacity, and the owner demonstrates that there will be no threats to human health or the environment from the unclosed facility or unit; and
(ii) Extensions of the closure period if needed to adequately complete closure activities and the owner demonstrates that there will be no threats to human health or the environment from the unclosed facility or unit.
(b) Notification and certification of facility and unit closure: Prior to the commencement of unit and facility closure activities, the operator shall notify the Administrator in writing and place a notice of closure in the operating record. Within ninety days following closure of each unit and facility, the operator shall submit a certification with supporting documentation signed by a Wyoming registered professional engineer that closure has been completed in accordance with the approved closure plan and place a copy of the certification in the facility operating record.
(c) Notice on deed: At facility closure, an instrument that clearly gives notice of the restrictions that apply to future activities on the disposal facility property shall be filed for recording by the registrar of deeds (county clerk) in the county where the facility is located. The wording of such an instrument shall indicate that the property has been used as a solid waste disposal facility. This shall be recorded prior to any property transaction resulting in another use for the property. The owner or operator, and its successors, shall ensure that post-closure use of the property is restricted to prevent any disturbance to the facility's containment system including caps and liners, or the functioning of the facility's monitoring system. The owner or operator may request permission from the Administrator to remove the notation from the deed if all solid wastes are removed from the facility.
(d) Erosion and ponding problems: Facilities shall be engineered to inhibit future problems with erosion or ponding of surface water over filled areas. This may be done through site grading and revegetation, placement of rip rap, or other appropriate means. The application shall describe the method and length of time that surface water will be diverted from the site and the methods by which surface erosion or water ponding problems will be identified and corrected.
(e) Final cover design and construction: At closure, an infiltration barrier layer of subsoil, or a combination of materials as specified in the permit, a minimum of two (2) feet thick shall be constructed over the solid waste or any intermediate cover already in place. This infiltration barrier layer shall be covered with a minimum of six (6) inches of topsoil and graded to prevent erosion or surface water ponding. The infiltration barrier layer shall be constructed to minimize the total amount of moisture and the rate at which moisture infiltrates the final cover system. The Administrator may specify more stringent cover requirements if the Administrator determines that the site poses a significant threat to public health or the environment.
(f) Revegetation: At facility closure, any portion of the facility that has been disturbed by solid waste disposal activities shall be revegetated to minimize wind and water erosion of the final cover, consistent with the post-closure land use. The operator shall use a diverse vegetation mix, selected to be compatible with the climatic conditions, require little maintenance, and have root depths that will not exceed the depth of the final cover.
(g) Surveyed corners: At facility closure, all facility boundary corners shall be surveyed and marked with permanent survey caps.
(h) Access control: Facility fences, gates, and any other access restrictions shall be maintained until the site has been satisfactorily closed and revegetated, if post-closure land use requires establishment of vegetative cover.
(i) Waste containment systems: Waste containment systems, including but not limited to liners, leachate detection, collection and management systems, final cover systems, surface water structures, environmental monitoring systems, and corrective action systems shall be maintained throughout the closure and post-closure periods.
(j) Post-closure period:
(i) The post‑closure period for industrial landfills that are required to comply with the groundwater monitoring requirements of Section 9(b)(i) of this Chapter shall extend for a period of not less than thirty years after certification of closure activities is approved by the Administrator. The minimum post-closure period may be terminated by the Administrator at an earlier date if the Administrator determines that the facility has been adequately stabilized and that the environmental monitoring or control systems have demonstrated that the facility closure is protective of public health and the environment consistent with the purposes of the Environmental Quality Act.
(ii) The post-closure period for industrial landfills that are not required to comply with the groundwater monitoring requirements of Section 9(b)(i) of this Chapter shall extend for a period of not less than five years after certification of closure activities is approved by the Administrator.
(iii) Following the initial minimum post-closure period specified in this subsection, the post‑closure period shall be automatically extended until such time when the Administrator determines, upon petition by the operator accompanied by submission of relevant information, that the facility has been adequately stabilized in a manner protective of human health and the environment.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 13 Standards for Corrective Action
(a) Assessment of corrective measures: All facilities required to start a corrective measures assessment shall initiate assessment of corrective measures within ninety days of a groundwater quality exceedance and complete the assessment in a reasonable time, determined by the Administrator. The owner or operator shall:
(i) Continue to conduct an assessment monitoring program;
(ii) Analyze the effectiveness of potential corrective measures to meet any alternate remedies that are being considered under paragraph (b) of this Section, considering:
(A) The performance, reliability, ease of implementation, and potential impacts of appropriate alternate remedies, including safety impacts, cross-media impacts, and control of exposure to any residual contamination;
(B) The time required to begin and complete the remedy;
(C) The costs of remedy implementation; and
(D) The institutional requirements such as state or local permits or other environmental or public health requirements that may substantially affect implementation of the remedy.
(iii) Provide an opportunity for public review of the corrective measures assessment, prior to selection of the remedy.
(b) Selection of remedy:
(i) The landfill operator must demonstrate to the Administrator how the selected corrective action remedy meets the remedy standards established in this subsection. The Administrator must approve the selected remedy and the remedial activities schedule before it is implemented.
(ii) The selected remedy must:
(A) Be protective of human health and the environment;
(B) Attain the groundwater protection standard;
(C) Control the source of releases of pollution so as to reduce or eliminate, to the maximum extent practicable, further releases of constituents into the environment that may pose a threat to human health or the environment; and
(D) Comply with standards for management of solid wastes specified in this Chapter.
(iii) The selection of the corrective action remedy must consider the following factors:
(A) Short- and long-term effectiveness of the remedy and the degree of certainty that the remedy will be effective, considering:
(I) Magnitude of reduction of existing risk to public health and the environment;
(II) Magnitude of risk of further releases of pollution;
(III) Type and degree of long-term management required, including monitoring, operation, and maintenance;
(IV) Short-term risks of exposure to the community, workers, or the environment during any excavation, transportation, and redisposal of solid wastes;
(V) Time until full protection is achieved;
(VI) Potential for exposure to humans and the environment from remaining solid wastes;
(VII) Long-term reliability of the engineering and any institutional controls; and
(VIII) Potential need for replacement of the remedy.
(B) The effectiveness of the remedy in controlling the source to reduce further releases based on consideration of the following factors:
(I) The extent to which containment will reduce further releases; and
(II) The extent to which treatment technologies will be used.
(C) The ease or difficulty of implementing the potential remedy, considering:
(I) Difficulty in constructing the technology;
(II) Expected reliability of the technology;
(III) Availability of necessary equipment and specialists; and
(IV) Available capacity of needed treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.
(D) Practicable capability of the operator, including a consideration of the technical and economic capability.
(E) The degree to which community concerns are addressed by a potential remedy.
(F) The need to coordinate with and obtain necessary approvals and permits from other agencies.
(iv) The Administrator shall approve a schedule for initiating and completing remedial activities, considering the following factors:
(A) Extent and nature of contamination;
(B) Practical capabilities of remedial technologies in achieving compliance with groundwater protection standards and other objectives of the remedy;
(C) Availability of treatment or disposal capacity for wastes managed during implementation of the remedy;
(D) Desirability of utilizing technologies that are not currently available but may offer significant advantages over already available technologies in terms of effectiveness, reliability, safety, or ability to achieve remedial objectives;
(E) Potential risks to human health and the environment from exposure to contamination prior to completion of the remedy;
(F) Classification of the aquifer under Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Rules, plus a consideration of the following factors:
(I) Current and future uses;
(II) Proximity and withdrawal rate of users;
(III) Groundwater quantity;
(IV) The potential damage to wildlife, crops, vegetation, and physical structures caused by exposure to solid waste;
(V) The hydrologic characteristics of the facility and surrounding lands;
(VI) Groundwater removal and treatment costs; and
(VII) The cost and availability of alternative water supplies;
(G) Practicable capability of the operator; and
(H) Any other factor considered relevant by the Administrator.
(v) The Administrator may determine that remediation of a release from a facility is not necessary if the operator demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that:
(A) The groundwater is additionally contaminated by substances that have originated from a source other than the facility, and those substances are present in concentrations such that the cleanup of the release from the facility would provide no significant reduction in risk to actual or potential receptors;
(B) The constituent is present in groundwater that is not currently or reasonably expected to be a source of drinking water and is not hydraulically connected with waters to which the hazardous constituents are migrating or are likely to migrate in a concentration that would exceed the groundwater protection standards established under Section 6 of this Chapter; or
(C) Remediation of the release(s) is technically impracticable; or
(D) Remediation would result in unacceptable cross-media impacts.
(vi) A determination by the Administrator not to require remediation under paragraph (v) of this Section shall not affect the authority of the Administrator to require the operator to undertake source control measures or other measures that may be necessary to eliminate or minimize further releases to the groundwater, to prevent exposure to the groundwater, or to remediate the groundwater to concentrations that are technically practicable and significantly reduce threats to human health or the environment.
(c) Corrective action implementation:
(i) On a schedule approved by the Administrator, the operator must:
(A) Implement the selected remedy as approved by the Administrator;
(B) Continue groundwater monitoring to meet the requirements of the assessment monitoring program and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the selected remedy in meeting established water quality standards; and
(C) Take interim measures as determined necessary by the Administrator to ensure protection of public health and the environment. The Administrator shall consider the following factors in determining the need for interim measures:
(I) Time required to develop and implement a final remedy;
(II) Actual or potential exposure of nearby populations or environmental receptors to hazardous constituents;
(III) Actual or potential contamination of drinking water supplies or sensitive ecosystems;
(IV) Further degradation of the groundwater that may occur if remedial action is not initiated expeditiously;
(V) Weather conditions that may cause hazardous constituents to migrate or be released;
(VI) Risks of fire or explosion, or potential for exposure to hazardous constituents as a result of an accident or failure of a container or handling system; and
(VII) Other situations that may pose threats to human health and the environment.
(ii) If the selected remedy is not meeting the corrective action standards, the operator shall implement other methods or techniques that have been approved by the Administrator that could practicably achieve compliance with the requirements, unless there is no practicable alternative and the operator meets the requirements of paragraph (c)(iii) of this Section.
(iii) If a selected remedy cannot be practically achieved with any currently available methods, the operator must:
(A) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the remedy cannot be achieved;
(B) Implement alternative measures which have been approved by the Administrator to control exposure of humans or the environment to residual contamination, as necessary to protect human health and the environment; and
(C) Implement alternate measures for control of the sources of contamination, which are consistent with the overall objective of the remedy and which are technically practicable.
(iv) All solid wastes managed pursuant to a remedy or interim measure under this Section shall be managed in a manner that complies with the requirements of this Chapter and that is protective of human health and the environment.
(v) Remedies shall be considered complete when:
(A) The operator complies with the groundwater protection standards at all points within the plume of contamination that lie beyond the relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator.
(B) Compliance with the groundwater protection standards shall be considered complete when concentrations of Appendix B constituents have not exceeded the groundwater protection standard(s) for a period of three consecutive years using the approved statistical procedures. The Administrator may approve an alternate length of time during which the operator must demonstrate compliance with the standard(s), considering:
(I) Extent and concentration of the release(s);
(II) Behavior characteristics of the hazardous constituents in the groundwater;
(III) Accuracy of the data; and
(IV) Characteristics of the groundwater; and
(C) All actions required to complete the remedy have been satisfied.
(vi) When the corrective action remedy is complete, the operator must:
(A) Notify the Administrator in writing, with supporting documentation, and place a notice in the facility operating record certifying that the remedy has been completed in compliance with Section 13(c)(v); and
(B) Petition the Administrator to be released from the financial assurance requirements for corrective action under Chapter 7 of these rules.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 14 Financial Assurance Standards
Any operator of an industrial landfill subject to the financial assurance requirements of Chapter 7 of these rules, shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 7 of these rules.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 15 Transfer, Treatment, and Storage Facility Standards
The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 6 of these rules, if applicable.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 16 Special Waste Standards
The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8 of these rules, if applicable.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 17 Commercial Solid Waste Facility Standards
The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 10 of these rules and W.S. § 35-11-514, if applicable.
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.3.01132023 § 18 Supporting Documentation/Appendices
(a) A USGS topographic map with a scale of 1:24,000 showing the proposed facility location or, if a 1:24,000 map is unavailable, USGS topographic map with a scale of 1:62,500 or another suitable topographic map.
(b) A map or aerial photograph of the area showing land ownership, land use, and zoning within one mile of the disposal site. The map or photograph shall be of sufficient scale to show all city boundaries, occupied dwelling, schools, hospitals, industrial buildings, water wells, water courses, roads, and other applicable details.
(c) A general facility plot plan (map) with a scale and contour intervals approved by the Administrator. The general facility plot plan shall at a minimum illustrate the following features:
(i) Landfill facility boundaries;
(ii) Points of access;
(iii) Location of soil borings and monitoring wells;
(iv) Location of proposed trenches or area fill locations;
(v) Working area/perimeter fire lane;
(vi) Working area/perimeter fence location; and
(vii) Locations of any facility buildings at the landfill.
(d) Additional facility plot plans at the same scale as the general facility plot plan, shall be submitted as necessary to show orderly development and use of the facility through the life of the site. These plot plans shall at a minimum contain the following information:
(i) Excavation plans for development of trenches or preparation of area fill locations;
(ii) Development of temporary surface water diversion structures which may be necessary to adequately control surface water run-on and run-off;
(iii) Access to active solid waste disposal areas, including development of internal roads;
(iv) Cover stockpile locations;
(v) Topsoil storage pile locations;
(vi) Litter screen placement information, if applicable;
(vii) Location of special waste management or disposal areas, if applicable; and
(viii) Other details pertinent to the development and use of the facility.
(e) A map showing proposed final post-closure contours prepared at the same scale as the general facility plot plan.
(f) If the industrial solid waste facility is included in a larger industrial property, a map that shows the facility boundaries in relation to the overall boundaries of the industrial property.
(g) Cross sections or drawing with sufficient specifications to describe:
(i) Internal litter catch screens or fences, if applicable;
(ii) Working area/perimeter fencing;
(iii) Access roads;
(iv) Trench or area fill method;
(v) Special waste areas, where appropriate;
(vi) Systems used for monitoring, collection, treatment, and disposal of leachate, if applicable;
(vii) Groundwater monitoring well design;
(viii) Methane gas venting and monitoring system, if applicable;
(ix) Surface and subsurface drain systems to control run-on, run-off and, inflow;
(x) All components of engineered containment systems, if applicable, which include, but are not limited to, liners, caps, and berms; and
(xi) Any other design details requested by the Administrator.
(h) Recordkeeping logs: A copy of the recordkeeping logs/forms that will be maintained during the operating life, closure, and post-closure maintenance period.
Appendix A - Constituents for Detection Monitoring1
Inorganics (15)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service index name4
Suggested methods5
Antimony
(Total)
Antimony
6010
6020
7000
7010
Arsenic
(Total)
Arsenic
6010
6020
6200
7010
7061
7062
7063
Barium
(Total)
Barium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7010
Beryllium
(Total)
Beryllium
6010
6020
7000
7010
Cadmium
(Total)
Cadmium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Chromium
(Total)
Chromium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Cobalt
(Total)
Cobalt
6010
6020
6200
7000
7010
Copper
(Total)
Copper
6010
6020
6800
7000
7010
Lead
(Total)
Lead
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Nickel
(Total)
Nickel
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Selenium
(Total)
Selenium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7010
7741
7742
Silver
(Total)
Silver
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Thallium
(Total)
Thallium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Vanadium
(Total)
Vanadium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Zinc
(Total)
Zinc
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Appendix A - Constituents for Detection Monitoring1
Volatiles (47)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical Abstracts service index name4
Suggested methods5
Acetone
67-64-1
2-Propanone
8015
8260
8261
8315
Acrylonitrile
107-13-1
2-Propenenitrile
8015
8031
8260
8261
8316
Benzene
71-43-2
Benzene
8015
8021
8260
8261
Bromochloromethane; Chlorobromomethane
74-97-5
Methane, bromochloro-
8021
8260
8261
Bromodichloromethane; Dibromochloromethane
75-27-4
Methane, bromodichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Bromoform; Tribromomethane
75-25-2
Methane, tribromo-
8021
8260
8261
Carbon disulfide
75-15-0
Carbon disulfide
8260
8261
Carbon tetrachloride
56-23-5
Methane, tetrachloro-
8021
8260
8261
8535
Chlorobenzene
108-90-7
Benzene, chloro-
8021
8260
8261
Chloroethane; Ethyl chloride
75-00-3
Ethane, chloro-
8021
8260
8261
Chloroform; Trichloromethane
67-66-3
Methane, trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Dibromochloromethane; Chlorodibromomethane
124-48-1
Methane, dibromochloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane; DBCP
96-12-8
Propane, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloro-
8011
8021
8081
8260
8261
8270
1,2-Dibromoethane; Ethylene dibromide; EDB
106-93-4
Ethane, 1,2-dibromo-
8011
8021
8260
o-Dichlorobenzene; 1,2-Dichlorobenzene
95-50-1
Benzene, 1,2-dichloro-
8021
8121
8260
8261
8270
8410
p-Dichlorobenzene; 1,4-Dichlorobenzene
106-46-7
Benzene, 1,4-dichloro-
8021
8121
8260
8261
8270
8410
trans-1,4-Dichloro-2-butene
110-57-6
2-Butene, 1,4-dichloro-, (E)-
8260
8261
1,1-Dichloroethane; Ethylidene chloride
75-34-3
Ethane, 1,1-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,2-Dichloroethane; Ethylene dichloride
107-06-2
Ethane, 1,1-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,1-Dichloroethylene; 1,1-Dichlorothene; Vinylidene chloride
75-35-4
Ethene, 1,1-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene; cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
156-59-2
Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (Z)-
8021
8260
8261
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene; trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
156-60-5
Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (E)-
8021
8260
8261
1,2-Dichloropropane; Propylene dichloride
78-87-5
Propane, 1,2-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
10061-01-5
1-Propene, 1,3-dichloro-, (Z)-
8021
8260
8261
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
10061-02-6
1-Propene, 1,3-dichloro-, (E)-
8021
8260
8261
Ethylbenzene
100-41-4
Benzene, ethyl-
8015
8021
8260
8261
2-Hexanone; Methyl butyl ketone
591-78-6
2-Hexanone
8260
8261
Methyl bromide; Bromomethane
74-83-9
Methane, bromo-
8021
8260
8261
Methyl chloride; Chloromethane
74-87-3
Methane, chloro-
8021
8260
8261
Methylene bromide; Dibromomethane
74-95-3
Methane, dibromo-
8021
8260
8261
Methylene chloride; Dichloromethane; DCM
75-09-2
Methane, dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Methyl ethyl ketone; MEK; 2-Butanone
78-93-3
2-Butanone
8015
8260
8261
Methyl iodide; Iodomethane
74-88-4
Methane, iodo-
8260
8261
4-Methyl-2-pentanone; Methyl isobutyl ketone; MIBK
108-10-1
2-Pentanone, 4-methyl-
8260
8261
Styrene
100-42-5
Benzene, ethenyl-
8021
8260
8261
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
630-20-6
Ethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrachloro-
8021
8260
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
79-34-5
Ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-
8021
8260
8261
Tetrachloroethylene; Tetrachloroethene; Perchloroethylene
127-18-4
Ethene, tetrachloro-
8021
8260
8261
Toluene
108-88-3
Benzene, methyl-
8015
8021
8260
8261
1,1,1-Trichloroethane; Methylchloroform
71-55-6
Ethane, 1,1,1-trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
79-00-5
Ethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Trichloroethylene; Trichloroethene
79-01-6
Ethene, trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
8535
Trichlorofluoromethane; CFC-11
75-69-4
Methane, trichlorofluoro-
8021
8260
8261
1,2,3-Trichloropropane
96-18-4
Propane, 1,2,3-trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Vinyl acetate
108-05-4
Acetic acid, ethenyl ester
8260
Vinyl chloride; Chloroethene
75-01-4
Ethene, chloro-
8021
8260
8261
Xylene (total)
See Appendix B Note 6
Benzene, dimethyl-
8015
8021
8260
8261
-
The regulatory requirements pertain only to the list of substances; the right hand column (Suggested Methods) is given for informational purposes only. See also footnotes 5.
-
Common names are those widely used in government regulations, scientific publications, and commerce; synonyms exist for many chemicals.
-
Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Where "Total" is entered, all species in the groundwater that contain this element are included.
-
CAS index names are those used in the 9th Collective Index.
-
Suggested Methods refer to analytical procedure numbers used in EPA Report SW-846. "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, EPA publication SW-846, Third Edition, Final Updates I (1993), II (1995), IIA (1994), IIB (1995), III (1997), IIIA (1999), IIIB (2005), IV (2008), and V (2015)." Analytical details can be found in SW-846. CAUTION: The methods listed are representative SW-846 procedures and may not always be the most suitable method(s) for monitoring an analyte under the regulations.
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Inorganics (19)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
Antimony
(Total)
Antimony
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7062
Arsenic
(Total)
Arsenic
6010
6020
6200
7010
7061
7062
7063
Barium
(Total)
Barium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Beryllium
(Total)
Beryllium
6010
6020
7000
7010
Cadmium
(Total)
Cadmium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Chromium
(Total)
Chromium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Cobalt
(Total)
Cobalt
6010
6020
6200
7000
7010
Copper
(Total)
Copper
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Cyanide
57-12-5
Cyanide
9010
9012
9013
9014
9015
9016
9213
Lead
(Total)
Lead
6010
7420
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Mercury
(Total)
Mercury
6010
6020
6200
6800
7470
7471
7472
7473
7474
Nickel
(Total)
Nickel
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Selenium
(Total)
Selenium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7010
7740
7741
Silver
(Total)
Silver
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Sulfide
18496-25-8
Sulfide
9030
9031
9215
Thallium
(Total)
Thallium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Tin
(Total)
Tin
6010
6200
7000
Vanadium
(Total)
Vanadium
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Zinc
(Total)
Zinc
6010
6020
6200
6800
7000
7010
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Volatiles (64)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service index name4
Suggested methods5
Acetone
67-64-1
2-Propanone
8015
8260
8261
8315
Acetonitrile; Methyl cyanide
75-05-8
Acetonitrile
8015
8033
8260
8261
Acrolein; Propenal
107-02-8
2-Propenal
8015
8260
8261
8315
8316
Acrylonitrile
107-13-1
2-Propenenitrile
8015
8031
8260
8261
8316
Allyl chloride
107-05-1
1-Propene, 3-chloro-
8021
8260
8261
Benzene
71-43-2
Benzene
8015
8021
8260
8260
Bromochloromethane; Chlorobromomethane
74-97-5
Methane, bromochloro-
8021
8260
8261
Bromodichloromethane; Dibromochloromethane
75-27-4
Methane, bromodichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Bromoform; Tribromomethane
75-25-2
Methane, tribromo-
8021
8260
8261
Carbon disulfide
75-15-0
Carbon disulfide
8260
8261
Carbon tetrachloride
56-23-5
Methane, tetrachloro-
8021
8260
8261
8535
Chlorobenzene
108-90-7
Benzene, chloro-
8021
8260
8260
Chloroethane; Ethyl chloride
75-00-3
Ethane, chloro-
8021
8260
8261
Chloroform; Trichloromethane
67-66-3
Methane, trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Chloroprene; 2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene
126-99-8
1,3-Butadiene, 2-chloro-
8021
8260
Dibromochloromethane; Chlorodibromomethane
124-48-1
Methane, dibromochloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane; DBCP
96-12-8
Propane, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloro-
8011
8021
8081
8260
8261
8270
1,2-Dibromoethane; Ethylene dibromide; EDB
106-93-4
Ethane, 1,2-dibromo-
8011
8021
8260
o-Dichlorobenzene; 1,2-Dichlorobenzene
95-50-1
Benzene, 1,2-dichloro-
8021
8121
8260
8261
8270
8410
m-Dichlorobenzene; 1,3-Dichlorobenzene
541-73-1
Benzene, 1,3-dichloro-
8021
8121
8260
8261
8270
8410
p-Dichlorobenzene; 1,4-Dichlorobenzene
106-46-7
Benzene, 1,4-dichloro-
8021
8121
8260
8261
8270
trans-1,4-Dichloro-2-butene
110-57-6
2-Butene, 1,4-dichloro-, (E)-
8260
8261
Dichlorodifluoromethane
75-71-8
Methane, dichlorodifluoro-
8021
8260
8261
1,1-Dichloroethane; Ethylidene chloride
75-34-3
Ethane, 1,1-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,2-Dichloroethane; Ethylene dichloride
107-06-2
Ethane, 1,1-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,1-Dichloroethylene; 1,1-Dichlorothene; Vinylidene chloride
75-35-4
Ethene, 1,1-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene; cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
156-59-2
Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (Z)-
8021
8260
8261
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene; trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
156-60-5
Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (E)-
8021
8260
8261
1,2-Dichloropropane;
Propylene dichloride
78-87-5
Propane, 1,2-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,3-Dichloropropane; Trimethylene dichloride
142-28-9
Propane, 1,3-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
2,2-Dichloropropane; Isopropylidene chloride
594-20-7
Propane, 2,2-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,1-Dichloropropene
563-58-6
1-Propene, 1,1-dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
10061-01-5
1-Propene, 1,3-dichloro-, (Z)-
8021
8260
8261
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
10061-02-6
1-Propene, 1,3-dichloro-, (E)-
8021
8260
8261
Ethyl benzene
100-41-4
Benzene, ethyl-
8015
8021
8260
8261
Ethyl methacrylate
97-63-2
2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, ethyl ester
8260
8261
2-Hexanone; Methyl butyl ketone
591-78-6
2-Hexanone
8260
8261
Isobutyl alcohol; 2-Methyl-1-propanol
78-83-1
1-Propanol, 2-methyl-
8260
8261
Methacrylonitrile
126-98-7
2-Propenenitrile, 2-methyl-
8260
8261
Methyl bromide; Bromomethane
74-83-9
Methane, bromo-
8021
8260
8261
Methyl chloride; Chloromethane
74-87-3
Methane, chloro-
8021
8260
8261
Methylene bromide; Dibromomethane
74-95-3
Methane, dibromo-
8021
8260
8261
Methylene chloride; Dichloromethane; DCM
75-09-2
Methane, dichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Methyl ethyl ketone; MEK; 2-Butanone
78-93-3
2-Butanone
8015
8260
8261
Methyl iodide; Iodomethane
74-88-4
Methane, iodo-
8260
8261
Methyl methacrylate
80-62-6
2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methylester
8260
8261
4-Methyl-2-pentanone; Methyl isobutyl ketone; MIBK
108-10-1
2-Pentanone, 4-methyl-
8260
8261
Naphthalene
91-20-3
Naphthalene
8021
8100
8260
8261
8270
8275
8310
8410
Propionitrile; Ethyl cyanide
107-12-0
Propanenitrile
8015
8260
8261
Styrene
100-42-5
Benzene, ethenyl-
8021
8260
8261
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
630-20-6
Ethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrachloro-
8021
8260
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
79-34-5
Ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-
8021
8260
8261
Tetrachloroethylene; Tetrachloroethene; Perchloroethylene
127-18-4
Ethene, tetrachloro-
8021
8260
8261
Toluene
108-88-3
Benzene, methyl-
8015
8021
8260
8261
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
120-82-1
Benzene, 1,2,4-trichloro-
8021
8121
8260
8270
8275
8410
1,1,1-Trichloroethane; Methylchloroform
71-55-6
Ethane, 1,1,1-trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
79-00-5
Ethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Trichloroethylene; Trichloroethene
79-01-6
Ethene, trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
8535
Trichlorofluoromethane; CFC-11
75-69-4
Methane, trichlorofluoro-
8021
8260
8261
1,2,3-Trichloropropane
96-18-4
Propane, 1,2,3-trichloro-
8021
8260
8261
Vinyl acetate
108-05-4
Acetic acid, ethenyl ester
8260
Vinyl chloride; Chloroethene
75-01-4
Ethene, chloro-
8021
8260
8261
Xylene (Total)
See Note 6
Benzene, dimethyl-
8015
8021
8260
8261
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Semi-Volatiles (108)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
Acenaphthene
83-32-9
Acenaphthylene, 1,2-dihydro-
8100
8270
8275
8310
Acenaphthylene
208-96-8
Acenaphthylene
8100
8270
8275
8310
8410
Acetophenone
98-86-2
Ethanone, 1-phenyl-
8261
8270
2-Acetylaminofluorene; 2-AAF
53-96-3
Acetamide, N-9H-fluoren-2-yl-
8270
4-Aminobiphenyl
92-67-1
[1,1'-Biphenyl]-4-amine
8270
Anthracene
120-12-7
Anthracene
8100
8270
8275
8310
8410
Benzo[a]anthracene; Benzanthracene
56-55-3
Benz[a]anthracene
8100
8270
8275
8310
8410
Benzo[b]fluoranthene
205-99-2
Benz[e]acephenanthrylene
8100
8270
8275
8310
Benzo[k]fluoranthene
207-08-9
Benzo[k]fluoranthene
8100
8270
8275
8310
Benzo[g,h,i]perylene
191-24-2
Benzo[ghi]perylene
8100
8270
8275
8310
Benzo[a]pyrene
50-32-8
Benzo[a]pyrene
8100
8270
8275
8310
8410
Benzyl alcohol
100-51-6
Benzenemethanol
8270
Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane
111-91-1
Ethane, 1,1'-[methylenebis (oxy)]bis[2-chloro-
8111
8270
8410
Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether; Dichloroethhyl ether
111-44-4
Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-chloro-
8111
8270
8410
8430
Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) ether; 2,2'-Dichlorodiisopropyl ether; DCIP, See note 7
108-60-1
Propane, 2,2'-oxybis[1-chloro-
8021
8111
8270
8410
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
117-81-7
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl)ester
8061
8270
8410
4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether
101-55-3
Benzene, 1-bromo-4-phenoxy-
8111
8270
8275
8410
Butyl benzyl phthalate; Benzyl butyl phthalate
85-68-7
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, butyl phenylmethyl ester
8061
8270
8410
p-Chloroaniline; 4-Chloroaniline
106-47-8
Benzenamine, 4-chloro-
8131
8270
8410
Chlorobenzilate
510-15-6
Benzeneacetic acid, 4-chloro-α-(4-chlorophenyl)-α-hydroxy-, ethyl ester
8081
8270
p-Chloro-m-cresol; 4-Chloro-3-methylphenol
59-50-7
Phenol, 4-chloro-3-methyl-
8041
8270
8410
2-Chloronaphthalene
91-58-7
Naphthalene, 2-chloro-
8121
8270
8410
2-Chlorophenol
95-57-8
Phenol, 2-chloro-
8041
8270
8410
4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether
7005-72-3
Benzene, 1-chloro-4-phenoxy-
8111
8270
8410
Chrysene
218-01-9
Chrysene
8100
8270
8275
8310
8410
m-Cresol; 3-Methylphenol
108-39-4
Phenol, 3-methyl-
8041
8270
o-Cresol; 2-Methylphenol
95-48-7
Phenol, 2-methyl-
8041
8270
8410
p-Cresol; 4-Methylphenol
106-44-5
Phenol, 4-methyl-
8041
8270
8410
Diallate
2303-16-4
Carbamothioic acid, bis(1-methylethyl)-, S- (2,3-dichloro-2-propenyl) ester
8081
8085
8270
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
53-70-3
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
8100
8270
8275
8310
Dibenzofuran
132-64-9
Dibenzofuran
8270
8275
8410
3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine
91-94-1
[1,1'-Biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine, 3,3'-dichloro-
8270
8325
2,4-Dichlorophenol
120-83-2
Phenol, 2,4-dichloro-
8041
8270
8410
2,6-Dichlorophenol
87-65-0
Phenol, 2,6-dichloro-
8041
8270
Diethyl phthalate
84-66-2
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, diethyl ester
8061
8270
8410
Thionazin; Zinophos
297-97-2
Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-diethyl O-pyrazinyl ester
8141
8270
Dimethoate
60-51-5
Phosphorodithioic acid, O,O-dimethyl S-[2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl] ester
8141
8270
8085
8321
p-(Dimethylamino)azobenzene; Dimethylaminoazobenzene;
60-11-7
Benzenamine, N,N-dimethyl-4-(phenylazo)-
8270
7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene
57-97-6
Benz[a]anthracene, 7,12-dimethyl-
8270
3,3'-Dimethylbenzidine
119-93-7
[1,1'-Biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine, 3,3'-dimethyl-
8270
8325
2,4-Dimethylphenol; m-Xylenol
105-67-9
Phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-
8041
8270
Dimethyl phthalate
131-11-3
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl ester
8061
8270
8410
m-Dinitrobenzene; 1,3-DNB
99-65-0
Benzene, 1,3-dinitro-
8091
8095
8270
8330
4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol; 4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol
534-52-1
Phenol, 2-methyl-4,6-dinitro-
8270
8410
2,4-Dinitrophenol
51-28-5
Phenol, 2,4-dinitro-
8041
8270
8410
2,4-Dinitrotoluene; 2,4-DNT
121-14-2
Benzene, 1-methyl-2,4-dinitro-
8091
8095
8270
8330
8410
Di-n-butyl phthalate
84-74-2
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dibutyl ester
8061
8270
8410
2,6-Dinitrotoluene; 2,6-DNT
606-20-2
Benzene, 2-methyl-1,3-dinitro-
8091
8095
8270
8330
8410
Dinoseb; DNBP;
2-sec-Butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol
88-85-7
Phenol, 2-(1-methylpropyl)-4,6-dinitro-
8041
8085
8151
8270
8321
Di-n-octyl phthalate
117-84-0
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dioctyl ester
8061
8270
8410
Diphenylamine
122-39-4
Benzenamine, N-phenyl-
8270
Disulfoton
298-04-4
Phosphorodithioic acid, O,O-diethyl S-[2-(ethylthio)ethyl]ester
8085
8141
8270
8321
Ethyl methanesulfonate
62-50-0
Methanesulfonic acid, ethyl ester
8270
Famphur
52-85-7
Phosphorothioic acid, O-[4-[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl]-O,O-dimethyl ester
8141
8270
8321
Fluoranthene
206-44-0
Fluoranthene
8100
8270
8275
8310
8410
Fluorene
86-73-7
9H-Fluorene
8100
8270
8275
8310
8410
Hexachlorobenzene
118-74-1
Benzene, hexachloro-
8081
8085
8121
8270
8275
8410
Hexachlorobutadiene; 1,3-Hexachlorobutadiene
87-68-3
1,3-Butadiene, 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexachloro-
8021
8121
8260
8261
8270
8410
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
77-47-4
1,3-Cyclopentadiene, 1,2,3,4,5,5-hexachloro-
8081
8085
8121
8270
8410
Hexachloroethane
67-72-1
Ethane, hexachloro-
8121
8260
8270
8410
Hexachloropropene
1888-71-7
1-Propene, 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexachloro-
8141
8270
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
193-39-5
Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene
8100
8270
8275
8310
Isodrin
465-73-6
1,4,5,8-Dimethanonaphthalene,1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-1,4,4a,5,8,8a hexahydro-(1α,4α,4aß,5ß,8ß,8aß)-
8081
8270
Isophorone
78-59-1
2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 3,5,5-trimethyl-
8270
8410
Isosafrole
120-58-1
1,3-Benzodioxole, 5-(1-propenyl)-
8270
Kepone
143-50-0
1,3,4-Metheno-2H-cyclobuta- [cd]pentalen-2-one, 1,1a,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-decachloro-octahydro-
8270
Methapyrilene
91-80-5
1,2,Ethanediamine, N,N-dimethyl-N'-2-pyridinyl-N'-(2-thienylmethyl)-
8270
3-Methylcholanthrene
56-49-5
Benz[j]aceanthrylene, 1,2-dihydro-3-methyl-
8100
8270
Methyl methanesulfonate
66-27-3
Methanesulfonic acid, methyl ester
8270
2-Methylnaphthalene
91-57-6
Naphthalene, 2-methyl-
8261
8270
8410
Methyl parathion;
Parathion methyl
298-00-0
Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-dimethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl) ester
8085
8141
8270
8321
1,4-Naphthoquinone
130-15-4
1,4-Naphthalenedione
8270
8091
1-Naphthylamine
134-32-7
1-Naphthalenamine
8270
2-Naphthylamine
91-59-8
2-Naphthalenamine
8270
o-Nitroaniline; 2-Nitroaniline
88-74-4
Benzenamine, 2-nitro-
8131
8270
8410
m-Nitroaniline; 3-Nitroaniline
99-09-2
Benzenamine, 3-nitro-
8131
8270
8410
p-Nitroaniline; 4-Nitroaniline
100-01-6
Benzenamine, 4-nitro-
8131
8270
8410
Nitrobenzene; NB
98-95-3
Benzene, nitro-
8091
8095
8260
8270
8330
8410
o-Nitrophenol; 2-Nitrophenol
88-75-5
Phenol, 2-nitro-
8041
8270
8410
p-Nitrophenol; 4-Nitrophenol
100-02-7
Phenol, 4-nitro-
8041
8085
8151
8270
8410
N-Nitrosodiethylamine
55-18-5
Ethanamine, N-ethyl-N-nitroso-
8261
8270
N-Nitrosodimethylamine
62-75-9
Methanamine, N-methyl-N-nitroso-
8070
8261
8270
8410
N-Nitroso-di-n-butylamine; N-Nitrosodibutylamine
924-16-3
1-Butanamine, N-butyl-N-nitroso-
8015
8260
8261
8270
N-Nitrosodiphenylamine
86-30-6
Benzenamine, N-nitroso-N-phenyl-
8070
8270
8410
N-Nitrosodipropylamine; N-Nitroso-N-dipropylamine; Di-n-propylnitrosamine
621-64-7
1-Propanamine, N-nitroso-N-propyl-
8070
8261
8270
8410
N-Nitrosomethylethylamine
10595-95-6
Ethanamine, N-methyl-N-nitroso-
8261
8270
N-Nitrosopiperidine
100-75-4
Piperidine, 1-nitroso-
8270
N-Nitrosopyrrolidine
930-55-2
Pyrrolidine, 1-nitroso-
8270
5-Nitro-o-toluidine
99-55-8
Benzenamine, 2-methyl-5-nitro-
8270
Pentachlorophenol
87-86-5
Phenol, pentachloro-
8041
8085
8151
8270
8410
Phenanthrene
85-01-8
Phenanthrene
8100
8270
8275
8310
8410
Phenol
108-95-2
Phenol
8041
8270
8410
p-Phenylenediamine
106-50-3
1,4-Benzenediamine
8270
Pentachlorobenzene
608-93-5
Benzene, pentachloro-
8121
8270
Pentachloronitrobenzene; PCNB
82-68-8
Benzene, pentachloronitro-
8081
8091
8270
Phenacetin
62-44-2
Acetamide, N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)
8270
Phorate
298-02-2
Phosphorodithioic acid, O,O-diethyl S-[(ethylthio)methyl] ester
8085
8141
8270
8321
Pronamide; Kerb
23950-58-5
Benzamide, 3,5-dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)-
8085
8270
Pyrene
129-00-0
Pyrene
8100
8270
8275
8310
8410
Safrole
94-59-7
1,3-Benzodioxole, 5-(2-propenyl)-
8270
1,2,4,5-Tetrachloro-benzene
95-94-3
Benzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrachloro-
8121
8270
2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol
58-90-2
Phenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachloro-
8041
8085
8270
o-Toluidine
95-53-4
Benzenamine, 2-methyl-
8015
8260
8261
8270
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
95-95-4
Phenol, 2,4,5-trichloro-
8041
8085
8270
8410
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
88-06-2
Phenol, 2,4,6-trichloro-
8041
8085
8270
8410
O,O,O-Triethyl phosphorothioate
126-68-1
Phosphorothioic acid, O,O,O-triethyl ester
8270
sym-Trinitrobenzene; 1,3,5-TNB
99-35-4
Benzene, 1,3,5-trinitro-
8095
8270
8330
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Pesticides
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
Aldrin
309-00-2
1,4:5,8-Dimethanonaphthalene, 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro- 1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro- (1α,4α,4aß,5α, 8α,8aß)-
8081
8085
8270
alpha-BHC; α-BHC; α-Hexachlorocyclohexane
319-84-6
Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-,(1α, 2α,3ß,4α,5ß,6ß)-
8081
8085
8121
8270
beta-BHC; ß-BHC; ß-Hexachlorocyclohexane
319-85-7
Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-,(1α,2ß,3α,4ß,5α,6ß)-
8081
8085
8121
8270
delta-BHC; δ-BHC; δ -Hexachlorocyclohexane
319-86-8
Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-,(1α,
2α,3α,4ß,5α,6ß)-
8081
8085
8121
8270
gamma-BHC; γ-BHC; γ -Hexachlorocyclohexane; Lindane
58-89-9
Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-,(1α,2α,3ß,4α,5α,6ß)-
8081
8085
8121
8270
Chlordane
See Note 8
4,7-Methano-1H-indene, 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-
8081
8085
8270
4,4'-DDD
72-54-8
Benzene 1,1'-(2,2-dichloroethylidene)bis[4-chloro-
8081
8085
8270
4,4'-DDE
72-55-9
Benzene, 1,1'-(dichloroethenylidene)bis[4-chloro-
8081
8085
8270
4,4'-DDT
50-29-3
Benzene, 1,1'-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)bis[4-chloro-
8081
8085
8270
Dieldrin
60-57-1
2,7:3,6-Dimethanonaphth[2,3-b]oxirene, 3,4,5,6,9,9-hexa,chloro-1a,2,2a,3,6,6a,7,7a-octahydro-, (1aα,2ß,2aα,3ß,6ß,6aα,7ß,7aα)-
8081
8085
8270
Endosulfan I
959-98-8
6,9-Methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin, 6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-, 3-oxide, (3α,5aß,6α,9α,9aß)-
8080
8250
Endosulfan II
33213-65-9
6,9-Methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin, 6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro- 1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-, 3-oxide, (3α,5aα,6ß,9ß,9aα)-
8081
8085
8270
Endosulfan sulfate
1031-07-8
6,9-Methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin, 6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro- 1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-, 3,3-dioxide
8081
8085
8270
Endrin
72-20-8
2,7:3,6-Dimethanonaphth[2,3-b]oxirene, 3,4,5,6,9,9-hexachloro-1a,2,2a,3,6,6a,7,7a-octahydro-, (1aα, 2ß,2aß,3α,6α, 6aß,7ß,7aα)-
8081
8085
8270
Endrin aldehyde
7421-93-4
1,2,4-Methenocyclopenta[cd]pentalene-5-carboxaldehyde, 2,2a,3,3,4,7-hexachlorodecahydro-, (1α,2ß,2aß,4ß,4aß,5ß,6ß,,6bß,7R*)-
8081
8085
8270
Heptachlor
76-44-8
4,7-Methano-1H-indene, 1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-
8081
8085
8270
Heptachlor epoxide
1024-57-3
2,5-Methano-2H-indeno[1,2-b]oxirene, 2,3,4,5,6,7,7-heptachloro-1a,1b,5,5a,6,6a,-hexahydro-, (1aα,1bß,2α,5α,5aß,6ß,6aα)
8081
8085
8270
Methoxychlor
72-43-5
Benzene, 1,1'-(2,2,2,trichloroethylidene)bis[4-methoxy-
8081
8085
8270
Parathion; Ethyl Parathion
56-38-2
Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-diethyl-O-(4-nitrophenyl) ester
8085
8141
8270
Toxaphene
See Note 9
Toxaphene
8081
8270
8272
8276
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
Herbicides (3)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
2,4-D; 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid
94-75-7
Acetic acid, (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-
8085
8151
8321
2,4,5-T; 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid
93-76-5
Acetic acid, (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)-
8151
Silvex; 2,4,5-TP
93-72-1
Propanoic acid, 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)-
8085
8151
8321
Appendix B - Constituents for Assessment Monitoring1
PCBs (7)
Common name2
CAS RN3
Chemical abstracts service
index name4
Suggested methods5
Polychlorinated biphenyls; PCBs; Aroclors
See Note 10
1,1'-Biphenyl, chloro derivatives
8082
8270
-
The regulatory requirements pertain only to the list of substances; the right hand column (Suggested Methods) is given for informational purposes only. See also footnotes 5.
-
Common names are those widely used in government regulations, scientific publications, and commerce; synonyms exist for many chemicals.
-
Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Where "Total" is entered, all species in the groundwater that contain this element are included.
-
CAS index names are those used in the 9th Collective Index.
-
Suggested Methods refer to analytical procedure numbers used in EPA Report SW-846 "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, EPA publication SW-846, Third Edition, Final Updates I (1993), II (1995), IIA (1994), IIB (1995), III (1997), IIIA (1999), IIIB (2005), IV (2008), and V (2015)." Analytical details can be found in SW-846. CAUTION: The methods listed are representative SW-846 procedures and may not always be the most suitable method(s) for monitoring an analyte under the regulations.
-
Xylene (total): This entry includes o-xylene (CAS RN 96-47-6), m-xylene (CAS RN 108-38-3), p-xylene (CAS RN. 106-42-3), and unspecified xylenes (dimethylbenzenes) (CAS RN 1330-20-7).
-
This substance is often called Bis(2-chlorolsopropyl) ether, the name Chemical Abstracts Service applies to its noncommercial isomer, Propane, 2,2"-oxybis[2-chloro- (CAS RN 39638-32-9)
-
Chlordane: This entry includes alpha-chlordane (CAS RN 5103-71-9), beta-chlordane (CAS RN 5103-74-2), gamma-chlordane (CAS RN 5566-34-7), and constituents of chlordane (CAS RN 57-74-9 and CAS RN 12789-03-6).
-
Toxaphene: This entry includes congener chemicals contained in technical toxaphene (CAS RN 8001-35-2), i.e., chlorinated camphene.
-
Polychlorinated biphenyls (CAS RN 1336-36-3); this category contains congener chemicals, including constituents of Aroclor 1016 (CAS RN 12674-11-2), Aroclor 1221 (CAS RN 11104-28-2), Aroclor 1232 (CAS RN 11141-16-5), Aroclor 1242 (CAS RN 53469-21-9), Aroclor 1248 (CAS RN 12672-29-6), Aroclor 1254 (CAS RN 11097-69-1), and Aroclor 1260 (CAS RN 11096-82-5).
History
- Effective 2023-01-13
Chapter 4 Construction and Demolition Landfill Regulations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 1 In General
(a) Authority: The authority for the rules and regulations promulgated in this chapter is the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act (Act), Wyoming Statute (W.S.) §§ 35-11-101 et seq.
(b) One-time or emergency disposal authorization: The one-time or emergency disposal authorization procedure described in Chapter 1 will be considered for the land disposal of construction/demolition wastes.
(c) Permit transition:
(i) For existing facilities:
(A) Existing facilities that receive wastes after the effective date of these regulations and do not have a permit issued for the life of the facility: The operator shall submit a renewal or closure permit application one (1) year before the existing permit or authorization expires.
(B) Existing facilities that have not received wastes after the effective date of these regulations: The operator may be required to submit a closure permit application upon request by the Administrator. The Administrator may request such an application whenever the Administrator has reason to believe that health and safety hazards are present or there has been evidence of environmental contamination.
(ii) For new facilities: The operator of any new facility shall submit a permit application in accordance with the permit application procedures specified in Chapter 1.
(iii) For closing facilities:
(A) Anticipated closure: The operator of a facility with a valid permit shall submit a closure permit application to the Department at least twelve (12) months prior to the anticipated closure date, unless the Administrator approves interim measures with delayed final closure for good cause upon application by the operator.
(B) Unanticipated closure: In the event any facility ceases operation, as determined by nonreceipt of solid wastes for any continuous nine month period, the operator shall provide written notification to the Administrator no later than thirty (30) days after the end of such nine (9) month period. This notification shall be accompanied by a closure permit application unless the Administrator approves interim measures with delayed final closure for good cause upon application by the operator.
(d) Permit terms:
(i) Permits for new landfills will be issued for the operating life of the facility, through closure.
(ii) Renewal permits will be issued for the operating life of the facility, through closure.
(iii) Closure permits will be issued for a period that includes the time required to complete closure activities and a minimum five year post-closure term. The closure permit period will extend until the Administrator finds that facility closure is protective of human health and the environment consistent with the purposes of the Act. If, following receipt of documentation from the operator, the Administrator determines that all closure and post-closure activities have been completed and closure is protective of human health and the environment, the permit shall be terminated as specified in Chapter 1.
(e) Definitions: The definitions in W.S. § 35-11-103(a) and (d) of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and the definitions in Solid Waste Rules and Regulations Chapter 1 apply to these rules.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 2 Permit Application Requirements
(a) Permit application requirements:
(i) Permit applications for new facilities and renewal permit applications shall contain a completed application form and a written report containing the applicable information in Sections 3 through 17 of this chapter. Records and supporting documents such as well logs, maps, cross-sections, and monitoring reports should generally be included in the written report as appendices.
(ii) All permit application forms shall be signed by the operator, the land owner and any real property lien holder of public record. All applications shall be signed by the operator under oath subject to penalty of perjury. All persons signing the application shall be duly authorized agents. The following persons are considered duly authorized agents:
(A) For a municipality, state, federal or other public agency, by the head of the agency or ranking elected official.
(B) For corporations, at least two principal officers.
(C) For a sole proprietorship or partnership, a proprietor or general partner, respectively.
(iii) All permit applications shall be prepared under the supervision of a professional engineer registered in the State of Wyoming. All permit application forms shall be stamped, signed and dated by a professional engineer. In addition, all portions of the permit application that require geological services or work shall be stamped, signed and dated by a professional geologist licensed by the State of Wyoming.
(b) Renewal application requirements: Facilities without a permit issued for the life of the facility shall submit a renewal application, as required in Chapter 1 that includes a compilation of previous permit application materials and supplemental information updated and revised as necessary to document facility operations and activities carried out during the last permit term. Renewal applications shall include a copy of the approved permit or renewal permit application or revisions to the previous application, if revised, and updated pages and drawings are appropriately numbered and dated to facilitate incorporation into the previous permit application document. Revisions to the previous application shall be clearly indicated.
(i) Renewal applications shall contain:
(A) Any necessary plan revisions for the remaining life of the facility and any requests for approval of amendments.
(B) Detailed construction and operation specifications for the remaining life of the facility, if such specifications were not included in an approved facility permit application.
(c) Closure permit application requirements: Closure permit applications shall be submitted as required in Section 2 (a) (iii) and Section 11.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 3 General Facility Information
(a) Operator information: The name, address and telephone number of the legal operator of the facility to whom the permit would be issued, and a listing of any administrative order, civil or administrative penalty assessment, bond forfeiture, misdemeanor or felony conviction, or court proceeding, for any violations of any local, state or federal law relating to environmental quality or criminal racketeering, in which the applicant (including any partners in a partnership or executive officers in any corporation, if the applicant is a partnership or corporation) has been or is currently involved.
(b) Manager information: Position title, address and telephone number of the solid waste manager.
(c) Legal description: Legal description of the property to be used as a disposal site. The complete legal description shall consist of a plat and legal description, monumented and signed in accordance with Wyoming statutes by a Wyoming licensed land surveyor.
(d) Facility narrative: A brief narrative describing the disposal facility. The narrative should include the size of the facility, the type of waste disposal activities that are planned (area fill, trench fill, special waste areas), and the service area of the facility.
(e) Surface and mineral ownership: Information describing surface and mineral ownership of the site and surface ownership of all lands within one (1) mile of the facility boundary.
(f) Source of wastes: The source of wastes and the type and quantity of waste (on a daily, weekly or monthly basis) that will be disposed at the facility.
(g) Site capacity and life: Estimated site capacity and site life, including the calculations on which these estimates are based.
(h) Potential to impact surface and groundwater quality: An evaluation of the facility's potential to impact surface and groundwater quality based on the facility design and hydrogeologic information.
(i) Access agreement: The application shall include the following access agreement:
(i) The owner of the facility authorizes Department representatives, upon the presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to access and enter upon the operator's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of a permit, authorization or exemption; have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the conditions of any permit, authorization or exemption; inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under the Act; and collect resource data, sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of ensuring compliance or as otherwise authorized by the appropriate rules and regulations of the Department, any substances or parameters at any location.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 4 Location Standards
(a) New facilities: New facilities and lateral expansions of existing facilities shall not be located in violation of W.S. § 35-11-502(c) and the following standards:
(i) Local zoning ordinances: Facility locations shall not conflict with local zoning ordinances or land use plans adopted by a county commission or municipality.
(ii) Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Facility locations shall not diminish the scenic, recreational and fish and wildlife values for any section of river designated for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq., and implementing regulations.
(iii) National Historic Preservation Act: Facilities shall not be located in areas where they may pose a threat to an irreplaceable historic or archeological site listed pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq. and implementing regulations, or to a natural landmark designated by the National Park Service.
(iv) Endangered Species Act: Facilities shall not be located within a critical habitat of an endangered or threatened species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., and implementing regulations, where the facility may cause destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat, may jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or contribute to the taking of such species.
(v) Big game winter range/grouse breeding grounds: Facilities shall not be located within critical winter ranges for big game or breeding grounds for grouse, unless after consultation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Director determines that facility development, would not conflict with the conservation of Wyoming's wildlife resources.
(b) New units and lateral expansions:
(i) Floodplains: New units and lateral expansions shall not be located within the boundaries of a 100-year floodplain.
(ii) Wetlands: New units and lateral expansions shall not be located in wetlands.
(c) Facilities regulated under Chapter 6 or 8: Facilities that are also subject to regulation under Chapter 6 or 8 shall not be located in violation of the standards in Chapter 6 or 8.
(d) Access roads: The roads leading to facilities shall not be subject to the location standards described in this section.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 5 Geology, Hydrology, and Hydrogeology
(a) The application shall include a summary description of available local geologic, hydrologic, and hydrogeologic information, including copies of all available well logs for wells located within one mile of the proposed site. This description shall include information on the depth to the uppermost groundwater, groundwater aquifer thickness and hydrologic properties, and the potentiometric surface. Supporting documentation such as well completion logs, geologic cross sections, soil boring lithologic logs, potentiometric surface maps and soil or groundwater testing data should be supplied as an appendix.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 6 Design and Construction Standards
(a) Surveyed corners: All site boundary corners shall be surveyed and marked with permanent survey caps.
(b) Posting standards: Each point of access shall be identified by a sign that shall be easily readable, maintained in good condition and that contains at a minimum the following information:
(i) For facilities not open to the public:
(A) Identification of the facility as a solid waste landfill.
(B) Wastes accepted for disposal at the facility.
(C) The position title and phone number of the responsible person to contact in the event of emergencies.
(ii) For public facilities:
(A) The facility name.
(B) The position title and phone number of the responsible person to contact in the event of emergencies.
(C) The hours of operation.
(D) Wastes accepted for disposal at the facility.
(E) Identification of the facility as a public facility.
(F) A requirement to notify the landfill operator of any asbestos wastes.
(c) Access road standards: Facility access roads shall be constructed to enable use under inclement weather conditions.
(d) Topsoil standards: Topsoil from all disturbed areas shall be stripped and stockpiled in an area that will not be disturbed during facility operation. These stockpiles shall be identified by signs and vegetated for stabilization. This topsoil shall be used for site reclamation. Topsoil shall not be removed from the facility without written authorization from the Department.
(e) Structural stability: Engineering measures shall be incorporated into the landfill design to ensure stability of structural components in unstable areas and seismic impact zones.
(f) Surface water structures: Surface water diversion structures shall be sized to collect and control runoff from the active portion of the landfill from at least the water volume resulting from a 24-hour, 25-year storm and prevent flow onto the active portion of the landfill during the peak discharge from a 25-year storm.
(g) Sediment control: Sediment control structures shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(h) Slope stability for excavations: Trench wall slopes shall not exceed a ratio of 1.5:1 (horizontal:vertical) unless a slope stability analysis demonstrates steeper slopes can be safely constructed and maintained. This analysis may be based on site specific soil stability calculations or Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations for excavations.
(i) Buffer zones: A buffer zone of at least 20 feet shall be maintained within the perimeter boundary.
(j) Cover material: Sufficient cover material shall be available to properly operate the facility through the closure period.
(k) Engineered containment:
(i) The Administrator may require an engineered containment system, including a composite liner, leachate collection system, and final cover with a permeability less than or equal to the permeability of the bottom liner system, in new units and lateral expansions:
(A) If the facility design does not meet Department guidance or equivalent methods approved by the Administrator; or
(B) If the operator does not provide a performance-based design that demonstrates that concentrations of pollutants will not exceed groundwater protection standards at the relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator that is no more than 150 meters (492 feet) from the waste management unit boundary on land owned by the owner of the landfill.
(ii) Engineered containment systems, if required by the Administrator, shall be designed and constructed as specified in Chapter 2, Section 7 (g) and (h).
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 7 Operating Standards
(a) Litter control: The operator shall maintain a routine litter collection program within the landfill and off-site. The application shall describe the frequency of litter collection for internal fences, perimeter roads and off-site areas, special operating procedures to be used during periods of high wind and a summary of any wind speed and direction data available for the local area.
(b) Manager qualifications: Each solid waste manager shall:
(i) Possess a complete working knowledge of the solid waste
management facility operational plan. For any facility that is operated in compliance, the solid waste manager's working knowledge shall be presumed to be adequate. For any facility that is being constructed or operated out of compliance, the solid waste manager may be required to demonstrate working knowledge of the plan to the Department by written or oral examination. This demonstration shall be conducted:
(A) For any new solid waste manager, no later than six months following assumption of responsibility for operating a facility, or
(B) For any existing solid waste manager, no later than six months following the date the facility is permitted under this Chapter.
(ii) Attend the classroom or field training program described in the approved plan. For any facility operated in compliance, the personnel training program shall be presumed to be adequate. For any facility that is being constructed or operated out of compliance, the Administrator may disapprove the training program described in the plan and require the operator to submit a revised training program within thirty (30) days for approval by the Administrator.
(iii) Attend any training course sponsored by the Department that the Administrator requires to provide training on changes to state or federal solid waste rules or guidelines. For any such mandatory training course, the Department shall provide each operator with a minimum of ninety (90) days' notice prior to the scheduled training course.
(iv) In the event that a qualified solid waste manager terminates employment the operator shall designate a new solid waste manager who meets the requirements of the approved plan, within three (3) months of such termination.
(c) Routine cover: Routine cover shall control fires, litter, odor, and disease vectors. Wastes shall be covered with at least six (6) inches of uniformly compacted soil at least monthly or more frequently if required by the Administrator. Alternate types of routine cover may be approved by the Administrator.
(d) Confine working face: Disposal shall be limited to the smallest practical area. Signs or other physical dumping barriers shall direct dumping to the proper area and the facility attendant shall ensure that dumping is adequately confined.
(e) Access control: Access shall be prohibited at any time other than the facility's operating hours.
(i) The working area of all facilities shall be fenced in such a manner as to discourage people and livestock from entering the facility.
(A) Additional fencing may be required to restrict access to reclaimed areas or other areas that may present public health and safety hazards;
(B) If the facility is located on property that already has a restrictive perimeter fence, the requirement for a perimeter fence around the working area may be waived.
(ii) Access roads shall be equipped with a gate that shall be locked when the facility is unattended.
(f) Surface water restrictions: Standing or running water shall not come into contact with refuse. All facilities shall take adequate measures to prevent and/or alleviate ponding of water over filled areas. Surfaces shall be graded to promote lateral surface water runoff.
(g) Burning: No open burning of solid waste is allowed, with the exception of clean wood, tree trimmings and/or brush with prior approval from the Air Quality Division.
(h) Fire protection and other emergency protection measures: Facilities shall maintain, at a minimum, an unobstructed 10 foot firelane around the working area or inside the perimeter of the facility boundary. Landfill personnel shall have access to portable fire extinguishers when on-site. Personnel shall have a communication system (radio, telephone, etc.) with which to alert the local fire department.
(i) Liquid wastes: Liquid wastes shall not be disposed.
(j) Hazardous wastes: Hazardous wastes shall not be disposed.
(k) Salvaging: Salvaging shall not interfere with normal operations.
(l) Waste compaction: All solid waste shall be effectively compacted in order to reduce long term settling and conserve landfill space.
(m) Copy of plan: A copy of the operating plan shall be available at the facility when landfill personnel are on-site or at an alternate location approved by the Administrator.
(n) Intermediate cover: Any area where wastes will not be disposed for a period of 180 days shall be covered with 6 inches of routine cover material and an additional 12 inches of intermediate cover.
(o) Vector control: On-site populations of disease vectors shall be prevented or controlled using techniques appropriate for the protection of human health and the environment.
(p) Dust/odor/nuisance control: Adequate measures shall be taken to minimize dust and odors, and to prevent the occurrence of any public nuisance.
(q) Contact with groundwater prohibited: Wastes shall not be allowed to be placed in contact with groundwater.
(r) Traffic control: If the facility is open to the public, signs shall be posted to direct traffic to the proper area for dumping.
(s) Groundwater quality: Solid waste disposal facilities shall not be allowed to alter groundwater quality, as determined by groundwater monitoring.
(t) Discharge to surface waters prohibited: Facilities shall be operated such that leachate shall not enter any surface water, either on-site or off-site, unless authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit pursuant to the Clean Water Act.
(u) Signs: A description of the signs that will be posted to direct traffic to the proper waste management area;
(v) Waste screening: Facilities shall have an on-site attendant during operation of the facility. The application shall include waste screening procedures that shall ensure disposal of authorized wastes only.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 8 Monitoring Standards
(a) Collection and management of samples: Groundwater, soil core, vadose zone, and decomposition gas samples shall be collected and managed in accordance with Department guidance or equivalent methods approved by the Administrator.
(b) Groundwater monitoring:
(i) Groundwater monitoring systems:
(A) A groundwater system must be installed that consists of a sufficient number of wells to monitor water from the uppermost aquifer that may be affected by leakage from the facility or unit. The system must be capable of monitoring the quality of background groundwater and groundwater passing the relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator that shall be within 150 meters (492 feet) of the waste management unit boundary on land owned by the owner of the landfill. Well locations must be approved by the Administrator.
(B) The Administrator may approve a groundwater monitoring system designed to monitor groundwater from the facility, in lieu of individual waste disposal units, if the system is determined to be capable of adequately detecting groundwater pollution. In approving a facility-wide groundwater monitoring system, the Administrator shall consider:
(I) Number, spacing, and orientation of the individual waste units.
(II) Hydrologic setting.
(III) Site history and design.
(IV) Type of waste accepted at the individual waste units.
(C) The design of the groundwater monitoring system must be based on site-specific hydrogeologic conditions including information on aquifer thickness, aquifer properties, groundwater flow direction and rate (including seasonal variations), and on geologic information on the soils, any aquitards, aquicludes, or confining formations, at the site. The design of the system must be approved by the Administrator.
(ii) Groundwater sampling and analysis shall meet the requirements of Chapter 2, Section 9(b)(i)(C)(I) through (IV).
(iii) Statistical evaluations of groundwater data shall meet the requirements of Chapter 2, Section 9(b)(i)(C)(V) through (VII).
(iv) Detection monitoring: The owner or operator shall institute a detection monitoring program by sampling each well at least semiannually, and testing each sample for the constituents specified in Chapter 2, Appendix C, unless the Administrator approves an alternate sampling frequency.
(A) The owner or operator must determine whether or not there is a statistically significant increase over background values as follows:
(I) The owner or operator must compare the groundwater quality of each parameter or constituent at each monitoring well using the approved statistical method; and
(II) Within thirty (30) days after completing sampling and analysis, unless an alternate time frame is approved by the administrator, the owner or operator must determine whether there has been a statistically significant increase over background at each monitoring well.
(B) If there is a statistically significant increase over background for one or more constituents in any well the operator must:
(I) Notify the Administrator in a written report with supporting documentation and place a copy of the report in the facility operating record within fourteen (14) days.
(II) The owner or operator may be required to initiate an assessment monitoring program unless within ninety (90) days or an alternate time frame approved by the Administrator, the owner or operator demonstrates to the Administrator in writing that the statistically significant increase over background is not due to the solid waste disposal facility or unit, but that the difference is due to another source of pollution, error in sampling, analysis or statistical evaluation, or natural variation in groundwater quality. The owner or operator shall prepare a report documenting this demonstration, and following approval by the Administrator, place the report in the operating record for the facility. If the demonstration is approved, the owner or operator shall continue detection monitoring.
(III) If a successful demonstration is not made:
(1.) The owner or operator shall request that the Administrator classify groundwater according to Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations and establish groundwater protection standards.
(v) Assessment monitoring:
(A) If there is a statistically significant increase over background for one or more Appendix C constituent(s) in any well, the Administrator may require the operator to analyze groundwater samples for the constituents found in Chapter 2, Appendix A or B. Some or all of these constituents may be added to the detection and/or assessment monitoring program for the facility.
(B) After groundwater protection standards have been established, within thirty (30) days after completing sampling and analysis, unless an alternate time frame is approved by the Administrator, the owner or operator shall determine if there has been a statistically significant increase over a groundwater protection standard for each applicable constituent in each downgradient well specified by the Administrator using a statistical method approved by the Administrator.
(C) If one or more constituents are detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard at a relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator that is no more than 150 meters (492 feet) from the waste management unit boundary on land owned by the owner of the landfill, the owner or operator shall notify the Administrator within fourteen (14) days of the constituents detected above the groundwater protection standard in a written report with supporting documentation.
(I) Unless the owner or operator demonstrates that the statistically significant increase was caused by another source, resulted from an error in sampling, analysis, or statistical evaluation, or from natural variation in groundwater quality, the Administrator may require the owner or operator to characterize the nature and extent of the release, conduct an assessment of corrective measures, and institute corrective action remedies approved by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 9 Recordkeeping Standards
(a) Records maintained for three years: The following records shall be maintained at the facility or an approved alternate location and available for inspection and copying for three (3) years:
(i) Log of litter collection activities including dates and sites of litter collection and names of responsible personnel, if applicable.
(ii) Log of refuse compaction and covering procedures specifying the dates when compaction and covering operations were conducted, area compacted and covered, and names of responsible personnel.
(iii) Records of wastes sold or salvaged.
(iv) Record of any problems causing operations to cease, including but not limited to fire or equipment failure.
(b) Records maintained through post-closure: The following records shall be maintained at the facility or an approved alternate location and available for inspection and copying for the life of the facility through the end of the post-closure period:
(i) As-built specifications for disposal units with their dates of construction, length, width, depth and location.
(ii) Dates when trenches or units are completed and their contents.
(iii) Monitoring data.
(iv) Permit applications and Department permit letters.
(v) Dates when reclamation activities occurred.
(vi) Log of waste inspections and other screening activities specifying the date, time, and name(s) of the inspection personnel.
(vii) Records of operator training.
(viii) Copies of written correspondence with the Department.
(ix) Closure and post-closure plans, if not already in the permit application, and semiannual post-closure inspection logs, descriptions of actions to correct problems encountered during the post-closure period, and any monitoring, testing, and analytical data required.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 10 Reporting Standards
(a) Annual reports: Annual reports for the previous calendar year shall be submitted in a format approved by the Administrator by March 1. At a minimum, annual reports shall include the following information:
(i) A summary description of facility operations and activities carried out during the last year including, but not limited to, the construction of new waste disposal units, the tons of waste received (estimated if the facility has no scales), and the cubic yards of estimated air space used.
(ii) A description of any final cover and reclamation activities completed during the last year with supporting documentation that reclamation was completed in accordance with the Solid Waste Rules and the facility permit.
(iii) Electronic copies of all required monitoring data not already submitted following a sampling event in a format specified by the Administrator. The Administrator may require paper copies of monitoring data. Operators may also be required to submit supporting charts and/or maps that represent the data.
(b) Additional information: The Administrator may require reporting of additional information needed to demonstrate compliance with these rules and regulations.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 11 Closure and Post-Closure Standards
(a) Commencement of closure: Approved closure activities shall commence no later than thirty (30) days after the date that each unit receives the known final receipt of wastes and shall be completed within one hundred eighty (180) days following commencement of closure. The Administrator may approve:
(i) Delayed closure of a unit or facility if the unit or facility has additional remaining disposal capacity, and the owner demonstrates that there will be no threats to human health or the environment from the unclosed facility or unit.
(ii) Extensions of the closure period if needed to adequately complete closure activities and the owner demonstrates that there will be no threats to human health or the environment from the unclosed facility or unit.
(b) Notification and certification of closure: Prior to the commencement of unit and facility closure activities, the operator shall notify the Administrator in writing. Within ninety (90) days following closure of each unit and facility, the operator shall submit a certification with supporting documentation signed by an engineer licensed to practice in Wyoming that closure has been completed in accordance with the approved closure plan and place a copy of the certification in the facility operating record.
(c) Notice on deed: At facility closure, an instrument that clearly gives notice of the restrictions that apply to future activities on the disposal facility property shall be filed for recording by the registrar of deeds (county clerk) in the county where the facility is located. Wording of such an instrument shall indicate that the property has been used as a construction demolition waste disposal facility. This shall be recorded prior to any property transaction resulting in another use for the property. The owner/operator, or its successors, shall ensure that post-closure use of the property will be restricted to prevent any disturbance to the facility's containment system including caps and liners, or the functioning of the facility's monitoring system. The owner or operator may request permission from the Administrator to remove the notation from the deed if all wastes are removed from the facility.
(d) Length of post-closure period: The post-closure period shall extend for a minimum of five (5) years after completion of closure activities. The post-closure period shall be automatically extended until such time when the Administrator determines, upon petition by the operator accompanied by submission of relevant information, that the facility has been adequately stabilized in a manner protective of human health and the environment.
(e) Design and construction standards:
(i) Minimum period for maintenance of access restriction: The operator shall not remove the facility's fence, gates and any other restrictions until the site has been closed and revegetated, if post-closure land use requires establishment of vegetative cover. Post-closure maintenance activities will be required for a minimum of 5 years. The permit application shall describe the methods that will be used to maintain access restrictions to any closed facility.
(ii) Prevention of erosion or ponding problems: The site shall be designed and constructed to inhibit future problems with erosion or ponding of surface water over filled areas. This may be done by site grading and revegetation, emplacement of rip rap or other appropriate means. The permit application shall describe the methods by which surface erosion or water ponding problems identified during site inspections will be corrected.
(iii) Minimum thickness of subsoil and topsoil for final cover: For closure, a compacted layer of subsoil or a combination of materials as specified in the permit, at least two feet (2') thick shall be constructed over the refuse or any intermediate cover already in place. This compacted layer shall be covered with at least six inches (6") of topsoil and graded to prevent erosion or surface water ponding. The permit application shall include a description of the final soil cover and how it will be constructed, as well as methods used to revegetate the site.
(iv) Seeding specifications: Any portion of the site disturbed by solid waste disposal activities shall be reseeded consistent with the post-closure land use, in order to establish vegetation capable of minimizing wind and water erosion of the final cover. Vegetation shall be of a diverse mixture selected for compatibility with climatic conditions, require little maintenance and have root depths that will not exceed the depth of the final cover.
(v) Surveyed corners: If not accomplished previously, all site boundary corners shall be surveyed and marked with permanent survey caps upon facility closure.
(vi) Surface water diversion: Surface water diversion structures shall be maintained in operating condition throughout the closure/post-closure period. The permit application shall include the method that will be used to divert surface water from the site during the post-closure period. Facility inspections shall be conducted at least twice per year and problems encountered shall be promptly corrected.
(f) Monitoring information: The application shall demonstrate compliance with Section 8 and describe the methods by which all environmental monitoring systems will be maintained for the length of the closure/post-closure period.
(g) Recordkeeping: The operator shall comply with the applicable recordkeeping requirements of Section 9.
(h) Reporting: The operator shall comply with the applicable recordkeeping requirements of Section 10.
(i) Supporting documentation: The application shall include any supporting documentation listed in Section 16 that is pertinent to the closure/post-closure phase, including but not limited to:
(i) A final contour map.
(ii) A general facility plot plan at a scale approved by the Administrator illustrating past areas of waste deposition, estimated dates of fill and any other pertinent features.
(iii) A map or aerial photograph of the area shall be submitted showing land ownership, land use and zoning within one mile of the disposal site. The map or photograph shall be of sufficient scale to show all city boundaries, each occupied dwelling house, schools, hospitals, industrial buildings, water wells, water courses, road and other applicable details and shall indicate the general topography.
(j) Closure permit application requirements: Closure permit applications shall include the information in this paragraph and demonstrate compliance with paragraphs e - j of this section. A copy of the pertinent materials from the approved permit application or approved renewal permit application, revised and updated as necessary, may be used to fulfill these requirements.
(i) Permit application form: Each closure permit application shall contain a permit application form signed in the manner described in Section 2(a)(ii).
(ii) General information:
(A) General site information specified in Sections 3(a) through (e) and (i).
(B) A narrative describing the site operating history including the dates of operation, the disposal methods used and the types and amounts of waste accepted.
(C) A description of the closure/post-closure stage of landfill development, including:
(I) A description of the land use anticipated after closure.
(II) The wording of the deed notice.
(III) If the facility is open to the public, a copy of the notice of closure.
(iii) Site geology: Geologic information required by Section 5.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 12 Corrective Action Standards
(a) Completion of corrective action: Corrective action remedies shall be considered complete when:
(i) The owner or operator complies with groundwater protection standards at all points within the plume of contamination that lie beyond the relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator. The relevant point of compliance shall be no more than 150 meters (492 feet) from the waste management unit boundary on land owned by the owner of the landfill.
(ii) Compliance with the groundwater protection standards shall be considered complete when concentrations of constituents have not exceeded the groundwater protection standard(s) for a period of three (3) consecutive years using the approved statistical procedures. The Administrator may approve an alternate length of time during which the owner or operator must demonstrate compliance with the standard(s), considering:
(A) Extent and concentration of the release(s).
(B) Behavior characteristics of the contaminants in the groundwater.
(C) Accuracy of the monitoring or modeling techniques, including any seasonal, meteorological, or other environmental variables that may affect the accuracy.
(D) Characteristics of the groundwater.
(iii) All actions required to complete the remedy have been satisfied.
(iv) When the operator believes the corrective action remedy is complete, the operator shall:
(A) Notify the Administrator in writing, with supporting documentation, and place a copy of the notice in the facility operating record.
(B) Petition the Administrator to be released from the financial assurance requirements for corrective action under Chapter 7 of these rules and regulations.
(C) When the Administrator determines that the corrective action remedy has been completed, the owner or operator shall be released from the requirements of financial assurance for corrective action.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 13 Financial Assurance Standards
(a) Financial assurance standards: The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 7.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 14 Transfer, Treatment and Storage Facility Standards
(a) Transfer, treatment and storage facility standards: The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 6.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 15 Special Waste Standards
(a) Solid waste standards: The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 16 Commercial Solid Waste Facility Standards
(a) Commercial solid waste facility standards: The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 10 and W.S. § 35-11-514.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.4.05032019 § 17 Supporting Documentation/Appendices
.
(a) Supporting materials: At a minimum, appendices shall include the information in this section.
(b) Maps and plans:
(i) An original topographic map with a scale of 1:24,000 with the proposed facility location shown; an original USGS topographic map with a scale of 1:62,500 or other suitable topographic map may be submitted if a 1:24,000 map is unavailable.
(ii) A map or aerial photograph of the area shall be submitted showing land ownership, land use and zoning within one mile of the disposal site. The map or photograph shall be of sufficient scale to show all city boundaries, each occupied dwelling house, schools, hospitals, industrial buildings, water wells, water courses, road and other applicable details and shall indicate the general topography.
(iii) A general facility plot plan (map) with a scale and contour intervals approved by the Administrator shall be submitted. The general facility plot plan shall at a minimum illustrate the following features:
(A) Facility boundaries including any buffer zones proposed between the solid waste boundary and the property boundary.
(B) Points of access.
(C) Locations of soil borings and monitoring wells.
(D) Locations of proposed trenches or area fill locations.
(E) Working area/perimeter fire lane.
(F) Working area/perimeter fence location.
(G) Locations of any facility buildings.
(iv) Additional facility plot plans, at a scale approved by the Administrator, shall be submitted as necessary to show orderly development and use of the facility through the life of the site. These plot plans shall at a minimum contain the following information:
(A) Excavation plans for development of trenches or preparation of area fill locations.
(B) Development of temporary surface water diversion structures that may be necessary to adequately control surface water run-on and run-off.
(C) Access to active waste disposal areas, including development of internal roads.
(D) Cover stockpile locations.
(E) Topsoil storage locations.
(F) Litter screen placement information, if applicable.
(G) Location of special waste management areas.
(H) Other details pertinent to the development and use of the facility.
(v) A map showing proposed final contours prepared with a scale and contour intervals approved by the Administrator.
(vi) Detailed design plans, including but not limited to plans for liners, leachate collection and management systems, caps and associated quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) plans. The Administrator may approve submittal of detailed design plans as a minor permit amendment periodically over the life of the facility, but detailed plans must be submitted at least three (3) years prior to the anticipated construction date of new units.
(vii) Cross sections and/or drawing details shall be submitted with sufficient specifications to describe:
(A) Internal litter catch screens or fences, if applicable.
(B) Working area/perimeter fencing.
(C) Access roads.
(D) Trench or area fill method.
(E) Systems used for monitoring, collection, treatment and disposal of leachate, if required.
(F) Groundwater monitoring well design.
(G) Surface and subsurface drain systems to control run-on and run-off and or inflow.
(H) Special waste management areas, if applicable.
(I) All components of engineered containment systems, if applicable, that include, but are not limited to, liners, caps, and berms.
(J) Construction quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) plans for engineered containment systems, if applicable.
(K) Any other design details requested by the Administrator.
(c) Recordkeeping logs: A copy of the blank record keeping logs/forms that will be maintained during the operating life and closure/post-closure period.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Chapter 6 Transfer, Treatment, and Storage Facility Regulations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.6.05032019 Transfer, Treatment, and Storage Facility Regulations
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 6
TRANSFER, TREATMENT, AND STORAGE FACILITY REGULATIONS
Section 1. In General.
(a) Authority: The authority for the rules and regulations promulgated in this chapter is the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statutes (W.S.) §§ 35‑11‑101 et seq.
(b) Permit transition:
(i) Existing facilities:
(A) Existing facilities that have received wastes after the effective date of these regulations:
(I) The operator of any facility with a complete application or a valid permit or an authorization that has not expired by the effective date of these regulations shall either:
(1.) Submit a renewal application before the existing permit or authorization expires, or
(2.) Cease receipt of wastes before the existing permit or authorization expires and close in conformance with the closure standards in this chapter.
(II) The operator of any facility without a complete application or a permit or authorization that has expired by the effective date of these regulations shall either:
(1.) Submit a renewal application no later than six (6) months after the effective date of these regulations, or
(2.) Cease receipt of wastes within six (6) months after the effective date of these regulations and close in conformance with the closure standards in this chapter.
(B) Existing facilities that have not received wastes after the effective date of these regulations: The operator may be required to submit a closure plan upon request by the Administrator. The Administrator may request such a plan whenever the Administrator has reason to believe that health and safety hazards are present or there is evidence of environmental contamination.
(ii) New facilities: The operator of any new facility shall submit an application as specified in Chapter 1 and shall obtain a permit prior to construction;
(iii) Closing facilities:
(A) Anticipated closure: The operator of any facility with a valid permit on the effective date of these regulations shall provide written notice of the intent to close to the Administrator at least thirty (30) days prior to commencing closure and close the facility in conformance with the closure standards in the facility's permit and this chapter. Closure shall be completed within ninety (90) days, unless additional time is granted by the Administrator. Within thirty (30) days after closure activities have been completed, the operator shall submit written documentation of closure to the Administrator. When the Administrator determines that closure has been properly completed and there are no health and safety hazards or environmental contamination, the permit shall be terminated and financial assurance will no longer be necessary.
(B) Unanticipated closure: In the event any facility ceases operation, as determined by nonreceipt of solid wastes for a continuous nine (9) month period or any continuous one (1) year period for petroleum-contaminated soils land treatment facilities and mobile transfer, treatment and storage facilities, the operator shall provide written notification to the Administrator no later than thirty (30) days after the end of such nine (9) month or one (1) year period and close the facility in conformance with the closure standards in the facility's permit and this chapter. Closure shall be completed within ninety (90) days, unless additional time is granted by the Administrator. Within thirty (30) days after closure activities have been completed, the operator shall submit written documentation of closure to the Administrator. When the Administrator determines that closure has been properly completed and there are no health and safety hazards or environmental contamination, the permit shall be terminated and financial assurance will no longer be necessary.
(C) Mobile transfer, treatment and storage facility closure: The operator of any mobile facility shall provide written notification to the Administrator within thirty (30) days if the operator no longer plans to operate the facility.
(c) Permit terms:
(i) Permits shall be issued for the operating life of the facility through closure and completion of any required remediation activities, as approved by the Administrator.
(ii) Mobile facilities shall not be operated in a single location for more than one (1) year, unless the Administrator provides specific written authorization;
(d) Definitions: The definitions in W.S. § 35-11-103(a) and (d) of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and the definitions in Solid Waste Rules and Regulations Chapter 1 apply to these rules.
Section 2. Permit Application Requirements.
(a) General standards: All facilities shall comply with the applicable standards in this chapter, whether or not detailed information must be submitted in a permit application.
(b) Permit application forms: All permit applications shall contain a completed permit application form. All permit application forms shall be signed by the operator, the landowner and any real property lien holder of public record. All applications shall be signed by the operator under oath subject to penalty of perjury. All persons signing the application shall be duly authorized agents.
(i) The following persons are considered duly authorized agents:
(A) For a municipality, state, federal or other public agency, by the head of the agency or ranking elected official.
(B) For corporations, at least two principal officers.
(C) For a sole proprietorship or partnership, a proprietor or general partner, respectively.
(ii) Except for Low Hazard/Low Volume (LH/LV) facilities (fixed and mobile), all permit applications shall be prepared under the supervision of a professional engineer registered in the State of Wyoming. Except for LH/LV facilities (fixed and mobile), all permit application forms shall be stamped, dated and signed by a professional engineer. In addition, all portions of the permit application that require geological services or work shall be stamped, signed and dated by a professional geologist licensed by the State of Wyoming.
(c) Low Hazard/Low Volume facility permit applications, except applications for mobile facilities: In addition to a permit application form, LH/LV permit applications shall include:
(i) An original USGS map or another map approved by the Administrator, identifying the location of the facility. If the facility is located within a city or town, a map of the city or town may be used in lieu of an original USGS map.
(ii) A brief narrative describing the facility, including a description of waste management activities, the type and quantity of waste managed, the service area and the source of incoming waste.
(iii) A demonstration that the facility meets the location standards in Section 4 of this chapter.
(iv) Except for municipally operated facilities, a detailed description of the tasks to be completed in order to properly close the facility, including but not limited to the removal and proper management of the maximum amount of wastes, both treated and untreated, that may be stored at the facility, cleaning of all solid waste management units and equipment, and reclamation of the site.
(v) Information to verify compliance with Chapter 7, including an estimate of third-party costs associated with facility closure tasks, and an appropriate financial assurance mechanism.
(d) Mobile and full-size fixed transfer, treatment, and storage facility permit applications: In addition to a permit application form, a written application shall demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements of Sections 3-17 of this chapter. If any standard or requirement is not applicable to the facility, the permit application shall explain why the standard or requirement is not applicable.
(e) Renewal applications: Renewal applications shall be submitted as required in Chapter 1 and shall contain the following information:
(i) A compilation of any available previous permit application materials and supplemental information updated and revised as necessary to describe any amendments and fulfill the information requirements specified in this chapter, except for surface ownership and location standards. The applicant may submit copies of only the updated and revised portion of the previous application, if the revised and updated pages are appropriately numbered and dated to facilitate incorporation into the previous permit document.
(ii) Any necessary plan revisions and any requests for approval of amendments.
Section 3. General Facility Information.
(a) Requirements for mobile and full-size fixed facilities:
(i) The name, address and telephone number of the operator of the facility to whom the permit would be issued, and a listing of any administrative order, civil or administrative penalty assessment, bond forfeiture, misdemeanor or felony conviction, or court proceeding, for any violations of any local, state or federal law relating to environmental quality or criminal racketeering, in which the applicant (including any partners in a partnership or executive officers in any corporation, if the applicant is a partnership or corporation) has been or is currently involved.
(ii) The position title, address, and telephone number of the solid waste manager.
(iii) A brief narrative describing the facility, the type of waste transfer, treatment and storage that is planned, including but not limited to chemical, physical, biological, and thermal activities. A descriptive statement of the procedures and processes to be used, and the type, amount, and source of incoming waste shall be provided. The narrative shall also describe the service area of the facility.
(b) Additional requirements for full-size fixed facilities:
(i) The legal description of the property to be used as a transfer, treatment and storage facility. The complete legal description shall consist of a plat and legal description, monumented and signed in accordance with Wyoming statutes by a Wyoming licensed land surveyor.
(ii) Information describing surface ownership of the site and all lands adjacent to the facility boundary.
(c) Access agreement: The application shall include the following access agreement:
(i) The owner of the facility authorizes Department representatives, upon the presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to access and enter upon the operator's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of a permit, authorization or exemption; have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the conditions of any permit, authorization or exemption; inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under the Act; and collect resource data, sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of ensuring compliance or as otherwise authorized by the appropriate rules and regulations of the Department, any substances or parameters at any location.
Section 4. Location Standards.
(a) General standards: New transfer, treatment and storage facilities shall not be located in violation of the standards in this section.
(b) Local zoning: Facility locations shall not be in conflict with local zoning ordinances or land use plans that have been adopted by a county commission or municipality.
(c) Floodplains: Facilities shall not be located within the boundaries of a 100‑year floodplain.
(d) Wetlands: Facilities shall not be located in wetlands.
(e) Outdoor waste management: Waste management activities that are not conducted inside an enclosed building, tank or a container shall not be located within 1,000 feet of the following unless the facility or waste management unit or area is screened from view, as approved by the Administrator:
(i) An occupied dwelling house, school or hospital.
(ii) An interstate or primary highway right‑of‑way.
(iii) A public park or recreation area.
(f) Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Facility locations shall not diminish the scenic, recreational and fish and wildlife values for any section of river designated for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq., and implementing regulations.
(g) National Historic Preservation Act: Facilities shall not be located in areas where they may pose a threat to an irreplaceable historic or archeological site listed pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq. and implementing regulations, or to a natural landmark designated by the National Park Service.
(h) Critical habitat: Facilities shall not be located within a critical habitat of an endangered or threatened species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., and implementing regulations, where the facility may cause destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat, may jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or contribute to the taking of such species.
(i) Critical winter range: Facilities shall not be located within critical winter ranges for big game or breeding grounds for grouse unless, after consultation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Administrator determines that facility development would not conflict with the conservation of Wyoming's wildlife resources.
(j) Special waste: Any facility used for the management of a special waste regulated under Chapter 8, Special Waste Management Standards, shall also comply with applicable location standards established under Chapter 8.
Section 5. Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology.
(a) Requirements for mobile and full-size fixed facilities:
(i) An evaluation of the facility's potential to impact surface and ground water quality, based on the facility design and operating practices.
(b) Additional requirements for full-size fixed facilities:
(i) Detailed information describing the site's geology, hydrology and hydrogeology and an evaluation of the potential to impact surface and groundwater quality based on the site's geology, hydrology and hydrogeology shall be provided if waste management occurs outside an enclosed building.
Section 6. Design and Construction Standards.
(a) Waste management units: The size, type and number and purpose of all solid waste management units and equipment shall be described. This information shall also include a description of the capacity of the solid waste management units and equipment in terms of how much waste can be transferred and treated per hour, day, month or year and the maximum quantity of wastes, both treated and untreated, that can be stored in each solid waste management unit.
(b) Fences and gates: Other than mobile facilities, each facility shall be fenced and equipped with a gate that can be locked. Facilities do not need to be fenced and equipped with a gate that can be locked if the facility is located in a remote or industrial area that already has adequate access control features in place to meet the intent of this standard. Appropriate measures shall be used to restrict access to mobile treatment facilities.
(c) Access signs: Each point of access shall be identified by a sign that shall be easily readable, maintained in good condition, and contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(i) The facility name.
(ii) The name and phone number of the responsible person to contact in the event of emergencies.
(iii) The hours of operation if the facility is open to the public.
(iv) Depending on the particular waste type, additional information describing the particular hazards of the waste may also be required.
(d) Traffic signs: Each facility shall have signs to direct traffic to the proper waste management area, if the facility is open to the public.
(e) Waste management unit signs: Solid waste management units and equipment used to manage treated or untreated waste shall be identified by a sign or label that shall be easily readable, maintained in good condition and identify the name of the solid waste management unit or equipment and the waste type contained in the solid waste management unit.
(f) Access roads: Facility access roads shall be constructed to enable use under inclement weather conditions as applicable.
(g) Fire lanes and buffer zones: For those facilities where any waste management occurs outdoors, the facility shall have a fire lane/buffer zone constructed around all active solid waste management units and equipment or within the site perimeter fence. The width of the fire lane/buffer zone shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet, but may be wider depending on the specific waste type and the ability of fire fighting equipment to properly operate within the facility.
(h) Surface water structures: For those facilities where any waste management occurs outdoors, the facility shall have surface water structures to control surface water run-on and run-off. Surface water structures shall be designed and constructed to:
(i) At fixed facilities, prevent flow onto the active portion of the facility during the peak discharge from a 25-year storm.
(ii) At fixed facilities, collect and control runoff from the active portion of the facility from at least the water volume from a 24-hour, 25 year storm.
(iii) At mobile facilities, control run-on and runoff from the active portion of the facility.
(iv) At all facilities, sediment control structures shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapter 11 of the Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(i) Waste containment: Units shall be designed and constructed to contain the wastes within the unit and prevent the migration of contaminants. Solid waste management units that manage liquid waste shall also meet the following standards:
(i) Above ground tanks and containers shall be equipped with low-permeability secondary containment systems that provide a secondary means of containment for the entire capacity of the largest single container and sufficient freeboard to contain precipitation.
(ii) Below ground tanks or containers shall be designed and constructed with leak detection systems.
(iii) Ponds shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapter 11 of the Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(iv) Open-topped tanks, containers and ponds that contain wastes that are either petroleum-based or have a pH less than 3 or greater than 10 shall be designed and constructed with netting that is adequate to prevent access by migratory birds.
Section 7. Operating Standards.
(a) Access controls: Access shall be controlled to prevent the public, livestock or wildlife from being exposed to hazardous constituents or conditions. Access does not need to be controlled if the facility is located in a remote or industrial area that already has adequate access control features in place to meet the intent of this standard.
(b) Waste types and quantities: Each facility shall accept and manage only those wastes and quantities that are specified in the facility permit, unless the Administrator provides specific written authorization to accept and manage other wastes and quantities.
(c) Waste screening: Waste screening measures shall be used to prevent the management of unauthorized wastes. The waste screening measures may include specific waste testing procedures to verify that only authorized wastes are accepted at the facility.
(d) Hazardous waste: Hazardous waste shall not be managed unless the Administrator provides specific written authorization.
(e) Waste confined: All wastes shall be confined to solid waste management units and equipment as specified in the permit.
(f) Surface water and groundwater contact: Waste shall not contact surface water or groundwater.
(g) Fire protection: All facilities shall be equipped with at least one working portable fire extinguisher and a communication system for contacting local emergency management agencies. Depending on the particular waste type or management method, additional fire protection and emergency management equipment may be required.
(h) Litter collection: Each facility shall have an effective litter collection program to contain litter within the facility and to prevent the facility from becoming unsightly, if the facility manages wastes that are susceptible to blowing.
(i) Disease vectors: Onsite populations of disease vectors shall be prevented or controlled using techniques appropriate for the protection of human health and the environment.
(j) Dust and odors: Adequate measures shall be taken to minimize dust and odors.
(k) Scavenging: Scavenging shall be prohibited at all facilities.
(l) Mechanical breakdown: In the event of extended mechanical breakdown, all untreated wastes shall be removed from the facility to an approved alternate facility before the wastes create a public nuisance, health hazard, fire hazard, odors or vector habitat.
(m) Waste and wastewater: All wastes and wastewaters generated from any waste management processes shall be characterized and managed by the operator in accordance with applicable Department standards unless the facility is mobile and the facility operator will not be responsible for managing waste.
(n) Confirmation sampling: Confirmation sampling and analysis shall be conducted by the operator to verify that wastes have been properly treated unless the facility is mobile and the facility operator will not be responsible for managing the waste.
(o) Water Quality and Air Quality standards: Facilities shall be operated so that they are not in violation of Water Quality and Air Quality standards.
Section 8. Monitoring Standards.
(a) General standards: All facilities required to institute monitoring shall meet the standards described in this section. The application shall include a detailed description of the environmental monitoring program including a description of the monitoring well location, design, construction and development. A description of the groundwater sampling program shall be provided including sampling frequency, test parameters, sampling procedures, test methods and quality control
(b) Collection and management of samples: Groundwater, soil, and decomposition gas samples shall be collected and managed in accordance with Department guidance or equivalent methods approved by the Administrator.
(c) Groundwater:
(i) Well placement: All facilities required to install monitoring wells shall locate and construct them in accordance with the Department's requirements. The system must be capable of monitoring the quality of background groundwater and groundwater passing the relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator that shall be within 150 meters (492 feet) of the waste management unit boundary on land owned by the owner of the facility.
(ii) Well design, construction/installation and abandonment: All wells shall be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with the Water Quality Division Chapter 26 requirements. All abandoned monitoring wells shall be plugged and sealed in accordance with the Water Quality Division Chapter 26 requirements.
(iii) Detection monitoring: Operators required to monitor groundwater shall institute a detection monitoring program by initially collecting four (4) quarterly samples from each well and testing each sample for the constituents specified in Chapter 2, Appendix C unless alternate or additional constituents are required by the Administrator based on wastes managed at the facility. After collection of the initial four (4) samples, semiannual samples shall be collected unless the Administrator approves an alternate sampling frequency.
(A) The owner or operator must determine whether or not there is a statistically significant increase over background values as follows:
(I) The owner or operator must compare the groundwater quality of each parameter or constituent at each monitoring well using the approved statistical method; and
(II) Within thirty (30) days after completing sampling and analysis, unless an alternate time frame is approved by the Administrator, the owner or operator must determine whether there has been a statistically significant increase over background at each monitoring well.
(B) If there is a statistically significant increase over background for one or more constituents in any well the operator must:
(I) Notify the Administrator in a written report with supporting documentation and place a copy of the report in the facility operating record within fourteen (14) days.
(II) The owner or operator may be required by the Administrator to initiate an assessment monitoring program unless within ninety (90) days or an alternate time frame approved by the Administrator, the owner or operator demonstrates to the Administrator in writing that the statistically significant increase over background is not due to the solid waste facility or unit, but that the difference is due to another source of pollution, error in sampling, analysis or statistical evaluation, or natural variation in groundwater quality. The owner or operator shall prepare a report documenting this demonstration, and following approval by the Administrator, place the report in the operating record for the facility. If the demonstration is approved, the owner or operator shall continue detection monitoring.
(III) If a successful demonstration is not made:
(1.) The owner or operator shall request that the Administrator classify groundwater according to Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations and establish groundwater protection standards for applicable constituents.
(iv) Assessment monitoring:
(A) If the concentration of one or more constituents exceeds background, the Administrator may require the operator to analyze groundwater samples for some or all of the constituents found in Chapter 2, Appendix A or B based on the wastes managed at the facility. Some or all of these constituents may be added to the detection and/or assessment monitoring program for the facility.
(B) After groundwater protection standards have been established, within thirty (30) days after completing sampling and analysis, unless an alternate time frame is approved by the Administrator, the owner or operator shall determine if there has been a statistically significant increase over a groundwater protection standard in each downgradient well specified by the Administrator using a statistical method approved by the Administrator.
(C) If one or more constituents are detected at statistically significant levels above the groundwater protection standard at a relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator that is no more than 150 meters (492 feet) from the waste management unit boundary on land owned by the owner of the facility, the owner or operator shall within fourteen (14) days notify the Administrator of the constituents detected above the groundwater protection standard in a written report with supporting documentation.
(D) Unless the owner or operator demonstrates that the statistically significant increase was caused by another source, resulted from an error in sampling, analysis, or statistical evaluation, or from natural variation in groundwater quality, the Administrator may require the owner or operator to characterize the nature and extent of the release, conduct an assessment of corrective measures, and institute corrective action remedies approved by the Administrator.
(v) Facilities required to monitor groundwater shall conduct statistical evaluations of groundwater data using the methods in Chapter 2, Section 9(b)(i)(C)(V) through (VII).
(d) Air: Air monitoring, if required, shall be conducted in accordance with Air Quality Division regulations.
(e) Soil core: Soil core monitoring, if required, shall be conducted in accordance with a plan approved by the Administrator.
(f) Vadose zone: Vadose zone monitoring, if required, shall be conducted in accordance with a plan approved by the Administrator.
Section 9. Recordkeeping Standards.
(a) General standards: The following records shall be maintained at the facility or an approved alternative location and available for inspection and copying as specified by Chapter 1:
(b) Records for all facilities:
(i) A copy of the approved permit application.
(ii) A copy of the Department permit letter.
(c) Records for mobile and full-size fixed facilities:
(i) Records of litter collection activities, including dates and areas of litter collection, if applicable.
(ii) Records of the source (if not a mobile facility), volume and characteristics of wastes received by the facility.
(iii) Records of the destination (if known), volume and characteristics of wastes removed from the facility.
(iv) Records of monitoring activities and copies of monitoring data, if applicable.
(v) Records of any problems causing operations to cease and emergencies, including but not limited to fire or equipment failure.
Section 10. Reporting Standards.
(a) Reporting standards for mobile facilities: The following records shall be provided to the Administrator prior to mobilization, on a form provided by the Administrator. Copies of these records shall be maintained at the facility or an approved alternative location and available for inspection and copying as specified by Chapter 1:
(i) The name, address and telephone number of the generator at each location where the facility will operate.
(ii) The location or street address of each location where the facility will operate.
(iii) Records demonstrating that each location where the facility will operate meets the location standards specified in Section 3 of this chapter.
(iv) Estimated dates of mobilization to and demobilization from each location where the facility will operate.
(v) Records of the source, volume and characteristics of wastes that will be managed by the facility.
(b) General reporting requirements for all facilities: Operators shall submit a report or permit amendment to the Administrator under the following circumstances:
(i) Fires and other emergencies: The operator shall report fires and other emergencies to the Administrator as soon as reasonably possible.
(ii) Monitoring: If monitoring is required, following each sampling event, operators shall provide the Administrator with copies of all required environmental monitoring data and statistical evaluations within thirty (30) days after completion of sampling and analysis unless the Administrator approves a reporting delay for good cause. Operators may be required to submit supporting charts and maps representing the data in the monitoring reports. Monitoring data shall be submitted electronically in a format specified by the Administrator.
(iii) General facility changes: A permit amendment application shall be submitted for approval prior to implementing any change that would result in non-compliance with the facility permit or the approved permit application. Permit amendments shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 1 of the Solid Waste Rules and Regulations.
(iv) Additional Information: The Administrator may require reporting of additional information needed to demonstrate compliance with these rules and regulations.
Section 11. Closure Standards.
(a) General standards: The application shall include a detailed description of the tasks to be completed in order to properly close the facility, including but not limited to the removal and proper management of the maximum amount of wastes, both treated and untreated, that may be stored at the facility, cleaning of all solid waste management units and equipment, and reclamation of the site. Facilities shall meet the following standards:
(b) Commencement and completion of closure:
(i) Fixed facilities: At all fixed facilities, closure activities as specified in the approved facility permit application, shall commence at a time no later than nine (9) months following the time the facility ceases to receive solid wastes. Closure shall be promptly completed within twelve (12) months following commencement of such closure activities unless the Administrator approves an extended closure period for good cause.
(ii) Mobile facilities: At the completion of each mobile transfer, treatment and storage facility operation at a specific location, all waste management units and equipment shall be properly cleaned, decontaminated, dismantled and removed from the site.
(c) Removal of waste: All remaining treated and untreated wastes shall be removed from the facility and transported to a permitted facility for treatment, storage, or disposal. No wastes shall be allowed to remain at the facility for a period longer than thirty (30) days after closure has commenced.
(d) Equipment decontamination: All solid waste management units and equipment shall be properly cleaned, decontaminated, dismantled and removed from the facility.
(e) Access restrictions: Perimeter fences, gates and any other access restrictions shall be maintained until the facility has been satisfactorily closed, as determined by the Administrator. The application shall state the length of time that the closed facility will maintain access restrictions to prevent entry by the public and large animals.
(f) Surface water structures: Surface water structures shall be maintained until the facility has been satisfactorily closed, as determined by the Administrator.
(g) Monitoring systems: Environmental monitoring systems, if required, shall be maintained until the facility has been satisfactorily closed, as determined by the Administrator, at which time they shall be properly abandoned. Applications shall include a description of the method and schedule by which the environmental monitoring systems will be abandoned.
(h) Post-closure use: Each facility shall be returned to the use specified in the permit, unless an alternative use is approved by the Administrator.
(i) Other information: The application shall include any other information requested by the administrator to verify that an adequate closure has been accomplished.
Section 12. Financial Assurance Standards.
(a) General standards: Except for mobile and municipally operated facilities, all facilities shall comply with the financial assurance requirements of Chapter 7.
(b) Third-party costs: The application shall include an estimate of the third-party costs associated with facility closure tasks and an appropriate financial assurance mechanism.
Section 13. Corrective Action Standards.
(a) Schedule: On a schedule approved by the Administrator, the operator must:
(i) Implement a remedy approved by the Administrator.
(ii) Continue monitoring to demonstrate the effectiveness of the remedy.
(iii) Take interim measures determined necessary by the Administrator to ensure protection of public health and the environment.
(b) Alternate remedies: If the selected remedy is not meeting the corrective action standards, the owner or operator shall implement other methods or techniques that have been approved by the Administrator that could practicably achieve compliance with the requirements, unless there is no practicable alternative and the owner or operator:
(i) Demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the remedy cannot be achieved.
(ii) Implements alternative measures that have been approved by the Administrator to control exposure of humans or the environment to residual contamination, as necessary to protect human health and the environment.
(iii) Implements alternate measures for control of the sources of contamination or for removal or decontamination of equipment, units, devices, or structures that are consistent with the overall objective of the remedy and that are technically practicable.
(c) Remedy completion:
(i) Remedies shall be considered complete when:
(A) The owner or operator complies with groundwater protection standards at all points within the plume of contamination that lie beyond the relevant point of compliance established by the Administrator. Compliance with the groundwater protection standards shall be considered complete when concentrations of constituents have not exceeded the groundwater protection standard(s) for a period of three (3) consecutive years using approved statistical procedures.
(B) All actions required to complete the remedy have been satisfied.
(ii) When the operator believes the remedy is complete, the operator must:
(A) Notify the Administrator in writing, with supporting documentation, and place a copy of the notice in the facility operating record certifying that the remedy has been completed.
(B) Petition the Administrator to be released from the financial assurance requirements for corrective action under Chapter 7 of these rules and regulations.
(C) When, upon completion of the certification, the Administrator determines that the corrective action remedy has been completed, the owner or operator shall be released from the requirements of financial assurance for corrective action.
Section 14. Special Waste Standards.
(a) Special waste standards: The application shall include information describing compliance with standards for the transfer, treatment, and storage of any special waste as provided in Chapter 8.
Section 15. Commercial Solid Waste Facility Standards.
(a) Commercial solid waste facility standards: The permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 10 and W.S. § 35-11-514.
Section 16. Additional Information.
(a) Additional information: The Administrator may require additional information needed to demonstrate compliance with these rules and regulations.
Section 17. Supporting Documentation/Appendices.
(a) Supporting materials: At a minimum, appendices shall include the information in this section.
(b) Map or aerial photograph: For fixed facilities, an original USGS topographic map or aerial photograph of the area shall be submitted showing land ownership, land use and zoning within one-half mile of the facility, unless there is an incinerator at the waste management site, in which case the map or aerial photograph shall show land ownership, land use and zoning within one mile of the facility. The map or photograph shall be of sufficient scale to show all city boundaries, occupied dwellings, schools, hospitals, industrial buildings, water wells, water courses, roads and other applicable details and shall indicate the general topography.
(c) General facility plot plan: For fixed facilities, a general facility plot plan at a scale approved by the Administrator shall be submitted. If all waste management activities occur within a single building, a scaled floor plan can be used in lieu of a general facility plot plan. The general facility plot plan shall illustrate the following features:
(i) Facility boundaries, including any buffer zones and fire lanes proposed between the solid waste permit boundary and the property boundary.
(ii) Points of access.
(iii) Working area/perimeter fence location.
(iv) Location of all solid waste management units and equipment.
(v) Locations of any buildings to house equipment or for other uses.
(vi) The location of any surface water structures.
(vii) The location of environmental monitoring devices.
(viii) Any other facility features requested by the administrator.
(d) Cross sections and drawing details: Cross sections and drawing details may be requested with sufficient specifications to describe:
(i) The movement of wastes through the waste management facility, including the points where process wastes are generated.
(ii) Site access roads.
(iii) Solid waste management units and equipment.
(iv) Secondary containment structures and leak detection systems.
(v) Surface water structures.
(vi) Environmental monitoring systems.
(vii) Any other design and construction details requested by the administrator.
(e) Logs, forms, and reports: Blank copies of any logs, forms, and reports used by the facility to comply with recordkeeping requirements, including a description of where these records will be located.
History
- Effective 2019-05-03
Chapter 7 Financial Assurance Requirements
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 1 In General
(a) Chapter is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act (Act), specifically Wyoming Statute (W.S.) §§ 35‑11-504 and -515.
(b) This Chapter governs all solid waste management facilities that are required to demonstrate financial assurance under W.S. § 35‑11‑504. Exempt solid waste management facilities include those solid waste management facilities listed in W.S. § 35-11-504(c) and:
(i) Solid waste management facilities other than those regulated under Chapter 2 of these rules that are owned or operated by a municipality;
(ii) Sanitary landfills regulated under Chapter 2 that ceased receipt of wastes before October 9, 1991;
(iii) Municipal solid waste landfills regulated under Chapter 2 of these rules that received waste after October 9, 1991, but ceased receipt of waste before October 9, 1993, and installed an approved final cover system before October 9, 1994;
(iv) Municipal solid waste landfills regulated under Chapter 2 of these rules that received waste after October 9, 1991, but ceased receipt of wastes before October 9, 1997, and installed an approved final cover system before October 9, 1998; and
(v) Mobile transfer, treatment and storage facilities regulated under Chapter 6 of these rules.
(c) Leaking municipal solid waste landfills regulated under Chapter 17 of these rules that conduct remediation in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-533 through -537 are exempt from corrective action financial assurance requirements in Section 3 of this Chapter.
(d) Municipally-owned or operated solid waste landfills regulated under Chapter 2 of these rules shall demonstrate financial assurances for closure, post-closure, and corrective action by following either the requirements of Sections 2 through 14 of this Chapter or the requirements of Section 15 of this Chapter.
(e) Definitions: The definitions in W.S. § 35-11-103(a) and (d) and Chapter 1 of these rules apply to this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 2 Closure and Post-Closure Cost Estimates
(a) Along with the closure plan and post-closure plan required for a regulated facility, the operator must submit closure and post-closure estimates.
(i) An incinerator, resource recovery facility, compost facility, or storage surface impoundment may omit the post-closure cost estimate if onsite disposal of wastes or residues is not planned or required.
(b) The closure cost estimate shall:
(i) Include an itemized written estimate of the cost, in current dollars of completing all work described in the closure plan;
(ii) Be based on the cost required for a third-party contractor to complete the closure plan at the most expensive point in the life of the facility. The Director may obtain additional cost estimates from a third-party contractor to substantiate the accuracy of the estimated costs; and
(iii) Account for the following factors if applicable:
(A) The size and topography of the site;
(B) The daily or weekly volume of waste to be received at the site;
(C) Availability of cover and fill material needed for site grading;
(D) The type of waste to be received at the site;
(E) Disposal method and sequential disposal plan;
(F) The location of the site and the character of the surrounding area;
(G) Requirements for surface drainage;
(H) Operation and maintenance of the leachate collection and treatment system, and the off‑site disposal of leachate;
(I) Environmental quality monitoring system;
(J) Structures and other improvements to be dismantled and removed. Salvage values cannot be used to offset demolition costs;
(K) Site storage capacity for solid waste, incinerator residue and compost material;
(L) Off‑site disposal requirements. Salvage values cannot be used to offset waste removal costs;
(M) Vector control requirements;
(N) Cleaning of all solid waste management units and equipment;
(O) A minimum of fifteen percent variable contingency fee to cover other closure costs as determined appropriate by the Director; and
(P) Any other relevant site-specific factors.
(c) The post‑closure cost estimate shall:
(i) Include an itemized written estimate, in current dollars, of the cost of completing all work described in the post-closure plan;
(ii) Be based on the cost required for a third-party contractor to complete the work described in the post-closure plan. The Director may obtain additional cost estimates from a third-party contractor to substantiate the accuracy of the estimated cost; and
(iii) Account for the following factors if applicable:
(A) The size and topography of the site;
(B) The type and quantity of waste received;
(C) Disposal method and sequential disposal plan;
(D) The potential for significant leachate production and the possibility of contaminating water supplies;
(E) Environmental quality monitoring systems;
(F) Soil conditions;
(G) The location of the site and the character of the surrounding area;
(H) Planned inspections of facility;
(I) A minimum of fifteen percent contingency fee to cover other post‑closure costs as determined appropriate by the Director; and
(J) Any other relevant site-specific factors.
(d) Closure and post‑closure cost estimates shall be updated, revised, and submitted to the Director as specified in Section 13 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 3 Corrective Action Cost Estimates
(a) If a regulated facility violates a permit, standard, rule, or requirement established under the Act, resulting in a release of pollution or waste to the air, land, or water resources of the state, the Director shall:
(i) Notify the regulated facility of the violation; and
(ii) Order the regulated facility to take corrective action to remedy or abate the violation and provide financial assurance as specified in this Section.
(b) Within thirty days of receiving an order to take corrective action, the operator shall provide notice of the selected correction action remedy and a corrective action cost estimate to the Director.
(i) The corrective action cost estimate shall:
(A) Include an itemized written estimate of the cost, in current dollars, of completing all work described for the selected corrective action remedy;
(B) Be based on the cost required for a third-party contractor to complete the work described for the selected corrective action remedy. The Director may obtain additional cost estimates from a third-party contractor to substantiate the accuracy of the estimated costs; and
(C) Account for the following factors if applicable:
(I) Soils, geologic and hydrogeologic conditions at the site;
(II) The type and quantity of waste received;
(III) Disposal method and sequential disposal plan;
(IV) The potential for significant leachate production and the possibility of contaminating groundwater;
(V) Environmental quality monitoring systems;
(VI) The location of the site and the character of the surrounding area;
(VII) A minimum of fifteen percent contingency fee to cover other corrective action and cleanup costs as determined appropriate by the Director;
(VIII) The ability of the facility to prevent and detect a release and to facilitate cleanup activities. The criteria used to evaluate this ability shall include design, construction, operation, monitoring and contingency plans submitted as part of the permit application;
(IX) The class, use, value and environmental vulnerability of surface and groundwater resources that may be impacted by a release; and
(X) Any other relevant site-specific factors.
(D) Be updated, revised, and submitted to the Director in accordance with Section 13 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 4 Establishment of Financial Assurance Requirements
(a) The Director, through the Administrator, shall establish the amount of financial assurance required for regulated facilities based on the cost estimates for closure, post-closure, and corrective action.
(b) If the Administrator determines that a cost estimate meets the requirements of this Chapter:
(i) The Administrator shall establish the amount of financial assurance required and notify the operator in writing of the amount; and
(ii) Within thirty days of receiving notice from the Administrator, the operator shall submit documentation of financial assurance, on forms furnished by the Director, in an amount at least equal to the established financial assurance amount.
(c) If the Administrator determines that a cost estimate does not meet the requirements of this Chapter, the Administrator shall notify the operator of the deficiencies in the cost estimate, and the operator shall revise and resubmit the cost estimate to the Administrator within thirty days of the Administrator's determination unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 5 Acceptable Forms of Financial Assurance
An operator of a regulated facility shall provide financial assurance for closure, post-closure, or corrective action in one or more of the following forms: surety bond, self-bond, federally insured certificates of deposit, cash, government securities, or irrevocable letters of credit.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 6 Surety Bonds
Surety bonds shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) A corporate surety company shall not be considered good and sufficient for purposes of W.S. § 35‑11‑504 unless:
(i) The company is licensed to do business in the state;
(ii) The bond is made payable to the Department;
(iii) The estimated bond amount does not exceed the limit of risk as provided for in W.S. § 26‑5‑110, nor raise the total of all bonds held by the applicant under that surety above three times the limit of risk; and
(iv) The surety company agrees to the following:
(A) Not to cancel the bond, except as provided for in W.S. § 35‑11‑504 or where the Director gives prior written approval of a replacement bond or financial assurance;
(B) To be jointly and severally liable with the operator; and
(C) To provide immediate written notice to the Director and operator once it becomes unable or may become unable due to any action filed against it to fulfill its obligations under the bond.
(b) The provisions applicable to cancellation of the surety's license in W.S. § 35‑11‑504 shall also apply if for any other reason the surety becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the bond. Failure to comply with this provision shall result in suspension of the permit. Upon such occurrence it is the operator's responsibility to provide a substitution of financial assurance.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 7 Self-bonds
Self-bonding shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) An initial application to self-bond shall contain:
(i) Identification of operator:
(A) For corporations, name, address, telephone number, state of incorporation, principal place of business and name, title and authority of person signing application, a corporate resolution authorizing the application, and statement of authority to do business in the State of Wyoming, or
(B) For all other forms of business enterprises, name, address and telephone number and statement of how the enterprise is organized, law of the State under which it is formed, place of business, and relationship and authority of the person signing the application.
(ii) Amount of self-bond proposed. The proposed self-bond maximum amount shall not exceed seventy-five percent of the required bond amount.
(iii) Type of operation and anticipated dates performance is to be commenced and completed.
(iv) Brief chronological history of business operations that illustrates a continuous operation for five years immediately preceding the time of application. The Director may allow a joint venture or syndicate with less than five years of continuous operation to qualify under this requirement, if each member of the joint venture or syndicate has been in continuous operation for at least five years immediately preceding the time of application.
(v) Information in sufficient detail to show good-faith performance of past operation, closure, post-closure, and corrective action obligations. The compliance information in the permit or annual reports may be referenced to satisfy part of this requirement.
(vi) Financial information in sufficient detail to show that the operator and ultimate parent guarantor meets one of the following criteria:
(A) Have a rating for all bond issuance actions and long term credit rating within the current year of "Aa3" or higher as issued by either Moody's Investor Service, "AA-" or higher as issued by Standard and Poor's Corporation or "AA-" or higher as issued by Fitch Ratings. The operator is eligible for a maximum of seventy-five percent of the approved cost estimate. The self-bond must accompany another acceptable financial assurance instrument for the remaining twenty-five percent of the approved cost estimate;
(B) Have a rating for all bond issuance actions and long-term credit rating within the current year of "A2" or higher as issued by Moody's Investor Service, "A" or higher as issued by Standard and Poor's Corporation or "A" or higher as issued by Fitch Ratings. The operator is eligible for a maximum of seventy percent of the approved cost estimate. The self-bond must accompany another acceptable financial assurance instrument for the remaining thirty percent of the approved cost estimate; or
(C) Have a rating for all bond issuance actions and long-term credit rating within the current year of "Baa2/A-" or higher as issued by Moody's Investor Service, "BBB/A-" or higher as issued by Standard and Poor's Corporation or "BBB/A-" or higher as issued by Fitch Ratings. The operator is eligible for a maximum of fifty percent of the approved cost estimate. The self-bond must accompany another acceptable financial assurance instrument for the remaining fifty percent of the approved cost estimate.
(D) In the event of a split rating, the Director has the discretion to determine which rating will be accepted and applied to (A), (B), or (C) of this subsection.
(vii) A statement listing any notices issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or proceedings initiated by any party alleging a failure to comply with any public disclosure or reporting requirements under the securities laws of the United States. Such statement shall include a summary of each such allegation, including the date, the requirement alleged to be violated, the party making the allegation, and the disposition or current status thereof.
(viii) A statement identifying by name, address, and telephone number:
(A) A registered office which may be but need not be, the same as the operator's place of business;
(B) A registered agent, which agent must be either an individual resident in this State, whose business office is identical with such registered office, or a domestic corporation authorized to transact business in the State, having a business office identical with such registered office. The registered agent so appointed by the operator shall be an agent to such operator upon whom any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the operator may be served;
(ix) An acknowledgement that:
(A) If the operator fails to appoint or maintain a registered agent in this state, or whenever any such registered agent cannot be reasonably found at the registered office, then the Director shall be an agent for such operator upon whom any process, notice or demand may be served for the purpose of this Chapter. In the event of any such process, the Director shall immediately cause one copy of such process, notice or demand to be forwarded, by certified mail, to the operator at his principle place of business. The Director shall keep a record of all processes, notices, or demands served upon him or her under this paragraph, and shall record therein the time of such service and his or her action with reference thereto.
(B) Should the operator change the registered office or registered agent, or both, a statement indicating such change shall be filed immediately with the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division and the Director.
(C) Nothing herein contained shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon an operator in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.
(x) The Director may accept a written guarantee for an operator's self-bond from an ultimate parent guarantor, if the guarantor satisfies the financial criteria of this Chapter as if it were the operator. Such a written guarantee may be accepted by the Administrator and shall be referred to as an "ultimate parent guarantee." The terms of the ultimate parent guarantee shall provide for the following:
(A) If the operator fails to complete closure, post‑closure, or corrective action the ultimate parent guarantor shall do so or the ultimate parent guarantor shall be liable under the indemnity agreement to provide funds to the State sufficient to complete the closure, post-closure, or corrective action plans, but not to exceed the actual costs of closure, post-closure, or corrective action; and
(B) The ultimate parent guarantee shall remain in force unless the ultimate parent guarantor sends notice of cancellation by certified mail to the operator and to the Director at least ninety days in advance of the cancellation date, and the Director accepts the cancellation. The cancellation shall be accepted by the Director if the operator obtains a suitable replacement bond before the cancellation date, if the lands for which the self-bond, or portion thereof, was accepted have not been disturbed, or if the lands have been released under W.S. § 35‑11‑504.
(xi) For the Director to accept a regulated facility operator's self-bond, the total amount of the outstanding and proposed self-bond of the operator shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the operator's tangible net worth in the United States. For the Director to accept a corporate guarantee, the total amount of the ultimate parent guarantor's present and proposed self-bonds and guaranteed self-bonds shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the guarantor's tangible net worth in the United States.
(b) Approval or denial of operator's self-bond application:
(i) The Director, within sixty days of the operator's submission of all materials necessary to base a decision on the application shall:
(A) Approve or reject such application and declare in writing its reasons for such action to the operator or his registered agent.
(B) If a rejection is based on inadequate information or failure of the operator to supply all necessary material, the Director shall allow the operator thirty days to remedy the deficiencies. Such corrections shall be made to the satisfaction of the Director. The Director shall have an additional sixty days to approve or reject the corrected application.
(c) If the Director accepts the operator's self-bond, an indemnity agreement shall be submitted subject to the following requirements:
(i) The indemnity agreement shall be executed by all persons and parties who are to be bound by it, including the ultimate parent entity guarantor, and shall bind each jointly and severally.
(ii) Corporations applying for a self-bond or ultimate parent corporations guaranteeing an operator's self-bond shall submit an indemnity agreement signed by two corporate officers who are authorized to bind their corporations. A copy of such authorization shall be provided to the Director along with an affidavit certifying that such an agreement is valid under all applicable Federal and State laws. In addition, all corporate guarantors shall provide a copy of the corporate authorization demonstrating that the corporation may guarantee the self-bond and execute the indemnity agreement.
(iii) If the applicant is a partnership, joint venture or syndicate, the agreement shall bind each partner or party who has a beneficial interest directly or indirectly, in the operator.
(iv) The indemnity agreement shall provide that the persons or parties bound shall pay all litigation costs incurred by the State in any successful effort to enforce the agreement against the operator.
(d) Self-Bond Renewal:
(i) Any operator seeking to renew a self-bond shall provide, along with the annual report:
(A) Amount of bond required, which shall be determined in accordance with W.S. § 35‑11‑504 and Section 4 of this Chapter, and the amount proposed to be covered by a self-bond renewal; and
(B) Financial information in sufficient detail to show that the operator and ultimate parent guarantor still meets one of the criteria in Section 7(a)(vi), and the limitation in Section 7(a)(xi). The operator and ultimate parent guarantor shall submit the full report from the credit reporting agency or agencies supporting its rating for the current year. Additional information may be requested by the Director when a split rating occurs.
(ii) A self-bond may be renewed so long as the above listed information demonstrates that all parties remain qualified under Section 7(a) of this Chapter and there is a minimum five-year life of operation remaining.
(e) Self-Bond Substitution:
(i) The Director may require the operator to substitute a good and sufficient bond instrument if the Director determines in writing that the self-bond of the operator fails to provide the protection consistent with the objectives and purposes of the Act. The Director shall require full or partial substitution if the financial information submitted under Section 7(a)(xiv)(A)(II) indicates that the operator or ultimate parent guarantor no longer qualifies under the self-bonding program. Substitution of an alternate bond shall be made within thirty days. The operator may also request substitution. This request is contingent upon the operator meeting all the requirements of the bond provisions in this Chapter. If these requirements are met, the Director shall accept substitution.
(ii) If the operator fails within thirty days to make a substitution for the revoked self-bond with a corporate surety, cash, governmental securities, or federally insured certificates of deposit, or irrevocable letters of credit in accordance with the bonding provisions of W.S. § 35-11-504 and this Chapter, the Director shall suspend or revoke the facility's permit until such substitution is made.
(f) Reporting requirements:
(i) If a devaluation in the credit rating occurs, the operator shall notify the Director within thirty days of the change and provide a copy of the rating report to the Director.
(ii) If the operator or ultimate parent guarantor receives any new notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission or any party initiates proceedings against the operator or ultimate parent guarantor alleging a failure to comply with any public disclosure or reporting requirements under the securities laws of the United States, the operator shall notify the Director within thirty days and shall include a summary of the allegations, including the date, the requirement alleged to be violated, the party making the allegation, and the disposition or current status thereof.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 8 Federally Insured Certificate of Deposit
The Director shall not accept certificate of deposit in an amount in excess of the maximum insurable amount as determined by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The certificate must be payable solely to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. The Director shall require the banks issuing these certificates to waive all rights of set off or liens against the certificates. The financial assurance amount may be calculated to include any amount that would be deducted as a penalty for payment before maturity.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 9 Cash
The operator or its principal may submit a check payable to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 10 Government Securities
(a) Government securities shall be endorsed to the order of the Department, placed in the possession of the Department, and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
(b) Possession of government securities may be in the form of the cash value of an irrevocable trust for the full amount of the closure, post-closure, or corrective action obligation, payable to the Department. An irrevocable trust shall conform to the requirements below:
(i) The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Irrevocable Trust Form shall be signed by the operator or guarantor as principal and the financial institution as Trustee;
(ii) The Trustee must be a bank organized to do business in the United States and have the authority to act as a trustee whose trust operations are regulated and examined by a Federal or State Agency;
(iii) The irrevocable trust must be funded for the full amount of the closure, post-closure, or corrective action obligation, except for the amount reduced by other approved bond instruments or financial assurances;
(iv) Cancellation of an irrevocable trust shall follow the procedures detailed in W.S. § 35-11-504(f); and
(v) Forfeiture proceedings for an irrevocable trust shall follow the same procedures detailed in W.S. § 35-11-504(h).
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 11 Irrevocable Letters of Credit
Irrevocable letters of credit shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) The letter must be payable to the Department in part or in full upon demand and receipt from the Director of a notice of forfeiture issued in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-504(h);
(b) The letter shall not be in excess of ten percent of the issuing or supporting bank's or credit union's capital surplus account as shown on a balance sheet certified by a certified public accountant;
(c) The Director shall not accept standby letters of credit;
(d) The Director shall not accept letters of credit from a bank or credit union for any person, on all permits held by that person, in excess of the limitation imposed by W.S. § 13-3-402; and
(e) The letter of credit shall provide that:
(i) The bank or credit union will give prompt notice to the operator and the Director of any notice received or action filed alleging the insolvency or bankruptcy of the bank or credit union, or alleging any violations of regulatory requirements that could result in suspension or revocation of the bank's or credit union's charter or license to do business;
(ii) In the event the bank or credit union becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the letter of credit for any reason, notice shall be given immediately to the operator and the Director; and
(iii) Upon the incapacity of a bank or credit union by reason of bankruptcy, insolvency, or suspension or revocation of its charter or license, or the disavowal or rejection of the letter of credit by a conservator, trustee, receiver, or a person acting in a similar capacity, the permittee shall be deemed to be without financial assurance in violation of the Act. The Director shall issue a notice of violation against any operator who is without bond coverage, specifying a reasonable period to replace bond coverage, not to exceed ninety days. During this period the Director or their designated representative shall conduct weekly inspections to ensure continuing compliance with other permit requirements, these rules and the Act. If the notice is not abated in accordance with the schedule, a cessation order shall be issued.
(iv) The irrevocable letter of credit may be cancelled by the issuer only after ninety-days' notice to the Director, and upon receipt of the Director's written consent, which may be granted only when an alternative financial assurance substitution has been approved.
(f) The letter may only be issued by a bank insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation or credit union that is insured by the national credit union administration and is organized to do business in the U.S. that identifies by name, address, and telephone number an agent upon whom any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the bank or credit union may be served.
(i) If the bank or credit union fails to appoint or maintain an agent in this State, or whenever any such agent cannot be reasonably found, then the Director shall be an agent for such bank or credit union upon whom any process, notice or demand may be served for the purpose of this Chapter. In the event of any such process, the Director shall immediately cause one copy of such process, notice or demand to be forwarded by registered mail to the bank or credit union at its principal place of business. The Director shall keep a record of all processes, notices, or demands served upon them under this paragraph, and shall record therein the time of such service and their action with reference thereto.
(ii) Nothing herein contained shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the bank or credit union in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 12 Release of Financial Assurance
(a) The Director shall release the closure or post-closure portion of the bond or financial assurance instrument when closure or post-closure activities have been successfully completed. The operator shall notify the Administrator upon completion of activities specified in the closure or post-closure plan. The Administrator shall inspect the facility and provide written inspection results to the operator. Release of the closure or post-closure portion of a bond or financial assurance does not relieve the operator of their responsibility for corrective action to prevent or abate violations caused by the regulated facility that are subsequently discovered, or relieve the operator of their responsibility to meet closure or post-closure standards.
(b) The Director shall release the corrective action portion of the bond or financial assurance instrument when a violation has been remedied or the damage abated. The operator shall notify the Administrator upon completion of activities specified in the corrective action plan. The Administrator shall inspect the facility and provide written inspection results to the operator. Release of the corrective action portion of a bond or financial assurance does not relieve the operator of their responsibility for further corrective action to prevent or abate violations caused by the regulated facility that are subsequently discovered, or relieve the operator of their responsibility to meet closure or post-closure standards.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 13 Recalculation of Financial Assurance
(a) Financial assurance cost estimates for closure, post-closure, and corrective action shall be recalculated annually, within thirty days after the permit issuance anniversary date, and account for inflation.
(b) In addition to annual recalculations, the owner or operator shall revise the cost estimate whenever a change in the approved permit increases the cost of closure, post-closure, or corrective action.
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 14 Forfeiture of Financial Assurance
Bond or other financial assurance forfeiture proceedings shall occur in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-504(h), (j), and (k).
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.7.05042026 § 15 Closure and Post-Closure Account for Municipally-Owned Solid Waste Disposal Facilities
(a) This section is applicable to municipally-owned or operated solid waste landfills regulated under Chapter 2 of these rules electing to participate in the state guarantee trust account provided under W.S. § 35-11-515. Such facilities shall be known as participating facilities.
(b) Each facility participating in the account shall, upon their initial election to participate and every four years thereafter:
(i) Either prepare a closure and post-closure plan complying with Chapter 2 of these rules, and prepare a closure and post-closure cost estimate complying with Section 2 of this Chapter, or calculate the facility closure and post-closure costs using a standard cost estimate prepared by the Director;
(ii) Calculate the remaining usable disposal capacity of the facility, expressed as years, using information from the facility permit application; and
(iii) Calculate the annual amount to be paid to the account using the following procedure:
(A) Calculate three percent of the sum of closure and post-closure costs using the following formula:
Three percent of the sum of closure and post-closure costs = (0.03(Closure cost - the operator's accumulated net assets earmarked for payment of the operator's closure costs)) + (0.03(Post-closure cost - the operator's accumulated net assets earmarked for payment of the operator's post-closure costs))
(I) The facility owner or operator shall account for closure and post-closure liabilities and costs in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as provided by W.S. § 16-4-121(c) and certify to the earmarking of the accumulated net assets, subject to audit.
(B) Calculate the balance due to the account by deducting the total of previous payments to the account from three percent of the sum of closure and post-closure costs using the following formula:
Balance due = three percent of the sum of closure and post-closure costs - the total of previous payments to the account
(C) Calculate annual payments to the account by dividing the balance due by the years of remaining disposal capacity using the following formula:
Annual payment = Balance due / years of remaining disposal capacity in disturbed areas
(c) Compliance with the financial assurance requirements of this section is required on July 1 of each year, unless an alternate date is approved by the Administrator.
(d) A refund of the closure guarantee costs shall follow procedures outlined in W.S. § 35-11-515(g) and (j).
(e) A refund of the post-closure guarantee costs shall follow procedures outlined in W.S. § 35-11-515(h) and (j).
(f) The facility owner may elect to withdraw from participation in the account and shall notify the Director of said intent prior to the financial assurance compliance date. Upon withdrawal from participation, or upon completing closure or post-closure requirements, the owner may apply to the Director for a refund of the annual fees paid to the account. The Director shall, approve a refund from the account equal to ninety percent of the total amount paid by the owner, less any expenditures from the account made on behalf of the participating facility under W.S. § 35-11-515(k) that have not been recovered under W.S. § 35-11-515(m). Prior to the Director approving a refund for a withdrawing facility, the facility owner shall demonstrate compliance with the financial assurance requirements of this Chapter.
(g) An owner may elect to participate in the account for purposes of demonstrating compliance only with the closure cost financial assurance requirement, only with the post-closure cost financial assurance requirement, or both. Any owner electing to participate in the account only for the purposes of satisfying the closure or post-closure cost financial assurance requirement shall use another financial assurance mechanism to complete his or her obligation to demonstrate adequate financial assurance for both closure and post-closure costs.
(h) The Director may authorize expenditures from the account if the facility owner, after receiving a notice of violation and order directing the performance of closure or post-closure obligation under this Chapter or Chapter 2 of these rules, has failed to adequately perform such obligation. The Director shall provide in any such order that failure to perform the closure or post-closure obligation will result in the Director's authorizing an expenditure from the account. The amount to be expended shall be specified by the Director in the order. The availability of an opportunity to appeal the order under W.S. § 35-11-701(c) shall be considered the owner's opportunity to appeal the amount to be expended, under W.S. § 35-11-515(k).
History
- Effective 2026-05-04
Chapter 8 Special Waste Management Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.8.10151998 Special Waste Management Standards
CHAPTER 8
SPECIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT STANDARDS
Section 1. Applicability.
(a) This chapter is applicable to the management of solid wastes as described in subsection (b) of this section. Management of solid wastes listed in subsection (b) of this section shall occur in accord with the standards contained in this chapter.
(b) This chapter governs the management of the following solid wastes:
(i) Asbestos-containing solid wastes;
(ii) Petroleum-contaminated soils;
(iii) Petroleum storage tanks; and
(iv) Scrap tires.
Section 2. Scrap Tire Management Standards.
(a) Applicability: The standards in this section apply to all solid waste management facilities which manage regulated quantities of whole scrap tires;
(b) Reserved.
(c) Design & construction standards: All facilities which transfer, treat or store whole scrap tires shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility design and construction standards:
(i) Waste piles shall be constructed a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any open flames, blow torches, or highly flammable substances;
(ii) Outdoor waste piles shall be constructed a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any other outdoor waste piles;
(iii) Outdoor waste piles shall be constructed a minimum of fifty (50) feet from facility property boundaries;
(iv) Outdoor waste piles shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height or fifty (50) feet in width, and have a base surface area no greater than ten-thousand (10,000) square feet;
(d) Operating standards: All facilities which transfer, treat, store or dispose whole scrap tires shall be operated in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility operating standards:
(i) Scrap tires managed within a structure shall be managed under conditions that meet or exceed those in the current edition of The Standard for Storage of Rubber Tires, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 231D, written by the NFPA Committee on Standards for Rubber Tires, published by the NFPA Standards Council;
(ii) Scrap tires which are disposed shall be completely covered with a minimum of six (6)inches of soil a minimum of once every ninety (90) days or when more than 5,000 scrap tires have been disposed, whichever comes first;
(iii) Facilities which manage outdoor waste piles shall be equipped with adequate stock- piles of soil for firefighting purposes unless the administrator authorizes other firefighting procedures;
(e) Reserved.
(f) Reserved.
Section 3. Nonfriable Asbestos-Containing Solid Waste Management Standards.
(a) Applicability: The standards in this section apply to all solid waste management facilities which accept nonfriable asbestos-containing solid wastes.
(b) Reserved;
(c) Reserved;
(d) Operating standards: All facilities used for the disposal of nonfriable asbestos-containing solid wastes shall be operated in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility operating standards:
(i) Nonfriable asbestos wastes shall be covered with a minimum of six (6) inches of acceptable cover material prior to compaction. The wastes shall be covered:
(A) Immediately upon receipt, if the wastes are disposed in a solid waste manage- ment unit which is not subject to the access restrictions described in Section 4 of this chapter.
(B) Within twelve (12) hours of receipt, if the wastes are disposed in a solid waste managementunit which is subject to the access restrictions described in Section 4 of this chapter.
(ii) Nonfriable asbestos wastes shall be disposed in a manner which minimizes any increase in friability of the wastes, particularly the friability of any exposed edges.
(e) Reserved;
(f) Reserved;
Section 4. Friable Asbestos-Containing Solid Waste Management Standards.
(a) Applicability: The standards in this section apply to all solid waste management facilities which accept friable asbestos-containing solid wastes, unless one of the following conditions are met:
(i) The provisions of this section do not apply to the temporary storage of friable asbestos wastes at an asbestos removal location, provided the time of storage does not exceed 180 days, public access to the facility is controlled, and storage is within an enclosed structure or trailer;
(ii) Upon request by a solid waste management facility operator, the administrator may waive application of the provisions of this section where the administrator finds that the friable asbestos wastes intended for management are of a limited volume, the management event is likely to be a nonre- curring event, and the operator demonstrates that the management can occur in a manner that is protec- tive of the public health and safety.
(b) Location standards: All facilities which dispose friable asbestos wastes shall be located in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility location standards:
(i) Facilities shall not be in conflict with local zoning ordinances or land use plans that have been adopted by a county commission or municipality;
(ii) Facilities shall not be located within 1,000 feet of any occupied dwelling house, school or hospital;
(iii) Facilities shall not be located within 1,000 feet of any interstate or primary highway right-of-way, unless the facility is screened from view by natural objects, plantings, fences or other appropriate means, and is authorized by the State Highway Commission in accordwith provisions of the Junkyard Control Act, W.S. 33-19-103 et seq;
(iv) Facilities shall not be located within 200 feet of a fault that has had displacement in Holocene time;
(v) Facilities shall not be located in documented avalanche prone areas;
(vi) The administrator may authorize any existing solid waste management facility which does not conform with the location requirements of this subsection, to receive asbestos-containing solid wastes, provided the operator demonstrates that the facility design and construction, operating proce- dures, monitoring procedures and closure procedures are protective of human health and the environ- ment.
(c) Design and construction standards: All facilities which dispose friable asbestos wastes shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility design and construction standards:
(i) Solid waste management units shall be constructed in an area of the facility which is physically isolated from other areas of the facility which are frequented by the general public;
(ii) Solid waste management units shall be fenced with chain link fence which is a minimum of six (6) feet high and topped with barbed wire. Suitable alternative fence designs may be approved by the administrator. This specific standard does not apply to private industrial solid waste management facilities if adequate alternative public access restrictions are utilized;
(iii) Solid waste management units shall be equipped with a lockable gate;
(iv) Warning signs shall be posted at each access or entry point and along the perimeter of the solid waste management unit at intervals of 330 feet or less in such a manner and location that a person can easily read the signs. Warning signs shall be a minimum of twenty (20) inches wide and fourteen (14) inches high, have a yellow background with black letters, use Sans Serif, Gothic or Block font letters which are a minimum of one (1) inch in height, and read as follows:
ASBESTOS WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
BREATHING ASBESTOS DUST
MAY CAUSE LUNG DISEASE AND CANCER
This specific standard does not apply to private industrial solid waste disposal facilities if adequate alternative public access restrictions are utilized.
(d) Operating standards: All facilities which manage friable asbestos wastes shall be operated in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility operating standards.
(i) Public access shall be prohibited within two-hundred (200) feet of the solid waste management units during the operation of the units. Solid waste management units may not be operated within two-hundred (200) feet of the facility boundaries unless the operator is capable of controlling access to any areas outside of the facility boundaries which are within two-hundred (200) feet of the boundaries of the solid waste management units;
(ii) All gates and points of access shall be locked to restrict access by the public when a solid waste management unit is unattended. This specific standard does not apply to private industrial solid waste disposal facilities if adequate alternative public access restrictions are utilized;
(iii) Facilities shall be operated in compliance with all applicable Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health rules;
(iv) All loads of friable asbestos wastes received shall be inspected to verify compliance with the following standards:
(A) Friable asbestos wastes have resulted from a removal or renovation activity where the proper notification, either to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the Air Quality Division, has been made. For, the purpose of this subsection, proper notification means:
(I) For any friable asbestos removal from any institutional, commercial, or industrial facility located within the State of Wyoming, notification to the Air Quality Division is re- quired;
(II) For any friable asbestos removal from any source outside the State of Wyoming, notification is required to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for quantities exceeding 260 linear feet, or 160 square feet;
(III) For any friable asbestos removal from any private residence, or any apartmenthaving four or fewer dwelling units located within the State of Wyoming, no notification is required;
(B) Friable asbestos wastes shall be in containers which meet the following requirements:
(I) At facilities other than private industrial solid waste disposal facilities, containers shall be structurally rigid containers, enclosing single, six-mil thick plastic bags. Structurally rigid containers include those containers that can withstand pressures of 250 psi. Other types of structur- ally rigid containers may be approved by the administrator;
(II) At private industrial solid waste disposal facilities, friable asbestos waste containers may consist of doubled six-mil plastic bags in those cases where:
(1) Asbestos waste is not being transported over public roadways; and
(2) Public access to the site is adequately restricted.
(C) Waste containers shall be leak tight, and shall have a label that clearly states either of the following:
CAUTION CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
AVOID OPENING OR BREAKING CONTAINER
BREATHING ASBESTOS IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR
HEALTH
or
CAUTION
CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
AVOID CREATING DUST
MAY CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM
or
DANGER
CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
AVOID CREATING DUST
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD
(D) Waste containers shall be free from the visible accumulation or contamina- tion from asbestos on the outside of the container surface;
(E) Upon request to the administrator,waste containerization requirements speci- fied in this section may be waived for the management of large structural members and other awkwardly sized or shaped wastes. These wastes shall be thoroughly wetted and then double wrapped and sealed in six-mil thick plastic.
(v) Any friable asbestos wastes which are not properly containerized, labeled, or sealed, or in a condition that in the judgment of the operator would result in a release of asbestos fibers to the air, may be accepted for management provided that the wastes are managed as follows:
(A) Friable asbestos wastes shall be thoroughly wetted with water while it is in the delivery vehicle;
(B) Friable asbestos wastes shall be carefully removed from the delivery vehicle and:
(I) Placed in containers, labeled, sealed and stored as required by this section; or
(II) Placed directly in the solid waste management unit, immediately covered with a minimum of twelve (12) inches of soil and compacted;
(C) The inside of the delivery vehicle shall be washed out, and the rinseate shall be collected and:
(I) Stored in containers meeting the requirements of this chapter; or
(II) Placed in the solid waste management unit, immediately covered with minimum of twelve (12) inches of soil and compacted;
(D) Written notification shall be made to the administrator providing the name, address, and telephone number of the transportation company, the vehicle driver, asbestos abatement or removal contractor, and the generator of the friable asbestos waste.
(vi) Friable asbestos wastes shall be stored within an enclosed building or structure;
(vii) Friable asbestos wastes shall be disposed in a landfill cell and covered at the end of each operating day. Daily cover shall be applied carefully and consist of a minimum of twelve (12) inches of soil. Equipment may not be operated on top of the fiable asbestos wastes until the required soil cover is applied. The soil cover shall not be compacted to a final thicknessof less than six (6) inches;
(viii) Intermediate cover shall be applied to all waste management units that have not received friable asbestos wastes for more than thirty (30) days. Intermediate cover shall consist of soil which is compacted to a minimum thickness of twelve (12) inches;
(ix) The following records shall be marked with the appropriate date and time and maintained at the facility or an approved alternative location and available for inspection and copying as specified by Chapter 1, Section 1(g):
(A) Copies of all notification forms documenting that the friable asbestos wastes resulted from a legally notified removal or renovation activity, or in the case where the amount of asbestos wastes involved did not require notification, a statement signed by the generator of the friable asbestos waste to that effect;
(B) Certification from the generator, abatement contractor or transporter that the friable asbestos wastes were thoroughly wetted in accordance with state and federal requirements;
(C) Records of inspections conducted to verify that the friable asbestos wastes were properly containerized, sealed and labeled, including a description of the type and condition of the containers;
(D) Records of the volume and specific location of friable asbestos wastes disposed, including verification of daily cover requirements;
(E) Records of the specific locations which received intermediate cover;
(F) Records of any actions taken in response to shipments of friable asbestos wastes which were not properly containerized, labeled or sealed.
(e) Reserved.
(f) Closure standards: All facilities which dispose friable asbestos-containing solid wastes shall be closed in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility closure standards.
(i) Any portion of the facility where friable asbestos wastes have been disposed shall be surveyed and the corners marked with permanent surveyed benchmarks;
(ii) The final cover shall conform to thedesign and specifications contained in the facility closure plan, but in no case shall the final cover be less than three (3) feet thick;
(iii) An instrument which clearly gives notice of the restrictions that apply to future activities on the facility property shall be filed for recording by the registrar of deeds (County Clerk) in the county where the facility is located. The notice shall also be provided to any local planning agency.
Wording of such an instrument shall conform to the following:
CAUTION. THE PROPERTY MORE COMPLETELY DESCRIBED BELOW HAS BEEN USED FOR THE DISPOSAL OF FRIABLE ASBESTOS-CONTAINING SOLID WASTES.EXCAVATION OF THE PROPERTY WHICH COULD EXPOSE THESE WASTES IS TO BE AVOIDED. BREATHING ASBESTOS FIBERS IS HAZARDOUS TO PUBLIC HEALTH.
THE COMPLETE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY USED FOR THE DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS-CONTAINING WASTES IS: (INSERT METES AND BOUNDS DESCRIPTION)
ANY EXCAVATION OF THIS PROPERTY OR DISTURBANCE OF THE LANDFILL COVER WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE RELEASE OF ASBESTOS FIBERS SHALL FIRST BE AUTHORIZED BY THE WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
Section 5. Petroleum-Contaminated Soil Management Standards.
(a) Applicability: The standards in this section apply to any solid waste management facility which accepts petroleum-contaminated soils, unless one of the following conditions are met:
(i) The provisions of this section do not apply to the temporary storage and/or treatment of petroleum- contaminated soils at the point of generation if the following standards are met:
(A) The time of the waste management activity does not exceed 180 days;
(B) Public access to the solid waste management unit is controlled;
(C) The solid waste management unit is bermed, lined and covered with an impermeable material which has a nominal thickness of 6-mils. A cover is not required if run-off from the solid waste management unitis controlled and odor problems are not reported;
(D) The solid waste management unit is posted with a sign which identifies the date of accumulation and the words:
CAUTION
PETROLEUM-CONTAMINATED SOILS
NO SMOKING
(ii) Upon request by a solid waste management facility operator, the administrator may waive application of the provisions of this section where the administrator finds that the petroleum- contaminated soils are of a limited volume, the management event is likely to be a nonrecurring event, and the operator demonstrates that the management can occur in a manner that is protective of the public health and safety.
(b) Location standards: All facilities which transfer, treat and store petroleum-contaminated soils shall be located in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility location standards;
(i) Facilities shall not be located within 100 feet of any occupied dwelling house, school or hospital except with the written consent of the owner or school district board of trustees, as appli- cable;
(ii) Facilities shall not be located within 100 feet of a public park or recreation area, except with the written consent of the owner;
(iii) Facilities shall not be located in an area which is not approved by the governing fire marshall;
(iv) The administrator may authorize any existing solid waste management facility which does not conform with the location requirements of this subsection to manage petroleum-contaminated soils, provided the operator demonstrates that the facility design and construction, operating procedures, monitoring procedures and closure procedures are protective of human health and the environment;
(c) Design & construction standards: All facilities which transfer, treat and store petroleum- contaminated soils shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility design and construction standards:
(i) Solid waste management units shall be constructed in an area of the facility which is physicallyisolated from other areas of the facility which are frequented by the general public;
(ii) Solid waste management units shall be designed and constructed to prevent the migration of contaminants to other soils, ground water and surface water;
(iii) Each point of access and the perimeter of all solid waste management units shall be identified by a sign which shall be easily readable, maintained in good condition, and contain, at a minimum, the following wording:
RESERVED FOR PETROLEUM-CONTAMINATED SOILS
NO SMOKING
This specific standard does not apply to private industrial solid waste disposal facilities if adequate alternative public access restrictions are utilized.
(d) Operating standards: All facilities which transfer, treat and store petroleum-contaminated soils shall be operated in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facil- ity operating standards:
(i) Petroleum-contaminated soils shall be managed using procedures approved by the administrator;
(ii) Petroleum-contaminated soils shall be managed to meet objectives approved by the administrator;
(iii) Waste management activities shall be evaluated on a regular basis using administra- tor-approved procedures to evaluate progress toward and attainment of petroleum-contaminated soil management objectives;
(iv) The following records shall be marked with the appropriate date and time and main- tained at the facility or an approved alternative location and available for inspection and copying as specified by Chapter 1, Section 1(g):
(A) Records of the specific locations at which specific sources of petroleum- contaminated soils are managed;
(B) Records of the any waste management activities which may, depending on the technology, include adjustment of microbial population density, soil pH, moisture content, soil tempera- ture, nutrient concentrations and soil texture;
(C) Copies of any analytical testing done to evaluate progress toward or attain- ment of petroleum- contaminated soil management objectives;
(e) Reserved.
(f) Reserved.
Section 6. Petroleum Storage Tank Management Standards.
(a) Applicability: The standards in this section apply to all solid waste management facilities which manage petroleum storage tanks, unless one of the following conditions are met:
(i) The provisions of this section do not apply to the temporary storage of petroleum storage tanks at the point of generation if the following standards are met:
(A) The time of the waste management activity does not exceed thirty (30) days;
(B) Public access to the solid waste management unit is controlled;
(C) The petroleum storage tanks are identified by Department of Transportation (DOT) placards which identify the original contents on the tanks;
(D) Measures are taken to insure that the atmospheres in the petroleum storage tanks are maintained at levels less than twenty-five (25) percent of the lower explosive limit.
(ii) Upon request by a solid waste management facility operator, the administrator may waive application of the provisions of this section where the administrator finds that the petroleum storage tanks are of a limited volume, the management event is likely to be a nonrecurring event, and the operator demonstrates that the management can occur in a manner that is protective of the public health and safety;
(iii) The provisions of this section may be waived by the administrator if the petroleum storage tank owner can demonstrate that the petroleum storage tank contains de minimis quantities of petroleum products, sludges and scale, and has an ambient atmosphere which is less than ten (10) per- cent of the lower explosive limit (LEL);
(b) Location standards: All facilities which transfer, treat and store petroleum storage tanks shall belocated in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility location standards;
(i) Facilities shall not be located within 100 feet of any occupied dwelling house, school or hospital except with the written consent of the owner or school district board of trustees, as appli- cable;
(ii) Facilities shall not be located within 100 feet of a public park or recreation area, except with the written consent of the owner;
(iii) Facilities shall not be located in an area which is not approved by the governing fire marshall;
(iv) The administrator may authorize any existing solid waste management facility which does not conform with the location requirements of this subsection to manage petroleum storage tanks, provided the operator demonstrates that the facility design and construction, operating procedures, monitoring procedures and closure procedures are protective of human health and the environment.
(c) Design & construction standards: All facilities which transfer, treat and store petroleum storage tanks shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility design and construction standards:
(i) Solid waste management units shall be constructed in an area of the facility which is physically isolated from other areas of the facility which are frequented by the general public;
(ii) Solid waste management units shall be designed and constructed to prevent the migration of contaminants to soils, ground water and surface water.
(d) Operating standards: All facilities which transfer, treat and store petroleum storage tanks shall be operated in accordance with the following standards, as well as any other applicable facility operating standards:
(i) Petroleum storage tanks shall be managed in conformance with American Petroleum Institute Publications 1604, 1631, 2015 and/or other relevant publications as recommended by Subtitle I of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as amended as of September 23, 1988, unless equiva- lent procedures are approved by the administrator;
(ii) Petroleum storage tanks shall be managed within forty-eight (48) hours unless mea- sures are taken to insure that atmospheres in the petroleum storage tanks areless than twenty-five (25) percent of the lower explosive limit;
(iii) Petroleum storage tanks shall be managed to meet the following objectives:
(A) Residual petroleum products shall be removed;
(B) Residual sludge and scale shall be removed;
(C) Ambient tank atmospheres shall be less than ten percent (10%) of the lower explosive limit and contain a minimum of nineteen and one-half (19.5) percent by volume oxygen.
(iv) All wastes generated by the petroleum storage tank management process shall be collected, containerized and properly managed in compliance with applicable local, state and federal requirements;
(v) Any spill(s) or leak(s) of refined product which is greater than twenty-five (25) gallons shall be reported to the Water Quality Division within forty-eight (48) hours following the spill(s) or leak(s). The operator shall submit to the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division a written remedial plan describing the steps taken to abate the problem within seven (7) days after the spill or leak;
(vi) The operator shall provide the waste generator with written certification at the completion of the petroleum storage tank management process. Written certification shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(A) The name and address of the generator of the petroleum storage tanks;
(B) The location at which the petroleum storage tanks were generated, including the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality/Water Quality Division registration numbers, if applicable;
(C) The dimensions and capacity of the petroleum storage tanks;
(D) The volume and disposition of any wastes generated by the petroleum storage tank management process; and
(E) The date on which management of the petroleum storage tanks was completed.
(vii) The following records shall be marked with the appropriate date and time and maintained at the facility or an approved alternative location and available for inspection and copying as specified by Chapter 1, Section 1(g):
(A) Copies of any analytical testing done to characterize any wastes generated by the petroleum storage tank management process;
(B) Copies of all written certifications which are issued to generators.
(e) Reserved.
(f) Reserved.
History
- Effective 1998-10-15
Chapter 10 Recycling & Processing Requirements for Commercial Solid Waste Mgmt. Facilities
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.10.05251995 Recycling & Processing Requirements for Commercial Solid Waste Mgmt. Facilities
CHAPTER 10
RECYCLING AND PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS FOR
COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
Section 1. In General.
(a) Authority: The authority for the rules and regulations promulgated in this chapter is the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. 35-11-101 et seq. Specific sections of the act that provide authority for this regulation include W.S. 35-11-102, 35- 11-109, and Article 5, Solid Waste Management, 35-11-501 et seq.
(b) Applicability: The rules and regulations contained herein shall apply to any person who operates, or proposes to oper- ate, any solid waste management facility receiving a monthly aver- age greater than five hundred (500) short tons per day of unproc- essed household refuse or mixed household and industrial refuse. The rules and regulations shall apply to any new facility, or to any existing facility seeking a permit amendment to allow any in- crease in capacity such that a monthly average greater than five hundred (500) short tons per day of unprocessed household refuse or mixed household and industrial refuse will be received for manage- ment or disposal. Facilities receiving a monthly average greater than five hundred (500) short tons per day shall be those facili- ties where the sum of the wastes received during any month, divided by the number of days wastes are received at the facility during that month, is greater than five hundred (500) short tons.
(c) Objectives: The objectives of these rules and regula- tions are to establish standards and requirements for commercial solid waste management facilities which minimize unnecessary use of the land for solid waste disposal, allow for effective state regu- lation, oversight, and inspection of solid wastes managed in the state, and conserve natural resources in accord with the policy and purpose of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. 35-11-102.
(d) Severability: If any section or provision of these regu- lations, or the application of that section or provision to any person, situation, or circumstance is adjudged invalid for any reason, the adjudication does not affect any other section or pro- vision of these regulations or the application of the adjudicated section or provision to any other person, situation, or circum- stance. The Environmental Quality Council declares that it would have adopted the valid portions and applications of these regula- tions without the invalid part, and to this end the provisions of these regulations are declared to be severable.
(e) Reserved
Section 2. Permit Requirements for Commercial Solid Waste Management Facilities.
(a) Permits required: Each new commercial solid waste man- agement facility subject to the requirements of W.S. 35-11-508 and this chapter shall, prior to commencing construction, obtain all solid waste management facility permits required by the applicable chapters of these rules and regulations. Any existing solid waste management facility shall obtain amended permits allowing the re- ceipt of five hundred (500) tons per day, prior to accepting wastes at such rates at the facility. At a minimum, each facility shall obtain the following permits, or amendments of existing permits:
(i) A sanitary landfill permit under Chapter 2;
(ii) A treatment, transfer, and storage permit under Chapter 4; and
(iii) If applicable, an incineration permit under Chap- ter 4.
(b) Permit consolidation: The department may consolidate applicable permits into a single commercial solid waste management facility permit.
(c) Special wastes: Each commercial solid waste management facility receiving any special waste shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8.
(d) Financial assurance: Each commercial solid waste management facility shall demonstrate compliance with the financial as- surance requirements of Chapter 7.
(e) Operating practices: The permit applications required in paragraph (a) of this section shall describe the operating prac- tices that will be employed at the facility to assure compliance with the requirements and standards of this chapter.
(f) Other permits: The permit applications required in para- graph (a) of this section shall describe other permits which may be required by the act as a condition of construction or operation of the facility.
Section 3. Permit Application Requirements.
(a) Description of waste stream sampling: The Chapter 6 permit application for each facility shall include a description of the proposed methodology for periodic monitoring and sampling of incoming wastes for the purpose of determining the weight of mate- rial in representative samples of unprocessed wastes. This weight, designated as UPwt in Section 7(c) of this chapter, shall be deter- mined initially for purposes of compliance with the test demonstra- tion requirements of Section 4 of this chapter. For operating facilities, this weight shall be monitored by sampling representative wastes at least once per month.
(b) Other descriptions required: The Chapter 6 permit application for each facility shall include detailed descriptions of the systems, processes, equipment, personnel, and procedures to be used to comply with the waste screening, waste processing, and waste recovery requirements of this chapter. The descriptions shall include:
(i) Narrative discussions of the waste flows and routings including but not limited to procedures used to receive wastes, locations and routes for transfer of wastes from initial receipt of wastes to ultimate disposition of treatment residues, locations and methods for storage and removal of useful components of the waste stream, and other applicable waste handling practices or procedures planned for use at the facility.
(ii) Detailed design drawings of facility structures, roads, loading and unloading structures, environmental monitoring systems, and any other improvements associated with the facility.
(iii) Detailed design drawings, process flow informa- tion, and any available test results for equipment or systems used for waste screening, waste processing, and recovery of useful com- ponents of the waste stream. Information shall be of sufficient detail to allow department evaluation of the ability of the equip- ment or systems to perform as represented, and to comply with the standards of Sections 5, 6 and 7 of this chapter.
(iv) A description of the equipment used to sample in- coming wastes, sampling procedure(s) to be used, the frequency of sampling or inspecting incoming wastes and a discussion of how such frequency will adequately detect prohibited wastes.
(v) Narrative plan describing the facility compliance monitoring systems used by the operator to continuously monitor, record, and report to the department the facility's compliance with the rules and regulations.
(vi) A description of the proposed test demonstration, which shall be conducted to comply with the requirements of Section of this chapter. The test demonstration description shall ad- dress sampling and analysis protocols for wastes to be used in the demonstration, describe how the demonstration wastes are represen- tative of wastes to be received at the facility when full-scale operations commence, and include an evaluation of the facility's ability to screen incoming waste shipments to detect prohibited wastes.
(vii) Procedures used to manage prohibited wastes re- moved from the wastes received at the facility. The application shall include documentation that the planned management methods for such prohibited wastes comply with applicable state and federal requirements.
(viii) Any other information needed by the department to evaluate compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
Section 4. Test Demonstration Requirements.
(a) Applicability: Any commercial solid waste management facility subject to the requirements of this chapter shall perform test demonstration prior to commencing full-scale operations. The Chapter 6 permit issued by the department shall contain such conditions as may be necessary to assure the adequate performance of the test demonstration, and shall provide that the permit does not authorize full-scale receipt of solid wastes at the facility until the department has concurred that the test demonstration has met the requirements of this section.
(b) Objectives: The test demonstration shall be conducted by the facility operator to evaluate the ability of the facility to:
(i) Screen incoming waste shipments to assure that pro- hibited wastes are not received at the facility, in compliance with the standards of Section 5 of this chapter.
(ii) Successfully process wastes as necessary to allow recovery of useful components of the waste stream as required by Section 6 of this chapter.
(iii) Recover amounts of useful components of the waste stream as required by the standards in Section 7 of this chapter and as described in the permit application.
(iv) Handle waste residues in compliance with applicable rules and regulations for treatment or disposal of residues.
(c) Test demonstration wastes: The test demonstration shall be conducted with an amount of solid wastes not to exceed five days' proposed capacity of the commercial solid waste management facility. Wastes to be used in the demonstration shall be shown by the applicant to be representative of wastes to be received at the facility under full-scale operations, including composition and any pretreatment that the wastes may receive prior to delivery to the facility.
(d) Test demonstration report: At the conclusion of the test demonstration, the applicant shall prepare and submit to the de- partment a report documenting performance of the demonstration, including measurements taken during the demonstration, and evaluat- ing the ability of the facility to perform in compliance with the standards in this chapter.
(e) Test demonstration approval: Within ninety (90) days of receipt of the test demonstration report, the department shall:
(i) Approve the demonstration report and allow full- scale operations to commence; or
(ii) Disapprove the demonstration report, and allow the applicant to perform an additional demonstration employing such modifications to equipment or operating procedures as may be pro- posed by the applicant to allow the facility to meet the require- ments of this section; or
(iii) Disapprove the demonstration report. Any disap- proval shall include the department's reasons and basis for disap- proval, and shall describe the applicant's right to appeal the decision. Any decision to disapprove a demonstration report shall be considered as a refusal to grant a permit, as provided in W.S.35-11-802.
Section 5. Solid Waste Screening Standards.
(a) Screening mechanisms required: Each facility shall screen incoming wastes to detect and remove prohibited wastes re- ceived at the facility in violation of paragraph (b) of this section. The facility shall use the following mechanisms:
(i) Mandatory visual screening of all wastes received at the facility. This mandatory visual screening shall occur at the facility following receipt of wastes, but prior to processing by grinding, shredding, incineration, or composting. Baled or com- pacted wastes received at the facility shall be broken, separated, and visually inspected to comply with the mandatory visual screen- ing requirement of this paragraph; and
(ii) Controls at the political jurisdiction where wastes are collected, so that prohibited wastes are not accepted for transport to the facility.
(b) Prohibited wastes: The following wastes are prohibited from receipt at the facility:
(i) Liquid wastes, excluding:
(A) Liquids which may be associated with containers of products which are typically used by households; or
(B) Liquid wastes or sludges which have been specifically approved for receipt at the facility by the Chapter 6 facility permit;
(ii) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at concentrations greater than fifty (50) parts per million, or electrical equipment which may contain, or have contained, such PCBs;
(iii) Lead acid batteries;
(iv) Any special waste described in Chapter 8 of these rules and regulations, unless the Chapter 6 permit authorizes re- ceipt of such special wastes;
(v) Wastes, which because of their appearance, chemical or physical characteristics, and quantity, can reasonably be deter- mined to be hazardous wastes generated by a business other than a conditionally-exempt small quantity generator;
(vi) Radioactive wastes; and
(vii) Any other waste which is determined by the depart- ment to pose such hazards to operation of the facility, its person- nel, or to human health and the environment of the state, that requires the waste to be prohibited.
(c) Compliance with approved application plan: The waste screening program shall be carried out as described in the applica- tion at all times wastes are being received at the facility.
(d) Non-compliance: Failure of any waste screening program to detect and remove prohibited wastes, as determined by inspection by the department, shall be cause for the department to order ces- sation of receipt of wastes by the facility, in accord with W.S.35-11-508(a)(i). The cessation order shall be issued by the department, and shall be reviewed and approved, modified, or revoked by the council in accord with the provisions of W.S. 35-11-701(c). If approved by the council, the facility shall cease receipt of wastes until a revised waste screening program is approved by the director. This paragraph shall not be construed as limiting the powers of the director to issue emergency orders under W.S. 35-11- 115, or of the department to pursue remedies under Article 9 of the act.
Section 6. Solid Waste Processing Standards.
(a) Allowable facility processing methods: Each facility shall process wastes at the facility using any of the following processes required to separate, prepare, or condition the wastes to meet the recovery standards of Section 7 of this chapter:
(i) Shredding;
(ii) Grinding;
(iii) Size classification;
(iv) Density classification;
(v) Compaction or densification;
(vi) Liquids removal; or
(vii) Incineration, provided that incineration may not be used as a means to recover energy from wastes received at the facility until the solid waste recovery standards of Section 7 of this chapter for metals, glass, household batteries, and plastics have been met.
(b) Alternate methods: The department may authorize alter- nate solid waste processing methods as part of the Chapter 6 permit for any facility, provided that such alternate processing methods are necessary for the facility to meet the recovery standards of Section 7 of this chapter.
Section 7. Solid Waste Recovery Standards.
(a) Recovery of materials; amounts: Each facility shall recover, at the facility, useful components of the solid waste stream as specified by the Chapter 6 permit. In issuing any Chapter permit the department shall establish minimum acceptable recovery amounts, expressed as pounds of component per ton of wastes re- ceived, for useful components of the solid waste stream, as required by this section.
(b) Recovery rates: For facilities receiving unprocessed household refuse, or mixed household and industrial refuse, excluding sludges and incinerator ash, each facility shall recover useful components of the solid waste stream in amounts at least equal to those specified by this paragraph:
(i) Eighty (80) percent for aluminum;
(ii) Forty (40) percent for all glass;
(iii) Sixty (60) percent for plastics;
(iv) Ninety (90) percent for ferrous metals;
(v) Twenty (20) percent for mixed paper including corru- gated paper products, unless paper is treated under paragraph (f) of this section; and
(vi) Ninety (90) percent for household batteries.
(c) Calculation of recovery amounts: Recovery amounts shall be calculated as follows:
(RECOVERwt / UPwt) x 100, where
UPwt = total weight of material (e.g. aluminum) in a rep- resentative ton of unprocessed wastes; and
RECOVERwt = weight of material (e.g. aluminum) recovered at the facility from a ton of unprocessed wastes by processing and recovery equipment or practices.
(d) Modification of recovery amounts: Recovery amounts shall be initially established by the department after review of the test demonstration data required by Section 4 of this chapter. Recovery amounts may be modified by the department for any operating facil- ity where the composition of wastes received at the facility has changed, as demonstrated by the monthly sampling and analysis re- quired in Section 3(a) of this chapter.
(e) Sludge or incinerator ash: For facilities receiving sludges or incinerator ash, each facility shall recover useful components of the sludge or incinerator ash in amounts determined by the department as a part of the Chapter 6 permit for the facil- ity. The department shall establish recovery amounts based on analysis of the chemical composition of the wastes and assessment of the feasibility of recovering useful components from such wastes.
(f) Treatment of organic residues: The department shall require any facility to treat remaining organic residues following recovery of useful components of the waste stream. Such treatment may be required to:
(i) Recover energy from any organic waste fractions, including components recovered as specified in paragraph (b)(v) of this section, remaining after treatment and recovery of paragraph (b)components; or
(ii) Produce usable materials, by composting or other processes, from any organic waste fractions, including components recovered as specified in paragraph (b)(v) of this section, remain- ing after treatment and recovery of paragraph (b) components.
(g) Disposal ban: Useful components recovered from solid wastes delivered to a facility, as required in paragraph (b) or
(f) (ii) of this section, shall not be disposed in the state. Such useful components shall be stored prior to shipment from any facil- ity in compliance with storage requirements established by the facility's Chapter 6 permit.
History
- Effective 1995-05-25
Chapter 17 Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Program
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.17.05072014 Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Program
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE DIVISION
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILL REMEDIATION PROGRAM
CHAPTER 17
Section 1. Authority and purpose.
(a) This Chapter is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. 35-11-101 et seq., specifically W.S. 35-11-533, to establish the municipal solid waste landfill remediation program and to provide funding to take remediation actions at eligible leaking municipal solid waste landfills.
Section 2. Definitions.
(a) The definitions used in this Chapter are identical to those set forth in Chapter 1 of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid Waste Rules and Regulations.
(b) "Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Program Account" means the account created by W.S. 35-11-535.
Section 3. Eligibility.
(a) To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the operators of a leaking municipal solid waste landfill shall enter into a written agreement with the Department to meet all regulatory obligations under the program. The written agreement entered into between the operator and Department shall contain, but is not limited to, provisions for the satisfaction of the following elements prior to receiving funds from the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Account:
(i) The operator shall implement and revise the community's integrated solid waste management plan, pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-521, as necessary to comply with all regulatory obligations.
(ii) Except as provided in subsections (A) and (B) below, the operator must cease disposal of all waste streams at a leaking closed facility or the leaking portion of an operating facility that is undergoing remediation activities pursuant to Department rules and regulations and the written agreement between the Department and the local operator.
(A) The operator may continue to dispose municipal solid waste into units of facilities which have an approved engineered containment system and those units that conform to performance based design standards.
(B) The operator may continue to dispose of construction and demolition waste in portions of an operating facility if the operator shows, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that disposal of construction and demolition waste in the leaking portion of the operating facility is necessary for the purpose of achieving the permitted or approved final grade and is protective of the environment.
(iii) The operator shall agree to provide funding from any available funding source for at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total costs of monitoring and remediation under the program. The Department shall require this to be made at two stages in the process as described below:
(A) At the time of submitting notice of intent to participate, the operator must agree to provide funding for at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the preliminary presumptive remedy. The preliminary presumptive remedy is the remedy presumed by the operator prior to assessing corrective action. The preliminary presumptive remedy shall be one or more of the following:
(I) Construction of a final cap;
(II) Control of landfill leachate, if present;
(III) Control of migration to groundwater;
(IV) Collection and treatment of landfill gas; or
(V) Other remedy as proposed by operator.
(B) Upon completion of the assessment of corrective measure, the Administrator shall require additional information from the operator demonstrating that it will provide at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the final remediation cost.
(C) In the event a local operator has performed remediation and monitoring activities at its facility between July 1, 2006 and December 31, 2012 and pursuant to a work plan approved by the Department, such costs may be credited toward the twenty-five percent (25%) funding requirement for the total cost of remediation and monitoring activities. The Department shall allow such costs to be credited toward the twenty five percent (25%) at eligible facilities until the time that the cumulative amount of such costs amongst all eligible facilities reaches four million dollars ($4,000,000.00). The Department may request to review accounting details of such expenditures prior to authorizing such costs to be credited toward the total cost of remediation and monitoring activities.
(iv) The operator must control the source of releases of pollution so as to reduce or eliminate further releases from the leaking municipal solid waste landfill through the implementation of intermediate cover activities as approved by the Administrator.
(v) In instances where the operator has requested authorization from the Department to oversee or conduct monitoring and remediation, the written agreement must contain a commitment that the operator shall adhere to applicable regulatory requirements of the program in conducting monitoring and remediation activities.
(A) The Department shall approve the operator's monitoring and remediation plan prior to authorizing the local operator to conduct or oversee the monitoring and remediation program.
(B) The Department shall take all actions necessary to ensure that a local operator granted authority to conduct or oversee monitoring and remediation activities under this subsection complies with all regulatory requirements of the program.
(b) In addition to the written agreement, the operator must provide documentation that the operator can ensure continued revenue or funding streams sufficient to provide for all foreseeable costs of solid waste facilities under the control of the local operator or political subdivision, including but not limited to the full costs of:
(i) Operations;
(ii) Monitoring;
(iii) Recycling, composting, and other diversion activities, if applicable;
(iv) Closure; and
(v) Post-closure activities.
(c) Operators must also demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that generally accepted accounting principles are utilized in managing all solid waste facilities under the control of the local operator or political subdivision, including the recognition of liabilities identified in Section 3(b) above associated with the closure and post-closure costs and all long- term costs associated with waste disposal compared to recycling, composting, or other diversion activities.
Section 4. Program Process.
(a) In order to participate in the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Program, operators must submit a Notice of Intent to Participate (Notice) to the Department.
The Notice shall contain the following information:
(i) Name, location, and mailing address of facility;
(ii) Detailed information regarding existing units at the facility, including but not limited to unit dimensions, locations, acreages, contents, liners and cover material;
(iii) Estimated depth to groundwater and status of current groundwater monitoring program;
(iv) Discussion of any exceedences of groundwater protection standards at the facility;
(v) A preliminary presumptive remedy for the landfill and its estimated cost;
(vi) A request by the operator for delegation of authority to oversee monitoring and implementation of remediation, if desired; and
(vii) Acknowledgment of intent to comply with requirements of Section 3 of this Chapter.
(b) Within ninety (90) days of receiving the operator's Notice, the Department will notify the facility of the receipt of the Notice and will provide a date upon which the Department will commence discussions with the operator on the drafting of a written agreement pursuant to the requirements of Section 3(a).
(c) Upon execution of the written agreement, and approval by the Administrator of the information required by Section 3(b) and (c), the facility will be entered into the program and eligible to receive funds from the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Program Account.
(d) If the Department and operator are unable to reach an agreement on the contents of the written agreement, or the operator is unable to meet the requirements of Section 3(b) and
(c) of this Chapter, entry into the program will be denied. Denial of entry into the program is a final decision by the Administrator which can be contested to the Environmental Quality Council for a hearing pursuant to W.S. 35-11-112(a)(iii).
(e) In addition to the priority list established by W.S. 35-11-524, the Department may determine that a facility with a lower priority will receive funding if the Department determines that it is the best use of program funds. This determination will be made based on the consideration of the following factors:
(i) Funding availability;
(ii) Cost efficiencies achieved by allocation of resources;
(iii) Opportunities for increased cost sharing between monitoring and remediation actions at multiple leaking municipal solid waste landfills;
(iv) Timeliness of remediation in reducing risk to public health, safety and welfare or the environment;
(v) The likelihood that the remedy will reduce or eliminate the threat posed to public health, safety and welfare or the environment by continuing releases;
(vi) Whether the facility has completed closure and transfer actions at the facility. Priority shall be given to those facilities which have completed closure and transfer actions; and
(vii) Other factors that the Department determines to be relevant.
(f) Except as provided in (ii) below, all facilities will be returned to local control and will no longer be eligible to receive funds from the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Program Account ten (10) years after the implementation of the final selected remedy at the facility.
(i) Facilities which have long term monitoring associated with its final remedy will be eligible for funds for ten (10) years following the initiation of the monitoring program.
(ii) The Department may authorize funding to continue for operation and maintenance of a remedial system at the end of ten (10) years only in the event that the operator shows that unforeseen circumstances have prevented it from being able to continue the operation of the remedy and the failure of the remedy will result in a significant threat to public safety, health, or the environment.
Section 5. Program Requirements.
(a) Investigation of contamination, design and installation of monitoring and remediation systems, and the operation and maintenance of monitoring and maintenance systems shall be conducted pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 2, Section 8.
(b) All corrective actions shall restore the environment to a condition and quality consistent with the requirements of Chapter 2.
(i) In carrying out monitoring and remediation activities under the program the Department has the right to construct and maintain any structure, monitor well, recovery system, or any other reasonable and necessary item associated with taking remediation and monitoring actions.
(c) Any person conducting groundwater monitoring at a facility must report to the Department in accordance with Chapter 2, Section 6 (b).
(i) The Department shall notify the affected public of all confirmed releases requiring a plan for remediation, and, upon request, provide or make available to the interested public information concerning the nature of the release and the remediation actions planned or taken.
(d) All records created during the development of the remedial activities are required to be maintained by the operator and submitted to the Department in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 2, Section 8.
(e) Construction contractors employed to conduct construction activities at an eligible facility must adhere to the requirements of this Chapter and the Solid Waste Rules and Regulations. All such construction contractors must be registered and bonded with the State.
(f) Right of Inspection. Any authorized agent of the Department has the right of entry for the purposes of inspection, assessment or implementation of corrective actions at eligible facilities.
Section 6. Project Costs.
(a) Eligible project costs: The following costs incurred by operators or contractors performing work at eligible facilities pursuant to Section 3 can be reimbursed by funds from the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Account:
(i) Capping or approved phased reclamation;
(ii) Groundwater remediation and monitoring;
(iii) Methane mitigation and monitoring; and
(iv) Other closure related expenses, including engineering, geological, and other professional services;
(b) Ineligible project costs: The following project costs shall be ineligible for reimbursement from funds from the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Account and shall be ineligible to be counted toward the applicant's match:
(i) Salaries or benefits for employees of the municipal solid waste facility;
(ii) Operational costs of municipal solid waste facilities;
(iii) Costs for any asset that is owned by a private property owner;
(iv) Costs for tap fees, sewer and water fees, and plant investment fees;
(v) Engineering fees, including design, inspection, and contract administration costs, over ten percent (10%) of projects costs, unless otherwise approved by the Department;
(vi) All non-cash costs except:
(A) Land, labor, materials, equipment, and services provided by the applicant, and used for project purposes, valued at reasonable, actual cost;
(B) Land, labor, materials, equipment, and services provided to the applicant by others, at no cost to the applicant, used for project purposes and valued at reasonable, actual cost; and
(C) Land which is integral to the Municipal Solid Waste Facilities Remediation Program process but not costs for land in excess of current fair market value and/or costs for an amount of land in excess of that needed for project purposes. Land costs not defined in the application will be ineligible for reimbursement.
(vii) Costs for preparation or presentation of applications for any source of funding;
(viii) Costs for transportation, meals, and lodging incurred anywhere away from the site of the project;
(ix) Costs of tools, supplies, and furnishings for capital projects not included in DEQ-approved construction contract documents, including, but not limited to, capital equipment, hammers, tanks, tools, furniture, drapes, blinds, file cabinets, file folders, and survey stakes;
(x) Legal fees;
(xi) Costs related to issuance of bonds;
(xii) Costs for real property in excess of current fair market value and/or costs for an amount of real property in excess of that needed for project purposes;
(xiii) Costs to establish and form special districts or joint powers boards;
(xiv) Costs incurred prior to facility being eligible pursuant to Section 3, except costs for architectural and engineering design and those costs incurred pursuant to Section 3(a)(iii)(C) of this Chapter;
(xv) Costs for a contingency or additional work allowance in excess of ten percent (10%) of estimated construction costs;
(xvi) Costs for change orders not approved by the Department;
(xvii) Lump sum contracts unless approved by the Department; and
(xviii) Costs for meals, mileage and incidental expenses in excess of federal per diem rates.
History
- Effective 2014-05-07
Chapter 18 Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals in Landfills and Surface Impoundments
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 1 Authority
Authority: This Chapter is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act (Act), Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-503.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 2 Incorporation by Reference
(a) General: 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 257 subpart D; Standards for the Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals in Landfills and Surface Impoundments. Any reference in these rules to requirements, procedures, or specific forms contained in 40 CFR part 257 subpart D shall constitute the full adoption by reference of sections of that part and subpart as they appear in the CFR dated December 14, 2020. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(b) The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division, has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules.
(c) More stringent and broader-in-scope provisions: State-specific rules that are more stringent or broader-in-scope than the provisions of 40 CFR part 257 subpart D are detailed in the relevant sections of these rules.
(d) Availability of referenced material: The federal rules incorporated by reference throughout this Chapter are maintained at the following locations:
(i) Electronic copies of the federal rules incorporated by reference throughout
these rules may be obtained from the U.S. Government Publishing Office, https://www.ecfr.gov/; and
(ii) 40 CFR part 257 subpart D is available for public inspection at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division, 200 W. 17th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Printed copies of the federal regulations incorporated by reference throughout these rules are also available at cost from the U.S. Government Publishing Office, 732 North Capitol Street Northwest, Washington D.C. 20401 or at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/laws-regulations/code-federal-regulations-cfrs-print. Copies of federal regulations may be requested at cost through the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, which will order the materials from the U.S. Government Publishing Office.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 3 General Provisions
(a) Scope and purpose: The scope and purpose of 40 CFR 257.50 are incorporated by reference, with the exception of 40 CFR 257.50(e).
(b) Applicability of other regulations: The applicability of other regulations under 40 CFR 257.52 is incorporated by reference.
(c) Definitions: The definitions of 40 CFR 257.53 are incorporated by reference. Definitions in W.S. § 35-11-103(a) and (d), and Chapter 1, Section 1 of these rules not included in 40 CFR 257.53 apply to this chapter and:
(i) "Administrator" means the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Administrator;
(ii) "Major amendment" means a change to any solid waste management facility location, design or construction, or to any operating, monitoring, closure or post-closure activities, involving one or more of the following items:
(A) The total permitted volumetric capacity of the facility is to be increased by more than five percent;
(B) The effectiveness of any liner, leachate collection or detection system, gas detection or migration system, or pollution control or treatment system may be reduced;
(C) The facility modification will, in the judgment of the Administrator, be likely to alter the fundamental nature of the facility's activities or reduce the capacity of the facility to protect human health and the environment; and
(iii) The following state terms shall replace the federal terms in 40 CFR part 257.53, unless otherwise noted in these rules:
(A) "Regional Administrator, Participating State Director, or State Director" means the Director of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, or their designee.
(B) "State" means the State of Wyoming.
(C) "Certification from a qualified professional engineer or approval from the Participating State Director or approval from EPA where EPA is the permitting authority" means the certification from a licensed professional engineer and submittal to the Administrator for approval.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 4 Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Landfill and Surface Impoundment Permit Application Requirements
(a) Permit required: All CCR units must be permitted in accordance with this Chapter.
(b) Permit transition: Permit application submittals under Chapter 1, Section 2 of these rules shall meet the following requirements;
(i) Existing CCR landfills that are permitted under Chapter 3 of these rules that do not have a lifetime permit and intend to continue disposal of CCR after the effective date of this Chapter, shall submit a permit renewal application under this Chapter no later than twelve months prior to the expiration date of the facility's existing permit or twelve months after the effective date of this Chapter, whichever comes later, unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause;
(ii) Existing CCR surface impoundments that are permitted by the Water Quality Division shall submit a new permit application under this Chapter within twelve months of the effective date of this rule unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause, and;
(iii) Existing CCR landfill and surface impoundment permits that do not have a lifetime permit and intend to cease disposal of all waste before obtaining a lifetime permit, shall submit a closure permit application no later than twelve months prior to the expiration date of the facility's existing permit or the date the facility is anticipated to cease disposal of CCR, whichever comes first, unless an alternate schedule is approved by the Administrator for good cause.
(c) Permit terms:
(i) Permits for new CCR units or existing CCR surface impoundments seeking a permit under this Chapter will be issued for the operating life of the facility through post-closure.
(ii) Renewal permits for CCR landfills will be issued for the operating life of the facility through post-closure.
(iii) Closure permits will be issued for a period that includes the time required to complete closure activities and a minimum thirty year post-closure term. The closure permit period will extend until the Administrator finds that facility closure is protective of human health and the environment consistent with the purposes of the Act. If, following receipt of documentation from the operator, the Administrator determines that all closure and post-closure activities have been completed and closure is protective of human health and the environment, the permit shall be terminated as specified in Chapter 1 of these rules.
(d) Permit application requirements:
(i) The permit application shall contain a completed permit application form and a written report demonstrating compliance with the applicable standards and criteria set forth in Sections 5 through 15 of this Chapter. Records and supporting documents such as well logs, maps, cross-sections, and monitoring reports should generally be included in the written report as appendices.
(ii) All permit application forms shall be completed in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-506 and signed by the operator, the landowner, and any real property lienholder of public record. Applications submitted by a municipality, state, federal or other public agency, shall be signed by the head of the agency or ranking elected official.
(iii) All permit applications shall be prepared under the supervision of a professional engineer licensed by the State of Wyoming. All permit application forms shall be stamped, signed and dated by a professional engineer. In addition, all portions of the permit application that require geological services or work shall be stamped, signed and dated by a professional geologist licensed by the State of Wyoming.
(e) Closure permit application requirement: Closure permit applications shall be submitted as required in Section 4(b)(iii) and shall meet the requirements of Section 10 of this Chapter.
(f) Permit amendments:
(i) All amendments shall comply with the location, design and construction, operating, monitoring, and closure standards of the applicable chapters of these rules. No amendment shall be implemented by the operator without the prior written authorization of the Administrator.
(ii) The operator shall submit the proposed amendment in a format approved by the Administrator. Permit amendments may be proposed independently or in conjunction with a permit renewal or closure permit application.
(A) Minor permit amendments will be processed in accordance with Chapter 1, Section 3 of these rules.
(B) Major permit amendments will be processed in accordance with this section. The application for an amendment shall include a cover letter describing in detail the amendment sought. The application for amendment shall include revisions to the permit application sufficient to fully describe the proposed amendment including a revised table of contents and replacement text, plates, and drawings that are fully formatted and numbered for insertion into the permit application.
(I) The Administrator shall review major permit amendment applications for completeness in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-502(e) and (f). After the application is determined complete, the applicant shall give written notice of the application as required in Chapter 1, Section 2(c)(i) of these rules.
(II) The Administrator shall determine whether a proposed permit amendment complies with applicable standards and is suitable for publication under W.S. § 35-11-502(h). The applicant shall provide written notice of a proposed permit amendment as specified in Chapter 1, Section 2(c)(ii) of these rules.
(III) The Director shall render a decision on the major permit amendment in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-502(k) and (m).
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 5 General Facility Information
All facilities shall demonstrate compliance with the following standards and criteria in the permit application:
(a) Operator: The name, address, and telephone number of the operator of the facility to whom the permit would be issued, and a listing of any administrative order, civil or administrative penalty assessment, bond forfeiture, misdemeanor or felony conviction, or court proceeding, for any violations of any local, state, or federal law relating to environmental quality or criminal racketeering, in which the applicant (including any partners in a partnership or executive officers in any corporation) has been or is currently a party.
(b) Manager: Position title, address, and telephone number of the environmental manager. A description of the environmental manager training and examination program to be used by the operator to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. The description shall include a specific listing of the training courses and the required frequency of attendance of each course by the environmental manager.
(c) Legal description: Legal description of the property to be used as a disposal facility. The complete legal description shall consist of a plat and legal description, monumented and signed by a Wyoming licensed land surveyor.
(d) Facility narrative: A brief summary narrative describing the disposal facility. The narrative should include the size and physical location of the facility; the operating history, the type of waste disposal activities that are planned including area fill, trench fill, surface impoundment, and special waste areas; the type, amount, and source of incoming waste; and the publicly accessible CCR website. The narrative should also describe facility access controls and restrictions and waste screening measures.
(e) Surface and mineral ownership: Information describing surface and mineral ownership of the facility and surface ownership of all lands within one mile of the facility boundary.
(f) Source of waste: The source of wastes, and the type, trade and common names, and quantity of waste received on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis that will be disposed at the facility.
(g) Facility capacity: Calculations for facility capacity and facility life that are based upon detailed engineering designs and grading plans.
(h) Potential to impact surface and groundwater quality: An evaluation of the facility's potential to impact surface and groundwater quality based on the facility design and hydrogeologic information.
(i) Geologic, hydrologic, and hydrogeology information: The application shall include a summary description of available local geologic, hydrologic, and hydrogeologic information, including copies of all available well logs for wells located within one mile of the proposed and existing facility. This description shall include information on the depth to the uppermost groundwater, groundwater aquifer thickness and hydrologic properties, and the potentiometric surface. Supporting documentation such as well completion logs, geologic cross sections, soil boring lithologic logs, potentiometric surface maps, and soil or groundwater testing data should be supplied as an appendix.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 6 Location Standards
All facilities shall demonstrate compliance with the following applicable standards and criteria in the permit application:
(a) Placement above the uppermost aquifer: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.60 are incorporated by reference.
(b) Wetlands: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.61 are incorporated by reference.
(c) Fault areas: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.62 are incorporated by reference.
(d) Seismic impact zones: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.63 are incorporated by reference.
(e) Unstable areas: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.64 are incorporated by reference.
(f) New facilities: New CCR landfills and surface impoundments shall not be located in violation of W.S. § 35-11-502(c) or any of the following standards:
(i) Distance to other surface waters: CCR landfills and surface impoundments shall not be located within the ordinary high water mark of perennial rivers, streams, or creeks, except that surface impoundments not containing hazardous or toxic wastes may be located within the ordinary high water mark of intermittent rivers, streams, creeks, draws, coulees, or other natural drainages provided a by-pass ditch is installed capable of passing the 24-hour 100-year precipitation event. All other surface impoundments shall be protected from structural damage during the 100-year flood event;
(ii) Local zoning ordinances: CCR landfill and surface impoundment locations shall not be in conflict with local zoning ordinances or land use plans that have been adopted by a county commission or municipality;
(iii) Public park or recreation area: CCR landfills and surface impoundments shall not be located within 1,000 feet of any public park or recreation area unless the facility is screened from view by natural objects, plantings, fences or other appropriate means;
(iv) Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: CCR landfill and surface impoundment locations shall not diminish the scenic, recreational and fish and wildlife values for any section of river designated for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq., and implementing regulations;
(v) National Historic Preservation Act: CCR landfills and surface impoundments shall not be located in areas where they may pose a threat to an irreplaceable historic or archeological site listed pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq. and implementing regulations, or to a natural landmark designated by the National Park Service;
(vi) Big game winter range: CCR landfills and surface impoundments shall not be located within critical winter ranges for big game unless, after consultation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Administrator determines that facility development would not conflict with the conservation of Wyoming's wildlife resources;
(vii) Avalanche areas: CCR landfills and surface impoundments shall not be located in documented avalanche-prone areas;
(viii) Hydrogeologic conditions: CCR landfills and surface impoundments shall not be located in an area where the Administrator, after investigation by the applicant, finds that there is a reasonable probability that CCR disposal will have a detrimental effect on surface water or groundwater quality or where the Administrator determines it is not possible to effectively monitor existing groundwater; and
(ix) Compliance with other standards: CCR landfills and surface impoundments that are also subject to regulation under Chapters 6 or 8 of these rules shall not be located in violation of the standards of those chapters.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 7 Design Criteria
All facilities shall demonstrate compliance with the following applicable standards and criteria in the permit application:
(a) Design criteria for new CCR landfills and any lateral expansion of a CCR landfill: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.70 are incorporated by reference.
(b) Liner design criteria for existing CCR surface impoundments: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.71 are incorporated by reference.
(c) Liner design criteria for new CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.72 are incorporated by reference.
(d) Structural integrity criteria for existing CCR surface impoundments: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.73 are incorporated by reference, with the exception of the phrase "not to exceed a height of six inches above the slope of the dike" in 40 CFR 257.73(a)(4) and (d)(1)(iv).
(e) Structural integrity criteria for new CCR surface impoundments and any lateral expansion of a CCR surface impoundment: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.74 are incorporated by reference, with the exception of the phrase "not to exceed a height of six inches above the slope of the dike" in 40 CFR 257.74(a)(4) and (d)(1)(iv).
(f) Design criteria: A detailed description of the facility design and construction standards including:
(i) Surveyed corners: All facility boundary corners shall be surveyed and marked with permanent survey caps.
(ii) Buffer zones: All facilities shall be designed and constructed with a buffer zone that is a minimum of twenty feet wide within the facility perimeter fence.
(iii) Cover material availability: An evaluation of the availability of cover material sufficient to properly operate the facility through the closure period.
(iv) Slope stability for excavations: Trench walls shall not exceed a ratio of 1.5:1 (horizontal:vertical) unless a slope stability analysis demonstrates steeper slopes can be safely constructed and maintained. This analysis may be based on site-specific soil stability calculations or Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations for excavations.
(v) Quality assurance/quality control: Facilities shall submit construction quality assurance/quality control plans that ensure adequate construction and testing of the containment system components.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 8 Operating Criteria
All facilities shall demonstrate compliance with the following applicable standards and criteria in the permit application:
(a) Air criteria: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.80 are incorporated by reference.
(b) Run-on and run-off controls for CCR landfills: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.81 are incorporated by reference.
(c) Hydrologic and hydraulic capacity requirements for CCR surface impoundments: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.82 are incorporated by reference.
(d) Inspection requirements for CCR surface impoundments: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.83 are incorporated by reference.
(e) Inspection requirements for CCR landfills: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.84 are incorporated by reference.
(f) Additional operating criteria:
(i) Qualified environmental manager: Each facility shall be managed by a qualified environmental manager. In the event that a qualified environmental manager terminates employment for any reason, a new environmental manager shall be designated within three months of such termination. For any facility that is constructed, operated, and monitored in compliance, the environmental manager's qualifications shall be presumed to be adequate. For any facility that is not being constructed, operated, or monitored in compliance, the environmental manager may be required to complete additional training and demonstrate his or her qualifications by written or oral examination. A qualified environmental manager shall:
(A) Possess a complete working knowledge of the facility construction, operating, and monitoring procedures, as specified in the permit application and the permit letter issued by the Director.
(B) Attend the classroom or field training program described in the approved permit application.
(C) Attend any training course sponsored by the Department that the Administrator requires, to provide training on changes to state or federal solid waste rules or guidelines. For any such mandatory training course, the Administrator shall provide each operator with a minimum of forty-five days notice prior to the scheduled training course.
(ii) Copy of plan: The operator shall have a copy of the operating plan available at the facility when personnel are on-site.
(iii) Access restrictions: Facilities shall be fenced and equipped with a gate that can be locked unless the facility is located in a remote or industrial area that already has adequate access control features in place to meet the intent of this standard.
(iv) Burning: No open burning of solid waste is allowed, with the exception of infrequent burning of clean wood, tree trimmings, brush, agricultural wastes, silvicultural wastes, land clearing debris, diseased trees, or debris from emergency cleanup operations; this exception is valid only when the operator has obtained a permit from the Air Quality Division.
(v) Fire protection and other emergency protection measures: Facilities shall maintain, at a minimum, an unobstructed ten foot fire lane around all active CCR units or within the perimeter fence.
(vi) Hazardous waste: No CCR landfill or surface impoundment may accept regulated quantities of hazardous waste.
(vii) Waste screening: Facilities shall provide a description of waste screening measures used to prevent disposal of unauthorized wastes.
(viii) Waste analyses: Facilities shall provide, as requested by the Administrator, waste analyses including:
(A) A description of the physical condition of the waste;
(B) Chemical analyses of the total concentrations of waste constituents specified by the Administrator;
(C) Leachate analyses from the extraction procedure specified by the Administrator; and
(D) Analysis of hazardous waste characteristics.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 9 Groundwater Monitoring and Corrective Action
All facilities shall demonstrate compliance with the following applicable standards and criteria in the permit application:
(a) Applicability: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.90 are incorporated by reference with the exception of 40 CFR 257.90(g) and the following additions:
(i) The operator shall include the following additional information in its annual groundwater monitoring and corrective action report:
(A) A summary of facility operations and activities carried out during the last year including a revised schedule or timetable of facility operations and activities;
(B) A summary of anticipated permit amendments during the next year;
(C) The remaining usable CCR landfill and CCR surface impoundment capacity (in total cubic yards) excluding final cover;
(D) Quantity of waste managed during the last year and the method used to determine the amount;
(E) Quantity of CCR waste removed, recovered, or diverted for beneficial use and the method used to determine the amount;
(F) Electronic copies of all required monitoring data not already submitted following a sampling event, in a format specified by the Administrator. The Administrator may require paper copies of monitoring data, as well as supporting charts or maps that represent the data; and
(G) The Administrator may require reporting of additional information needed to demonstrate compliance with these rules.
(b) Groundwater monitoring systems: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.91 are incorporated by reference with the following additions:
(i) A description of the groundwater monitoring well location, design, construction, and development; and
(ii) A description of the groundwater sampling program including sampling frequency, test parameters, sampling procedures, test methods and quality control.
(c) Groundwater sampling and analysis requirements: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.93 are incorporated by reference with the following additions:
(i) If the operator is disposing of non-CCR industrial waste, the detection monitoring program may also include constituents identified in Chapter 3, Appendix A of these rules, as required by the Administrator;
(ii) If the operator is disposing of non-CCR industrial waste, the assessment monitoring program may include constituents identified in Chapter 3, Appendix B of these rules, as required by the Administrator; and
(iii) Constituents identified in Water Quality Rules, Chapter 8, Table 1 may be included as required by the Administrator for groundwater classification.
(d) Detection monitoring program: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.94 are incorporated by reference.
(e) Assessment monitoring program: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.95 are incorporated by reference with the exception of 40 CFR 257.95(h)(2) and the following additions:
(i) The owner or operator must request in writing that the Administrator establish a groundwater protection standard for any constituent required by the Administrator under (c)(i) or (ii) of this subsection that is not listed in 40 CFR part 257, Appendix III or IV. The Administrator shall establish groundwater protection standards for such constituents, which shall be:
(A) For constituents where a maximum contaminant level (MCL) has been promulgated, the MCL for that constituent;
(B) For constituents for which MCLs have not been promulgated, the background concentration; or
(C) For constituents for which the background level is higher than the MCL or any health-based level established under subsection (e)(ii), the background concentration.
(ii) The Administrator may establish an alternative groundwater protection standard for constituents for which MCLs have not been established. These groundwater protection standards shall be health-based levels. For constituents where a MCL does not exist, the alternative groundwater protection standard shall be the more stringent standard meeting the requirements of Water Quality Rules, Chapter 8, Table 1 based on groundwater class of use or the Drinking Water Equivalent Level as determined by the procedures found in the Storage Tank Rules Chapter 1, Section 39(e).
(f) Assessment of corrective measures: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.96 are incorporated by reference.
(g) Selection of remedy: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.97 are incorporated by reference.
(h) Implementation of the corrective action program: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.98 are incorporated by reference.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 10 Closure and Post-Closure Care
All facilities shall demonstrate compliance with the following applicable standards and criteria in the permit application:
(a) Inactive CCR surface impoundments: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.100 are incorporated by reference.
(b) Closure or retrofit of CCR units: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.101 are incorporated by reference.
(c) Criteria for conducting the closure or retrofit of CCR units: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.102 are incorporated by reference.
(d) Alternative closure requirements: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.103 are incorporated by reference.
(e) Post-closure care requirements: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.104 are incorporated by reference.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 11 Recordkeeping, Notification, and Posting of Information to the Internet
All facilities shall demonstrate compliance with the following applicable standards and criteria in the permit application:
(a) Recordkeeping requirements: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.105 are incorporated by reference, notwithstanding Chapter 1, Section 1(d) of these rules.
(b) Notification requirements: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.106 are incorporated by reference.
(c) Publicly accessible internet site requirements: The criteria of 40 CFR 257.107 are incorporated by reference with the following addition:
(i) Final determination on permit applications shall be placed to the owner or operator's CCR website within five days.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 12 Industrial Waste Standards
Industrial waste standards: If disposing of non-CCR industrial waste, the permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements of Chapter 3 of these rules.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 13 Transfer, Treatment, and Storage Facility Standards
Transfer, treatment, and storage facility standards: If applicable, the permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 6 of these rules.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 14 Special Waste Standards
Special waste standards: If applicable, the permit application shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8 of these rules.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0009.18.08192022 § 15 Supporting Documentation/Appendices
All permit application appendices shall, at a minimum, include the information in this section:
(a) USGS topographic map: A USGS topographic map with a scale of 1:24,000 with the proposed facility location shown; an original USGS topographic map with a scale of 1:62,500 or other suitable topographic map may be submitted if a 1:24,000 map is unavailable.
(b) Map or aerial photograph of the area: A map or aerial photograph of the area shall be submitted showing land ownership, land use and zoning within one mile of the disposal facility. The map or photograph shall be of sufficient scale to show all city boundaries, each occupied dwelling house, schools, hospitals, industrial buildings, water wells, water courses, roads, and other applicable details.
(c) General facility plot plan: A general facility plot plan (map) with a scale and contour intervals approved by the Administrator shall be submitted. The general facility plot plan shall at a minimum illustrate the following features:
(i) Facility boundaries;
(ii) Points of access;
(iii) Location of soil borings and groundwater monitor wells;
(iv) Location of proposed CCR landfill and surface impoundment locations;
(v) Perimeter fire lane; and
(vi) Perimeter fence location.
(d) Additional facility plot plans: Additional facility plot plans, at the same scale as the general facility plot plan, shall be submitted as necessary to show orderly development and use of the facility through the life of the facility. These plot plans shall at a minimum contain the following information:
(i) Excavation plans for development of CCR landfill and surface impoundment locations;
(ii) Development of temporary surface water diversion structures that may be necessary to adequately control surface water run-on and run-off;
(iii) Access to active waste disposal areas, including development of internal roads; and
(iv) Other details pertinent to the development and use of the facility.
(e) Map showing proposed final contours: A map showing proposed final contours prepared at the same scale and contour intervals as the general facility plot plan shall be submitted.
(f) Map of facility boundaries: If the CCR unit is included in a larger industrial property, a map shall be included that shows the facility boundaries in relation to the overall boundaries of the industrial property.
(g) Cross sections and drawing details: Cross sections and drawing details shall be submitted with sufficient specifications to describe:
(i) Systems used for monitoring, collection, treatment and disposal of leachate, if required;
(ii) Groundwater monitoring well design;
(iii) All components of engineered containment systems, including, but not limited to, liners, caps, berms, leachate collection systems, and leak detection systems, if applicable; and
(iv) Any other design details requested by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
1428 Source Material
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.1.01122026 General Provisions
Chapter 1
General Provisions
Section 1. Authority.
These rules are promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-2001 et seq. These rules are effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Section 2. Purpose.
It is the purpose of these rules to state such requirements as shall be applied in the use of source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content (referred to throughout these rules as licensed material) such that the Department can ensure the protection of the public health and safety to all persons at, or in the vicinity of, the place of use, storage, or disposal.
Section 3. Scope.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, these rules apply to all persons who receive, possess, use, offer and receive for transfer, own, or acquire any source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content. For the purposes of these rules, the term "mineral resources" is defined in W.S. § 35-11-2001(a). Nothing in these rules shall apply to any person to the extent such person is subject to regulation not relinquished by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). These rules do not govern the mining or removal of source material in its natural state or independent or commercial laboratory facilities that possess, use, or accept source material. These rules apply to laboratories located at facilities licensed under these rules.
Section 4. Incorporation by Reference (IBR) of Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.)
(a) AVAILABILITY OF REFERENCED MATERIAL. The federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules are maintained at the following locations:
(i) Electronic copies of the federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules may be obtained from the U.S. Government Printing Office, http://www.ecfr.gov; and
(ii) Volumes of the federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules are available for public inspection at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Source Material Program, 200 West 17th Street, Suite 10, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002. Printed copies of the federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules are also available at cost from the U.S. Government Printing Office, 732 North Capitol Street Northwest, Washington D.C. 20401 or at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/laws-regulations/code-federal-regulations-cfrs-print. Copies of the federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules may be requested at cost through the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, which will order the materials from the U.S. Government Printing Office.
Section 5. Definitions.
The following terms, as used in these rules shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:
(a) "Absorbed Dose" means the energy imparted by ionizing radiation per unit mass of irradiated material. The units of absorbed dose are the rad and the gray (Gy).
(b) "Act" means Environmental Quality Act, W.S. § 35-11-103 et seq.
(c) "Action Limits" means the minimum and maximum values of a quality assurance measurement that can be interpreted as representing acceptable performance with respect to the parameter being tested. Values less than the minimum or greater than the maximum action limit or level indicate that corrective action must be taken. Action limits or levels are also sometimes called control limits or levels.
(d) "Activity" means the rate of disintegration (transformation) or decay of radioactive material. The units of activity are the curie (Ci) and the becquerel (Bq).
(e) "Adult" means an individual 18 or more years of age.
(f) "Agreement State" means a state with which the Atomic Energy Commission or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has entered into an effective agreement under Section 274(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended (42 U.S.C. § 2021). Non-agreement State means any other State.
(g) "Airborne Radioactive Material" means a radioactive material dispersed in the air in the form of dusts, fumes, particulates, mists, vapors, or gases.
(h) "Airborne Radioactivity Area" means a room, enclosure, or area in which airborne radioactive materials, composed wholly or partly of licensed material, exists in concentrations:
(i) In excess of the derived air concentrations (DACs), specified in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, or
(ii) To such a degree that an individual present in the area without respiratory protective equipment could exceed, during the hours an individual is present in a week, an intake of 0.6 percent of the annual limit on intake (ALI), or 12 DAC hours.
(i) "Air-Purifying Respirator" means a respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element.
(j) "Alert" means events may occur, are in progress, or have occurred that could lead to a release of radioactive material but that the release is not expected to require a response by off-site response organizations to protect persons off-site.
(k) "Annual Limit on Intake (ALI)" means the derived limit for the amount of radioactive material taken into the body of an adult worker by inhalation or ingestion in a year. ALI is the smaller value of intake of a given radionuclide in a year by the reference man that would result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5 rems (0.05 Sv) or a committed dose equivalent of 50 rems (0.5 Sv) to any individual organ or tissue. (ALI values for intake by ingestion and by inhalation of selected radionuclides are given in Table 1, Columns 1 and 2, of Appendix B to 10 C.F.R. Part 20).
(l) "As Low as (is) Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)" means making every reasonable effort to maintain exposures to radiation as far below the dose limits as is practical, consistent with the purpose for which the licensed activity is undertaken, taking into account the state of technology, the economics of improvements in relation to state of technology, the economics of improvements in relation to benefits to the public health and safety, and other societal and socioeconomic considerations, and in relation to utilization of nuclear energy and licensed materials in the public interest.
(m) "Assigned Protection Factor (APF)" means the expected workplace level of respiratory protection that would be provided by a properly functioning respirator or a class of respirators to properly fitted and trained users. Operationally, the inhaled concentration can be estimated by dividing the ambient airborne concentration by the APF.
(n) "Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator" means a respirator that supplies the respirator user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere, and includes supplied-air respirators (SARS) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.
(o) "Background Radiation" means radiation from:
(i) Cosmic sources;
(ii) Naturally occurring radioactive materials, including radon (except as a decay product of source or special nuclear material); and
(iii) Global fallout as it exists in the environment from the testing of nuclear explosive devices or from past nuclear accidents such as Chernobyl that contribute to background radiation and are not under the control of the licensee.
(iv) Background radiation does not include radiation from source, byproduct, or special nuclear materials regulated by the Commission or the Department.
(p) "Becquerel (Bq)" means the SI unit of activity. One (1) becquerel is equal to one (1) disintegration or transformation per second.
(q) "Bioassay" means the determination of kinds, quantities or concentrations, and in some cases, the locations of radioactive material in the human body, whether by direct measurement (in vivo counting) or by analysis and evaluation of materials excreted or removed from the human body. For purposes of these rules, "radiobioassay" is an equivalent term.
(r) "Byproduct Material" is defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(j)(i).
(s) "Calibration" means the determination of:
(i) The response or reading of an instrument relative to a series of known radiation values over the range of the instrument; or
(ii) The strength of a source of radiation relative to a standard.
(t) "Class (or lung class or inhalation class)" means a classification scheme for inhaled material according to its rate of clearance from the pulmonary region of the lung. Materials are classified as D, W, or Y, which applies to a range of clearance half-times; for Class D (Days) of less than 10 days, for Class W (weeks) from 10 to 100 days, and Class Y (years) of greater than 100 days.
(u) "Collective Dose" means the sum of the individual doses received in a given period of time by a specified population from exposure to a specified source of radiation.
(v) "Commencement of Construction" means taking any action defined as construction or any other activity at the site of a facility subject to these rules that has a reasonable nexus to radiological health or safety.
(w) "Commission" means the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission or its duly authorized representatives. "Nuclear Regulatory Commission" and "NRC" are equivalent terms.
(x) "Committed Dose Equivalent (HT,50)" means the dose equivalent to organs or tissues of reference (T) that will be received from an intake of radioactive material by an individual during the 50-year period following the intake.
(y) "Committed Effective Dose Equivalent (HE,50)" is the sum of the products of the weighting factors applicable to each of the body organs or tissues that are irradiated and the committed dose equivalent to each of these organs or tissues (HE,50=∑WTHT,50).
(z) "Constraint (dose constraint)" means a value above which specified licensee actions are required.
(aa) "Contamination" means the presence of radioactive substance on a surface in quantities in excess of unrestricted release limits.
(i) Fixed radioactive contamination means radioactive contamination that cannot be removed from a surface during normal conditions.
(ii) Non-fixed or removable radioactive contamination means radioactive contamination that can be removed from a surface during normal conditions.
(ab) "Controlled Area" means an area, outside of a restricted area but inside the site boundary, access to which can be limited by the licensee for any reason.
(ac) "Critical Group" means the group of individuals reasonably expected to receive the greatest exposure to residual radioactivity for any applicable set of circumstances.
(ad) "Curie" means the special unit of activity. One curie is equal to 3.7x1010 disintegrations per second which is equal to 3.7x1010 becquerels which is equal to 2.22x1012 disintegrations per minute.
(ae) "Declared Pregnant Woman" means a woman who has voluntarily informed the licensee, in writing, of her pregnancy and the estimated date of conception. The declaration remains in effect until the declared pregnant woman withdraws the declaration in writing or is no longer pregnant.
(af) "Decommission" means to remove a facility or site safely from service and reduce residual radioactivity to a level that permits:
(i) Release of property for unrestricted use and termination of the license; or
(ii) Release of the property under restricted conditions and termination of the license.
(ag) "Deep Dose Equivalent (Hd)," which applies to external whole body exposure, means the dose equivalent at a tissue depth of 1cm (1000 mg/cm2).
(ah) "Demand Respirator" means an atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece only when negative pressure is created inside the facepiece by inhalation.
(ai) "Department" means the State of Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
(aj) "Derived Air Concentration (DAC)" means the concentration of given radionuclide in air which, if breathed by reference man for a working year of 2,000 hours under conditions of light work (inhalation rate of 1.2 cubic meters of air per hour), results in an intake of 1 ALI. DAC values are given in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, Table 1 Column 3.
(ak) "Derived Air Concentration-Hour (DAC-Hour)" means the product of the concentration of radioactive material in air (expressed as a fraction or multiple of the derived air concentration for each radionuclide) and the time of exposure to that radionuclide, in hours. A licensee may take 2,000 DAC-hours to represent 1 ALI equivalent to a committed effective dose equivalent of 5 rems (0.05 Sv).
(al) "Discrete source" means a radionuclide that has been processed so that its concentration within a material has been purposely increased for use for commercial, medical, or research activities.
(am) "Disposable Respirator" means a respirator for which maintenance is not intended and that is designed to be discarded after excessive breathing resistance, sorbent exhaustion, physical damage, or end of service life renders it unsuitable for use. Examples of this type of respirator are disposable half-mask respirators or disposable escape-only self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
(an) "Distinguishable from Background" means that the detectable concentration of a radionuclide is statistically different from the background concentration of that radionuclide in the vicinity of the site or, in the case of structures, in similar materials using adequate measurement technology, survey, and statistical techniques.
(ao) "Dose" is a generic term that means absorbed dose, dose equivalent, effective dose equivalent, committed dose equivalent, committed effective dose equivalent, or total effective dose equivalent. For purposes of these rules, "radiation dose" is an equivalent term.
(ap) "Dose Equivalent (HT)" means the product of the absorbed dose in tissue, quality factor, and all other necessary modifying factors at the location of interest. The units of dose equivalent are the rem and sievert (Sv).
(aq) "Dose Limits" means the permissible upper bounds of radiation doses established in accordance with these rules. For the purpose of these rules, "limits" is an equivalent term.
(ar) "Dosimetry Processor" means an individual or organization, that is National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) approved, that processes and evaluates individual monitoring equipment in order to determine the radiation dose delivered to the equipment.
(as) "Effective Dose Equivalent (HE)" means the sum of the products of the dose equivalent to the organ or tissue (HT), and the weighting factor (WT), applicable to each of the body organs or tissues that are irradiated ().
(at) "Embryo/Fetus" means the developing human organism from conception until the time of birth.
(au) "Entrance or Access Point" means any location through which an individual could gain access to radiation areas or to licensed radioactive materials. This includes entry or exit portals of sufficient size to permit human entry, irrespective of their intended use.
(av) "Exclusive Use" means the sole use by a single consignor or a conveyance for which all initial, intermediate, and final loading and unloading are carried out in accordance with the direction of the consignor or consignee. The consignor and the carrier must ensure that any loading or unloading is performed by personnel having radiological training and resources appropriate for safe handling of the consignment. The consignor must issue specific instructions, in writing, for maintenance of exclusive use shipment controls, and include them with the shipping paper information provided to the carrier by the consignor.
(aw) "Exposure" means being exposed to ionizing radiation or to radioactive material. For purposes of these rules, this term is used as a verb.
(ax) "Exposure Rate" means the exposure per unit of time, such as roentgen per minute and milliroentgen per hour.
(ay) "External Dose" means that portion of the dose equivalent received from a source of radiation outside the body.
(az) "Extremity" means hand, elbow, arm below the elbow, foot, knee, and leg below the knee.
(ba) "Financial Assurance" means the method of assuring that sufficient funds will be available at the time of license termination and decommissioning of the facility to cover all costs associated with the decommissioning.
(bb) "Filtering Facepiece (dust mask)" means a negative pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium, not equipped with elastomeric sealing surfaces and adjustable straps.
(bc) "Fit Factor" means a quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual, and typically estimates the ratio of the concentration of a substance in ambient air to its concentration inside the respirator when worn.
(bd) "Fit Test" means the use of protocol to qualitatively or quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual.
(be) "Generally Applicable Environmental Radiation Standards" means standards issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the authority of the AEA, as amended, that impose limits on radiation exposures or levels, or concentrations or quantities of radioactive material, in the general environment outside the boundaries of locations under the control of persons possessing or using radioactive material.
(bf) "Helmet" means a rigid respiratory inlet covering that also provides head protection against impact and penetration.
(bg) "High Radiation Area" means an area, accessible to individuals, in which radiation levels from radiation sources external to the body could result in an individual receiving a dose equivalent in excess of 0.1 rem (1 mSv), in 1 hour at 30 centimeters from the radiation source or 30 centimeters from any surface that the radiation penetrates.
(bh) "Hood" means a respiratory inlet covering that completely covers the head and neck and may also cover portions of the shoulders and torso.
(bi) "Individual" means any human being.
(bj) "Individual monitoring" means:
(i) The assessment of dose equivalent by:
(A) Use of devices designed to be worn by an individual, or
(B) Survey data; or
(ii) The assessment of committed effective dose equivalent by:
(A) Bioassay, or
(B) By determination of the time-weighted air concentrations to which an individual has been exposed (i.e. DAC-hours).
(bk) "Individual Monitoring Devices" means devices designed to be worn by a single individual for the assessment of dose equivalent. For purposes of these rules, individual monitoring equipment and personnel monitoring equipment are equivalent terms. Examples of individual monitoring devices are film badges, thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD's), pocket ionization chambers, and personal air sampling devices.
(bl) "Internal Dose" means that portion of the dose equivalent received from radioactive material taken into the body.
(bm) "Lens Dose Equivalent (LDE)" means the external exposure of the lens of the eye and is taken as the dose equivalent at a tissue depth of 0.3 centimeter (300 mg/cm2).
(bn) "License" means a form of permission given by the Department to an applicant who has met the requirements for licensing set out in the Act and these rules.
(bo) "Licensee" means a person who is licensed by the Department in accordance with the Act and these rules.
(bp) "Licensed material" means source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content and the management and disposal of associated byproduct material received, possessed, used, transferred, or disposed of under a license issued by the Department.
(bq) "Limits (dose limits)" means the permissible upper bounds of radiation doses.
(br) "Loose Fitting Facepiece" means a respiratory inlet covering that is designed to form a partial seal with the face.
(bs) "Lost or Missing Licensed Material" means licensed material whose location is unknown. It includes material that has been shipped but has not reached its destination and whose location cannot be readily traced in the transportation system.
(bt) "Member of the Public" means an individual except when that individual is receiving an occupational dose.
(bu) "Minor" means an individual less than 18 years of age.
(bv) "Monitoring" means the measurement of radiation levels, concentrations, surface area concentrations or quantities of radioactive material, and the use of the results of these measurements to evaluate potential exposures and doses. For purposes of these rules, radiation monitoring and radiation protection monitoring are equivalent terms.
(bw) "Nationally tracked source" is a sealed source containing a quantity equal to or greater than Category 1 or Category 2 levels of any radioactive material listed in Appendix E of 10 C.F.R. Part 20. In this context a sealed source is defined as radioactive material that is sealed in a capsule or closely bonded, in a solid form and which is not exempt from regulatory control. It does not mean material encapsulated solely for disposal, or nuclear material contained in any fuel assembly, subassembly, fuel rod, or fuel pellet. Category 1 nationally tracked sources are those containing radioactive material at a quantity equal to or greater than the Category 1 threshold. Category 2 nationally tracked sources are those containing radioactive material at a quantity equal to or greater than the Category 2 threshold but less than the Category 1 threshold.
(bx) "Negative Pressure Respirator (tight fitting)" means a respirator in which the air pressure inside the facepiece is negative during inhalation with respect to the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.
(by) "Nonstochastic Effect" means health effects, the severity of which varies with the dose and for which a threshold is believed to exist. Radiation-induced cataract formation is an example of a nonstochastic effect (also called a deterministic effect). For the purposes of these rules deterministic effect is an equivalent term.
(bz) "Occupational Dose" means the dose received by an individual in the course of employment in which the individual's assigned duties involve exposure to radiation or to radioactive material from licensed and unlicensed sources of radiation, whether in the possession of the licensee or other person. An Occupational dose does not include doses received from background radiation, from any medical administration the individual has received, from exposure to individuals administered radioactive material and released under 10 C.F.R. Part § 35.75, from voluntary participation in medical research programs, or as a member of the public.
(ca) "Operation" means all of the activities, equipment, premises, facilities, structures, roads, rights-of-way, waste and refuse areas, storage and processing areas, and shipping areas used in the process of excavating or removing overburden and minerals from the affected land or for removing overburden for the purpose of determining the location, quality or quantity of a natural, mineral deposit or for the reclamation of affected lands.
(cb) "Person" means an individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private corporation, trust, estate, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, municipality or any other political subdivision of the State, or any interstate body or any other legal entity and any legal successor, representative, agent, or agency of the foregoing.
(cc) "Physician" means a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy licensed by a State or Territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to prescribe drugs in the practice of medicine.
(cd) "Positive Pressure Respirator" means a respirator in which the pressure inside the respiratory inlet covering exceeds the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.
(ce) "Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)" means an air-purifying respirator that uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering.
(cf) "Pressure Demand Respirator" means a positive pressure atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece when the positive pressure is reduced inside the facepiece by inhalation.
(cg) "Principal Activities" as used in these rules, means activities authorized by the license which are essential to achieving the purpose(s) for which the license was issued or amended. Storage during which no licensed material is accessed for use or disposal and activities incidental to decontamination or decommissioning are not principal activities
(ch) "Program" means the State of Wyoming's Source Material Program.
(ci) "Public Dose" means the dose received by a member of the public from exposure to radiation or to radioactive materials released by a licensee, or to any other source of radiation under the control of a licensee. Public dose does not include occupational dose or doses received from background radiation, from any medical administration the individual has received, from exposure to individuals administered radioactive material and released in accordance with 10 C.F.R. § 35.75, or from voluntary participation in medical research programs.
(cj) "Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT)" means a pass/fail fit test to assess the adequacy of respirator fit that relies on the individual's response to a test agent.
(ck) "Quality factor (Q)" means the modifying factor, listed in Table 1004(b).1 of 10 C.F.R. 20.1004, as incorporated by reference in Chapter 3 of these rules, that is used to derive dose equivalent from absorbed dose.
(cl) "Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT)" means an assessment of the adequacy of respirator fit by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator.
(cm) "Quarter" means a period of time equal to one-fourth of the year observed by the licensee (approximately 13 consecutive weeks), providing that the beginning of the first quarter in a year coincides with the starting date of the year and that no day is omitted or duplicated in consecutive quarters.
(cn) "Radiation" means alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, x-rays, neutrons, high speed electrons, high speed protons, and other particles capable of producing ions. For purposes of these rules, ionizing radiation is an equivalent term. Radiation, as used in these rules, does not include non-ionizing radiation, such as radio or microwaves, visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light.
(co) "Radiation Area" means an area, accessible to individuals, in which radiation levels could result in an individual receiving a dose equivalent in excess of 0.005 rem (0.05 mSv), in 1 hour at 30 centimeters from the radiation source or from any surface that the radiation penetrates.
(cp) "Radiation Level" means the radiation dose-equivalent expressed in millisieverts per hour or mSv/h (millirems per hour or mrem/h).
(cq) "Radioactivity" means the transformation of unstable atomic nuclei by the emission of radiation.
(cr) "Reference Man" means a hypothetical aggregation of human physical and physiological characteristics arrived at by international consensus. These characteristics may be used by researchers and public health workers to standardize results of experiments and to relate biological insult to a common base.
(cs) "Residual Radioactivity" means radioactivity in structures, materials, soils, groundwater, and other media at a site resulting from activities under the licensee's control. This includes radioactivity from all licensed and unlicensed sources used by the licensee, but excludes background radiation. It also includes radioactive materials remaining at the site as a result of routine or accidental releases of radioactive material at the site and previous burials at the site, even if those burials were made in accordance with the provisions of 10 C.F.R. Part 20 which is incorporated by reference in Chapter 3 of these rules.
(ct) "Respiratory Protective Device" means an apparatus, such as a respirator, used to reduce the individual's intake of airborne radioactive materials.
(cu) "Restricted Area" means an area, access to which is limited by the licensee for the purpose of protecting individuals against undue risks from exposure to radiation and radioactive materials. Restricted area does not include areas used as residential quarters, but separate rooms in a residential building may be set apart as a restricted area.
(cv) "Roentgen (R)" means the special unit of exposure. One roentgen equals 2.58 x 10-4 coulombs per kilogram of air. See exposure, defined above.
(cw) "Sanitary Sewerage" means a system of public sewers carrying off waste water and refuse, but excluding sewage treatment facilities, septic tanks, and leach fields owned or operated by the licensee.
(cx) "Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)" means an atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user.
(cy) "Shallow Dose Equivalent (Hs)" which applies to the external exposure of the skin of the whole body or the skin of an extremity and is taken as the dose equivalent at a tissue depth of 0.007 centimeter (7 mg/cm2).
(cz) "SI" means an abbreviation of the International System of Units.
(da) "Site Area Emergency" means events which may occur, are in progress, or have occurred that could lead to a significant release of radioactive material and that could require a response by off-site organizations to protect persons off-site.
(db) "Site boundary" means that line beyond which the land or property is not owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the licensee.
(dc) "Source material" is defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(j)(iii).
(dd) "Specific Activity" means the radioactivity of the radionuclide per unit mass of the nuclide. The specific activity of a material in which the radionuclide is essentially uniformly distributed is the radioactivity per unit mass of material. The Specific Activity for Natural Uranium is 6. 77x10-7 Ci per gram of U.
(de) "Special Nuclear Material" means:
(i) Plutonium, uranium-233, uranium enriched in the isotope 233 or in the isotope 235, and any other material that the Commission, pursuant to the provisions of Section 51 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, determines to be special nuclear material, but does not include source material; or
(ii) Any material artificially enriched by any of the foregoing but does not include source material.
(df) "Stochastic Effects" means health effects that occur randomly and for which the probability of the effect occurring, rather than its severity, is assumed to be a linear function of dose without threshold. Hereditary effects and cancer incidence are examples of stochastic effects.
(dg) "Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR)" means an atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user.
(dh) "Survey" means an evaluation of the radiological conditions and potential hazards incident to the production, use, transfer, release, disposal, or presence of radioactive material or other sources of radiation. When appropriate, such an evaluation includes physical survey of the location of radioactive material and measurements or calculations of levels of radiation, or concentrations or quantities of radioactive material present.
(di) "Test" means the process of verifying compliance with an applicable rule.
(dj) "Tight Fitting Facepiece" means a respiratory inlet covering that forms a complete seal with the face.
(dk) "Total Effective Dose Equivalent (TEDE)" means the sum of the effective dose equivalent for external exposures and the committed effective dose equivalent for internal exposures.
(dl) "Unrefined and Unprocessed Ore" means ore in its natural form prior to any processing, such as grinding, roasting, beneficiating, or refining. Processing does not include sieving or encapsulation of ore or preparation of samples for laboratory analysis.
(dm) "Unrestricted Area" means an area, to which access is neither limited nor controlled by the licensee. For purposes of these rules, "uncontrolled area" is an equivalent term.
(dn) "Unrestricted Use" means that the facility area, or object may be used by individuals for any purpose without limit or control of the licensee.
(do) "User seal check (fit check)" means an action conducted by the respirator user to determine if the respirator is properly seated to the face. Examples include negative pressure check, positive pressure check, irritant smoke check, or isoamyl acetate check.
(dp) "Very High Radiation Area" means an area, accessible to individuals, in which radiation levels from radiation sources external to the body could result in an individual receiving an absorbed dose in excess of 500 rads (5 grays) in 1 hour at 1 meter from a radiation source or 1 meter from any surface that the radiation penetrates.
(dq) "Waste" means those low-level radioactive wastes containing source, special nuclear, or byproduct material that are acceptable for disposal in a land disposal facility. For the purpose of this definition, low-level radioactive waste means radioactive waste not classified as high-level radioactive waste, transuranic waste, spent nuclear fuel, or byproduct material as defined in this Chapter.
(dr) "Week" means seven consecutive days starting on Sunday.
(ds) "Weighting Factor for an organ or tissue (T) is the proportion of the risk of stochastic effects resulting from irradiation of that organ or tissue to the total risk of stochastic effects when the whole body is irradiated uniformly. For calculating the effective dose equivalent, the values of are:
Organ or Tissue
Gonads 0.25
Breasts 0.15
Red bone marrow 0.12
Lung 0.12
Thyroid 0.03
Bone Surfaces 0.03
Remainder 10.30
Whole Body 21.00
1 0.30 results from 0.06 for each 5 "remainder organs" (excluding the skin and the lens of the eye) that receive the highest doses.
2 For the purposes of weighting the external whole body dose (for adding it to the internal dose), a single weighting factor, , has been specified. The use of weighting factors for external exposure will be approved on a case-by-case basis until such time as specific guidance is issued.
(dt) "Whole Body" means, for purposes of external exposure, head, trunk including male gonads, arms above the elbow, or legs above the knees.
(du) "Worker" means an individual engaged in work under a license issued by the Department and controlled by a licensee, but does not include the licensee.
(dv) "Working Level (WL)" means any combination of short-lived radon daughters in 1 liter of air that will result in the ultimate emission of 1.3 x 105 MeV of potential alpha particle energy. The short-lived radon daughters are: for radon-222: polonium-218, lead-214, bismuth-214, and polonium-214; and for radon-220: polonium-216, lead-212, bismuth-212, and polonium-212.
(dw) "Working Level Month (WLM)" means an exposure to one working level for 170 hours. 2,000 working hours per year divided by 12 months per year is approximately equal to 170 hours per month.
(dx) "Year" means the period of time beginning in January used to determine compliance with the provisions of these rules. The licensee may change the starting date of the year used to determine compliance by the licensee provided that the change is made at the beginning of the year and that no day is omitted or duplicated in consecutive years.
Section 6. Units of Exposure and Dose.
(a) As used in these rules, the unit of exposure is the coulomb per kilogram (C per kg). One roentgen is equal to 2.58 x 10-4 coulomb per kilogram of air.
(b) As used in these rules, the units of dose are:
(i) Gray (Gy) is the SI unit of absorbed dose. One gray is equal to an absorbed dose of one joule per kilogram. One gray equals 100 rad.
(ii) Rad is the special unit of absorbed dose. One rad is equal to an absorbed dose of 100 erg per gram or 0.01 joule per kilogram. One rad equals 0.01 Gy.
(iii) Rem is the special unit of any of the quantities expressed as dose equivalent. The dose equivalent in rem is equal to the absorbed dose in rad multiplied by the quality factor. One rem equals 0.01 Sv.
(iv) Sievert (Sv) is the SI unit of any of the quantities expressed as dose equivalent. The dose equivalent in sievert is equal to the absorbed dose in gray multiplied by the quality factor. One Sv equals 100 rem.
(c) As used in these rules, the quality factors for converting absorbed dose to dose equivalent are shown in Table 1004(b).1 of C.F.R. 20.1004, as incorporated by reference in Chapter 3 of these rules.
Section 7. Units of Radioactivity.
For purposes of these rules, activity is expressed in the SI unit of becquerel (Bq), or in the special unit of curie (Ci), or their multiples, or disintegrations or transformations per unit of time.
Section 8. Communication and Referenced Materials.
All communication and reports concerning parts of these rules, and application filed thereunder, should be addressed to the Department.
Section 9. Deliberate misconduct.
(a) Any licensee, applicant for a license, employee of a licensee or applicant; or any contractor (including a supplier or consultant), subcontractor, employee of a contractor or subcontractor of any licensee or applicant for a license, who knowingly provides to any licensee, applicant, contractor, or subcontractor, any components, equipment, materials, or other goods or services that relate to a licensee's or applicant's activities in this part, may not:
(i) Engage in deliberate misconduct that causes or would have caused, if not detected, a licensee or applicant under these rules to be in violation of any rule or order of the Department; or any term, condition or limitation of any license issued by the Department under these rules; or
(ii) Deliberately submit to the Department, a licensee, an applicant, or a licensee's or applicant's contractor or subcontractor, information that the person submitting the information knows to be incomplete or inaccurate in some respect, material to the Department.
(b) Deliberate misconduct by a person means an intentional act or omission that the person knows:
(i) Would cause a licensee to be in violation of any rule or order; or any term, condition, or limitation issued by the Department; or
(ii) Constitutes a violation of a requirement, procedure, instruction, contract, purchase order, or policy of a licensee, applicant, contractor or subcontractor of a licensee as mandated by the Department.
(c) A person who violates paragraph (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of this section may be subject to enforcement action in accordance with Chapter 2 of these rules.
Section 10. Exemptions.
The Department may upon application or upon its own initiative, grant such exemptions or exception from requirements as it determines are authorized by law and will not result in undue hazard to public health and safety or property. Provisions for exceptions are provided for in W.S. § 35-11-2003(c).
Section 11. Records.
(a) A licensee shall maintain records showing the receipt, transfer, and disposal of all licensed material.
(b) All records required by this Chapter shall be accurate and factual.
(c) The Department fully adopts and hereby incorporates by reference recordkeeping requirements in 10 C.F.R. 40.61 (a), (b), (d), (e), and (f).
(d) If the record retention period is not specified, the record shall be maintained for a period of three years.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 2 Inspections, Enforcement, and Penalties
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.2.01122026 § 1 Purpose
This Chapter establishes requirements to ensure the protection of the public health and safety and of all persons at, or in the vicinity of, the place of use, storage, or disposal of source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content.
Section 2. Scope.
This Chapter applies to the authorized and unauthorized extraction or concentration of source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content. The Department may inspect, enforce, and penalize both licensees and non-licensees for the unlawful possession, use, transfer, ownership or other such unpermitted handling of source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content in accordance with these rules, the Act, and applicable state and federal laws.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.2.01122026 § 3 Inspections and Testing
(a) Each licensee and applicant shall allow the Department, to enter and inspect any licensed are as provided by Chapter 4, Section 7(j) of these rules.
(b) As required by the Department, each licensee shall perform, or shall permit the Department to perform, such reasonable tests as the Department deems appropriate or necessary including, but not limited to, the testing of:
(i) Source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content;
(ii) Facilities wherein licensed materials are used or stored; and
(iii) Radiation detection and monitoring instruments.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.2.01122026 § 4 Violations
(a) All violations of this Act or these rules are subject to penalty as provided by Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-901.
(b) An injunction or other court order may be obtained prohibiting any violation of any provision of the Act or these rules.
(c) Submittal of false information shall be sufficient basis for rejecting or revoking any Department issued license, registration, certification or other acceptance, approval or permit.
(d) These rules shall not limit any existing civil or criminal remedies in accordance with W.S §. 35-11-904.
Section 5. Enforcement.
(a) The Department may issue Notices of Violation and Orders pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-701.
(b) Licensee initiative for self-identification and correction of problems is encouraged. The Department will generally not issue Notices of Violation for a violation that:
(i) Was identified by the licensee;
(ii) Results in low or no health and safety consequences;
(iii) Was documented, in writing, for review by the Department;
(iv) Was or will be corrected, including measures to prevent recurrence, within ninety (90) days, or another time frame approved by the Department; and
(v) Was not a violation that could reasonably be expected to have been prevented by the licensee's corrective action for a previous violation.
(c) Licensees are not ordinarily cited for violations resulting from matters outside of their control, such as equipment failures that were not avoidable by reasonable quality assurance measures. However, licensees are held responsible for acts of their employees. Accordingly, the rules should not be construed to excuse personnel errors.
(d) At the discretion of the Department, and in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-701, licensees may have the opportunity to eliminate or correct the violation before the issuance of a Notice of Violation if that violation results in low or no health and safety consequences and can be eliminated or corrected in an expedient manner.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.2.01122026 § 6 Orders and other Administrative Actions
(a) The Department may issue Orders:
(i) To remove a threat to public health and safety or the environment;
(ii) To demand that a Licensee or other person cease and desist violations or unauthorized or illegal activities; or
(iii) For any other reason in which license revocation or suspension is authorized.
(b) The Department may issue Orders to suspend all or part of any regulated activity. These Orders may be effective immediately, without prior opportunity for hearing, whenever it is determined that public health, interest, or safety requires, or when responding to a willful or wanton violation.
(c) The Department may hold informal enforcement or settlement conferences to discuss safety, public health, or environmental problems, compliance with regulatory requirements, proposed corrective measures including schedules for implementation, and enforcement.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 3 Radiation Protection Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.3.01122026 § 1 Purpose
(a) This Chapter establishes standards for protection against ionizing radiation resulting from activities conducted pursuant to licenses issued by the Department.
(b) This Chapter is designed to control the receipt, possession, use, transfer, or disposal of licensed material such that the total dose to an individual, excluding radiation dose from background sources, does not exceed the standards for protection against radiation as outlined in this Chapter.
(c) The limits provided for in this Chapter do not apply to doses due to background, from medical diagnosis or therapy, from individuals administered radioactive material and released, or from voluntary participation in medical research.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.3.01122026 § 2 Scope
This Chapter applies to persons licensed by the Department to acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, or dispose of source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.3.01122026 § 3 Implementation
Any existing license condition imposed by the Department that is more restrictive than this Chapter remains in force until there is an amendment or renewal of the license.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.3.01122026 § 4 Incorporation by Reference of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 20; Standards for Protection Against Radiation
(a) Any reference in these rules to requirements, or procedures contained in 10 C.F.R., Part 20, Sections 20.1001 through 20.2402 shall constitute the full adoption by reference of that part and subparts as they appear in 10 C.F.R., revised as of January 1, 2025, including any notes and appendices therein, unless expressly provided otherwise in these rules. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(b) The following 10 C.F.R. sections, as of January 1, 2025, are excluded from these rules and are not incorporated by reference: 20.1001, 20.1002, 20.1003, 20.1004(a), 20.1005, 20.1006, 20.1007, 20.1008, 20.1009, 20.1206, 20.1301(c) and (e), 20.1403(c)(2), 20.1406(b), 20.1601(f), 20.1903(b), 20.1903(d), 20.1905(g), 20.2003(b), 20.2008, 20.2104 (b), 20.2105, 20.2106(d), 20.2201(a)(2)(i), 20.2201(b)(2)(i), 20.2201(c), 20.2202(d)(1), 20.2202(e), 20.2203(c), 20.2204, 20.2206, 20.2401, 20.2402, and Appendix D.
(c) Any references in the federal rules adopted by reference to "NRC Headquarters Operations Center," or any component thereof, in 10 C.F.R. Part 20 shall be deemed to be a reference to the Department and the Source Material Program.
(d) Any references in the federal rules adopted by reference to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), or any component thereof, shall be deemed to be a reference to the Department and the Source Material Program.
(e) Any reference in the federal rules to 10 C.F.R. Parts 30, 50, 52, 54, 60, 63, 72, and 76 are not adopted under the incorporation by reference of 10 C.F.R. Part 20.
(f) When incorporating 10 CFR 20.1406(a), any references to 10 CFR Part 52 are not incorporated by reference.
(g) In order to reconcile incorporation by reference where federal rules may be incorrectly incorporated, the following language is added to provide clarity:
(i) Reports and notifications referenced in 10 C.F.R. 20.2201 - 20.2207 (except as excluded in paragraph (b) of this Section), shall be directed to the Department.
(ii) In 10 C.F.R. 20.1201, references to "20.1206" are not incorporated by reference.
(iii) In 10 C.F.R. 20.1401(a) a reference to "this subpart" means "10 C.F.R. 20.1401 - 1405".
(iv) In 10 C.F.R. 20.1401(a) a reference to "facilities licensed under Part 40" means "facilities licensed under these rules".
(v) In 10 C.F.R. 20.1403(d) and 20.1404(a)(4) the reference to "40.42(d)" means "Chapter 4, Section 16(a) - (c) of these rules".
(vi) In 10 C.F.R. 20.1501(b) the phrase "§§ 30.35(g), 40.36(f), 50.75(g), 70.25(g), or 72.30(d)" means Section 7 of Chapter 6 of these rules.
(vii) In 20.1906 references to "§ 71" and "Part 71 of this chapter" mean the specified section in "10 C.F.R. 71", as incorporated by reference in Chapter 9 of these rules.
(viii) The notifications required by 10 C.F.R. 20.1906(d) and 20.2201(a)(2) must be made to the Department on the 24-hour spill hotline at 307-777-7501 or using the spill and complaints website at http://deq.wyoming.gov/spill-and-complaints/.
(ix) In 10 C.F.R. 20.2108 "§§ 30.51, 40.61, 70.51, and 72.80" means "10 C.F.R. 40.61", as incorporated by reference in Chapter 1, Section 11(c) of these rules.
(x) In 10 C.F.R. 20.2205, the reference to "20.2204" is not incorporated.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 4 Licensing Requirements for Source Material
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 1 Purpose
This Chapter establishes the criteria for issuance and terms of conditions upon which the Department may issue licenses to receive title to, acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, or deliver any licensed material. This Chapter also governs the operation of facilities for handling and disposing of licensed material. This Chapter also provides requirements for decommissioning of licensed facilities. Unless otherwise specified, the requirements of this Chapter are in addition to, and not in substitution for, other applicable requirements of these rules.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 2 Scope
(a) This Chapter establishes performance objectives and procedural requirements applicable to any licensee. This Chapter also applies to waste systems for licensed material, including specific technical and financial requirements for siting, construction, operation, monitoring, decontamination, and decommissioning of licensed facilities, as well as requirements for licensee transfer and termination.
(b) A person subject to the rules of this Chapter may not receive title to, acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, or deliver or dispose of licensed material, after removal from its place of deposit in nature, unless authorized in a general or specific license issued by the Department pursuant to this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 3 Incorporation by Reference
(a) The Department fully adopts and hereby incorporates by reference 10 C.F.R. 40.21, 40.22, 40.41 (a) and (b), 40.51, 40.54, 40.55, and 61.55, 61.56, and 61.57 revised as of January 1, 2025. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of incorporated matter.
(b) The following 10 C.F.R. portions, including all subparts, as of January 1, 2025 are excluded from these rules and are not incorporated by reference: 40.22(b)(4) and 40.51(b)(6).
(c) The Department fully adopts and hereby incorporates by reference 10 CFR 150.20 revised as of January 1, 2025. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of incorporated matter.
(d) To reconcile differences due to the incorporation of 10 C.F.R. Part 40 by reference in paragraph (a), the following substitutions and clarifications shall be made:
(i) A reference to "the Act" or "the act" means the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, as amended, except in 10 C.F.R. 40.51(b)(2).
(ii) A reference to "NRC", "Commission", or "Atomic Energy Commission" means the "Department", except in 10 C.F.R. 40.51(b)(2).
(iii) A reference to "Commission or an Agreement State", "Commission or with an Agreement State", "Commission or the licensing agency of an Agreement State" means the "Department, NRC, or Agreement State".
(iv) Communications and reports referenced in 10 C.F.R. 40.22(b)(4) and (c) and 40.55(d)(1), shall be directed to the Department.
(v) In 10 C.F.R. 40.22(a), the word "Federal" is not incorporated.
(vi) In 10 C.F.R. 40.22(b)(3), references to "§§ 40.1 through 40.10, 40.41(a) through (e), 40.46, 40.51, 40.56, 40.60 through 40.63, 40.71, and 40.81" is substituted with "10 C.F.R. 40.41(a) - (c), 40.51, and 40.61; Chapter 1, Section 9; Chapter 2, Sections 3 and 4; and Chapter 4, Sections 2(b), 7(e), 9(c), and 13.
(vii) In 10 C.F.R. 40.22(b)(5) a reference to "part 110 of this chapter" means "10 C.F.R. Part 110".
(viii) In 10 C.F.R. 40.22(d), a reference to "Parts 19, 20, and 21 of this chapter" means "Chapters 3 and 5 of these rules".
(ix) In 10 C.F.R. 40.51(b)(3), a reference to "regulations in this part" means "rules in this Chapter and Chapter 6".
(x) In 10 C.F.R. 40.54(a), a reference to "§ 40.32" means "Section 7 of this Chapter".
(xi) In 10 C.F.R. 40.55(d)(2), a reference to "Agreement State" means "NRC or Agreement State".
(e) To reconcile differences due to incorporation of 10 C.F.R. Part 150.20 by reference in paragraph (c), the following substitutions and clarifications shall be made:
(i) Where the words "non-agreement states", "areas of exclusive federal jurisdiction within agreement states", or "offshore waters" are used in subsections (a)(1)(i), (ii), (iii), (b), (b)(3), and (b)(4), substitute the words "the State of Wyoming";
(ii) Where the words "agreement state license" are used, substitute "agreement state license or Nuclear Regulatory Commission license";
(iii) Where the words "license issued by an agreement state" are used, substitute "license issued by an agreement state or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission"; and
(iv) Where the words "license from an agreement state" are used, substitute "license from an agreement state or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission".
(v) In 10 C.F.R. 150.20(b) reference to "the Act" means "The Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, as amended".
(vi) A reference to "NRC", "Commission", "Nuclear Regulatory Commission", "United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission" or "Administrator of the appropriate Regional Office" means the "Department".
(vii) Notifications and reports in 10 C.F.R. 150.20 concerning rules adopted pursuant to Article 20 of the Environmental Quality Act and applications filed in response to such rules shall be addressed to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Source Material Program, Land Quality Division, 200 West 17th St., Suite 10, Cheyenne, WY 82002.
(viii) Instructions in 10 C.F.R. 150.20 to use forms of the NRC means to use forms of the Department, which will be available upon request from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Source Material Program, Land Quality Division, 200 West 17th St., Suite 10, Cheyenne, WY 82002.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 4 Filing an Application for a Specific License
(a) Two copies of the application for a specific license shall be mailed, or sent electronically as approved by the Administrator, to the Department accompanied with the license application fee, as described in Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-2003 and Chapter 7 of these rules, to:
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
Land Quality Division
200 W. 17th Street, Suite 10
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(b) An application for a specific license, and copies thereof, shall be presented in a clean and orderly manner, as determined appropriate by the Department. Hard copies of specific license applications shall be bound, with the use of a three ring binder or comparable, such that the information is easily accessible, and pages are not misplaced.
(c) Information provided by an applicant or licensee to the Department shall be complete and accurate in all material respects.
(d) Each applicant or licensee shall notify the Department of information identified by the applicant or licensee as having, for the regulated activity, a significant implication for public health and safety. An applicant or licensee violates this paragraph only if the applicant or licensee fails to notify the Department of information that the applicant or licensee has identified as having a significant implication for public health and safety. This requirement is not applicable to information which is already required to be provided to the Department by other reporting requirements.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 5 Exemptions from Regulatory Requirements
(a) Any person is exempt from this Chapter to the extent that such person receives title to, acquires, owns, possesses, uses, or transfers source material in any chemical mixture, compound, solution, or alloy in which the source material is by weight less than one-twentieth of one percent (0.05 percent) of the mixture, compound, solution, or alloy. The exemption contained in this paragraph does not apply to Australian-obligated source material, nor does it include byproduct materials as defined in these rules.
(b) Any person is exempt from this Chapter to the extent that such person receives, possesses, uses, or transfers unrefined and unprocessed ore containing source material provided that, except as authorized in specific license, such person shall not refine or process such ores.
(c) Any person is exempt from this Chapter to the extent that such person receives title to, acquires, owns, possesses, uses, or transfers rare earth metals and compounds, mixtures, and products containing not more than 0.25 percent by weight thorium, uranium, or any combination of these.
(d) No person may introduce source material into a product or material either knowing or having reason to believe that it will be transferred to persons exempt under this Chapter.
(e) The Department may, upon its own initiative or the application of an interested person, grant such exemptions from the requirements of this Chapter as authorized by law and, as determined by the Department, will not endanger life, property, and is otherwise in the public interest.
(f) Common and contract carriers, freight forwarders, warehousemen, and the United States Postal Service are exempt from the requirements of this Chapter and the requirements set forth in Section 62 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2011 et seq., as amended to the extent that they transport or store source material in the regular course of carriage for another or storage incident thereto.
(g) Except to the extent that the Department of Energy's (DOE) facilities or activities, subject to licensing pursuant to Section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. § 5842.), are involved, any prime contractor of the DOE is exempt from the requirements for a license set forth in 62, 63, and 64 of the Act (42 U.S.C. § 2111 and 42 U.S.C. § 2112) and from this Chapter to the extent that such contractor, under his prime contract with the DOE manufactures, produces, transfers, receives, acquires, owns, possesses, or uses byproduct material for:
(i) The performance of work for the DOE at a United States Government owned or controlled site, including the transportation of source material to or from such site and the performance of contract services during temporary interruptions of such transportation;
(ii) Research in, or development, manufacture, storage, testing, or transportation of, atomic weapons or components thereof; or
(iii) The use or operation of nuclear reactors or other nuclear devices in a United States Government owned vehicle or vessel.
(iv) In addition to the foregoing exemptions, and subject to the requirement for licensing of DOE facilities and activities pursuant to Section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 or the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1980, any prime contractor or subcontractor of the DOE or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is exempt from the requirements for a license set forth in Sections 62, 63, and 64 of the Act and from the rules in this Chapter to the extent that such prime contractor or subcontractor receives, possesses, uses, transfers or delivers source material under his prime contract or subcontract when the Department determines that the exemption of the prime contractor or subcontractor is authorized by law; and that, under the terms of the contract or subcontract, there is adequate assurance that the work thereunder can be accomplished without undue risk to the public health and safety.
(h) This Chapter shall not be deemed to authorize the import of radioactive material or products containing radioactive material.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 6 Pre-Licensing Construction
(a) Except as provided in this Chapter, the applicant shall not commence construction at any plant or facility in which the licensed activity will occur until the Department has issued a license. Commencement of Construction, defined in Chapter 1 of these rules, prior to issuance of the license may be grounds for denial of a license.
(b) At a minimum, an application for a specific license to receive title to, acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, and use licensed material shall be filed with the Department at least nine (9) months prior to the commencement of construction of any plant or facility in which the licensed activity will occur, and in accordance with existing applicable law.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 7 General Requirements for Issuance of Specific Licenses
(a) An application for a specific license may be approved if the Department determines that:
(i) The applicant is qualified by reason of training and experience, to use licensed material for the purpose requested in the subject application consistent with the governing statutes and rules and in such a manner as to minimize danger to public health and safety, or property;
(ii) The applicant's proposed equipment, facilities, and procedures are adequate to minimize danger to public health and safety or property;
(iii) The applicant satisfies the requirements listed in this Chapter;
(iv) The issuance of the license will not be detrimental to the health and safety of the public;
(v) The applicant is financially qualified to conduct the licensed activity, including any required decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, or disposal; and
(vi) The applicant has satisfied the requirements of Chapter 6 of these rules.
(b) The Department may at any time after the filing of the original application, and before the expiration of the license, require further statements in order to enable the Department to determine whether the application should be granted or denied or whether a license should be modified or revoked. All applications and statements shall be signed by the applicant or a person duly authorized to act for and on his behalf.
(c) Upon determination that an application meets the requirements of the Act, applicable rules, and public health and safety considerations, the Department may issue a specific license authorizing the proposed activity in such form, and containing such conditions and limitations, as the Department deems appropriate or necessary.
(d) The Department may incorporate conditions or provisions in any license at the time of issuance, with respect to the licensee's receipt, possession, use, and transfer of licensed material subject to this Chapter as it deems appropriate or necessary in order to:
(i) Minimize danger to public health and safety, and the environment;
(ii) Require reports and recordkeeping, and to provide for such inspections of activities under the license as may be appropriate and necessary; and
(iii) Prevent loss or theft of licensed material subject to this Chapter.
(e) No license or authorization to possess or utilize licensed material can be transferred, assigned, or in any manner disposed of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, through transfer of any license to any person unless the Department, after securing full information, determines the transfer is in accordance with the Act and these rules. Upon the transfer of an existing license, the new licensee shall comply with existing laws and license conditions. The Department may impose new license conditions to be complied with by the new licensee as it deems necessary. An application for transfer of license must include:
(i) The identity, technical and financial qualifications of the proposed transferee; and
(ii) Financial assurance for decommissioning information required by Chapter 6 of these rules.
(f) Each licensee pursuant to these rules shall confine use and possession of licensed material to the locations and purposes authorized in the license. Except as otherwise provided in the license, a license issued pursuant to these rules shall carry with it the right to receive, possess, and use source material. Preparation for shipment and transport of source material shall be in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9 of these rules.
(g) Each licensee shall notify the Department in writing when the licensee decides to permanently discontinue all activities involving materials authorized under the license.
(h) Each licensee shall notify the Department in writing within seven (7) business days following the filing of voluntary or involuntary petition for bankruptcy under any Chapter of the United States Code (U.S.C.) by or against:
(i) The licensee;
(ii) An entity controlling the licensee, or listing the license or licensee as property of the estate as that term is defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101(14); or
(iii) An affiliate of the licensee as that term is defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101(2).
(i) The written notification of bankruptcy submitted to the Department shall identify the bankruptcy court in which the petition for bankruptcy was filed, the case number, and the date of filing.
(j) The licensee shall allow the Department, to enter and inspect any licensed area as provided by W.S. §§ 35-11-109(a)(iv), (v) and (vi). The licensee shall obtain for the Department the right to access and cross over private lands leading to or within a licensed area for inspection of regulated activities consistent with state law and these rules. The right to access and cross over private property shall be in writing, notarized, included in the application, and contain the following:
(i) The name of the landowner of the property to be accessed or crossed;
(ii) A legal description of the lands, using Public Land Survey System nomenclature that will be crossed during the inspection process;
(iii) A declarative statement from the landowner providing the Department permission to access the described private property for the inspection of regulated activities; and
(iv) The landowner's signature.
(v) In lieu of the foregoing, the licensee may provide the Department with an executed Department, Land Quality Division, Form 8 or a copy of the Surface Use Agreement clearly providing the Department the authority to access or cross over the subject private property.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 8 Specific Requirements for Issuance of Specific Licenses
(a) A specific license for source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content will be issued if the applicant submits to the Department a complete and accurate application that clearly demonstrates how the requirements and objectives of this Chapter are met.
(b) An application for a license, including applications for the amendment or renewal of an existing license, to receive, possess and use licensed material shall contain all information required under these rules and such material as the Department may deem necessary. The application shall, at a minimum, contain the following information:
(i) A description of the proposed project or action;
(ii) For new licenses, environmental data that includes the results of a one-year preoperational monitoring program;
(iii) For renewal of licenses, environmental data containing results of the operational monitoring program or monitoring required to be conducted if the facility was not in operation but in standby mode;
(iv) Site characteristics, including regional and site specific geology, topography, hydrology, and meteorology;
(v) Radiological and non-radiological impacts of the proposed project or action including waterway and groundwater impacts;
(vi) An assessment of the radiological and non-radiological impacts to the public health and the environment;
(vii) Consideration of the long-term impacts of the licensed activities;
(viii) A representative presentation of the physical, chemical, and radiological properties of the type of licensed material to be received, stored, processed, or disposed of;
(ix) An evaluation of the short-term and long-term environmental impacts of such receipt, storage, processing, or disposal;
(x) An analysis of the environmental, economic, social, technical, and other benefits of the proposed activities against environmental costs and social effects;
(xi) Environmental effects of accidents;
(xii) Decommissioning, decontamination, reclamation, and impacts of these activities;
(xiii) A closure plan to be included in the reclamation plan for decontamination, decommissioning, restoration, and reclamation of buildings of the licensed area to levels that would allow where applicable unrestricted use;
(xiv) Proposal of an acceptable form and amount of financial assurance in accordance with Chapter 6 of these rules;
(xv) Specifications for the emissions control; and
(xvi) Emergency response protocol.
(c) For applications for a new license or application for a license amendment to expand the licensed site, proof of mailed notification to the owner or owners of the property on which licensed material is recovered, stored, processed, or disposed of must be demonstrated to the Department. The applicant for a new license must demonstrate that the owner or owners of the property were sent by certified United States mail, notification from the applicant stating that:
(i) Licensed radioactive material will be recovered, stored, processed, or disposed on the property; and
(ii) Decommissioning by the Department, funded by a surety, or as directed by order may be required and performed on the licensed site even if the licensee is unable or fails to decommission the licensed site as required by license.
(d) Environmental concerns outlined in Subsection (b) of this section need to be resolved when the Department:
(i) Receives application for a new specific license or renewal of a specific license;
(ii) Receives an amendment request that would authorize or result in:
(A) A significant expansion of a site;
(B) A significant change in the type of releases;
(C) A significant increase in the amounts of releases;
(D) A significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure; or
(E) A significant increase in the potential for or consequences from radiological accidents.
(e) The Department may exempt an applicant or licensee from the requirement to submit additional environmental impact information on the determination that environmental concerns are addressed through information previously provided to the Department.
(i) In considering exemptions, the Department may request additional information to ensure that no significant environmental impacts will result from the proposed or licensed activity.
(f) The applicant shall provide written specification describing the means employed so that all airborne effluent releases are reduced to levels as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA) during the operational phase of any project.
(g) During any one full year prior to submittal of a new application or an amendment to expand the licensed area or operations, the applicant or licensee shall conduct a preoperational monitoring program to provide complete baseline data describing pre-operational environment condition.
(h) Throughout the construction and operating phases, the applicant or licensee shall conduct an operational monitoring program to measure or evaluate compliance with applicable standards and regulations, in order to evaluate performance of control systems and procedures, environmental impacts of operation, and to detect potential long-term effects.
(i) Upon receipt of the license application or any amendments thereto, and of any other documents required, the Department may transmit information for review and comment to federal, state, and local agencies having expertise in or jurisdiction over the proposed project or activity. Written comments and reports of reviewing agencies may be considered by the Department in its decision-making review process on the license application or amendment.
(i) If an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA) is required by a federal agency pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and is provided by such federal agency, it may be used in the Department's decision-making review process.
(j) An application for a license shall contain proposed specifications relating to the management and disposition of licensed material or wastes resulting from activities that generate licensed material.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 9 Operational Requirements
Each licensee shall:
(a) Operate in accordance with the requirements and objectives of this Chapter, including the procedures required by Section 8(f) and the monitoring required by Section 8(g).
(b) Submit a semi-annual report to the Department within sixty (60) days following January 1 and July 1 of each year. The report must specify the quantity of each of the principal radionuclides released to unrestricted areas in liquid and in gaseous effluents during the previous six months of operation, and such other information as the Department may require to estimate the maximum potential annual radiation doses to the public resulting from effluent releases. If quantities of radioactive materials released during the reporting period are significantly above the licensee's design objectives previously reviewed as part of the most recent licensing action, the report shall cover this specifically. On the basis of such reports or any additional information the Department may obtain from the licensee or others, the Department may require the licensee to take such actions as the Department deems appropriate to protect public health and safety and the environment.
(c) Licensee shall report events that have significant radiological effects on employee safety, public health, or the environment to the Department according to the following:
(i) All licensees shall notify the Department as soon as possible but no later than four (4) hours after the discovery of an event that prevents immediate protective actions necessary to avoid exposure to radiation or licensed materials that could exceed regulatory limits (events may include fires, explosions, toxic gas releases, etc.).
(ii) Each licensee shall notify the Department within twenty-four (24) hours after the discovery of any of the following events involving licensed material:
(A) An unplanned contamination event that:
(I) Requires access to the contaminated area, by workers or the public, to be restricted for more than twenty-four (24) hours by imposing additional radiological controls or by prohibiting entry into the area;
(II) Involves a quantity of material greater than five times the lowest annual limit on intake specified in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B; and
(III) Requires access to the area restricted for a radiological safety reason other than to allow isotopes with a half-life of less than twenty-four (24) hours to decay prior to decontamination.
(B) An event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when:
(I) The equipment is required by regulation or license condition to prevent releases exceeding regulatory limits, to prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding regulatory limits, or to mitigate the consequences of an accident;
(II) The equipment is required to be available and operable when it is disabled or fails to function; and
(III) No redundant equipment is available and operable to perform required safety function.
(C) An event that requires unplanned medical treatment at a medical facility of an individual with spreadable radioactive contamination on the individual's clothing or body;
(D) An unplanned fire or explosion damaging any licensed material or any device, container, or equipment containing licensed material when:
(I) The quantity of material involved is greater than five times the lowest annual limit on intake specified in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B.
(II) The damage affects the integrity of the licensed material or its container.
(iii) Reports made by the licensees in response to the requirements of this Section must be made as follows:
(A) Licensees shall make reports required by Sections 9(c)(i) and 9(c)(ii) of this Chapter by telephone to the Department. To the extent that the information is available at the time of notification, the information provided in these reports must include:
(I) The caller's name and telephone number;
(II) A description of the event, including date and time;
(III) The exact location of the event;
(IV) The isotopes, quantities, and chemical and physical form of the licensed material involved; and
(V) Any personnel radiation exposure data available.
(B) Licensees who make a report required by Section 9(c)(i) and 10 (c)(ii) of this Chapter shall submit a written follow-up report within 30 days of the initial report.
(C) Written reports prepared pursuant to other applicable rules may be submitted to fulfill this requirement if the reports contain all of the necessary information and the appropriate distribution is made. The reports must include the following:
(I) A description of the event, including the probable cause and the manufacturer and model number (if applicable) of any equipment that failed or malfunctioned;
(II) The exact location of the event;
(III) A description of the isotopes, quantities, and chemical and physical form of the licensed material involved;
(IV) Date and time of the event;
(V) Corrective actions taken or planned and the result of any evaluations or assessments;
(VI) Timely schedule for remediation of the spill or release, if required; and
(VII) The extent of exposure of individuals to radiation or to radioactive materials without identification of the individuals by name.
Section 10 Expiration and Termination of Licenses.
(a) Expiration of the specific license does not relieve the licensee of the requirements of the Act, these rules, or existing license conditions.
(b) All license provisions continue in effect beyond the expiration date with respect to possession of licensed material until the Department notifies the former licensee in writing that the provisions of the license are no longer binding. During this time, the former licensee must:
(i) Limit actions involving radioactive material to strictly decommissioning related activities; and
(ii) Continue to control entry to restricted areas until the location(s) is suitable for release for unrestricted use.
(c) A licensee shall notify the Department, in writing to request the termination of the license within seven (7) days from when the licensee decides to terminate all licensed activities. This notification and request for termination of the license shall include the reports on decommissioning and reclamation activities as required by this Chapter.
(d) No less than thirty (30) days before the expiration date specified in the license, the licensee shall either:
(i) Submit an application for license renewal; or
(ii) Notify the Department, in writing, if the licensee decides not to renew the license.
(e) If a licensee does not submit a notification for a license renewal under Section 12 of this Chapter the licensee shall, on or before the expiration date specified in the license:
(i) Terminate use of licensed material;
(ii) Remove radioactive contamination to the extent practicable;
(iii) Properly dispose of the licensed material; and
(iv) Submit a completed Department Form SMP-314 or equivalent.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 11 Renewal of Licenses
(a) A licensee shall notify the Department of their intent to renew their license at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the existing license.
(i) Upon receipt of the notification to renew, the Department shall open the original license application, including, but not limited to, all applicable renewals and amendments, to:
(A) Ensure the application accurately reflects current operations;
(B) Incorporates changes to industrial standards codified in these rules; and
(C) Incorporate operational data to accurately set design objectives.
(b) If an application for renewal has been filed at least thirty (30) days before the expiration date stated in the existing license, the existing license expires at the end of the day on which the Department makes a final determination to deny the renewal application or, if the determination states an expiration date, the expiration date stated in the determination.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 12 Amendments of Licenses at Request of Licensee
(a) Application for amendment of a license shall be filed in accordance with Section 9 of this Chapter and shall specify the items which the licensee requests to be amended and the grounds for such amendment including items beyond the scope of the licensee's ability to address under its performance based license.
(b) In considering an application by a licensee to renew or amend his license, the Department will apply the applicable criteria set forth in Section 8(a) of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 13 Modification and Revocation of Licenses
(a) The terms and conditions of all licenses shall be subject to amendment, revision, or modification at the request of the licensee.
(b) The Department may suspend or revoke a license for significant noncompliance to the Act, rules or orders issued by the Department.
(c) The Department may suspend or revoke any license in whole or in part, for any false material statement in the application, any false statement of fact required under the provisions of the Act, or because of any report, record, or inspection or other means which would warrant the Department to refuse to grant a license on an original application.
(d) Except in the case of wanton and willful behavior or in situations where the public health, interest, or safety requires otherwise, no license shall be modified, suspended, or revoked unless, prior to the institution of proceedings therefore, facts or conduct which may warrant such action shall have been called to the attention of the licensee in writing and the licensee shall have been accorded an opportunity to demonstrate or achieve compliance with all lawful requirements.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 14 Public Notice
(a) Upon completion of the Department's review of an application, the Department shall provide notice to the public of issuance of an initial draft decision where the license application is approved, approved with conditions, or denied.
(i) The initial draft decision shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(A) A decision analysis, that includes discussions on environmental impacts; and
(B) The final technical analysis conducted by the Department.
(ii) Upon issuance of the initial draft decision described in Section 14(a)(i), or a licensing action that significantly impacts the environment or public health and safety, the Department shall initiate a public comment process, and hold a public hearing upon written request from an "aggrieved party" as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(a)(vii). If a public hearing is requested, the Department shall publish notice of the public hearing in a newspaper of statewide or general circulation or on the Department's website before the public hearing. The notice of the public hearing shall include:
(A) The time, place, and nature of the hearing;
(B) A copy of the initial draft decision; and
(C) A statement detailing where public comments may be submitted.
(iii) Pursuant to the request and notice described in Section 14(a)(ii), the Department shall hold a public hearing. The public hearing shall be transcribed and, at a minimum, require:
(A) The opportunity for cross-examination;
(B) A summary of the licensing activity proposed in the application; and
(C) An opportunity for the public to comment and be heard.
(iv) The Rules of Practice and Procedure applicable to hearings before the Department shall apply. To the extent that any inconsistencies exist between the Rules of Practice and Procedure and these rules, these rules shall govern.
(b) For applications which are denied, the Department shall issue a written summary containing the basis for denial.
(c) The applicant or licensee shall pay for the expenses associated with public notice, public comment, or public meetings associated with the specific licensing request by the applicant or licensee.
(d) Following the public comment period and public hearing associated with a specific licensing request, the Department shall, after review of the public comments received by the Department, issue a written final decision. The final decision must ban all major construction before the completion of the written environmental analysis. The final decision is subject to review by the Environmental Quality Council and judicial review in accordance with Wyoming law.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 15 Decommissioning Requirements
(a) The licensee shall notify the Department in writing within sixty (60) days of the licensee deciding to permanently cease principal activities at the entire site or in any separate building or outdoor area that contains residual radioactivity such that the building or outdoor area is unsuitable for release in accordance with these rules.
(b) The licensee shall notify the Department in writing within sixty (60) days if no principal activities under the license have been conducted for a period of twenty-four (24) months; or no principal activities have been conducted for a period of twenty-four (24) months in any separate building or outdoor area that contains residual radioactivity such that the building or outdoor area is unsuitable for release in accordance with these rules.
(c) From the date of written notification sent to the Department required in Sections 15(a) and (b), the licensee shall either:
(i) Begin decommissioning activities; or
(ii) Within twelve (12) months of written notification submit a decommissioning plan, if required by Section 16(a) of this Chapter and begin decommissioning upon the Department approval of that plan.
(d) The Department may grant a request to delay or postpone initiation of the decommissioning process if the Department determines that such relief is not detrimental to the public health and safety and is otherwise in the public interest.
(e) Coinciding with and in addition to the notification requirements of Sections 15(a) and (b) of this Chapter, the licensee shall maintain in effect all decommissioning financial assurances as required by Chapter 6 of these rules. The amount of financial assurance must be increased, or may be decreased, as appropriate, to cover the detailed cost estimate for decommissioning established pursuant to Section 16 of this Chapter.
(f) The Department may approve an alternate schedule for the submission of plans and for the completion of decommissioning as required pursuant to Sections 15(a) and (b) if the Department determines that the alternate schedule: (1) is necessary to effectively conduct decommissioning, (2) presents no undue risks to public health and safety, and (3) is otherwise in the public's interest. The request for an alternate schedule must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days before the required notification in Section 15(a) of this Chapter. The schedule for decommissioning may not commence until the Department has made a determination on the request for an alternate schedule.
(g) Specific licenses, including expired licenses, will be terminated by written notice to the licensee when the Department determines, where applicable, that:
(i) Licensed material has been properly disposed;
(ii) Reasonable effort has been made to eliminate residual radioactive contamination, if present; and
(A) A radiation survey has been performed which demonstrates that the premises are suitable for release in accordance with the applicable criteria for decommissioning found in 10 C.F.R. 20.1401 through 20.1406; or
(B) Other information submitted by the licensee is sufficient to demonstrate that the premises are suitable for release in accordance with the applicable criteria found in this chapter.
(iii) The Department has made a determination that all applicable standards and requirements have been met.
(h) A licensee may request that a subsite or a portion of a licensed area be released for unrestricted use before full license termination as long as release of the area of concern will not adversely impact the remaining unaffected areas and will not be recontaminated by ongoing authorized activities. When the licensee is confident that the area of concern will be acceptable to the Department for release for unrestricted use, a written request for release for unrestricted use and Department confirmation of closeout work performed shall be submitted to the Department. The request should include a comprehensive report, accompanied by survey and sample results that show contamination is less than the limits specified in 10 C.F.R. 20.1401 through 20.1406 and an explanation of how ongoing authorized activities will not adversely affect the area proposed to be released. Upon confirmation by the Department that the area of concern is releasable for unrestricted use, the licensee may apply for a license amendment, if required.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.4.01122026 § 16 Decommissioning Plan
(a) Each licensee authorized to receive, possess, and use licensed material shall submit a plan for completion of decommissioning. The decommissioning plan will be approved by the Department if the plan demonstrates that decommissioning will be completed as soon as practical while adequately protecting the health and safety of workers and the public, if the procedures necessary to carry out decommissioning:
(i) Have not been previously approved by the Department; and
(ii) Could increase potential health and safety impacts to workers or to the public, such as in any of the following cases:
(A) Procedures would involve techniques not applied routinely during cleanup or maintenance operations;
(B) Workers would be entering areas not normally occupied where surface contamination and radiation levels are significantly higher than routinely encountered during operation;
(C) Procedures could result in significantly greater airborne concentrations of radioactive materials than are present during operation; or
(D) Procedures could result in significantly greater releases of radioactive material to the environment than those associated with operation.
(b) Procedures listed in paragraph (a) of this section with potential health and safety impacts may not be carried out prior to approval of the decommissioning plan.
(c) The proposed decommissioning plan, if required by this Chapter or by license condition must include:
(i) Description of the condition of the site, separate buildings, or outdoor areas sufficient to evaluate the acceptability of the plan;
(ii) Description of planned decommissioning activities;
(iii) Description of methods used to assure protection of workers and the environment against radiation hazards during decommissioning;
(iv) A description of the planned final radiation survey; and
(v) An updated detailed cost estimate for decommissioning, comparison of that estimate with present funds set aside for decommissioning, and plan for assuring the availability of adequate funds for completion of decommissioning.
(A) For decommissioning plans calling for completion of decommissioning later than twenty-four (24) months after plan approval, the licensee must provide a justification for any delay based on the criteria in Subsection (f) of this Section.
(d) Except as provided in Subsection (f) of this Section, the licensee shall complete decommissioning of the site, separate buildings, and outdoor area as soon as practicable but no later than twenty-four (24) months following the initiation of decommissioning.
(e) Except as provided in Subsection (f) of this Section, when decommissioning involves the licensed area, the licensee shall request license termination as soon as practicable but no later than twenty-four (24) months following the initiation of decommissioning.
(f) The Department may approve a request for an alternate schedule for completion of decommissioning of the site or separate building or outdoor area(s), and license termination if appropriate and if the Department determines that the alternative schedule is warranted. In doing so, the Department shall consider the following:
(i) Whether it is technically feasible to complete decommissioning within the allotted twenty-four (24) month period;
(ii) Whether sufficient waste disposal capacity is available to allow completion of decommissioning within the allotted twenty-four (24) month period;
(A) Including whether a significant volume reduction in wastes requiring disposal will be achieved by allowing short-lived radionuclides to decay.
(iii) Whether a significant reduction in radiation exposure to workers can be achieved by allowing short-lived radionuclides to decay; and
(iv) Other site specific factors which the Department may consider appropriate on a case-by-case basis, such as the regulatory requirement of other government agencies, lawsuits, groundwater treatment activities, monitored natural groundwater restoration, actions that could result in more environmental harm than deferred cleanup, and other factors beyond the control of the licensee.
(g) After submittal and upon approval of the decommissioning plan by the Department, the licensee shall decommission in accordance with the approved plan. As a final step in the decommissioning the licensee shall:
(i) Certify the disposition of all licensed material, including accumulated wastes, by submitting a completed Department Form SMP-314 or equivalent;
(ii) Conduct a radiation survey of the premises where the licensed activities were carried out and submit a report of the results of this survey, unless the licensee demonstrates in some other manner that the premises are suitable for release in accordance with the criteria for decommissioning in this Chapter. The licensee shall:
(A) Report levels of gamma radiation in units of microroentgen (millisieverts) per hour at one meter from surfaces, and report levels of radioactivity, including alpha and beta, in units of microcuries (disintegrations per minute or megabecquerels) per 100 square centimeters removable and fixed for surfaces, microcuries (megabecquerels) per milliliter for water and picocuries (becquerels) per gram for solids such as soils or concrete; and
(B) Specify the survey instrument(s) used and certify that each instrument is properly calibrated and tested.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 5 Notices, Instructions, and Reports to Workers
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.5.01122026 § 1 Purpose
This Chapter establishes requirements for notices, instructions, and reports by licensees to individuals engaged in work under a license and options available to such individuals in connection with the Department's inspections of licensees to ascertain compliance with the provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statute §§ 35-11-2001 et seq. and rules, orders, and licenses issued thereunder regarding radiological working conditions as specified within the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.
Section 2. Scope.
This Chapter applies to all persons who receive, possess, use, own, or transfer source material recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material content.
Section 3. Incorporation by Reference (IBR) of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 19; Notice, Instructions and Reports to Workers: Inspection and Investigations.
(a) The Department fully adopts and hereby incorporates by reference 10 C.F.R, Part 19, revised as of January 1, 2025, including all sections and any notes and appendices therein, unless expressly provided otherwise in these rules. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(b) The following 10 C.F.R. sections as listed on January 1, 2025 are excluded from these rules: 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.5, 19.8, 19.11(b) and (e), 19.14(a), 19.18, 19.30, and 19.40.
(c) Any references in 10 C.F.R. Part 19 adopted by reference to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or any component thereof shall be deemed to be a reference to the Department.
(d) Any reference in the federal rules adopted by reference to the Commission's "Form 3" shall be deemed a reference to the Department's "Source Material Program Form 3". Each licensee shall prominently post the Department's Source Material Program Form 3.
(e) In 10 C.F.R. Part 19, any references to 10 C.F.R. Parts 50, 52, 54, 60, 63, 72, and 76 are not incorporated by reference.
(f) In 10 C.F.R. Section 19.32, any references to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or under any title of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended, are not references to the Wyoming Statute.
(g) In order to reconcile incorporation by reference where federal rules may be incorrectly incorporated, the following language is added to provide clarity:
(i) In 10 C.F.R. Section 19.13(a), the last two sentences are revised to "This report is furnished to you under the provisions of Chapter 5 of Wyoming's Source Material Program. You should preserve this report for further reference."
(ii) In 10 C.F.R. 19.13(c)(1)(i) references to "20.1502" and "20.2106" mean "10 C.F.R. 20.1502" and "10 C.F.R. 20.2106", as incorporated by reference in Chapter 3 of these rules.
(iii) In 10 C.F.R. 19.13(d) a reference to "20.2202, 20.2203 or 20.2204 of this chapter" means "10 C.F.R. 20.2202, 20.2203, or 20.2204", as incorporated by reference in Chapter 3 of these rules.
(iv) In 10 C.F.R. 19.17(a) the complainant may obtain review of the determination by submitting a written statement of position to Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Source Material Program, Land Quality Division, 200 West 17th St., Suite 10, Cheyenne, WY 82002.
(v) In 10 C.F.R 19.20 the references to "holder of a certificate of compliance issued under Part 76 of this chapter" are not incorporated by reference.
(vi) In 10 C.F.R. 19.20 the reference to "19.2(a)" means "Section 2 of this Chapter".
(vii) In 10 C.F.R. 19.20 the reference to "this part or Parts 30, 40, 50, 52, 54, 60, 61, 63, 70, 72, 76, or 150 of this chapter" means "these rules".
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 6 Financial Assurance Requirements
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.6.01122026 § 1 Purpose
This Chapter provides for financial assurance arrangements in support of decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, restoration, disposal, and any other activity required by the Department, for costs associated with the licensed facilities and sites.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.6.01122026 § 2 Scope
(a) This Chapter sets forth the requirements of Wyoming Statute (W.S.) §§ 35-11-417 through 418 for the establishment of financial assurance arrangements for licensees listed in these rules. Such financial assurance arrangements may consist of surety bonds, federally insured certificates of deposit payable to the Department, cash deposits, certificates of deposits, deposits of government securities, irrevocable letters of credit issued by a bank organized to do business in the United States, or any combination of approved mechanisms.
(b) Licensees shall comply with the requirements of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Sections 20.1401-1405, as incorporated by reference in Chapter 3, Section 4 of these rules.
(c) References to 10 C.F.R. 20.1401 regarding Parts 50, 52, 54, 60, 63, and 72 are not incorporated by reference.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.6.01122026 § 3 Terms Unique to Financial Assurance
(a) "Annual Review" is conducted during the review of the annual report which is due on the anniversary date of the establishment of the permit to mine or source material license in circumstances where no permit exists.
(b) "Cost Estimate" means a document containing the total costs that would be incurred if an independent contractor were hired to perform the decommissioning of the facility and disposal of licensed material, and all associated costs to the Department in conducting decommissioning oversight. Costs must reflect current approved estimated costs.
(c) "Facility" means the location within one building, vehicle, or under one roof and under the same administrative control: (1) at which the possession, use, processing, or storage of licensed material is or was authorized; or (2) may also mean multiple such locations at a site or part of a site.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.6.01122026 § 4 Financial Assurance
(a) The Department requires specific source material licensees to furnish a decommissioning financial assurance arrangement in a dollar amount approved by the Department, as necessary to protect public health and safety, to ensure corrective action during operation, to ensure decontamination and decommissioning of a facility or site, and for disposal of licensed material in the event of abandonment, insolvency, or other inability of the licensee to meet the requirements of the license, the Act, or these rules.
(b) The costs associated with reclamation in accordance with this Chapter shall be sufficient to ensure compliance with those standards established by the Department pertaining to bonds, sureties, and other financial arrangements to ensure adequate reclamation and long term management of such material and its disposal.
(c) Licensees shall provide the Department with cost-estimates that are reasonably accurate and these estimates shall include costs for the following:
(i) Disposal of licensed material;
(ii) Decontamination and decommissioning of buildings, facilities, and the site to a standard which achieves levels that allow release for unrestricted use of these areas upon decommissioning;
(iii) Reclamation of licensed areas to meet the requirements of 10 C.F.R. Sections 20.1401-1405;
(iv) Costs that would be incurred if an independent contractor was hired to dispose of radioactive materials and perform decontamination, decommissioning, and reclamation work including:
(A) The cost of removal and/or disposal of licensed material which is generated, stored, processed, or otherwise present at the facility or site; and
(B) The probable extent of contamination through the possession or use of licensed material, at or adjacent to the facility or site, and the probable cost of removal of such contamination;
(v) An adequate contingency factor.
(d) Prior to approval of an application for a new license, an applicant shall establish financial assurance arrangements to ensure the decontamination and decommissioning of the facility.
(e) Applicants shall provide an executed original copy of each financial assurance instrument required by this Chapter for approval by the Department as appropriate.
(i) An applicant for a new license shall submit a certification that financial assurance for decommissioning has been provided in the amount required by this Chapter. An executed original copy of each financial assurance instrument required by this Chapter and approved by the Department shall be submitted to the Department sixty (60) days prior to the approval of the Permit to Mine and Source Material License.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.6.01122026 § 5 Acceptable Financial Assurance Methods
(a) Refer to W.S. §§ 35-11-417 through 418 for acceptable financial instruments and assurances.
(b) Self-insurance, or any arrangement that essentially constitutes self-insurance (for example, a contract with a state or federal agency), including bonding pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-417(d) will not satisfy the financial assurance requirements of these rules.
(c) The term of the financial assurance warranty shall automatically renew until termination of the license by the Department, unless it can be demonstrated that another arrangement would provide an acceptable level of assurance. The requirements for cancelation or substitution of the financial assurance warranty are outlined in W.S. §§ 35-11-420 and 35-11-421.
(d) The value of the financial assurance warranty shall not be dependent upon the success, profitability, or continued operation of the licensed operation.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.6.01122026 § 6 Periodic Review of Financial Assurances
(a) As part of the annual report, a licensee shall provide to the Department written proof of the value of existing financial warranties and any licensee-proposed changes to the financial assurance warranties, including updated decommissioning plans, changes in cost estimates, or the changes to the type of warranty. The report shall describe any changes in operations, estimated costs, or any other circumstances that may affect the amount of required financial assurance warranties, including any increased cost attributable to inflation.
(b) Each financial assurance shall be subject to annual review, at a minimum, and approval by the Department to assure its continued adequacy of each warranty.
(c) With the approval of the Department, changes to the amount of a decommissioning financial assurance instrument may occur to account for increases or decreases in cost estimates resulting from inflation or deflation, changes in engineering plans, activities performed, or changes in any other condition affecting disposal, decontamination, and decommissioning costs.
(i) With the approval of the Department, reduction in the amount of decommissioning financial assurance may occur as decommissioning activities are completed, in accordance with an approved decommissioning plan or to reflect current site conditions and license authorization.
(d) Appropriate and adequate decommissioning financial assurances shall be maintained in effect and in good standing by the licensee until termination of the license or as otherwise authorized by the Department, regardless of whether decommissioning is phased through the life of licensed operations or occurs at the end.
(e) The Department fully adopts and hereby incorporates by reference the following: 10 C.F.R. 40.36 (d)(1)(ii) and (iii), and 40.36(d)(2)(i)-(viii).
(f) To reconcile differences due to incorporation of 10 C.F.R. 40.36(d)(iii) by reference in paragraph (e), the following substitution shall be made:
(i) Where the words "paragraph (e) of this section" are used, substitute "Section 5 of this Chapter".
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.6.01122026 § 7 Financial Assurance Recordkeeping
(a) Licensees shall keep records of financial assurances throughout the life of the license, including, but not limited to, records of the cost estimate performed for the decommissioning, the amount certified for decommissioning, and records of the funding method used for assuring funds.
(b) The Department fully adopts and hereby incorporates by reference the following: 10 C.F.R. 40.36(f)(1)-(3).
(c) To reconcile differences due to incorporation of 10 C.F.R. 40.36(f)(1) - (3) by reference in paragraph (b), the following substitutions and clarifications must be made:
(i) A reference to 10 C.F.R. 40.41(b) means Chapter 4, Section 7(e) of these rules.
(ii) A reference to 10 C.F.R. 20.1003 means Chapter 1, Section 5 of these rules.
(iii) A reference to 10 C.F.R. 20.2108 means Chapter 1, Section 11 of these rules.
(iv) A reference to 10 C.F.R. 20, Subpart E means "10 C.F.R. 20.1401 - 1406 as incorporated by reference in Chapter 3, Section 4 of these rules".
(v) A reference to 10 C.F.R. 20.2002 means "10 C.F.R. 20.2002 as incorporated by reference in Chapter 3, Section 4 of these rules".
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 7 Fees
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.7.01122026 § 1 Purpose
As authorized by the Act to support all direct and indirect costs associated with the operation of the Program, this Chapter establishes fees for radiation control services rendered by the Department and provisions regarding payment.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.7.01122026 § 2 Scope
(a) These rules apply to a person who is:
(i) An applicant for or holder of a specific source material license issued by the Department pursuant to Chapter 4 of these rules or by the NRC or another Agreement State; and
(ii) Required to have routine and non-routine safety inspections of licensed activities.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.7.01122026 § 3 Costs Generally
(a) "Direct Costs" are operating costs directly assignable to the Program. Direct Costs include salaries, supplies, travel, and other costs incurred by the Program such as, but not limited to, costs associated with processing license applications, inspecting sites, and developing program rules.
(b) "Indirect Costs" are costs not directly assignable to the Program. Indirect Costs include the cost of activities such as human resource management, procurement, and accounting. Indirect Costs include the partial costs of state agencies such as Administration and Information, the Treasurer's Office, and other state agencies providing support or resources to the Program. These are costs which indirectly support the ability of the Program to function, but are not directly related to producing or inspecting a license or the immediate management of those functions. Uncollected fees from licensees will be charged as Indirect Costs for the following year. Indirect Costs will be collected by the Department as described in Section 4, below.
(c) Direct Costs fall into two different categories:
(i) "Site Specific Direct Costs" are incurred by the Department in the form of time and resources for a specific applicant or licensee. Site Specific Direct Costs shall include, but are not limited to, the costs of reviewing applications, amendments, inspections, or incident responses.
(ii) "Non-Site Specific Direct Costs" are not attributable to a specific licensee, but represent a cost to the Department attributable to the Program. These types of costs shall include, but are not limited to, materials such as paper and other office supplies, training of staff, development of guidance documents, and other general administrative costs.
(d) The accumulation of costs can be described as follows:
(i) "Total Direct Costs" are the combination of the Site Specific Direct Costs and Non-Site Specific Direct Costs.
(ii) "Total Costs" are the sum of Site Specific Direct Costs, Non-Site Specific Direct Costs, and Indirect Costs.
(e) "Fiscal Year" is the twelve (12) month period from July 1 through June 30, as used by the State of Wyoming for budget formulation and execution.
(f) "Projected Costs" are the most recent two (2) year average of Total Costs assumed by the licensee, adjusted to the current year's program budget.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.7.01122026 § 4 Tracking Costs
(a) The Department shall keep a record of Site Specific Direct Costs associated with each license.
(b) Non-Site Specific Direct Costs shall be distributed to all licensees based on the proportion of an individual licensee's Site Specific Direct Costs, as compared to the combined Total Costs of all licensees. For example, if company X demands roughly fifty percent (50%) of the total billable Site-Specific Direct Costs for the Program they will be charged fifty percent (50%) of the Non-Site Specific Direct Costs.
(c) Indirect Costs will be calculated and allocated to licensees and the Program using the rates and basis for application detailed in the Cognizant Agency Negotiation Agreement, negotiated between the Department and the federal government. Indirect Costs are applied to both Site Specific and Non-Site Specific Direct Costs.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.7.01122026 § 5 Application Fees
(a) All new license applications shall be accompanied by an initial one hundred thousand dollar ($100,000.00) application fee. The application fee shall only cover the costs associated with processing the license application.
(b) The application fee shall be carried forward until the Department issues a license to the applicant. If the application fee is expended before the license is issued, an additional one hundred thousand dollar ($100,000.00) application fee shall be assessed and collected from the applicant. This shall continue in increments of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) until the Department issues a license to the applicant.
(c) Once the Department issues a license, the new licensee will be refunded or credited the amount of any unused portions of the application fee.
(d) Applicants that withdraw an application will not be refunded the unused application fee and forfeit any remaining initial application fees paid to the Department. However, applicants that withdraw an application after paying the additional application fees, as described in subparagraph (b) above, shall be refunded the unexpended balance of the additional application fees.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.7.01122026 § 6 Annual Fees
(a) Annual fees are to be paid in full prior to the fiscal year for which the fees are assessed. The Department shall notify all licensees of the amount of their annual fee ninety (90) days prior to the start of the fiscal year. The annual fee must be received and processed prior to the Department taking any licensing or other requested action.
(b) Until the Department can establish Projected Costs for a licensee, the licensee shall be billed a predetermined annual fee. The predetermined annual fee shall be equal to the annual estimated cost of the Program divided by the total number of licensees.
(c) Once the Department establishes Projected Costs for a licensee, the licensee shall be assessed an annual fee based on the licensee's average Total Costs from the previous two years of operation.
(d) A new licensee shall be billed an annual fee equal to the average Total Costs of all licensees, until Projected Costs can be established.
(e) Following recognition of all costs for a fiscal year, the Department shall prepare a statement for each licensee showing the itemized actual Total Costs for the fiscal year.
(i) If the annual fee collected from the licensee exceeds the Total Costs attributable to the licensee, the statement shall be accompanied by a credit or refund of the difference in amounts to the licensee.
(ii) If the annual fee collected from the licensee is less than the Total Costs attributable to the licensee, the statement shall be accompanied by an invoice covering the difference in amounts owed to the Department. The licensee shall have sixty (60) days from the date of the invoice to pay the Department the full outstanding balance of the invoice.
(f) New licenses issued after the beginning of the fiscal year will be assessed an annual fee, as described above, but the fee will be prorated based on the date the license was issued.
(g) Failure to pay prescribed fees may result in, and is not limited to, the Department halting the processing of an amendment, suspending or revoking a license, or issuing a notice of violation and order as the Department deems necessary and appropriate to carry out the provisions of the Act.
(h) The minimum annual fee for all licensees is one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.7.01122026 § 7 Method of Payment
Payments made under this Chapter shall be paid in U.S. dollars through electronic funds transfer, check, or money order made payable to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 8 Risk Informed, Performance Based Licensing and Inspection
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.8.01122026 § 1 Purpose
This Chapter establishes a risk informed, performance based regulatory framework as it will be applied to licensees regulated by the Program. No undue risk to public health, safety, or the environment shall occur as a result of licensed operations by the licensee under this regulatory framework.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.8.01122026 § 2 Scope
Except as otherwise specifically provided, this Chapter applies to all persons who acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer and receive for transport, use, or dispose of any licensed material pursuant to these rules. Nothing in this Chapter shall apply to any person subject to regulation not relinquished by the NRC.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.8.01122026 § 3 Regulatory Approach
(a) The Department shall determine licensing inspection actions, enforcement, and other decisions by the Program based on the risk informed, performance based regulatory approach which is a combination of the following approaches:
(i) "A risk informed approach" to regulatory decision-making represents a philosophy whereby risk insights are considered together with other factors to establish requirements that better focus licensee and regulatory attention on design and operational issues, pertaining to licensed material safety, commensurate with their importance to employee health and safety, public health and safety, and environmental protection.
(ii) "A performance based approach" to regulatory decision making represents a philosophy whereby performance standards are established that must be achieved by the licensee, but provides flexibility to the licensee as to the means of meeting those standards. This approach emphasizes results over process and methods and uses those results as the primary basis for regulatory decision-making. This approach incorporates the following attributes:
(A) Measurable (or calculable) parameters (i.e., direct measurements of the physical parameter of interest or of related parameters that can be used to calculate the parameter of interest) that exist to monitor a system, including facility and licensee performance;
(B) Objective criteria to assess performance are established based on risk insights, deterministic analysis, and performance history;
(C) Flexibility for licensees to determine how to meet the established performance criteria in ways that will encourage and reward improved outcomes; and
(D) Failure to meet a performance criterion, while undesirable, will not in and of itself constitute or result in an immediate safety concern.
(b) As part of the risk informed performance based regulatory approach, the Department shall utilize risk insight, engineering analysis and judgment, including the principle of defense-in-depth and incorporation of safety margins, and performance history to:
(i) Focus attention on the areas of greatest potential significance to human health, safety, and the environment;
(ii) Establish objective criteria for evaluating performance;
(iii) Develop measurable or calculable parameters for monitoring system and license performance;
(iv) Provide flexibility to licensees to determine how to meet the established performance criteria in a way that will encourage and reward outcomes; and
(v) Focus on the results as the primary basis for regulatory decisions.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.8.01122026 § 4 Changes, Tests, or Experiments
(a) Subject to the conditions in Section 4(b) of this Chapter and without obtaining a license amendment pursuant to Chapter 4 of these rules, a licensee may:
(i) Make changes to the components of the licensed facility, which have a nexus to licensed material described in the most updated license application;
(ii) Make changes in the procedures as described in the most updated license application involving licensed material; and
(iii) Conduct tests or experiments not described in the most updated license application involving licensed material.
(b) The licensee shall obtain a license amendment pursuant to Chapter 4 of these rules prior to implementing a proposed change, test, or experiment if the change, test, or experiment would result in or create the following:
(i) More than a minimal increase in the frequency of occurrence of an accident involving licensed materials, previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(ii) More than a minimal increase in the likelihood of occurrence of a malfunction of facility structure equipment, or monitoring system (SEMS) important to licensed material safety previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(iii) More than a minimal increase in the consequence of an accident involving licensed material previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(iv) More than a minimal increase in the consequences of a malfunction of a SEMS important to licensed material safety previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(v) A possibility for a credible and potentially significant accident scenario of a different type, involving licensed material, than any previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(vi) A possibility for a malfunction of a SEMS important to licensed material safety with a different result than previously evaluated in the most updated license application; and
(vii) A departure from the method of evaluation of radiological safety described in the most updated license application used by the Department. For NRC licenses transferred and recognized by the Department, a departure from the method of evaluation of radiological safety discussed in the NRC's final safety evaluation report (SER), any federal environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA), technical evaluation reports (TER), or other analyses and evaluation for license amendments.
(c) For purposes of this Chapter, and as applied to NRC licenses recognized by the Department, SEMS means any SEMS which have been referenced in an NRC SER, TER, EA, or EIS, including supplements and amendments thereof.
(d) Licensees must obtain a license amendment unless the change, test, or experiment is consistent with the Department's and NRC's previous conclusions pertaining to radiological safety, or the basis of, or analysis leading to, the conclusion of actions, designs, or design configuration analyzed and selected in the site or facility's SER, TER, and EIS, or EA performed by the NRC. This would include all supplements and amendments, and TERs, EAs, and EISs issued with amendments to a license. NRC's previous conclusions would include, but would not be limited to Regulatory Issues Summaries (RIS), executive orders, or information notices.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.8.01122026 § 5 Safety and Environmental Review Panel
(a) Each licensee shall develop a Safety and Environmental Review Panel (SERP). The SERP's purpose is to evaluate changes to the license application, procedures, or physical processes to the criteria in Section 4 of this Chapter and determine if the action can be completed without a license amendment.
(b) The SERP shall consist of, at a minimum, the following three members that are employees of the licensee:
(i) One member having expertise in management (e.g., Plant Manager). This member shall be responsible for financial approval for changes;
(ii) One member having expertise in operations or construction. This member shall have responsibility for implementing any operational changes; and
(iii) One member that is the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) or equivalent. This member shall maintain the responsibility of assuring changes conform to radiation safety and environmental requirements. The Department may approve a qualified contractor to fulfill this role where circumstances prevent the licensee from utilizing a qualified employee. Department approval must be obtained in writing.
(c) Additional members of the SERP may include, as appropriate, individuals to address and assist with technical aspects such as ground or surface water hydrology, specific earth sciences, or other technical disciplines. Temporary or permanent members, other than the three above-specified individuals, may be consultants or contractors.
(d) The licensee shall maintain records of any changes made pursuant to this Chapter until license termination. These records shall include written safety and environmental evaluations made by the SERP that provide the basis for determining changes are in compliance with Section 4 of this Chapter. The licensee shall furnish, in an annual report to the Department, a description of such changes, tests, or experiments, including a summary of the safety and environmental evaluation of each made pursuant to this Chapter. In addition, the licensee shall annually submit to the Department any changed pages, which shall include both a change indicator for the area changed (i.e., a bold line vertically drawn in the margin adjacent to the portion actually changed), and a page change identification (date of change or change number), to the Operations Plan and Reclamation Plan of the most updated approved license application to reflect changes made under this condition.
(e) All SERP evaluations shall be made available to the Department during site inspections. The Department may review all the SERP evaluations to ensure that it concurs with the conclusions. In events where the Department disagrees with the conclusions of a SERP, an amendment application will be required. The Department may take enforcement action or issue penalties as necessary relative to the SERP evaluations.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.8.01122026 § 6 Contents of a SERP Evaluation
The evaluation through the SERP process must answer the items presented in Sections 4(b) and 4(c) of this Chapter. For each item the evaluation shall present their justification and this document shall be reviewed by the Department at the time of inspection for concurrence. Certain items within Section 4 of this Chapter may require a risk assessment to be performed to determine the significance of an event. Those risk assessments will be reviewed by the Department at the time of the inspection.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.8.01122026 § 7 Exclusions to the SERP Process
(a) The following items shall not be approved through the SERP process and shall be sent to the Department as a license amendment for approval:
(i) Amending license conditions; and
(ii) Changes to license boundary.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 9 Transportation of Radioactive Material
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.9.01122026 § 1 Purpose
(a) This Chapter establishes requirements for packaging, preparation for shipment, and transportation of licensed material.
(b) The packaging and transport of licensed material are also subject to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statute § 35-11-2001 et seq., the Program's rules, and the regulations of other federal agencies (such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Commission) having jurisdiction over means of transport. The requirements of this Chapter are in addition to, and not in substitution for, other applicable requirements.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.9.01122026 § 2 Scope
This Chapter applies to any licensee authorized by specific or general license issued by the Department to acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, or dispose of licensed material, if the licensee delivers that material to a carrier for transport, transports the material outside the site of usage as specified in the license, or transports that material on public highways. No provision of this Chapter allows for the unauthorized possession of licensed material.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0015.9.01122026 § 3 Incorporation by Reference (IBR) of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 71; Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material
(a) The Department fully adopts and hereby incorporates by reference 10 C.F.R. Part 71, §§ 71.0 through 71.137, revised as of January 1, 2025, including all sections and any notes and appendices therein, unless expressly provided otherwise in these rules. The U.S. Department of Transportation's regulations, as cited in 10 C.F.R. § 71.5 (January 1, 2025), are also fully adopted and hereby incorporated by reference. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(b) The following 10 C.F.R. sections, including all subparts, as of January 1, 2025 are excluded from these rules and are not incorporated by reference: 71.0, 71.1, 71.2, 71.6, 71.7, 71.9, 71.11, 71.12, 71.13, 71.14(b), 71.15, 71.16, 71.18, 71.19, 71.22, 71.23, 71.24, 71.25, 71.31, 71.33, 71.35, 71.37, 71.38, 71.39, 71.41, 71.43, 71.45, 71.51, 71.53, 71.55, 71.57, 71.59, 71.61, 71.63, 71.64, 71.65, 71.70, 71.71, 71.73, 71.74, 71.75, 71.77, 71.81, 71.83, 71.85(a)-(c), 71.87(g), 71.88, 71.91(a)(5), 71.91(a)(7), 71.91(b), 71.95, 71.97, 71.99, 71.100, 71.101(c)(2), 71.101(d), 71.101(e), 71.101(g), 71.107, 71.109, 71.111, 71.113, 71.115, 71.117, 71.119, 71.121, 71.123, and 71.125.
(c) The terms "Close reflection by water," "Critical Safety Index," "Containment System," "Deuterium," "Fissile material," "Graphite," "Maximum normal operating pressure," "Optimum interspersed hydrogenous moderation," "Special Form," "Spent nuclear fuel" or "Spent fuel," "State," "Depleted uranium," and "Enriched uranium" as defined in 10 C.F.R. § 71.4 as of January 1, 2025 are excluded from these rules and are not incorporated by reference.
(d) Any references in the federal rules adopted by reference to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), or any component thereof, shall be deemed to be a reference to the Department and the Source Material Program, with the following exceptions:
(i) When used in 10 C.F.R. §§ 71.5(b) and 71.10, 71.17(c)(3), 71.17(e), 71.85(c), and 71.93(c); and
(ii) The definitions of "certificate holder" and "certificate of compliance (CoC)" in 10 C.F.R. 71.4.
(e) If, for any reason, the U.S. Department of Transportation's regulations are not applicable to a shipment of licensed material, the licensee shall conform to the standards and requirements of 49 C.F.R. Parts 171 through 180 appropriate to the mode of transport to the same extent as if the shipment was subject to these rules.
(f) A request for modification, waiver, or exemption from the requirements in 49 C.F.R. Parts 171 through 180, and any notification referred to in those requirements, must be filed with, or made to, the Department.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
380 Storage Tanks
Chapter 1 Storage Tanks
Wyo. Code R. 020.0014.1.06292018 Storage Tanks
Chapter 17
Chapter 1
Storage Tanks
PART A
INTRODUCTION
Section 1. Authority. These standards are promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act Statutes 35-11-101 through 35-11-1803, specifically, but not limited to, Wyoming Statutes 35-11-501 and 35-11-1414 through 35-11-1432.
Section 2. Codes and Standards Referenced in this Chapter.
(a) Wherever a Chapter is referenced, it means Wyoming Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1 Storage Tank Program, Storage Tanks, unless otherwise specified. Wherever a Part or Section is referenced, it means that Part or Section in this Chapter 1 unless otherwise specified.
(b) There are a number of places within this Chapter where codes and standards are referenced. There are also references to regulations issued by other agencies. The following apply to all such references in this Chapter:
(i) In all cases, the referenced codes, standards, and regulations are lengthy documents in and of themselves. Inserting the entire text of these documents into this Chapter would be unduly cumbersome and expensive.
(ii) The references to these codes, standards, and regulations in this Chapter fully identify the material by title and date, and any later amendments or editions are specifically not incorporated into this Chapter.
(iii) The department has obtained a complete copy of the code, standard, or regulation referenced in this Chapter and placed them in the Wyoming State Library. These materials can be checked out either directly from the State Library or through interlibrary loan from any Wyoming library, which is part of that system.
(iv) Each code, standard, or regulation referenced in this Chapter is published independently and is available from the publisher. The name, address and contact information for all such publishers are contained in Section 5. Copies may be obtained from the publisher.
(v) Copies of the codes, standards, or regulations referenced in this Chapter are also available at cost by contacting the Storage Tank Program, 307-777-7752.
(c) The full reference for all codes and standards is provided in this Section. The abbreviated reference is provided throughout the Chapter. When an abbreviated reference is encountered, refer to this Section for the full reference.
(i) A4A Airport Fuel Facilities Operations and Maintenance Guidance Manual, 2004.
(ii) American Petroleum Institute (API)
(A) API Recommended Practice 1007, "Loading and Unloading of MC 306/DOT 406 Cargo Tank Motor Vehicles, 2001."
(B) API Recommended Practice 1604, "Closure of Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks, Third Edition, March 1996; Reaffirmed December 2010."
(C) API Recommended Practice 1615, "Installation of Underground Petroleum Storage Systems, Fifth Edition, March 1996; Reaffirmed November 2011."
(D) API Recommended Practice 1626, "Storing and Handling Ethanol and Gasoline-Ethanol Blends at Distribution Terminals and Filling Stations, Second Edition, 2010."
(E) API Recommended Practice 2016, "Guidelines and Procedures for Entering and Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks, First Edition, August 2001."
(F) API Recommended Practice 2200, "Repairing Crude Oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and Product Pipelines, Fifth Edition, 2015."
(G) API Specification 12D, "Specification for Field Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids, Eleventh Edition, 2008."
(H) API Standard 620, "Design and Construction of Large, Welded Low-Pressure Storage Tanks, Twelfth Edition, 2013."
(I) API Standard 650, "Welded Steel Tank for Oil Storage, Twelfth Edition, 2013."
(J) API Standard 651, "Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Storage Tanks, Fourth Edition, 2014."
(K) API Standard 653, "Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction, Fifth Edition, 2014."
(L) API Standard 1631, "Interior Lining and Periodic Inspection of Underground Storage Tanks, Fifth Edition, 2001."
(M) API Standard 2000, "Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks, Seventh Edition, 2014."
(N) API Standard 2015, "Safe Entry and Cleaning of Petroleum Storage Tanks, Planning and Managing Tank Entry From Decommissioning Through Recommissioning, Seventh Edition, 2014."
(iii) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
(A) ASTM D6751, "Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels, 2015."
(B) ASTM G158, "Standard Guide for Three Methods of Assessing Buried Steel Tanks, 2016."
(iv) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
(A) 10 CFR Part 50, as published on January 1, 2016.
(B) 29 CFR Part 1910, as published on July 1, 2016.
(C) 40 CFR Part 112, as published on July 1, 2016.
(D) 40 CFR Part 136, as published on July 1, 2016.
(E) 40 CFR Part 141, as published on July 1, 2016.
(F) 40 CFR Part 261, as published on July 1, 2016.
(G) 40 CFR Part 280, as published on July 1, 2016.
(H) 40 CFR Part 302, as published on July 1, 2016.
(v) Fiberglass Tank and Pipe Institute
(A) Recommended Practice T-95-02, "Remanufacturing of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Underground Storage Tanks, 1995."
(B) Recommended Practice 2007-2, "Field Test Protocol for Testing the Annular Space of Installed Underground Fiberglass Double and Triple-Wall Tanks with Dry Annular Space, 2007."
(vi) International Fire Code (IFC), 5704.2.7.3, 5704.2.3.1, 5704.2.3.2, and 5703.5, 2015.
(vii) National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)
(A) NACE International Standard Practice SP0169-2013, "Control of External Corrosion on Underground or Submerged Metallic Piping Systems, 2013."
(B) NACE International Standard Practice SP0285-2011, "External Corrosion Control of Underground Storage Tank Systems by Cathodic Protection, 2011."
(C) NACE Standard SP0193-2016, "External Cathodic Protection of On-Grade Carbon Steel Storage Tank Bottoms, 2016."
(D) NACE International Test Method TM0101-2012, "Measurement Techniques Related to Criteria for Cathodic Protection of Underground Storage Tank Systems, 2012."
(E) NACE International Test Method TM0497-2012, "Measurement Techniques Related to Criteria for Cathodic Protection on Underground or Submerged Metallic Piping Systems, 2012."
(viii) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
(A) NFPA Standard 30, "Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 2015 Edition."
(B) NFPA Standard 30A, "Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, 2015 Edition."
(C) NFPA Standard 326, "Standard for the Safeguarding of Tanks and Containers for Entry, Cleaning, or Repair, 2015 Edition."
(D) NFPA Standard 385, "Standard for Tank Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, 2017 Edition."
(ix) National Leak Prevention Association
(A) Standard 631, Chapter A, "Entry, Cleaning, Interior Inspection, Repair, and Lining of Underground Storage Tanks, 2009."
(B) Standard 631, Chapter C, "Internal Inspection of Steel Tanks for Retrofit of Cathodic Protection, 2009."
(x) Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI)
(A) PEI RP100, "Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems, 2011."
(B) PEI RP200, "Recommended Practices for Installation of Aboveground Storage Systems for Motor Vehicle Fueling, 2013."
(C) PEI RP900, "Recommended Practices for the Inspection and Maintenance of UST Systems, 2008."
(D) PEI RP1200, "Recommended Practices for the Testing and Verification of Spill, Overfill, Leak Detection and Secondary Containment Equipment at UST Facilities, 2017."
(xi) Steel Tank Institute (STI)
(A) Association for Composite Tanks ACT-100-U®, Specification F894, "Specification for External Corrosion Protection of FRP Composite Steel Underground Storage Tanks, 2015."
(B) Association for Composite Tanks ACT-100-U®, Specification F961, "Specification for External Corrosion Protection of Composite Steel Underground Storage Tanks, 2015."
(C) STI Recommended Practice R012, "Recommended Practice for Interstitial Tightness Testing of Existing Underground Double Wall Steel Tanks, 2007."
(D) STI Recommended Practice R051, Cathodic Protection Testing Procedures for STI-P3® USTs, 2006."
(E) STI Recommended Practice R892, "Recommended Practice for Corrosion Protection of Underground Piping Networks Associated with Liquid Storage and Dispensing Systems, 2006."
(F) STI Recommended Practice R972, "Recommended Practice for the Addition of Supplemental Anodes to STI-P3® Tanks, 2010."
(G) STI-P3® Specification and Manual for External Corrosion Protection of Underground Steel Storage Tanks, 2015.
(H) STI Specification F922, "Steel Tank Institute Specification for Permatank®, 2014."
(I) STI Standard F841, "Standard for Dual Wall Underground Steel Storage Tanks, 2006."
(xii) Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL)
(A) UL Standard 58, "Standard for Safety for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Ninth Edition, 1996."
(B) UL Standard 142, "Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Ninth Edition, 2006."
(C) UL Standard 567, "Standard for Emergency Breakaway Fittings, Swivel Connectors and Pipe-Connection Fittings for Petroleum Products and LP-Gas, Tenth Edition, 2014."
(D) UL Standard 971, "Standard for Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable Liquids, First Edition, 1995."
(E) UL Standard 1316, "Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Underground Storage Tanks for Petroleum Products, Alcohols, and Alcohol-Gasoline Mixtures, Second Edition, 1994."
(F) UL Standard 1746, "Standard for External Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Underground Storage Tanks, Third Edition, 2007."
(G) UL Standard 2085, "Protected Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Second Edition, 1997."
(H) UL Subject 971A, "Outline of Investigation for Metallic Underground Fuel Pipe, First Edition, 2006."
(xiii) Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (UL of Canada)
(A) UL of Canada S603, "Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, 2014."
(B) UL of Canada S603.1, "Standard for External Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, 2014."
(C) UL of Canada S615, "Standard for Reinforced Plastic Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, 2014."
(D) UL of Canada S631, "Standard for Isolating Bushings for Steel Underground Tanks Protected with External Corrosion Protection Systems, 2005."
(E) UL of Canada S660, "Standard for Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, 2008."
(xiv) U.S. Department of Defense
(A) Directive 4140.25, "DoD Management Policy for Energy Commodities and Related Services, 2015."
(B) Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-460-01, "Petroleum Fuel Facilities, 2010."
(xv) U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Criteria for a Recommended Standard, Working in Confined Spaces, December 1979.
Section 3. Purpose. The purpose of these rules and regulations is to:
(a) Establish a storage tank leak prevention program to prevent releases and to minimize health hazards and environmental damage should a release occur;
(b) Allow Wyoming to assume primacy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) underground storage tank (UST) program;
(c) Establish priorities for cleaning up releases from storage tank systems;
(d) Establish a procedure to determine environmental restoration standards;
(e) Provide underground storage tank system owners and/or operators with the option of financial responsibility coverage to help meet the federal requirements; and
(f) Provide aboveground storage tank system owners and/or operators with the option of financial responsibility coverage.
Section 4. Applicability. The requirements of this Chapter apply to all owners and/or operators of aboveground storage tank systems as defined in W.S. 35-11-1415(xi). Only aboveground tank systems used by a dealer to dispense gasoline or diesel to the public are regulated by these regulations. The requirements of this Chapter apply to all owners and/or operators of underground storage tank systems as defined in W.S. 35-11-1415 except:
(a) Airport hydrant fuel distribution systems and UST systems with field-constructed tanks shall meet the requirements in Part M.
(b) Parts B, C, D, E, G, L, and M do not apply to:
(i) Wastewater treatment tank systems (not excluded in W.S. 35-11-1415);
(ii) Aboveground storage tanks associated with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems regulated under Part M or UST systems with field-constructed tanks regulated under Part M;
(iii) Any UST system containing radioactive materials that are regulated under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2011 and following); and
(iv) Any UST system that is part of an emergency generator system at nuclear power generation facilities licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and subject to Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements regarding design and quality criteria, including but not limited to 10 CFR Part 50.
(c) Part N does not apply to state or federal government entities whose debts and liabilities are the debts and liabilities of a state or the United States.
Section 5. Definitions. The following definitions supplement those found in the Environmental Quality Act W.S. 35-11-103 and W.S. 35-11-1415, and federal regulations 40 CFR Part 280.12.
(a) "A4A" means Airlines for America, 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1300, Washington, DC 20004; (202) 626-4000.
(b) "Aboveground release" means any release to the ground surface or to surface water. This includes, but is not limited to, releases from the aboveground portion of any regulated storage tank system and aboveground releases associated with overfills and transfer operations as the regulated substance moves to or from any regulated storage tank system.
(c) "Airport hydrant fuel distribution system" (also called airport hydrant system) means a UST system that fuels aircraft and operates under high pressure with large diameter piping that typically terminates into one or more hydrants (fill stands). The airport hydrant system begins where fuel enters one or more tanks from an external source such as a pipeline, barge, rail car, or other motor fuel carrier.
(d) "ALLD" means an automatic line leak detector. This is a device that either restricts the flow through a line or sounds an audible or visible alarm if there is a leak in the connected piping. ALLDs may include mechanical line leak detectors, electronic line leak detectors, or sump sensors.
(e) "Ancillary equipment" means any devices including, but not limited to, piping, fittings, flanges, valves, and pumps, used to distribute, meter, or control the flow of regulated substances to and from a storage tank.
(f) "API" means the American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 682-8000.
(g) "AST" means an aboveground storage tank as defined by W.S. 35-11-1415 that is used by a fuel dealer to dispense gasoline or diesel to the public.
(h) "AST system" means an aboveground storage tank and all connected piping.
(i) "ASTM" means the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959; (610) 832-9500.
(j) "Below ground release" means any release to the subsurface of the land and to groundwater. This includes, but is not limited to, releases from the below ground portions of a storage tank system and below ground releases associated with overfills and transfer operations as the regulated substance moves to or from a storage tank.
(k) "Biodiesel" means a fuel composed of mono-alkyl esters of long fatty chain acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, meeting the requirements of ASTM Specification D6751 as referenced in Section 2. "Biodiesel" is interchangeable with diesel for all purposes of this Chapter.
(l) "Biofuel blend" means any regulated substance containing greater than 10 percent ethanol or greater than 20 percent biodiesel.
(m) "CAP" means a "corrective action plan" designed to restore a site contaminated by regulated substances from a storage tank release to a condition that is protective of the public health and safety and consistent with published standards found in this Chapter.
(n) "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.
(o) "CFR" means Code of Federal Regulations, as revised and published on the dates provided in Section 2, and not including any later amendments or editions. Copies of the CFR can be purchased at cost from the publisher: the U.S. Government Printing Office, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401, or viewed on the Government Printing Office website.
(p) "Class A Operator" means the individual who has primary responsibility to operate and maintain the tank system in accordance with applicable requirements established by the department. The Class A Operator typically manages resources and personnel, such as establishing work assignments, to achieve and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. The Class A Operator shall obtain a Class A Operator's license from the department in accordance with requirements established by the department.
(q) "Class B Operator" means the individual who has day-to-day responsibility for implementing applicable regulatory requirements. The Class B Operator typically implements in-field aspects of operation, maintenance, and associated recordkeeping for the tank system. The Class B Operator shall obtain a Class B Operator's license from the department in accordance with requirements established by the department.
(r) "Class C Operator" means the individual responsible for initially addressing emergencies presented by a spill or release from a tank system. The Class C Operator typically controls or monitors the dispensing or sale of regulated substances, e.g., gas station attendants. The Class C Operator shall be trained by the Class A or B Operator for the facility in accordance with requirements established by the department.
(s) "Compatible" means the ability of two or more substances to maintain their respective physical and chemical properties upon contact with one another for the design life of the tank system under conditions likely to be encountered in the storage tank system.
(t) "Connected piping" means all piping including valves, elbows, joints, unions, flanges, and flexible connectors attached to a storage tank system through which regulated substances flow and which routinely contains the regulated substance. The piping that joins two storage tank systems shall be allocated equally between them for purposes of determining how much piping is connected to any individual storage tank system.
(u) "Containment sump" means a liquid-tight container that protects the environment by containing leaks and spills of regulated substances from piping, dispensers, pumps, and related components in the containment area. Containment sumps may be single-wall or secondarily contained and located at the top of the tank (tank top or submersible turbine pump sump), underneath the dispenser (under-dispenser containment sump), or at other points in the piping run (transition or intermediate sump).
(v) "Contaminated site" means a site where release(s) from storage tank systems have resulted in concentrations of regulated substances in environmental media that exceed criteria for the protection of human health or the environment.
(w) "Corrosion expert" means a person who, by reason of thorough knowledge of the physical sciences and the principles of engineering and mathematics acquired by a professional education and related practical experience, is qualified to engage in the practice of corrosion control on buried or submerged metal piping systems and metal tanks. Such a person shall be accredited or certified as being qualified by the NACE or be a registered professional engineer who has certification or licensing that includes education and experience in corrosion control of buried or submerged metal piping systems and metal tanks.
(x) "Corrosion protection" is a technique to prevent corrosion of a metal surface. Corrosion protection may be provided by sacrificial/galvanic anode cathodic protection systems, impressed current cathodic protection systems, isolation from ground contact, or dielectric materials.
(y) "CP" means cathodic protection, which is a technique to prevent corrosion of a metal surface by making that surface the cathode of an electrochemical cell. CP may be provided by sacrificial/galvanic anodes or impressed current.
(z) "CP tester" means a person who can demonstrate an understanding of the principles and measurements of all common types of CP systems as applied to buried or submerged metal piping and tank systems. At a minimum, such persons shall have education and experience in soil resistivity, stray current, structure-to-soil potential, and component electrical isolation measurements of buried metal piping and storage tank systems.
(aa) "Drinking Water Equivalent Level or DWEL" means the maximum concentration of a contaminant established by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, pursuant to this Chapter or Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters, for which no known or anticipated adverse effects on human health will occur.
(bb) "Emergency" means a situation where replacement or retrofit of ancillary equipment to an existing storage tank system because of a sudden release or existing ancillary equipment failure is essential to continued operation of any facility, and the owner and/or operator can easily and quickly replace or retrofit the equipment to remain in operation.
(cc) "Ethanol" means an alcohol derived from the fermentation of sugar, grain, or other biomass and used as fuel for internal combustion engines. Ethanol is usually denatured using gasoline, petroleum condensate, or some other petroleum product prior to being marketed for fuel. For purposes of this Chapter, "ethanol" will be treated interchangeably with "gasoline."
(dd) "Fiberglass Tank and Pipe Institute," 14323 Heatherfield, Houston, TX 77079-7407; (281) 568-4100.
(ee) "Field-constructed tank" means a tank constructed in the field (i.e., constructed at the site of use). For example, a tank constructed of concrete that is poured in the field, or a steel or fiberglass tank primarily fabricated in the field.
(ff) "Financial responsibility" terms are as defined in 40 CFR 280.92.
(gg) "Hazardous substance UST system" means an UST system that contains a hazardous substance defined in section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (but not including any substance regulated as a hazardous waste under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1984) or any mixture of such substances and petroleum, and which is not a petroleum UST system.
(hh) "Heating oil" means petroleum that is No. 1, No. 2, No. 4-light, No. 4-heavy, No. 5-light, No. 5-heavy, and No. 6 technical grades of fuel oil; other residual fuel oils (including Navy Special Fuel Oil and Bunker C); and other fuels when used as substitutes for one of these fuel oils. Heating oil is typically used in the operation of heating equipment, boilers, or furnaces.
(ii) "Hydraulic lift tank" means a tank holding hydraulic fluid for a closed loop mechanical system that uses compressed air or hydraulic fluid to operate lifts, elevators, or other similar devices.
(jj) "Implementing agency" means Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality's Storage Tank Program pursuant to the memorandum of agreement with EPA dated August 3, 1989.
(kk) "Licensed operator" means a person, employed by the facility owner and or operator, who is in responsible charge of the storage tanks at one or more locations. "Licensed operator" refers to the holder of any of the licenses referred to in Section 46 of this Chapter.
(ll) "Maintenance" means the normal operational upkeep to prevent a storage tank system from releasing a regulated substance.
(mm) "Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL" means the maximum allowed concentration of a contaminant established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Safe Drinking Water Act and published in 40 CFR Part 141.
(nn) "Minimum Site Assessment or MSA" means a limited subsurface investigation performed at a storage tank facility to determine if a regulated substance has been released from a storage tank system(s) and has caused, or is causing, soil and/or groundwater contamination that exceeds applicable standards.
(oo) "NACE" means the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, 15835 Park Ten Place, Houston, TX 77084; (281) 228-6200.
(pp) "National Leak Prevention Association," 75-4 Main Street, Suite 300, Plymouth, NH 03264; (815) 301-2785.
(qq) "NFPA" means the National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269; (800) 344-3555.
(rr) "Operating facility" means a gas station actively selling fuel to the public, a fleet fueling facility used to actively fuel fleet vehicles, or a facility where emergency power generators are being used. "Operating facility" does not include any other type of facility, such as a car wash or other business that does not routinely sell fuel to the public, or is not routinely used for fleet fueling, or is not routinely used for emergency power generation. A facility that has not been used to sell fuel to the public, or fuel fleet vehicles, or power emergency generators for a period of 12 months or more is not considered an "operating facility."
(ss) "Operational life" means the period beginning when installation of the storage tank system has commenced until the time the storage tank system is properly closed under Part G.
(tt) "Overfill release" means a release that occurs when a storage tank system is filled beyond its capacity resulting in a discharge of the regulated substance to the environment.
(uu) "PEI" means the Petroleum Equipment Institute, P.O. Box 2380, Tulsa, OK 74101; (918) 494-9696.
(vv) "Regulated substance" means any substance defined in Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980 (but not including any substance regulated as a hazardous waste under Subtitle C). Further, petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof that is liquid at standard conditions of temperature and pressure (60 degrees F and 14.7 psi absolute) is a regulated substance. The term "regulated substance" includes, but is not limited to, petroleum and petroleum-based substances comprised of a complex blend of hydrocarbons, such as motor fuels, jet fuels, distillate fuel oils, residual fuel oils, lubricants, petroleum solvents, and used oils.
(ww) "RCRA" means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1984, as amended.
(xx) "Repair" means to restore to proper operating condition a tank, pipe, spill prevention equipment, overfill prevention equipment, corrosion protection equipment, release detection equipment, or other storage tank system component that has caused a release of a regulated substance from the storage tank system or has failed to function properly.
(yy) "Replaced" means:
(A) Tank replacement: to remove a tank and install another tank.
(B) Piping replacement: For tanks with multiple piping runs, this definition applies independently to each piping run. Piping replacement means to remove 50 percent or more of piping and install other piping, excluding connectors, connected to a single tank except: 1) piping connected to field-constructed underground storage tank systems with a capacity exceeding 50,000 gallons or piping that is used for an airport hydrant system, or 2) if existing single-wall underground piping connected to a storage tank system fails due to corrosion or fails and has been recalled by the manufacturer, the entire run of single-wall piping shall be replaced with double-wall piping with interstitial monitoring regardless of the length of piping requiring repair.
(zz) "Statistical Inventory Reconciliation" or "SIR" means a method using statistics and simple inventory reconciliation to determine if a tank system is leaking. SIR providers shall use a method that has been approved in writing for use in the UST program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(aaa) "STI" means the Steel Tank Institute, 944 Donata Court, Lake Zurich, IL 60047; (847) 438-8265.
(bbb) "Storage tank" means either a regulated aboveground storage tank or an underground storage tank.
(ccc) "Substantial modification" means the addition or retrofit of any fundamental portion of a storage tank system to improve or upgrade the system that would affect the daily operation of the system. Fundamental portions of the system include, but are not limited to, CP, internal or external piping system(s), liners, leak detection equipment, manholes, etc. Substantial modifications also include the addition of canopies, new electrical conduits, and other items that may not be directly related to the storage tank system, but where the construction could adversely affect the storage tank system. Changing an existing tank system for biofuel blend or any other regulated product storage is a substantial modification. All substantial modifications require inspection and approval by the department prior to operation.
(ddd) "Training program" means the licensing program established by the department to test and/or evaluate the knowledge of a Class A, Class B, or Class C Operator regarding requirements for tank systems as established in Part L of this Chapter.
(eee) "Upgrade" means the addition or retrofit of a portion of a tank system (such as CP, lining, spill and overfill controls, secondary containment, etc.) to improve the ability of a storage tank system to prevent the release of a regulated substance.
(fff) "UL" means the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062; (631) 271-6200.
(ggg) "UL of Canada" means Underwriters Laboratories of Canada, 7 Underwriters Road, Toronto, ON M1R 3A9, Canada; (866) 937-3852.
(hhh) "U.S. Department of Defense," 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301-1000.
(iii) "UST" means underground storage tank.
(jjj) "UST system" means an underground storage tank, connected underground piping, underground ancillary equipment, and a containment system, if any. A UST system includes multiple tanks connected with common piping (e.g., manifold systems or siphon systems).
(kkk) "Wastewater treatment tank" means a tank that is designed to receive and treat an influent wastewater through physical, chemical, or biological methods.
PART B
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Section 6. Design and Construction Standards for UST Systems. In order to prevent releases due to structural failure, corrosion, or spills and overfills for as long as the UST system is used to store regulated substances, all owners and/or operators of UST systems shall meet the requirements in this Section. In addition, all tanks and piping installed or replaced after December 1, 2005, shall be secondarily contained and use interstitial monitoring in accordance with Part D Section 16(f). Secondary containment shall be able to contain regulated substances leaked from the primary containment until they are detected and removed and prevent the release of regulated substances to the environment at any time during the operational life of the tank system. Where the piping is considered to be replaced, the entire piping run shall be secondarily contained.
(a) Tanks. Tanks shall be properly designed, constructed, and installed. Underground components that routinely contain regulated substances shall be protected from corrosion in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory as specified below:
(i) Fiberglass-reinforced plastic tanks shall be manufactured and installed in accordance with UL Standard 1316 or UL of Canada S615, both as referenced in Section 2.
(ii) Steel USTs shall be cathodically protected or isolated from ground contact and manufactured and installed to meet the following requirements:
(A) The outside surface of all steel tanks installed after the date of these regulations shall be coated with a suitable dielectric material;
(B) Field-installed CP systems shall be designed by a corrosion expert;
(C) Impressed current CP systems shall be designed to allow determination of current operating status as required in Section 11, including a voltage meter, an amperage meter, and an hour meter showing the hours that the rectifier actually operated; and
(D) CP systems shall be operated and maintained in accordance with Section 11. Once installed, CP systems shall not be removed as long as the steel UST system exists.
(E) In addition to the above requirements, all cathodically protected steel USTs shall be manufactured and installed in accordance with one or more of the following industry standards or practices:
(I) STI-P3® Specification and Manual for External Corrosion Protection of Underground Steel Storage Tanks, as referenced in Section 2; or
(II) UL Standard 1746, as referenced in Section 2; or
(III) UL of Canada S603, S603.1, and S631, all three as referenced in Section 2; or
(IV) NACE Standard SP0285 and UL Standard 58, both as referenced in Section 2; or
(V) STI Standard F841, as referenced in Section 2.
(iii) Tanks constructed of steel and clad or jacketed with a non-corrodible material shall be manufactured and installed in accordance with one or more of the following industry standards or practices:
(A) UL Standard 1746, as referenced in Section 2; or
(B) STI ACT-100-U® Specification F894, as referenced in Section 2; or
(C) STI ACT-100-U® Specification F961, as referenced in Section 2; or
(D) STI Specification F922, as referenced in Section 2.
(iv) Owners and/or operators may continue to operate tanks upgraded with an internal lining as long as CP is in place that meets all requirements of this Chapter.
(v) New steel tanks shall not be installed with a liner without the addition of CP. No existing steel tank with a liner and added CP shall be modified to remove the CP.
(vi) After the effective date of these regulations, no UST may be installed for any purpose regulated under this Chapter with any penetration into the UST except in the top.
(vii) All USTs installed after the effective date of these regulations shall be anchored using deadmen to prevent flotation. No tank shall be installed without providing for the maximum possible buoyancy force assuming that the tank is completely under the local groundwater table. No tank shall be installed using a concrete slab above the tank as the primary method of resisting buoyancy forces.
(b) Piping. Piping that routinely contains regulated substances and is in contact with the ground shall be properly designed, constructed, installed, and protected from corrosion in accordance with the following applicable industry standards or practices:
(i) Piping constructed of a non-corrodible material shall be manufactured and installed in accordance with UL Standard 971 or UL of Canada S660, both as referenced in Section 2.
(ii) Steel piping shall be cathodically protected in the following manner:
(A) The piping shall be coated with a suitable dielectric material;
(B) Field-installed CP systems shall be designed by a corrosion expert;
(C) Impressed current CP systems shall be designed to allow determination of current operating status as required in Section 11; and
(D) CP systems shall be operated and maintained in accordance with Section 11.
(E) In addition to the above, cathodically protected steel pipe shall be manufactured and installed in accordance with one or more of the following industry standards or practices:
(I) UL Subject 971A, as referenced in Section 2;
(II) STI Recommended Practice R892, as referenced in Section 2;
(III) NACE International Standard Practice SP0169, as referenced in Section 2; or
(IV) NACE International Standard Practice SP0285, as referenced in Section 2.
(iii) Other piping systems will be allowed if they are determined by the department, pursuant to Section 33, to be designed to prevent the release of any regulated substance in a manner that is no less protective than the requirements in Section 6(b).
(c) Spill and Overfill Prevention Equipment.
(i) Except as provided in Sections 6(c)(ii) and 6(c)(iii), to prevent spilling and overfilling associated with regulated substance transfer to the UST system, owners and/or operators shall use the following spill and overfill prevention equipment:
(A) Spill prevention equipment that will prevent release of regulated substances to the environment when the transfer hose is detached from the fill pipe; and
(B) Overfill prevention equipment that will:
(I) Automatically shut off flow into the tank when the tank is no more than 95% full; or
(II) Alert the transfer operator when the tank is no more than 90% full by restricting the flow into the tank or triggering a high-level alarm. The high-level alarm shall be audible and visible to the transfer operator; or
(III) Restrict flow 30 minutes prior to overfilling, alert the transfer operator with a high-level alarm (audible and visible to the transfer operator) 1 minute before overfilling, or automatically shut off flow into the tank so that none of the fittings located on top of the tank are exposed to product due to overfilling.
(ii) Owners and/or operators are not required to use the spill and overfill prevention equipment specified in Section 6(c)(i) if the UST system is filled by transfers of no more than 25 gallons at one time.
(iii) Flow restrictors (ball valves) used in vent lines may not be used to comply with Section 6(c)(i)(B) when overfill prevention is installed or replaced after April 11, 2016. Flow restrictors may continue to be used for reasons other than meeting the overfill prevention requirement so long as the flow restrictor does not interfere with the operation of the overfill prevention equipment being used.
(iv) Spill and overfill prevention equipment shall be periodically tested or inspected in accordance with Section 10(d).
(d) Installation. The tank system shall be properly installed in accordance with one of the following industry standards or practices (as long as the standard or practice does not conflict with the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations) and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations:
(i) API Publication 1615, as referenced in Section 2; or
(ii) PEI RP100, as referenced in Section 2; or
(iii) NFPA Standard 30 and Standard 30A, both as referenced in Section 2.
(e) Installation Certification. No storage tank system shall be operated until the department determines the installation or substantial modification meets the applicable standards of this Part. The department shall not issue any such determination until all construction on the site of the storage tank system is complete. Owners and/or operators shall:
(i) Notify the department by telephone or in writing at least 30 days prior to the installation, repair or substantial modification of any storage tank system. Installations, repairs, or substantial modifications shall be scheduled at mutually acceptable times so the department can ensure a representative is on site at various phases of installation or substantial modification. Inspections shall be completed within 10 days of the date the department is notified that the installation, repair or substantial modification is complete; and
(ii) Pay the department a fee for each storage tank system or multiple storage tank systems installed, repaired or substantially modified at the same time and at the same site pursuant to W.S. 35-11-1420(c). The department will invoice the owner and/or operator upon completion of the final installation, repair or substantial modification inspection. The owner and/or operator shall remit payment to the department within 30 days of receipt of the department's invoice; and
(iii) Ensure that the installation, repair, or substantial modification of all USTs meets the performance standards of this Chapter; and
(iv) Obtain a certification from the licensed installer certifying that the tank system was installed or modified to meet the requirements of this Chapter. Such certification shall be provided on the UST notification form required under Section 9; and
(v) In the case of an emergency where the owner and/or operator cannot comply with the notification requirement of Section 6(e)(i), notify the department by telephone as soon as the emergency is found. Before proceeding with any substantial modification or installation:
(A) The department shall determine if an inspection can be made within the owner and/or operator's work schedule; or
(B) If the department cannot make the inspection, the owner and/or operator shall provide by mail, the specifications of materials and industry standards or practices used to accomplish the installation or substantial modification and documentation of any tests required within 5 days of completion.
(f) Compatibility. In accordance with Section 12, owners and/or operators shall demonstrate that all components of a new UST system are compatible with the substance to be stored in the UST system.
(g) Dispenser Systems. Any new dispenser system installed after April 11, 2016, shall be equipped with under-dispenser containment.
(i) A dispenser system is considered new when both the dispenser and the equipment needed to connect the dispenser to the storage tank system are installed. The equipment necessary to connect the dispenser to the tank system includes check valves, shear valves, unburied risers or flexible connectors, or other transitional components that are underneath the dispenser and connect the dispenser to the underground piping. Sensors are not required for monitoring under-dispenser containment. However, sensors may need to be added to meet the periodic monitoring requirement for sumps that cannot be visually inspected or to meet the piping interstitial monitoring requirement.
(ii) Under-dispenser containment shall be liquid-tight on its sides, bottom, and at all penetrations. Under-dispenser containment shall allow for visual inspection and access to
the components in the containment system or be periodically monitored for leaks from the dispenser system.
(h) Owners and/or operators shall install a UST system listed in Section 4(b)(i), (iii), or (iv) storing regulated substances (whether single- or double-wall construction) that meets the following:
(i) Will prevent releases due to corrosion or structural failure for the operational life of the UST system;
(ii) Is cathodically protected against corrosion, constructed of non-corrodible material, steel clad with a non-corrodible material, or designed in a manner to prevent the release or threatened release of any stored substance; and
(iii) Is constructed or lined with material that is compatible with the stored substance.
Section 7. Substandard USTs. UST systems that do not meet the standards of Section 6 shall not be placed back into service if they have been temporarily closed for more than 1 year. Substandard USTs shall be permanently closed or removed from the ground in accordance with Part G. A tank that has been permanently closed or that has gone through a change in service shall not be brought back into service unless the tank meets the requirements in Section 6 and the double-wall requirements in Section 14(h). This Section does not apply to previously deferred UST systems described in Part M.
Section 8. Repairs Allowed.
(a) Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems shall ensure that repairs will prevent releases due to structural failure or corrosion as long as the storage tank system is used to store regulated substances. The repairs shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Repairs to UST systems shall be properly conducted in accordance with one or more of the following industry standards or practices:
(A) NFPA Standard 30, as referenced in Section 2;
(B) API Recommended Practice 2200, as referenced in Section 2;
(C) API Standard 1631, as referenced in Section 2;
(D) NFPA Standard 326, as referenced in Section 2;
(E) National Leak Prevention Association Standard 631, as referenced in Section 2;
(F) STI Recommended Practice R972, as referenced in Section 2;
(G) NACE International Standard Practice SP0285, as referenced in Section 2; or
(H) Fiberglass Tank and Pipe Institute Recommended Practice T-95-02, as referenced in Section 2.
(ii) Repairs to aboveground storage tank systems shall be properly conducted in accordance with one or more of the following industry standards or practices:
(A) NFPA Standard 30, as referenced in Section 2;
(B) API Standard 620, as referenced in Section 2;
(C) API Standard 650, as referenced in Section 2;
(D) API Standard 653, as referenced in Section 2; or
(E) PEI RP200, as referenced in Section 2.
(iii) Repairs to fiberglass-reinforced plastic USTs may be made by the manufacturer's authorized representatives or in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or an independent testing laboratory.
(iv) Metal pipe sections and fittings that have released regulated substances as a result of corrosion or other damage shall be replaced. Non-corrodible pipes and fittings may be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
(v) Repairs to secondary containment areas of tanks and piping used for interstitial monitoring and to containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping shall have the secondary containment tested for tightness according to the manufacturer's instructions or a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory within 30 days following the date of completion of the repair. All other repairs to storage tank systems shall be tightness tested in accordance with Sections 14(g) and 16(b) within 30 days following the date of the completion of the repair unless:
(A) The repaired storage tank system is internally inspected in accordance with a code of practice listed in this Section; or
(B) The repaired portion of any UST system is monitored monthly for releases in accordance with a method specified in Section 16(c) through (j); or
(C) Another test method is used that is determined by the department, pursuant to Section 33, to be no less protective of human health and the environment than those listed above.
(D) The following codes of practice may be used to comply with paragraph (a)(v) of this Section:
(I) STI Recommended Practice R012, as referenced in Section 2; or
(II) Fiberglass Tank and Pipe Institute Recommended Practice 2007-2, as referenced in Section 2.
(III) PEI RP1200, as referenced in Section 2.
(vi) Storage tank system owners and/or operators shall maintain records of each repair until the UST system is permanently closed or undergoes a change-in-service pursuant to Part G of this Chapter.
(b) All owners and/or operators of repaired UST systems shall ensure the modifications meet the performance standards for design and repair as set forth in Section 6.
(c) Costs associated with remediation of any release from a storage tank system during tank installation or repair work by a tank installer, tester, owner and/or operator, etc., are not eligible for the state's corrective action account funds.
(d) Any time steel connected piping is repaired or modified by replacing the pipe with a non-corrodible pipe, all of the connected piping on that run shall be replaced. Any time steel piping that is not cathodically protected is repaired or replaced, the entire run of pipe shall be replaced with a non-corrodible pipe.
(e) Whenever the integrity of the primary or secondary wall of a double-wall tank has been compromised, repairs shall be made immediately in accordance with the tank manufacturer's recommendations. If the tank cannot be repaired, it shall be permanently closed in accordance with Section 31.
(f) Within 30 days following any repair to spill or overfill prevention equipment, the repaired spill or overfill prevention equipment shall be tested or inspected, as appropriate, in accordance with Section 10(d) to ensure it is operating properly.
(g) Testing required under this Section shall be conducted by a licensed installer as defined in Section 45 or a licensed tester as defined in Section 48.
PART C
GENERAL OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
Section 9. Notification Requirements.
(a) New Tank Systems. Any owner and/or operator who brings a storage tank system regulated under this Chapter into use shall, within 30 days of bringing such tank into use, submit a notice of the existence of such tank system to the department. The notice shall be submitted on the form prescribed by the department.
(b) Existing Storage Tank Systems. Owners and/or operators of an UST that has been used to store regulated substances since January 1, 1974, and that was in the ground as of May 8, 1986, shall immediately submit to the department, on the form prescribed by the department, a notice of the existence of such tank(s). Owners and/or operators of any AST that has been used to sell fuel to the public since July 1, 1994, shall immediately submit to the department, on the form prescribed by the department, a notice of the existence of such tank(s). All storage tanks located at the same facility shall be registered under the same facility identification number.
(c) Fees. Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems shall pay the annual fees specified by W.S. 35-11-1425 no later than January 1 of each year or 30 days after the first invoice, whichever is the later date. Fees are not prorated; the fee is assessed based on a calendar year. Fees begin on the date when the tank is first filled with a regulated substance and end on the date when the tank is placed permanently out of service or converted to a non-regulated use under these regulations.
(d) UST Certification. All owners and/or operators of new UST systems shall certify on the notification form conformance with the following requirements:
(i) Installation of tanks and piping under Section 6(d);
(ii) CP of steel tanks and piping under Section 6(a) and (b);
(iii) Financial responsibility under Part N;
(iv) Release detection under Sections 14 through 17; and
(v) Overfill and spill prevention under Section 6(c).
(e) AST Certification. All owners and/or operators of new AST systems shall certify on the notification form conformance with the requirements in Part I.
(f) Installer Certification. All owners and/or operators of new UST systems shall ensure that the installer certifies on the notification form that the methods used to install the tanks and piping comply with the requirements in Section 6(d).
(g) Requirements for Sellers. Any person who sells a tank intended to be used as a regulated storage tank or any person who transfers an existing storage tank system shall notify the purchaser of such tank of the owner's notification obligations in accordance with this Section. Any person who sells a contaminated site shall notify the purchaser that the site is a contaminated site subject to requirements of this Chapter.
(h) Transfer of Control. Prior to the transfer of control of a storage tank system to a different owner and/or operator, notification of the transfer shall be provided to the department pursuant to W.S. 35-11-1420(a). Upon selling a contaminated site subject to requirements of this Chapter, the seller shall notify the department of such sale. Such notifications shall be provided on a form developed and provided by the department. Notification shall be made within 30 days of the date the transfer becomes effective.
Section 10. Spill and Overfill Control.
(a) Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems shall ensure that releases due to spilling or overfilling do not occur. The owner and/or operator shall ensure that the volume available in the tank is greater than the volume of regulated substance to be transferred to the tank before the transfer is made. The owner and/or operator shall also ensure that the transfer operation is monitored constantly to prevent overfilling and spilling. The transfer procedures described in NFPA Standard 385 or API Recommended Practice 1007, both as defined in Section 2, may be used to comply with this paragraph.
(b) Owners and/or operators shall report, investigate, and clean up any spills and overfills in accordance with Section 22.
(c) Surface spills that occur at a storage tank facility during the transfer of a regulated substance to the tank are required to be reported and cleaned up by any person owning or having controlled the regulated substance pursuant to Section 22(a) and Chapter 4, Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(d) Periodic Testing of Spill Prevention Equipment and Containment Sumps Used for Interstitial Monitoring of Piping and Periodic Inspection of Overfill Prevention Equipment.
(i) Owners and/or operators of tank systems with spill and overfill prevention equipment and containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping shall meet the following requirements to ensure the equipment is operating properly and will prevent releases to the environment:
(A) Spill prevention equipment (such as spill buckets or other spill containment device) and containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping shall prevent releases by meeting one of the following:
(I) The equipment is double-wall and the integrity of both walls is periodically monitored at a frequency not less than the frequency of the walkthrough inspections described in Section 13(d). Owners and/or operators shall begin meeting Section 10(i)(A)(II) and conduct a test within 30 days of discontinuing periodic monitoring of this equipment; or
(II) The spill prevention equipment and containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping are tested at least once every 3 years to ensure the equipment is liquid tight. If water is used, it may be reused for testing at other sites. However, when testing is complete, the water becomes a waste and must be evaluated to determine if it is a hazardous waste prior to proper disposal. Test water will be a hazardous waste if it exhibits any of the hazardous waste characteristics described in 40 CFR 261.21-24. Testing shall be conducted by vacuum, pressure, or liquid methods in accordance with:
(1.) Requirements developed by the manufacturer (only if the manufacturer has developed such requirements); or
(2.) A code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory; or
(3.) PEI RP1200 as referenced in Section 2; or
(4.) Requirements determined by the department to be no less protective of health and the environment than other testing methods listed in Section 10(d)(i)(A)(II).
(B) Overfill prevention equipment shall be inspected for functionality at least once every 3 years. At a minimum, the inspection shall ensure that overfill prevention equipment is set to activate at the correct level specified in Section 6(c) and will activate when regulated substance reaches that level. Inspections shall be conducted in accordance with one of the criteria in paragraph (d)(i)(A)(II) of this Section.
(ii) Owners and/or operators shall begin meeting these requirements as follows:
(A) For tank systems in use on or before October 13, 2015, the initial spill prevention equipment test, containment sump test and overfill prevention equipment inspection shall be conducted not later than October 13, 2018.
(B) For tank systems brought into use after October 13, 2015, these requirements apply at installation.
(iii) Owners and/or operators shall maintain records in accordance with Section 18 for spill prevention equipment, containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping, and overfill prevention equipment as follows:
(A) All records of testing or inspection shall be maintained for 3 years; and
(B) For spill prevention equipment and containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping not tested every 3 years, documentation showing that the prevention equipment is double-wall and integrity of both walls is periodically monitored shall be maintained for as long as the equipment is periodically monitored.
(iv) Testing required under this Section shall be conducted by a licensed tester as defined in Section 48.
Section 11. Operation and Maintenance of Cathodic Protection (CP) Systems. All owners and/or operators of metal storage tank systems with CP shall comply with the following requirements to ensure that releases due to corrosion are prevented until the storage tank system is permanently closed or undergoes a change-in-service pursuant to Part G:
(a) Continuous Operation. All CP systems shall be operated and maintained to continuously provide corrosion protection to the metal components of that portion of the tank and piping that routinely contain regulated substances and are in contact with the ground. Once installed, CP systems shall not be removed, even if the tank has also been internally lined, as long as metal tanks or connected piping exist on that site. This does not prevent replacing parts of the CP system that have become defective.
(b) Periodic Inspections. All storage tank systems equipped with CP systems shall be inspected for proper operation by a qualified CP tester in accordance with the following requirements:
(i) All CP systems shall be tested within 6 months of installation and at least once every 3 years thereafter.
(ii) The criteria that are used to determine that CP is adequate shall be in accordance with:
(A) NACE International Test Method TM0101, as referenced in Section 2;
(B) NACE International Test Method TM0497, as referenced in Section 2;
(C) NACE International Standard Practice SP0285, as referenced in Section 2;
(D) NACE International Standard Practice SP0169, as referenced in Section 2; or
(E) STI Recommended Practice R051, as referenced in Section 2.
(iii) All CP systems shall be tested within 6 months of any repair or substantial modification to the storage tank system, or any other installation on the facility requiring excavation, in accordance with NACE Standard SP0285, as referenced in Section 2.
(c) Impressed Current Systems. Storage tank systems with impressed current CP systems shall also be inspected by the owner and/or operator every 60 days to ensure the equipment is running properly. The owner and/or operator shall make a record of these inspections, including the date of the inspection, the voltage reading on the rectifier, the amperage reading on the rectifier, and the hour reading on a properly connected hour meter showing how long the system has operated since the last inspection. The owner and/or operator shall compare those readings to the readings determined to be correct during the last inspection required under paragraph (b) of this Section. Large changes in the voltage or amperage readings, or zero readings, shall be investigated by the owner and/or operator.
(d) Records. CP system operation records shall be maintained in accordance with Section 13(c) to demonstrate compliance with the performance standards in this Section. These records shall provide the following:
(i) The results of testing from the last two CP system inspections required in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section; and (if applicable)
(ii) The results of the last three CP system inspections required in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(e) CP System Repairs. In the event a CP system fails testing, the owner and/or operator shall have a CP expert evaluate and design necessary repairs within 30 days of failure and have the repairs completed within 90 days of failure. All repairs shall be made in accordance with one or more of the following standards or practices:
(i) STI-P3® Specification and Manual for External Corrosion Protection of Underground Steel Storage Tanks, as referenced in Section 2; or
(ii) UL Standard 1746, as referenced in Section 2; or
(iii) NACE Standard SP0285, as referenced in Section 2.
(f) Stake-Type Sacrificial Anodes. Stake-type sacrificial anodes connected to piping flex connectors may be replaced by a licensed CP tester without the repairs being designed by a CP expert.
Section 12. Compatibility.
(a) Storage tank systems shall be made of, or lined with, materials that are compatible with the regulated substance stored.
(b) Owners and/or operators shall notify the department at least 30 days prior to changing to a regulated substance containing greater than 10 percent ethanol, greater than 20 percent biodiesel, or any other STP-regulated substance identified by the department. In addition, owners and/or operators shall meet the following:
(i) Prior to storing these substances in an existing or new tank system, owners and/or operators shall demonstrate that storage tank system components are compatible with the substance to be stored. Compatibility demonstration shall be made by one of the following:
(A) Certification or listing of tank system equipment or components by a nationally recognized, independent testing laboratory for use with the regulated substance stored; or
(B) Equipment or component manufacturer certification that the tank system components are compatible for use with the substance to be stored. This certification shall be in writing, indicating an affirmative statement of compatibility, including the biofuel blend range (if applicable), for which the component is compatible.
(ii) Compatibility Checklist. The storage tank owner and/or operator shall complete the compatibility checklist developed by the department. The completed checklist and compatibility demonstration for each component of the tank system shall be submitted to the department. The department will issue written authorization to store the substance after review and acceptance of the submittal.
(iii) Owners and/or operators shall maintain component compatibility documentation for as long as the tank system is used to store the regulated substance.
(iv) API Recommended Practice 1626, as referenced in Section 2, may be used to comply with this Section.
Section 13. Inspection and Right of Entry, Reporting, and Recordkeeping.
(a) Inspection and Right of Entry. Any authorized agent of the State of Wyoming has the right of entry for inspection, assessments, monitoring, and corrective actions in accordance with the provisions of W.S. 35-11-1422. Owners and/or operators shall cooperate fully with inspections, including providing access to all manholes, dispenser cabinets, CP rectifiers, and tank monitoring equipment. Compliance with this Section requires that owners and/or operators open manholes and other access points so department inspectors can see the condition of all equipment. If an owner and/or operator is unable to open the access points, requiring department personnel to open this equipment, any damages to any equipment or property shall be the responsibility of the facility owner and/or operator. Damages include, but are not limited to, those resulting from misplacement of covers, lids, or dispenser cabinet doors.
(b) Reporting. Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems shall cooperate fully with inspections, monitoring, and testing conducted by the department; and requests by the department for the following documents, notifications, testing, and monitoring information:
(i) Notification for all storage tank systems (Section 9), which includes certification of installation for new storage tank systems;
(ii) Notification when any person assumes ownership of a tank system (Section 9);
(iii) Notification for all substantial modifications (Section 6(e) for USTs and Section 35(q) for ASTs);
(iv) Notification prior to changing tank systems to certain regulated substances (Section 12);
(v) Reports of all releases including suspected releases (Section 19), spills and overfills (Section 22), and confirmed releases (Sections 23 through 25);
(vi) Notification before permanent closure, change of status, or change-in-service (Part G);
(vii) Documentation required in Section 25 by owners and/or operators eligible for the state corrective action account; and/or
(viii) Documentation required in Section 24 by owners and/or operators not eligible for the state corrective action account.
(c) Recordkeeping. Owners and/or operators shall maintain and submit to the department (when requested) the following:
(i) Documentation of CP systems operation (Section 11);
(ii) Documentation of storage tank system repairs (Section 8);
(iii) Documentation of storage tank system compatibility (Section 12);
(iv) Documentation of compliance for spill and overfill prevention equipment and containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping (Section 10);
(v) Documentation of periodic walkthrough inspections (Section 13);
(vi) Documentation of compliance with release detection requirements (Part D for USTs and Sections 36 and 37 for ASTs);
(vii) Results of the site investigation conducted at permanent closure and changes in service (Section 31); and
(viii) Documentation for all operator licensing and training as referenced in Section 46(h).
(d) Monthly Inspections To properly operate and maintain tank systems, the Class A or B Operator or licensed tank tester shall meet one of the following:
(i) Conduct a walkthrough inspection that, at a minimum, checks the following equipment every 30 days (except spill prevention equipment at tank systems receiving deliveries at intervals greater than every 30 days may be checked prior to each delivery):
(A) Spill prevention equipment. Visually check for damage, remove liquid or debris, check for and remove obstructions in the fill pipe, check the fill cap to ensure it is securely on the fill pipe; and for double-wall spill prevention equipment with interstitial monitoring, check for a leak in the interstitial area; and
(B) Release detection equipment. Check to ensure the release detection equipment is operating with no alarms or other unusual operating conditions present, and ensure records of release detection testing are reviewed and current; or
(ii) Conduct operation and maintenance walkthrough inspections according to PEI RP900, as referenced in Section 2.
(iii) Owners and/or operators who monitor their release detection system remotely may check the release detection equipment and records remotely every 30 days as long as the release detection system at the facility is determined to be in communication with the remote monitoring equipment.
(e) Monthly Inspection Documentation. The Class A or B Operator or licensed tank tester shall provide the facility owner and/or operator with a copy of each monthly inspection documentation and alert the owner and/or operator of any condition discovered during the monthly visual inspection that may require follow-up actions.
(f) Monthly Inspection Records. The owner and/or operator shall maintain a copy of the monthly inspection documentation and all attachments for the previous 12 months. Records shall include a list of each area checked, whether or not each area checked was acceptable or needed action taken, a description of actions taken to correct an issue, and delivery records if spill prevention equipment is checked less frequently than every 30 days due to infrequent deliveries. The records shall be maintained on-site, off-site at a readily available location within the State of Wyoming, or electronically in accordance with Section 13(i).
(g) Operator's Annual Inspection. Storage tank system owners and/or operators shall provide an annual inspection report to the department for the entire facility within 60 days of the inspection. This annual inspection shall be conducted by the owner, the operator, or a licensed tester within 1 year of the previous inspection. The inspector shall meet all qualifications of a CP tester if he or she inspects a CP system. The results of the operator's annual inspection and all associated documentation shall be maintained by the facility for at least 3 years. Records shall include a list of each area checked and each component tested, whether each area checked and each component tested was acceptable or needed action taken, a description of actions taken to correct an issue, and delivery records if spill prevention equipment is checked less frequently than every 30 days due to infrequent deliveries. This inspection shall:
(i) Test all CP systems on site that are due for testing in accordance with Section 11.
(ii) Provide pressure tests of pressurized piping or U.S. suction piping in accordance with Section 14(g).
(iii) Test all automatic line leak detectors as follows:
(A) Provide a simulated leak test for mechanical line leak detectors that demonstrates the leak detector meets the requirements of Section 14(g).
(B) Provide a simulated leak test for electronic line leak detectors that demonstrates the leak detector meets the requirements of Section 14(g). An internal electrical test of the system is not sufficient to meet this requirement.
(C) The annual inspection shall include a manual tripping of each sump sensor. A record shall be made showing the date when the test was done, the facility number, and recording whether or not the sensor operated as required. The sensor shall be placed in accordance with Section 14(h)(v).
(iv) Document that all automatic tank gauges (ATGs), interstitial monitoring systems, vapor monitoring systems, or other automatic systems are properly calibrated and functioning. Test alarms, verify system configurations, and test battery backup. This documentation includes a check to determine if probes are clean and are the proper ones for the regulated substance being stored.
(v) Provide copies of all inventory control calculations, statistical inventory reconciliation reports, automatic tank gauging test results, or results from other leak detection methods that indicate compliance for each month of the year preceding the inspection.
(vi) Include a physical inspection of all sumps, manholes, dispensers, under-dispenser containment, and other openings on the storage tank system. Visually check for damage and leaks. Any leaks found shall be immediately eliminated. Any liquid or debris found in spill prevention equipment such as spill buckets, sumps, or under-dispenser containment shall be removed at the time of inspection. Check for leaks in the interstitial area of double-wall sumps with interstitial monitoring.
(vii) Inspect probes and sensors for residual buildup, ensure floats move freely, ensure shaft is not damaged, ensure cables are free of kinks and breaks, and test alarm operability and communication with controller.
(viii) Ensure proper communication between vacuum pumps, pressure gauges, sensors, and controller.
(ix) Include documentation of Class A or B Operator's monthly inspections.
(x) Check hand-held release detection equipment such as tank gauge sticks or groundwater bailers for operability and serviceability.
(xi) Be documented on forms approved by the department. The forms shall include the name(s) and license number(s) of the person(s) performing the inspection.
(h) Results. The results of the operator's annual inspection shall be reviewed by the licensed facility operator. The name of the reviewing operator and operator's license number shall be included on the inspection form.
(i) Availability and Records Maintenance. Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems shall keep required records:
(i) At the storage tank site and immediately available for inspection by the department;
(ii) At a readily available alternate site. Records shall be provided to the department for inspection upon request. The readily available alternate site shall be within the boundaries of the State of Wyoming. If records are kept at an alternate site, the department shall be notified in writing of the name, address and telephone number for the alternate site; or
(iii) Electronically, but only if electronic records can be easily accessed at the facility during an inspection. Electronic records shall be accessed by the operator on a computer at the facility at the time of an inspection by the department. Due to size limitations, records accessed by cell phone do not meet the requirements of this Section.
(iv) Owners/operators may submit records electronically to the department prior to an inspection. Electronic records submitted to the department prior to an inspection must be received by the Storage Tank Program (STP) not less than 7 working days prior to the date of the inspection. It is the owner's/operator's responsibility to ensure the records were received by the STP. If records are not received by the STP at least 7 working days prior to the date of the inspection, the owner/operator shall ensure records are available on site at the time of the inspection using another method in this Section.
(v) In the case of permanent closure records, owners and/or operators may mail closure records to the department if they cannot be kept at the site or an alternate site as indicated above.
PART D
UST SYSTEMS: RELEASE DETECTION
Section 14. Requirements for All UST Systems.
(a) Release Detection. Owners and/or operators of UST systems shall provide a method, or combination of methods, of release detection that:
(i) Can detect a release from any portion of the tank and the connected piping that routinely contains a regulated substance;
(ii) Is installed and calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions showing that the leak detection equipment is fully operational and in proper calibration;
(iii) Beginning October 13, 2018, is operated and maintained and electronic and mechanical components are tested for proper operation in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, PEI RP1200 as referenced in Section 2, or a method determined by the department to be no less protective of health and the environment than other testing methods in this Section; and
(iv) Meets the performance requirements in Sections 14, 15, 16, 17, or Part M, as applicable, with any performance claims and their manner of determination described in writing by the equipment manufacturer or installer. Methods used shall be capable of detecting the leak rate or quantity specified for that method in Sections 14, 15, 16, 17, or Part M with a probability of detection of 0.95 and a probability of false alarm of 0.05.
(b) Release Reporting. When a release detection method operated in accordance with the performance standards in Sections 14, 15, 16, 17, or Part M indicates a release may have occurred, owners and/or operators shall notify the department in accordance with Part E.
(c) Timing. Owners and/or operators of UST systems shall comply with the release detection requirements of this Part immediately upon installation.
(d) USTs Without Leak Detection. Any owner and/or operator of an UST system that cannot apply a method of release detection that complies with the requirements of this Part shall complete the closure procedures contained in Part G. For previously deferred tank systems described in Parts A and M, this requirement applies on October 13, 2018.
(e) Petroleum USTs with a Capacity of 1,000 Gallons or Less. Owners and/or operators of USTs with a capacity of 1,000 gallons or less may use manual tank gauging as the sole leak detection method for the tank. Manual tank gauging shall be conducted weekly in accordance with Section 15(a).
(f) Petroleum USTs with a Throughput of Less Than 15,000 Gallons per Month. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, owners and/or operators of USTs with a throughput of less than 15,000 gallons per month may use inventory control as a monthly monitoring technique provided that:
(i) The inventory control balances within 150 gallons per month. In the event that a single month fails to balance within 150 gallons, the operator shall immediately submit that month's data to an outside vendor for Statistical Inventory Reconciliation;
(ii) The USTs are secured against theft in such a way that any theft is readily obvious; and
(iii) All requirements listed under Section 16(a) are met.
(g) Piping. Connected piping that routinely contains regulated substances shall be monitored for releases in a manner that meets one of the following requirements:
(i) Pressurized piping systems shall:
(A) Be monitored in accordance with Section 14(g)(i)(B). Whenever pressure systems have multiple dispensers hooked up to dispense product through a single meter, the pressurized piping between the first dispenser and the slave dispenser shall also be monitored and tested; and
(B) Be equipped with an automatic line leak detector. Automatic line leak detector methods that alert the owner and/or operator to the presence of a leak by restricting or shutting off the flow of regulated substances through piping or triggering an audible or visual alarm may be used only if they detect leaks of 3 gallons per hour at 10 pounds per square inch line pressure within 1 hour. An annual test of the operation of the leak detector shall be conducted. Manufacturers are required to recommend procedures to be used for testing their equipment, but all automatic line leak detectors shall be tested annually. No manufacturer shall recommend that its equipment not be tested nor interfere with the testing of its equipment in any way. In addition, all underground pressurized piping shall:
(I) Be tightness tested annually. A periodic test of piping may be conducted only if it can detect a 0.1 gallon per hour (gph) leak rate at one and one-half times the operating pressure; or
(II) Be monitored using any of the methods listed in Sections 16(d), (e), (f), (g), (h), or (i). Methods not specifically named in these regulations shall be approved by the department prior to use pursuant to Section 33. The request for approval shall state that the method will detect a leak in lines.
(ii) A U.S. suction system is a system of underground piping that conveys a regulated substance using suction and has more than one check valve in the line. All U.S. suction systems shall:
(A) Have a line tightness test performed once every 3 years. A periodic test of piping may be conducted only if it can detect a 0.1 gallon per hour leak rate at one and one-half times the operating pressure; or
(B) Be monitored using any of the methods listed in Section 16(d), (e), (f), (g), (h), or (i). Methods not specifically named in these regulations shall be approved by the department prior to use pursuant to Section 33. The request for approval shall state that the method will detect a leak in lines.
(iii) Underground piping that conveys regulated substances using an exempt suction system is not required to have a release detection system. An exempt suction system is one that is designed and constructed to meet the following requirements:
(A) The below-grade piping operates at less than atmospheric pressure;
(B) The below-grade piping is sloped so that the contents of the pipe will drain back into the storage tank if the suction is released;
(C) Only one check valve is included in each suction line;
(D) The check valve is located directly below and as close as practical to the suction pump; and
(E) A method shall be provided that allows compliance with this Section to be readily determined.
(h) UST System Installations or Replacements on or after December 1, 2005. Regardless of any other Section in this Chapter, all new or replacement installations occurring on or after December 1, 2005, shall meet the following secondary containment criteria:
(i) New or replacement tanks shall be provided with full secondary containment in the form of:
(A) Double-wall tanks; or
(B) Single-wall tanks with a polyethylene tank jacket.
(ii) New or replacement connected piping shall be provided with full secondary containment in the form of:
(A) Double-wall lines; or
(B) Single-wall lines with secondary containment piping.
(iii) All dispensers shall be equipped with full secondary containment in the form of dispenser pans.
(iv) All secondary containment systems shall be monitored in accordance with Section 16(f). Pressurized piping shall be equipped with an automatic line leak detector in accordance with Section 14(g).
(v) If mechanical line leak detectors or electronic line leak detectors are being used for leak detection, sump sensors used for interstitial monitoring do not need to meet the 3 gallons per hour leak detection requirement. In these cases, the sump sensors may be placed anywhere in the sump from the lowest point of the sump to no higher than 2 inches below the lowest penetration in the sump.
(i) Interstitially Monitored Pressurized Piping Installed Prior to December 1, 2005. If double-wall piping systems using sumps for interstitial monitoring were installed before December 1, 2005, the owner and/or operator may install mechanical or electronic line leak detectors and perform annual line tightness testing in accordance with Section 14(g)(i)(B)(I) or an alternative tank leak detection method as described in Section 14(g)(i)(B)(II) to meet leak detection requirements. In this case, the owner and/or operator will not be required to perform periodic integrity testing of containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring.
Section 15. Petroleum USTs with a Capacity of 2,000 Gallons or Less. Tanks installed on or after December 1, 2005, shall be double-wall systems and interstitially monitored. Tanks installed on or before November 30, 2005, shall be monitored for releases at least every 30 days using one of the methods listed in Section 16. Tanks with a capacity of 550 gallons or less and tanks with a capacity of 551 to 1,000 gallons that meet the tank diameter criteria in Table 1 may use manual tank gauging as the sole method of release detection in accordance with Section 15(a). All other tanks with a nominal capacity of 551 to 2,000 gallons may use manual tank gauging in place of inventory control.
(a) Manual Tank Gauging. Manual tank gauging shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Tank liquid level measurements shall be taken at the beginning and ending of the minimum test duration shown in Table 1 during which no liquid is added to or removed from the tank;
(ii) Level measurements shall be based on an average of two consecutive stick readings at both the beginning and end of the period;
(iii) The equipment used shall be capable of measuring the depth of the regulated substance over the full range of the UST's height to the nearest one-eighth of an inch;
(iv) A suspected release shall be declared and the requirements of Part E shall be followed if the variation between beginning and ending measurements exceeds the weekly or monthly standards in Table 1:
| TABLE 1 MANUAL TANK GAUGING VARIATION STANDARDS | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Nominal Tank Capacity | Weekly Standard (one test) | Monthly Standard (average of four tests) | Minimum Test Duration Hours* | | | | 550 gallons or less | 10 gallons | 5 gallons | 36 | | | 551-1,000 gallons (when the tank diameter is 64") | 9 gallons | 4 gallons | 44 | | | 551-1,000 gallons (when the tank diameter is 48") | 12 gallons | 6 gallons | 58 | | | 551-1,000 gallons | 13 gallons | 7 gallons | 36 | | | 1,001-2,000 gallons | 26 gallons | 13 gallons | 36 |
- Nothing can be added to or removed from the UST for the duration of the test.
(b) Other Release Detection Methods. Owners and/or operators of petroleum USTs with a capacity of 2,000 gallons or less may also use any of the release detection methods listed in Section 16(a) through (j).
Section 16. Petroleum UST Systems with a Capacity of More Than 2,000 Gallons. Petroleum USTs with a capacity of more than 2,000 gallons installed on or after December 1, 2005, shall be double-wall systems and interstitially monitored. Petroleum USTs installed on or before November 30, 2005, with a capacity of more than 2,000 gallons shall be monitored at least every 30 days for releases using one or more of the following methods:
(a) Inventory Control. Inventory control is not acceptable as a leak detection method except when it is combined with another method or when the UST meets the requirements of Section 14(f). Product inventory control (or another test of equivalent performance) shall be conducted monthly to detect a release of at least 1% of throughput plus 130 gallons in the following manner:
(i) Inventory volume measurements for regulated substance inputs, withdrawals, and the amount still remaining in the UST shall be recorded each operating day;
(ii) The equipment used shall be capable of measuring the depth of regulated substance over the full range of the UST's height to the nearest one-eighth of an inch;
(iii) The regulated substance inputs shall be reconciled with delivery receipts by measurement of the UST inventory volume before and after delivery;
(iv) Deliveries shall be made through a drop tube that extends to within 6 inches of the tank bottom;
(v) Regulated substance dispensing shall be metered and recorded within the local standards for meter calibration or an accuracy of 6 cubic inches for every 5 gallons of regulated substance withdrawn; and
(vi) Water in the bottom of the UST shall be measured to the nearest one-eighth of an inch at least once a month.
(vii) Owners and/or operators using inventory control shall report a suspected release under Section 19 whenever:
(A) The inventory control fails to balance within 1% of total throughput plus 130 gallons for the second consecutive month; or
(B) Daily over/short readings show a consistent non-zero trend for two consecutive months.
(viii) The following are methods of equivalent performance to inventory control:
(A) Vapor monitoring conducted in accordance with Section 16(d);
(B) Groundwater monitoring conducted in accordance with Section 16(e);
(C) Interstitial monitoring conducted in accordance with Section 16(f);
(D) Statistical inventory reconciliation conducted in accordance with Section 16(g);
(E) Tracer surveys conducted in accordance with Section 16(h);
(F) Manual tank gauging conducted in accordance with Section 15, provided the tank has a capacity of 2,000 gallons or less; or
(G) Other methods approved under Section 16(i), provided that the request for approval of the method specifically states that the method is of equivalent performance to inventory control.
(b) Tank Tightness Testing. Tank tightness testing shall be capable of detecting a 0.1 gallon per hour leak rate from any portion of the UST that routinely contains regulated substance while accounting for the effects of thermal expansion or contraction of the regulated substance, vapor pockets, tank deformation, evaporation or condensation, and the location of the water table. Whenever a tank tightness test shows a failing result, the owner and/or operator shall report a suspected release and follow either Section 20 or 21.
(c) Automatic Tank Gauging. Equipment for automatic tank gauging that tests for the loss of a regulated substance shall detect a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate from any portion of the tank that routinely contains a regulated substance. Owners and/or operators using automatic tank gauging shall also:
(i) Conduct inventory control in conformance with paragraph (a) of this Section, unless:
(A) The regulated substance is placed in the UST in batches of 25 gallons or less;
(B) The tank is used only to fuel an emergency power generator;
(C) A passing result is obtained monthly from the automatic tank gauge (ATG) with the tank at least 85% full;
(D) The ATG reconciles the inventory to the same levels as required by paragraph (a) of this Section; or
(E) A method of equivalent performance to inventory control is also conducted. To meet the definition of "equivalent performance to inventory control," the method must measure volume for regulated substance inputs, withdrawals, and the amount still remaining in the tank. Measurements must be recorded each operating day. The method must meet the requirements of Section 16(i) and be approved by the department prior to use.
(ii) Perform the test with the system operating in one of the following modes:
(A) In-tank static testing conducted at least once every 30 days; or
(B) Continuous in-tank leak detection operating on an uninterrupted basis or operating within a process that allows the system to gather incremental measurements to determine the leak status of the tank at least once every 30 days.
(iii) Report a suspected release and follow the requirements of Part E whenever:
(A) Any calendar month goes by when a passing result cannot be obtained from the ATG sometime during the month;
(B) A pattern becomes evident that the ATG produces a failing result whenever the level of a regulated substance in the tank is high, even if passing results can be obtained when the level is low; or
(C) Inventory control fails for the second consecutive month.
(d) Vapor Monitoring. Testing or monitoring for vapors within the soil gas of the excavation zone shall meet the following requirements:
(i) The materials used as backfill are sufficiently porous (e.g., gravel, sand, crushed rock) to readily allow diffusion of vapors from releases into the excavation zone;
(ii) The stored regulated substance, or a tracer compound placed in the UST system, is sufficiently volatile to result in a vapor level that is detectable by the monitoring devices located in the excavation zone in the event of a release from the tank;
(iii) The measurement of vapors by the monitoring device is not rendered inoperative by groundwater, rainfall, soil moisture, or other known interferences so that a release could go undetected for more than 30 days;
(iv) The soil and backfill material immediately surrounding the UST system shall not be contaminated with the regulated product in such a way as to interfere with the method used to detect releases from the UST system;
(v) The vapor monitors shall be designed and operated to detect any significant increase in concentration above background of the regulated substance stored in the UST system, a component or components of that substance, or a tracer compound placed in the UST system;
(vi) The UST excavation zone is assessed to ensure compliance with the requirements in this Section and to establish the number and positioning of vapor monitoring wells that will detect releases within the excavation from any portion of the tank that routinely contains the regulated substance; and
(vii) Vapor monitoring wells shall be clearly marked for identification and secured to avoid unauthorized access and tampering.
(viii) Owners and/or operators using vapor monitoring wells for leak detection shall report a suspected release in accordance with Section 19 whenever a vapor monitoring device detects a leak and cannot be made to reset within 48 hours.
(ix) New UST facilities shall not be installed using vapor monitoring as the only leak detection method. Owners and/or operators may install vapor monitoring wells as a secondary method. In the event that vapor monitoring wells are installed in the backfill, a permit to construct under Chapter 3, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, is not required.
(e) Groundwater Monitoring. Testing or monitoring for liquids on the groundwater shall meet the following requirements:
(i) The regulated substance stored is immiscible in water and has a specific gravity of less than 1;
(ii) Groundwater is never more than 20 feet from the ground surface, and the hydraulic conductivity of the soil(s) between the UST system and the monitoring wells or devices is not less than 0.01 cm/sec (e.g., the soil should consist of gravels, coarse to medium sands, coarse silts or other permeable materials);
(iii) The slotted portion of the monitoring well casing or well screen shall be designed to prevent migration of natural soils or filter pack into the well and to allow entry of the regulated substance on the water table into the well under both high and low groundwater conditions;
(iv) Monitoring wells shall be sealed from the ground surface to the top of the filter pack with hydrated bentonite and concrete;
(v) Monitoring wells or devices shall intercept the excavation zone or are as close to it as is technically feasible;
(vi) The continuous monitoring devices or manual methods used shall be capable of detecting the presence of at least one-eighth of an inch of free product on top of the groundwater in the monitoring wells;
(vii) Within and immediately below the UST excavation zone, the site shall be assessed to ensure compliance with the requirements in this Section and to establish the number and positioning of monitoring wells or devices that will detect releases from any portion of the UST system that routinely contains a regulated substance;
(viii) Monitoring wells shall be clearly marked for identification and secured to avoid unauthorized access and tampering; and
(ix) Groundwater monitoring shall not be used when the ambient groundwater is already contaminated with the regulated substance being stored in the UST system.
(x) Owners and/or operators using groundwater monitoring shall report a suspected release and follow the requirements of Part E whenever any regulated substance is observed in any monitoring well at any level.
(xi) New UST facilities shall not be installed using groundwater monitoring as the only leak detection method. Owners and/or operators may install groundwater monitoring wells as a secondary method. In the event that groundwater monitoring wells are installed in the backfill, a permit to construct under Chapter 3, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, is not required.
(f) Interstitial Monitoring. Interstitial monitoring between the UST system and a secondary barrier immediately around or beneath it may be used if the system is designed, constructed, and installed to detect a leak from any portion of the tank that routinely contains a regulated substance and also meets one of the following requirements:
(i) The sampling or testing method for double-wall UST systems shall be capable of detecting a leak through the inner wall in any portion of the tank that routinely contains a regulated substance.
(ii) The sampling or testing method used for UST systems with a secondary barrier within the excavation zone shall be capable of detecting a leak between the UST system and the secondary barrier in accordance with the following:
(A) The secondary barrier around or beneath the UST system shall consist of artificially constructed material that is sufficiently thick and impermeable (at least 10-6 cm/sec for the regulated substance stored) to direct a leak to the monitoring point and permit its detection;
(B) The barrier shall be compatible with the regulated substance stored so that a leak from the UST system will not cause a deterioration of the barrier allowing a release to pass through undetected;
(C) The secondary barrier for cathodically protected USTs shall be installed so that it does not interfere with the proper operation of the CP system;
(D) Groundwater, soil moisture, or rainfall shall not render the testing or sampling method used inoperative so that a release could go undetected for more than 30 days;
(E) The site shall be assessed to ensure that the secondary barrier is always above the groundwater and not in a 25-year flood plain unless the barrier and monitoring designs are for use under such conditions; and
(F) Monitoring wells shall be clearly marked for identification and secured to avoid unauthorized access and tampering.
(iii) An automated device shall be capable of detecting a leak between the inner wall of the UST and the liner on USTs with internally fitted liners. The liner shall be compatible with the regulated substance stored.
(iv) Owners and/or operators using interstitial monitoring shall report a suspected release and follow the requirements of Part E whenever any monitoring device indicates a leak and the device cannot be shown to be defective within 48 hours of the initial alarm.
(v) Double-wall and interstitially monitored storage tank systems or piping installed after December 1, 2005, shall be interstitially monitored for the lifetime of the tank system or piping.
(vi) Monthly interstitial monitoring results shall be recorded by the owner and/or operator. This may be accomplished by maintaining a monthly log or obtaining a monthly printout from an approved monitoring system.
(g) Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR). All SIR methods shall:
(i) Meet the requirements in Section 16(a) for inventory control;
(ii) Report a quantitative result with a calculated leak rate;
(iii) Be capable of detecting a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate or a release of 150 gallons within 30 days with a probability of detection of at least 0.95 and a probability of false alarm of no more than 0.05;
(iv) Use a threshold that does not exceed one-half the minimum detectible leak rate; and
(v) Be approved, in writing, by the department prior to use.
(vi) Monitoring results must be obtained by the owner and/or operator from the SIR provider within each 30-day monitoring period.
(vii) All "inconclusive" results shall be investigated by the owner and/or operator as soon as they are reported by the SIR company, including a complete audit of all input data. The owner and/or operator shall make every effort to resolve all "inconclusive" results as soon as they are reported. If the inventory for an entire month fails to balance within 2,000 gallons, that month shall be treated as inconclusive. A month with an unresolved inconclusive result is a month when no valid leak detection was provided.
(viii) Owners and/or operators using SIR shall report a suspected release and follow the requirements of Part E whenever:
(A) Any single month is reported as a failure for the UST system by the SIR company;
(B) Any month is reported by the SIR company as "inconclusive" unless that inconclusive result has been resolved by resubmission of audited inventory numbers to the SIR company.
(ix) UST systems with a throughput of more than 500,000 gallons per month in any single system shall not be monitored using SIR as the only release detection method.
(h) Tracer Surveys. Owners and/or operators may use tracer surveys as an approved monthly monitoring technique if:
(i) The tracer method can detect a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate or a release of 150 gallons within 30 days with a probability of detection of 0.95 and a probability of false alarm of 0.05;
(ii) The tanks are inoculated with the same tracer each month;
(iii) The tanks are inoculated each month before the 10th day of the month;
(iv) The tracer survey is completed before the 25th day of each month;
(v) The report for each month includes the calculations of the amount of tracer needed, the amount actually added to each tank, and the calculated leak detection limit in gallons per day; and
(vi) The report for each test clearly states that the tank(s) either passed or failed the test.
(vii) Any failing test using tracer surveys shall be treated as a suspected release under Part E.
(i) Other Technology. With prior department authorization, pursuant to Section 33, other types of release detection methods, or combination of methods, may be used if:
(i) The method can detect a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate or a release of 150 gallons within 30 days with a probability of detection of 0.95 and a probability of false alarm of 0.05; or
(ii) The owner and/or operator can demonstrate that the method can detect a release as effectively as any of the methods allowed in Section 16(b) through (h). In comparing methods, the department shall consider the size of release that the method can detect and the frequency and reliability with which it can be detected. If the method is approved, the owner and/or operator shall comply with any conditions imposed by the department to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.
(j) Multiple Methods. Whenever these regulations require the use of more than one leak detection method, owners and/or operators shall meet all requirements for all leak detection methods required.
Section 17. Hazardous Substance UST Systems. Owners and/or operators of hazardous substance UST systems shall provide containment that meets the following requirements and monitor these systems every 30 days using Section 16(f):
(a) Release Detection. Hazardous substance UST systems shall have a secondary containment system, be constructed with double-wall tanks, or be constructed with an external liner or vault surrounding the entire tank system. These systems shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Secondary containment systems shall:
(A) Be designed, constructed, and installed to contain regulated substances leaked from the primary containment until those substances are detected and removed;
(B) Be designed, constructed, and installed to prevent the release of regulated substances to the environment at any time during the operational life of the UST system; and
(C) Be inspected for evidence of a release at least once every 30 days.
(ii) Double-wall tanks shall:
(A) Be designed, constructed, and installed to contain a leak from any portion of the inner tank within the outer wall;
(B) Be designed, constructed, and installed to detect the failure of the inner wall; and
(C) Be inspected for evidence of a release at least once every 30 days.
(iii) External liners (including vaults) shall:
(A) Be designed, constructed, and installed to contain 100% of the capacity of the largest tank within its boundary;
(B) Be designed, constructed, and installed to prevent the interference of precipitation or groundwater intrusion with the ability to contain or detect a release of regulated substances;
(C) Be designed, constructed, and installed to surround the tank completely (i.e., capable of preventing lateral and vertical migration of regulated substances); and
(D) Be inspected for evidence of a release at least once every 30 days.
(b) Connected Piping. Connected piping shall be equipped with secondary containment that satisfies the requirements of this Section. Trench liners and double-wall pipe are examples of secondary containment systems. Connected piping that conveys regulated substances under pressure shall be equipped with an automatic line leak detector in accordance with Section 14(g)(i).
(c) Other Methods. Other methods of release detection may be used for hazardous substance UST systems installed on or before October 13, 2015, if owners and/or operators:
(i) Demonstrate to the department that an alternate method can detect a release of the stored regulated substance as effectively as any of the methods allowed in Section 16(b) through (h) can detect a release of petroleum;
(ii) Provide information to the department on effective corrective action technologies, health risks, and chemical and physical properties of the stored substance, and the characteristics of the UST site; and
(iii) Obtain authorization from the department to use the alternate release detection method before the installation and operation of the new or modified UST system.
Section 18. Release Detection Recordkeeping for UST Owners and/or Operators. All UST system owners and/or operators shall maintain records in accordance with Section 13 demonstrating compliance with all applicable requirements of this Part. These records shall include the following:
(a) Performance Claims. All written performance claims pertaining to any release detection system used, and the manner in which these claims have been justified or tested by the equipment manufacturer or installer, shall be maintained for 5 years from the date of installation. Not later than October 13, 2018, records of site assessments required under Sections 16(d) and (e) shall be maintained for as long as the methods are used. Records of site assessments developed after October 13, 2015, shall be signed by a professional engineer or professional geologist registered in the State of Wyoming;
(b) Test Results. The results of any sampling, testing, or monitoring shall be maintained for at least 3 years except:
(i) Tank tightness testing results shall be retained until the next test is conducted; and
(ii) Tank tightness testing, line tightness testing, and vapor monitoring using a tracer compound placed in the tank system conducted in accordance with Section 51(d) shall be retained until the next test is conducted.
(c) Calibration, Maintenance and Repair. Written documentation of all calibration, maintenance, and repair of release detection equipment permanently located onsite shall be maintained for the operational life of the tank in accordance with W.S. 35-11-1416(a)(vi). Any schedules of required calibration and maintenance provided by the release detection equipment manufacturer shall be retained for the operational life of the tank.
PART E
RELEASE REPORTING, INVESTIGATION, CONFIRMATION
AND RESPONSE
Section 19. Release Reporting. Storage tank system owners and/or operators shall report all releases or suspected releases to the department within 24 hours of discovery in accordance with Section 22 and follow the procedures of Section 22. All confirmed releases shall also be reported to the fire department having local jurisdiction. Owners of sites where storage tanks were formerly located shall report to the department within 7 days after discovering any new evidence of a release.
(a) Release Reporting. Release reporting shall be made for any of the following conditions:
(i) Released Regulated Substances. The discovery by owners and/or operators or others of released regulated substances at a storage tank site or in the surrounding area (such as the presence of free product or vapors in soils, basements, utility lines, nearby surface water and/or groundwater).
(ii) Unusual Operating Conditions. Unusual operating conditions observed by owners and/or operators (such as the erratic behavior of product dispensing equipment, the sudden loss of a regulated substance from a storage tank system, an unexplained presence of water in a storage tank, or liquid in the interstitial space of secondarily contained systems), unless:
(A) The system equipment or component is found not to be releasing regulated substance to the environment;
(B) Any defective system equipment or component is immediately repaired or replaced; or
(C) Except as provided in Section 16(f)(ii)(D), any liquid in the interstitial space of secondarily contained systems that is not used as part of the interstitial monitoring method (e.g., brine filled) is immediately removed.
(iii) Monitoring Results. Monitoring results, including investigation of an alarm, from a release detection method required under Part D that indicate a release may have occurred unless:
(A) The monitoring device is found to be defective, and is immediately repaired, recalibrated or replaced, and additional monitoring does not confirm the initial result;
(B) The leak is contained in the secondary containment and:
(I) Except as provided in Section 16(f)(ii)(D), any liquid in the interstitial space not used as part of the interstitial monitoring method (e.g., brine filled) is immediately removed, and
(II) Any defective system equipment or component is immediately repaired or replaced;
(C) In the case of inventory control described in Section 16(a), a second month of data does not confirm the initial result or the investigation determines no released has occurred; or
(D) The alarm was investigated and determined to be a non-release event (e.g., a power surge or caused by filling the tank during release detection testing).
(b) Off-site Impacts. Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems and owners of former storage tank sites shall follow the applicable procedures in Section 20 or 21 to determine if the storage tank system is the source of off-site impacts. These impacts include the discovery of regulated substances (such as the presence of free product or vapors in soils, basements, utility lines, nearby surface water and/or groundwater) that have been observed by the department or brought to its attention by another party.
Section 20. Release Investigation and Confirmation for Eligible Owners and/or Operators. Storage tank owners and/or operators who are eligible for cleanup under the Corrective Action Account shall comply with Section 25 and immediately investigate and confirm all suspected releases of regulated substances requiring reporting under Section 19 within 7 days of detection as follows:
(a) System Test. Owners and/or operators shall conduct tests according to the requirements for tightness testing in Sections 14(g) and 16(b) or, as appropriate, secondary containment testing described in Section 8(a)(v) that determine if a release has occurred from any portion of the storage tank system that routinely contains a regulated substance or a breach of either wall of the secondary containment has occurred. If the primary wall of a double-wall tank or double-wall/secondarily contained pipe fails, an integrity test of the outer wall and/or secondary containment shall be conducted. Owners and/or operators of all storage tanks shall also audit inventory control required by Section 16(a) or 36(e) for 12 months prior to the suspected release.
(i) Owners and/or operators shall repair, replace, or permanently close the storage tank system if the test results for the system, tank, or delivery piping indicate that a release exists.
(ii) Owners and/or operators shall conduct a thorough audit of their leak detection methods for the preceding year. This audit shall be performed by a qualified third party employed for this purpose by the owner and/or operator. In the event that the audit indicates a pattern of releases over several months, the department will complete the site check as described in Section 20(c).
(iii) Further investigation is not required if the test results for the system, tank, and delivery piping and the audit do not indicate that a release exists and if environmental contamination is not the basis for suspecting a release.
(b) Further Action. If the test results required under Section 20(a) do not indicate a release, but environmental contamination is the basis for suspecting a release, the department will complete the site check required under Section 20(c) and other Part E activities determined by the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Administrator.
(c) Site Check. The department shall test for the presence of a release where contamination is most likely to be present at the storage tank site. In selecting sample types, sample locations, and measurement methods, the department shall consider the nature of the stored regulated substance, the type of initial alarm or cause for suspicion, the type of backfill, the depth of groundwater, and other factors appropriate for identifying the presence and source of the release. If the test results for the site check do not indicate that a release has occurred, further investigation is not required.
(d) Plans and Specifications. All plans, specifications and reports submitted to the department under this Section shall be signed and sealed by a Wyoming Registered Professional Engineer and/or a Wyoming Registered Professional Geologist, as applicable and required by state statute.
Section 21. Release Investigation and Confirmation for Owners and/or Operators Not Eligible for the Corrective Action Account. Contaminated site owners and storage tank owners and/or operators may become ineligible for cleanup under the Corrective Action Account for any reason listed in W.S. 35-11-1424. Owners and/or operators who are not eligible for cleanup under the Corrective Action Account shall investigate and confirm all suspected releases of regulated substances requiring reporting under Section 19 within 7 days of detection as follows:
(a) System Test. Owners and/or operators shall conduct tests according to the requirements for tightness testing in Sections 14(g) and 16(b), or, as appropriate, secondary containment testing described in Section 8(a)(v) that determine if a release occurred from any portion of the storage tank system that routinely contains regulated substance or a breach of either wall of the secondary containment has occurred. Storage tank owners and/or operators shall also audit all inventory control required under Sections 16(a) or 36(e) for 12 months prior to the suspected release.
(i) Owners and/or operators shall repair, replace, or permanently close the storage tank system if the test results for the system indicate that a release exists.
(ii) When environmental contamination is the basis for suspecting a release, owners and/or operators shall also conduct a thorough audit of their leak detection methods for the preceding 12 months. This audit shall be performed by a qualified third party employed for this purpose by the owner and/or operator. In the event that the audit indicates a pattern of releases over several months, owners and/or operators shall conduct a site check as described in Section 20(c).
(iii) Owners and/or operators shall conduct a minimum site assessment as described in Section 29 any time results of the system test described in Section 21(a) indicate that a release exists or when environmental contamination is the basis for suspecting a release.
(b) Further Action. Further investigation is not required if the system test results required under Section 21(a) do not indicate that a release exists or if environmental contamination is not the basis for suspecting a release. If the test results for the excavation zone at an UST site or the results for the area immediately adjacent to the storage tank system at an aboveground storage tank site indicate that a release has occurred, owners and/or operators shall begin corrective action in accordance with Part E.
(c) Permits Required. Owners of contaminated sites and/or owners and/or operators of storage tank systems shall ensure that well permits have been issued prior to initiating site check activities.
(d) Plans and Specifications. All plans, specifications and reports submitted to the department shall be signed and sealed by a Wyoming Registered Professional Engineer and/or a Wyoming Registered Professional Geologist, as applicable and required by state statute.
Section 22. Spill and Overfill Reporting and Cleanup.
(a) Cleanup and 24-Hour Reporting. Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems shall contain and immediately clean up a spill or overfill. Spills and overfills shall be reported to the department within 24 hours by telephone (307) 777-7097 (STP) and (307) 777-7781 (spill response) and by logging into the spill response database on the DEQ website. The owner and/or operator shall begin corrective action in accordance with Sections 23 through 25 in the following cases:
(i) Spill or overfill of petroleum that results in a release to the environment that exceeds 25 gallons or that causes a sheen on nearby surface water; and/or
(ii) Spill or overfill of a regulated hazardous substance that results in a release to the environment that equals or exceeds its reportable quantity under 40 CFR Part 302 as referenced in Section 2.
(b) Owner's and/or Operator's Costs. Costs incurred by owners and/or operators to contain and/or cleanup surface spills and/or overfills are not eligible for the state Corrective Action Account funds. Releases that occur within a dispenser cabinet at or above the fire valve are considered surface spills and are not eligible for cleanup under the Corrective Action Account. Releases that occur below the fire valve are considered releases from piping and are eligible for cleanup under the Corrective Action Account.
(c) Small Spills. Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems shall contain and immediately cleanup a spill or overfill of petroleum that is less than 25 gallons and a spill or overfill of a hazardous substance that is less than the reportable quantity. If cleanup cannot be accomplished within 24 hours, owners and/or operators shall immediately notify the department.
(d) Other Reporting. A release of a hazardous substance equal to or in excess of its reportable quantity must also be reported immediately (rather than within 24 hours) to the National Response Center in accordance with CERCLA (1980) and to appropriate state and local authorities under Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.
Section 23. General. Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems and owners of former storage tank sites shall, in response to a confirmed release from a storage tank system, comply with the requirements of this Part.
Section 24. Owners and/or Operators Not Eligible for the State Corrective Action Account.
(a) Initial Response. Within 24 hours of confirmation of a release in accordance with Section 21 or after a release from a storage tank system is confirmed in any other manner, owners and/or operators shall perform the following initial response actions:
(i) Report the release to the department by telephone (307) 777-7097 (STP) and (307) 777-7781 (spill response) and by logging into the spill response database on the DEQ website;
(ii) Take immediate action to prevent any further release of the regulated substance into the environment; and
(iii) Identify and mitigate fire, explosion, and vapor hazards.
(b) Initial Abatement Measures and Site Check. Owners and/or operators of storage tank systems shall complete the following abatement measures:
(i) Remove as much of the regulated substance from the storage tank system as is necessary to prevent further release to the environment;
(ii) Visually inspect any above ground or exposed below ground releases and prevent further migration of the released substance into surrounding soils, groundwater, or surface water;
(iii) Monitor and mitigate fire, explosion, and other safety hazards in subsurface structures (such as sewers or basements);
(iv) Remedy hazards posed by contaminated soils that are excavated or exposed as a result of release confirmation, site investigation, abatement, or corrective action activities. If these remedies include treatment or disposal of soils, the owner and/or operator shall comply with the applicable department requirements;
(v) Measure for the presence of a release where contamination is most likely to be present at the storage tank site, unless the presence and source of the release have been confirmed during the completion of the system test required by Section 21 or the minimum site assessment required by Section 31. In selecting sample types, sample locations, and measurement methods, the owner and/or operator shall consider the nature of the stored regulated substance, the type of backfill, depth to groundwater and other factors as appropriate for identifying the presence and source of the release;
(vi) Investigate to determine the possible presence of free product and begin free product removal as soon as practicable in accordance with Section 24(d); and
(vii) Within 30 days of release confirmation, submit a report to the department summarizing the initial abatement steps taken and any resulting information or data required by this Section.
(c) Initial Site Characterization. Owners and/or operators shall assemble information about the site and the nature of the release. The information shall be submitted to the department within 60 days of release confirmation. This information shall include data obtained while confirming the release or completing the initial abatement measures required by this Section. This information shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(i) Data on the nature and estimated quantity of the release;
(ii) Data from available sources and/or site investigations regarding surrounding populations, water quality, use and approximate locations of wells potentially affected by the release, subsurface soil conditions, locations of subsurface sewers, climatological conditions, and land use;
(iii) Results of the site check required under Section 24(b);
(iv) Results of the free product investigations required under Section 24(b) to be used by owners and/or operators to determine if free product is to be recovered under Section 24(d); and
(v) Information necessary to classify the affected groundwater under Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(d) Free Product Removal. When free product is discovered, owners and/or operators shall contact the department within 24 hours of the discovery by telephone (307) 777-7097 (STP) or (307) 777-7781 (spill response) and by logging into the spill response database on the DEQ website. Owners and/or operators shall submit a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for product removal at sites where investigations under Section 24(b) indicate the presence of free product. Owners and/or operators shall remove free product to the maximum extent practicable as determined by the department. Owners and/or operators shall:
(i) Conduct free product removal in a manner that minimizes the spread of contamination into previously uncontaminated areas. Free product recovery and disposal techniques shall be appropriate for the hydrogeologic conditions at the site. Techniques shall properly treat and discharge or dispose of recovery by-products in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations;
(ii) Use abatement of free product migration as a minimum objective for the design of the free product removal system;
(iii) Handle any flammable products in a safe and competent manner to prevent fires and explosions; and
(iv) Prepare and submit to the department, within 45 days of confirming a release, a free product removal plan that provides at least the following information:
(A) The name of the person(s) responsible for implementing the free product removal measures;
(B) The estimated quantity, type, and thickness of free product observed or measured in wells, boreholes, and excavations;
(C) The type of free product recovery system used;
(D) Whether or not any discharge will take place on-site or off-site during the recovery operation and where this discharge will be located;
(E) The type of treatment applied to, and the effluent quality expected from, any discharge;
(F) The steps that have been or are being taken to obtain necessary permits for any discharge; and
(G) The disposition of the recovered free product.
(e) Investigation for Soil and Groundwater Cleanup. To determine the full extent and location of soil and/or groundwater contaminated by a release, owners and/or operators shall conduct a subsurface investigation. The release site and the surrounding area possibly affected by the release shall be investigated to determine if any of the following conditions exist:
(i) Existing groundwater wells have been affected by the release;
(ii) Free product is present requiring recovery;
(iii) Contaminated soils are in contact with groundwater; and/or
(iv) There are potential threats to nearby surface water and/or groundwater resources.
(v) Owners and/or operators shall submit the information collected under this Section to the department in accordance with a schedule established by the Solid and Hazardous Waste Administrator.
(f) Corrective Action Plan (CAP).
(i) Any owner and/or operator, the department, or other person, taking a corrective action required by this regulation, shall restore the environment to a condition and quality consistent with the standards established in Sections 38 and 39.
(ii) At any point after reviewing the information submitted in compliance with this Section, the department may require owners and/or operators to submit additional information or develop and submit a CAP for responding to contaminated soils and groundwater. If a CAP is required, owners and/or operators shall submit the CAP according to a schedule and format established by the department. Alternatively, owners and/or operators may, after fulfilling the requirements of this Section, choose to submit a CAP for responding to contaminated soil and groundwater. In either case, owners and/or operators are responsible for submitting a plan that provides adequate protection of human health and/or restoration of the environment, as determined by the department, and shall modify their plan as necessary to meet the requirements of this regulation.
(A) The department will authorize and issue applicable department permits for the CAP only after ensuring that implementation of the plan will adequately protect human health, safety, and the environment, and the plan is in compliance with other applicable department rules and regulations. In making this determination, the department will consider the following factors:
(I) The physical and chemical characteristics of the regulated substance, including its toxicity, persistence, and potential for migration;
(II) The hydrogeologic characteristics of the site and the surrounding area;
(III) The proximity, quality, and current and future uses of nearby surface water and groundwater;
(IV) The potential effects of residual contamination on nearby surface water and groundwater;
(V) An exposure assessment; and
(VI) Any information assembled in compliance with this Section.
(B) Upon authorization and issuance of applicable department permits for the CAP, owners and/or operators shall implement the plan, including modifications to the plan made by the department. Owners and/or operators shall monitor, evaluate, and report the results of implementing the plan in accordance with the schedule and a format established by the department.
(C) In the interest of minimizing environmental contamination, remediating an imminent health and/or safety hazard, and/or promoting more effective cleanup, owners and/or operators may begin remediation of soil and groundwater before the CAP is authorized and permitted by the department provided they:
(I) Notify the department of their intention to begin cleanup;
(II) Comply with any conditions imposed by the department, including halting cleanup or mitigating adverse consequences from cleanup activities; and
(III) Incorporate these self-initiated cleanup measures in the CAP that is submitted to the department for authorization and permitting.
(g) Voluntary Remediation Program. Owners and/or operators not eligible for the state Corrective Action Account may be eligible to enter the Solid and Hazardous Waste Voluntary Remediation Program.
Section 25. Owners and/or Operators Eligible for the State Corrective Action Account.
(a) Initial Response. Within 24 hours of release confirmation in accordance with Section 20 or after a release from the storage tank system is identified in any other manner, owners and/or operators shall perform the following initial response actions:
(i) Report the release to the department by telephone (307) 777-7097 (STP) and (307) 777-7781 (spill response) and by logging into the spill response database on the DEQ website;
(ii) Take immediate action to prevent any further release of the regulated substance into the environment; and
(iii) Orally notify the department immediately of any fire, explosion, or vapor hazards. The department shall begin resolving these hazards as soon as practicable.
(b) Initial Abatement Measures and Site Check. Owners and/or operators shall complete the following abatement measures:
(i) Remove as much of the regulated substance from the storage tank system as is necessary to prevent further release to the environment; and
(ii) Visually inspect any above ground or exposed below ground releases and prevent further migration of the released substance into surrounding soils, groundwater, and/or surface water.
(c) Site Characterization and Corrective Action. The department will prioritize the site pursuant to Section 27 after completion of initial abatement measures. The department will also collect sufficient data for classification of the affected groundwater under Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
Section 26. Public Participation.
(a) Notice Provided. Whenever a confirmed release from a storage tank system occurs that requires a CAP for soil or groundwater remediation, the department shall provide notice to the public directly affected by the release and the planned corrective action. This notice may include, but is not limited to, public notice in local newspapers, block advertisements, public service announcements, or personal contacts by staff. All public notices shall be posted to the DEQ website.
(b) Notice Content. All public notices issued under this Chapter shall contain the following minimum information:
(i) Name and address of the facility where the release occurred;
(ii) Name and address of the owner and/or operator;
(iii) Name and address of the department;
(iv) Name and phone number of the department representative where additional information can be obtained;
(v) Type and estimated volume of the release, if known; and
(vi) The Class of Use of all affected groundwater as determined under Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(c) Information Requests. Upon request, the department shall provide or make available information concerning the nature of the release and corrective actions planned or taken.
(d) Public Meetings. A public meeting may be held to consider comments on a proposed CAP or at the termination of a CAP if the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Administrator determines there is sufficient public interest or whenever such a meeting may clarify issues involved in a CAP.
Section 27. Corrective Action Prioritization Ranking System.
(a) Criteria. This ranking system establishes criteria for use by the department in determining priorities for conducting state corrective actions at leaking storage tank sites. The ranking is based upon the following primary factors:
(i) Degree of immediate adverse health exposure and/or safety hazards to people in nearby occupied buildings or to public utilities;
(ii) Water quality protection;
(iii) Potential for contaminant(s) migration; and
(iv) Ecological protection.
(b) Scoring. The scoring system provides that the sites with the highest scores shall be of the highest priority in conducting department corrective actions. The following listing and point values compose the department's corrective action prioritization ranking system. Points will be applied to each site, as appropriate, depending upon local circumstances. The total score for each leaking storage tank site is the sum of all applicable categories in Table 2.
TABLE 2
WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
STORAGE TANK PROGRAM
CONTAMINATED SITE EVALUATION WORKSHEET
Facility ID, Site Name ________________________________________________________
Location ___________________________________________________________________
Staff Name _________________________________________________________________
Date ______________________________________________________________________
Score 1-5: Score only one line under each criterion. Total = Score X Weight
| CONTAMINANT CRITERIA | SCORE | WEIGHT | TOTAL | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Toxicity/Hazard | | | | | 1 Unrefined petroleum, produced water, dry solids | | 1 | | | 3 Refined petroleum, liquid commercial chemical products | | 2 | | | 5 Explosive materials or hazardous wastes (corrosive, reactive, toxic, flammable | | 3 | | | Comments (consider volumes) | | | | | Concentration - Soil | | | | | 1 Greater than the soil cleanup levels | | 1 | | | TABLE 2 (Continued) | SCORE | WEIGHT | TOTAL | | 3 Ten times greater than soil cleanup levels | | 2 | | | 5 Free product (saturated soil or waste material) | | 3 | | | Comments (consider volumes) | | | | | Concentration - Groundwater | | | | | 1 Greater than MCLs or DWELS | | 1 | | | 3 MCLs/DWELS to 10X MCLs/DWELS or unknown | | 2 | | | 5 Greater than 10X MCLs/DWELS or free product | | 3 | | | Comments | | | | | Hazardous Vapors and Particulates | | | | | 1 Noticeable odors | | 1 | | | 3 Known vapor emitting volatiles present | | 2 | | | 5 Explosive conditions | | 3 | | | Comments | | | | | | | | | | ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA | | | | | Depth to Groundwater | | | | | 1 Greater than 100 feet | | 1 | | | 3 Less than 100 feet, but greater than 20 feet | | 2 | | | 5 Less than 20 feet | | 3 | | | Comments | | | | | Proximity to Surface Water | | | | | 1 Greater than 1 mile | | 1 | | | 3 Greater than ¼ mile, but less than 1 mile | | 2 | | | 5 Features present within ¼ mile | | 3 | | | Comments | | | | | | | | | | HUMAN EXPOSURE CRITERIA | | | | | Proximity to Drinking Water Source | | | | | 1 Greater than 1 mile | | 1 | | | 3 Greater than ¼ mile, but less than 1 mile | | 2 | | | 5 Features present within ¼ mile | | 3 | | | Comments | | | | | Land Use | | | | | 1 Open range or vacant and greater than 1 mile to a residence | | 1 | | | 3 Commercial/industrial/recreational use or less than 1 mile to residence | | 2 | | | 5 Residence present or within ¼ mile | | 3 | | | Comments | | | | | | | | | | ECOLOGICAL EXPOSURE CRITERIA | | | | | Important/Sensitive Habitats or Threatened or Endangered Species | | | | | 1 I/S habitats OR T/E species greater than 1 mile | | 1 | | | TABLE 2 (Continued) | SCORE | WEIGHT | TOTAL | | 3 I/S habitats or T/E species greater than ¼ mile, but less than 1 mile | | 2 | | | 5 I/S habitats or T/E species within ¼ mile | | 3 | | | Comments | | | | | | | | | | SITE EVALUTION SUMMARY - TOTAL SCORE | | | |
Section 28. Termination of Corrective Actions.
(a) Corrective actions that have not met the applicable standard(s) in Part J may be stopped if the Solid and Hazardous Waste Administrator determines that continued operation of remedial methods (including mechanical systems, monitored natural attenuation, or other remediation technologies) is not technically and economically feasible. If a technically and economically feasible remediation alternative becomes available or impacts are found that pose a threat to human health and/or the environment, active remediation may be resumed.
(b) The department shall provide public notice in accordance with Section 26 if it is determined that an approved CAP will not achieve the established cleanup levels and termination of the CAP is under consideration.
(c) If 10 years of contaminated site fees have been paid and the fees have lapsed, annual contaminated site fees will be due from the site owner and/or operator in accordance with W.S. 35-11-1424(e) when active remediation resumes.
PART F
MINIMUM SITE ASSESSMENTS (MSAs)
Section 29. MSA Requirements.
(a) When an MSA is Required. MSAs are used to determine if a regulated substance has been released from a storage tank system and, if so, to determine if soil and/or groundwater contamination is present in excess of applicable standards. The MSA results will determine the site's eligibility for the Corrective Action Account. MSAs are required when any of the following conditions are met:
(i) Unless the site is already listed as a contaminated site, all tank owners and/or operators that have not previously performed an MSA shall perform an MSA. This MSA shall be performed at the site owner's and/or operator's expense no sooner than 18 years, and no later than 20 years, after the tanks were installed. This requirement applies to all USTs installed after September 22, 1988, and to all regulated ASTs.
(ii) Owners and/or operators who permanently close or change the service of storage tanks without obtaining the required department authorization and inspection shall complete an MSA at their own expense within 45 days of the tank closure or change in service. To obtain the required department inspection, the owner and/or operator shall notify the department 30 days prior to tank closure or change in service activities. If tank closure or change in service activities are not sufficient for department personnel to characterize the subsurface conditions at the site, the owner and/or operator shall complete an MSA at his/her expense. The department will assign a priority ranking in accordance with Section 27 based on the results of the inspection or owner's and/or operator's MSA.
(iii) Owners and/or operators who change a regulated tank to a non-regulated use in accordance with Section 31, or change a non-regulated tank to a regulated use shall complete an MSA at their own expense regardless of whether or not the site is listed as a contaminated site. The MSA shall be completed within 45 days of the change of use.
(iv) Any owner and/or operator of a storage tank system abandoned prior to the program that now elects to participate in the state program shall:
(A) Provide written documentation that the site actually had a program-eligible storage tank system at some time;
(B) In the case where the storage tank was an AST, provide documentary evidence that the storage tank was used to dispense gasoline or diesel fuels to the public;
(C) Complete an MSA in accordance with this Part and prove that the site has been contaminated by a program-eligible storage tank system; and
(D) Pay one year's storage tank fee for all storage tanks on the site at the time of the initial site registration. If all tanks were removed and it is not possible to determine how many storage tanks were on the site, pay the fee for one tank.
(v) Unless the site is already listed as a contaminated site, an MSA shall be completed by the owner and/or operator, in accordance with this Part, before permanently closing a storage tank in place.
(vi) When a storage tank system is temporarily closed for more than 12 months, the owner and/or operator shall complete a minimum site assessment in accordance with this Section unless the site is already listed as a contaminated site or a time extension has been granted, in writing, by the department.
(b) MSA Work Plan. At least 30 days prior to performing an MSA, the owner and/or operator shall submit a Work Plan to the appropriate Storage Tank Program (STP) District Office for review and approval. The STP will review the Work Plan to ensure the proposed MSA will meet the requirements of this Part. At a minimum, the Work Plan shall include the following:
(i) Facility name, address and identification number, if applicable;
(ii) Name, address and telephone number of person(s) who will be conducting the MSA;
(iii) Number of storage tanks, whether they are ASTs or USTs, and how many are regulated versus unregulated;
(iv) Description of MSA methodology to be used for storage tanks and connected piping, including borehole and/or soil excavation installation and abandonment, temporary monitoring well installation and abandonment, equipment decontamination, and contaminated soil and groundwater disposal;
(v) Soil and Groundwater Sampling and Analysis Plan, including proposed sample collection and shipment protocols and analytical methods;
(vi) A plan map showing the location of property lines, drainages, buildings, tanks, connected piping, and proposed boreholes/monitoring wells and/or soil excavations. All maps shall be to scale and provide a north arrow; and
(vii) Proposed construction for any permanent monitoring wells being installed. Well construction shall be approved by the STP.
(c) MSA Completion Requirements.
(i) The MSA shall be inclusive for all storage tanks, associated piping, and dispensers located on the site.
(ii) MSAs for Storage Tanks.
(A) The MSA for storage tanks shall consist of boreholes and/or soil excavations completed within 5 horizontal feet of the UST basin or AST secondary containment structure.
(B) To the extent possible, the boreholes and/or soil excavations shall surround the tank area and provide an adequate representation of any potential contamination that may have been released from the storage tank system(s). The total number and locations of the boreholes or soil excavations will vary depending on the number of storage tanks and the total storage tank capacity at the location. The number and location of the boreholes shall be provided in the Work Plan and approved by the District Office reviewing the Work Plan. In addition to the soil borings/excavations, any site that is permanently closing by abandoning USTs in place or removing ASTs shall install at least three temporary groundwater monitoring wells. The wells shall be drilled at least 5 feet into groundwater or 40 feet deep, whichever comes first. The location, depth, and exact number of wells to be installed shall be determined by actual site conditions and construction requirements for monitoring wells. The wells may be abandoned after sampling. This requirement is intended to provide data on the condition of the groundwater at the site and allow the STP to evaluate site closure without further work.
(C) Whenever groundwater is encountered in a borehole or excavation, a groundwater sample shall be collected for laboratory analysis. If groundwater is encountered in more than one borehole or excavation, up to three groundwater samples shall be collected; one sample from each borehole or excavation.
(iii) MSAs for Connected Piping and Dispensers. The MSA for connected piping and dispensers shall consist of boreholes or soil excavations completed within 3 horizontal feet of the piping or dispenser. The total number and locations of the boreholes or soil excavations will vary depending on the length of the piping and the number of dispensers. If the dispenser is located less than 20 feet from the storage tank(s), one borehole or soil excavation shall be completed at the dispenser. At sites where the dispenser is located more than 20 feet from the storage tank(s), a borehole or soil excavation shall be completed at the dispenser and every 20 feet along the piping from the dispenser to the storage tank(s).
(iv) Borehole or Soil Excavation Completion Requirements.
(A) Either borehole drilling or soil excavation are acceptable techniques for accomplishing the MSA as long as the results meet the purpose of the MSA in this Part. The MSA technique shall be proposed in the Work Plan for review and approval by the STP.
(B) Boreholes or soil excavations shall be completed to a depth of 5 feet below the bottom of a UST and 5 feet below ground surface of an AST. Boreholes or excavations shall extend to a depth of 5 feet below the bottom of the piping and 5 feet below the bottom of dispenser sumps.
(C) An accurate log of subsurface conditions shall be provided for all boreholes, wells, and/or soil excavations. This documentation shall be provided by a person qualified and experienced to describe soils based on the Unified Soil Classification System.
(D) All boreholes and temporary wells shall be abandoned in accordance with the approved Work Plan. Boreholes that do not penetrate the groundwater table may be abandoned with drill cuttings to within 2 feet of the surface. The upper 2 feet of the borehole shall consist of a hydrated bentonite plug. Boreholes or wells that encounter groundwater shall be abandoned with a bentonite slurry from the bottom of the borehole to the ground surface completion.
(E) Soil excavations shall be abandoned in accordance with the approved Work Plan. Soils may be returned to the excavation with approval from the STP project manager.
(v) Soil Sampling.
(A) All borehole and/or soil excavation samples shall be collected in a manner that ensures the samples are representative of the in-place soil at the sampling location. Soil samples shall be submitted to an STP-approved laboratory (A2LA or NELAP certification required; refer to STP website for current list of approved laboratories).
(B) Based on field instrument measurements, the most heavily contaminated soil sample shall be properly packaged and submitted to an STP-approved analytical laboratory for analysis. If field instrument measurements do not indicate a contaminated soil layer, the soil sample submitted to the laboratory shall be from the bottom of the borehole or excavation.
(vi) Groundwater Sampling.
(A) Groundwater samples shall be collected in accordance with the approved Work Plan and in a manner that ensures the samples are representative of the in-place groundwater formation.
(B) All groundwater samples shall be properly preserved and packaged prior to submission to an STP-approved analytical laboratory (A2LA or NELAP certification required; refer to STP website for current list of approved laboratories).
(d) Documented Contamination. If contamination is documented during this MSA process and the storage tank system is currently in use, the site owner and/or operator site shall implement the requirements in Part E.
(e) MSA Report. Within 45 days after the completion of the MSA, the owner and/or operator shall submit one copy of the MSA summary report to the appropriate STP District Office for review and approval. At a minimum, the report shall include the following:
(i) Facility name, address and ID number; owner's name and address; and name of person(s) or company performing the MSA;
(ii) Date assessment was completed;
(iii) Storage tank(s) information, including tank number, type (AST or UST), capacity, regulated substance stored, and depth to bottom of tank(s);
(iv) Borehole, temporary well, and/or soil excavation information, including borehole, well, and/or soil excavation identification, total depth, depth to groundwater, and description of soils and/or groundwater;
(v) Discussion of any contamination noting depths encountered or lack of contamination discovered;
(vi) All analytical results and field measurements;
(vii) Description of temporary monitoring well installations; and
(viii) Plan map showing the location of the following: structures, drainages, property lines, boreholes or soil excavations, monitoring wells, tank(s), piping, and dispensing pumps. Drawings shall include title, north arrow, and scale.
PART G
OUT-OF-SERVICE TANK SYSTEMS AND CLOSURE
Section 30. Temporary Closure.
(a) General Requirements. When a storage tank system is temporarily closed, owners and/or operators shall:
(i) Notify the department within 30 days of placing the tanks in temporarily out-of-use status;
(ii) Continue operation and maintenance of corrosion protection in accordance with Section 11 for USTs and Part I for ASTs;
(iii) Continue release detection and release detection operation and maintenance testing and inspections in accordance with Parts C, D, I, and M;
(iv) Comply with Parts E and F if a release is suspected or confirmed; and
(v) Provide licensed Class A and B Operators in accordance with Section 46.
(vi) Release detection and release detection operation and maintenance testing and inspections in Parts C, D, and I are not required as long as the tank does not contain more than 1 inch of regulated substance at the measuring point directly under the fill tube.
(b) Tanks Temporarily Closed for 3 Months or More. When a storage tank system is temporarily closed for 3 months or more, owners and/or operators shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) All requirements in Section 30(a);
(ii) Leave vent piping open and functioning;
(iii) Drain, cap, and secure all other connected piping, pumps, manways, and ancillary equipment; and
(iv) Continue to pay the annual tank fee and maintain financial responsibility pursuant to Part N.
(c) Tanks Temporarily Closed for 12 Months or More. When a storage tank system is temporarily closed for more than 12 months, the owner and/or operator shall complete a minimum site assessment in accordance with Section 29. Except tanks within operating fueling facilities, the tank shall be permanently closed in accordance with this Part not later than 12 months after the date on which the tank is placed in temporarily out-of-use status or July 1, 2018, whichever is later, unless a time extension is authorized in writing by the department.
Section 31. Permanent Closure and Changes In Service.
(a) Notification. At least 30 days before beginning either permanent closure or changing a storage tank system to a non-regulated use under Section 31(b) or (c), owners and/or operators shall notify the department of their intent, unless such action is in response to corrective action. The required MSA shall be completed after notifying the department but before work begins to permanently close the tank or change the tank system to a non-regulated use.
(b) Permanent Closure. To permanently close a UST or AST system, owners and/or operators shall empty and clean it by removing all liquids and accumulated sludges and perform an MSA as defined in Section 29. All USTs taken out of service permanently shall also be removed from the ground or filled with an inert solid material. All USTs and ASTs taken out of service permanently shall be managed in accordance with Solid Waste Rules and Regulations. The tank cleaning and closure procedures shall be properly conducted in accordance with one of the following industry standards or practices:
(i) API Recommended Practice 1604, as referenced in Section 2;
(ii) API Standard 2015, as referenced in Section 2;
(iii) API Recommended Practice 1631, as referenced in Section 2;
(iv) API Recommended Practice 2016, as referenced in Section 2;
(v) U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Criteria for a Recommended Standard, Working in Confined Spaces, as referenced in Section 2; and/or
(vi) NFPA Standard 326, as referenced in Section 2.
(vii) Section 33 provides a process for evaluating and permitting designs or procedures that deviate from recognized industry standards or practices.
(c) Change of Service. Before converting any regulated storage tank to store a non-regulated substance, owners and/or operators shall empty and clean the tank by removing all liquid and accumulated sludge in accordance with Section 31(b) unless the non-regulated substance is the same as the regulated substance. Before converting any regulated storage tank to store a non-regulated substance, owners and/or operators shall conduct an MSA in accordance with Section 29. An MSA shall be performed at all sites, including known contaminated sites, where a tank is converted from a regulated use to a non-regulated use. ASTs and USTs converted to a use not regulated by the department shall be managed under the federal or local jurisdiction having authority for such non-regulated use.
(d) Owners and/or Operators not Eligible for the Corrective Action Account. If contaminated soils, contaminated groundwater, or free product as a liquid or vapor is discovered during the MSA, or by any other manner, owners and/or operators not eligible for use of the Corrective Action Account shall begin corrective action in accordance with Section 24.
(e) Records.
(i) Results of the MSA required under this Section shall be submitted to the department within 90 days of MSA completion.
(ii) Owners and/or operators shall maintain records that are capable of demonstrating compliance with closure requirements under this Part. The results of the excavation zone assessment shall be maintained for at least 3 years after completion of permanent closure or change-in-service in one of the following ways:
(A) By the owners and/or operators who took the tank system out of service;
(B) By the current owners and/or operators of the tank system site; or
(C) By mailing these records to the department only if they cannot be maintained at the closed facility.
Section 32. Applicability to Previously Closed or Abandoned Storage Tank Systems.
(a) Owners and/or operators with UST systems permanently closed after December 22, 1988, or AST systems permanently closed after the date of these regulations shall comply with Section 31.
(b) When directed by the Solid and Hazardous Waste Administrator, the owner and/or operator of a storage tank system or an owner of a site upon which such a system was located that was permanently closed before the effective date of these regulations shall complete an MSA in accordance with Section 29. When directed by the Solid and Hazardous Waste Administrator, abandoned storage tank systems shall be permanently closed in accordance with Section 31. The Solid and Hazardous Waste Administrator may take action under this Section if the department determines that releases from the storage tank system pose a current or potential threat to human health and/or the environment. Owners and/or operators of UST systems permanently closed before December 22, 1988, shall have complied with API Recommended Practice 1604, as referenced in Section 2.
PART H
TECHNOLOGY AND PROCEDURES NOT SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED
Section 33. New Technologies, Procedures, or Equipment.
(a) General. This Part is provided to encourage new technology, procedures, or equipment that are not specifically authorized and provide a process for evaluating and authorizing those that deviate from the regulations in this Chapter. The proposed use of technologies, systems, or processes not in compliance with these regulations will be authorized provided they function or comply with the intent or purpose of this Chapter.
(b) Application Contents. Each application for authorization to utilize new technology, systems, or processes under this Section shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis using the best available scientific information. The following information shall be included with a written application to the department for review and authorization:
(i) Data obtained from a full scale, comparable installation or process that demonstrates compliance with the intent or acceptability of the technology, or;
(ii) Data obtained from a pilot project operated under the design condition for a sufficient length of time to demonstrate the acceptability of the design, or;
(iii) Data obtained from a theoretical evaluation of the technology or procedure that demonstrates a reasonable probability of compliance with the intent of this Chapter, and;
(iv) An evaluation of the flexibility of making corrective changes in the event the technology or process does not function as planned.
PART I
AST SYSTEMS
Section 34. Tanks Covered by this Part. This Part covers all ASTs that meet the requirements found in W.S. 35-11-1415(a)(xi). Regulated AST components are those from the fire valve to the tank including the tank and fire valve.
Section 35. Construction Requirements for AST Systems.
(a) Tanks. All tanks regulated by this Part, whether existing or new, shall be welded steel tanks. Bolted or riveted steel tanks or tanks made of any material other than steel shall not be used as a regulated AST. A tank intended for use as a UST shall not be installed as an AST.
(b) Secondary Containment. All ASTs regulated under this Section shall be constructed with secondary containment equal to at least 110% of storage capacity of the largest single AST within the secondary containment wall. The owner and/or operator of any AST shall control runoff captured inside the secondary containment system and ensure that runoff is free of floating oils prior to discharge from the secondary containment structure. Secondary containment shall be constructed of materials that are:
(i) Fireproof; and
(ii) Compatible with the regulated substance stored.
(c) Vehicle Impact Protection. ASTs shall be protected against vehicle impact by barriers. Barriers are required on any side of the AST subject to impact by a vehicle traveling on any surface accessible to the public. Vehicle impact protection is not required for tanks meeting UL-Standard 2085, as referenced in Section 2, if the manufacturer certifies that the tank provides vehicle impact protection. Barriers shall meet one of the following specifications:
(i) Guard posts constructed of concrete-filled steel no less than 4 inches in diameter, spaced not more than 4 feet apart, and set not less than 3 feet above ground in a concrete-filled footing. Footing shall be 15 inches minimum diameter and set into the ground a minimum of 3 feet deep. Posts shall not be located less than 5 feet from the tanks.
(ii) Concrete secondary containment walls that are at least 5 feet from the tanks; extend at least 3 feet above ground level on the outside of the containment wall; and contain a minimum of two, 5/8-inch reinforcing rods placed in the concrete as a continuous band within 1 foot of the top of the containment wall. Concrete secondary containment structures that do not meet this requirement may be approved by the department on a case-by-case basis.
(iii) Concrete barriers constructed to Department of Transportation specifications for use as barriers along highways. These barriers are commonly called "jersey barriers."
(d) Corrosion Protection. AST systems shall be protected against corrosion using one of the following methods:
(i) Sacrificial/Galvanic Anode CP System. Sacrificial/galvanic anode CP systems shall be tested by a CP tester at least once every 3 years for proper operation. These systems shall be designed by a corrosion expert. Owners and/or operators of ASTs protected by sacrificial/galvanic anode systems shall also comply with Section 11;
(ii) Impressed Current CP System. Impressed current CP systems shall be checked at least once every 60 days by the owner and/or operator and tested by a CP tester at least once every 3 years for proper operation. These systems shall be designed by a corrosion expert. Owners and/or operators of ASTs protected by impressed current systems shall also comply with Section 11; or
(iii) Isolation. Isolating the AST system from the ground by placing the tank on a bed of dry and freely draining gravel, at least 3 inches thick, on a concrete floor within a concrete secondary containment system. Horizontal cylindrical tanks on saddles and tanks that meet the requirements of UL Standard 2085, as referenced in Section 2, meet this corrosion protection method.
(e) Additional Requirements for Cathodic Protection.
(i) Both sacrificial/galvanic anode and impressed current CP systems on ASTs shall be designed and installed with test stations to enable the owners and/or operators to monitor the operation of the CP system.
(ii) All CP systems installed on ASTs shall be designed by a corrosion expert. All CP systems shall be designed, installed, inspected and maintained to meet or exceed one or more of the following industry standards or practices:
(A) NACE Standard SP0193, as referenced in Section 2;
(B) NACE Standard SP0285, as referenced in Section 2; and/or
(C) API Standard 651, as referenced in Section 2.
(f) Overfill Protection. ASTs shall have overfill protection as follows:
(i) Systems shall sound an audible or visible alarm at the filling rack when the AST is 90% full;
(ii) Systems shall close valves and prevent overfilling the tank before the AST is 95% full; and
(iii) The system for tanks larger than 100,000 gallons shall sound a second audible and visible alarm at the filling rack when the AST is 95% full.
(g) Spill Prevention. AST systems shall have fill lines protected with a double-check valve to prevent backflow from the tank and a self-closing fire valve, activated by a frangible, fusible link. Additionally, spill prevention equipment shall meet one of the following:
(i) The fill lines shall be completely enclosed within the secondary containment system; or
(ii) Each fill line shall have its own system to control spillage.
(h) Connected Lines. All underground pipelines connected to ASTs shall be non-corrodible, double-wall lines equipped with working leak detection equipment. All aboveground lines shall be steel. All connections between aboveground lines and underground lines shall be made inside accessible leak-proof sumps. All new and replacement underground piping shall be double-wall and interstitially monitored.
(i) Applicable Standards for New ASTs. All new AST systems shall meet the requirements of one or more of the following industry standards or practices:
(i) Field Constructed Steel Tanks.
(A) API Specification 12D, as referenced in Section 2;
(B) API Standard 620, as referenced in Section 2;
(C) API Standard 650, as referenced in Section 2;
(D) NFPA Standard 30, as referenced in Section 2;
(E) NFPA Standard 30A, as referenced in Section 2;
(F) API Standard 653, as referenced in Section 2;
(G) PEI RP200, as referenced in Section 2; and/or
(H) Other standards approved by the department.
(ii) Shop Constructed Tanks.
(A) UL Standard 2085, as referenced in Section 2;
(B) UL Standard 142, as referenced in Section 2;
(C) API Standard 650, as referenced in Section 2;
(D) NFPA Standard 30, as referenced in Section 2;
(E) API Standard 653, as referenced in Section 2; and/or
(F) PEI RP200, as referenced in Section 2.
(j) ASTs Installed After the Effective Date of These Regulations.
(i) ASTs shall have a foundation designed by a Registered Professional Engineer, licensed in the State of Wyoming. The foundation design shall provide positive drainage of water away from the base. ASTs located in areas subject to flooding shall be anchored to prevent flotation. The foundation shall also meet one of the following:
(A) Capable of supporting the tank, when full, without excessive differential settlement as defined in API Standard 653, as referenced in Section 2; or
(B) Designed per the manufacturer's recommendation.
(ii) ASTs installed or re-installed shall meet all requirements of Part I before being placed in service.
(iii) ASTs shall be placed on a release prevention barrier. The integrity of the barrier shall not deteriorate due to exposure to the elements or soil contaminated by regulated substances. Double-wall vaulted tanks with an interstitial monitoring device shall meet all requirements for both secondary containment and the release detection barrier. The following are acceptable release prevention barriers:
(A) An impermeable geosynthetic clay liner with a permeability of 10-6 cm/sec or less;
(B) An impermeable geosynthetic liner installed in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations, such as a 60-mil unreinforced liner or a 40-mil reinforced liner, or a material of similar or more stringent specifications that is compatible with the regulated substance stored; or
(C) A double-bottom tank equipped with a leak detection system that will detect the presence of the regulated substance in the space between the bottoms.
(D) For tanks of less than 100,000 gallons capacity, an impermeable reinforced concrete slab.
(iv) Owners and/or operators of field constructed ASTs shall keep on file for the life of the tank, and make available to the department upon request, the following:
(A) Floor and wall/shell thickness measurements;
(B) Material certifications for all materials used in the construction of the AST system, including secondary containment and release prevention barriers; and
(C) A report including welding procedures, welding certification reports, and any non-destructive testing performed on the AST.
(v) Owners and/or operators of shop fabricated ASTs shall keep on file for the life of the tank, and make available to the department on request, the following:
(A) The floor and wall/shell thickness measurement if a UL label does not exist on the tank; and
(B) Material certifications for all materials used in the construction of the entire AST system.
(vi) All exposed exterior surfaces of field constructed ASTs shall be protected against corrosion. This requirement may be met using field applied coatings, compatible with the stored regulated substance, on visible tank surfaces.
(vii) The completed installation of metallic field constructed ASTs shall be inspected and certified by a certified API Standard 653, as referenced in Section 2, inspector.
(viii) Owners and/or operators of shop fabricated ASTs shall keep on file for the life of the AST, and provide to the department on request, a report including welding procedures, welding certification reports, and any non-destructive testing performed on the AST.
(ix) Owners and/or operators of ASTs shall provide a certificate of installation to the department that meets the requirements of Section 6(e).
(k) Labeling. Tanks do not need to be UL labeled but shall be designed, constructed, and tested to the approved standards. ASTs shall bear an all-weather label with the following information: name and address of the tank manufacturer, year the tank was built or date of re-certification, capacity of the tank in U.S. gallons, and the tank construction or inspection standard used.
(l) Operational Venting. Normal operation vents are required to prevent the development of vacuum or pressure within ASTs. Such vents shall be sized in accordance with IFC 5704.2.7.3, as referenced in Section 2, and shall be at least the size of the fill or withdrawal connection but not less than 1-1/4 inches inside diameter. Flammable liquid vents shall terminate not less than 12 feet above grade and 5 feet from a building opening or property line. Vents shall discharge upward and outward. Operational venting shall comply, as applicable, with: API Standard 2000, as referenced in Section 2; NFPA Standard 30, as referenced in Section 2; UL Standard 142, as referenced in Section 2; and UL Standard 2085, as referenced in Section 2.
(m) Emergency Venting. ASTs shall be equipped with adequate additional emergency venting that will relieve excessive internal pressure caused by fire exposure. Emergency venting shall comply, as applicable, with: API Standard 2000, as referenced in Section 2; NFPA Standard 30, as referenced in Section 2; UL Standard 142, as referenced in Section 2; and UL Standard 2085, as referenced in Section 2.
(n) Warning Signs. Signs, product placarding, and no smoking signs shall be properly posted in accordance with IFC 5704.2.3.1, 5704.2.3.2, and 5703.5, all as referenced in Section 2.
(o) Upgrading Existing Tanks. Existing ASTs that do not meet the requirements of this Chapter shall be upgraded to meet all requirements of this Chapter for new ASTs.
(p) Fire Marshall Plan Review. Owners and/or operators of AST systems installed or modified after the date of these rules shall provide documentary proof to the department that the installation plans were reviewed and approved by the appropriate authorizing authority under the State Fire Marshall.
(q) New Installation, Upgrade, and Modification Inspections. AST system upgrades required by this Part, modifications, and new AST installations shall be inspected by the department. Notification of new installations, upgrades, and modifications shall be made to the department in accordance with Section 9.
(r) Access to Tank Tops. ASTs greater than 6 feet in height shall have a permanently mounted, solidly constructed, non-combustible ladder or stairs. The ladder or stairs shall provide access to the top of the AST for visual inspection of venting, overfill equipment, and other equipment requiring inspection. Other Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements may apply.
(s) Piping Connections. All AST piping connections that are below normal liquid level shall have internal or external fire/impact valves located as close as possible to the tank shell. All lines shall be equipped with anti-siphon devices.
(t) Emergency Switches. Emergency disconnect switches shall be provided at prominent locations to stop the transfer of fuel to the fuel dispenser in the event of a spill or other emergency. These switches shall be within 100 feet, but not less than 20 feet, of dispensers. All emergency disconnect switches shall be labeled: "EMERGENCY FUEL SHUT OFF" using a durable, weatherproof sign that is prominently posted and visible from the dispensers.
(u) Direct Connection Between USTs and ASTs. An existing UST directly connected to an AST shall have an automatic tank gauging system. This system shall be equipped with an audible and visual alarm that will sound when the UST is 90% full or automatically shut off the flow to the UST when the UST is 95% full. This system shall be separate from any system that controls the filling of the UST. New connections shall not be made between a UST and an AST.
(v) Repairs. Repairs to ASTs shall be performed in accordance with Section 8.
(w) Submerged ASTs. ASTs shall not be operated submerged in water.
(x) Site Security. ASTs shall be protected from vandalism and unauthorized product release by security fencing. Security fences shall be galvanized wire mesh, no less than 6 feet high, and topped with three strands of barbed wire on an angled support bracket. Fencing shall be no less than 5 feet from any of the tanks within the secondary containment structure. At facilities where wire fencing is not allowed by any other authority, the owner and/or operator may substitute other types of fencing at least 6 feet high.
(y) Compatibility. AST systems shall be compatible with the substance stored. Owners and/or operators that intend to store biofuel blends in a new or existing AST system shall demonstrate compatibility of the biofuel blend with the AST system in accordance with Section 12.
(z) Monthly Inspections. Monthly inspections shall be completed in accordance with Section 13.
Section 36. AST Leak Detection Requirements.
(a) Methods. AST owners and/or operators shall provide leak detection for the tank using one of the following methods:
(i) Automatic Tank Gauging. AST owners and/or operators using this method shall conduct automatic tank gauging in accordance with Section 16(c). Automatic tank gauges used for ASTs shall be third-party certified for use in an AST.
(ii) Manual Tank Gauging. Owners and/or operators of ASTs with a capacity of less than 1,320 gallons may monitor the tanks using manual tank gauging in accordance with Section 15(a).
(iii) Interstitial Monitoring. Owners and/or operators of ASTs that were constructed under UL Standard 2085, as referenced in Section 2, shall monitor the interstitial space between the inner tank and the outer shell. Records shall be kept showing the date of the monitoring, the name of the person doing the monitoring and the monitoring results. Monthly sensor status printouts from an automatic system may be used to meet this requirement.
(iv) Visual Monitoring of Tank Bottoms. Owners and/or operators of ASTs that are elevated aboveground, and the entire surface of the tank is visible from beneath, shall monitor the tanks monthly for visible signs of leakage. Records of these inspections shall be made showing the date of the inspection, the name of the person doing the inspection, and any sign of leakage noted. Records shall be kept by the owner and/or operator for 3 years.
(v) Passive Acoustic Sensing. If passive acoustic sensing is used, the AST shall be equipped with a continuous sensing system. This system shall be capable of detecting a release of 0.2 gallons per hour or a release of 150 gallons per month with a probability of detection of 0.95 and a probability of false alarm of 0.05. All passive acoustic sensing systems shall produce a written record showing that the system is on and operable. All passive acoustic sensing systems shall be calibrated annually.
(vi) Tracer Surveys. Tracer surveys shall be conducted on a monthly basis in accordance with Section 16(h).
(vii) Another method approved in accordance with Section 16(i).
(b) ASTs With a Capacity of 100,000 Gallons or Larger. Owners and/or operators of ASTs with a capacity of 100,000 gallons or more shall follow the inspection requirements of API Standard 653, as referenced in Section 2.
(c) SPCC Plans. Owners and/or operators of any single AST or combination of more than one AST, with a capacity of 1,320 gallons or more, shall have a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan on file with the department. This is the same document required by the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 112 as referenced in Section 2.
(d) Additional Requirements for Large Facilities. Facilities with above ground capacity of 100,000 gallons or more shall provide at least one additional leak detection method beyond the requirements for Section 36(a). Such methods may be custom designed for the facility at the option of the owner and/or operator, or may be a second method named in Section 36(a). Department approval is required before implementing methods in compliance with this Section.
(e) Inventory Control. ASTs shall be monitored using inventory control in accordance with Section 16(a) unless the tank and all lines are isolated from ground contact and can be visually monitored, or the tank is isolated from ground contact and the connected underground piping is double-wall and interstitially monitored.
(f) Operator's Annual Inspection. Owners and/or operators of ASTs shall conduct an annual inspection of all AST systems in accordance with Section 13(g).
Section 37. Leak Detection Requirements for Underground Lines Connected to ASTs. Leak detection requirements for underground piping connected to ASTs shall be the same as those found in Section 14. Sump sensors shall be wired to shut down all pumps and dispensers in the event of an alarm. Containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping shall be tested in accordance with Section 10(d).
PART J
ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION STANDARDS FOR
LEAKING STORAGE TANK REMEDIATION
Section 38. Soil Remediation. Soil remediation criteria shall be based on evaluation of: 1) the potential to contaminate groundwater, and 2) potential adverse impacts to public health. The potential to impact groundwater quality shall be determined by evaluating the subsurface fate and transport characteristics of the regulated substance using site-specific soil conditions. If groundwater monitoring data conflict with fate and transport modeling estimates, the groundwater monitoring data shall be used. Potential adverse public health impacts shall be evaluated using an environmental risk assessment process for contaminated soil ingestion and inhalation.
Section 39. Water Quality Standards. If background concentrations of a constituent are higher than the protection standards presented in this Section, cleanup shall be completed to the background level. Cleanup shall only be completed for constituents from an eligible storage tank system.
(a) Surface Water. Storage Tank Program remediation actions shall protect surface water quality to the standards contained in Chapter 1, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Quality Standards for Wyoming Surface Waters.
(b) Groundwater. Storage Tank Program remediation actions shall:
(i) Protect Class I, II, III, IV(a), IV(b) or Special A groundwater quality to the most stringent of the:
(A) Federal primary MCL contained in 40 CFR 141, as referenced in Section 2;
(B) Water quality standards contained in this Section when there is no federal MCL for a substance; or
(C) Groundwater quality standards found in Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters.
(ii) Protect Class VI groundwater to the groundwater quality standards found in Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters.
(c) Eligible Sources. Groundwater remediation shall address contaminants that originated from an eligible storage tank system. Remediation of constituents that are naturally occurring or are from sources other than an eligible storage tank system shall not be completed, except as incidental and necessary to the remediation of the eligible contaminants.
(d) Free Product. Whenever any free-phase liquid layer of a regulated substance is encountered in groundwater or floating on the groundwater surface with a thickness in excess of 0.05 inches, restoration shall begin as soon as possible to remove the regulated substance(s) and prevent contaminant migration into previously uncontaminated areas.
(e) Drinking Water Equivalent Levels. If an MCL does not exist and there is no standard for a constituent in either Chapter 1 or 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, the following procedures shall be used to calculate a state Drinking Water Equivalent Level (DWEL). Calculations shall be based on chronic exposure.
(i) Non-carcinogenic substances:
Equation 1:
(ii) Carcinogenic substances:
Equation 2:
where:
DWEL = Drinking water equivalent level, mg/L.
RISK = Cancer risk for drinking water, (1 x 10-6).
ABW = Average adult body weight over exposure period (70 kg).
CPFo = Oral cancer potency factor (mg/kg-day)-1; chemical specific.
RfDo = Oral reference dose (mg/kg-day); chemical specific.
DWI = Adult drinking water intake, 2 L/day.
AB = Gastrointestinal absorption rate (1.0).
LIFE = Lifetime (70 years).
DUR = Duration of exposure (30 years).
FOE = Frequency of exposure, (350 days/365 days = 0.96).
HQ = Hazard quotient (1).
Values for oral toxicological reference doses (RfDo) and/or cancer potency factors (CPFo) shall be obtained from current data in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), the EPA Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables (HEAST) toxicity data sources, or the EPA Region IX Preliminary Remediation Goals Data Base. If an oral reference dose or cancer potency factor is not listed in the above database sources, the administrator shall determine a state DWEL using the latest available toxicological data.
(f) Multiple Standards. When more than one standard exists in Section 39 for any constituent, the most stringent standard shall be used.
Section 40. Soil Human Health Risk Assessment.
(a) Introduction. A risk assessment for potential human health impacts is required for storage tank remediation actions to evaluate the risk component from a release and to develop quantitative soil cleanup concentrations directly related to the environmental risk. The human health risk assessment model is based on existing EPA methodologies and exposure constant values. The routes of potential exposure to be considered are soil ingestion and inhalation of substances released from regulated storage tank systems. A remedial action plan shall be submitted to the department for approval. The remedial action plan shall be approved by the department after it has been determined that the plan will adequately protect human health, safety, and the environment. In making this determination, the department shall consider the following factors, as appropriate:
(i) The physical and chemical characteristics of the released substance, including its toxicity, persistence, and potential for migration;
(ii) The hydrogeologic characteristics of the site and the surrounding area;
(iii) The proximity, quality, and current and future uses of nearby surface water and groundwater;
(iv) The potential effects of residual contamination on nearby surface water and groundwater;
(v) An exposure assessment; and
(vi) Any additional factors relevant to assessing risks to human health and the environment.
(b) Risk Assessment Calculation Model. Using soil property data collected during site investigation, site-specific soil risk assessment calculations shall be completed using equations in this Section. This model estimates chronic exposure(s) on a site-specific basis by combining an average exposure point concentration with reasonably conservative values for human intake and exposure duration. Thus, all site-specific soil parameters used to calculate risk assessment remedial concentrations at each site should reflect average or typical site conditions. In addition to site-specific soil conditions and chemical compounds, default values have been established for other equation input parameters.
(i) Combined Oral Ingestion and Inhalation Exposures to Carcinogenic Contaminants in Residential Soil:
Equation 3:
(ii) Combined Oral Ingestion and Inhalation Exposures to Non-carcinogenic Contaminants in Residual Soil:
Equation 4:
where:
Equation 5:
where:
Equation 6:
where:
Cs = Soil contaminant cleanup concentration, mg/kg.
RISK = Cancer risk for soil cleanup actions, 1 x 10-6.
ATc = Averaging time, carcinogens, 25,550 d.
EF = Exposure frequency, residential, 350 d.
IFSadj = Ingestion factor, soil, 114 (mg-yr)/(kg-d).
CPFo = Cancer potency factor, oral, chemical specific, (mg/kg-d)-1.
CPFi = Cancer potency factor, inhalation, chemical specific, (mg/kg-d)-1.
INHFadj = Inhalation factor, air, 11 (m3-yr)/(kg-d).
VFs = Volatilization factor, soil, m3/kg.
HQ = Hazard quotient, 1
BWc = Body weight, child, 15 kg.
EDc = Exposure duration, child, 6 yrs.
IRSc = Soil ingestion rate, child, 200 mg/d.
IRAc = Soil inhalation rate, child, 10 m3/d.
RfDo = Reference dose, oral, mg/kg-d.
RfDi = Reference dose, inhalation, mg/kg-d.
Q/C = Inverse of the mean concentration at the center of a 0.5 acre square source in Wyoming, 100.13 (g/m2-s per kg/m3).
DA = Apparent diffusivity, cm2/s.
Di = Chemical diffusivity in air, cm2/s, chemical specific.
Dw = Chemical diffusivity in water, cm2/s, chemical specific.
T = Exposure interval, s, 9.5E08.
b = Soil density, g/cm3, 1.5 or actual value.
s = Soil particle density, g/cm3, 2.65.
a = Air filled soil porosity, Lair/Lsoil, 0.28 or, n - w
w = Water filled soil porosity, Lwater/Lsoil, 0.15.
n = Total soil porosity, Lpore/Lsoil, 0.43 or, 1 - (b/s).
H' = Dimensionless Henry's Law Constant, H(41), chemical specific.
Kd = Soil-water partition coefficient cm3/g, Kocfoc, chemical specific.
Koc = Soil organic carbon-water partition coefficient, cm3/g, chemical specific.
foc = Fraction organic carbon in soil, g/g, 0.001 or site specific value.
Values for oral toxicological reference doses (RfDo) and/or oral cancer potency factors (CPFo) are obtained from current data in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), the EPA Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables (HEAST), or the EPA Region IX Preliminary Remediation Goals Data Base. If an oral reference dose or cancer potency factor is not listed in the above database sources, the administrator will determine an acceptable soil cleanup concentration using the latest available toxicological information from other appropriate sources.
Section 41. Soil Environmental Fate and Transport Evaluation. A soil environmental fate and transport evaluation shall be completed. The evaluation shall estimate the potential for soil to contaminate groundwater at levels exceeding STP groundwater restoration standards.
(a) Conceptual Organic Compound Fate and Transport Model.
(i) The model is based on the following assumptions:
(A) A finite amount of soil contamination exists at variable depths beneath a leaking storage tank site. It may extend from the surface to below the groundwater table, or it may be confined to a discrete zone. There is an uppermost aquifer beneath the site that is not adequately protected by an impermeable barrier between the contaminated soil and the aquifer. Percolating rainfall or snow melt moves through the contaminated soil, mobilizes some of the contamination as a leachate and carries the contamination towards the aquifer. A portion of the contamination remains strongly adsorbed to the soil. The portion of the contaminants that are not permanently adsorbed are available for biodegradation and a limited amount of leaching.
(B) The point of compliance for protecting groundwater quality is directly below the contaminated soils at the surface of the aquifer.
(C) The rate of leaching from the soil has reached a steady state.
(D) The soils beneath the leaking storage tank(s) represent the only source of contamination to the groundwater.
(E) Vapors emanating from the contaminants in the soil are moving primarily upwards to the ground surface, and there is no perched saturated zone above the contaminated soils. Based on existing program experience, the potential does exist for some lateral movement of contaminant vapors; however, this movement is not the primary direction.
(F) A leachate plume beneath the contaminated zone has not yet reached the groundwater table.
(ii) The model for calculating soil cleanup concentrations involves a set of mathematical equations designed to calculate soil remediation concentrations. The equations have been modified and simplified to make it possible to calculate soil cleanup concentrations using as much site-specific data/information as possible. The site-specific data used in the equations should be available from the subsurface investigations and are preferred over using the default values.
(iii) The equations are a mathematical expression of the conceptual model. The organic contaminant concentration in the soil is reduced by a fractional amount that has been biodegraded by natural bacteria in the soil system. Therefore, a biodegradation factor, e-kt, has been included in the evaluation process. Because the biodegradation factor will reduce the amount of contaminant available for leachate generation, the soil cleanup concentration can be adjusted upward by a calculated amount. The amount, which is adsorbed, is calculated using the chemical-specific adsorption coefficient, Kd.
(iv) The adsorption coefficient, Kd, is calculated from the following equation using site-specific data:
Equation 7:
Kd = (foc)(Koc)
where:
foc = Site-specific fraction of organic carbon, mg organic carbon/mg soil in the uncontaminated subsurface site soil. Normal range of foc in Wyoming soils is 0.1-3%. If a site-specific foc value is not determined, use a default value of 0.1%.
Koc = Chemical specific organic carbon partition coefficient, mL/gm.
(v) The conceptual model discussed above is represented by the following series of equations with further explanation, as necessary:
(A) Determine travel time to reach groundwater table, t.
(I) Subsurface soil contamination separated from the groundwater table by more than 1 foot of depth is calculated as follows. Because subsurface organic carbon content below 1 foot is expected to approach a very low number in Wyoming soils, the following contaminant travel time equation has been developed:
Equation 8:
where:
t = Time for contaminant(s) to travel from the bottom of the contaminated zone to the groundwater table, yrs.
d = Depth to the groundwater table from the bottom of the contaminated zone(s), cm.
= Volumetric soil moisture content(s) at field capacity, mL/cm3.
0.5 = 50% infiltration rate for precipitation (worst case).
= Average annual precipitation, cm/yr.
= Bulk soil density, gm/cm3.
(II) If more than one soil type exists at a contaminated site or remediation project location where the organic carbon content differs by 0.5% or greater and the different soil type is 1 foot or greater in thickness, individual soil type specific values for Kd, , and shall be used in the time of travel calculation for each soil type. Further, the individual values for depth, d, to the groundwater table from the bottom of each contaminated soil type zone shall be used in the calculation. If the depth, d, from the bottom of the contaminated soil type zone to the groundwater table is less than 12 inches, this method for determining contaminated soil remediation concentrations is not valid. In these cases, cleanup of contaminated groundwater will govern the satisfactory remediation of contaminated soil within this 12-inch interval. The final time of travel, t, is the sum of the individual soil-type segments.
(III) Surface contamination extending from the ground surface to depths greater than 2 feet. In order for the following equation to be used, the subsurface soil within the 2-foot distance shall contain at least 3 percent total organic carbon, otherwise Equation 8 applies for the time of travel calculation. If using two different Kd values for different soil organic carbon concentrations, the equation is derived as follows:
Equation 9:
where:
Z = Thickness of soil containing 3 percent or greater organic carbon, cm.
K'd = Adsorption coefficient in the top 2 feet of soil, which is equal to the measured fraction of organic carbon, foc, times the Koc value.
Kd = Soil adsorption coefficient in the remaining soil column calculated from Equation 7, mL/gm.
ρ' = Bulk soil density of soil containing 3 percent or greater organic carbon, gm/cm3.
' = Volumetric soil moisture content at field capacity of soil containing 3 percent or greater organic carbon, mL/cm3.
The parameter, Z, takes into account natural organic carbon that may be present at the ground surface, and it may extend for a limited vertical distance [0-60 cm (0-24 inches)] into the ground. Development of site-specific soil adsorption coefficient isotherms may be required for complex surface environments where foc is greater than 3 percent. If the uppermost 2-foot zone contains less than 3 percent natural organic carbon, the Z portion of the time of travel calculation drops out, leaving Equation 8 to apply for the time of travel calculation. This portion of the calculation provides a mechanism to account for higher surface contaminant adsorption by naturally occurring organic carbon within this zone.
(B) Calculate the soil remediation concentration for the biodegradation potential, Cs,org, for the organic compound(s) using Equation 10:
where:
k = Biodegradation rate constant, 0.693/T½, 1/yr.
T½ = Half-life for the specific chemical substance in groundwater in years.
t = Contaminant travel time to reach groundwater table, yrs.
Cst,org = Organic compound drinking water MCL, or state DWEL, mg/L.
Cs,org = Soil cleanup concentration for organic chemical compound, mg/kg.
Kd = Soil adsorption coefficient calculated from Equation 7, mL/gm. Where more than one Kd value is used for two or more different organic carbon soil types, use the lowest individual Kd value.
Equation 10 establishes the site soil remediation concentration for each organic chemical compound that could be allowed to remain in soil without threatening degradation of groundwater quality even if groundwater seasonally passes through the contaminated zone.
(vi) The soil saturation limit is the contaminant concentration at which soil pore air and pore water are saturated with the chemical and the adsorptive limits of the soil particles have been reached. Above this limit, the contaminant may be present in the free phase. Equation 11 is used to calculate the soil saturation limit for each organic chemical at the site:
Equation 11:
(b) Conceptual Metal, Inorganic Compound, and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Fate and Transport Model.
The conceptual model for metals, inorganic compounds, and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) assumes that these substances are distributed in subsurface soils around, or below, the level of a storage tank that had contained leaded regular gasoline or a hazardous substance. Some of these substances will be mobilized in percolating rainfall or snow melt and may be transported to the groundwater table as a leachate. That portion of these substances that remains adsorbed to the soil particles is determined by the adsorptive properties of both the substance and soil. It is calculated using the adsorption coefficient, Kd. The factor, eλτ, is used as a leaching rate factor in this model to determine the rate at which leachate is released from the contaminated soil.
The conceptual model for metals, inorganic compounds, and TPH is represented by the following series of equations:
(i) Determine the leaching rate constant,
Equation 12:
where:
= Leaching rate constant, 1/yr.
= Average annual precipitation, cm/yr.
= Volumetric soil moisture content at field capacity, mL/cm3.
ρ = Bulk soil density, gm/cm3.
Kd = Soil metal, inorganic compound, or TPH adsorption coefficient, mL/gm.
= Thickness of contaminated soil seam, cm.
If more than one soil type exists at a contaminated site where the organic carbon content differs by 0.5% or more and the different soil type is 1 foot or greater in thickness, individual specific soil type values for Kd, and shall be used in the leaching rate constant calculation for each soil type. The final leaching rate constant, , is the sum of the individual soil type segments.
(ii) Calculate travel time to reach groundwater table, t.
Subsurface soil contamination separated from the groundwater table by more than 1 foot is handled in the following way:
Because subsurface organic carbon content below 1 foot is expected to approach a very low number in Wyoming soils, contaminant travel time is calculated by:
Equation 13:
where:
t = Time for contaminant to travel from the bottom of the contaminated zone to the groundwater table, yrs.
d = Depth to the groundwater table from the bottom of the contaminated zone, cm.
= Volumetric soil moisture content at field capacity, mL/cm3.
0.5 = 50% infiltration rate for precipitation (worst case).
= Average annual precipitation, cm/yr.
ρ = Bulk soil density, gm/cm3.
If more than one soil type exists at a contaminated site where the organic carbon content differs by 0.5% or greater and the different soil type is 1 foot or greater in thickness, individual soil type specific values for Kd, , and shall be used in the time of travel calculation for each soil type. Further, the individual values for depth, d, to the groundwater table from the bottom of each contaminated soil-type zone shall be used in the calculation. If the depth, d, from the bottom of the contaminated soil-type zone to the groundwater table is less than 12 inches or groundwater travel fluctuates this distance, this method for determining contaminated soil remediation concentrations is not valid. In these cases, cleanup of contaminated groundwater will govern the satisfactory remediation of contaminated soil within this 12-inch interval. The final time of travel, t, is the sum of the individual soil type segments.
(iii) Calculate the soil remediation concentration for the leaching potential of the metal, inorganic compound, or TPH using the following derived equation:
Equation 14:
where:
Cs,inorg = Soil cleanup concentration due to metal, inorganic compound, or TPH leaching potential, mg/kg.
Cstm = Environmental standard concentration, primary MCL, or state DWEL, mg/L.
= Chemical leaching rate, 1/yr.
t = Contaminant travel time to reach groundwater table, yrs.
Kd = Soil metal, inorganic compound, or TPH adsorption coefficient, ml/gm.
The soil cleanup concentration for metals, inorganic compounds, or TPH is determined by evaluating the above calculations and the natural background concentration. Information concerning the natural subsurface concentration may be available from either: (1) a subsurface investigation report, or (2) site-specific subsurface soil samples from an uncontaminated, up-gradient location immediately near the leaking storage tank site. Soil metal remediation is not required for concentrations that are below natural background concentration(s).
(c) Final Storage Tank Cleanup Concentration. The final numerical soil cleanup concentration for organic chemical compounds shall be the lower numerical value of the total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration, the human health risk assessment, the soil saturation concentration, or the environmental fate and transport considerations. The final numerical soil cleanup concentration value for metals, inorganic compounds, or total petroleum hydrocarbons shall be the lower numerical value of the environmental fate and transport calculation or the human health risk assessment component. The goal of the final cleanup concentration(s) is to ensure that the remedial action will result in an acceptable cleanup for organic chemical compounds, inorganic compounds, TPH, and metals.
Section 42. Vapor Hazards Evaluation.
(a) Petroleum and/or hazardous substance vapors in soil, the vadose zone, or groundwater resulting from a storage tank release and that have caused, or have a potential to cause, an explosive atmosphere in a private residence, business, or other occupied structure, or in a confined space such as utility conduits, sewer mains, etc., shall be evaluated and remediated according to this Section. Monitoring for explosive atmosphere action levels shall be completed using a properly calibrated and operating combustible gas meter. Explosive atmosphere action levels for volatile substances are defined as 25% of the substance's lower explosive limit (LEL).
(b) When an explosive action level is exceeded, immediate measures shall be taken to reduce the explosive environment to below the action level. If a mechanical remediation system capable of mitigating vapors is installed, it shall be operated and maintained until, at a minimum, the explosive atmosphere has been eliminated. Atmospheric monitoring shall continue until the explosive atmosphere has been eliminated.
(c) Contamination may not remain in soil or groundwater if the contamination could cause a release of vapors to receptors in an indoor structure or confined space at levels that present a human health hazard.
(d) Chemical substance airborne concentrations in occupational environments are regulated by the Wyoming Occupational Health and Safety Division, Department of Employment, for protection of employees in a work place.
(e) Hazardous substance indoor air quality action levels shall be calculated using the following equations:
(i) Carcinogens:
Equation 15:
(ii) Non-carcinogens:
Equation 16:
where:
IAAL = Indoor Air Action Level, g/m3.
RISK = Cancer risk (1 x 10-6).
RfDi = Inhalation Reference Dose; chemical specific.
CPFi = Inhalation Cancer Potency Factor; chemical specific.
ABW = Average body weight (70 kg).
UCF = Unit conversion factor (1,000 g/mg).
BR = Indoor breathing rate (15 m3/day).
ABS = Absorption percentage (100%).
HQ = Hazard quotient (1).
LIFE = Lifetime exposure (70 years).
DUR = Duration of exposure (30 years).
Values for inhalation toxicological reference doses (RfDi) and/or cancer potency factors (CPFi) shall be obtained from current data in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), the Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables (HEAST), or the EPA Region IX Preliminary Remediation Goals Data Base. Where toxicological data are not listed in these references, the administrator shall establish the appropriate airborne concentration standard.
When an airborne concentration is confirmed in any building that equals or exceeds calculated concentrations and the source of the contaminant airborne concentration is known to be associated with a leaking storage tank release, immediate action shall be implemented. Action shall be taken to eliminate the airborne health hazard to the applicable airborne occupational or indoor air quality action level. Immediate action shall continue until the airborne concentration(s) is below those levels specified in this Section.
Section 43. Default Organic Compound and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Soil Cleanup Concentrations. When site-specific geological data/information are not available to calculate soil cleanup concentrations, default remediation standards shall be used. Default remediation standards shall be based on exposure of the most sensitive receptor using both oral ingestion and inhalation pathways and the potential for soil contamination to migrate to groundwater. The default soil condition for organic compounds has been established as a sandy clay formation with a minimal organic carbon content of 0.1% and a depth to the first groundwater table from the bottom of the default contaminated soil zone equal to 1 foot. The default thickness of contaminated soil is 5 feet. The annual precipitation rate is 14 inches per year with a 50% infiltration rate. These conservative default soil conditions indicate residential exposures with protection of groundwater quality to EPA/STP MCLs or DWELs.
PART K
DELIVERY PROHIBITION
AT NON-COMPLIANT FACILITIES
Section 44. Delivery Prohibition.
(a) Reasons for Restricting Delivery. Regulated substance delivery prohibition to a storage tank system shall be required when the department becomes aware that:
(i) The owner and/or operator has not performed leak detection on the tanks as required in Part D for any period exceeding 60 days;
(ii) The most recently required cathodic protection test has not been done within 90 days of the due date as required by Section 11(b);
(iii) A cathodic protection test done in accordance with Section 11 has failed and has not been repaired and re-tested within 90 days of the date when the original failing result was obtained;
(iv) The most recently required pressure test of the lines has not been done as required by Section 14(g)(i)(B) or Section 14(g)(ii) (as applicable) within 90 days of the date due;
(v) The most recently required functional test of automatic line leak detectors has not been done as required by Section 14(g)(i)(B) or Section 37 within 90 days of the date due;
(vi) The owner and/or operator has failed to report a suspected release under Section 19 when required by Part D and/or Section 19;
(vii) The owner and/or operator has reported a suspected release under Section 19 but has failed to initiate the release investigation required under Section 20 or 21;
(viii) The owner and/or operator has reported a confirmed release, but repairs have not been made to the storage tank system;
(ix) The owner and/or operator has failed to pay the storage tank registration fee, which is due on January 1 of each year, by April 1 of the year when due;
(x) The owner and/or operator has failed to follow any Order issued by the department, unless that Order is under appeal to the Environmental Quality Council;
(xi) Any required monitoring device has been purposely tampered with or turned off (unless it is being repaired);
(xii) Any record required to be kept under this Chapter has been falsified;
(xiii) Any regulated tank is discovered without overfill and spill prevention devices in place as required by Sections 6(c) or 35(f);
(xiv) Any regulated tank, or any piping or ancillary equipment that routinely contains product and is not isolated from ground contact, is discovered without corrosion protection or cathodic protection systems in place as required by Sections 6(a)(ii), 6(b)(ii), or 35(d);
(xv) Any regulated AST has not been fully upgraded in accordance with Part I;
(xvi) The operator's annual inspection has not been performed within 90 days of the due date as required by Section 13(g) or Section 36(f);
(xvii) The department becomes aware that there has been no licensed Class A or B Operator for a facility for 90 days or more; or the Class B Operator has not been retrained per Section 46(i) within 90 days of a Notice of Violation being issued.
(xviii) Repaired tanks and piping have not been tightness tested within 30 days of repair completion;
(ixx) Cathodic protection impressed current systems have not been inspected at least every 60 days;
(xx) A storage tank system has been installed or substantially modified and is being operated without written authorization by the department; or
(xxi) Spill prevention equipment, containment sumps, or overfill prevention device testing has not been completed within 60 days of the due date as required in Section 10(d); or
(xxii) Pressurized piping is being operated without an automatic line leak detector in accordance with Section 14(g)(i)(B).
(b) Delivery Prohibition Procedures. When any of the delivery prohibition reasons in Section 44(a) exist, the department shall issue an Administrative Order to prohibit deliveries of the regulated substance.
(i) The department shall obtain, from the Wyoming Fuel Tax Administration, the names of suppliers of record for any facility that is the subject of an Administrative Order under this subsection. Those suppliers shall also be ordered not to deliver regulated substances in the Administrative Order.
(ii) Administrative Orders issued under this Part shall include the following information:
(A) The name of the owner and/or operator of the storage tank system;
(B) The street address of the facility where the storage tank system is located;
(C) The Storage Tank Program facility ID number;
(D) The specific tanks at the facility that are affected; and
(E) The reason for the delivery prohibition.
(iii) An Administrative Order issued under this Section is final as soon as it is signed by the Director. Administrative Orders may be appealed to the Environmental Quality Council.
(iv) The department shall immediately issue a Notice of Compliance to all entities covered by the Administrative Order that lifts the prohibition when the facility has been returned to compliance. Such notice shall include the same information required in Section 44(b)(ii)(A) through (D).
(c) Posting on the Internet. The department shall immediately post a copy of the Administrative Order on its website whenever a facility is prohibited from accepting deliveries of regulated substances. The department shall also post a Notice of Compliance on its website when the prohibition has been lifted. The notice shall state which tanks at the facility are affected.
(d) Red Tagging. The department may, at any time after issuing an Administrative Order under this Part, place a tag on the affected tanks stating:
"DELIVERY PROHIBITION
Deliveries of any regulated substance to this tank have been prohibited by the State of Wyoming, Storage Tank Program. Delivery of any regulated substance to this tank while the delivery prohibition exists is a violation of Chapter 1, Storage Tank Program, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Rules and Regulations, Storage Tanks, Part K."
(e) Violation of this Part. It is a violation of this Part for any person to purchase a regulated substance for delivery to, or to deliver a regulated substance to, any storage tank that is the subject of any Administrative Order issued under this Part.
(f) One-Time Fuel Delivery Allowance. The department may issue a one-time fuel delivery allowance to a tank prohibited from receiving a delivery so the owner and/or operator can perform tank and line tightness testing. This delivery shall be for the minimum amount of fuel needed to perform the required test.
PART L
STORAGE TANK OPERATORS,
INSTALLERS, AND TESTERS LICENSING
Section 45. Installer Licensing.
(a) License Required. During the installation or modification of any UST or AST regulated by this Chapter, at least one person, present on the job site, shall be licensed by the department to install or modify fuel tanks. To obtain an installer's license, the installer shall submit documentary evidence that he or she has passed the following tests, as applicable, within the 5 years preceding the application date:
(i) All Licensed Installers:
(A) The International Code Council test on Wyoming State Specific Storage Tank Laws; and
(B) A current certificate for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response as required by the Wyoming Department of Employment, Occupational Health and Safety, Chapter 7, Section 1910.120.
(ii) Licensed UST Installers. UST installers shall pass the International Code Council UST Installation and Retrofitting test.
(iii) Licensed AST Installers. AST installers shall pass the International Code Council AST Installation and Retrofitting test.
(b) License Renewal. Persons who are licensed as UST or AST installers shall renew their license every 5 years.
(c) Reciprocity with Other States and Cities. The department may accept a license from another state or a city after review and approval of the licensing requirement for that state or city. The license shall be accepted in lieu of taking the International Code Council tests required in Sections 45(a)(ii) and (iii). However, the licensee shall meet the requirements in Section 45(a)(i). A license from another state or city that does not require passing an exam, but only requires continuing education units, will not be accepted.
Section 46. Storage Tank Operator Licensing.
(a) Class A Operator. Each facility, whether active or temporarily out-of-use (TOU), shall be under the supervision of a person who has obtained a Class A Storage Tank Operator's License. The Class A Operator shall be an employee of the facility owner and/or operator. To obtain a Class A Storage Tank Operator's License, the operator shall submit documentary proof that he/she has passed the International Code Council test on "Wyoming State Specific Storage Tank Laws - ICC Test W-6." A Class A Operator is generally the area manager for a company with multiple locations.
(b) Class B Operator. All storage tank owners and/or operators shall ensure that the person in responsible charge of the day-to-day operation of the storage tanks obtains a Class B Operator license from the department. For facilities used to fuel vehicles, the person in responsible charge cannot be in responsible charge of more than 15 facilities at the same time. The Class B Operator shall be an employee of the facility owner and/or operator.
(c) Timing. Within 30 days of assuming duties, the Class A and Class B Operators shall obtain a Class A or B Storage Tank Operator's license from the department. To obtain this license, the operator(s) shall submit documentary evidence that he or she has passed the following tests within the 5 years preceding the application date:
(i) UST Operators. The International Code Council test "ICC BU Class B UST System Operator Exam" (Class B for UST operators); and/or
(ii) AST Operators. The International Code Council test "Wyoming AST System Operators - ICC Test W-5" (Class B for AST operators); or
(iii) In lieu of both of the above tests, the International Code Council test "Wyoming State Specific Storage Tank Laws - ICC Test W-6" (Class A operators).
(d) Class C Operators (Service Station Clerks). The Class C Operator shall be trained prior to assuming responsibility for responding to emergencies or alarms. Class C Operator training shall include when and how to notify appropriate authorities and the Class A or B Operator for the facility. Managers and fuel clerks who work at a service station or convenience store, but who are not in responsible charge of the location, shall be trained onsite by the Class A or B Operator for that location in all of the following areas:
(i) Proper procedures to follow in the event of an accident that damages the dispensers or any part of the fuel system, including but not limited to, exposed piping and vent lines;
(ii) The location and operation of all emergency shutoff switches, breakers, and other controls necessary to completely control all pumps installed on the system;
(iii) The limits of maintenance items that can be performed by the Class C Operator and what items shall be referred to more qualified individuals;
(iv) Procedures to be followed in the event of a fuel release, regardless of the reason for that release;
(v) Records that shall be kept (if any) on each shift to ensure that release detection is properly done;
(vi) Delivery procedures and hazards;
(vii) Alarm recognition with emphasis on the significance and proper response to each and every alarm on the storage tank system; and
(viii) The location and function of all leak detection and CP devices and systems.
(e) Spill Reporting. The Class C Operator shall notify the Class A or Class B Operator for his or her facility whenever there has been a release of regulated substances.
(f) License Renewal. Persons who are licensed as UST or AST Operators shall renew their license every 5 years.
(g) Reciprocity with Other States and Cities. The department may accept a license from another state or a city after review and approval of the licensing requirement for that state or city. The license shall be accepted in lieu of taking the International Code Council tests required in Section 46(c)(i) for Class B UST Operators only. A license from another state or a city that does not require passing an exam, but only requires continuing education units, will not be accepted.
(h) Documentation. Owners and/or operators shall maintain a list of designated Class A, Class B, and Class C Operators and maintain records verifying that training and retraining, as applicable, have been completed. Training records shall be kept on site and available for inspection.
(i) The list shall identify all Class A, Class B, and Class C Operators currently designated for the facility. The list shall include names, class of operator trained, date the operator assumed duties, date each completed initial training, and date of any retraining.
(ii) Records verifying completion of training or retraining shall be a paper or electronic record for each operator class. The records, at a minimum, shall identify the name of the trainee, the date the Class C Operators were trained, the expiration date on the license for Class A or B Operators, and the name of the Class A or B Operator that trained each Class C Operator. Owners and/or operators shall maintain these records for as long as the Class A, Class B, or Class C Operators are designated.
(i) Retraining Required. When a Notice of Violation is issued to a facility for any of the reasons listed in Section 44(a)(i) through (xxii), the Class B Operator shall be retrained. Retraining shall be in the form of retaking (if previously taken) or taking (if not previously taken) and passing the "Wyoming State Specific Storage Tank Laws - ICC Test W-6" exam. The Class B Operator shall take this test within 30 days of the Notice of Violation date. If there is more than one Class B Operator for the facility, at a minimum one of the Class B Operators shall take the exam.
(j) Notification. When a licensed operator is no longer responsible for the facility, the facility owner and/or operator shall notify the department in writing within 30 days of the date the operator is no longer responsible for the facility.
Section 47. Cathodic Protection Tester and Corrosion Expert Licensing.
(a) Cathodic Protection Testers. Persons performing cathodic protection testing shall obtain a license from the department. To obtain this license, the tester shall submit documentary evidence that he or she is:
(i) Certified by NACE as a cathodic protection tester within the 3 years preceding the application date; or
(ii) Certified by the Steel Tank Institute as a cathodic protection tester within 3 years preceding the application date.
(b) Corrosion Experts. Persons designing impressed current systems, sacrificial/galvanic anode systems, or repairs to these systems shall be licensed by the department. To obtain a license, the designer shall submit documentary evidence that he or she:
(i) Is certified as a corrosion expert by NACE; or
(ii) Possesses a current Professional Engineer's license issued by the Wyoming Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and has 3 years' experience in the field of cathodic protection.
(c) License Renewal. Licenses issued for Cathodic Protection Testers and Corrosion Experts shall expire on the date when the underlying certification by NACE or STI expires, or on the date an underlying license issued by another state or city expires, or on the date the underlying P.E. license expires. Persons holding those licenses shall renew their license prior to the date when the license expires.
(d) Reciprocity with Other States and Cities. The department may accept a license from another state or a city after review and approval of the licensing requirement for that state or city. The license shall be accepted in lieu of the NACE certification or STI certification required in Section 47(a) and/or (b). A license from another state or a city that does not require passing an exam, but only requires continuing education units, will not be accepted.
Section 48. Tank and Line Tester Licensing.
(a) License Required. Before performing tank and line tests, testers shall obtain a license from the department. To obtain a license, the tester shall submit documentary evidence that he or she has passed:
(i) The International Code Council test entitled "Tank Tightness Testing - ICC Test U-3" within the preceding 5 years; and
(ii) The manufacturers' training for the type of tank and line tests performed.
(b) License Renewal. Persons who are licensed as tank and line testers shall renew their license every 5 years.
(c) Reciprocity with Other States and Cities. The department may accept a license from another state or a city after review and approval of the licensing requirement for that state or city. The license shall be accepted in lieu of the International Code Council test required in Section 48(a)(i). A license from another state or a city that does not require passing an exam, but only requires continuing education units, will not be accepted.
Section 49. License Revocation.
(a) Reasons. The department may revoke or refuse to issue any of the licenses required under Sections 45 through 48 for the following reasons:
(i) Submission of Falsified Data. The department has documentary proof that information submitted to the department for the purpose of obtaining a license was falsified or misrepresented;
(ii) False Reporting. Submission of any report to the department that is shown by the tester as passing when the test actually shows a failing result; or
(iii) License Revoked. Any issuing agency (ICC, NACE, the Wyoming Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, or the manufacturer of test equipment) revokes the certifications required for a license.
(b) Continuation of Expiring Licenses. When a licensee has made timely and sufficient application for renewal of a license or a new license, the existing license does not expire until the application has been reviewed by the department. If the application is denied or the terms of a new license are limited, the license does not expire until the last day the licensee seeks review by the department or a later date fixed by order of the reviewing court.
(c) Notification. Whenever the department intends to revoke any license issued under this Part, the department shall notify the licensee by certified mail (return receipt requested) or by process server, stating the facts or conduct that warrants the intended action. The notice shall also provide evidence that the licensee was given an opportunity to show compliance with all lawful requirements for the retention of the license. The licensee shall have 15 days from the date of his/her receipt of the notice to provide additional evidence or information with respect to the revocation of the license. Revocation of licenses is a final department action subject to appeal to the Environmental Quality Council under Department of Environmental Quality, Rules of Practice and Procedure, Chapter 1, General Rules.
PART M
FIELD-CONSTRUCTED TANKS AND
AIRPORT HYDRANT FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Section 50. General Requirements.
(a) Implementation of Requirements. Owners and/or operators shall comply with the requirement of this Part for UST systems with field-constructed tanks and airport hydrant systems as follows:
(i) For UST systems installed on or before October 13, 2015, the requirements are effective according to the following schedule:
| Requirement | Effective Date | | --- | --- | | Upgrading UST systems; general operating requirements; and operator training | October 13, 2018 | | Release detection | October 13, 2018 | | Release reporting, response, and investigation; closure; financial responsibility and notification (except as provide in paragraph (b) of this Section) | October 13, 2015 |
(ii) For UST systems installed after October 13, 2015, the requirements apply at installation.
(b) Not later than October 13, 2018, all owners and/or operators of previously deferred UST systems shall submit a one-time notice of tank system existence to the department using a form developed by the department. Owners and/or operators of UST systems in use as of October 13, 2015, shall demonstrate financial responsibility at the time of submission of the notification form.
(c) Except as provided in Section 51, owners and/or operators shall comply with the requirements of Parts A through E, G, L, and N.
(d) In addition to the codes of practice listed in Section 6, owners and/or operators may use military construction criteria, such as the UFC 3-460-01 as referenced in Section 2, when designing, constructing, and installing airport hydrant systems and UST systems with field-constructed tanks.
Section 51. Additions, Exceptions, and Alterations for UST Systems with Field-Constructed Tanks and Airport Hydrant Systems.
(a) Exception to Piping Secondary Containment Requirement. Owners and/or operators may use single-wall piping when installing or replacing piping associated with UST systems with field-constructed tanks greater than 50,000 gallons and piping associated with airport hydrant systems. Piping associated with UST systems with field-constructed tanks less than or equal to 50,000 gallons not part of an airport hydrant system shall meet the secondary containment requirement when installed or replaced.
(b) Upgrade Requirements. Not later than October 13, 2018, airport hydrant systems and UST systems with field-constructed tanks where installation commenced on or before October 13, 2015, shall meet the following requirements or be permanently closed pursuant to Part G.
(i) Corrosion Protection. UST system components in contact with the ground that routinely contain regulated substances shall meet one of the following:
(A) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section, the new UST system performance standards for tanks and piping found in Section 6; or
(B) Be constructed of metal and cathodically protected according to NACE International Standard Practice SP0285 as referenced in Section 2, or NACE International Standard Practice SP0169 as referenced in Section 2, or National Leak Prevention Association Standard 631 as referenced in Section 2, or ASTM Standard G158 as referenced in Section 2; and shall meet the following:
(I) Cathodic protection shall meet the requirements found in Section 6 for tanks and piping.
(II) Tanks over 10 years old without cathodic protection shall be assessed to ensure the tank is structurally sound and free of corrosion holes prior to adding cathodic protection. The assessment shall be by internal inspection or another method determined by the department to adequately assess the tank for structural soundness and corrosion holes.
(ii) Spill and Overfill Prevention Equipment. To prevent spilling and overfilling associated with product transfer to the UST system, all UST systems with field-constructed tanks and airport hydrant systems shall comply with new UST system spill and overfill prevention equipment requirements specified in Section 6.
(c) Walkthrough Inspections. In addition to the walkthrough inspection requirements in Section 13(d), owners and/or operators shall inspect the following additional areas for airport hydrant systems at least once every 30 days if confined space entry according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (29 CFR Part 1910) is not required or at least annually if confined space entry is required. Walkthrough inspection records shall be maintained in accordance with Section 13(f).
(i) Hydrant pits. Visually check for any damage, remove any liquid or debris, and check for any leaks; and
(ii) Hydrant piping vaults. Check for any hydrant piping leaks.
(d) Release Detection. Owners and/or operators of UST systems with field-constructed tanks and airport hydrant systems shall begin meeting the release detection requirements described in this subpart not later than October 13, 2018.
(i) Methods of Release Detection for Field-Constructed Tanks. Owners and/or operators of field-constructed tanks with a capacity less than or equal to 50,000 gallons shall meet the release detection requirements in Part D. Owners and/or operators of field-constructed tanks with a capacity greater than 50,000 gallons shall meet either the requirements in Part D (except Sections 16(d) or (e) shall be combined with inventory control) or use one or a combination of the following alternative methods of release detection:
(A) Conduct an annual tank tightness test that can detect a 0.5 gallon per hour leak rate;
(B) Use an automatic tank gauging system to perform release detection at least every 30 days that can detect a leak rate less than or equal to 1 gallon per hour. This method shall be combined with a tank tightness test that can detect a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate performed at least every 3 years;
(C) Use an automatic tank gauging system to perform release detection at least every 30 days that can detect a leak rate less than or equal to 2 gallons per hour. This method shall be combined with a tank tightness test that can detect a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate performed at least every 2 years;
(D) Perform vapor monitoring (conducted in accordance with Section 16(d) for a tracer compound placed in the tank system) capable of detecting a 0.1 gallon per hour leak rate at least every 2 years.
(E) Perform inventory control (conducted in accordance with Department of Defense Directive 4140.25, or A4A Airport Fuel Facilities Operations and Maintenance Guidance Manual (both as referenced in Section 2), or equivalent procedures) at least every 30 days that can detect a leak equal to or less than 0.5 percent of flow-through; and
(I) Perform a tank tightness test that can detect a 0.5 gallon per hour leak rate at least every 2 years; or
(II) Perform vapor monitoring or groundwater monitoring (conducted in accordance with Sections 16(d) or (e), for the stored regulated substance) at least every 30 days; or
(F) Another method approved by the department if the owner and/or operator can demonstrate that the method can detect a release as effectively as any of the methods allowed in this Section. In comparing methods, the department shall consider the size of release that the method can detect and the frequency and reliability of the detection.
(ii) Methods of Release Detection for Piping. Owners and/or operators of underground piping associated with field-constructed tanks less than or equal to 50,000 gallons shall meet the release detection requirements in Part D. Owners and/or operators of underground piping associated with airport hydrant systems and field-constructed tanks greater than 50,000 gallons shall follow either the requirements in Part D (except Sections 16(d) or (e) shall be combined with inventory control) or use one or a combination of the following alternative methods of release detection:
(A) Perform a semiannual or annual line tightness test at or above the piping operating pressure in accordance with the following table:
| Maximum Leak Detection Rate Per Test Section Volume | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Test Section Volume (Gallons) | Semiannual Test - Leak Detection Rate Not to Exceed (Gallons/Hour) | Annual Test - Leak Detection Rate Not to Exceed (Gallons/Hour) | | <50,000 | 1.0 | 0.5 | | > 50,000 to <75,000 | 1.5 | 0.75 | | >75,000 to <100,000 | 2.0 | 1.0 | | >100,000 | 3.0 | 1.5 |
Piping segment volumes > 100,000 gallons not capable of meeting the maximum 3.0 gallon per hour leak rate for the semiannual test may be tested at a leak rate up to 6.0 gallons per hour according to the following schedule:
| Phase-In For Piping Segments > 100,000 Gallons in Volume | | | --- | --- | | First Test | Not later than October 13, 2018, may use up to 6.0 gallon/hour leak rate. | | Second Test | Between October 13, 2018, and October 13, 2021, may use up to 6.0 gallon/hour leak rate. | | Third Test | Between October 13, 2021, and October 13, 2022, shall use 3.0 gallon/hour leak rate. | | Subsequent Tests | After October 13, 2022, begin using semiannual or annual line testing according to the Maximum Leak Detection Rate Per Test Section Volume in Table above. |
(B) Perform vapor monitoring (conducted in accordance with Section 16(d) for a tracer compound placed in the tank system) capable of detecting a 0.1 gallon per hour leak rate at least every 2 years.
(C) Perform inventory control (conducted in accordance with Department of Defense Directive 4140.25, or A4A Airport Fuel Facilities Operations and Maintenance Guidance Manual (both as referenced in Section 2), or an equivalent procedure) at least every 30 days that can detect a leak equal to or less than 0.5 percent of flow-through; and
(I) Perform a line tightness test (conducted in accordance with this Section using the leak rates for the semiannual test) at least every 2 years; or
(II) Perform vapor monitoring or groundwater monitoring conducted in accordance with Sections 16(d) or (e) for the stored regulated substance at least every 30 days; or
(D) Another method approved by the department if the owner and/or operator can demonstrate that the method can detect a release as effectively as any of the methods allowed in this Section. In comparing methods, the department shall consider the size of release that the method can detect and the frequency and reliability of detection.
(iii) Records for Release Detection. Owners and/or operators shall maintain release detection records according to the recordkeeping requirements in Section 18.
(e) Applicability of Closure Requirements to Previously Closed UST Systems. When directed by the department, the owner and/or operator of an UST system with field-constructed tanks or airport hydrant systems permanently closed before October 13, 2015, shall assess the excavation zone. The UST system shall be closed in accordance with Part G if releases from the UST may, in the judgment of the department, pose a current or potential threat to human health and the environment.
PART N
FINANCIAL ASSURANCE FOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS
Section 52. Applicability.
(a) All owners and/or operators of petroleum underground storage tank (UST) systems as defined in W.S. § 35-11-1415 are subject to Part N requirements. UST systems with field-constructed tanks and airport hydrant fuel distribution systems are also subject to Part N requirements in accordance with the schedule in Part M.
(b) If the owner and/or operator of a petroleum UST are not the same person, only one person is required to demonstrate financial responsibility. However, both parties are liable in the event of noncompliance.
(c) When determining compliance with this Part, the total number of owned and/or operated USTs includes not only those located in Wyoming, but also those located at all locations throughout the United States.
Section 53. Financial Responsibility Amount and Scope.
(a) Petroleum USTs or contaminated site owners and/or operators not eligible for the state corrective action account shall demonstrate financial responsibility for taking corrective action and for compensating third parties for bodily injury or property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of the USTs. Financial responsibility shall be provided in the following per-occurrence amounts:
(i) Owners and/or operators of petroleum USTs located at petroleum marketing facilities, or that handle an average of more than 10,000 gallons of petroleum per month based on annual throughput for the previous calendar year; $1 million.
(ii) All other owners and/or operators of petroleum USTs; $500,000.
(b) For the purposes of Sections 53(c) and (f) only, a "petroleum UST" means a single containment unit and does not mean combinations of single containment units.
(c) Owners and/or operators of petroleum USTs not eligible for the state corrective action account shall demonstrate financial responsibility for taking corrective action and for compensating third parties for bodily injury or property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of petroleum USTs in at least the following annual aggregate amounts:
(i) Owners and/or operators of 1 to 100 petroleum USTs; $1 million.
(ii) Owners and/or operators of 101 or more petroleum USTs; $2 million.
(d) Except as provided in Section 53(e), if an owner and/or operator not eligible for the state corrective action account uses separate mechanisms or separate combinations of mechanisms to demonstrate financial responsibility for taking corrective action and compensating third parties for bodily injury or property damage caused by an accidental release, the amount of assurance provided by each mechanism or combination of mechanisms must be in the full amount specified in Sections 53(a) and (c).
(e) If an owner and/or operator not eligible for the state corrective action account uses separate mechanisms or separate combinations of mechanisms to demonstrate financial responsibility for different petroleum USTs, the annual aggregate required shall be based on the number of tanks covered by each such separate mechanism or combination of mechanisms.
(f) Owners and/or operators not eligible for the state corrective action account shall review the amount of aggregate assurance provided whenever additional petroleum USTs are acquired or installed. If the total number of petroleum USTs for which assurance shall be provided exceeds 100, the owner and/or operator shall demonstrate financial responsibility in the amount of at least $2 million of annual aggregate assurance by the anniversary of the date on which the mechanism demonstrating financial responsibility became effective. If assurance is being demonstrated by a combination of mechanisms, the owner and/or operator shall demonstrate financial responsibility in the amount of at least $2 million of annual aggregate assurance by the first occurring effective date anniversary of any one of the mechanisms combined (other than a financial test or guarantee) to provide assurance.
(g) The amounts of financial assurance required under this Section exclude legal defense costs.
(h) The required per-occurrence and annual aggregate coverage amounts do not in any way limit the liability of the owner and/or operator.
(i) Owners and/or operators of 101 or more USTs who are eligible for the state corrective action account shall demonstrate financial responsibility for compensating third parties for bodily injury or property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of petroleum USTs. The amount required is $1 million dollars such that a total aggregate amount of $2 million is reached when the financial responsibility of $1 million provided by the state is applied.
Section 54. Allowable Mechanisms and Combinations of Mechanisms.
(a) Petroleum USTs or contaminated site owners and/or operators not eligible for the state corrective action account shall use any one or combination of mechanisms to demonstrate financial responsibility under this Chapter for one or more USTs. Demonstration shall be pursuant to the requirements of 40 CFR 280.95, 280.96, 280.97, 280.98, 280.99, and/or 280.102, and 280.103 when required by the mechanism chosen; and for local governments, 40 CFR 280.104, 280.105, 280.106, and/or 280.107, all as referenced in Section 2. The demonstration shall be executed on forms provided by the department.
(b) An owner and/or operator may use a guarantee under 40 CFR 280.96 or surety bond under 40 CFR 280.98, both as referenced in Section 2, only if the Wyoming Attorney General submits in writing to the department that the guarantee or surety bond is executed as described in the CFR and is a legally valid and enforceable obligation in Wyoming.
(c) An owner and/or operator may use self-insurance in combination with a guarantee only if, for the purpose of meeting the requirements of the financial test under this Part, the financial statements of the owner and/or operator are not consolidated with the financial statements of the guarantor.
(d) The department's trust and agency account will serve as the standby trust fund as described in 40 CFR 280.103, as referenced in Section 2, which is required in conjunction with a guarantee, surety bond, and letter of credit.
Section 55. General Provisions for Allowable Mechanisms.
(a) Self-Insurance, Guarantee, Local Government Financial Test, or Local Government Guarantee.
(i) The application and letter from the Chief Financial Officer shall be executed on forms provided by the department.
(ii) Audited financial statements prepared and certified by an independent certified public accountant shall accompany the self-insurance or guarantee financial test to document data submitted.
(iii) In the case of a guarantee, the owner and/or operator shall submit documentation verifying the guarantor's power and authority to enter into guarantee agreements on behalf of the owner and/or operator.
(iv) Within 60 days of owner and/or operator submission of all materials necessary to base a decision, the administrator shall make a determination on the self-insurance or guarantee financial test. The administrator shall approve or reject such application and declare, in writing, the reasons for such action. The decision shall be based on all information submitted to the department.
(b) Insurance and Risk Retention Group Coverage.
(i) The certificate of insurance shall be submitted on a form acceptable to the Department.
(ii) The insurance shall be issued by a company licensed to do business in Wyoming.
(iii) Surplus line carriers shall be in compliance with the surplus lines laws under the Wyoming Insurance Code.
(iv) Risk retention groups shall be registered with the Wyoming Department of Insurance.
(c) Surety Bond.
(i) The surety bond shall be executed on forms provided by the department.
(ii) The surety company shall be licensed to do business in Wyoming.
(iii) The bond shall be signed by an authorized Wyoming resident agent.
(d) Letter of Credit. The letter of credit shall be executed in the format provided by the department.
(e) Trust Fund. The trust agreement shall be executed on forms provided by the department.
(f) Standby Trust Fund (required in conjunction with guarantee, surety bond, or letter of credit). The department's Trust and Agency Account shall serve as the standby trust fund.
(g) Bond Rating Test for Local Governments or Local Government Fund. The letter from the chief financial officer shall be executed on forms provided by the department.
(h) Local Government Fund. The letter from the chief financial officer shall be executed on forms provided by the department.
Section 56. Financial Assurance Mechanism Substitutions.
(a) An owner and/or operator may substitute an alternate financial assurance mechanism, provided that at all times an effective financial assurance mechanism or combination of mechanisms that satisfy the requirements of this Part is maintained.
(b) After obtaining alternate financial assurance and concurrence by the administrator, an owner and/or operator may cancel a financial assurance mechanism by providing notice to the financial assurance provider.
Section 57. Cancellation or Nonrenewal by a Financial Assurance Provider.
(a) Except as otherwise provided, a financial assurance provider may cancel or fail to renew an assurance mechanism by sending a notice of termination by certified mail to the owner and/or operator and the department.
(i) A local government guarantee, guarantee, surety bond, or letter of credit may not be terminated until 120 days after the date on which the owner and/or operator and the department receive the notice of termination, as evidenced by the return receipt. Additionally, termination may not occur without the administrator's written consent, which shall be granted only when the conditions of the financial assurance have been met.
(ii) Insurance, risk retention group coverage, or state funded assurance termination may not occur until 60 days after the date on which the owner and/or operator and the department receive the notice of termination, as evidenced by the return receipt.
(b) If a financial responsibility provider cancels or fails to renew for reasons other than provider incapacity as specified in Section 58, the owner and/or operator shall obtain alternate coverage as specified in this Part within 60 days after receipt of the notice of termination. If the owner and/or operator fails to obtain alternate coverage within 60 days after receipt of the notice of termination, the owner and/or operator shall notify the administrator of such failure before the 60-day period ends and submit:
(i) The financial assurance provider's name and address;
(ii) The effective date of termination; and
(iii) Evidence of financial assurance mechanism subject to the termination maintained in accordance with Section 58(b).
(c) The department shall provide notification by mail to owners and/or operators using the state Corrective Action and Financial Responsibility Accounts whenever either account is incapable of paying for assured corrective actions or third-party damages. The owner and/or operator shall have 30 days from the date of notification to provide alternate financial assurance.
(d) Self insurance may be cancelled by the owner and/or operator only after 90 day's notice to the administrator, and upon receipt of the administrator's written consent. Administrator's consent shall be granted only when the requirements of the bond have been fulfilled.
Section 58. Reporting by Owner and/or Operator Not Eligible for the State Corrective Action Account.
(a) An owner and/or operator who receives notification of the following shall notify the department within 5 days of:
(i) Commencement of any proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming a provider of financial assurance as a debtor;
(ii) Suspension or revocation of the authority of a provider of financial assurance to issue a financial assurance mechanism;
(iii) Failure of a guarantor to meet the requirements of the financial test;
(iv) Other incapacity of a provider of financial assurance; or
(v) As required by 40 CFR 280.95(g), as referenced in Section 2, and Section 57 of this Chapter.
(b) An owner and/or operator shall obtain and submit evidence of financial responsibility as required by Section 59(b) within 30 days of the owner and/or operator receiving any notices under Section 58(a).
(c) An owner and/or operator shall report to the administrator as required by 40 CFR 280.95(g), as referenced in Section 2, concerning self insurance.
(d) Reporting is required under the conditions of Section 57(b).
(e) An owner and/or operator of a new UST installation shall certify compliance with the financial responsibility requirements in accordance with Section 9 and W.S. § 35-11-1419.
Section 59. Recordkeeping.
(a) Owners and/or operators shall maintain evidence of all financial assurance mechanisms used to demonstrate financial responsibility under this Part until released from the requirements under Section 61. An owner and/or operator shall maintain such evidence at the UST site or the owner's and/or operator's place of business. Records maintained off site shall be made available upon request by the department.
(b) The following financial responsibility evidence shall be maintained:
(i) Copy of the instrument worded as specified in the CFR for assurance mechanisms specified in 40 CFR 280.95 through 280.99, 280.102, or 280.104 through 280.107, all as referenced in Section 2.
(ii) Copy of the chief financial officer's letter based on year-end financial statements for the most recently completed financial reporting year for a financial test or guarantee. Such evidence shall be on file no later than 120 days after the close of the financial reporting year.
(iii) Copy of the bond rating published within the last 12 months by Moody's or Standard & Poor's for a local government bond rating test.
(iv) Copy of the guarantor's bond rating published within the last 12 months by Moody's or Standard & Poor's for a local government guarantee where the guarantor's demonstration of financial responsibility relies on the bond rating test.
(v) Copy of the signed insurance policy or risk retention group coverage policy, with the endorsement or certificate of insurance and any amendments to the agreements for an insurance policy or risk retention group coverage.
(vi) The following documents for a local government fund:
(A) A copy of the state constitutional provision or local government statute, charter, ordinance, or order dedicating the fund.
(B) Year-end financial statements for the most recently completed financial reporting year showing the amount in the fund. If the fund is established using incremental funding backed by bonding authority, the financial statements shall show the previous year's balance, the amount of funding during the year, and the closing balance in the fund.
(C) If the fund is established using incremental funding backed by bonding authority, also maintain documentation of the required bonding authority, including either the results of a voter referendum or attestation by the State Attorney General.
(vii) Copy of the guarantor's year-end financial statements for the most recently completed financial reporting year showing the amount of the fund for a local government guarantee supported by the local government fund.
(viii) Updated copy of a certification of financial responsibility for any assurance mechanism specified in 40 CFR 280.95 through 280.99, 280.102, or 280.104 through 280.107, all as referenced in Section 2. The certification shall be worded as follows (except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with the relevant information):
Certification of Financial Responsibility
[Owner and/or operator name] hereby certifies that it is in compliance with the requirements of the Wyoming Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Rules and Regulations, Storage Tank Program, Chapter 1, Part N.
The financial assurance mechanism(s) used to demonstrate financial responsibility under this Chapter is/are as follows:
[For each mechanism list the type of mechanism, name of issuer, mechanism number (if applicable), amount of coverage, effective period of coverage and if the mechanism covers "taking corrective action" and/or "compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by" either "sudden accidental releases" or "non-sudden accidental releases" or "accidental releases."]
[Signature of owner and/or operator, name of owner and/or operator, title, date], [signature of witness or notary, name of witness or notary, and date].
(ix) The owner and/or operator shall update this certification whenever the financial assurance mechanism(s) used to demonstrate financial responsibility change(s).
Section 60. Drawing on Financial Assurance Mechanisms.
(a) The administrator shall require the guarantor, surety, or institution issuing a letter of credit to place the amount of funds stipulated by the administrator, up to the limit of funds provided by the financial assurance mechanism, into the department's Trust and Agency Account, which operates as a standby trust if:
(i) The owner and/or operator fails to establish alternate financial assurance within 60 days after receiving notice of cancellation of the guarantee, surety bond, letter of credit, or, as applicable, other financial assurance mechanism; and the administrator determines or suspects that a release from a UST covered by the mechanism has occurred and so notifies the owner and/or operator, or the owner and/or operator has notified the administrator pursuant to Part E of a release from a UST covered by the mechanism; or
(ii) The conditions of Section 60(b)(i) or 60(b)(ii)(A) or (B) are satisfied.
(b) The administrator may draw on a standby trust fund when:
(i) The administrator makes a final determination that a release has occurred and immediate or long-term corrective action for the release is needed, and the owner and/or operator, after appropriate notice and opportunity to comply, has not conducted corrective action as required under Part E.
(ii) The administrator has received either:
(A) Certification from the owner and/or operator, the third-party liability claimant(s), and both party's attorneys that a third-party liability claim should be paid. The certification shall be worded as specified in 40 CFR 280.112, as referenced in Section 2, or
(B) A valid final court order establishing a judgment against the owner and/or operator for bodily injury or property damage caused by an accidental release from a UST covered by financial assurance under this Part and the administrator determines that the owner and/or operator has not satisfied the judgment.
(c) If the administrator determines that the corrective action costs and third-party liability claims eligible for payment under Section 60(b) may exceed the balance of the standby trust fund and the obligation of the financial assurance provider, the first priority for payment shall be corrective action costs necessary to protect human health and the environment. The administrator shall pay third-party liability claims in the order in which the administrator receives certifications under Section 60(b)(ii)(A) and valid court orders under Section 60(b)(ii)(B).
Section 61. Release from the Requirements. An owner and/or operator is no longer required to maintain financial responsibility under this Part for a UST after the tank has been permanently closed or undergoes a change-in-service or, if corrective action is required, after corrective action has been completed and the tank has been properly closed in accordance with Part G.
Section 62. Bankruptcy or Other Incapacity of Owner and/or Operator or Financial Assurance Guarantor. Within 10 days after commencement of any proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming a guarantor providing financial assurance as debtor, such guarantor shall notify the owner and/or operator by certified mail of such commencement as required under the terms of the guarantee specified in 40 CFR 280.96, as referenced in Section 2.
Section 63. Replenish Guarantee, Letter of Credit, or Surety Bonds.
(a) Any time after a financial assurance mechanism is drawn on by the administrator below the full amount of required coverage, the owner and/or operator shall:
(i) By the anniversary date of the financial mechanism, replenish the value of financial assurance to equal the full amount of required coverage; or
(ii) By the anniversary date of the financial mechanism, acquire another financial assurance mechanism for the amount by which funds have been reduced; or
(iii) Within 30 days of the withdrawal of the deductible amount required under the state fund mechanism, replenish the value of the required deductible coverage.
(b) If at any time after a standby trust fund is funded upon the instruction of the administrator with funds drawn from a guarantee, letter of credit, or surety bond, and the amount in the standby trust is reduced below the full amount of coverage required, the owner and/or operator shall by the anniversary date of the financial mechanism from which the funds were drawn:
(i) Replenish the value of financial assurance to equal the full amount of coverage required; or
(ii) Acquire another financial assurance mechanism for the amount by which funds in the standby trust have been reduced.
(c) For purposes of this Section, the full amount of coverage required is the amount of coverage to be provided by Section 53. If a combination of mechanisms is used to provide the assurance funds which are drawn upon, replenishment shall occur by the date of the mechanism with the earliest anniversary date.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
373 Uranium Recovery
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.1.09082017 General Provisions
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Authority.
(a) These rules and regulations are promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-2001 et seq. These rules and regulations are effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Section 2. Purpose.
(a) It is the purpose of these rules to state such requirements as shall be applied in the use of source material involved in the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium in source material and ores at uranium or thorium milling facilities and the management and disposal of associated byproduct material (referred to throughout these rules as licensed material) such that the Department can ensure the protection of the public health and safety to all persons at, or in the vicinity of, the place of use, storage, or disposal.
Section 3. Scope.
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, these rules apply to all persons who receive, possess, use, offer and receive for transfer, own, or acquire any source material involved in the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium in source material and ores at uranium or thorium milling facilities and the management and disposal of associated byproduct material. Nothing in these rules shall apply to any person to the extent such person is subject to regulation not relinquished by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). These rules do not govern the mining or removal of source material in its natural state or independent or commercial laboratory facilities that possess, use, or accept byproduct or source material. These rules apply to laboratories located at facilities licensed under these regulations.
Section 4. Incorporation by Reference (IBR) of Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.)
(a) AVAILABILITY OF REFERENCED MATERIAL. The federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules are maintained at the following locations:
(i) Electronic copies of the federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules may be obtained from the U.S. Government Printing Office, http://www.ecfr.gov; and
(ii) Volumes of the federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules are available for public inspection at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Uranium Recovery Program, 200 West 17th Street, Suite 10, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002. Printed copies of the federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules are also available at cost from the U.S. Government Printing Office, 732 North Capitol Street Northwest, Washington D.C. 20401 or at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/laws-regulations/code-federal-regulations-cfrs-print. Copies of the federal rules adopted by reference throughout these rules may be requested at cost through the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, which will order the materials from the U.S. Government Printing Office.
Section 5. Definitions.
The following terms, as used in these rules and regulations shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:
(a) "Absorbed Dose" means the energy imparted by ionizing radiation per unit mass of irradiated material. The units of absorbed dose are the rad and the gray (Gy).
(b) "Act" means Environmental Quality Act, W.S. § 35-11-103 et seq.
(c) "Action Limits" means the minimum and maximum values of a quality assurance measurement that can be interpreted as representing acceptable performance with respect to the parameter being tested. Values less than the minimum or greater than the maximum action limit or level indicate that corrective action must be taken. Action limits or levels are also sometimes called control limits or levels.
(d) "Activity" means the rate of disintegration (transformation) or decay of radioactive material. The units of activity are the curie (Ci) and the bequerel (Bq).
(e) "Adult" means an individual 18 or more years of age.
(f) "Agreement State" means a state with which the Atomic Energy Commission or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has entered into an effective agreement under Section 274(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended (42 U.S.C. § 2021). Non-agreement State means any other State.
(g) "Airborne Radioactive Material" means a radioactive material dispersed in the air in the form of dusts, fumes, particulates, mists, vapors, or gases.
(h) "Airborne Radioactivity Area" means a room, enclosure, or area in which airborne radioactive materials, composed wholly or partly of licensed material, exists in concentrations:
(i) In excess of the derived air concentrations (DACs), specified in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, or
(ii) To such a degree that an individual present in the area without respiratory protective equipment could exceed, during the hours an individual is present in a week, an intake of 0.6 percent of the annual limit on intake (ALI), or 12 DAC hours.
(i) "Air-Purifying Respirator" means a respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element.
(j) "Alert" means events may occur, are in progress, or have occurred that could lead to a release of radioactive material but that the release is not expected to require a response by off-site response organizations to protect persons off-site.
(k) "Alternate Feed Processing" means the processing of any matter other than mined natural or native matter from which source material [i.e. uranium or thorium] is extracted in a licensed uranium or thorium mill as authorized by RIS 00-023: Recent Changes to Uranium Recovery Policy dated November 30, 2000 and NRC regulatory Issue Summary 2012-06 NRC Policy Regarding Submittal of Amendments for Processing of Equivalent Feed at Licensed Uranium Recovery Facilities, dated April 16, 2012.
(l) "Annual Limit on Intake (ALI)" means the derived limit for the amount of radioactive material taken into the body of an adult worker by inhalation or ingestion in a year. ALI is the smaller value of intake of a given radionuclide in a year by the reference man that would result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5 rems (0.05 Sv) or a committed dose equivalent of 50 rems (0.5 Sv) to any individual organ or tissue. (ALI values for intake by ingestion and by inhalation of selected radionuclides are given in Table 1, Columns 1 and 2, of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 20).
(m) "As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)" means making every reasonable effort to maintain exposures to radiation as far below the dose limits as is practical, consistent with the purpose for which the licensed activity is undertaken, taking into account the state of technology, the economics of improvements in relation to state of technology, the economics of improvements in relation to benefits to the public health and safety, and other societal and socioeconomic considerations, and in relation to utilization of nuclear energy and licensed materials in the public interest.
(n) "Assigned Protection Factor (APF)" means the expected workplace level of respiratory protection that would be provided by a properly functioning respirator or a class of respirators to properly fitted and trained users. Operationally, the inhaled concentration can be estimated by dividing the ambient airborne concentration by the APF.
(o) "Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator" means a respirator that supplies the respirator user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere, and includes supplied-air respirators (SARS) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.
(p) "Background Radiation" means radiation from:
(i) Cosmic sources;
(ii) Naturally occurring radioactive materials, including radon (except as a decay product of source or special nuclear material); and
(iii) Global fallout as it exists in the environment from the testing of nuclear explosive devices or from past nuclear accidents such as Chernobyl that contribute to background radiation and are not under the control of the licensee.
Background radiation does not include sources of radiation from radioactive materials regulated by the NRC or agreement states.
(q) "Becquerel (Bq)" means the SI unit of activity. One (1) becquerel is equal to one (1) disintegration or transformation per second.
(r) "Bioassay" means the determination of kinds, quantities or concentrations, and in some cases, the locations of radioactive material in the human body, whether by direct measurement (in vivo counting) or by analysis and evaluation of materials excreted or removed from the human body. For purposes of these rules, "radiobioassay" is an equivalent term.
(s) "Byproduct Material" means the tailings or wastes produced by the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium from any ore processed primarily for its source material content as defined in section 11e.(2) of the AEA (42 U.S.C § 2014(e)(2) (2015)).
(t) "Calibration" means the determination of:
(i) The response or reading of an instrument relative to a series of known radiation values over the range of the instrument; or
(ii) The strength of a source of radiation relative to a standard.
(u) "Class (or lung class or inhalation class)" means a classification scheme for inhaled material according to its rate of clearance from the pulmonary region of the lung. Materials are classified as D, W, or Y, which applies to a range of clearance half-times; for Class D (Days) of less than 10 days, for Class W (weeks) from 10 to 100 days, and Class Y (years) of greater than 100 days.
(v) "Collective Dose" means the sum of the individual doses received in a given period of time by a specified population from exposure to a specified source of radiation.
(w) "Commencement of Construction" means taking any action defined as construction or any other activity at the site of a facility subject to these rules that has a reasonable nexus to radiological health or safety.
(x) "Commission" means the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission or its duly authorized representatives. "Nuclear Regulatory Commission" and "NRC" are equivalent terms.
(y) "Committed Dose Equivalent (HT,50)" means the dose equivalent to organs or tissues of reference (T) that will be received from an intake of radioactive material by an individual during the 50-year period following the intake.
(z) "Committed Effective Dose Equivalent (HE,50)" is the sum of the products of the weighting factors applicable to each of the body organs or tissues that are irradiated and the committed dose equivalent to each of these organs or tissues (HE50=∑WTHT50).
(aa) "Constraint (dose constraint)" means a value above which specified licensee actions are required.
(ab) "Construction" means the installation of wells associated with the radiological operations (e.g., production, injection, or monitoring well networks associated with in situ recovery or other facilities), the installation of foundations, or in-place assembly, erection, fabrication, or testing for any structure, system, or component of a facility or activity subject to these rules and regulations that are related to radiological safety or security. The term "construction" does not include:
(i) Changes for temporary use of the land for public recreational purposes;
(ii) Site exploration, including necessary borings to determine foundation conditions or other preconstruction monitoring to establish background information related to the suitability of the site, the environmental impacts of construction or operation, or the protection of environmental values;
(iii) Preparation of the site for construction of the facility including clearing of the site, grading, installation of drainage, erosion, and other environmental mitigation measures, and construction of temporary roads and borrow areas;
(iv) Erection of fences and other access control measures that are not related to the safe use of, or security of, radiological materials subject to these rules;
(v) Excavation;
(vi) Erection of support buildings (e.g. construction equipment storage sheds, warehouses and shop facilities, utilities, concrete mixing plants, docking and unloading facilities, and office buildings) for use in connection with the construction of the facility;
(vii) Building of service facilities (e.g., paved roads, parking lots, railroad spurs, exterior utility, and lighting systems, potable water systems, sanitary sewerage treatment facilities, and transmission lines);
(viii) Procurement or fabrication of components or portions of the proposed facility occurring at other than the final, in place location at the facility; or
(ix) Taking any other action that has no reasonable nexus to radiological health and safety.
(ac) "Contamination" means the presence of radioactive substance on a surface in quantities in excess of unrestricted release limits. For limits on transportation please refer to 10 C.F.R. § 71.4. For uranium recovery operations please refer to Regulatory Guide 8.30 Health Physics Surveys in Uranium Recovery Facilities Section 2.5, Table 2 Revision 1 May 2002, which states that contamination exists in two phases. Additionally for areas where beta and gamma contamination exist please refer to the references in Table 2 of Regulatory Guide 8.30.
(i) Fixed radioactive contamination means radioactive contamination that cannot be removed from a surface during normal conditions.
(ii) Non-fixed or removable radioactive contamination means radioactive contamination that can be removed from a surface during normal conditions.
(ad) "Controlled Area" means an area, outside of a restricted area but inside the site boundary, access to which can be limited by the licensee for any reason.
(ae) "Critical Group" means the group of individuals reasonably expected to receive the greatest exposure to residual radioactivity for any applicable set of circumstances.
(af) "Curie" means the special unit of activity. One curie is equal to 3.7x1010 disintegrations per second which is equal to 3.7x1010 becquerels which is equal to 2.22x1012 disintegrations per minute.
(ag) "Declared Pregnant Woman" means a woman who has voluntarily informed the licensee, in writing, of her pregnancy and the estimated date of conception. The declaration remains in effect until the declared pregnant woman withdraws the declaration in writing or is no longer pregnant.
(ah) "Decommission" means to remove a facility or site safely from service and reduce residual radioactivity to a level that permits:
(i) Release of property for unrestricted use and termination of the license; or
(ii) Release of the property under restricted conditions and termination of the license.
(ai) "Deep Dose Equivalent (Hd)," which applies to external whole body exposure, means the dose equivalent at a tissue depth of 1cm (1000 mg/cm2).
(aj) "Demand Respirator" means an atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece only when negative pressure is created inside the facepiece by inhalation.
(ak) "Department" means the State of Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
(al) "Derived Air Concentration (DAC)" means the concentration of given radionuclide in air which, if breathed by reference man for a working year of 2,000 hours under conditions of light work (inhalation rate of 1.2 cubic meters of air per hour), results in an intake of 1 ALI. DAC values are given in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, Table 1 Column 3.
(am) "Derived Air Concentration-Hour (DAC-Hour)" means the product of the concentration of radioactive material in air (expressed as a fraction or multiple of the derived air concentration for each radionuclide) and the time of exposure to that radionuclide, in hours. A licensee may take 2,000 DAC-hours to represent 1 ALI equivalent to a committed effective dose equivalent of 5 rems (0.05 Sv).
(an) "Direct Disposal" means disposal of non-11e.(2) byproduct material in a uranium mill tailings impoundment as authorized by RIS 00-023: Recent Changes to Uranium Recovery Policy dated November 30, 2000.
(ao) "Discrete source" means a radionuclide that has been processed so that its concentration within a material has been purposely increased for use for commercial, medical, or research activities.
(ap) "Disposable Respirator" means a respirator for which maintenance is not intended and that is designed to be discarded after excessive breathing resistance, sorbent exhaustion, physical damage, or end of service life renders it unsuitable for use. Examples of this type of respirator are disposable half-mask respirators or disposable escape-only self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
(aq) "Distinguishable from Background" means that the detectable concentration of a radionuclide is statistically different from the background concentration of that radionuclide in the vicinity of the site or, in the case of structures, in similar materials using adequate measurement technology, survey, and statistical techniques.
(ar) "Dose" is a generic term that means absorbed dose, dose equivalent, effective dose equivalent, committed dose equivalent, committed effective dose equivalent, or total effective dose equivalent. For purposes of these rules, "radiation dose" is an equivalent term.
(as) "Dose Equivalent (HT)" means the product of the absorbed dose in tissue, quality factor, and all other necessary modifying factors at the location of interest. The units of dose equivalent are the rem and sievert (Sv).
(at) "Dose Limits" means the permissible upper bounds of radiation doses established in accordance with these rules. For purpose of these rules, "limits" is an equivalent term.
(au) "Dosimetry Processor" means an individual or organization, that is National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NAVLAP) approved, that processes and evaluates individual monitoring equipment in order to determine the radiation dose delivered to the equipment.
(av) "Effective Dose Equivalent (HE)" means the sum of the products of the dose equivalent to the organ or tissue (HT), and the weighting factor (WT), applicable to each of the body organs or tissues that are irradiated ().
(aw) "Embryo/Fetus" means the developing human organism from conception until the time of birth.
(ax) "Entrance or Access Point" means any location through which an individual could gain access to radiation areas or to licensed radioactive materials. This includes entry or exit portals of sufficient size to permit human entry, irrespective of their intended use.
(ay) "Equivalent Feed" refers to ion exchange (IX) resin that is loaded with uranium at facilities licensed for source material (i.e. water treatment plants or mine dewatering operations) or licensed uranium recovery facilities whether conventional, heap leach, or ISR facilities. RIS 2012-06 NRC Policy Regarding Submittal of Amendments for Processing of Equivalent Feed at Licensed Uranium Recovery Facilities details the permitting of equivalent feed at uranium recovery operations.
(az) "Exclusive Use" means the sole use by a single consignor or a conveyance for which all initial, intermediate, and final loading and unloading are carried out in accordance with the direction of the consignor or consignee. The consignor and the carrier must ensure that any loading or unloading is performed by personnel having radiological training and resources appropriate for safe handling of the consignment. The consignor must issue specific instructions, in writing, for maintenance of exclusive use shipment controls, and include them with the shipping paper information provided to the carrier by the consignor.
(ba) "Exposure" means being exposed to ionizing radiation or to radioactive material. For purposes of these rules, this term is used as a verb.
(bb) "Exposure Rate" means the exposure per unit of time, such as roentgen per minute and milliroentgen per hour.
(bc) "External Dose" means that portion of the dose equivalent received from a source of radiation outside the body.
(bd) "Extremity" means hand, elbow, arm below the elbow, foot, knee, and leg below the knee.
(be) "Financial Assurance" means the method of assuring that sufficient funds will be available at the time of license termination and decommissioning of the facility to cover all costs associated with the decommissioning.
(bf) "Filtering Facepiece (dust mask)" means a negative pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium, not equipped with elastomeric sealing surfaces and adjustable straps.
(bg) "Fit Factor" means a quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual, and typically estimates the ratio of the concentration of a substance in ambient air to its concentration inside the respirator when worn.
(bh) "Fit Test" means the use of protocol to qualitatively or quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual.
(bi) "Generally Applicable Environmental Radiation Standards" means standards issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the authority of the AEA, as amended, that impose limits on radiation exposures or levels, or concentrations or quantities of radioactive material, in the general environment outside the boundaries of locations under the control of persons possessing or using radioactive material.
(bj) "Helmet" means a rigid respiratory inlet covering that also provides head protection against impact and penetration.
(bk) "High Radiation Area" means an area, accessible to individuals, in which radiation levels from radiation sources external to the body could result in an individual receiving a dose equivalent in excess of 0.1 rem (1 mSv), in 1 hour at 30 centimeters from the radiation source or 30 centimeters from any surface that the radiation penetrates.
(bl) "Hood" means a respiratory inlet covering that completely covers the head and neck and may also cover portions of the shoulders and torso.
(bm) "Individual" means any human being.
(bn) "Individual monitoring" means:
(i) The assessment of dose equivalent by:
(A) Use of devices designed to be worn by an individual, or
(B) Survey data.
(ii) The assessment of committed effective dose equivalent by:
(A) Bioassay, or
(B) By determination of the time-weighted air concentrations to which an individual has been exposed (i.e. DAC-hours).
(bo) "Individual Monitoring Devices" means devices designed to be worn by a single individual for the assessment of dose equivalent. For purposes of these rules, individual monitoring equipment and personnel monitoring equipment are equivalent terms. Examples of individual monitoring devices are film badges, thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD's), pocket ionization chambers, and personal air sampling devices.
(bp) "Internal Dose" means that portion of the dose equivalent received from radioactive material taken into the body.
(bq) "Lens Dose Equivalent (LDE)" means the external exposure of the lens of the eye and is taken as the dose equivalent at a tissue depth of 0.3 centimeter (300 mg/cm2).
(br) "License" means a form of permission given by the Department to an applicant who has met the requirements for licensing set out in the Act and these rules.
(bs) "Licensee" means a person who is licensed by the Department in accordance with the Act and these rules.
(bt) "Licensed material" means source material involved in the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium in source material and ores at uranium or thorium milling facilities and the management and disposal of associated byproduct material received, possessed, used, transferred, or disposed of under a license issued by the Department.
(bu) "Limits (dose limits)" means the permissible upper bounds of radiation doses.
(bv) "Loose Fitting Facepiece" means a respiratory inlet covering that is designed to form a partial seal with the face.
(bw) "Lost or Missing Licensed Material" means licensed material whose location is unknown. It includes material that has been shipped but has not reached its destination and whose location cannot be readily traced in the transportation system.
(bx) "Low Specific Activity (LSA) Material" means radioactive material with limited specific activity which is non-fissile or is accepted under 10 C.F.R. § 71.15, and which satisfies the description and limits set forth in Chapter 9 of these Rules. Shielding materials surrounding the LSA material may not be considered in determining the estimated average specific activity of the package contents. The LSA material must be in one of three groups.
(i) LSA-I:
(A) Uranium and thorium ores, concentrates of uranium and thorium ores, and other ores containing naturally occurring radionuclides that are intended to be processed for the use of these radionuclides;
(B) Natural uranium, depleted uranium, natural thorium or their compounds or mixtures, provided they are unirradiated and in solid or liquid form;
(C) Radioactive material other than fissile material, for which the A2 value is unlimited; or
(D) Other radioactive material in which the activity is distributed throughout and the estimated average specific activity does not exceed 30 times the value for exempt material activity concentration determined in accordance with 10 C.F.R. Part 71, Appendix A.
(ii) LSA-II:
(A) Water with tritium concentration up to 0.8 TBq/liter (20.0 Ci/liter), or
(B) Other radioactive material in which the activity is distributed throughout and the estimated average specific activity does not exceed 10-4 A2/g for solids and gases, and 10-5 A2/g for liquids.
(iii) LSA-III Solids (e.g., consolidated wastes, activated materials), excluding powders, that satisfy the requirements of 10 C.F.R. § 71.77, in which:
(A) The radioactive material is distributed throughout a solid or collection of solid objects, or is essentially uniformly distributed in a solid compact binding agent (such as concrete, bitumen, ceramic, etc.);
(B) The radioactive material is relatively insoluble, or it is intrinsically contained in a relative insoluble material, so that even under loss of packaging, the loss of radioactive material per package by leaching, when placed in water for 7 days will not exceed 0.1 A2; and
(C) The estimated average specific activity of the solid, excluding any shielding material, does not exceed 2 x 10-3 A2/g.
(by) "Member of the Public" means an individual except when that individual is receiving an occupational dose.
(bz) "Minor" means an individual less than 18 years of age.
(ca) "Monitoring" means the measurement of radiation levels, concentrations, surface area concentrations or quantities of radioactive material, and the use of the results of these measurements to evaluate potential exposures and doses. For purposes of these rules, radiation monitoring and radiation protection monitoring are equivalent terms.
(cb) "Natural Thorium" means thorium with the natural occurring distribution of thorium isotopes (essentially 100 weight percent thorium-232).
(cc) "Natural Uranium" means uranium (which may be chemically separated) with the naturally occurring distribution of uranium isotopes (approximately 0.711 weight percent uranium-235 and the remainder by weight essentially uranium-238).
(cd) "Negative Pressure Respirator (tight fitting)" means a respirator in which the air pressure inside the facepiece is negative during inhalation with respect to the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.
(ce) "Nonstochastic Effect" means health effects, the severity of which varies with the dose and for which a threshold is believed to exist. Radiation-induced cataract formation is an example of a nonstochastic effect (also called a deterministic effect). For the purposes of these rules deterministic effects are equivalent terms.
(cf) "Occupational Dose" means the dose received by an individual in the course of employment in which the individual's assigned duties involve exposure to radiation or to radioactive material from licensed and unlicensed sources of radiation, whether in the possession of the licensee or other person. An Occupational dose does not include doses received from background radiation, from any medical administration the individual has received, from exposure to individuals administered radioactive material and released under 10 C.F.R. Part § 35.75, from voluntary participation in medical research programs, or as a member of the public.
(cg) "Operation" means all of the activities, equipment, premises, facilities, structures, roads, rights-of-way, waste and refuse areas, storage and processing areas, and shipping areas used in the process of excavating or removing overburden and minerals from the affected land or for removing overburden for the purpose of determining the location, quality or quantity of a natural, mineral deposit or for the reclamation of affected lands.
(ch) "Person" means an individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private corporation, trust, estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, municipality or any other political subdivision of the State, or any interstate body or any other legal entity.
(ci) "Physician" means a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy licensed by a State or Territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to prescribe drugs in the practice of medicine.
(cj) "Positive Pressure Respirator" means a respirator in which the pressure inside the respiratory inlet covering exceeds the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.
(ck) "Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)" means an air-purifying respirator that uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering.
(cl) "Pressure Demand Respirator" means a positive pressure atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece when the positive pressure is reduced inside the facepiece by inhalation.
(cm) "Principal Activities" as used in these rules, means activities authorized by the license which are essential to achieving the purpose(s) for which the license was issued or amended. Storage during which no licensed material is accessed for use or disposal and activities incidental to decontamination or decommissioning are not principal activities
(cn) "Program" means the State of Wyoming's Uranium Recovery Program.
(co) "Public Dose" means the dose received by a member of the public from exposure to radiation or to radioactive materials released by a licensee, or to any other source of radiation under the control of a licensee. Public dose does not include occupational dose or doses received from background radiation, from any medical administration the individual has received, from exposure to individuals administered radioactive material and released in accordance with 10 C.F.R. § 35.75, or from voluntary participation in medical research programs.
(cp) "Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT)" means a pass/fail fit test to assess the adequacy of respirator fit that relies on the individual's response to a test agent.
(cq) "Quality factor (Q)" means the modifying factor, listed in Tables 1 of Section 7 of this Chapter and Table 1004(b).2 of 10 CFR 20.1004, that is used to derive dose equivalent from absorbed dose.
(cr) "Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT)" means an assessment of the adequacy of respirator fit by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator.
(cs) "Quarter" means a period of time equal to one-fourth of the year observed by the licensee (approximately 13 consecutive weeks), providing that the beginning of the first quarter in a year coincides with the starting date of the year and that no day is omitted or duplicated in consecutive quarters.
(ct) "Radiation" means alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, x-rays, neutrons, high speed electrons, high speed protons, and other particles capable of producing ions. For purposes of these rules, ionizing radiation is an equivalent term. Radiation, as used in these rules, does not include non-ionizing radiation, such as radio or microwaves, visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light.
(cu) "Radiation Area" means an area, accessible to individuals, in which radiation levels could result in an individual receiving a dose equivalent in excess of 0.005 rem (0.05 mSv), in 1 hour at 30 centimeters from the radiation source or from any surface that the radiation penetrates.
(cv) "Radiation Level" means the radiation dose-equivalent expressed in millisieverts per hour or mSv/h (millirems per hour or mrem/h).
(cw) "Radioactivity" means the transformation of unstable atomic nuclei by the emission of radiation.
(cx) "Recovery or Milling" refers to the definition in W.S. § 35-11-103.
(cy) "Reference Man" means a hypothetical aggregation of human physical and physiological characteristics arrived at by international consensus. These characteristics may be used by researchers and public health workers to standardize results of experiments and to relate biological insult to a common base.
(cz) "Residual Radioactive Material" means (1) Waste (which the Secretary of Energy determines to be radioactive) in the form of tailings resulting from the processing of ores for the extraction of uranium and other valuable constituents or the ores; and (2) other waste (which the Secretary of Energy determines to be radioactive) at a processing site which relates to such processing, including any residual stock of unprocessed ores or low-grade materials. This term is used only with respect to materials at sites subject to remediation under Title I of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 as amended.
(da) "Residual Radioactivity" means radioactivity in structures, materials, soils, groundwater, and other media at a site resulting from activities under the licensee's control. This includes radioactivity from all licensed and unlicensed sources used by the licensee, but excludes background radiation. It also includes radioactive materials remaining at the site as a result of routine or accidental releases of radioactive material at the site and previous burials at the site, even if those burials were made in accordance with the provisions of 10 C.F.R. Part 20 which is incorporated by reference in Chapter 3 of these rules.
(db) "Respiratory Protective Device" means an apparatus, such as a respirator, used to reduce the individual's intake of airborne radioactive materials.
(dc) "Restricted Area" means an area, access to which is limited by the licensee for the purpose of protecting individuals against undue risks from exposure to radiation and radioactive materials. Restricted area does not include areas used as residential quarters, but separate rooms in a residential building may be set apart as a restricted area.
(dd) "Roentgen (R)" means the special unit of exposure. One roentgen equals 2.58 x 10-4 coulombs per kilogram of air. See exposure, defined above.
(de) "Sanitary Sewerage" means a system of public sewers carrying off waste water and refuse, but excluding sewage treatment facilities, septic tanks, and leach fields owned and operated by the licensee.
(df) "Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)" means an atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user.
(dg) "Shallow Dose Equivalent (Hs)" which applies to the external exposure of the skin of the whole body or the skin of an extremity and is taken as the dose equivalent at a tissue depth of 0.007 centimeter (7 mg/cm2).
(dh) "SI" means an abbreviation of the International System of Units.
(di) "Site Area Emergency" means events which may occur, are in progress, or have occurred that could lead to a significant release of radioactive material and that could require a response by off-site organizations to protect persons off-site.
(dj) "Site boundary" means that line beyond which the land or property is not owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the licensee.
(dk) "Source material" means:
(i) Uranium or thorium, or any combination thereof, in any physical or chemical form, or
(ii) Ores which contain by weight one-twentieth of one percent (0.05 percent), or more of uranium, thorium, or any combination thereof. Source material does not include special nuclear material.
(dl) "Specific Activity" means the radioactivity of the radionuclide per unit mass of the nuclide. The specific activity of a material in which the radionuclide is essentially uniformly distributed is the radioactivity per unit mass of material. The Specific Activity for Natural Uranium is 6. 77x10-7 Ci per gram of U.
(dm) "Special Nuclear Material" means:
(i) Plutonium, uranium-233, uranium enriched in the isotope 233 or in the isotope 235, and any other material that the Commission, pursuant to the provisions of Section 51 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, determines to be special nuclear material, but does not include source material; or
(ii) Any material artificially enriched by any of the foregoing but does not include source material.
(dn) "Stochastic Effects" means health effects that occur randomly and for which the probability of the effect occurring, rather than its severity, is assumed to be a linear function of dose without threshold. Hereditary effects and cancer incidence are examples of stochastic effects.
(do) "Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR)" means an atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user.
(dp) "Survey" means an evaluation of the radiological conditions and potential hazards incident to the production, use, transfer, release, disposal, or presence of radioactive material or other sources of radiation. When appropriate, such an evaluation includes physical survey of the location of radioactive material and measurements or calculations of levels of radiation, or concentrations or quantities of radioactive material present.
(dq) "Test" means the process of verifying compliance with an applicable rule.
(dr) "Tight Fitting Facepiece" means a respiratory inlet covering that forms a complete seal with the face.
(ds) "Total Effective Dose Equivalent (TEDE)" means the sum of the effective dose equivalent for external exposures and the committed effective dose equivalent for internal exposures.
(dt) "Unrefined and Unprocessed Ore" means ore in its natural form prior to any processing, such as grinding, roasting, beneficiating, or refining. Processing does not include sieving or encapsulation of ore or preparation of samples for laboratory analysis.
(du) "Unrestricted Area" means an area, to which access is neither limited nor controlled by the licensee. For purposes of these rules, "uncontrolled area" is an equivalent term.
(dv) "Unrestricted Use" means that the facility area, or object may be used by individuals for any purpose without limit or control of the licensee.
(dw) "Uranium Fuel Cycle" means the operations of milling of uranium ore, chemical conversion of uranium, isotopic enrichment of uranium, fabrication of uranium fuel, generation of electricity by a light-water-cooled nuclear power plant using uranium fuel, and reprocessing of spent uranium fuel to the extent that these activities directly support the production of electrical power for the public use. Uranium fuel cycle does not include mining operations, operations at waste disposal sites, transportation of radioactive material in support of these operations, and the reuse of recovered non-uranium special nuclear and byproduct materials from the cycle.
(dx) "Uranium milling" means any activity that results in the production of byproduct material as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103. See also Recovery or Milling.
(dy) "User seal check (fit check)" means an action conducted by the respirator user to determine if the respirator is properly seated to the face. Examples include negative pressure check, positive pressure check, irritant smoke check, or isoamyl acetate check.
(dz) "Very High Radiation Area" means an area, accessible to individuals, in which radiation levels from radiation sources external to the body could result in an individual receiving an absorbed dose in excess of 500 rads (5 grays) in 1 hour at 1 meter from a radiation source or 1 meter from any surface that the radiation penetrates.
(ea) "Waste" means those low-level radioactive wastes containing source, special nuclear, or byproduct material that are acceptable for disposal in a land disposal facility. For the purpose of this definition, low-level radioactive waste means radioactive waste not classified as high-level radioactive waste, transuranic waste, spent nuclear fuel, or byproduct material as defined in this Chapter.
(eb) "Week" means seven consecutive days starting on Sunday.
(ec) "Weighting Factor for an organ or tissue (T) is the proportion of the risk of stochastic effects resulting from irradiation of that organ or tissue to the total risk of stochastic effects when the whole body is irradiated uniformly. For calculating the effective dose equivalent, the values of are:
Organ or Tissue
Gonads 0.25
Breasts 0.15
Red bone marrow 0.12
Lung 0.12
Thyroid 0.03
Bone Surfaces 0.03
Remainder 10.30
Whole Body 21.00
1 0.30 results from 0.06 for each 5 "remainder organs" (excluding the skin and the lens of the eye) that receive the highest doses.
2 For the purposes of weighting the external whole body dose (for adding it to the internal dose), a single weighting factor, , has been specified. The use of weighting factors for external exposure will be approved on a case-by-case basis until such time as specific guidance is issued.
(ed) "Whole Body" means, for purposes of external exposure, head, trunk including male gonads, arms above the elbow, or legs above the knees.
(ee) "Worker" means an individual engaged in work under a license issued by the Department and controlled by a licensee, but does not include the licensee.
(ef) "Working Level (WL)" means any combination of short-lived radon daughters in 1 liter of air that will result in the ultimate emission of 1.3 x 105 MeV of potential alpha particle energy. The short-lived radon daughters are: for radon-222: polonium-218, lead-214, bismuth-214, and polonium-214; and for radon-220: polonium-216, lead-212, bismuth-212, and polonium-212.
(eg) "Working Level Month (WLM)" means an exposure to one working level for 170 hours. 2,000 working hours per year divided by 12 months per year is approximately equal to 170 hours per month.
(eh) "Year" means the period of time beginning in January used to determine compliance with the provisions of these rules. The licensee may change the starting date of the year used to determine compliance by the licensee provided that the change is made at the beginning of the year and that no day is omitted or duplicated in consecutive years.
Section 6. Definitions applicable solely to criteria listed in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A.
The following definitions apply only to criteria listed in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A which outline the operation of Uranium Mills and disposition of tailings or wastes produced by the extraction or concentration of source material from ores processed primarily for their source material content.
(a) "Aquifer" means a geological formation, group of formations, or part of a formation capable of yielding a significant amount of groundwater to wells or springs. Any saturated zone created by uranium or thorium recovery operations would not be considered an aquifer unless the zone is potentially (1) hydraulically interconnected to a natural aquifer, (2) capable of discharge to surface water, or (3) reasonably accessible because of migration beyond the vertical projection of the boundary of the land transferred for long-term government ownership and care in accordance with 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A Criterion 11.
(b) "As expeditiously as practicable considering technological feasibility" for the purpose of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A, Criterion 6A, means as quickly as possible considering: the physical characteristics of the tailings and the site; the limits of available technology, the need for consistency with the mandatory requirements of other regulatory programs, and factors beyond the control of the licensee. The phrase permits consideration of cost of compliance only to the extent specifically provided for by use of the term "available technology".
(c) "Available Technology" means technologies and methods for emplacing a final radon barrier on uranium mill tailings piles or impoundments. This term shall not be construed to include extraordinary measures or techniques that would impose costs that are grossly excessive as measured by practice within the industry (or one that is reasonably analogous), (such as, by way of illustration only, unreasonable over time, staffing, or transportation requirements, etc., considering normal practice in the industry; laser fusion of soil, etc.), provided there is reasonable progress toward emplacement of the final radon barrier. To determine grossly excessive costs, the relevant baseline against which costs shall be compared is the cost estimate for tailings impoundment closure contained in the licensee's approved reclamation plan, but costs beyond these estimates shall not automatically be considered grossly excessive.
(d) "Closure" means the activities following operations to decontaminate and decommission the buildings and site used to produce byproduct materials and reclaim the tailings and/or waste disposal area.
(e) "Closure Plan" means the Commission approved plan to accomplish closure.
(f) "Compliance Period" begins when the Commission sets secondary ground-water protection standards and ends when the owner or operator's license is terminated and the site is transferred to the State or Federal agency for long-term care.
(g) "Dike" means an embankment or ridge of either natural or man-made materials used to prevent the movement of liquids, sludges, solids, or other materials.
(h) "Disposal Area" means the area containing byproduct material to which the requirements of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A, Criterion 6 apply.
(i) "Existing Portion" means the land surface area of an existing surface impoundment on which significant quantities of uranium or thorium byproduct materials had been placed prior to September 30, 1983.
(j) "Factors Beyond the Control of the Licensee" means factors proximately causing delay in meeting the schedule in the applicable reclamation plan for the timely emplacement of the final radon barrier notwithstanding the good faith efforts of the licensee to complete the barrier in compliance with paragraph (1) of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A, Criterion 6A. These factors may include but are not limited to:
(i) Physical conditions at the site;
(ii) Inclement weather or climate conditions;
(iii) An act of God;
(iv) An act of war;
(v) A judicial or administrative order or decision, or change to the statutory, regulatory, or other legal requirements applicable to the licensee's facility that would preclude or delay the performance of activities required for compliance;
(vi) Labor disturbances;
(vii) Any modifications, cessation or delay ordered by State, Federal, or local agencies;
(viii) Delays beyond the time reasonably required in obtaining necessary government permits, licenses, approvals, or consent for activities described in the reclamation plan proposed by the licensee that result from agency failure to take final action after the licensee has made a good faith, timely effort to submit legally sufficient applications, responses to request (including relevant data requested by the agencies), or other information, including approval of the reclamation plan; and
(ix) An act or omission of any third party over whom the licensee has no control.
(k) "Final Radon Barrier" means the earthen cover (or approved alternative cover) over tailings or waste constructed to comply with 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A, Criterion 6 of this appendix (excluding erosion protection features).
(l) "Groundwater" means water below the land surface in a zone of saturation. For purposes of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A, groundwater is the water contained within an aquifer as defined above.
(m) "Leachate" means any liquid, including any suspended or dissolved components in the liquid that has percolated through or drained from the byproduct material.
(n) "Licensed Site" means the area contained within the boundary of a location under the control of persons generating or storing byproduct materials under a Commission or an agreement state license.
(o) "Liner" means a continuous layer of natural or man-made materials, beneath or on the sides of a surface impoundment which restricts the downward or lateral escape of byproduct material, hazardous constituents, or leachate.
(p) "Milestone" means an action or event that is required to occur by an enforceable date.
(q) "Operations" this definition is specific for uranium or thorium tailings and means that a uranium or thorium mill tailings pile or impoundment is being used for the continued placement of byproduct material or is in standby status for such placement. A pile or impoundment is in operation from the day that byproduct material is first placed in the pile or impoundment until the day final closure begins.
(r) "Point of Compliance" is the site specific location in the uppermost aquifer where the groundwater protection standard must be met.
(s) "Reclamation Plan" for the purposes of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A Criterion 6A means the plan detailing activities to accomplish reclamation of the tailings or waste disposal area in accordance with the technical criteria in this appendix. The reclamation plan must include a schedule for reclamation milestones that are key to the completion of the final radon barrier including as appropriate, but not limited to, windblown tailings retrieval and placement on the pile, interim stabilization (including dewatering or the removal of freestanding liquids and recontouring), and final radon barrier construction (reclamation of tailings must also be addressed in the closure plan; the detailed reclamation plan may be incorporated into the closure plan).
(t) "Surface Impoundment" means a natural topographic depression, man-made excavation, or diked area, which is designed to hold an accumulation of liquid wastes or wastes containing free liquids, and which is not an injection well.
(u) "Uppermost Aquifer" means the geologic formation nearest the natural ground surface that is an aquifer, as well as lower aquifers that are hydraulically interconnected with this aquifer within the facility's property boundary.
Section 7. Units of Exposure and Dose.
(a) As used in these rules, the unit of exposure is the coulomb per kilogram (C per kg). One roentgen is equal to 2.58 x 10-4 coulomb per kilogram of air.
(b) As used in these rules, the units of dose are:
(i) Gray (Gy) is the SI unit of absorbed dose. One gray is equal to an absorbed dose of one joule per kilogram. One gray equals 100 rad.
(ii) Rad is the special unit of absorbed dose. One rad is equal to an absorbed dose of 100 erg per gram or 0.01 joule per kilogram. One rad equals 0.01 Gy.
(iii) Rem is the special unit of any of the quantities expressed as dose equivalent. The dose equivalent in rem is equal to the absorbed dose in rad multiplied by the quality factor. One rem equals 0.01 Sv.
(iv) Sievert (Sv) is the SI unit of any of the quantities expressed as dose equivalent. The dose equivalent in sievert is equal to the absorbed dose in gray multiplied by the quality factor. One Sv equals 100 rem.
(c) As used in these rules, the quality factors for converting absorbed dose to dose equivalent are shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Quality Factors and Absorbed Dose Equivalencies
| Type of Radiation | Quality Factor (Q) | Absorbed Dose Equal to a Unit Dose Equivalent | | --- | --- | --- | | X, gamma, or beta radiation and high-speed electrons | 1 | 1 | | Alpha particles, multiple-charged particles, fission fragments and heavy particles of unknown charge | 20 | 0.05 | | Neutrons of unknown energy | 10 | 0.1 | | High energy protons | 10 | 0.1 |
For the column in Table 1 labeled "Absorbed Dose Equal to a Unit Dose Equivalent," the absorbed dose in rad is equal to one rem or the absorbed dose in gray is equal to one Sv.
Section 8. Units of Radioactivity.
For purposes of these rules, activity is expressed in the SI unit of becquerel (Bq), or in the special unit of curie (Ci), or their multiples, or disintegrations or transformations per unit of time.
Section 9. Communication and Referenced Materials.
All communication and reports concerning parts of these rules, and application filed thereunder, should be addressed to the Department.
Section 10. Deliberate misconduct.
(a) No person may do any of the following:
(i) Engage in deliberate misconduct that causes or would have caused, if not detected, a licensee under this Chapter to be in violation of any rule or order of the Department; or any term, condition or limitation of any license issued by the Department under this Chapter; or
(ii) Deliberately submit to the Department any information that the person knows to be incomplete or inaccurate. This includes licensees, and contractors and subcontractors to licensees.
(iii) Deliberate misconduct by a person means an intentional act or omission that the person knows:
(A) Would cause a licensee to be in violation of any rule, regulation, or order; or any term, condition, or limitation issued by the Department; or
(B) Constitutes a violation of a requirement, procedure, instruction, contract, purchase order, or policy of a licensee or a contractor or subcontractor of a licensee.
Section 11. Exemptions.
(a) The Department may upon application or upon its own initiative, grant such exemptions or exception from requirements as it determines are authorized by law and will not result in undue hazard to public health and safety or property. Provisions for exceptions are provided for in W.S. § 35-11-2003(c).
(b) Additionally, the Department authorizes exemptions for the possession, use, transfer, or acquisition of any byproduct material, or source material extracted or concentrated at a uranium or thorium milling facility to any U.S. Department of Energy contractor or subcontractor and any U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission contractor or subcontractor of the following categories operating within this State:
(i) Prime contractors performing work for the U.S. Department of Energy at U.S. Government owned or controlled sites, including the transportation of sources of radiation to or from such sites and the performance of contract services during temporary interruptions of such transportation;
(ii) Prime contractors of the U.S. Department of Energy performing research in, or development, manufacture, storage, testing, or transportation of, atomic weapons or components thereof;
(iii) Prime contractors of the U.S. Department of Energy using or operating nuclear reactors or other nuclear devices in the U.S. Government owned vehicles or vessels; and
(iv) Any other prime contractor or subcontractor of the U.S. Department of Energy or the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission when the State and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission determine that:
(A) The exemption of the prime contractor or subcontractor is authorized by law; and
(B) Under the terms of the contract or subcontract, there is adequate assurance that the work thereunder can be accomplished without undue risk to the public health and safety.
Section 12. Records.
(a) A licensee shall maintain records showing the receipt, transfer, and disposal of all licensed material.
(b) All records required by this Chapter shall be accurate and factual.
(c) Additional records requirements are specified elsewhere in these rules. If the record retention period is not specified, the record shall be maintained for a period of three years.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Chapter 2 Inspections, Violations, and Penalties
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.2.09082017 Inspections, Violations, and Penalties
CHAPTER 2
INSPECTIONS, ENFORCEMENT, AND PENALTIES
Section 1. Purpose.
(a) This Chapter establishes requirements to ensure the protection of the public health and safety and of all persons at, or in the vicinity of, the place of use, storage, or disposal of source material involved in the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium in source material and ores at milling facilities and the management and disposal of the associated byproduct material.
Section 2. Scope.
(a) This Chapter applies to the authorized and unauthorized extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium in source material and ores at milling facilities. The Department may inspect, enforce, and penalize both licensees and non-licensees for the unlawful possession, use, transfer, ownership or other such unpermitted handling of byproduct material and source material involved in the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium at uranium and thorium facilities in accordance with these rules, the Act, and applicable state and federal laws.
Section 3. Inspections and Testing.
(a) Each licensee and applicant shall obtain, afford, and grant access to the Department, at all reasonable times, the opportunity to inspect licensed material, facilities, premises, and records to ensure compliance with these rules, the Act, licensing conditions, and other applicable state and federal laws.
(b) As required by the Department, each licensee shall perform, or shall permit the Department to perform, such reasonable tests as the Department deems appropriate or necessary including, but not limited to, the testing of:
(i) Source material from the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium at uranium or thorium milling facilities, and byproduct material;
(ii) Facilities wherein licensed materials are used or stored; and
(iii) Radiation detection and monitoring instruments.
Section 4. Violations.
(a) All violations of this Act or these rules are subject to penalty as provided by Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-901.
(b) An injunction or other court order may be obtained prohibiting any violation of any provision of the Act or these rules.
(c) Submittal of false information shall be sufficient basis for rejecting or revoking any Department issued license, registration, certification or other acceptance, approval or permit.
(d) These rules and regulations shall not limit any existing civil or criminal remedies in accordance with W.S §. 35-11-904.
Section 5. Enforcement.
(a) The Department may issue Notices of Violation and Orders pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-701.
(b) Licensee initiative for self-identification and correction of problems is encouraged. The Department will generally not issue Notices of Violation for a violation that:
(i) Was identified by the licensee;
(ii) Results in low or no health and safety consequences;
(iii) Was documented, in writing, for review by the Department;
(iv) Was or will be corrected, including measures to prevent recurrence, within ninety (90) days, or another time frame approved by the Department; and
(v) Was not a violation that could reasonably be expected to have been prevented by the licensee's corrective action for a previous violation.
(c) Licensees are not ordinarily cited for violations resulting from matters outside of their control, such as equipment failures that were not avoidable by reasonable quality assurance measures. However, licensees are held responsible for acts of their employees. Accordingly, the rules should not be construed to excuse personnel errors.
(d) At the discretion of the Department, and in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-701, licensees may have the opportunity to eliminate or correct the violation before the issuance of a Notice of Violation if that violation results in low or no health and safety consequences and can be eliminated or corrected in an expedient manner.
Section 6. Orders and other Administrative Actions.
(a) The Department may issue Orders:
(i) To remove a threat to public health and safety or the environment;
(ii) To demand that a Licensee or other person cease and desist violations or unauthorized or illegal activities; or
(iii) For any other reason in which license revocation or suspension is authorized.
(b) The Department may issue Orders to suspend all or part of any regulated activity. These Orders may be effective immediately, without prior opportunity for hearing, whenever it is determined that public health, interest, or safety so requires, or when responding to a willful or wanton violation.
(c) The Department may hold informal enforcement or settlement conferences to discuss safety, public health, or environmental problems, compliance with regulatory requirements, proposed corrective measures including schedules for implementation, and enforcement.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Chapter 3 Radiation Protection Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.3.11172022 § 1 Purpose
(a) This Chapter establishes standards for protection against ionizing radiation resulting from activities conducted pursuant to licenses issued by the Department.
(b) This Chapter is designed to control the receipt, possession, use, transfer, or disposal of licensed material such that the total dose to an individual, excluding radiation dose from background sources, does not exceed the standards for protection against radiation as outlined in this Chapter.
(c) The limits provided for in this Chapter do not apply to doses due to background, from medical diagnosis or therapy, from individuals administered radioactive material and released, or from voluntary participation in medical research.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.3.11172022 § 2 Scope
(a) This Chapter applies to persons licensed by the Department to acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, or dispose of licensed material.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.3.11172022 § 3 Implementation
(a) Any existing license condition imposed by the Department that is more restrictive than this Chapter remains in force until there is an amendment or renewal of the license.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.3.11172022 § 4 Incorporation by Reference of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 20; Standards for Protection Against Radiation
(a) Any reference in these rules to requirements, or procedures contained in 10 C.F.R., Part 20, Sections 20.1001 through 20.2402 shall constitute the full adoption by reference of that part and subparts as they appear in 10 C.F.R., revised as of January 1, 2022, including any notes and appendices therein, unless expressly provided otherwise in these rules. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(b) The following 10 C.F.R. sections, as of January 1, 2022, are excluded from these rules and are not incorporated by reference: 20.1001, 20.1002, 20.1003, 20.1004(a), 20.1005, 20.1006, 20.1007, 20.1008, 20.1009, 20.1206, 20.1301(c), 20.1401, 20.1402, 20.1403, 20.1404, 20.1405, 20.1406(b), 20.1601(f), 20.1903(b), 20.1903(d), 20.1905(g), 20.2003(b), 20.2104 (b), 20.2105, 20.2203(c), 20.2204, 20.2206(a)(1), 20.2206(a)(3), 20.2206(a)(4), 20.2206(a)(5), 20.2401, 20.2402, and Appendix D.
(c) Any references in the federal rules adopted by reference to "NRC Headquarters Operations Center," or any component thereof, in 10 CFR Part 20 shall be deemed to be a reference to the Department and the Uranium Recovery Program.
(d) Any references in the federal rules adopted by reference to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), or any component thereof, shall be deemed to be a reference to the Department and the Uranium Recovery Program.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Chapter 4 Licensing Requirements for Source and Byproduct Material
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 1 Purpose
(a) This Chapter establishes the criteria for issuance and terms of conditions upon which the Department may issue licenses to receive title to, acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, or deliver any licensed material. This Chapter also governs the operation of facilities for handling and disposing of licensed material. This Chapter also provides requirements for decommissioning and the long-term care and maintenance of byproduct material. Unless otherwise specified, the requirements of this Chapter are in addition to, and not in substitution for, other applicable requirements of these rules.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 2 Scope
(a) This Chapter establishes performance objectives and procedural requirements applicable to any licensee. This Chapter also applies to waste systems for byproduct material, including specific technical and financial requirements for siting, construction, operation, monitoring, decontamination, reclamation, and ultimate stabilization of byproduct material, as well as requirements for licensee transfer and termination, long-term site monitoring, surveillance, ownership, and ultimate custody of source material milling facilities and byproduct material impoundments.
(b) A person subject to the regulations of this Chapter may not receive title to, acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, provide for long-term care and maintenance, or deliver or dispose of licensed material, or residual radioactive material as defined in Chapter 1, General Provisions after removal from its place of deposit in nature, unless authorized in a general or specific license issued by the Department pursuant to this Chapter.
(c) In instances where this Chapter conflicts with Chapter 11 of the Non-Coal Rules and Regulations, this Chapter shall govern.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 3 Incorporation by Reference
(a) Any reference in these rules to requirements, or procedures contained in 10 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 40, Sections 40.2(a), 40.36(f), 40.51, 40.54, 40.55, 40.61, and Appendix A shall constitute the full adoption by reference of that part and subparts as they appear in 10 C.F.R. 40, Appendix A, revised as of January 1, 2022, unless expressly provided otherwise in these rules. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of incorporated matter.
(b) The following 10 C.F.R. portions, including all subparts, as of January 1, 2022 are excluded from these rules and are not incorporated by reference: 40.51(b)(6) and the following portions of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A: Introduction definitions; Section III Site and Byproduct Material Ownership, Criterion 9(h)(4), Criterion 11; and Section IV Long-Term Site Surveillance, Criterion 12.
(c) Any reference in these rules to requirements, or procedures contained in 10 C.F.R. §§ 150.20 and 150.31 shall constitute the full adoption by reference of that part and subparts as they appear in 10 C.F.R. §§ 150.20 and 150.31, revised as of January 1, 2022, unless expressly provided otherwise in these rules. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of incorporated matter.
(d) The following sections, as of January 1, 2022 are excluded from these rules and are not incorporated by reference: 10 C.F.R. § 150.15, 150.15(a), and 150.31(b)(3)(iv). The NRC shall retain the rights reserved to the NRC in 10 C.F.R. §§ 150.15 and 150.15(a).
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 4 Deliberate Misconduct
(a) Any licensee, applicant for a license, employee of a licensee or applicant, or any contractor (including a supplier or consultant), subcontractor, employee of a contractor or subcontractor of any licensee or applicant for a license, who knowingly provides to any licensee, applicant, contractor, or subcontractor, any component, equipment, materials, or other goods or services that relate to a licensee's or applicant's activities in part, may not:
(i) Engage in deliberate misconduct that causes or would have caused, if not detected, a licensee or applicant to be in violation of any rule, regulation, or order; or any term, condition, or limitation of any license issued by the Department.
(ii) Deliberately submit to the NRC or Department information known to be materially incomplete or inaccurate.
(b) The Department may bring an enforcement action against any person who violates subparagraphs (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of this section.
(c) Deliberate misconduct means an intentional act or omission that the person knows:
(i) Would cause a licensee or applicant to be in violation of any rule, regulation, or order; or any term, condition, or limitation, of any license issued by the Department; or
(ii) Constitutes a violation of a requirement, procedure, instruction, contract, purchase order, or policy of a licensee or applicant as mandated by the Department.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 5 Filing an Application for a Specific License
(a) Two copies of the application for a specific license shall be mailed, or sent electronically as approved by the Administrator, to the Department accompanied with the license application fee, pursuant to Chapter 13 of these rules to:
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
Land Quality Division
200 W. 17th Street, Suite 10
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(b) The application for a specific license, and copies thereof, may be submitted in conjunction with an application for a mining permit as described in Wyoming Statute (W.S.) §§ 35-11-406 and -428. An application for a specific license, and copies thereof, shall be presented in a clean and orderly manner, as determined appropriate by the Department. Hard copies of specific license applications shall be bound, with the use of a three ring binder or something comparable, such that the information is easily accessible and pages are not misplaced.
(c) A permit to mine, when applicable, shall be obtained prior to the license being issued. Failure to obtain a permit to mine shall be grounds for refusing to issue a license. As determined by the Department, activities such as toll milling shall not require a permit to mine.
(d) Information provided by an applicant or licensee to the Department shall be complete and accurate in all material respects.
(e) Each applicant or licensee shall notify the Department of information identified by the applicant or licensee as having, for the regulated activity, a significant implication for public health and safety. An applicant or licensee violates this paragraph only if the applicant or licensee fails to notify the Department of information that the applicant or licensee has identified as having a significant implication for public health and safety. This requirement is not applicable to information which is already required to be provided to the Department by other reporting requirements.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 6 Exemptions from Regulatory Requirements
(a) Any person is exempt from this Chapter to the extent that such person receives title to, acquires, owns, possesses, uses, or transfers source material in any chemical mixture, compound, solution, or alloy in which the source material is by weight less than one-twentieth of one percent (0.05 percent) of the mixture, compound, solution, or alloy. The exemption contained in this paragraph does not apply to Australian-obligated source material, nor does it include byproduct materials as defined in these rules.
(b) Any person is exempt from this Chapter to the extent that such person receives, possesses, uses, or transfers unrefined and unprocessed ore containing source material provided that, except as authorized in specific license, such person shall not refine or process such ores.
(c) No person may introduce source or byproduct material into a product or material either knowing or having reason to believe that it will be transferred to persons exempt under this Chapter.
(d) The Department may, upon its own initiative or the application of an interested person, grant such exemptions from the requirements of this Chapter as authorized by law and, as determined by the Department, will not endanger life, property, and is otherwise in the public interest.
(e) Common and contract carriers, freight forwarders, warehousemen, and the United States Postal Service are exempt from the requirements of this Chapter and the requirements set forth in Section 81 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2011 et seq., as amended to the extent that they transport or store source, and byproduct material in the regular course of carriage for another or storage incident thereto.
(f) Except to the extent that the Department of Energy's (DOE) facilities or activities, subject to licensing pursuant to Section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. § 5842.), are involved, any prime contractor of the DOE is exempt from the requirements for a license set forth in 81 and 82 of the Act (42 U.S.C. § 2111 and 42 U.S.C. § 2112) and from this Chapter to the extent that such contractor, under his prime contract with the DOE manufactures, produces, transfers, receives, acquires, owns, possesses, or uses byproduct material for:
(i) The performance of work for the DOE at a United States Government owned or controlled site, including the transportation of byproduct material to or from such site and the performance of contract services during temporary interruptions of such transportation;
(ii) Research in, or development, manufacture, storage, testing, or transportation of, atomic weapons or components thereof; or
(iii) The use or operation of nuclear reactors or other nuclear devices in a United States Government owned vehicle or vessel.
(g) This Chapter shall not be deemed to authorize the import of radioactive material or products containing radioactive material.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 7 Pre-Licensing Construction
(a) Except as provided in this Chapter, the applicant shall not commence construction at any plant or facility in which the licensed activity will occur until the Department has issued a license. Commencement of construction, defined in Chapter 1 of these rules, prior to issuance of the license may be grounds for denial of a license.
(b) At a minimum, an application for a specific license to receive title to, acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, and use licensed material shall be filed with the Department at least nine (9) months prior to the commencement of construction of any plant or facility in which the licensed activity will occur, and in accordance with existing applicable law, including Chapter 3 of the Non-Coal Rules and Regulations.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 8 General Requirements for Issuance of Specific Licenses
(a) An application for a specific license may be approved if the Department determines that:
(i) The applicant is qualified by reason of training and experience, to use licensed material for the purpose requested in the subject application consistent with the governing statutes and rules and in such a manner as to minimize danger to public health and safety, or property;
(ii) The applicant's proposed equipment, facilities, and procedures are adequate to minimize danger to public health and safety or property;
(iii) The applicant satisfies the requirements listed in this Chapter;
(iv) The issuance of the license will not be detrimental to the health and safety of the public;
(v) The applicant is financially qualified to conduct the licensed activity, including any required decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, or disposal; and
(vi) The applicant has satisfied the requirements of Chapter 6 of these rules.
(b) The Department may at any time after the filing of the original application, and before the expiration of the license, require further statements in order to enable the Department to determine whether the application should be granted or denied or whether a license should be modified or revoked. All applications and statements shall be signed by the applicant or a person duly authorized to act for and on his behalf.
(c) Upon determination that an application meets the requirements of the Act, applicable rules, and public health and safety considerations, the Department may issue a specific license authorizing the proposed activity in such form, and containing such conditions and limitations, as the Department deems appropriate or necessary.
(d) The Department may incorporate conditions or provisions in any license at the time of issuance, with respect to the licensee's receipt, possession, use, and transfer of licensed material subject to this Chapter as it deems appropriate or necessary in order to:
(i) Minimize danger to public health and safety, and the environment;
(ii) Require reports and recordkeeping, and to provide for such inspections of activities under the license as may be appropriate and necessary; and
(iii) Prevent loss or theft of licensed material subject to this Chapter.
(e) All licenses, whether issued by the NRC or the Department, and the authorization to possess or utilize licensed material cannot be transferred, assigned, or in any manner disposed of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, through transfer of any license to any person unless the Department, after securing full information, determines the transfer is in accordance with the Act and these rules. Upon the transfer of an existing license, the new licensee shall comply with existing laws and license conditions. The Department may impose new license conditions to be complied with by the new licensee as it deems necessary.
(f) Each licensee pursuant to this Chapter shall confine use and possession of licensed material to the locations and purposes authorized in the license.
(g) Each licensee shall notify the Department in writing when the licensee decides to permanently discontinue all activities involving materials authorized under the license.
(h) Each licensee shall notify the Department in writing within seven (7) business days following the filing of voluntary or involuntary petition for bankruptcy under any Chapter of the United States Code (U.S.C.) by or against:
(i) The licensee;
(ii) An entity controlling the licensee, or listing the license or licensee as property of the estate as that term is defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101(14); or
(iii) An affiliate of the licensee as that term is defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101(2).
(i) The written notification of bankruptcy submitted to the Department shall identify the bankruptcy court in which the petition for bankruptcy was filed, the case number, and the date of filing.
(j) The licensee shall allow the Department, to enter and inspect any licensed area as provided by W.S. §§ 35-11-109(a)(iv), (v) and (vi). The licensee shall obtain for the Department the right to access and cross over private lands leading to or within a licensed area for inspection of regulated activities consistent with state law and these rules. The right to access and cross over private property shall be in writing, notarized, included in the application, and contain the following:
(i) The name of the landowner of the property to be accessed or crossed;
(ii) A legal description of the lands, using Public Land Survey System nomenclature that will be crossed during the inspection process;
(iii) A declarative statement from the landowner providing the Department permission to access the described private property for the inspection of regulated activities; and
(iv) The landowner's signature.
(v) In lieu of the foregoing, the licensee may provide the Department with an executed Department, Land Quality Division, Form 8 or a copy of the Surface Use Agreement clearly providing the Department the authority to access or cross over the subject private property.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 9 Specific Requirements for Issuance of Specific Licenses
(a) A specific license for source material involved in the extraction and concentration of uranium or thorium at uranium or thorium facilities and for the management and disposal of byproduct material will be issued if the applicant submits to the Department a complete and accurate application that clearly demonstrates how the requirements and objectives of this Chapter are met.
(b) An application for a license, including applications for the amendment or renewal of an existing license, to receive, possess and use licensed material shall contain all information required under these rules and such material as the Department may deem necessary. The application shall, at a minimum, contain the following information:
(i) A description of the proposed project or action;
(ii) For new licenses, environmental data that includes the results of a one-year preoperational monitoring program;
(iii) For renewal of licenses, environmental data containing results of the operational monitoring program or monitoring required to be conducted if the facility was not in operation but in standby mode;
(iv) Site characteristics, including regional and site specific geology, topography, hydrology, and meteorology;
(v) Radiological and non-radiological impacts of the proposed project or action including waterway and groundwater impacts;
(vi) An assessment of the radiological and non-radiological impacts to the public health and the environment;
(vii) Consideration of the long-term impacts of the licensed activities;
(viii) A representative presentation of the physical, chemical, and radiological properties of the type of licensed material to be received, stored, processed, or disposed of;
(ix) An evaluation of the short-term and long-term environmental impacts of such receipt, storage, processing, or disposal;
(x) An analysis of the environmental, economic, social, technical, and other benefits of the proposed activities against environmental costs and social effects;
(xi) Environmental effects of accidents;
(xii) Byproduct material disposal, decommissioning, decontamination, reclamation, and impacts of these activities;
(xiii) A closure plan to be included in the reclamation plan for decontamination, decommissioning, restoration, and reclamation of buildings of the licensed area to levels that would allow where applicable unrestricted use and for reclamation of the byproduct material disposal areas in accordance with technical requirements of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A;
(xiv) Proposal of an acceptable form and amount of financial assurance in accordance with 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Criterion 9 of Appendix A; and the Department's rules;
(xv) Specifications for the emissions control and disposition of byproduct material; and
(xvi) Emergency response protocol.
(c) For applications for a new license or application for a license amendment to expand the licensed site, proof of mailed notification to the owner or owners of the property on which licensed material is recovered, stored, processed, or disposed of must be demonstrated to the Department. The applicant for a new license must demonstrate that the owner or owners of the property were sent by certified United States mail, notification from the applicant stating that:
(i) Licensed radioactive material will be recovered, stored, processed, or disposed on the property; and
(ii) Decommissioning by the Department, funded by a surety, or as directed by order may be required and performed on the licensed site even if the licensee is unable or fails to decommission the licensed site as required by license.
(d) Environmental concerns outlined in subsection (b) of this section need to be resolved when the Department:
(i) Receives application for a new specific license or renewal of a specific license;
(ii) Receives an amendment request that would authorize or result in:
(A) A significant expansion of a site;
(B) A significant change in the type of releases;
(C) A significant increase in the amounts of releases;
(D) A significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure; or
(E) A significant increase in the potential for or consequences from radiological accidents.
(e) The Department may exempt an applicant or licensee from the requirement to submit additional environmental impact information on the determination that environmental concerns are addressed through information previously provided to the Department.
(i) In considering exemptions, the Department may request additional information to ensure that no significant environmental impacts will result from the proposed or licensed activity.
(f) The applicant shall provide written specification describing the means employed so that all airborne effluent releases are reduced to levels as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA) during the operational phase of any project.
(g) During any one full year prior to submittal of a new application or an amendment to expand the licensed area or operations, the applicant or licensee shall conduct a preoperational monitoring program to provide complete baseline data on an in situ recovery or a conventional milling site describing its pre-operational environment condition.
(h) Throughout the construction and operating phases of the in situ recovery facility or conventional mill, the applicant or licensee shall conduct an operational monitoring program to measure or evaluate compliance with applicable standards and regulations, in order to evaluate performance of control systems and procedures, environmental impacts of operation, and to detect potential long-term effects.
(i) Upon receipt of the license application or any amendments thereto, and of any other documents required, the Department may transmit information for review and comment to federal, state, and local agencies having expertise in or jurisdiction over the proposed project or activity. Written comments and reports of reviewing agencies may be considered by the Department in its decision-making review process on the license application or amendment.
(i) If an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA) is required by a federal agency pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and is provided by such federal agency, it may be used in the Department's decision-making review process.
(j) An application for a license shall contain proposed specifications relating to the recovery or milling operations and management and disposition of tailings or wastes resulting from such recovery or milling activities to achieve the requirements and objectives set forth in the criteria listed in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A. Each applicant for a new license or for license renewal must clearly demonstrate how the requirements and objectives set forth in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A have been addressed. Failure to clearly demonstrate how the requirements and objectives in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A have been addressed shall be grounds for refusing to approve an application.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 10 Operational Requirements
Each licensee shall:
(a) Operate in accordance with the requirements and objectives of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A, and this Chapter, including the procedures required by Section 9(f) and the monitoring required by Section 9(g).
(b) Submit a semi-annual report to the Department within sixty (60) days following January 1 and July 1 of each year. The report must specify the quantity of each of the principal radionuclides released to unrestricted areas in liquid and in gaseous effluents during the previous six months of operation, and such other information as the Department may require to estimate the maximum potential annual radiation doses to the public resulting from effluent releases. If quantities of radioactive materials released during the reporting period are significantly above the licensee's design objectives previously reviewed as part of the most recent licensing action, the report shall cover this specifically. On the basis of such reports or any additional information the Department may obtain from the licensee or others, the Department may require the licensee to take such actions as the Department deems appropriate to protect public health and safety and the environment.
(c) Licensee shall report events that have significant radiological effects on employee safety, public health, or the environment to the Department according to the following:
(i) All licensees shall notify the Department as soon as possible but no later than four (4) hours after the discovery of an event that prevents immediate protective actions necessary to avoid exposure to radiation or licensed materials that could exceed regulatory limits (events may include fires, explosions, toxic gas releases, etc.). The following events require immediate notification to the Department:
(A) Any failure in a tailings or waste retention system which results in a release of tailings or waste into unrestricted areas; and
(B) Any unusual conditions which are not contemplated in the design of the retention system and which if not corrected could lead to failure of the system and result in a release of tailings or waste into unrestricted areas.
(ii) Each licensee shall notify the Department within twenty-four (24) hours after the discovery of any of the following events involving licensed material:
(A) An unplanned contamination event that:
(I) Requires access to the contaminated area, by workers or the public, to be restricted for more than twenty-four (24) hours by imposing additional radiological controls or by prohibiting entry into the area;
(II) Involves a quantity of material greater than five times the lowest annual limit on intake specified in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B; and
(III) Requires access to the area restricted for a radiological safety reason other than to allow isotopes with a half-life of less than twenty-four (24) hours to decay prior to decontamination.
(B) An event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when:
(I) The equipment is required by regulation or license condition to prevent releases exceeding regulatory limits, to prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding regulatory limits, or to mitigate the consequences of an accident;
(II) The equipment is required to be available and operable when it is disabled or fails to function; and
(III) No redundant equipment is available and operable to perform required safety function.
(C) An event that requires unplanned medical treatment at a medical facility of an individual with spreadable radioactive contamination on the individual's clothing or body;
(D) An unplanned fire or explosion damaging any licensed material or any device, container, or equipment containing licensed material when:
(I) The quantity of material involved is greater than five times the lowest annual limit on intake specified in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B.
(II) The damage affects the integrity of the licensed material or its container.
(iii) Reporting of spills of licensed material and excursions shall be done pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Non-Coal Rules and Regulations.
(iv) Reports made by the licensees in response to the requirements of this Section must be made as follows:
(A) Licensees shall make reports required by Sections 10(c)(i) and 10(c)(ii) of this Chapter by telephone to the Department. To the extent that the information is available at the time of notification, the information provided in these reports must include:
(I) The caller's name and telephone number;
(II) A description of the event, including date and time;
(III) The exact location of the event;
(IV) The isotopes, quantities, and chemical and physical form of the licensed material involved; and
(V) Any personnel radiation exposure data available.
(B) Licensees who make a report required by Section 10(c)(iii) of this Chapter shall submit a written follow-up report as prescribed in Chapter 11 of the Non-Coal Rules and Regulations.
(C) Written reports prepared pursuant to other applicable rules may be submitted to fulfill this requirement if the reports contain all of the necessary information and the appropriate distribution is made. The reports must include the following:
(I) A description of the event, including the probable cause and the manufacturer and model number (if applicable) of any equipment that failed or malfunctioned;
(II) The exact location of the event;
(III) A description of the isotopes, quantities, and chemical and physical form of the licensed material involved;
(IV) Date and time of the event;
(V) Corrective actions taken or planned and the result of any evaluations or assessments;
(VI) Timely schedule for remediation of the spill or release, if required; and
(VII) The extent of exposure of individuals to radiation or to radioactive materials without identification of the individuals by name.
Section 11 Expiration and Termination of Licenses.
(a) The term of the specific license is for a fixed term not to exceed twenty (20) years.
(b) Expiration of the specific license does not relieve the licensee of the requirements of the Act, these rules, or existing license conditions.
(c) All license provisions continue in effect beyond the expiration date with respect to possession of licensed material until the Department notifies the former licensee in writing that the provisions of the license are no longer binding. During this time, the former licensee must:
(i) Limit actions involving radioactive material to strictly decommissioning related activities; and
(ii) Continue to control entry to restricted areas until the location(s) is suitable for release for unrestricted use or for release for long-term care and maintenance.
(d) A licensee shall notify the Department, in writing to request the termination of the license within seven (7) days from when the licensee decides to terminate all licensed activities. This notification and request for termination of the license shall include the reports on decommissioning and reclamation activities as required by this Chapter.
(e) No less than thirty (30) days before the expiration date specified in the license, the licensee shall either:
(i) Submit an application for license renewal; or
(ii) Notify the Department, in writing, if the licensee decides not to renew the license.
(f) If a licensee does not submit a notification for a license renewal under Section 13 of this Chapter the licensee shall, on or before the expiration date specified in the license:
(i) Terminate use of licensed material;
(ii) Remove radioactive contamination to the extent practicable;
(iii) Properly dispose of the licensed material;
(iv) Submit a completed Department Form URP-314 or equivalent; and
(v) Conduct a radiation survey of the premises where the licensed activities were carried out and submit a report of the results of this survey, unless the licensee demonstrates in some other manner that the premises are suitable for release in accordance with the criteria for decommissioning in this Chapter or the requirements in Criterion 6(6) of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A. The licensee shall:
(A) Report levels of radioactivity, including alpha and beta in units of µCi per 100cm2 removable and fixed for surfaces, µCi per milliliter for water, and pCi per gram for solids such as soils or concrete; and report levels of gamma radiation in units of microroentgen per hour at one meter from the surface.
(B) Specify the instrumentation used and certify that each instrument was properly calibrated and tested.
(C) If no residual radioactivity attributable to activities conducted under the license is detected or detectable residual radioactivity is below release criteria found in this Chapter, 10 C.F.R. 40 Appendix A, the licensee shall certify in writing that no detectable radioactivity contamination was found or it was below release criteria (Department Form URP-314 or equivalent). The Department will notify the licensee, in writing, of the termination of the license.
(D) If detectable levels of residual radioactive contamination attributable to activities conducted under the license are found above release criteria, the license continues in effect beyond the expiration date, if necessary, with respect to possession of residual radioactivity or radioactive material present as contamination until the Department notifies the licensee in writing that the license is terminated. During this time the licensee is subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.
(g) In addition to the information provided in subsection (f) of this Section, the licensee shall submit a plan for decontamination within twelve (12) months after the time of license expiration, contemplating for the residual radioactivity remaining at the time the license expires.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 12 Renewal of Licenses
(a) A licensee shall notify the Department of their intent to renew their license at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the existing license.
(i) Upon receipt of the notification to renew, the Department shall open the original license application, including, but not limited to, all applicable renewals and amendments, to:
(A) Ensure the application accurately reflects current operations;
(B) Incorporates changes to industrial standards codified in these rules; and
(C) Incorporate operational data to accurately set design objectives.
(b) If an application for renewal has been filed at least thirty (30) days before the expiration date stated in the existing license, the existing license expires at the end of the day on which the Department makes a final determination to deny the renewal application or, if the determination states an expiration date, the expiration date stated in the determination.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 13 Amendments of Licenses at Request of Licensee
(a) Application for amendment of a license shall be filed in accordance with Section 9 of this Chapter and shall specify the items which the licensee desires the license to be amended and the grounds for such amendment such items being beyond the scope of the licensee's ability to address under its performance based license.
(b) In considering an application by a licensee to renew or amend his license the Department will apply the applicable criteria set forth in Section 8(a) of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 14 Modification and Revocation of Licenses
(a) The terms and conditions of all licenses shall be subject to amendment, revision, or modification at the request of the licensee.
(b) The Department may suspend or revoke a license for significant noncompliance to the Act, rules, regulations, or orders issued by the Department.
(c) The Department may suspend or revoke any license in whole or in part, for any false material statement in the application, any false statement of fact required under the provisions of the Act, or because of any report, record, or inspection or other means which would warrant the Department to refuse to grant a license on an original application.
(d) Except in the case of wanton and willful behavior or in situations where the public health, interest, or safety requires otherwise, no license shall be modified, suspended, or revoked unless, prior to the institution of proceedings therefore, facts or conduct which may warrant such action shall have been called to the attention of the licensee in writing and the licensee shall have been accorded an opportunity to demonstrate or achieve compliance with all lawful requirements.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 15 Public Notice
(a) Upon completion of the Department's review of an application, the Department shall provide notice to the public of issuance of an initial draft decision where the license application is approved, approved with conditions, or denied.
(i) The initial draft decision shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(A) A decision analysis, that includes discussions on environmental impacts; and
(B) The final technical analysis conducted by the Department.
(ii) Upon issuance of the initial draft decision described in Section 15(a)(i), or a licensing action that significantly impacts the environment or public health and safety, the Department shall initiate a public comment process, and hold a public hearing upon written request from an "aggrieved party" as defined in W.S. § 35-11-103(a)(vii). If a public hearing is requested, the Department shall publish notice of the public hearing in a newspaper of statewide or general circulation or on the Department's website before the public hearing. The notice of the public hearing shall include:
(A) The time, place, and nature of the hearing;
(B) A copy of the initial draft decision; and
(C) A statement detailing where public comments may be submitted.
(iii) Pursuant to the request and notice described in Section 15(a)(ii), the Department shall hold a public hearing. Such hearing shall be transcribed and, at a minimum, require:
(A) The opportunity for cross-examination;
(B) A summary of the licensing activity proposed in the application; and
(C) An opportunity for the public to comment and be heard.
(iv) The Rules of Practice and Procedure applicable to hearings before the Department shall apply. To the extent that any inconsistencies exist between the Rules of Practice and Procedure and these rules, these rules shall govern.
(b) For applications which are denied, the Department shall issue a written summary containing the basis for denial.
(c) The applicant or licensee shall pay for the expenses associated with public notice, public comment, or public meetings associated with the specific licensing request by the applicant or licensee.
(d) Following the public comment period and public hearing associated with a specific licensing request, the Department shall, after review of the public comments received by the Department, issue a written final decision. The final decision must ban all major construction before the completion of the written environmental analysis. The final decision is subject to review by the Environmental Quality Council and judicial review in accordance with Wyoming law.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 16 Decommissioning Requirements
(a) The licensee shall notify the Department in writing within sixty (60) days of the licensee deciding to permanently cease principal activities at the entire site or in any separate building or outdoor area that contains residual radioactivity such that the building or outdoor area is unsuitable for release in accordance with these regulations.
(b) The licensee shall notify the Department in writing within sixty (60) days if no principal activities under the license have been conducted for a period of twenty-four (24) months; or no principal activities have been conducted for a period of twenty-four (24) months in any separate building or outdoor area that contains residual radioactivity such that the building or outdoor area is unsuitable for release in accordance with NRC regulations.
(c) From the date of written notification sent to the Department required in Sections 16(a) and (b), the licensee shall either:
(i) Begin decommissioning activities; or
(ii) Within twelve (12) months of written notification submit a decommissioning plan, if required by section 17(a) of this Chapter or 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A, and begin decommissioning upon the Department approval of that plan.
(d) The Department may grant a request to delay or postpone initiation of the decommissioning process if the Commission determines that such relief is not detrimental to the public health and safety and is otherwise in the public interest.
(e) Coinciding with and in addition to the notification requirements of Sections 16(a) and (b) of this Chapter, the licensee shall maintain in effect all decommissioning financial assurances as required by 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A. The amount of financial assurance must be increased, or may be decreased, as appropriate, to cover the detailed cost estimate for decommissioning established pursuant to Section 17 of this Chapter.
(f) The Department may approve an alternate schedule for the submission of plans and for the completion of decommissioning as required pursuant to Sections 16(a) and (b) if the Department determines that the alternate schedule: (1) is necessary to effectively conduct decommissioning, (2) presents no undue risks to public health and safety, and (3) is otherwise in the public's interest. The request for an alternate schedule must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days before the required notification in Section 16(a) of this Chapter. The schedule for decommissioning may not commence until the Department has made a determination on the request for an alternate schedule.
(g) Except as provided in subparagraph (e) of this Section,
(i) Licensees shall complete decommissioning of the site or separate building or outdoor area as soon as practicable but no later than twenty-four (24) months following the initiation of decommissioning.
(ii) Except as provided in subparagraph (f) of this Section, when decommissioning involves the entire site, the licensee shall request license termination as soon as practicable but no later than twenty-four (24) months following the initiation of decommissioning.
(h) As the final step in decommissioning, the licensee shall:
(i) Certify the disposition of all licensed material, including accumulated wastes, by submitting a Department Form URP-314 or equivalent; and
(ii) Conduct a radiation survey of the premises where the licensed activities were carried out and submit a report of the results of this survey, unless the licensee after approval by the Department demonstrates in some other manner that the premises are suitable for release in accordance with the criteria for decommissioning in this Chapter or criteria in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A. The licensee shall, as appropriate:
(A) Report levels of gamma radiation in units of microroentgen (millisieverts) per hour at one meter from surfaces, and report levels of radioactivity, including alpha and beta, in units of microcuries (disintegrations per minute or megabecquerels) per 100 square centimeters removable and fixed for surfaces, microcuries (megabecquerels) per milliliter for water and picocuries (becquerels) per gram for solids such as soils or concrete; and
(B) Specify the survey instrument(s) used and certify that each instrument is properly calibrated and tested.
(i) Specific licenses, including expired licenses, will be terminated by written notice to the licensee when the Department determines, where applicable, that:
(i) Licensed material has been properly disposed;
(ii) Reasonable effort has been made to eliminate residual radioactive contamination, if present; and
(iii) A radiation survey has been performed which demonstrates that:
(A) The premises are suitable for release in accordance with the applicable criteria for decommissioning found in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A; and
(B) Other information submitted by the licensee is sufficient to demonstrate that the premises are suitable for release in accordance with the applicable criteria found in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A.
(iv) The licensee has satisfied the applicable technical and other requirements for closure and reclamation of an 11e.(2) byproduct material disposal site; and
(v) The NRC has made a determination that all applicable standards and requirements have been met.
(j) Specific licenses for uranium and thorium milling are exempt from subparagraph (e) of this section with respect to reclamation of tailings impoundments and/or waste disposal areas.
(k) A licensee may request that a subsite or a portion of a licensed area be released for unrestricted use before full license termination as long as release of the area of concern will not adversely impact the remaining unaffected areas and will not be recontaminated by ongoing authorized activities. When the licensee is confident that the area of concern will be acceptable to the Department for release for unrestricted use, a written request for release for unrestricted use and Department confirmation of closeout work performed shall be submitted to the Department. The request should include a comprehensive report, accompanied by survey and sample results that show contamination is less than the limits specified in 10 C.F.R. Par 40, Appendix A and an explanation of how ongoing authorized activities will not adversely affect the area proposed to be released. Upon confirmation by the Department that the area of concern is releasable for unrestricted use, the licensee may apply for a license amendment, if required.
(i) The Department will submit site releases to the NRC in accordance to SA-900 for approval; and.
(ii) Prior to terminating any license, the Administrator of the Land Quality Division receive approval and a determination from the NRC that the licensee has complied with the NRC's decontamination, decommissioning, disposal, and reclamation standards in accordance with SA-900.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.4.01032025 § 17 Decommissioning Plan
(a) Each licensee authorized to receive, possess, and use licensed material shall submit a plan for completion of decommissioning, if the procedures necessary to carry out decommissioning:
(i) Have not been previously approved by the Department; or
(ii) Could increase potential health and safety impacts to workers or to the public, such as in any of the following cases:
(A) Procedures would involve techniques not applied routinely during cleanup or maintenance operations;
(B) Workers would be entering areas not normally occupied where surface contamination and radiation levels are significantly higher than routinely encountered during operation;
(C) Procedures could result in significantly greater airborne concentrations of radioactive materials than are present during operation; or
(D) Procedures could result in significantly greater releases of radioactive material to the environment than those associated with operation.
(b) Procedures with potential health and safety impacts may not be carried out prior to approval of the decommissioning plan.
(c) The proposed decommissioning plan, if required by this Chapter or by license condition must include:
(i) Description of the condition of the site, separate buildings, or outdoor areas sufficient to evaluate the acceptability of the plan;
(ii) Description of planned decommissioning activities;
(iii) Description of methods used to assure protection of workers and the environment against radiation hazards during decommissioning;
(iv) A description of the planned final radiation survey; and
(v) An updated detailed cost estimate for decommissioning, comparison of that estimate with present funds set aside for decommissioning, and plan for assuring the availability of adequate funds for completion of decommissioning.
(A) For decommissioning plans calling for completion of decommissioning later than twenty-four (24) months after plan approval, the licensee must provide a justification for any delay based on the criteria in subsection (f) of this Section.
(d) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this Section, the licensee shall complete decommissioning of the site, separate buildings, and outdoor area as soon as practicable but no later than twenty-four (24) months following the initiation of decommissioning.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this Section, when decommissioning involves the licensed area, the licensee shall request license termination as soon as practicable but no later than twenty-four (24) months following the initiation of decommissioning.
(f) The Department may approve a request for an alternate schedule for completion of decommissioning of the site or separate building or outdoor area(s), and license termination if appropriate and if the Department determines that the alternative schedule is warranted. In doing so, the Department shall consider the following:
(i) Whether it is technically feasible to complete decommissioning within the allotted twenty-four (24) month period;
(ii) Whether sufficient waste disposal capacity is available to allow completion of decommissioning within the allotted twenty-four (24) month period;
(A) Including whether a significant volume reduction in wastes requiring disposal will be achieved by allowing short-lived radionuclides to decay.
(iii) Whether a significant reduction in radiation exposure to workers can be achieved by allowing short-lived radionuclides to decay; and
(iv) Other site specific factors which the Department may consider appropriate on a case-by-case basis, such as the regulatory requirement of other government agencies, lawsuits, groundwater treatment activities, monitored natural groundwater restoration, actions that could result in more environmental harm than deferred cleanup, and other factors beyond the control of the licensee.
(g) After submittal and upon approval of the decommissioning plan by the Department, the licensee shall decommission in accordance with the approved plan. As a final step in the decommissioning the licensee shall:
(i) Certify the disposition of all licensed material, including accumulated wastes, by submitting a completed Department Form URP-314 or equivalent;
(ii) Conduct a radiation survey of the premises where the licensed activities were carried out and submit a report of the results of this survey, unless the licensee demonstrates in some other manner that the premises are suitable for release in accordance with the criteria for decommissioning in this Chapter or the requirements in Criterion 6(6) of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A. The licensee shall:
(A) Report levels of gamma radiation in units of microroentgen (millisieverts) per hour at one meter from surfaces, and report levels of radioactivity, including alpha and beta, in units of microcuries (disintegrations per minute or megabecquerels) per 100 square centimeters removable and fixed for surfaces, microcuries (megabecquerels) per milliliter for water and picocuries (becquerels) per gram for solids such as soils or concrete; and
(B) Specify the survey instrument(s) used and certify that each instrument is properly calibrated and tested.
History
- Effective 2025-01-03
Chapter 5 Notices, Instructions, and Reports to Workers
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.5.11172022 § 1 Purpose
(a) This Chapter establishes requirements for notices, instructions, and reports by licensees to individuals engaged in work under a license and options available to such individuals in connection with the Department's inspections of licensees to ascertain compliance with the provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statute §§ 35-11-2001 et seq, and regulations, orders, and licenses issued thereunder regarding radiological working conditions as specified within the provision of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.
Section 2. Scope.
(a) This Chapter applies to all persons who receive, possess, use, own, or transfer licensed material.
Section 3. Incorporation by Reference (IBR) of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 19; Notice, Instructions and Reports to Workers: Inspection and Investigations.
(a) The Department fully adopts and hereby incorporates by reference 10 C.F.R, Part 19, revised as of January 1, 2022, including all sections and any notes and appendices therein, unless expressly provided otherwise in these rules. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(b) The following 10 C.F.R. sections as listed on January 1, 2022 are excluded from these rules: 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.5, 19.8, 19.14(a), and 19.18.
(c) Any references in 10 C.F.R. Part 19 adopted by reference to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or any component thereof shall be deemed to be a reference to the Department.
(d) Any reference in the federal rules adopted by reference to the Commission's "Form 3" shall be deemed a reference to the Department's "Uranium Recovery Program Form 3".
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Chapter 6 Financial Assurance Requirements
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.6.09082017 § 1 Purpose
(a) This Chapter provides for financial assurance arrangements in support of decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, restoration, disposal, and any other activity required by the Department, for costs associated with the licensed facilities and sites.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.6.09082017 § 2 Scope
(a) This Chapter sets forth the requirements of Wyoming Statute (W.S.) §§ 35-11-417 through 418 and 35-11-2003(e) for the establishment of financial assurance arrangements for licensees listed in these rules. Such financial assurance arrangements may consist of surety bonds, federally insured certificates of deposit payable to the Department, cash deposits, certificates of deposits, deposits of government securities, irrevocable letters of credit issued by a bank organized to do business in the United States, or any combination of approved mechanisms.
(b) Licensees shall comply with the requirements of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 40, Appendix A, Criterion 9 and 10, as incorporated by reference in Chapter 4 of these rules.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.6.09082017 § 3 Terms Unique to Financial Assurance
(a) "Annual Review" is conducted during the review of the annual report which is due on the anniversary date of the establishment of the permit to mine or source material license in circumstances where no permit exists.
(b) "Cost Estimate" means a document containing the total costs that would be incurred if an independent contractor were hired to perform the decommissioning of the facility and disposal of licensed material, and all associated costs to the Department in conducting decommissioning oversight. Costs must reflect current approved estimated costs.
(c) "Facility" means the location within one building, vehicle, or under one roof and under the same administrative control: (1) at which the possession, use, processing, or storage of licensed material is or was authorized; or (2) may also mean multiple such locations at a site or part of a site.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.6.09082017 § 4 Financial Assurance
(a) The Department requires specific source and byproduct material licensees to furnish a decommissioning financial assurance arrangement in a dollar amount approved by the Department, as necessary to protect public health and safety, to ensure corrective action during operation, to ensure decontamination and decommissioning of a facility or site, and for disposal of licensed material in the event of abandonment, insolvency, or other inability of the licensee to meet the requirements of the license, the Act, or these rules.
(b) The costs associated with reclamation and long term care and maintenance in accordance with this Chapter shall be sufficient to ensure compliance with those standards established by the Department pertaining to bonds, sureties, and other financial arrangements to ensure adequate reclamation and long term management of such byproduct material and its disposal.
(c) Licensees shall provide the Department with cost-estimates that are reasonably accurate and these estimates shall include costs for the following:
(i) Disposal of licensed material;
(ii) Decontamination and decommissioning of buildings, facilities, and the site to a standard which achieves levels that allow release for unrestricted use of these areas upon decommissioning;
(iii) Reclamation of byproduct material disposal areas in accordance with the technical criteria detailed in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A;
(iv) Aquifer restoration which is based on the physical characteristics of the mining aquifer; the cost of equipment, labor, and administration; and any other data required under 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A Criterion 5(b)(5) and Chapter 11 of the Non-Coal Rules and Regulations;
(A) Other operational activities that have impacted groundwater as detailed in 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A, Criterion 5(b).
(v) Costs that would be incurred if an independent contractor was hired to dispose of radioactive materials and perform decontamination, decommissioning, and reclamation work including:
(A) The cost of removal and/or disposal of licensed material which is generated, stored, processed, or otherwise present at the facility or site; and
(B) The probable extent of contamination through the possession or use of licensed material, at or adjacent to the facility or site, and the probable cost of removal of such contamination;
(vi) An adequate contingency factor.
(vii) For sites requiring long-term care and maintenance, a minimum charge of two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00), in 1978 dollars, shall be included in the financial assurance established by the licensee to cover the costs of long-term care and maintenance.
(d) Prior to approval of an application for a new license, an applicant shall establish financial assurance arrangements to ensure the decontamination and decommissioning of the facility.
(e) Prior to termination of a license, a licensee shall establish a fund adequate and sufficient to cover the payment of the cost for long-term care and monitoring, the amount of which shall be approved by the NRC, pursuant to Criteria 9 and 10 of 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A.
(f) Applicants shall provide an executed original copy of each financial assurance instrument required by this Chapter for approval by the Department as appropriate.
(i) An applicant for a new license shall submit a certification that financial assurance for decommissioning has been provided in the amount required by this Chapter. An executed original copy of each financial assurance instrument required by this Chapter and approved by the Department shall be submitted to the Department sixty (60) days prior to the approval of the Permit to Mine and Source Material License.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.6.09082017 § 5 Acceptable Financial Assurance Methods
(a) Refer to W.S. §§ 35-11-417 through 418 for acceptable financial instruments and assurances.
(b) Self-insurance, or any arrangement that essentially constitutes self-insurance (for example, a contract with a state or federal agency), including bonding pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-417(d) will not satisfy the financial assurance requirements of these rules.
(c) The term of the financial assurance warranty shall automatically renew until termination of the license by the Department, unless it can be demonstrated that another arrangement would provide an acceptable level of assurance. The requirements for cancelation or substitution of the financial assurance warranty are outlined in W.S. §§ 35-11-420 and 35-11-421.
(d) The value of the financial assurance warranty shall not be dependent upon the success, profitability, or continued operation of the licensed operation.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.6.09082017 § 6 Periodic Review of Financial Assurances
(a) As part of the annual report, a licensee shall provide to the Department written proof of the value of existing financial warranties and any licensee-proposed changes to the financial assurance warranties, including updated decommissioning plans, changes in cost estimates, or the changes to the type of warranty. The report shall describe any changes in operations, estimated costs, or any other circumstances that may affect the amount of required financial assurance warranties, including any increased cost attributable to inflation.
(b) Each financial assurance shall be subject to annual review, at a minimum, and approval by the Department to assure its continued adequacy of each warranty.
(c) With the approval of the Department, changes to the amount of a decommissioning financial assurance instrument may occur to account for increases or decreases in cost estimates resulting from inflation or deflation, changes in engineering plans, activities performed, or changes in any other condition affecting disposal, decontamination, and decommissioning costs.
(i) With the approval of the Department, reduction in the amount of decommissioning financial assurance may occur as decommissioning activities are completed, in accordance with an approved decommissioning plan or to reflect current site conditions and license authorization.
(d) Appropriate and adequate decommissioning financial assurances shall be maintained in effect and in good standing by the licensee until termination of the license or as otherwise authorized by the Department, regardless of whether decommissioning is phased through the life of licensed operations or occurs at the end.
Section 7. Long-Term Care and Maintenance Financial Assurances.
(a) In addition to the decommissioning warranty required by this Chapter, the Department may require licensees to provide a long-term care warranty of the licensed facility if the facility will remain a disposal site for 11e.(2) byproduct material subsequent to the termination of the license, or the license will be terminated using the criteria in 10 C.F.R., Part 40, Appendix A.
(i) The amount of funds to be provided by such long-term care warranties shall be based on approved cost estimates as determined by the Department, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and NRC, and shall be sufficient to cover the annual costs of site surveillance, including reasonable administrative costs incurred, subsequent to the termination of the license.
(ii) For each licensee going to long-term care, the long-term care warranty must have a minimum value equivalent to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) in 1978 dollars.
(A) The value of the long-term care warranty shall be adjusted annually to recognize inflation.
(I) The inflation rate to be used for this adjustment is that indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
(II) The Licensee may use other reasonable resources to analyze the inflation rate provided the amount of long-term care warranty is acceptable to the Department.
(iii) Cost estimates for facilities and sites requiring long-term care subsequent to license termination are to be based on the final disposition of wastes such that ongoing active maintenance is not necessary to preserve isolation.
(A) It is expected that, at a minimum, annual site inspections shall be conducted to confirm the integrity of the stabilized waste systems and to determine the need, if any, for maintenance and/or monitoring.
(B) Cost estimates shall be adjusted if more frequent site inspections are required based on an evaluation of a particular site.
(iv) For sites decommissioned in accordance with 10 C.F.R. Part 40, Appendix A, cost estimates for long-term care subsequent to license termination must be sufficient to enable the Department or the DOE to:
(A) Perform periodic site inspections at least every five (5) years;
(B) Assure the continuation of institutional controls; and
(C) Assume responsibilities and carry out any necessary control and maintenance of the site. Cost estimates shall be adjusted to account for more frequent site inspections as required by the Department.
(v) Upon the determination by the Department that disposal, decommissioning, and decontamination requirements have been satisfied, and after the NRC has approved the Department's determination, the Department shall transfer the custody of the site and any funds for long-term care to the appropriate regulatory agency assuming long-term care and custody. Such funds include, but are not limited to, sums collected for long-term care and maintenance (i.e. continued site observation, monitoring, and necessary maintenance). Such funds do not include monies held as surety where no default has occurred and the required reclamation or other bonded activity has been performed.
(A) If the value of the long-term care warranty funds exceeds the amount required by the regulatory agency overseeing the long-term care of the site, then all such excess amounts shall be returned to the licensee.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.6.09082017 § 8 Financial Assurance Recordkeeping
(a) Licensees shall keep records of financial assurances throughout the life of the license, including, but not limited to, records of the cost estimate performed for the decommissioning, the amount certified for decommissioning, and records of the funding method used for assuring funds.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Chapter 7 Fees
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.7.09082017 § 1 Purpose
(a) As authorized by the Act to support all direct and indirect costs associated with the operation of the Program, this Chapter establishes fees for radiation control services rendered by the Department and provisions regarding payment.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.7.09082017 § 2 Scope
(a) These rules apply to a person who is:
(i) An applicant for or holder of a specific byproduct or source material license issued by the Department pursuant to Chapter 4 of these rules or by the NRC or another Agreement State; and
(ii) Required to have routine and non-routine safety inspections of licensed activities.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.7.09082017 § 3 Costs Generally
(a) "Direct Costs" are operating costs directly assignable to the Program. Direct Costs include salaries, supplies, travel, and other costs incurred by the Program such as, but not limited to, costs associated with processing license applications, inspecting sites, and developing program rules.
(b) "Indirect Costs" are costs not directly assignable to the Program. Indirect Costs include the cost of activities such as human resource management, procurement, and accounting. Indirect Costs include the partial costs of state agencies such as Administration and Information, the Treasurer's Office, and other state agencies providing support or resources to the Program. These are costs which indirectly support the ability of the Program to function, but are not directly related to producing or inspecting a license or the immediate management of those functions. Uncollected fees from licensees will be charged as Indirect Costs for the following year. Indirect Costs will be collected by the Department as described in Section 4, below.
(c) Direct Costs fall into two different categories:
(i) "Site Specific Direct Costs" are incurred by the Department in the form of time and resources for a specific applicant or licensee. Site Specific Direct Costs shall include, but are not limited to, the costs of reviewing applications, amendments, inspections, or incident responses.
(ii) "Non-Site Specific Direct Costs" are not attributable to a specific licensee, but represent a cost to the Department attributable to the Program. These types of costs shall include, but are not limited to, materials such as paper and other office supplies, training of staff, development of guidance documents, and other general administrative costs.
(d) The accumulation of costs can be described as follows:
(i) "Total Direct Costs" are the combination of the Site Specific Direct Costs and Non-Site Specific Direct Costs.
(ii) "Total Costs" are the sum of Site Specific Direct Costs, Non-Site Specific Direct Costs, and Indirect Costs.
(e) "Fiscal Year" is the twelve (12) month period from July 1 through June 30, as used by the State of Wyoming for budget formulation and execution.
(f) "Projected Costs" are the most recent two (2) year average of Total Costs assumed by the licensee.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.7.09082017 § 4 Tracking Costs
(a) The Department shall keep a record of Site Specific Direct Costs associated with each license.
(b) Non-Site Specific Direct Costs shall be distributed to all licensees based on the proportion of an individual licensee's Site Specific Direct Costs, as compared to the combined Total Costs of all licensees. For example, if company X demands roughly fifty percent (50%) of the total billable Site-Specific Direct Costs for the Program they will be charged fifty percent (50%) of the Non-Site Specific Direct Costs.
(c) Indirect Costs will be calculated and allocated to licensees and the Program using the rates and basis for application detailed in the Cognizant Agency Negotiation Agreement, negotiated between the Department and the federal government. Indirect Costs are applied to both Site Specific and Non-Site Specific Direct Costs.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.7.09082017 § 5 Application Fees
(a) All new license applications shall be accompanied by an initial one hundred thousand dollar ($100,000.00) application fee. The application fee shall only cover the costs associated with processing the license application.
(b) The application fee shall be carried forward until the Department issues a license to the applicant. If the application fee is expended before the license is issued, an additional one hundred thousand dollar ($100,000.00) application fee shall be assessed and collected from the applicant. This shall continue in increments of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) until the Department issues a license to the applicant.
(c) Once the Department issues a license, the new licensee will be refunded or credited the amount of any unused portions of the application fee.
(d) Applicants that withdraw an application will not be refunded the unused application fee and forfeit any remaining initial application fees paid to the Department. However, applicants that withdraw an application after paying the additional application fees, as described in subparagraph (b) above, shall be refunded the unexpended balance of the additional application fees.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.7.09082017 § 6 Annual Fees
(a) Annual fees are to be paid in full prior to the fiscal year for which the fees are assessed. The Department shall notify all licensees of the amount of their annual fee ninety (90) days prior to the start of the fiscal year. The annual fee must be received and processed prior to the Department taking any licensing or other requested action.
(b) Until the Department can establish Projected Costs for a licensee, the licensee shall be billed a predetermined annual fee. The predetermined annual fee shall be equal to the annual estimated cost of the Program divided by the total number of licensees.
(c) Once the Department establishes Projected Costs for a licensee, the licensee shall be assessed an annual fee based on the licensee's average Total Costs from the previous two years of operation.
(d) A new licensee shall be billed an annual fee equal to the average Total Costs of all licensees, until Projected Costs can be established.
(e) Following recognition of all costs for a fiscal year, the Department shall prepare a statement for each licensee showing the itemized actual Total Costs for the fiscal year.
(i) If the annual fee collected from the licensee exceeds the Total Costs attributable to the licensee, the statement shall be accompanied by a credit or refund of the difference in amounts to the licensee.
(ii) If the annual fee collected from the licensee is less than the Total Costs attributable to the licensee, the statement shall be accompanied by an invoice covering the difference in amounts owed to the Department. The licensee shall have sixty (60) days from the date of the invoice to pay the Department the full outstanding balance of the invoice.
(f) New licenses issued after the beginning of the fiscal year will be assessed an annual fee, as described above, but the fee will be prorated based on the date the license was issued.
(g) Failure to pay prescribed fees may result in, and is not limited to, the Department halting the processing of an amendment, suspending or revoking a license, or issuing a notice of violation and order as the Department deems necessary and appropriate to carry out the provisions of the Act.
(h) The minimum annual fee for all licensees is one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.7.09082017 § 7 Method of Payment
Payments made under this Chapter shall be paid in U.S. dollars through electronic funds transfer, check, or money order made payable to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Chapter 8 Risk Informed, Performance Based Licensing and Inspection
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.8.09082017 § 1 Purpose
(a) This Chapter establishes a risk informed, performance based regulatory framework as it will be applied to licensees regulated by the Program. No undue risk to public health, safety, or the environment shall occur as a result of licensed operations by the licensee under this regulatory framework.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.8.09082017 § 2 Scope
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, this Chapter applies to all persons who acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer and receive for transport, use, or dispose of any licensed material pursuant to these rules. Nothing in this Chapter shall apply to any person subject to regulation not relinquished by the NRC.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.8.09082017 § 3 Regulatory Approach
(a) The Department shall determine licensing inspection actions, enforcement, and other decisions by the Program based on the risk informed, performance based regulatory approach which is a combination of the following approaches:
(i) "A risk informed approach" to regulatory decision-making represents a philosophy whereby risk insights are considered together with other factors to establish requirements that better focus licensee and regulatory attention on design and operational issues, pertaining to licensed material safety, commensurate with their importance to employee health and safety, public health and safety, and environmental protection.
(ii) "A performance based approach" to regulatory decision making represents a philosophy whereby performance standards are established that must be achieved by the licensee, but provides flexibility to the licensee as to the means of meeting those standards. This approach emphasizes results over process and methods and uses those results as the primary basis for regulatory decision-making. This approach incorporates the following attributes:
(A) Measurable (or calculable) parameters (i.e., direct measurements of the physical parameter of interest or of related parameters that can be used to calculate the parameter of interest) that exist to monitor a system, including facility and licensee performance;
(B) Objective criteria to assess performance are established based on risk insights, deterministic analysis, and performance history;
(C) Flexibility for licensees to determine how to meet the established performance criteria in ways that will encourage and reward improved outcomes; and
(D) Failure to meet a performance criterion, while undesirable, will not in and of itself constitute or result in an immediate safety concern.
(b) As part of the risk informed performance based regulatory approach, the Department shall utilize risk insight, engineering analysis and judgment, including the principle of defense-in-depth and incorporation of safety margins, and performance history to:
(i) Focus attention on the areas of greatest potential significance to human health, safety, and the environment;
(ii) Establish objective criteria for evaluating performance;
(iii) Develop measurable or calculable parameters for monitoring system and license performance;
(iv) Provide flexibility to licensees to determine how to meet the established performance criteria in a way that will encourage and reward outcomes; and
(v) Focus on the results as the primary basis for regulatory decisions.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.8.09082017 § 4 Changes, Tests, or Experiments
(a) Subject to the conditions in Section 4(b) of this Chapter and without obtaining a license amendment pursuant to Chapter 4 of these rules, a licensee may:
(i) Make changes to the components of the licensed facility, which have a nexus to licensed material described in the most updated license application;
(ii) Make changes in the procedures as described in the most updated license application involving licensed material; and
(iii) Conduct tests or experiments not described in the most updated license application involving licensed material.
(b) The licensee shall obtain a license amendment pursuant to Chapter 4 of these rules prior to implementing a proposed change, test, or experiment if the change, test, or experiment would result in or create the following:
(i) More than a minimal increase in the frequency of occurrence of an accident involving licensed materials, previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(ii) More than a minimal increase in the likelihood of occurrence of a malfunction of facility structure equipment, or monitoring system (SEMS) important to licensed material safety previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(iii) More than a minimal increase in the consequence of an accident involving licensed material previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(iv) More than a minimal increase in the consequences of a malfunction of a SEMS important to licensed material safety previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(v) A possibility for a credible and potentially significant accident scenario of a different type, involving licensed material, than any previously evaluated in the most updated license application;
(vi) A possibility for a malfunction of a SEMS important to licensed material safety with a different result than previously evaluated in the most updated license application; and
(vii) A departure from the method of evaluation of radiological safety described in the most updated license application used by the Department. For NRC licenses transferred and recognized by the Department, a departure from the method of evaluation of radiological safety discussed in the NRC's final safety evaluation report (SER), any federal environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA), technical evaluation reports (TER), or other analyses and evaluation for license amendments.
(c) For purposes of this Chapter, and as applied to NRC licenses recognized by the Department, SEMS means any SEMS which have been referenced in an NRC SER, TER, EA, or EIS, including supplements and amendments thereof.
(d) Licensees must obtain a license amendment unless the change, test, or experiment is consistent with the Department's and NRC's previous conclusions pertaining to radiological safety, or the basis of, or analysis leading to, the conclusion of actions, designs, or design configuration analyzed and selected in the site or facility's SER, TER, and EIS, or EA performed by the NRC. This would include all supplements and amendments, and TERs, EAs, and EISs issued with amendments to a license. NRC's previous conclusions would include, but would not be limited to Regulatory Issues Summaries (RIS), executive orders, or information notices.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.8.09082017 § 5 Safety and Environmental Review Panel
(a) Each licensee shall develop a Safety and Environmental Review Panel (SERP). The SERP's purpose is to evaluate changes to the license application, procedures, or physical processes to the criteria in Section 4 of this Chapter and determine if the action can be completed without a license amendment.
(b) The SERP shall consist of, at a minimum, the following three members that are employees of the licensee:
(i) One member having expertise in management (e.g., Plant Manager). This member shall be responsible for financial approval for changes;
(ii) One member having expertise in operations or construction. This member shall have responsibility for implementing any operational changes; and
(iii) One member that is the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) or equivalent. This member shall maintain the responsibility of assuring changes conform to radiation safety and environmental requirements. The Department may approve a qualified contractor to fulfill this role where circumstances prevent the licensee from utilizing a qualified employee. Department approval must be obtained in writing.
(c) Additional members of the SERP may include, as appropriate, individuals to address and assist with technical aspects such as ground or surface water hydrology, specific earth sciences, or other technical disciplines. Temporary or permanent members, other than the three above-specified individuals, may be consultants or contractors.
(d) The licensee shall maintain records of any changes made pursuant to this Chapter until license termination. These records shall include written safety and environmental evaluations made by the SERP that provide the basis for determining changes are in compliance with Section 4 of this Chapter. The licensee shall furnish, in an annual report to the Department, a description of such changes, tests, or experiments, including a summary of the safety and environmental evaluation of each made pursuant to this Chapter. In addition, the licensee shall annually submit to the Department any changed pages, which shall include both a change indicator for the area changed (i.e., a bold line vertically drawn in the margin adjacent to the portion actually changed), and a page change identification (date of change or change number), to the Operations Plan and Reclamation Plan of the most updated approved license application to reflect changes made under this condition.
(e) All SERP evaluations shall be made available to the Department during site inspections. The Department may review all the SERP evaluations to ensure that it concurs with the conclusions. In events where the Department disagrees with the conclusions of a SERP, an amendment application will be required. The Department may take enforcement action or issue penalties as necessary relative to the SERP evaluations.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.8.09082017 § 6 Contents of a SERP Evaluation
(a) The evaluation through the SERP process must answer the items presented in Sections 4(b) and 4(c) of this Chapter. For each item the evaluation shall present their justification and this document shall be reviewed by the Department at the time of inspection for concurrence. Certain items within Section 4 of this Chapter may require a risk assessment to be performed to determine the significance of an event. Those risk assessments will be reviewed by the Department at the time of the inspection.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.8.09082017 § 7 Exclusions to the SERP Process
(a) The following items shall not be approved through the SERP process and shall be sent to the Department as a license amendment for approval:
(i) Amending license conditions; and
(ii) Changes to license boundary.
(b) Wellfield data packages must be approved by the Department, but the items having a radiological nexus that do not change from wellfield to wellfield may go through the SERP process.
History
- Effective 2017-09-08
Chapter 9 Transportation of Radioactive Material
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.9.11172022 § 1 Purpose
(a) This Chapter establishes requirements for packaging, preparation for shipment, and transportation of licensed material.
(b) The packaging and transport of licensed material are also subject to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statute § 35-11-2001 et seq. the Program's rules and regulations, and the regulations of other federal agencies (such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Commission) having jurisdiction over means of transport. The requirements of this Chapter are in addition to, and not in substitution for, other applicable requirements.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.9.11172022 § 2 Scope
(a) This Chapter applies to any licensee authorized by specific or general license issued by the Department to acquire, own, possess, use, transfer, offer or receive for transport, or dispose of licensed material, if the licensee delivers that material to a carrier for transport, transports the material outside the site of usage as specified in the license, or transports that material on public highways. No provision of this Chapter allows for the unauthorized possession of licensed material.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
Wyo. Code R. 020.0013.9.11172022 § 3 Incorporation by Reference (IBR) of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 71; Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material
(a) The Department fully adopts and hereby incorporates by reference 10 C.F.R. Part 71, §§ 71.0 through 71.137, revised as of January 1, 2022, including all sections and any notes and appendices therein, unless expressly provided otherwise in these rules. The U.S. Department of Transportation's regulations, as cited in 10 C.F.R. § 71.5 (January 1, 2022), are also fully adopted and hereby incorporated by reference. These rules do not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter.
(b) The following 10 C.F.R. sections, including all subparts, as of January 1, 2022 are excluded from these rules and are not incorporated by reference: 71.0, 71.1, 71.2, 71.6, 71.7, 71.9, 71.11, 71.13, 71.14(b), 71.15, 71.16, 71.18, 71.19, 71.22, 71.23, 71.24, 71.25, 71.31, 71.33, 71.35, 71.37, 71.38, 71.39, 71.41, 71.43, 71.45, 71.51, 71.53, 71.55, 71.57, 71.59, 71.61, 71.63, 71.64, 71.65, 71.70, 71.71, 71.73, 71.74, 71.75, 71.77, 71.81, 71.83, 71.85(a), 71.85(b), 71.85(c), 71.87(g), 71.88, 71.91(a)(5), 71.91(a)(7), 71.91(b), 71.95, 71.97, 71.99, 71.100, 71.101(c)(2), 71.101(d), 71.101(e), 71.107, 71.109, 71.111, 71.113, 71.115, 71.117, 71.119, 71.121, 71.123, and 71.125.
(c) The terms "Close reflection by water," "Critical Safety Index," "Containment System," "Deuterium," "Fissile material," "Graphite," "Maximum normal operating pressure," "Optimum interspersed hydrogenous moderation," "Special Form," "Spent nuclear fuel" or "Spent fuel," "State," "Depleted uranium," and "Enriched uranium" as defined in 10 CFR § 71.4 as of January 1, 2022 are excluded from these rules and are not incorporated by reference.
(d) Any references in the federal rules adopted by reference to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), or any component thereof, shall be deemed to be a reference to the Department and the Uranium Recovery Program, except when used in 10 C.F.R. §§ 71.5(b) and 71.10.
(e) Any references in the federal rules adopted by reference to the Commission's "Form 3," and as referenced in 10 C.F.R. §§ 71.9(e)(1) and 17.9 (e)(2), shall be deemed to be a reference to the Department's "Uranium Recovery Program Form 3".
(f) If, for any reason, the U.S. Department of Transportation's regulations are not applicable to a shipment of licensed material, the licensee shall conform to the standards and requirements of 49 CFR Parts 171 through 180 appropriate to the mode of transport to the same extent as if the shipment was subject to these regulations.
(g) A request for modification, waiver, or exemption from the requirements in 49 C.F.R. Parts 171 through 180, and any notification referred to in those requirements, must be filed with, or made to, the Department.
History
- Effective 2022-11-17
77 Voluntary Remediation Program
Chapter 1 Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements for Eligibility in the VRP
Wyo. Code R. 020.0012.1.01082010 Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements for Eligibility in the VRP
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE DIVISION
VOLUNTARY REMEDIATION PROGRAM
CHAPTER 1
POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY
IN THE VOLUNTARY REMEDIATION PROGRAM
Section 1. Authority and purpose. This Chapter is being promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. 35-11-101 et seq., specifically W.S. 35-11-1602(a)(ii) in order to establish the pollution prevention plan requirements necessary for eligibility into the Voluntary Remediation Program. If an owner/operator of a facility anticipates ever wanting to enter that facility into the Voluntary Remediation Program, they will need to be implementing a pollution prevention plan, in accordance with the applicable requirements in this Chapter, at the time of a contaminant release in order to be considered for eligibility in the Voluntary Remediation Program.
Section 2. Definitions. For purposes of this Chapter:
"Contaminant" means as defined in W.S. 35-11-103(g)(iii).
"CFR" means the Code of Federal Regulations.
"Facility" means the specific type of site identified by Section 4(a) and (b), which is subject to pollution prevention plan requirements as a condition of eligibility for the VRP.
"Household do-it-yourselfer used oil" means oil that is derived from households, such as used oil generated by individuals who generate used oil through the maintenance of their personal vehicles.
"Household do-it-yourselfer used oil generator" means an individual who generates household do-it-yourselfer used oil.
"Household waste" means any material (including garbage, trash and sanitary wastes in septic tanks) derived from households (including single and multiple residences, hotels and motels, bunkhouses, ranger stations, crew quarters, campgrounds, picnic grounds and day-use recreation areas).
"Pollution Prevention" means:
(i) Source reduction and other practices or activities that reduce or eliminate the volume or toxicity of contaminants used at or created by a facility. Examples of source reduction include use of less toxic raw materials; reformulation or redesign of products or processes to reduce the volume or toxicity of waste generated; improvements in work practices that prevent or reduce off-specification products; and better inventory control to reduce or prevent wastage;
(ii) Reducing or eliminating the volume or toxicity of contaminants from entering a waste stream, or otherwise being released to the environment; and
(iii) Practices or activities that prevent the accidental spillage of contaminants. Examples of such activities include installation of specialized spill containment equipment; operational controls to prevent spills; storing contaminants properly; utilizing employee programs to periodically conduct pipe pressure testing, pipeline pigging, equipment maintenance or inspections; replacement of process or transfer lines that do not meet specifications; installation of cathodic protection systems; raising product transfer lines above ground; and installation of overfill prevention apparatus.
"P2 Plan" means a Pollution Prevention Plan for purposes of W.S. 35-11-1602(a)(ii).
"Release" means spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, escaping, leaching or disposing of a contaminant into groundwater, surface water, surface or subsurface soils or other environmental media.
"Site" means as defined in W.S. 35-11-103(g)(x).
"Small quantity inventory" means that the total amount of all contaminants being used, stored or generated at the site or place of business at any one specific time is never greater than or equal to either 500 pounds or 55 gallons.
"VRP" means the Voluntary Remediation Program as created by Article 16 of the Environmental Quality Act, W.S. 35-11-1601 through 35-11-1613.
Section 3. Do you need to implement a P2 Plan as a condition of VRP eligibility? In accordance with the timing requirements specified in Section 5 of this Chapter, any owner or operator of a site or place of business that meets the specifications listed in Section 4(a) or (b) of this Chapter who may ever want to enter that facility into the VRP must have a P2 Plan in place at that facility in order to be eligible for consideration.
Section 4. Applicability.
(a) Do you need a written P2 Plan to be eligible for the VRP? The following sites shall be identified as facilities and shall be implementing the requirements of an adopted, written P2 Plan as described in Section 6 of this Chapter in order to be considered for participation in the VRP:
(i) Large quantity generators of hazardous waste subject to regulation under Chapter 8 of the Wyoming Hazardous Waste Management Rules and Regulations;
(ii) Sites required to have a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan under the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations found in Title 40, Part 112 of the CFR, as revised and published on July 1, 2006 and not including any later amendments or editions. This CFR is incorporated by reference under Section 8 of this Chapter;
(iii) Sites required to have an Emergency and/or Response Plan under the requirements of the Department of Transportation's regulations found in Title 49, Parts 190 through 199 of the CFR, as revised and published on October 1, 2006 and not including any later amendments or editions. This CFR is incorporated by reference under Section 8 of this Chapter;
(iv) Sites required to report under the Environmental Protection Agency's requirement for toxic chemical release reporting found in Title 40 Part 372 of the CFR, as revised and published on July 1, 2006 and effective as of August 7, 2006 and not including any later amendments or editions. This CFR is incorporated by reference under Section 8 of this Chapter;
(v) Sites subject to regulation as an interim status or permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility under Chapters 10 or 11 of the Wyoming Hazardous Waste Management Rules and Regulations; and
(vi) Sites subject to regulation under Article 14 (Storage Tanks) of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act where releases have occurred from sources other than the regulated tanks.
(b) Do you need to implement alternative minimum pollution prevention operating standards to fulfill the P2 Plan requirement in order to be considered for participation in the VRP? The owner or operator of any place of business or site not listed in Section 4(a) of this Chapter, which stores, uses or generates contaminants must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the alternative minimum pollution prevention operating standards, as described in Section 7 of this Chapter, are being implemented at the place of business or site in order to be considered for participation in the VRP. Such places of business or sites shall be identified as facilities for the purposes of this Chapter.
(c) For any place of business or site identified as a facility in Section 4(a) or
(b) of this Chapter to which any of the following conditions apply to the release in question, upon certifying the existence of the condition to the satisfaction of the Administrator, the owner or operator shall have met the P2 Plan requirements for VRP eligibility.
(i) Release of contaminants was solely the result of an in-transit incident which occurred during air, rail or truck transportation caused by an entity other than the owner or operator of the place of business or site, the cause of the release was identified and measures were taken to prevent a recurrence;
(ii) Only a small quantity inventory of contaminants are used, stored or generated at the place of business or site and this is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Administrator by providing written records clearly documenting that the volume and disposition of these contaminants meets the requirements as defined in Section 2 of this Chapter; or
(iii) The owner or operator of a place of business or site meets the definition of an innocent owner as defined in W.S. 35-11-1801.
(d) If the owner of a site can certify to the satisfaction of the Administrator that all activities and waste derived from those activities meet the definitions for household waste and/or household do-it-yourselfer used oil created by a household do-it- yourselfer used oil generator as presented in Section 2 of this Chapter, the owner of the site shall have met the P2 Plan requirement in order for the site to be eligible for the VRP.
Section 5. Pertinent time frames regarding the requirement for a P2 Plan as a condition of VRP eligibility.
(a) For facilities identified in Section 4(a) of this Chapter:
(i) For all releases of contaminants that occur after January 1, 2011, in order for the facility to be considered for participation in the VRP, it must be demonstrated in accordance with Section 6(b) of this Chapter that at the time of the release, the facility was implementing a written P2 Plan which meets the requirements of Section 6(c), (d) and (e) of this Chapter.
(ii) For releases of contaminants that occurred after March 10, 2000, but before January 1, 2011, and for which application to the VRP is made after January 1, 2011, in order for the facility to be considered for participation in the VRP it must be demonstrated in accordance with Section 6(b) of this Chapter that at the time of VRP application, the facility is implementing a written P2 Plan which meets the requirements of Section 6(c), (d) and (e) of this Chapter.
(iii) For releases of contaminants where the date of the release is unknown and for which application to the VRP is made after January 1, 2011, the following shall be met in order to be considered for participation in the VRP:
(A) The Administrator must accept as relevant and legitimate the written documentation provided by the applicant describing why the date of the release is unknown (e.g., the applicant has/had no way of knowing the date of release because it occurred under prior ownership); and
(B) It must be demonstrated in accordance with Section 6 of this Chapter that at the time of VRP application, the facility is in compliance with the written P2 Plan requirements described in Section 6(c) of this Chapter. (b) For facilities identified in Section 4(b):
(i) For all releases of contaminants that occur after January 1, 2011, to be considered for participation in the VRP it must be demonstrated in accordance with Section 7(b) of this Chapter that at the time of the release, the facility was in compliance with the alternative minimum pollution prevention operating standards described in Section 7(c) of this Chapter.
(ii) For releases of contaminants that occurred after March 10, 2000, but before January 1, 2011, and for which application to the VRP is made after January 1, 2011, in order for the facility to be considered for participation in the VRP it must be demonstrated in accordance with Section 7(b) of this Chapter, that at the time of VRP application, the facility is in compliance with the alternative minimum pollution prevention operating standards described in Section 7(c) of this Chapter.
(iii) For releases of contaminants where the date of the release is unknown and for which application to the VRP is made after January 1, 2011, the following shall be met in order to be considered for participation on the VRP:
(A) The Administrator must accept as relevant and legitimate the written documentation provided by the applicant describing why the date of the release is unknown (e.g., the applicant has/had no way of knowing the date of release because it occurred under prior ownership); and
(B) It must be demonstrated in accordance with Section 7(b) of this Chapter that at the time of VRP application, the facility is in compliance with the alternative minimum pollution prevention operating standards described in Section 7(c) of this Chapter.
(c) This Chapter does not require written P2 Plans or implementation of alternative minimum pollution prevention operating standards as a condition of eligibility for participation in the VRP when application to the VRP was submitted before January 1, 2011 or when the release occurred prior to March 10, 2000.
Date of Contaminant Release, Date of Application for the VRP
and P2 Plan Requirements for VRP Eligibility
| Types of Sites | Date of Contaminant release | VRP application date | P2 standards | P2 Plan implementation requirements | When the Volunteer must be implementing the P2 Plan | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | All Sites | Before Jan.1, 2011 | Before Jan.1, 2011 | None | None | None | | All Sites | Before March 10, 2000 | At any time | None | None | None | | Facilities Identified in Section 4*(a) | After Jan. 1, 2011 | After Jan. 1, 2011 | Secton 6 | Section 5(a)(i) | At the time of the release | | After March 10, 2000 but before Jan.1, 2011 | After Jan. 1, 2011 | Secton 6 | Section 5(a)(ii) | At the time of VRP application | | | Unknown | After Jan. 1, 2011 | Secton 6 | Section 5(a)(iii) | At the time of VRP application | | | Facilities Identified in Section 4*(a) | After Jan. 1, 2011 | After Jan. 1, 2011 | Section 7 | Section 5(a)(i) | At the time of the release | | After March 10, 2000 but before Jan.1, 2011 | After Jan. 1, 2011 | Section 7 | Section 5(a)(ii) | At the time of VRP application | | | Unknown | After Jan. 1, 2011 | Section 7 | Section 5(a)(iii) | At the time of VRP application | |
Section 6. Requirements for written P2 Plans.
(a) Facilities identified in Section 4(a) of this Chapter and where applicable according to Section 5 of this Chapter, shall be implementing a written P2 Plan.
(b) The copy of the most recent written P2 Plan shall:
(i) Be maintained at each facility and be available for review by anauthorized representative of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality during any facility inspection; and
(ii) Contain evidence documenting that the P2 Plan is being implemented (e.g., training records, written procedures, inspection logs, etc.).
(c) All written P2 Plans shall:
(i) Specify the facility, facilities, or portions thereof that are covered by the P2 Plan. A P2 Plan may cover all or any portion of a specific geographic location, an entire company, or a division of a company. In order to satisfy VRP eligibility requirements, a P2 Plan shall apply to the entire facility where a release being proposed for the VRP has occurred;
(ii) Include a written policy statement expressing management and corporate (if applicable) support for the P2 Plan and a commitment to implement planned activities. This statement shall be signed by the person in charge of or responsible for the facility;
(iii) List, by name or title, officers or employees:
(A) Responsible for writing and updating the P2 Plan; and
(B) Responsible for implementing the P2 Plan. Officers or employees responsible for implementing the P2 Plan should include member(s) of management as well as line or other personnel responsible for day to day operation of the systems required under the P2 Plan;
(iv) Describe the purpose of and activities conducted at the facility, products made, products transported and/or services provided, processes used in production or service activities, and an estimate of the volume of products and/or services produced each year. A schematic drawing and/or facility map shall be provided;
(v) Identify and describe by type and volume, the contaminants used in facility processes and/or service activities. Include the purposes that the contaminants serve (e.g., degreasing), and information on how and where the contaminants are received, stored, and managed at the facility;
(vi) Evaluate facility processes and/or service activities that involve use, management or storage of contaminants and identify changes to these processes and/or service activities that have the potential to:
(A) Reduce or eliminate the volume or toxicity of contaminants used at a facility, entering a waste stream, or otherwise released to the environment; and practices or activities that otherwise reduce the volume or toxicity of any waste stream; and
(B) Prevent releases from accidental spillage through proper management of contaminants.
(d) Based on the evaluation carried out under (c)(vi) of this Section, and the minimum pollution prevention operating standards presented in Section 7 of this Chapter, all written P2 Plans shall:
(i) Identify and describe the pollution prevention activities that will be implemented at the facility, and specify a schedule for implementation including key milestones leading towards completion of each pollution prevention activity and goals for when each activity will be fully implemented;
(ii) Describe the efforts that will be made to increase employee awareness of and/or training on pollution prevention, including: initial pollution prevention training, orientation practices for new employees and appropriate refresher training; and
(iii) Describe the documentation and records that will be maintained to facilitate evaluation and quantification of pollution prevention activities.
(e) Plan maintenance, evaluation and modification. Each written P2 Plan shall include procedures and schedules to:
(i) Evaluate the degree of P2 Plan implementation;
(ii) Quantify the success of pollution prevention activities; and
(iii) Modify the plan as needed.
(f) Other documents, such as Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plans and/or Emergency Response Plans may satisfy the requirement for a written P2 Plan to the extent that such documents fulfill the requirements and meet the standards of this Section, as determined by the Administrator.
Section 7. Alternative Minimum Pollution Prevention Operating Standards.
(a) Facilities identified in Section 4(b) of this Chapter and where applicable according to Section 5 of this Chapter, shall be implementing alternative minimum pollution prevention operating standards.
(b) Written documentation shall be available to the Administrator which describes the actions taken to implement each element of the alternative minimum pollution prevention operating standards including evidence of such implementation.
(c) The alternative minimum pollution prevention standards shall include:
(i) Implementation of pollution prevention practices as defined in Section 2 of this Chapter;
(ii) Good housekeeping practices which include, but are not limited to:
(A) Proper management of contaminants to prevent releases by adopting operational controls; and
(B) Employing spill and leak prevention measures.
(iii) Cleaning up all spills or leaks immediately;
(iv) Maintaining release prevention supplies or materials such as absorbent pads or booms;
(v) Keeping processing areas organized and free from clutter;
(vi) Labeling transfer containers with contents and hazard recognition information;
(vii) Keeping all containers closed when not in use;
(viii) Preventative maintenance practices. Such practices include, but are not limited to:
(A) Efforts to prevent releases of contaminants through equipment maintenance or inspection;
(B) Maintaining a master preventative maintenance schedule;
(C) Keeping vendor supplied maintenance manuals for all process equipment;
(D) Maintaining records of repairs and service;
(E) Implementing an inspection or monitoring program of potential release sources; and
(F) Maintaining a corrosion prevention program for all equipment in contact with soil.
(ix) Segregation and storage practices. Such practices include, but are not limited to any or all of the following:
(A) Preventing the mixing of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes;
(B) Storing materials in compatible groups to prevent adverse reactions in the event of a spill;
(C) Segregating different solvents;
(D) Isolating liquid wastes from solid wastes;
(E) Maintaining good labeling practices; and
(F) Storing contaminants on impermeable, bermed pads.
(x) Employee involvement, training and awareness programs. Such activities include, but are not limited to the following:
(A) Encouraging employees to reduce/eliminate spills;
(B) Training employees regarding release prevention;
(C) Training employees on awareness and understanding of the pollution prevention operating standards;
(D) Reviewing instances where pollution prevention operating standards have prevented releases; and
(E) Recommending and implementing actions to reduce spills and releases.
Section 8. Federal CFRs incorporated by reference in Section 4 of this Chapter. The following provisions apply to all such references in this Chapter:
(a) In all cases, the referenced CFRs are lengthy documents in and of themselves. Inserting the entire text of these documents into this Chapter would be unduly cumbersome and expensive;
(b) The references to the CFRs in this Chapter fully identify the material by title, location, and date;
(c) Copies of the CFR can be purchased at cost from the publisher; the U.S. Government Printing Office, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401 or viewed at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html; and
(d) Copies of the CFRs referenced in this Chapter are also available for public inspection and copies can be obtained at cost from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division, 122 West 25th Street, 4th Floor West, Cheyenne, WY 82002 or viewed on the Department's web page at http://deq.state.wy.us/shwd/.
History
- Effective 2010-01-08
76 Water Quality
Chapter 1 Wyoming Surface Water Quality Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 1 Authority
These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, as defined in Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-103(a)(xiii), specifically §§ 302(a)(i) and (vii), 302(b), and 302(c)(i). Nothing in this Chapter shall be interpreted to grant authority to the United States Environmental Protection Agency or the United States Army Corps of Engineers beyond the authority specifically provided in the Clean Water Act.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 2 Definitions
(a) The following terms are defined in W.S. §35-11-103:
(i) "Administrator;"
(ii) "Council;"
(iii) "Credible data;"
(iv) "Department;"
(v) "Director;"
(vi) "Discharge;"
(vii) "Ecological function;"
(viii) "Man-made wetlands;"
(ix) "Mitigation;"
(x) "Natural wetlands;"
(xi) "Nonpoint source;"
(xii) "Person;"
(xiii) "Point source;"
(xiv) "Pollution;"
(xv) "Treatment works;"
(xvi) "Wastes;"
(xvii) "Waters of the state;"
(xviii) "Wetlands;" and
(xix) "Wetland value."
(b) The following definitions supplement those defined in W.S. § 35-11-103.
(i) "Acute" means a rapid effect. In aquatic toxicity tests used to derive
acute criteria protective of aquatic life, effects are typically observed in 96 hours or less. Acute effects are not always measured in terms of lethality.
(ii) "Adjacent wetlands" means areas with hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology that are connected by a defined channel to a surface tributary system, are within the 100-year floodplain of a river or stream, or occupy the fringe of any still water body that is connected by a defined channel to a surface tributary system.
(iii) "Aquatic community" means fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aquatic-dependent wildlife, and other flora and fauna, excluding undesirable aquatic life, that inhabit Surface Waters of the State at some stage of their life cycles.
(iv) "Assimilative capacity" means the amount of a pollutant that can be added to a Surface Water of the State while still meeting applicable water quality standards in this Chapter.
(v) "Best management practices" means those methods, measures, or practices identified by the Department, after problem assessment, examination of alternatives, and in some cases public participation, to be reasonable and cost-effective for managing, preventing, or reducing nonpoint sources of pollution to Surface Waters of the State.
(vi) "Chronic" means a long-term effect relative to the life span of an organism. In aquatic toxicity tests used to derive chronic values protective of aquatic life, long-term effects are typically greater than 96 hours and can be associated with reduced growth, reduced reproduction, as well as lethality.
(vii) "Clean Water Act" means the federal Clean Water Act, 33 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 1251 et seq.
(viii) "Cold water game fish" means burbot (genus Lota), grayling (genus Thymallus), trout, salmon and char (genera Salmo, Oncorhynchus and Salvelinus) and whitefish (genus Prosopium).
(ix) "Construction-related discharge" means discharges of sediment or turbidity related to construction activities in or along Surface Waters of the State. Generally, these discharges include, but are not limited to, construction site dewatering, temporary diversions, runoff from construction sites, excavation or equipment operation in or along a Surface Water of the State, the discharge of dredged or fill material, and placement of structural members such as bridge abutments, culverts, or pipelines into or across any Surface Water of the State.
(x) "Conventional drinking water treatment" means coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
(xi) "Designated uses" means those uses specified in water quality standards in this Chapter for each waterbody or waterbody segment whether or not they are being attained.
(xii) "Dissolved metal" means that which will pass through a 0.45 micrometers (µm) membrane filter.
(xiii) "Effluent-dependent" means a waterbody, waterbody segment, or designated use where the waterbody or waterbody segment has insufficient natural water to support aquatic life and the waterbody, waterbody segment, or designated uses are present due to the discharge of wastewater.
(xiv) "Effluent limitation" means any restriction established by the Department on discharges of pollution into Surface Waters of the State, including schedules of compliance.
(xv) "Ephemeral" means a waterbody or portion of a waterbody that is ordinarily dry, water is present only in direct response to precipitation or snowmelt, and the waterbody bottom is typically above the prevailing water table.
(xvi) "Eutrophic" means the condition whereby waters or environments saturated with water become nutrient enriched (especially with phosphorus or nitrogen) and consequently oxygen depleted or anaerobic.
(xvii) "Existing quality" means the chemical, physical, and biological water quality, and associated temporal variability, of an Outstanding Resource Water as of the date the specific waterbody segment was designated.
(xviii) "Existing use" means those uses actually attained in the waterbody on or after November 28, 1975, whether or not they are included in the water quality standards in this Chapter.
(xix) "Highest attainable condition" means the designated use and water quality criteria or effluent condition closest to the underlying designated use and water quality criteria or water quality-based effluent limitation that is feasible to achieve without causing substantial and widespread economic and social impacts.
(xx) "Highest attainable use" means the aquatic life, human consumption of fish, recreation, or terrestrial wildlife use that can be achieved on a Surface Waters of the State subject to the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act that are closest to the uses specified in Section 101(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251(a)(2), based on an evaluation of the factors in Section 12(c) of this Chapter.
(xxi) "Historic data" means scientifically valid data that are more than five years old or qualitative information that adds some factual information on the historic conditions of a waterbody. This qualitative information may include photographs, journals, old records on water use and water conditions, or factual testimony of persons who have lived near or relied upon the waterbody.
(xxii) "Hydric soil" means a soil that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part.
(xxiii) "Hydrophytic vegetation" means a community of plants where, under normal circumstances, more than 50 percent of the composition of the dominant species from all strata are obligate wetland (OBL), facultative wetland (FACW), or facultative (FAC) species; or a frequency analysis of all species within the community yields a prevalence index value less than or equal to three where OBL equals one, FACW equals two, FAC equals three, facultative upland (FACU) equals four, and upland species (UPL) equals five.
(xxiv) "Intermittent" means a waterbody or portion of a waterbody where the bottom intersects the local water table for some part of the year, but the waterbody is not perennial.
(xxv) Mainstem" means the primary channel of a river or stream.
(xxvi) "Mixing zone" means a limited area or volume of a Surface Water of the State identified by the Department where initial dilution of a permitted point source discharge takes place and certain surface water quality criteria may not be met.
(xxvii) "Natural" means the condition that would exist without the measurable influence of human activity.
(xxviii) "Net environmental benefit" means a risk management approach to derive site-specific criteria for effluent dependent water bodies that weighs the potential for loss of a permitted effluent discharge against the benefits of augmented flow. A net environmental benefit is demonstrated where there is a credible threat to remove the permitted discharge, the discharge has been shown to create an environmental benefit, removal of the discharge would cause more environmental harm than leaving it in place, and the discharge will not pose a health risk to humans, livestock, or wildlife.
(xxix) "Nongame fish" means all fish species excluding cold water game fish, warm water game fish, and those considered undesirable aquatic life.
(xxx) "Outstanding Resource Water" means those Surface Waters of the State designated as such in this Chapter and formerly known as "Class 1" waters.
(xxxi) "Perennial" means a waterbody or portion of a waterbody that is typically present during the entire calendar year.
(xxxii) "Pollutant minimization program" means a structured set of activities intended to maintain or improve treatment processes and pollutant controls to prevent and reduce pollutant loadings.
(xxxiii) "Priority pollutant" means those substances identified at 40 CFR Part 423, Appendix A, which were derived from the list of toxic pollutants designated pursuant to Section 307(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1317(a) and listed at 40 CFR § 401.15.
(xxxiv) "Salinity" means total dissolved solids.
(xxxv) "Stormwater" means surface runoff from construction sites or industrial activities regulated under Section 402(p) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1342(p) and Wyoming Water Quality Rules, Chapter 2. Excluded from this definition are those stormwater discharges associated with industrial activities subject to an existing federal effluent limitation guideline addressing stormwater and where the constituents listed in the federal effluent limitations have a reasonable potential to affect the receiving water.
(xxxvi) "Surface Waters of the State" means those waters of the state that are perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral defined drainages, lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands that are not part of human-made treatment works and all other bodies of surface water, either public or private that are wholly or partially within the boundaries of the state.
(xxxvii) "Toxic materials" means those materials or combinations of materials, including disease causing agents, that upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic malfunctions, physiological malfunctions, reproductive malfunctions, or physical deformations to organisms or their offspring.
(xxxviii) "Tributary" means those streams or stream segments that flow into or contribute water to another waterbody, stream, or stream segment, including the downstream reach of the same stream.
(xxxix) "Undesirable aquatic life" means organisms generally associated with degraded or eutrophic conditions and may include insect pests, aquatic invasive species, or other organisms that have altered the structure and function of the aquatic community.
(xl) "Use attainability analysis" means a structured scientific assessment of the factors affecting the attainment of aquatic life, recreation, terrestrial wildlife, or human consumption of fish uses. The factors may include physical, chemical, biological, or economic considerations.
(xli) "Warm water game fish" means bass (genera Micropterus and Ambloplites), catfish and bullheads (genera Ameiurus, Ictalurus and Noturus), crappie (genus Pomoxis), yellow perch (genus Perca), sunfish (genus Lepomis), walleye and sauger (genus Sander), pike (genus Esox), sturgeon (genus Scaphirhynchus) and freshwater drum (genus Aplodinotus).
(xlii) "Wetland hydrology" means the presence of water on or near the land surface at a frequency and duration to cause the formation of hydric soils and support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted to saturated or inundated conditions.
(xliii) "Zone of initial dilution" means an area established by the Department within a mixing zone where acute aquatic life criteria may not be met.
(xliv) "Zone of passage" means a continuous water route that joins segments of a surface waterbody above and below a mixing zone.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 3 Purpose
(a) The Department shall use the water quality standards in this Chapter to:
(i) Establish effluent limitations for discharges of pollution that require permits;
(ii) Identify nonpoint sources of pollution and best management practices to address nonpoint sources of pollution; and
(iii) Administer the Environmental Quality Act.
(b) The Department may authorize compliance schedules that will, as soon as possible, lead to compliance with the water quality standards in this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 4 Testing Procedures
(a) The following test procedures shall be used in analysis of the constituents included in this Chapter:
(i) 40 C.F.R. §§ 136.1, 136.2, 136.3, 136.5, and 136.7, as incorporated by reference in Section 28 of this Chapter; or
(ii) Other scientifically defensible methods as determined, in its sole discretion, by the Department.
(b) Numeric criteria included in this Chapter represent conditions necessary to protect designated uses and do not necessarily reflect detection limits that can be achieved using standard analytical techniques. Standard analytical techniques are considered during development of effluent limitations and in the collection and evaluation of water quality data.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 5 Credible Data
(a) Credible data shall be collected on each waterbody, as required in this Section, and used for the purpose of characterizing the integrity of the waterbody along with consideration of soils, geology, hydrology, geomorphology, climate, stream succession, and human influences on the environment. These data in combination with other available and applicable information, including historic data, shall be used by the Department through a multiple-lines-of-evidence approach to:
(i) As relevant, designate uses; or
(ii) Determine whether designated uses are supported.
(b) In those instances where numerical criteria contained in this Chapter are exceeded or on ephemeral and intermittent waterbodies where chemical or biological sampling may not be practical or feasible, the Department may use a less than complete set of credible data to determine attainment or modify designated uses.
(c) Scientifically valid chemical, physical, and biological monitoring data shall:
(i) Consist of data collected consistent with a sampling and analysis plan accepted by the Department that includes the laboratory methods, field methods, and quality assurance and quality control procedures used; and
(ii) Be conducted by a person who has, or works under the supervision of a person who has, received specialized training that includes a thorough knowledge of written sampling protocols, methods, and quality assurance and quality control procedures such that the data collection and interpretation are reproducible, scientifically defensible, and free from preconceived bias.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 6 Recommendations to the State Engineer
The Department, at the request of the Wyoming State Engineer, shall make recommendations concerning proposed new diversions that could result in violations of the water quality standards in this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 7 Water Quality Standards for Salinity in the Colorado River System
In addition to the water quality standards in this Chapter, waters that are within the Colorado River basin shall also be subject to the requirements of the Water Quality Standards for Salinity Colorado River System, incorporated by reference in Section 28 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 8 Flow and Water Level Conditions
(a) The Department shall enforce the numeric water quality standards in this Chapter, including the magnitude, duration, and frequency provisions, at all times except in authorized mixing zones and during periods below low flow.
(b) The Department shall implement the narrative water quality criteria in Section 15 of this Chapter at all flow and water level conditions.
(c) During periods when flows or water levels may jeopardize aquatic life, the Department may, in consultation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the affected permittee(s) authorized to discharge by the Department, require such permittee(s) to institute operational modifications as necessary to ensure the protection of aquatic life. This Section shall not be interpreted as requiring the maintenance of any particular flow or water level.
(d) For the purpose of developing water quality-based effluent limitations, the Department shall determine, in its sole discretion, low flow or low water level using one of the methods in Table 1 or other scientifically defensible methods. To calculate low water level using the methods in Table 1, water level will be used instead of flow.
Table 1. Methods to derive low flow for calculating water quality-based effluent limitations associated with aquatic life, drinking water, or human consumption of fish criteria.
Criteria
Method
Acute Aquatic Life
1Q10(a) or 1B3(b)
Chronic Aquatic Life
7Q10(c) or 4B3(d)
Drinking Water, Human Consumption of Fish
Harmonic Mean(e)
(a)The 1Q10 is the hydrologically based, lowest one-day average flow that occurs every 10 years on average.
(b)The 1B3 is the biologically based, lowest one-day average flow that occurs every three-years on average.
(c) The 7Q10 is the hydrologically based, lowest seven-day average flow that occurs every 10 years on average.
(d) The 4B3 is the biologically based, lowest four-day average flow that occurs every three years on average.
(e) The harmonic mean flow is the number of daily flow measurements divided by the sum of the reciprocals of the daily flows. For water quality-based effluent limitations for criteria based on short-term effects, including nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, and nitrate+nitrite-nitrogen, calculate low flow using the 7Q10, defined above, or the 30Q5, the lowest 30-day average flow that occurs every five years on average.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 9 Dilution Allowances - Complete Mixing Scenarios
In developing water quality-based effluent limitations for scenarios where a permitted point source discharge mixes with a stream or river at a near instantaneous and complete rate, the Department may authorize the use of a dilution allowance on a case-by-case basis provided its rationale is documented in the permit and is consistent with the requirements of this Section.
(a) The low flow and associated dilution allowance of the receiving water are determined using the methods in Section 8 of this Chapter.
(b) For discharges that only occur periodically, low flow is the lowest flow expected to occur during the period of the discharge.
(c) Where a diffuser has been installed in a receiving water, only the portion of the receiving water influenced by the diffuser at low flow is used to calculate the dilution allowance.
(d) Assimilative capacity is available at low flow of the receiving water determined using the methods in Section 8 of this Chapter.
(e) The dilution allowance considers the potential for the toxicity of certain pollutants to increase after dilution
(f) A dilution allowance cannot be used to comply with acute whole effluent toxicity requirements.
(g) A dilution allowance of up to all of the available low flow shall only be authorized when a demonstration of near instantaneous and complete mixing has been made based on one of the following:
(i) An effluent diffuser covers the entire width of the receiving water at low flow;
(ii) The mean daily flow of the discharge exceeds the low flow of the receiving water;
(iii) In-stream studies show no more than a 10% difference in bank-to-bank concentrations of a pollutant within a longitudinal distance not greater than two wetted widths of the receiving water; or
(iv) Other defensible outlet designs and configurations.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 10 Mixing Zones - Incomplete Mixing Scenarios
In developing water quality-based effluent limitations for scenarios where a permitted point source discharge does not mix at a near instantaneous or complete rate, the Department may authorize the use of a mixing zone on a case-by-case basis provided its rationale is documented in the permit and is consistent with the requirements of this Section.
(a) The low flow and low water level for the mixing zone of the receiving water are determined using the methods in Section 8 of this Chapter.
(b) Assimilative capacity is available at low flow or low water level of the receiving water determined using the methods in Section 8 of this Chapter.
(c) For discharges that only occur periodically, the low flow or low water level is the lowest flow or water level expected to occur during the period of the discharge.
(d) The mixing zone and zone of initial dilution consider the site-specific characteristics of the permitted point source discharge and the receiving water and are no larger than necessary, consistent with Paragraphs (i) through (iii) of this Subsection.
(i) The zone of initial dilution does not exceed 10% of the mixing zone and is sized to prevent lethality to resident, drifting, or swimming organisms.
(ii) For streams and rivers, the mixing zone is limited to no more than one-half of the narrowest wetted cross-sectional area at low flow or a length 10 times the narrowest wetted width at low flow, whichever is more limiting.
(iii) For lakes and reservoirs, the mixing zone is limited to no more than five percent of the lake surface area at low water levels or a 200-foot radius at low water levels, whichever is more limiting.
(e) The mixing zone considers the potential for the toxicity of certain pollutants to increase after mixing.
(f) The size and configuration of the mixing zone does not impair the existing and designated uses of the waterbody as whole.
(g) The mixing zone is protective of the aquatic community, including but not limited to Paragraphs (i) through (vi) of this Subsection.
(i) There is no lethality to the aquatic community.
(ii) Except for the zone of initial dilution, the mixing zone shall not contain pollutant concentrations that exceed acute aquatic life values.
(iii) There is a zone of passage around the mixing zone where pollutant concentrations do not exceed chronic aquatic life values.
(iv) The mixing zone does not result in unacceptable adverse impacts to important habitats or species such as fish spawning, nursery areas, or threatened or endangered species.
(v) The mixing zone considers the potential for aquatic life to be attracted to the effluent plume.
(vi) The mixing zone cannot be used to comply with acute whole effluent toxicity requirements. Effluent limitations for acute whole effluent toxicity requirements must be met end-of-pipe.
(vii) The mixing zone may be limited or denied for pollutants where acute effects may occur at concentrations similar to chronic effects.
(h) The mixing zone does not create a significant health risk to humans, including but not limited to:
(i) Potential human exposure to pollutants resulting from drinking water, recreational activities, or consumption of fish;
(ii) Drinking water values are not exceeded within 500 yards of a drinking water supply intake; and
(iii) The mixing zone does not result in the bioaccumulation of pollutants in aquatic communities or terrestrial wildlife that would exceed levels protective of aquatic life, human consumption of fish, or terrestrial wildlife.
(i) The mixing zone considers the toxicity, persistence, and effect of the constituents discharged, including as necessary to avoid acutely toxic concentrations outside the zone of initial dilution.
(j) The mixing zone considers the cumulative effects of multiple discharges and other potential mixing zones.
(k) The mixing zone is protective of the narrative criteria in Section 15 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 11 Designated Uses
(a) In assigning designated uses, the Department shall protect downstream surface water quality standards and assign existing uses and highest attainable uses.
(b) The Department shall maintain the designated uses assigned to specific Surface Waters of the State in its Wyoming Surface Water Designations and Recreation Designated Uses Web Map, incorporated by reference in Section 28 of this Chapter.
(c) The Department shall assign Surface Waters of the State with one or more of the designated uses in this Subsection.
(i) Aquatic life. Surface Waters of the State designated for aquatic life are those where surface water quality and habitat conditions shall support aquatic communities. Aquatic life designated uses are described in Subparagraphs (A) through (E) of this Paragraph.
(A) Coldwater aquatic life. Surface Waters of the State designated for coldwater aquatic life are those where surface water quality and habitat conditions shall support permanent or seasonal aquatic communities that include cold water game fish.
(B) Warmwater aquatic life. Surface water quality and habitat conditions shall support permanent or seasonal aquatic communities that include warm water game fish or nongame fish but not cold water game fish.
(C) Limited aquatic life. Surface Waters of the State designated for limited aquatic life are those where surface water quality and habitat conditions shall support permanent or seasonal aquatic communities that do not include fish.
(D) Modified aquatic life. Surface Waters of the State designated for modified aquatic life are those where surface water quality and habitat conditions shall support aquatic communities that are not effluent dependent and do not have the potential to fully support coldwater, warmwater, or limited aquatic life.
(E) Effluent-dependent aquatic life. Surface Waters of the State designated for effluent-dependent aquatic life are those where surface water quality and habitat conditions shall support aquatic communities that are present due to the discharge of wastewater.
(ii) Drinking water. Surface Waters of the State designated for drinking water are those where surface water quality shall support human consumption of the water after conventional drinking water treatment or other acceptable levels of treatment determined, in its sole discretion, by the Department.
(iii) Human consumption of fish. Surface Waters of the State designated for fish consumption are those where surface water quality shall support human consumption of fish.
(iv) Human consumption of effluent-dependent fish. Surface Waters of the State designated for human consumption of effluent-dependent fish are those where surface water quality shall support the human consumption of fish that are present due to the discharge of wastewater.
(v) Industry. Surface Waters of the State designated for industry are those where surface water quality shall support use of the water for industrial purposes.
(vi) Irrigation. Surface Waters of the State designated for irrigation are those where surface water quality shall support use of the water for irrigation.
(vii) Livestock. Surface Waters of the State designated for livestock are those where surface water quality shall support use of the water for livestock.
(viii) Recreation. Surface Waters of the State designated for recreation are those where surface water quality shall support people who come into contact with the water during water recreation activities. Recreation uses do not include potable uses. Recreation uses are described in Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this Paragraph.
(A) Full body contact water recreation. Surface Waters of the State designated for full body contact water recreation are those where surface water quality shall support frequent use of the water for recreation activities where the entire body is immersed or the face is repeatedly wet and where there is a high likelihood that some water will be accidentally swallowed and sensitive body parts such as the eyes, ears, and nose will be exposed to the water during the summer water recreation season (May 1 through September 30).
(B) Limited body contact water recreation. Surface Waters of the State designated for limited body contact recreation are those where surface water quality shall support water recreation activities that do not include frequent full body contact water recreation during the summer water recreation season (May 1 through September 30). Surface Waters of the State designated for full body contact water recreation are protected for limited body contact water recreation during the winter water recreation season (October 1 through April 30).
(ix) Scenic value. Surface Waters of the State designated for scenic value are those where surface water quality shall support aesthetic uses of the water.
(x) Terrestrial wildlife. Surface Waters of the State designated for terrestrial wildlife are those where surface water quality shall support use of the water by wild fauna that are not part of the aquatic community.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 12 Modifications to Designated Uses
The Department may modify designated uses assigned to Surface Waters of the State through revision of this Chapter, either at its discretion or in response to a petition submitted in accordance with the Department's Rules of Practice and Procedure, Chapter 3, Section 3. Modifications to designated uses shall be:
(a) Consistent with the requirements in Section 5 and Section 11 of this Chapter;
(b) Supported by documentation justifying how the revised uses are protective of the uses and values associated with the Surface Water of the State, if the modification results in less stringent water quality criteria to:
(i) Surface Waters of the State not subject to the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act; or
(ii) Drinking water, industry, irrigation, livestock, or scenic value uses assigned to Surface Waters of the State that are subject to the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act;
(c) Supported by a use attainability analysis if the modification to aquatic life, human consumption of fish, recreation, or terrestrial wildlife uses assigned to Surface Waters of the State subject to the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act results in less stringent water quality criteria. Modifications shall only be allowed under this Subsection if the use is not attainable because:
(i) Naturally occurring pollutant concentrations prevent the attainment of the use;
(ii) Natural, ephemeral, intermittent, or low flow conditions or water levels prevent the attainment of the use, unless these conditions may be compensated for by the discharge of sufficient volume of effluent discharges without violating state water conservation requirements to enable uses to be met;
(iii) Human caused conditions or sources of pollution prevent the attainment of the use and cannot be remedied or would cause more environmental damage to correct than to leave in place;
(iv) Dams, diversions or other types of hydrologic modifications preclude the attainment of the use, and it is not feasible to restore the waterbody to its original condition or to operate such modification in such a way that would result in the attainment of the use;
(v) Physical conditions related to the natural features of the waterbody, such as the lack of a proper substrate, cover, flow, depth, pools, riffles, and the like, unrelated to water quality, preclude attainment of an aquatic life use; or
(vi) Controls more stringent than technology-based effluent limitations required by Sections 301(b) and 306 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1311(b) and § 1316, would result in substantial and widespread economic and social impacts.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 13 Antidegradation
(a) The Department shall implement the antidegradation provisions in this Section to ensure Surface Waters of the State are protected from degradation.
(i) Existing use protections applicable to all Surface Waters of the State. The Department shall maintain and protect existing uses and level of water quality necessary to maintain existing uses of Surface Waters of the State.
(ii) High quality water protections applicable to Surface Waters of the State subject to the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act that are not Outstanding Resource Waters. Where the quality is better than the criteria included in this Chapter to protect the applicable use, the Department shall maintain that quality unless the Department finds, after full opportunity for intergovernmental coordination and public participation, that the lowering of water quality is necessary to accommodate important economic or social development in the area where the water is located. Before allowing such lowering of water quality, the Department shall ensure the requirements in Subparagraphs (A) through (D) of this Paragraph are met.
(A) The quality is not lowered below the applicable water quality criteria in this Chapter;
(B) All existing uses are fully maintained and protected;
(C) The highest statutory and regulatory requirements for all new and existing point source discharges and all cost-effective and reasonable best management practices for nonpoint sources of pollution shall be achieved; and
(D) Based on an analysis of practicable alternatives that would prevent or lessen the degradation associated with the activity, the lowered water quality is necessary to accommodate important economic or social development in the area where the water is located.
(iii) Existing quality protections applicable to Outstanding Resource Waters. The Department shall maintain and protect the existing quality of Outstanding Resource Waters. To maintain and protect the existing quality and existing uses of Outstanding Resource Waters, the Department:
(A) Shall impose necessary monitoring, controls, and effluent limitations on regulated activities that may discharge to an Outstanding Resource Water or their tributaries;
(B) Shall not, except as provided in this Section, authorize new regulated activities other than dams to discharge to Outstanding Resource Waters;
(C) Shall not, except as provided in this Section, authorize regulated activities other than dams to increase the load or concentration of pollution discharged to Outstanding Resource Waters;
(D) May authorize the following new or existing regulated activities to discharge to an Outstanding Resource Water, provided the existing quality and existing uses of the Outstanding Resource Water are maintained and protected through applicable permit conditions, effluent limitations, and best management practices:
(I) Stormwater discharges;
(II) Construction-related discharges; and
(III) Short-term discharges of up to one-year that have been determined, at the sole discretion of the Director after recommendation by the Water Quality Division Administrator, to be necessary to address emergency environmental, economic, or public health concerns;
(E) Shall limit, to the extent practicable, degradation from new and existing dams constructed on Outstanding Resource Waters or tributaries to Outstanding Resource Waters; and
(F) Shall identify nonpoint sources of pollution to Outstanding Resource Waters or tributaries to Outstanding Resource Waters and best management practices to address nonpoint sources of pollution.
(b) To implement the provisions in this Section, the Department shall develop, and revise as necessary, antidegradation implementation methods. In developing or revising such methods, the Department shall provide a minimum of 30 days for public review and comment. The Department shall make the implementation methods, and any revisions thereto, available to the public.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 14 Designation of Outstanding Resource Waters
(a) Any person may submit a petition to the Department in accordance with the Department's Rules of Practice and Procedure, Chapter 3, Section 3, to designate a Surface Water of the State as an Outstanding Resource Water through revision of this Chapter. In evaluating a petition, the Department shall consider the water quality, aesthetic, scenic, recreational, ecological, agricultural, botanical, zoological, municipal, industrial, historical, geological, cultural, archaeological, fish and wildlife, the presence of significant quantities of developable water, and other values of present and future benefit to people and the environment.
(b) The following Surface Waters of the State have been designated as Outstanding Resource Waters:
(i) All Surface Waters of the State located within the boundaries of national parks and congressionally designated wilderness areas as of January 1, 1999, designated July 17, 1979;
(ii) The mainstem of the Snake River through its entire length above the U.S. Highway 22 Bridge (Wilson Bridge), designated July 17, 1979;
(iii) The mainstem of the Green River, including the Green River Lakes, from the confluence with the New Fork River upstream to the wilderness boundary, designated July 17, 1979;
(iv) The mainstem of the Wind River from the Wedding of the Waters upstream to Boysen Dam, designated July 17, 1979;
(v) The mainstem of the North Platte River from the mouth of Sage Creek (approximately 15 stream miles downstream of Saratoga, Wyoming) upstream to the Colorado state line, designated July 17, 1979;
(vi) The mainstem of the North Platte River from the headwaters of Pathfinder Reservoir upstream to Kortes Dam (Miracle Mile segment), designated July 17, 1979;
(vii) The mainstem of the North Platte River from the Natrona County Road 309 bridge (Goose Egg bridge) upstream to Alcova Reservoir, designated November 29, 1990;
(viii) The mainstem of Sand Creek above the U.S. Highway 14 bridge, designated July 17, 1979;
(ix) The mainstem of the Middle Fork of the Powder River through its entire length above the mouth of Buffalo Creek, designated July 17, 1979;
(x) The mainstem of the North Fork of the Tongue River, the main stem of the South Fork of the Tongue River and the main stem of the Tongue River above the U.S. Forest Service boundary, designated July 17, 1979;
(xi) The mainstem of the Sweetwater River above the mouth of Alkali Creek, designated July 17, 1979;
(xii) The mainstem of the Encampment River from the northern U.S. Forest Service boundary upstream to the Colorado state line, designated July 17, 1979;
(xiii) The mainstem of the Clarks Fork River from the U.S. Forest Service boundary upstream to the Montana state line, designated July 17, 1979;
(xiv) All Surface Waters of the State within the Fish Creek (near Wilson, Wyoming) drainage, designated July 17, 1979;
(xv) The mainstem of Granite Creek (tributary of the Hoback River) through its entire length, designated July 17, 1979;
(xvi) Fremont Lake, designated July 17, 1979; and
(xvii) Adjacent wetlands to the above listed Outstanding Resource Waters, designated July 16, 2001.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 15 Water Quality Criteria Applicable to All Surface Waters of the State
The Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure Surface Waters of the State, including assigned designated uses, are protected from pollution.
(a) Toxic materials. Except when authorized, toxic materials shall not be present in concentrations or combinations that constitute pollution or impair designated uses.
(b) Wastes. Except when authorized, wastes shall not be placed or allowed to remain in Surface Waters of the State. Wastes shall also not be allowed to remain in any location that would cause or threaten pollution of Surface Waters of the State. When discovered, removal shall be expeditious unless removal would likely result in more contamination than non-removal.
(c) Dead animals. Dead animals shall not be placed or allowed to remain in Surface Waters of the State. When discovered, removal shall be expeditious unless removal would likely result in more contamination than non-removal. This requirement shall not be interpreted to place a burden on any person to remove dead wildlife from Surface Waters of the State where the death of the wildlife occurs under natural or uncontrollable circumstances.
(d) Settleable solids. Substances, including excess sediment, that settle to form sludge, bank, or bottom deposits shall not be present in amounts that constitute pollution or impair designated uses.
(e) Floating, suspended, and dissolved materials. Floating, suspended, and dissolved materials, including excess sediment and turbidity, shall not be present in amounts that constitute pollution or impair designated uses.
(f) Odors and colors. Substances shall not be present in amounts that result in unacceptable adverse alterations to the odor or color of the water, skin, clothing, vessels, or structures. Substances shall not result in odors or colors that impair designated uses.
(g) Radioactive material. Radioactive material shall not be present in:
(i) Water or sediments in amounts that would constitute pollution or impair designated uses; or
(ii) Amounts that result in total radium-226 concentrations that exceed 60 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
(h) pH. Substances, either directly or in conjunction with other chemical constituents, shall not result in pH levels that:
(i) Are less than 6.5 or more than 9.0 standard units;
(ii) Would constitute pollution; or
(iii) Impair designated uses.
(i) Undesirable aquatic life. Substances and conditions or combinations thereof shall not be present in amounts that produce undesirable aquatic life that would constitute pollution or impair designated uses.
(j) Oil and grease. Oil and grease shall not be present in amounts that:
(i) Exceed 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L);
(ii) Result in the formation of a visible sheen or visible deposits on the bottom or shoreline;
(iii) Would constitute pollution; or
(iv) Impair designated uses.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 16 Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Aquatic Life Uses. The
Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure that Surface Waters of the State designated for aquatic life are protected from pollution.
(a) Narrative criteria. Pollution shall not:
(i) Impair aquatic life uses;
(ii) Result in adverse acute or chronic effects to aquatic communities; or
(iii) Result in adverse alterations to the structure and function of aquatic communities.
(b) For those pollutants without numeric criteria in this Section, effluent limitations for permitted point source discharges of pollution protective of aquatic life shall be determined, in its sole discretion by the Department, using the biological monitoring procedures outlined in the following procedures or other scientifically defensible methods:
(i) United States Environmental Protection Agency. Technical Support Document for Water Quality-based Toxics Control. EPA 440/4-85032. March, 1991;
(ii) United States Environmental Protection Agency. Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms, Fifth Edition, October, 2002;
(iii) United States Environmental Protection Agency. Short-term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms. Fourth Edition, October 2002;
(iv) United States Environmental Protection Agency. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Whole Effluent Toxicity Permit Writers' Manual. EPA-833-B-24_001. July, 2024.
(c) In Surface Waters of the State designated for effluent-dependent aquatic life, the relevant water quality criteria in this Section shall be applicable unless specifically modified through the process in Section 25(b) of this Chapter.
(d) Total dissolved gases. In Surface Waters of the State designated for coldwater or warmwater aquatic life, pollution shall not result in total dissolved gases downstream of human-made dams that exceed 110 percent of the saturation at the existing atmospheric and hydrostatic pressure.
(e) pH. In all Surface Waters of the State designated for aquatic life, pollution shall not result in pH levels that are less than 6.5 or more than 9.0 standard units more than once every three years.
(f) Temperature.
(i) In Surface Waters of the State designated for coldwater aquatic life or warmwater aquatic life, pollution shall not result in water temperatures that exceed the values in Table 2 more than once every three years.
(ii) The requirements of this Section may be waived only under the provisions of Section 316(a) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1326.
Table 2. Temperatures in degrees Celsius (°C) applicable to coldwater and warmwater aquatic life designated uses.
Coldwater Aquatic Life
Warmwater Aquatic Life
Increase When Ambient Temperatures Are Above 15.6 Degrees
Shall not increase more than 1.1 degrees
Shall not increase more than 2.2 degrees
Maximum
Two-hour average of 20 degrees
Instantaneous maximum of 30 degrees
(g) Dissolved oxygen. In Surface Waters of the State designated for coldwater aquatic life or warmwater aquatic life, pollution shall not result in dissolved oxygen concentrations less than the concentrations in Table 3 more than once every three years, except as specified for minima. In no case shall this Section be interpreted to require dissolved oxygen concentrations to be greater than 100 percent saturation at ambient temperature and elevation.
Table 3. Numeric dissolved oxygen concentrations in milligrams per liter (mg/L) applicable to coldwater and warmwater aquatic life designated uses.
Coldwater Aquatic Life(a)
Warmwater Aquatic Life(a)
Early Life Stages(b)(c)
Other Life Stages
Early Life Stages(c)
Other Life Stages
30-Day Mean
6.5
5.5
7-Day Mean
9.5 (6.5)
6.0
Mean of 7-Day Minimums
5.0
4.0
Minima(d)
8.0 (5.0)
4.0
5.0
3.0
Blank cells indicate there is no value for that criteria element.
(a)In the lower portion of a lake or reservoir, dissolved oxygen may be less than the applicable value provided that, where those excursions occur, there is adequate habitat for aquatic life where both the applicable biologically-based temperature requirements and dissolved oxygen criteria are met.
(b)These are water column concentrations recommended to achieve the required inter-gravel dissolved oxygen concentrations shown in parentheses. For species that have early life stages exposed directly to the water column, the figures in parentheses apply.
(c)Includes all embryonic and larval stages and all juvenile forms to 30-days following hatching.
(d)Minima are considered instantaneous concentrations to be achieved at all times.
(h) Total ammonia nitrogen. In Surface Waters of the State designated for coldwater aquatic life or warmwater aquatic life, pollution shall not result in total ammonia nitrogen concentrations that exceed the pH-dependent one-hour average value or pH and temperature-dependent 30-day average value calculated using the formulas in Table 4 more than once every three years.
Table 4. Formulas to calculate numeric total ammonia nitrogen values in milligrams per liter (mg/L) applicable to coldwater and warmwater aquatic life designated uses.
Coldwater Aquatic Life One-Hour Average Acute Value
Warmwater Aquatic Life One-Hour Average Acute Value
Coldwater or Warmwater Aquatic Life 30-Day Average Chronic Value Early Life Stages Present(a)
Coldwater or Warmwater Aquatic Life 30-Day Average Chronic Value Early Life Stages Absent(a)
"T" represents temperature in degrees Celsius.
"pH" represents pH in standard units.
(a)The highest four-day average within the 30-day period is also not to exceed 2.5 times the chronic value. Early life stages will be assumed to be present unless sufficient site-specific information is provided by a discharge permit applicant to demonstrate that early life stages are not present in a waterbody.
(i) Hardness-dependent metals. In all Surface Waters of the State designated for aquatic life, pollution shall not result in hardness-dependent dissolved metal concentrations that exceed:
(i) The one-hour average acute values calculated using the formulas in Table 5 more than once every three years.
Table 5. Formulas to calculate numeric hardness-dependent metals acute values in micrograms per liter (µg/L) applicable to aquatic life designated uses.
Parameter
Acute Value(a)
Cadmium, Dissolved(b)
e(1.0166[ln(hardness)] - 3.924) * (1.136672 - [(ln hardness)(0.041838)])
Chromium (III), Dissolved
e(1.0166[ln(hardness)] + 3.7256) * (0.316)
Copper, Dissolved
e(0.9422[ln(hardness)] -1.700) * (0.960)
Lead, Dissolved(b)
e(1.273[ln(hardness)] - 1.460) * (1.46203 - [(ln hardness)(0.145712)])
Manganese, Dissolved
e(0.7693[ln(hardness)] + 4.4995)
Nickel, Dissolved
e(0.8460[ln(hardness)] + 2.255)(0.998)
Silver, Dissolved(c)
e(1.72[ln(hardness)] - 6.52)(0.85)(0.5)
Zinc, Dissolved
e(0.8473[ln(hardness)] + 0.884)(0.978)
Priority pollutants are included in bold italics.
(a)Hardness is milligrams per liter (mg/L) as calcium carbonate (CaCO3). For hardness values greater than 400 mg/L, use 400 mg/L.
(b)Use a value of 1.0 for the portion of the equation after the "*" if the calculated value of that portion of the equation exceeds 1.0.
(c)Value multiplied by 0.5 to be comparable with other acute values derived using an averaging period. Value does not need to be multiplied by 0.5 if used as an instantaneous maximum or end of pipe value, as the original value was derived as a not to be exceeded instantaneous maximum.
(ii) The four-day average chronic values calculated using the formulas in Table 6 more than once every three years.
Table 6. Formulas to calculate numeric hardness-dependent metals chronic values in micrograms per liter (µg/L) applicable to aquatic life designated uses.
Parameter
Chronic Value(a)
Cadmium, Dissolved(b)
e(0.7409[ln(hardness)] - 4.719) * (1.101672 - [(ln hardness)(0.041838)]
Chromium (III), Dissolved
e(0.8190[ln(hardness)] + 0.6848) * (0.860)
Copper, Dissolved
e(0.8545[ln(hardness)] -1.702) * (0.960)
Lead, Dissolved(b)
e(1.273[ln(hardness)] - 4.705) * (1.46203 - [(ln hardness)(0.145712)])
Manganese, Dissolved
e(0.5434[ln(hardness)] + 4.7850)
Nickel, Dissolved
e(0.8460[ln(hardness)] + 0.0584)(0.997)
Zinc, Dissolved
e(0.8473[ln(hardness)]+0.884)(0.986)
Priority pollutants are included in bold italics.
(a)Hardness is milligrams per liter (mg/L) calcium carbonate (CaCO3). For hardness values greater than 400 mg/L, use 400 mg/L.
(b)Use 1 if the portion of the equation shown after the "*" exceeds 1.
(j) In all Surface Waters of the State designated for aquatic life, pollution shall not result in the one-hour average acute or four-day average chronic values in Table 7 to be exceeded more than once every three years.
Table 7. Numeric acute and chronic values in micrograms per liter (µg/L) applicable to aquatic life designated uses.
Parameter(a)
CAS Number(b)
Acute Value
Chronic Value
4,4' - DDT
50293
0.55(c)
0.001
Acrolein
107028
3
3
Aldrin
309002
1.5(c)
Alpha-Endosulfan
959988
0.11(c)
0.056
Aluminum, Dissolved (pH 6.5-9.0 only)
7429905
750
87(d)
Arsenic, Dissolved
7440328
340
150
Beta-Endosulfan
33213659
0.11(c)
0.056
Chlordane
57749
1.2(c)
0.0043
Chloride
16887006
860,000(e)(f)
230,000(e)(f)
Chlorine (Total Residual)
7782505
19
11
Chlorpyrifos
2921882
0.083
0.041
Chromium (VI)
18540299
16
11
Cyanide
57125
22
5.2
Demeton
8065483
0.1
Diazinon
333415
0.17
0.17
Dieldrin
60571
0.24
0.056
Endrin
72208
0.086
0.036
Gamma- BHC [Lindane]
58899
0.95
Guthion
86500
0.01
Heptachlor
76448
0.26(c)
0.0038
Heptachlor Epoxide
1024573
0.26(c)
0.0038
Hydrogen Sulfide, Undissociated
7783064
2
Iron, Dissolved
7439896
1,000
Malathion
121755
0.1
Mercury
22967926
7439976
1.4
0.77
Methoxychlor
72435
0.03
Mirex
2385855
0.001
Nonylphenol
84852153
28
6.6
Parathion
56382
0.065
0.013
Pentachlorophenol
87865
9.07(g)
5.73(g)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
0.014(h)
Selenium, Total
7782492
20(i)
5(i)
Toxaphene
8001352
0.73
0.0002
Tributyltin (TBT)
0.46
0.072
Blank cells indicate there is no value for that criteria element.
(a) Priority pollutants are shown in bold italics. Total and dissolved metal fractions are noted.
(b)Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number, a unique numeric identifier designated to a particular substance.
(c)Value has been divided by two to be comparable with other acute values derived using an averaging period. Value can be multiplied by two if used as an instantaneous maximum or end of pipe value.
(d)The 87 μg/L chronic criterion applies except where the receiving water after mixing has a pH greater than or equal to seven and a hardness (as CaCO3) greater than or equal to 50 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Where the receiving stream after mixing has a pH greater than or equal to 7 and a hardness (as CaCO3) greater than or equal to 50 mg/L, the 750 µg/L acute value will apply. In situations where the 87 µg/L chronic criterion applies, a discharger may request development of and provide the basis for a site-specific chronic value based on a water-effect ratio.
(e)Value applies to waters designated for coldwater aquatic life, warmwater aquatic life, and modified aquatic life only.
(f)Site-specific chloride values that differ from these values include:
-
Cottonwood Creek near Hamilton Dome in the Bighorn River watershed has an instantaneous maximum chloride value of 860,000 µg/L not to be exceeded at any time;
-
Poison Spider Creek in the North Platte River watershed has an instantaneous maximum chloride value of 531,000 µg/L not to be exceeded at any time;
-
Salt Creek in the Powder River watershed has an instantaneous maximum chloride value of 1,600,000 µg/L not to be exceeded at any time;
-
Meadow Creek, a tributary to Salt Creek in the Powder River watershed has an instantaneous maximum chloride value of 1,600,000 µg/L not to be exceeded at any time; and
-
Powder River downstream of Salt Creek in the Powder River watershed has an instantaneous maximum chloride value of 984,000 µg/L not to be exceeded at any time.
(g)Aquatic life values for pentachlorophenol are expressed as a function of pH. Values shown represent concentrations at pH of 7.0. Values can be calculated using the following formulas: One-hour average acute value (µg/L) = e[1.005(pH) - 4.830] and four-day average chronic value (µg/L) = e[1.005(pH) - 5.290].
(h)Value applies to total PCBs (i.e. the sum of all congener or all isomer or homolog or Aroclor analyses).
(i)Site-specific selenium values that differ from these values include:
- Cottonwood Creek near Hamilton Dome in the Bighorn River watershed has an instantaneous maximum total selenium value of 43 µg/L not to be exceeded at any time.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 17 Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Drinking Water Use
The Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure that Surface Waters of the State designated for drinking water are protected from pollution.
(a) Narrative criteria. Pollution shall not:
(i) Impair drinking water uses;
(ii) Result in an unacceptably high risk for acute, chronic, or carcinogenic effects in humans who consume water after treatment;
(iii) Result in undesirable tastes or odors in a public water supply, either directly or through interactions with chemicals used in existing treatment processes; or
(iv) Result in turbidity that:
(A) Cannot be readily removed during conventional drinking water treatment processes;
(B) Causes upsets in water treatment processes; or
(C) Causes unacceptably high treatment costs.
(b) Radioactive materials. Pollution shall not result in an exceedance of the 30-day average of the radioactive material values in Table 8.
Table 8. Radioactive material values applicable to drinking water designated use.
Parameter
Drinking Water Value
Radium-226 and Radium-228 Combined
5 picocuries per liter (pCi/L)
Gross Alpha Particle Activity (Excluding Radon and Uranium)
15 picocuries per liter (pCi/L)
Uranium
30 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
Beta Particle and Photon Radioactivity
4 millirems per year (mrem/yr)
(c) Pollution shall not result in an exceedance of the 30-day average concentration of the drinking water and human consumption of fish values in Table 9.
Table 9. Numeric values in micrograms per liter (µg/L) or fibers per liter (fibers/L) for asbestos, applicable to drinking water and human consumption of fish designated uses.
Parameter(a)
CAS Number(b)
Drinking Water and Human Consumption of Fish (c)
Human Consumption of Fish Only(d)
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
71556
200(e)
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
79345
0.17(f)
4(f)
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
79005
0.59(f)
16(f)
1,1-Dichloroethylene
75354
7(e)
7,100
1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene
95943
0.97
1.1
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
120821
35
70
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
95501
420
1,300
1,2-Dichloroethane
107062
0.38(f)
37(f)
1,2-Dichloropropane
78875
0.50(f)
15(f)
1,2-Diphenylhydrazine
122667
0.036(f)
0.20(f)
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
541731
320
960
1,3-Dichloropropene
542756
0.34(f)
21(f)
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
106467
63
190
2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin)
1746016
0.000000005(f)
0.000000005(f)
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
95954
1.0(g)
3,600
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
88062
1.4(f)
2.4(f)
2,4-Dichlorophenol
120832
0.3(g)
290
2,4-Dimethylphenol
105679
380
850
2,4-Dinitrophenol
51285
69
5,300
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
121142
0.11(f)
3.4(f)
2-Chloronaphthalene
91587
1,000
1,600
2-Chlorophenol
95578
0.1(g)
150
2-Methyl-4, 6-Dintrophenol
534521
13
280
3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine
91941
0.021(f)
0.028(f)
3-Methyl-4-Chlorophenol
59507
3,000(g)
Acenaphthene
83329
20(g)
990
Acrolein
107028
6
9
Acrylonitrile
107131
0.051(f)
0.25(f)
Alachlor
2(e)
Aldrin
309002
0.000049(f)
0.000050(f)
Alpha-Endosulfan
959988
62
89
Alpha-Hexachlorocyclohexane HCH
319846
0.0026(f)
0.0049(f)
Anthracene
120127
8,300
40,000
Antimony, Total
7440360
5.6
640
Arsenic, Total
7440382
10(f)(e)
10(f)(e)
Asbestos
1332214
7,000,000 fibers/L(e)
Atrazine
1912249
3(e)
Barium, Total
7440393
2,000(e)
Benzene
71432
2.2(f)
51(f)
Benzidine
92875
0.000086(f)
0.00020(f)
Benzo(a)anthracene
56553
0.0038(f)
0.018(f)
Benzo(a)pyrene
50328
0.0038(f)
0.018(f)
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
205992
0.0038(f)
0.018(f)
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
207089
0.0038(f)
0.018(f)
Beryllium
7440417
4(e)
Beta-Endosulfan
33213659
62
89
Beta
Hexachlorocyclohexane HCH
319857
0.0091(f)
0.017(f)
Bis(2-chloroethyl) Ether
111444
0.030(f)
0.53(f)
Bis(2-Chloro-1-methylethyl) Ether
108601
1,400
65,000
Bis(2Ethylhexyl) Phthalate
117817
1.2(f)
2.2(f)
Bis(Chloromethyl) Ether
542881
0.00010(f)
0.00029(f)
Bromate
10(e)
Bromoform
75252
4.3(f)
140(f)
Butylbenzyl phthalate
85687
1,500
1,900
Cadmium, Total
7440439
5(e)
Carbofuran
1563662
40(e)
Carbon Tetrachloride
56235
0.23(f)
1.6(f)
Chlordane
57749
0.00080(f)
0.00081(f)
Chlorite
14998277
1,000(e)
Chlorobenzene
108907
20(g)
1,600
Chlorodibromomethane
124481
0.40(f)
13(f)
Chloroform
67663
5.7(f)
470(f)
Chlorophenoxy Herbicide
(2,4,5-TP) [Silvex]
93721
10
Chlorophenoxy Herbicide
(2,4-D)
94757
70(e)
Chromium (III), Total
16065831
100(e)
Chromium (VI), Total
18540299
100(e)
Chrysene
218019
0.0038(f)
0.018(f)
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
70(e)
Copper, Total
7440508
1000(g,i)
Cyanide (free)
57125
140(h)
140(h)
Dalapon
75990
200(e)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate
103231
400(e)
Di-n-Butyl Phthalate
84742
2,000
4,500
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
53703
0.0038(f)
0.018(f)
Dibromochloropropane (DBCP)
0.2(e)
Dichlorobromomethane
75274
0.55(f)
17(f)
Dieldrin
60571
0.000052(f)
0.000054(f)
Diethyl Phthalate
84662
17,000
44,000
Dimethyl Phthalate
131113
270,000
1,100,000
Dinitrophenols
25550587
69
5,300
Dinoseb
7(e)
Diquat
2764729
20(e)
Endosulfan Sulfate
1031078
62
89
Endothall
145733
100(e)
Endrin
72208
0.059
0.06
Endrin Aldehyde
7421934
0.29
0.3
Ethylbenzene
100414
530
2,100
Ethylene dibromide (EDB)
0.05(e)
Fluoranthene
206440
130
140
Fluorene
86737
1,100
5,300
Fluoride
2000(i)
Gamma-
Hexachlorocyclohexane- (HCH) [Lindane]
58899
0.2(g)
1.8
Glyphosate
1071836
700(e)
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
60(e)
Heptachlor
76448
0.000079(f)
0.000079(f)
Heptachlor Epoxide
1024573
0.000039(f)
0.000039(f)
Hexachlorobenzene
118741
0.00028(f)
0.00029(f)
Hexachlorobutadiene
87683
0.44(f)
18(f)
Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)- Technical
608731
0.0123(f)
0.0414(f)
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
77474
1(g)
1,100
Hexachloroethane
67721
1.4(f)
3.3(f)
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
193395
0.0038(f)
0.018(f)
Iron, Dissolved
7439896
300(i)(k)
Isophorone
78591
35(f)
960(f)
Lead, Total
7439921
15(g)
Manganese, Dissolved
7439965
50(i)(k)
Mercury
7439976
0.05
0.051
Methoxychlor
72435
40(e)
Methyl Bromide
74839
47
1,500
Methylene Chloride
75092
4.6(f)
590(f)
N-Nitrosodi-n-Propylamine
621647
0.005(f)
0.51(f)
N-Nitrosodimethylamine
62759
0.00069(f)
3(f)
N-Nitrosodiphenylamine
86306
3.3(f)
6(f)
Nickel, Total
7440020
610
4,600
Nitrates (as N)
14797558
10000(e)
Nitrite (as N)
14797650
1000(e)
Nitrite+Nitrate (both as N)
10000(e)
Nitrobenzene
98953
17
690
Nitrosamines
0.0008
1.24
Nitrosodibutylamine
924163
0.0063(f)
0.22(f)
Nitrosodiethylamine
55185
0.0008(f)
1.24(f)
Nitrosopyrrolidine
930552
0.016(f)
34(f)
Oxamyl (Vydate)
23135220
200(e)
p,p'- Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD)
72548
0.00031(f)
0.00031(f)
p,p'- Dichlorophenyldichloroethylene (DDE)
72559
0.00022(f)
0.00022(f)
p,p'- Dichlorophenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
50293
0.00022(f)
0.00022(f)
Pentachlorobenzene
608935
1.4
1.5
Pentachlorophenol
87865
0.27(f)
3(f)
Phenol
108952
300(g)
860,000
Picloram
1918021
500(e)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
0.000064(f)(j)
0.000064(f)(j)
Pyrene
129000
830
4,000
Selenium, Total
7782492
50(e)
4,200
Silver, Dissolved
7440224
100(i)
Simazine
122349
4(e)
Styrene
100425
100(e)
Tetrachloroethylene
127184
0.69(f)
3.3(f)
Thallium, Total
7440280
0.24
0.47
Toluene
108883
1,000(e)
15,000
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)
80(e)
Toxaphene
8001352
0.00028(f)
0.00028(f)
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
156605
100(e)
10,000
Trichloroethylene
79016
2.5(f)
30(f)
Vinyl Chloride
75014
0.025(f)
2.4(f)
Xylenes, Total
1330207
10,000(e)
Zinc, Total
7440666
5,000(g)
26,000
Notes:
Blank cells indicate there is no value for that criteria element.
(a)Priority pollutants are shown in bold italics. Dissolved metals are noted. For all other metals, values refer to the total recoverable amount.
(b)CAS is the Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number, a unique numeric identifier assigned to a substance.
(c)Except where otherwise indicated, these values are based on consumption of two liters of water and 17.5 grams of aquatic organisms per day.
(d)Values based on consumption of 17.5 grams of aquatic organisms per day.
(e)Value based on Safe Drinking Water Act National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
(f)Except for arsenic, the substance is classified as a carcinogen with the value based on an incremental risk of one additional instance of cancer in one million persons. Arsenic is classified as a carcinogen, however, the value is not based on an additional 1:1,000,000 cancer risk.
(g)Value is based on National Recommended Water Quality Criteria Organoleptic (taste and odor) Effects and is more stringent than if based solely on toxic or carcinogenic effects.
(h)Value expressed as total cyanide. If a substantial fraction of the cyanide present in a waterbody is present in a complexed form (e.g. Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3), the criterion may be overly conservative.
(i)Value is based on Safe Drinking Water Act National Primary Secondary Drinking Water Regulations and is intended to prevent undesirable cosmetic or aesthetic effects. Value represents the dissolved amount of each substance rather than the total amount.
(j)Value applies to total PCBs (i.e. the sum of all congener or all isomer or homolog or Aroclor analyses).
(k)The iron and manganese criteria shall not apply to waters designated for drinking water in:
-
The Belle Fourche River watershed above the confluence with Donkey Creek
-
The mainstem of the Belle Fourche River;
-
Tributaries to Antelope Creek in the Cheyenne River watershed;
-
Little Thunder Creek and all of its tributaries below the confluence with North Prong Creek in the Cheyenne river watershed;
-
The Little Powder River watershed;
-
The mainstem of Clear Creek and its tributaries upstream of Clearmont, Wyoming in the Powder River watershed;
-
The mainstem of Crazy Woman Creek and its tributaries in the Powder River watershed;
-
The North Fork of the Powder River and all its tributaries in the Powder River watershed; and
-
The Middle Fork of the Powder River and all its tributaries in the Powder River watershed.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 18 Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Human Consumption of Fish Uses
The Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure that Surface Waters of the State designated for human consumption of fish or human consumption of effluent-dependent fish are protected from pollution.
(a) Narrative criteria. Pollution shall not:
(i) Impair human consumption of fish uses;
(ii) Result in an unacceptably high risk of acute, chronic, or carcinogenic effects to humans who consume fish; or
(iii) Result in unacceptable palatability or flavor in fish flesh.
(b) Pollution shall not result in:
(i) Exceedance of the 30-day average concentration of the human consumption of fish and drinking water values in Section 17(c) of this Chapter for waters designated for both drinking water and human consumption of fish;
(ii) Exceedance of the 30-day average concentration of the human consumption of fish only values in Section 17(c) of this Chapter for waters designated for human consumption of fish but not drinking water; or
(iii) Exceedance of the 30-day average concentration of the human consumption of fish only values in Section 17(c) of this Chapter for waters designated for human consumption of effluent-dependent fish, unless specifically modified through the process in Section 25(b) of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 19 Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Industry Use
(a) The Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure that Surface Waters of the State designated for industry are protected from pollution.
(b) Narrative criteria. Pollution shall not:
(i) Impair industry use; or
(ii) Result in unacceptable adverse impacts to raw water treatment costs.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 20 Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Irrigation Use
(a) The Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure that Surface Waters of the State designated for irrigation are protected from pollution.
(b) Narrative criteria. Pollution shall not:
(i) Impair irrigation uses; or
(ii) Result in unacceptable adverse impacts to crop production.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 21 Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Livestock Use
(a) The Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure that Surface Waters of the State designated for livestock are protected from pollution.
(b) Narrative criteria. Pollution shall not:
(i) Impair livestock uses; or
(ii) Result in unacceptable adverse impacts to livestock production.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 22 Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Recreation Uses
The Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure that Surface Waters of the State designated for recreation are protected from pollution.
(a) Narrative criteria. Pollution shall not:
(i) Impair recreation uses; or
(ii) Result in an unacceptably high risk of acute or chronic health effects to humans that engage in recreational activities in or on Surface Waters of the State.
(b) Escherichia coli (E. coli).
(i) Pollution shall not result in a geometric mean of E. coli that exceed the values in Table 10 during any consecutive 60-day period.
Table 10. E. coli values in organisms per 100 milliliters applicable to recreation designated uses.
Full Body Contact Water Recreation During the Summer Recreation Season (May 1 through September 30)
Limited Body Contact Water Recreation (Year-Round) and Full Body Contact Water Recreation During the Winter Recreation Season (October 1 through April 30th)
Geometric Mean
126
630
(ii) Single-sample maxima. During the summer recreation season (May 1 through September 30), the following single-sample maxima shall be used to derive single-sample maximum effluent limitations for permitted point source discharges of pollution. An exceedance of a single-sample maximum shall not be cause for placing a water body on Wyoming's 303(d) list of impaired waters or development of a total maximum daily load or watershed plan. The appropriate single-sample maximum shall be determined by the Administrator on a case-by-case basis as needed. In making such a determination, the Administrator may consider such site-specific circumstances as type and frequency of use, time of year, public access, proximity to populated areas, and local interests.
(A) High-use swimming areas: 235 organisms per 100 milliliters;
(B) Moderate fully body contact: 298 organisms per 100 milliliters;
(C) Lightly used full body contact: 410 organisms per 100 milliliters; or
(D) Infrequently used full body contact: 576 organisms per 100 milliliters.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 23 Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Scenic Value Use
(a) The Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure that Surface Waters of the State designated for scenic value are protected from pollution.
(b) Narrative criteria. Pollution shall not:
(i) Impair scenic value uses; or
(ii) Result in unacceptable adverse impacts to the aesthetics of Surface Waters of the State, including but not limited to odors, colors, tastes, settleable solids, wastes, and floating, suspended, and dissolved materials.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 24 Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Terrestrial Wildlife Use
(a) The Department shall implement the water quality criteria in this Section to ensure that Surface Waters of the State designated for terrestrial wildlife are protected from pollution.
(b) Narrative criteria. Pollution shall not:
(i) Impair terrestrial wildlife uses; or
(ii) Result in adverse chronic or acute impacts to terrestrial wildlife.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 25 Modifications to Water Quality Criteria
(a) The Department may modify water quality criteria assigned to a Surface Water of the State through revision of this Chapter, either at its discretion or upon receipt of a petition in accordance with the Department's Rules of Practice and Procedure, Chapter 3. Modifications to water quality criteria shall protect downstream surface water quality standards and
(i) Existing uses;
(ii) Designated uses; and
(iii) The highest attainable use. To ensure protection of the highest attainable use, it may be necessary to complete a use attainability analysis, as described in Section 12(c) of this Chapter.
(b) Water quality criteria for waters designated for effluent-dependent aquatic life or human consumption of effluent-dependent fish may be modified by the Water Quality Division Administrator on a categorical or site-specific basis to reflect ambient conditions by developing a use attainability analysis demonstrating that the waterbody is effluent-dependent and that continued discharge of a permitted effluent to the waterbody has been shown to create a net environmental benefit.
(i) Criteria modification based on a finding of net environmental benefit is authorized where the requirements in Subparagraphs (A) through (D) of this Paragraph are met.
(A) The waterbody is effluent-dependent.
(B) The discharge has been shown to create an environmental benefit and removal of the discharge would cause more environmental harm than leaving it in place.
(C) There is a credible threat to remove the discharge.
(D) Appropriate safeguards are in place, ensuring that downstream uses will be protected and the discharge will not pose a health risk or hazard to humans, livestock, or terrestrial wildlife.
(ii) Where the above factors have been satisfied, site-specific criteria may be set equal to the background concentration plus a margin of error for each parameter where the highest background concentration exceeds the applicable aquatic life or human consumption of fish numeric criteria in Sections 16 and 18 of this Chapter. Such site-specific criteria will be implemented as instantaneous maximum values.
(A) The background concentration shall be the highest concentration recorded over the course of a one-year period where samples have been taken at least once in each month.
(B) The margin of error shall be one standard deviation calculated from the same data set used to establish background.
(C) In addition to water column values, aquatic life tissue criteria shall also be established for all parameters known to be bioaccumulating and where recommended criteria have been developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1314(a). Such criteria shall be at least equal to the criteria published under Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1314(a).
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 26 Discharger Specific Variances
(a) The Department may adopt a time-limited designated use and water quality criteria for ammonia or nutrients (e.g., total nitrogen, total phosphorus) through revision of this Chapter, either at its discretion, or upon receipt of a petition in accordance with the Department's Rules of Practice and Procedure, Chapter 3, Section 3.
(b) Discharger specific variances may only be granted in circumstances where a comprehensive alternatives analysis demonstrates that the most cost-effective pollutant removal alternative capable of achieving the water quality-based effluent limitations would create substantial and widespread economic and social impacts.
(c) A discharger specific variance shall not be granted if:
(i) The ammonia or nutrient water quality-based effluent limitation can be achieved by implementing technology-based effluent limitations under Sections 301(b) and 306 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1311(b) and § 1316; or
(ii) The discharger specific variance will result in an increase in the discharge of the pollutant.
(d) Each discharger specific variance shall:
(i) Identify the pollutant(s), waterbody or waterbody segment(s), and the permittee(s) subject to the discharger specific variance; and
(ii) Outline the requirements that apply throughout the term of the discharger specific variance for the permittee to achieve the highest attainable condition of the receiving water. The highest attainable condition shall be identified through a comprehensive alternatives analysis or other supporting documentation at the time the discharger specific variance is granted or during any reevaluation. The highest attainable condition shall include:
(A) The interim effluent condition that represents the greatest pollutant reduction achievable; and
(B) Development and implementation of a pollutant minimization program.
(iii) Identify the term of the discharger specific variance. The term shall only be as long as necessary to achieve the highest attainable condition as specified in Sections 2(b)(xix) and 26(d)(ii) of this Chapter.
(e) Once granted, the discharger specific variance shall only apply for the purpose of developing interim effluent limitations. A discharge permit based on a discharger specific variance shall include the interim effluent limitation identified in the discharger specific variance and any limitations and requirements identified in the discharger specific variance as enforceable conditions of the permit.
(f) The Department shall reevaluate each discharger specific variance at least every five years using all existing and readily available information. The Department may also initiate a reevaluation at any time.
(i) Upon notification that the Department is initiating a reevaluation, or 180 days prior to permit expiration, the permittee shall submit:
(A) Information on how the permittee did or did not comply with the conditions of the discharger specific variance; and
(B) Information sufficient to determine whether the highest attainable condition, as specified in Sections 2(b)(xix) and 26(d)(ii) of this Chapter must be modified.
(ii) The Department shall notify the public of the reevaluation and provide a minimum of 30 days for the public to comment.
(iii) In circumstances where the reevaluation concludes that a more stringent highest attainable condition is justified, the Department shall modify the discharge permit. In circumstances where the reevaluation concludes that a more lenient highest attainable condition is justified, a new discharger specific variance must be adopted through revision of this Chapter.
(iv) If the information identified in Section 26(f)(i) of this Chapter is not timely submitted to the Department or the Department does not submit the reevaluation to EPA within 30 days of completion, the Department shall modify the discharge permit such that the permittee must meet the water quality-based effluent limitation. In such cases, the Department shall also repeal the discharger specific variance through revision of this Chapter.
(g) Nothing shall preclude adoption of a subsequent discharger specific variance consistent with this Section.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 27 Mitigation Requirements for Wetlands Not Subject to the Jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act
(a) For Surface Waters of the State that are wetlands not subject to the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act, the Department shall ensure that point or nonpoint sources of pollution do not cause the destruction, damage, or impairment of natural wetlands, or man-made wetlands or enhancements used to mitigate the loss of natural wetlands, unless authorized or exempted by law or mitigated through an authorized mitigation process.
(b) When approving mitigation, the Department may consider both the ecological functions and the wetland value of the disturbed wetland.
(c) This Section does not apply to wetlands created by point or nonpoint sources, nor are such wetlands required to be maintained through the continuation of such discharges. Man-made wetlands or enhancements that have been credited in the state wetland banking program are not required to be maintained until the credit is used for mitigation purposes. These areas will, however, be protected from the discharge of wastes, toxic substances, or chemical pollutants, as are any other Surface Waters of the State.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.1.08062025 § 28 Incorporation By Reference
(a) This Chapter incorporates by reference the following codes, standards, rules, regulations, and materials:
(i) Wyoming Surface Water Designations, in effect as of February 20, 2025, available at https://deq.wyoming.gov/water-quality/watershed-protection/surface-water-quality-standards/;
(ii) Wyoming Recreation Designated Uses Web Map, in effect as of February 20, 2025, available at: https://deq.wyoming.gov/water-quality/watershed-protection/surface-water-quality-standards/;
(iii) Water Quality Standards for Salinity Colorado River System, in effect as of October 24, 2023, available at: http://www.coloradoriversalinity.org;
(iv) Wyoming Game and Fish Stream and Lake Database, in effect as of June 2000;
(v) The Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1311(b), in effect as of February 20, 2025, available at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/;
(vi) The Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1314(a), in as effect of February 20, 2025, available at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/;
(vii) The Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1316, in effect as of February 20, 2025, available at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/;
(viii) The Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1342(p), in effect as of February 20, 2025, available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/; and
(ix) 40 C.F.R § 136.1, 136.2, 136.3, 136.5, and 136.7, in effect as of February 20, 2025, available at http://www.ecfr.gov.
(b) For these codes, standards, rules, regulations, and materials incorporated by reference:
(i) The Council has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules.
(ii) This Chapter does not incorporate later amendments or editions of incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations.
(iii) All incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations are available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Cheyenne office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov or from (307) 777-7937.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Chapter 2 Permit Regulations for Discharges to Wyoming Surface Waters
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 1 General Provisions
(a) Authority. This regulation is promulgated pursuant to Wyoming Statute 35-11-101 through 35-11-1803, and specifically 35-11-301(a) (i), (ii), and (iv), and 35-11- 302 (a) (ii), (iii) and (v) and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 402 (b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) and amendments to that Act through July 1, 2004 for the purpose of instituting a permit issuance program in conformity with the requirements of the Environmental Quality Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), for point source discharges into surface waters of the state. Nothing in these regulations is intended to expand the scope of the Environmental Quality Act, as limited in W.S. 35-11-1104 nor do these regulations supersede or abrogate the authority of the state to appropriate quantities of water for beneficial uses.
(b) Incorporation by reference. Throughout these regulations, standards and requirements promulgated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been adopted and incorporated by reference. All references are from the Code of Federal Regulations dated July 1, 2004, unless otherwise noted. This incorporation does not include later amendments or editions of the incorporated material.
Applicable federal regulations related to the states NPDES primacy include: 40 CFR Parts 122, 123, 124, 125, 129, 133, 136 and Subchapter N (parts 400 through 471). State program authority does not include pretreatment or biosolids requirements. Implementation of and authority over the pretreatment and biosolids requirements remain with the U.S. EPA.
(c) Purpose. The purpose of these rules and regulations is to establish a permitting system for the issuance of permits as authorized pursuant to Section 402 (b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. ' 1342(b), as amended in 1987. This permitting system provides the mechanism for establishing effluent limitations in WYPDES permits which specify maximum amounts or concentrations of pollution and wastes which may be discharged into surface waters of the state.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 2 Applicability
(a) Discharges required to be permitted. All discharges into surface waters of the state as defined in (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) below shall be permitted as described in these regulations.
(i) All effluent discharges not described in (ii), (iii) and (iv) below;
(ii) All storm water discharges from industrial, construction, and municipal facilities as described in Section 6 of these regulations;
(iii) Point source discharges of dredged or fill material into isolated wetlands which are:
(A) Not subject to regulation by the Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the CWA; or,
(B) Not subject to a permit or authorization from the Wyoming Department of Environment Quality, Land Quality Division for mining activities.
(iv) Silvicultural point sources, as defined in Section 3 (b) (lxxxv), are point sources subject to the applicable provisions of these regulations.
(b) Exclusions. The following discharges do not require WYPDES permits:
(i) Discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States which are regulated under Section 404 of the CWA.
(ii) The introduction of sewage, industrial wastes or other pollutants into publicly owned treatment works by indirect dischargers.
(iii) Any discharge in compliance with the instructions of an On-Scene Coordinator pursuant to 40 CFR 300 (The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan) or 33 CFR 153.10 (e) (Pollution by Oil and Hazardous Substances).
(iv) Any introduction of pollutants from non-point source agricultural and silvicultural activities.
(v) Return flows from irrigated agriculture.
(vi) Discharges into privately owned treatment works.
(vii) Discharges of dredge or fill material
(A) from normal farming, silviculture, and ranching
activities such as plowing, seeding, cultivating, minor drainage, harvesting for the production of food, fiber, and forest products, or upland soil and water conservation practices;
(B) for the purpose of maintenance, including emergency reconstruction of recently damaged parts, of currently serviceable structures such as dikes, dams, levees, groins, riprap, headwaters, causeways, and bridge abutments or approaches, and transportation structures;
(C) for the purpose of construction or maintenance of farm or stock ponds or irrigation ditches, or the maintenance of drainage ditches;
(D) for the purposes of construction of temporary sedimentation basins on a construction site which does not include placement of fill material into surface waters of the state;
(E) for the purpose of construction or maintenance of farm roads or forest roads, or temporary roads for moving mining equipment, where such roads are constructed and maintained, in accordance with best management practices, to assure that flow and circulation patterns and chemical and biological characteristics of surface waters of the state are not impaired, that the surface water of the state is not reduced, and that any adverse effect on the aquatic environment will be otherwise minimized;
(F) resulting from any activity with respect to which is in accordance with the requirements of section 208 (b) (4) (B) and (C)of the CWA.
(viii) Short-term sediment disturbance within surface waters of the state
from normal construction, maintenance or repair activities in or along waterways such as bridge or culvert work, utility crossings, bank stabilization work or other temporary disturbances below the high water level where the operator has:
(A) Submitted plans to the Department outlining the nature of the activity, along with the location and duration of the planned disturbance; and
(B) Received a written waiver from the Water Quality Division Administrator in advance of the construction, maintenance or repair activity certifying that the activity does not require a WYPDES permit. Such waivers shall be limited to a maximum of 180 days per activity and shall include all necessary conditions on the activity. Such waivers shall not relieve the operator of complying with stormwater permitting requirements in Section 6 of this Chapter for construction-related work in upland areas above the high water level.
(ix) The use of fish toxicants, in compliance with this paragraph:
(A) Fish toxicants shall be applied compliance with the Wyoming Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1973, W.S. §§ 35-7-350 through 376. Compliance with the Act, however, shall not exempt any person from the penalty provisions of W.S. 35-11-901 should non-target species or non-target areas be affected.
(B) Fish toxicants shall be applied in a manner that minimizes, to the extent practicable, the magnitude of any change in the concentration of the parameters affected by the activity and the length of time during which any change may occur. Any person applying fish toxicants shall take measures that prevent significant risks to public health and ensure that existing and designated uses of the water are protected and maintained upon the completion of the activity.
(C) Except for the agencies and persons described below, no other agency or person may apply fish toxicants in any surface water of the state.
(I) The Wyoming Game and Fish Department may apply fish toxicants to any surface water of the state provided the application of fish toxicants is in compliance with this Section 2.
(II) The National Park Service, as the wildlife management agency in Yellowstone National Park, may apply fish toxicants to surface waters within Yellowstone National Park for the purpose of killing or controlling fish provided the application of fish toxicants is in compliance with this Section. The National Park Service shall not apply fish toxicants to waters which flow into surface waters of the state outside of Yellowstone National Park without prior approval from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
(III) Certified applicators, as that term is defined in W.S. 35-7-354, may apply fish toxicants only to surface waters of the state located entirely on private property where there is no surface outlet to waters of the state provided that prior notice is made to the Department of Environmental Quality and only after receipt of verification from the Water Quality Division that the proposed use of fish toxicants is in compliance with this Section. Approval, including any necessary permits, from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is also required prior to any use of fish toxicants to ensure protection of fish and wildlife resources.
(c) No conveyance of property rights or exclusive privilege. The issuance of a permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege. The issuance of a permit does not authorize any injury to persons or property or invasion of other private rights, or any infringement of state or local law or regulations. Except for any toxic effluent standards and prohibitions imposed under Section 307 of the CWA, compliance with a permit during its term constitutes compliance, for purposes of enforcement, with Sections 301, 302, 306, 307, 318, and 405 (a) of the CWA.
(d) Interpretation of "waters of the United States" All references to the CWA where there is reference to the phrase "water(s) of the United States" shall be interpreted as "surface waters of the state" for purposes of this rule. This interpretation does not expand the CWA implementation authorities of federal agencies.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 3 Definitions
(a) Definitions in W.S. 35-11-103 (a) and (c). Definitions in W.S. 35-11-103 (a) and (c) which are applicable to these rules are reiterated in this section.
(i) "Department" means the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
(ii) "Director" means the director of the Department of Environmental Quality.
(iii) "Discharge" means any addition of any pollution or wastes to any waters of the state.
(iv) "Ecological function" means the ability of an area to support vegetation and fish and wildlife populations, recharge aquifers, stabilize base flows, attenuate flooding, trap sediment and remove or transform nutrients and other pollutants.
(v) "Mitigation" means all actions to avoid, minimize, restore and compensate for ecological functions or wetland values lost.
(vi) "Nonpoint source" means any source of pollution other than a point source. For purposes of W.S. 16-1-201 through 16-1-207 only, nonpoint source includes leaking underground storage tanks as defined by W.S. 35-11-1415 (a) (ix) and aboveground storage tanks as defined by W.S. 35-11-1415 (a) (xi).
(vii) "Person" means an individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private corporation, trust, estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, or any interstate body or any other legal entity.
(viii) "Point source" means any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged.
(ix) "Pollution" means contamination or other alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of any waters of the state, including change in temperature, taste, color, turbidity or odor of the waters or any discharge of any acid or toxic material, chemical or chemical compound, whether it be liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive or other substance, including wastes, into any waters of the state which creates a nuisance or renders any waters harmful, detrimental or injurious to public health, safety or welfare, to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational or other legitimate beneficial uses, or to livestock, wildlife or aquatic life, or which degrades the water for its intended use, or adversely affects the environment. This term does not mean 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, and if the state determines that such injection or disposal well will not result in the degradation of ground or surface or water resources.
(x) "Wastes" means sewage, industrial waste and all other liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive, or other substances which may pollute any waters of the state.
(xi) "Waters of the state" means all surface and groundwater, including waters associated with wetlands, within Wyoming.
(xii) "Wetlands" means those areas in Wyoming having all three (3) essential characteristics:
(A) Hydrophytic vegetation;
(B) Hydric soils; and
(C) Wetland hydrology.
(xiii) "Wetland value" means those socially significant attributes of wetlands such as uniqueness, heritage, recreation, aesthetics and a variety of economic values.
(b) Supplemental definitions. The following definitions supplement those definitions contained in W.S. 35-11-103.
(i) "Administrator of the EPA" means the chief executive officer of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(ii) "Administrator" means the administrator of the Water Quality Division, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
(iii) "Affected land" means the area of land from which overburden is removed, or upon which overburden, development waste rock or refuse is deposited, or both, access roads, haul roads, mineral stockpiles, mill tailings, impoundment basins, and all other lands whose natural state has been or will be disturbed as a result of mining operations.
(iv) "Animal feeding operation" is defined in Appendix G.
(v) "Applicable effluent standards and limitations" means all state and federal effluent standards and limitations to which a discharge is subject to under the Environmental Quality Act, or the CWA, including, but not limited to, effluent limitations, standards of performance, toxic effluent standards and prohibitions, and pretreatment standards.
(vi) "Applicable water quality standards" means all water quality standards to which a discharge is subject under Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1.
(vii) "Applicant" means the person responsible for submitting a completed application form for a WYPDES permit and the person who will have primary responsibility for meeting the requirements of the permit. Applicant is usually the owner of the facility from which discharge is or will be occurring; however, when a facility is operated by someone other than the owner, the operator is the applicant.
(viii) "Application" when used as a noun in this rule means an application form upon which the applicant has provided the requested information in order to obtain a WYPDES permit, modification to a WYPDES permit or renewal of a WYPDES permit.
(ix) "Application form" means the uniform state or national forms, including subsequent revisions or modifications, for application for a new, modified or reissued individual WYPDES permit.
(x) "Aquaculture project" means a defined managed water area which uses discharges of pollutants into that designated area for the maintenance or production of harvestable freshwater plants or animals.
(xi) "Authorization" means the written approval granted by the department to a person or facility which states that a discharge from the facility is permitted under a general permit and which is subject to the conditions set forth in the general permit. "Authorization" also means the modifications to a previously issued authorization that are made to accommodate an alteration in the conditions under a previous authorization or an extension of the allowed time for discharge to occur that was established under a previous authorization.
(xii) "Best Management Practices (BMPs)" means schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and/or other management practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of "waters of the state." BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage.
(xiii) "Bypass" means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility.
(xiv) "CFR" means Code of Federal Regulations. All references to the Code refer to the CFR dated July 1, 2004.
(xv) "Compliance schedule" means a schedule of remedial measures included in a permit that establishes an enforceable sequence of actions or operations leading to compliance with an effluent limitation, other limitation, prohibition, or standard.
(xvi) "Concentrated animal feeding operation" means an animal feeding operation (other than an aquatic animal production facility) which meets the criteria in Appendix G of these regulations.
(xvii) "Concentrated aquatic animal production facility" means a hatchery, fish farm, or other facility which meets the criteria as defined in Appendix F of these regulations, or an aquatic animal production facility that is designated as concentrated by the department as a result of its significant contribution of pollution to surface waters of the state.
(xviii) "Co-permittee" means a permittee to a WYPDES permit that is only responsible for permit conditions relating to the discharge for which it is operator.
(xix) "CWA" means the federal Clean Water Act.
(xx) "Daily average" means the average concentration determined by the arithmetic mean of all samples collected within a calendar day.
(xxi) "Daily maximum" means the highest single reading from any grab or composite sample collected during the reporting period, except in the case of Coal Mining Operations, where the definition means the value determined by an analysis of a properly preserved composite sample composed of a minimum of four grab samples collected at equally spaced two hour intervals and proportioned according to flow at the time of sampling.
(xxii) "Designated project areas" means the portions of surface waters of the state within which the permittee or permit applicant plans to confine the cultivated species, using a method, plan or operation (including, but not limited to, physical confinement) which, on the basis of reliable scientific evidence, is expected to ensure that specific individual organisms comprising an aquaculture crop will experience increased growth attributable to the discharge of pollutants, and be harvested within a defined geographic area.
(xxiii) "Designated uses" means those uses specified in water quality standards for each water body or segment whether or not they are being attained.
(xxiv) "Duly authorized representative" means an individual or position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity, or an individual or position having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the regulated facility who has been designated by a person described in Section 14 (a) of these regulations, through the submittal to the administrator of a written notification, as the individual or position authorized to sign reports required by the permits or certify other information requested by the administrator.
(xxv) "Effluent" means the pollutant or waste stream from a facility that is being or is proposed to be discharged.
(xxvi) "Effluent limitation" means any restriction established by the state or by the Administrator of the EPA on quantities, rates and/or concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents which are discharged from point sources into surface waters of the state.
(xxvii) "EPA" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
(xxviii) "Facility" means any WYPDES point source or collection of point sources or any other facility or activity (including land or appurtenances thereto associated with the operation of the facility) that is subject to regulation under the WYPDES program.
(xxix) "Fact sheet" means the application materials, a draft copy of the permit, a statement of basis and the public notice.
(xxx) "Federal Act" means the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) as amended in 1987, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. as amended.
(xxxi) "Fill material" means any material used for the primary purpose of replacing an aquatic area with dry land or of changing the bottom elevation of a waterbody. The term does not include any pollutant discharged into the water primarily to dispose of waste, as that activity is regulated under Section 5 of these regulations.
(xxxii) "Flow monitoring station" means a designated point where stream flow is measured.
(xxxiii) "Form" means any issued permit and any uniform state or national form developed for use in the WYPDES system or these regulations.
(xxxiv) "General permit" means a permit to discharge which authorizes a category of discharges within a specified geographic area.
(xxxv) "Grab sample" means a single "dip and take" sample collected at a representative point in the discharge stream.
(xxxvi) "Hydric soil" means a soil that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part.
(xxxvii) "Hydrophytic vegetation" means a community of plants where, under normal circumstances more than 50 percent of the composition of the dominant species from all strata are obligate wetland (OBL), facultative wetland (FACW), and/or facultative (FAC) species; or a frequency analysis of all species within the community yields a prevalence index value of less than 3.0 (where OBL = 1.0, FACW = 2.0, FAC = 3.0, FACU (facultative upland) = 4.0, and UPL (upland species) = 5.0).
(xxxviii) "Illicit discharge" means any discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer that is not composed entirely of storm water except discharges pursuant to a WYPDES permit (other than the WYPDES permit for discharges from the municipal separate storm sewer) and discharges resulting from fire fighting activities.
(xxxix) "Incorporated place" means a city, town, township or village that is incorporated under the laws of the State of Wyoming.
(xl) "Individual permit" means a permit to discharge to surface waters of the state issued to a facility for specific activities in accordance with the regulations contained herein.
(xli) "Industrial user" means those industries identified in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, Bureau of the Budget, 1967, as amended and supplemented, under the category 'Division D - Manufacturing' and such other classes of significant waste producers as, by regulation, the administrator deems appropriate.
(xlii) "Instantaneous maximum" means the value determined by an analysis of a single properly preserved grab sample.
(xliii) "Irrigation compliance point" means a point downstream of the outfall but before the first irrigation diversion where, when indicated in the permit, specified effluent limitations must be met.
(xliv) "Isolated wetlands" means wetlands as defined by the Environmental Quality Act and Section 3 of these regulations which do not meet the federal definition of waters of the United States but meet the state=s definition of waters of the state as defined in the Environmental Quality Act.
(xlv) "Major facility" means:
(A) For municipal wastewater treatment facilities, 1) those facilities with design flows greater than one million gallons per day or with an approved industrial pretreatment program and 2) which have been designated by the director and Regional Administrator of the EPA as a major facility.
(B) For industrial facilities, those facilities that 1) have a potential to discharge a total volume of greater than 50,000 gallons per day and 2) which have been designated by the director and Regional Administrator of the EPA as a major facility.
(xlvi) "Major modification" means any modification that is not defined as a minor modification.
(xlvii) "Main stem" means the major channel of a river or stream as shown on the latest and most detailed records of the Wyoming State Engineer.
(xlviii) "MGD" means million gallons per day.
(xlix) "Micrograms per liter (µg/l)" means micrograms of solute per liter of solution equivalent to parts per billion (ppb) in liquids, assuming unit density.
(l) "Milligrams per liter (mg/l)" means milligrams of solute per liter of solution equivalent to parts per million (ppm) in liquids, assuming unit density.
(li) "Minor facility" means any discharge which is not identified by the director and the Regional Administrator of the EPA, as a major facility.
(lii) "Minor modification" means
(A) correcting typographical errors; or
(B) increasing the frequency of monitoring or reporting by the permittee; or
(C) changing an interim date in a schedule of compliance, provided the new date of compliance is not more than 120 days after the date specified in the existing permit and does not interfere with attainment of the final compliance date requirement; or
(D) allowing for a transfer in ownership or operational control of a facility where the division determines that no other change in the permit is necessary, provided that a written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage and liability between the current and new permittees has been submitted to the department; or
(E) changing the construction schedule for a discharger which is a new source, but no such change shall affect a discharger's obligation to have all pollution control equipment installed and in operation prior to discharge; or
(F) deleting a point source outfall when the discharge from that outfall is terminated and does not result in discharge of pollutants from other outfalls except in accordance with permit limits; or
(G) adding additional wells to an existing permitted outfall provided that the flow volume specified in the permit is not exceeded, the source or quality of the effluent is similar in nature and consists of similar pollutants and the additional effluent will comply with all of the existing permit conditions.
(liii) "Mixing zone" means limited area or volume of a surface water body within which an effluent becomes thoroughly mixed with the water body.
(liv) "Modification" means adjustments in permit conditions which result from alterations in the configuration or operation of a facility from what was identified in the application for the permit most recently noticed or authorized.
(lv) "MS4" means a municipal separate storm sewer system.
(lvi) "Municipal separate storm sewer" means a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains):
(A) Owned or operated by the United States, a state, city, town, county, district, association, or other public body (created by or pursuant to state law) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, storm water, or other wastes, including special districts under state law such as a sewer district, flood control district or drainage district, or similar entity, or a designated and approved management agency under section 208 of the CWA that discharges to surface waters of the state;
(B) Designed or used for collecting or conveying storm water;
(C) Which is not a combined sewer; and
(D) Which is not part of a publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) as defined at 40 CFR 403.3.
(lvii) "Municipality" means a city, town, county, district, association, or other public body created by or under state law and having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes, or a designated and approved management agency under section 208 of the CWA (1987).
(lviii) "National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System" means the federal program for issuing, modifying, revoking and reissuing, terminating, monitoring and enforcing permits and imposing and enforcing pretreatment requirements, under section 307, 318, 402, and 405 of the CWA.
(lix) "Natural" means that condition which would exist without the measurable effects or measurable influence of man's activities.
(lx) "Natural water quality" means that quality of water which would exist without the measurable effects or measurable influence of man's activities.
(lxi) "Net oil and grease" means the results from a 1664-Cu analysis which represents the oil and grease concentration corrected for elemental sulphur.
(lxii) "New discharger" means any building, structure, facility, or installation:
(A) from which there is or may be a discharge of pollution or wastes;
(B) that did not commence the discharge of pollution or wastes at a particular "site" prior to August 13, 1979;
(C) which is not a new source; and
(D) which has never received a finally effective NPDES or WYPDES permit for discharges at that site.
(lxiii) "New facility" means a facility for which a discharge is being proposed but is not yet occurring, or a facility from which a discharge is occurring, where no permit or authorization for such discharge has been issued by the department.
(lxiv) "New source" means any source, the construction of which is commenced after publication by the Administrator of the EPA of a proposed standard of performance, which will be applicable to such source if promulgated.
(lxv) "Non-process wastewater" means any water which, during manufacturing or processing is not defined as process wastewater.
(lxvi) "Notice" means the announcement to the public, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of this regulation, of the intention of the department to issue, reissue, modify, terminate, deny or revoke a permit, or hold a public hearing.
(lxvii) "Notice of intent" means the form which is used to apply for new, modified, or extended authorization to discharge as sanctioned by a general permit.
(lxviii) "NPDES" means National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
(lxix) "Outfall" means the point at which a discharge exits the final treatment unit, if any, associated with a facility prior to entering surface waters of the state.
(lxx) "Overburden" means any material of any nature, consolidated or unconsolidated, that overlies a mineral deposit, excluding topsoil or similar naturally occurring surface materials that are not disturbed by mining operations.
(lxxi) "Owner or operator" means the owner or operator of any facility or activity subject to regulation under the WYPDES program. The owner or operator is the person applying for a WYPDES permit or authorization who will be responsible for complying with the requirements of the permit or authorization.
(lxxii) "Permit" means any permit issued by the Administrator of the EPA under the NPDES program or by the administrator of the Water Quality Division in accordance with these regulations.
(lxxiii) "pH" means a term used to express the intensity of acid or alkaline conditions. pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion activity in a water sample. It is mathematically related to hydrogen ion activity according to the expression: pH = -log 10 (H+), where (H+) is the hydrogen ion activity. A pH value of 7 at 25 degrees C is neutral, with pHs of less than seven (7) progressively more acid and pHs of greater than seven (7) progressively more basic (alkaline).
(lxxiv) "Point of compliance" means a point downstream from the outfall where effluent limitations specified in a permit must be achieved.
(lxxv) "Pollutant" means dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, filter backwash, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials (except those regulated under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended [42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.]), heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste discharged into water. It does not mean sewage from vessels; or 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 and 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 and if the state determines that the injection or disposal will not result in the degradation of ground or surface water resources.
(lxxvi) "POTW" means a publicly owned treatment work.
(lxxvii) "Pretreatment standards" means standards for that level of treatment required of waste before introduction into a publicly owned treatment works so that it neither interferes with, passes through, or otherwise is incompatible with such works.
(lxxviii) "Primary industrial facility" means a facility that falls into one of the defined primary industrial categories listed in 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix A.
(lxxix) "Process wastewater" means any water which during manufacturing or processing, comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, byproduct, or waste product.
(lxxx) "Produced water" means underground water which surfaces through oil and/or gas wells.
(lxxxi) "Regional Administrator" means the EPA Region VIII Administrator.
(lxxxii) "Reporting form" means the uniform state or national forms, including subsequent revision and modification, for reporting data and information pursuant to monitoring and other conditions of WYPDES permits.
(lxxxiii) "Severe property damage" means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the treatment facilities which causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources which can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production.
(lxxxiv) "Significant materials" includes, but is not limited to: raw materials; fuels; materials such as solvents, detergents, and plastic pellets; finished materials such as metallic products; raw materials used in food processing or production; hazardous substances designated under section 101(14) of CERCLA; any chemical the facility is required to report pursuant to Section 313 of title III of SARA; fertilizers; pesticides; and waste products such as ashes, slag and sludge that have the potential to be released with storm water discharges.
(lxxxv) "Silvicultural point source" means any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance related to rock crushing and gravel washing as defined in 40 CFR Part 436, subpart B and, log sorting, or log storage facilities as defined in 40 CFR Part 429, subpart I which are operated in connection with silvicultural activities and from which pollutants are discharged into surface waters of the state. The term does not include nonpoint source silvicultural activities such as nursery operations, site preparation, reforestation and subsequent cultural treatment, thinning, prescribed burning, pest and fire control, harvesting operations, surface drainage, or road construction and maintenance from which there is natural runoff. However, some of these activities may involve point source discharges of dredged or fill material which may require a permit under Section 404 of the CWA or Section 7 of these regulations.
(lxxxvi) "Site" means the land or water area where any facility or activity is physically located or conducted, including adjacent land used in connection with the facility or activity.
(lxxxvii) "Skim ponds" means earthen ponds usually used in conjunction with heater treaters and/or free water knockout units and/or skim tanks, into which produced water is discharged with the purpose of providing gravity separation of oil and water. Skim ponds are usually designed with a "stand pipe" which discharges relatively oil-free water from near the bottom of the pond while the majority of the oil is allowed to float to the top of the pond where it is collected.
(lxxxviii) "Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code" means the statistical classification standard for industrial establishments developed by the Office of Management and Budget and published in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget (1987).
(lxxxix) "Storm water" means storm water runoff, snow melt runoff, and surface runoff and drainage.
(xc) "Storm water discharge associated with industrial activity" is defined in Section 6 (g) of these regulations.
(xci) "Surface waters of the state" means surface waters of the state as defined in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 1, Wyoming Surface Water Quality Standards.
(xcii) "Technology-based effluent limit" means a permit limit for a pollutant that has been adopted pursuant to Section 5 (c) (iii) (A) and (B) of these regulations and 304 (b) of the CWA that is based on the capability of a treatment method(s) to reduce the pollutant to a certain concentration.
(xciii) "Toxic materials" means those materials, or combination of materials, including disease causing agents, which, after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any organism, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will, on the basis of information available to the director of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic malfunctions, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction), or physical deformations in such organisms or their offspring.
(xciv) "Toxicity reduction evaluation" means a site-specific study conducted in a step-wise process designed to identify the causative agent(s) of effluent toxicity, isolate the sources of toxicity, evaluate the effectiveness of toxicity control options, and then confirm the reduction in effluent toxicity.
(xcv) "Tributary" means those streams or stream segments which flow into or contribute water to another stream, stream segment, downstream reach of the same stream, or other water body.
(xcvi) "Uncontrolled sanitary landfill" means a landfill or open dump, whether in operation or closed, that does not meet the requirements for runon or runoff controls established pursuant to RCRA Subtitle D.
(xcvii) "Upset" means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with technology based permit effluent limitations because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the permittee. An upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation.
(xcviii) "Variance" means any mechanism or provision under section 301 or 316 of the CWA or under Section 8 of these regulations, or in the applicable effluent guidelines pursuant to Section 5 (c) (iii) of these regulations which allows modification to or waiver of the generally applicable effluent limitation requirements or time deadlines of the CWA. This includes provisions which allow the establishment of alternative limitations based on fundamentally different factors or on Sections 301 (c), 301 (g), 301 (h), 301 (i), or 316 (a) of the CWA.
(xcix) "Water quality based effluent limit" means a permit effluent limit derived by selecting the most stringent of the effluent limits calculated using all applicable water quality criteria as set forth in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1 for a specific point source to a specific receiving water for a given pollutant.
(c) "Water quality monitoring station" means a point downstream from the outfall on the tributary just prior to the confluence with the main stem of the drainage and/or on the mainstream above and below the confluence with the tributary where certain water quality monitoring data is to be collected when specified in the permit.
(ci) "Water quality standard" means the regulations as established by Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1 which describe the designated uses of surface waters of the state, the numeric and narrative criteria that are necessary to protect the uses of surface waters of the state, and an antidegradation provision which protects the natural water quality of surface waters of the state.
(cii) "Wetland hydrology" means the presence of water on or near the land surface at a frequency and duration to cause the formation of hydric soils and support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted to saturated and/or inundated conditions.
(ciii) "Whole effluent toxicity" means the total toxic effect of an effluent measured directly with a toxicity test.
(civ) "Wyoming Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WYPDES)" means the state program for issuing, modifying and reissuing, terminating, monitoring and enforcing permits for discharging pollutants into surface waters of the state under the provisions of these rules, W.S. 35-11- 101 through 35-11-1803 and the CWA.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 4 General Permits
Provisions for the issuance of general permits are described in this section. Additional requirements specific to effluent permits, storm water permits and isolated wetlands are contained in sections 5, 6 and 7 of these regulations.
(a) Coverage. The department may issue a general permit to cover a category of discharges, except those covered by individual permits, within a geographic area which shall correspond to existing geographic or political boundaries. The general permit may be written to regulate:
(i) Storm water point sources except;
(A) Storm water discharges associated with industrial activities (as defined in Section 6 (g) (ii) (A) through (K)) that have a potential to reach surface waters of the state that are listed as being Outstanding Resource Waters in Chapter 1, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations. These facilities must apply for an individual storm water permit in accordance with the requirements of Section 6 (b).
(B) Storm water discharges from large or small construction activity as defined in Section 6 (f) are not included in the exception of Section 4 (a) (i) (A).
(ii) Point source discharges of dredged or fill material into isolated wetlands;
(iii) Effluent discharges, other than discharges described in (i) and (ii) above, if the sources all:
(A) Involve the same or substantially similar types of operations;
(B) Discharge the same types of pollution or wastes;
(C) Require the same effluent limitations or operating conditions;
(D) Require the same or similar monitoring; and
(E) In the opinion of the administrator, are more appropriately controlled under a general permit than under individual permits. In making such a finding, the administrator shall consider: the types of discharges; the expected nature of the discharges; the potential for toxic and conventional pollutants in the discharges; the expected volumes of the discharges; and the estimated number of discharges to be covered by the permit. The administrator shall provide in the public notice of the general permit the rationale for utilizing a general permit rather than individual permits for the permitted activity.
(iv) Application of pesticides in or along surface waters of the state;
(b) Authorization to discharge.
(i) Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, any person seeking coverage under a general permit shall submit to the department a complete notice of intent, supplied by the administrator, to be covered by the general permit. Any person who fails to submit a notice of intent in accordance with the terms of the general permit is not authorized to discharge under the terms of the permit unless the general permit, in accordance with Section 4 (b) (v), contains a provision that a notice of intent is not required.
(ii) The minimum requirements of the notice of intent shall be specified in the general permit and shall require the submission of information necessary for adequate program implementation. All notices of intent shall be signed as described in Section 14 of these regulations.
(iii) General permits shall specify the deadlines for submitting notices of intent and the date(s) when a discharge is authorized under the permit unless otherwise specified in the authorization.
(A) In any event, no person shall commence a discharge without having obtained written authorization from the department, and no authorization shall be issued without full compliance by the permittee with all requirements of these regulations.
(B) In any event, no person shall change or alter the conditions of an authorized discharge without having obtained an authorization from the department, and no authorization for the modification shall be issued without full compliance by the permittee with all requirements of these regulations.
(C) In any event, no person shall continue to discharge beyond the expiration date of an authorization without having obtained an extension or renewal of the authorization from the department, and no extension or renewal shall be granted without full compliance by the permittee with all requirements of these regulations.
(iv) General permits shall specify eligibility requirements for coverage under the permit and procedures for submitting notices of intent and granting authorization.
(v) Discharges other than discharges from publicly owned treatment works, combined sewer overflows, MS4s, primary industrial facilities, and storm water discharges associated with industrial activity and large construction activities may be authorized to discharge under a general permit without submitting a notice of intent where the administrator finds that a notice of intent requirement would be inappropriate. In making such a finding, the administrator shall consider: the types of discharges, the expected nature of the discharges; the potential for toxic and conventional pollutants in the discharges; the expected volumes of the discharges; and the estimated number of discharges to be covered by the permit. The administrator shall provide in the public notice of the general permit the reasons for not requiring a notice of intent, if so allowed.
(vi) The administrator may notify a discharger that it is subject to the conditions and requirements of a general permit, even if the discharger has not submitted a notice of intent to be covered.
(c) Water quality-based limits. Where sources within a specific category or
subcategory of dischargers are subject to water quality-based limits imposed pursuant to Section 5 of these regulations, the source in that specific category or subcategory shall be subject to the same water quality-based effluent limitations, when applicable.
(d) Applicable conditions. The general permit must clearly identify the applicable conditions for each category or subcategory of dischargers or treatment works treating domestic sewage covered by the permit.
(e) Exclusions. The general permit may exclude specified sources or areas from coverage.
(f) Processing procedures for notices of intent.
(i) The administrator shall review each notice of intent and make a completeness determination within 30 days of receipt of the notice of intent. If the notice of intent and supplemental information are deemed to be complete, processing of the notice of intent shall proceed in accordance with Section 4 (f) (ii). If the administrator determines that the notice of intent is incomplete, a notice shall be provided to the applicant, describing the additional information needed in order to complete the processing of the notice of intent, within 45 days of receipt of the notice of intent. The completeness of any notice of intent shall be judged independently of the status of any other notice of intent for the same facility or activity.
(ii) Upon determination of completeness or as specified in the general permit, the administrator, or his authorized representative, shall make a determination on issuance or denial of the authorization for coverage under the general permit. If the administrator, or his authorized representative, proposes that the discharge be authorized, the administrator, or his authorized representative, will also identify any conditions of authorization.
(g) Modification, revocation, renewal, extension, or termination of general permits. General permits may be issued, modified, revoked, renewed, extended, or terminated in accordance with provisions of Sections 9, 10, 11, and 12 of these regulations. Termination may apply to individual owners or operators, to several owners or operators, or to an entire general permit protection area. In cases where the termination does not affect all owners and operators, the general permit shall remain in effect with respect to those unaffected owners and operators.
(h) Permit term. General permits may be issued for a term not to exceed five (5) years, unless extended in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of these regulations.
(i) Requiring an individual permit.
(i) The administrator, for good cause, may require any person authorized by a general permit or seeking coverage under a general permit to apply for and obtain an individual permit. Cases where an individual WYPDES permit may be required include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) The permittee is not in compliance with the conditions of the general WYPDES permit;
(B) A change has occurred in the availability of demonstrated technology or practices for the control or abatement of pollutants applicable to the point source;
(C) Effluent limitation guidelines are promulgated for point sources covered by the general WYPDES permit;
(D) A water quality management plan containing requirements applicable to such point sources is approved;
(E) Circumstances have changed since the time of the request to be covered so that the discharger is no longer appropriately controlled under the general permit, or either a temporary or permanent reduction or elimination of the authorized discharge is necessary;
(F) The discharge(s) is a significant contributor of pollutants. In making this determination, the administrator may consider the following factors:
(I) The location of the discharge with respect to surface waters of the state;
(II) The size of the discharge;
(III) The quantity and nature of the pollutants discharged to surface waters of the state; and
(IV) Any other relevant factors.
(ii) Any interested person may petition the administrator to require any person authorized by a general permit or seeking coverage under a general permit to apply for and obtain an individual permit.
(iii) Any owner or operator authorized by a general permit may request to be excluded from the coverage of the general permit by applying for an individual permit in accordance with Section 5 (a) of these regulations.
(iv) When an individual permit is issued to an owner or operator otherwise subject to a general permit, the applicability of the general permit to the individual permittee is automatically terminated on the effective date of the individual permit.
(j) General permit coverage for discharges already covered by an individual permit. A discharge excluded from a general permit solely because it already has an individual permit may request that the individual permit be terminated, and that it be covered by the general permit.
(k) Application for coverage. Any owner or operator shall apply for coverage in a general permit category by completing the notice of intent supplied by the administrator.
(l) Permit conditions.
(i) General permits will include all conditions determined necessary by the state for protection of the surface waters of the state.
(ii) General permits will require a copy of the authorization letter be posted at the physical location of the permitted site in a prominent and safe place for public viewing.
(iii) General permits will require the permittee to notify all landowners,
on whose property an outfall associated with the general permit is located, prior to submitting the Notice of Intent to the administrator.
(m) Application requirements for isolated wetlands. A notice of intent submitted for coverage of mitigation for activities that cause the destruction, damage or impairment of naturally occurring isolated wetlands shall contain the information as required in Section 7 (b) of these regulations.
(n) Application requirements for effluent discharges. Application requirements for effluent discharges, except for storm water discharges and isolated wetlands as described in Sections 6 and 7 respectively of these regulations.
(i) A notice of intent submitted for coverage of discharge from a new facility under a general permit shall contain, at a minimum, the following information unless the administrator determines that certain items are unnecessary:
(A) Name of company, entity, or individual seeking authorization;
(B) Identification of the facility name, location, and telephone number if applicable;
(C) Mailing address and telephone number of company, entity, or individual seeking authorization;
(D) Applicant status as federal, state, private, public, or other entity;
(E) Name and signature of responsible person;
(F) Authorization of a duly authorized representative under the
Signatory Requirements of Section 14 of these rules, where applicable;
(G) Type and location, expressed in latitude and longitude to the nearest 15 seconds, of the facility from which discharge will occur;
(H) A description of the activities conducted by the applicant which require it to obtain coverage under a WYPDES permit;
(I) Expected quality and quantity of effluent (including maximum design capacity in million gallons per day) proposed for discharge, flow rate in million gallons per day or cubic feet per second and whether the proposed discharge will be continuous or intermittent;
(J) Description of treatment process that will be used to reduce pollutant concentrations in effluent;
(K) Outfall number(s) and latitude and longitude of each outfall location to the nearest 15 seconds;
(L) Outfall number(s) and legal description(s) of each outfall location to the nearest quarter/quarter of a section;
(M) Names and addresses of landowners where outfall(s) will be located, if property owner is other than the applicant;
(N) Outfall number(s) and names of surface waters of the state that would or potentially would directly receive any portion of the discharge for each outfall, including, where applicable, a description of the tributary system from the outfall location to the main stem;
(O) A topographic map extending one mile beyond the property boundaries of the source, showing the location of the facility, intake structures and associated outfalls and proposed monitoring and/or compliance points; each of its hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities; each well where fluids from the facility are injected underground; and those wells, springs, other surface water bodies, and drinking water wells listed in public records or otherwise known by the applicant in the map area. The map scale must be at least 1:24,000 unless otherwise approved by the administrator.
(P) Where applicable, additional requirements as
specified in Appendices A through M of these regulations.
(Q) Any other information the administrator may request in order to identify potential impacts to designated uses of surface waters of the state, by the proposed discharge and to determine whether to issue authorization under a general permit. The additional information may include additional quantitative data and bioassays to assess the relative toxicity of discharges to aquatic life and requirements to determine the cause of the toxicity.
(ii) Information in addition to that described in Section 4 (n) (i) may be established based on needs specific to a general permit.
(iii) A notice of intent submitted by a permittee for modification or extension of existing authorization under a general permit shall identify any changes or additions to the information listed in (i) and (ii) above that was provided in the notice of intent submitted for the authorization most recently granted.
(iv) A notice of intent and other documents required to accompany said notice of intent when submitted to the department must be signed and certified in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of these regulations.
(o) Application requirements for storm water discharges.
(i) Deadlines to apply.
(A) Facilities proposing a new discharge of storm water associated with industrial activity or large construction activity shall submit a notice of intent in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 (o) (ii) of these regulations.
(B) Except as provided in Section 4 (o) (i), for any storm water discharge associated with large construction activity as described in Section 6 (f) (i) or industrial activity as identified in Section 6 (g) in place prior to the effective date of this rule, should have made application to the administrator by October 1, 1992; prior to initiation of the activity; or as specified in the applicable general permit.
(C) For any storm water discharge associated with industrial activity from a facility that is owned or operated by a municipality with a population of less than 100,000 that is not authorized by a general or individual permit other than an airport, powerplant, or uncontrolled sanitary landfill, the permit application must be submitted to the administrator by March 10, 2003 or as specified in the applicable general permit.
(D) For storm water discharges associated with small construction activity as described in Section 6 (f) (ii), that are not already authorized by a storm water general or individual permit, require permit authorization as of March 10, 2003, except;
(I) Storm water discharges subject to Section 4 (b) (v) which are not required to submit a NOI for coverage in accordance with the provisions of the applicable general permit, and
(II) Storm water discharges associated with small construction activity at oil and gas exploration, production, processing, and treatment operations or transmission facilities subject to the provisions of, Section 4 (o) (i) (E) of these regulations.
(E) For storm water discharges associated with small construction activity at oil and gas exploration, production, processing, and treatment operations or transmission facilities, require permit authorization as of March 10, 2005.
(F) A notice of intent shall be submitted to the administrator within 60 days of notice of a storm water discharge which the administrator determines contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters of the state or where the administrator determines that storm water controls are needed for the discharge based on wasteload allocations that are part of "total maximum daily loads" (TMDLs) that address the pollutant(s) of concern; unless permission for a later date is granted by the administrator.
(G) For any existing storm water discharge from a regulated small MS4 for which a storm water permit application was not previously required under federal law or regulation, the permit application made under Section 4 (o) (iii) must be submitted to the administrator:
(I) By March 10, 2003 for any storm water discharge associated with a regulated small MS4 in an urbanized area as described in Section 6 (h) (i) (A) and (B) and that is not already authorized by a storm water general or individual permit,
(II) Within 180 days of notice of designation, unless the administrator grants a later date, under Section 6 (h) (i) (C) or (D).
(ii) Application requirements for storm water discharges associated with industrial activity and large construction activity. Dischargers of storm water associated with industrial activity and large construction activity are required to apply for an individual permit or seek coverage under a storm water general permit.
A notice of intent requesting coverage under a general permit must be completed in accordance with the requirements of this section and the applicable general permit. Unless the administrator determines that certain items are unnecessary, the notice of intent shall contain, at a minimum:
(A) General requirements applicable to all notices of intent:
(I) Name of the company, entity, or individual seeking a permit;
(II) Mailing address and telephone number of company, entity, or individual seeking a permit;
(III) The facility name, location, and telephone number if applicable;
(IV) Applicant status as federal, state, private, public, or other entity;
(V) Name and signature in accordance with the requirements of Section 14 of these regulations;
(VI) Authorization of a duly authorized representative under the Signatory Requirements of Section 14 of these regulations, where applicable;
(VII) Location, expressed in latitude and longitude to the nearest 15 seconds, of the facility to be covered under the permit;
(VIII) Location, expressed as quarter/quarter section, township, and range in the applicable Public Land Survey (PLS), of the facility to be covered under the permit;
(IX) A description of the activities conducted by the applicant which require it to obtain a WYPDES storm water discharge permit;
(X) For industrial activities only, up to four SIC codes which best reflect the principal products or services provided by the facility;
(B) Applicants shall provide such other information the administrator may reasonably require to determine whether to issue an authorization. The additional information may include additional quantitative data and bioassays to assess the relative toxicity of discharges to aquatic life and requirements to determine the cause of the toxicity.
(iii) Application requirements for regulated small municipal separate storm sewer discharges.
(A) The notice of intent for general permit coverage must include the following information, at a minimum:
(I) Name of the municipality seeking a permit;
(II) Mailing address, contact name, and telephone number of the municipality seeking a permit;
(III) A general description of the best management practices (BMPs) that the permittee or another municipality will implement for each of the storm water minimum control measures required by Section 6 (j) (i);
(IV) The measurable goals for each of the selected BMPs including, as appropriate, the months and years in which the permittee will undertake required actions, including interim milestones and the frequency of the action;
(V) The person or persons responsible for implementing or coordinating the permittee=s storm water management program. A position, rather than an individual, may also be designated;
(VI) A description of the funding sources expected for implementation of the permittee=s program; and
(VII) Other information the administrator may reasonably require to determine whether to issue an authorization.
(B) The permittee may file a separate application for coverage under a general permit, or may jointly submit an application with other municipalities or governmental entities. If the permittee wants to share responsibilities for meeting the minimum control measures with other municipalities or governmental entities, the application (whether separate or joint) must describe which minimum control measures the permittee will implement and identify the entities that will implement the other minimum control measures within the area served by the permittee=s MS4.
(C) If authorized by the administrator, the permittee may file a separate application for coverage under an individual permit. The application must include the information required under Section 4 (o) (iii) and Section 6 (b) (i), an estimate of square mileage served by the small MS4, and any additional information that the administrator requests. The administrator=s authorization will be contingent upon the regulated entity providing adequate justification for the need for an individual permit.
(D) If authorized by the administrator, two (2) or more regulated entities may jointly apply under Section 4 (o) (iii) (C) to be co-permittees under an individual permit. The administrator=s authorization will be contingent upon the regulated entities providing adequate justification for the need for an individual permit.
(p) Application requirements for use of pesticides in or near waterbodies, except fish toxicants used for fisheries management as described in Section 2(b)(ix) of this Chapter.
(i) A notice of intent submitted for coverage of pesticide use in or along waterbodies under a general permit shall contain, at a minimum, the following information unless the administrator determines that certain items are unnecessary:
(A) Name of company, entity, or individual seeking authorization;
(B) Description of the target pest(s);
(C) A site map depicting proposed treatment areas and any potentially affected waterbodies;
(D) An inventory of all pesticides to be used, including ingredients and modes of action;
(E) A legal description (Section(s), Township(s), Range(s), County of the locations proposed for pesticide use, including affected waterbodies;
(F) Authorization of a duly authorized representative under the
Signatory Requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter, where applicable;
(ii) Information in addition to that described in Section 4(p)(i) of this Chapter may be established based on needs specific to a general permit.
(iii) A notice of intent submitted by a permittee for modification or extension of existing authorization under a general permit shall identify any changes or additions to the information listed in (i) and (ii) of this Section 4(p) that was provided in the notice of intent submitted for the authorization most recently granted.
(iv) A notice of intent and other documents required to accompany said notice of intent when submitted to the department must be signed and certified in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 5 Effluent Permits
The following process shall be used in the application for, development of, and issuance of effluent permits, except for storm water permits which are addressed under Sections 4 and 6 of these regulations.
(a) Application for individual permits. Completed application forms shall be submitted to the department for permits for new facilities, modifications to existing permits, and permit renewals.
(i) Permits for new facilities. The owner or operator of any point source within the State of Wyoming who proposes to discharge pollution or wastes into surface waters of the state must file with the administrator a complete application form either (1) no less than 180 days in advance of the date on which it is desired to commence the discharge of pollution or wastes, unless otherwise approved by the administrator, or (2) in sufficient time prior to any discharge of pollutants to insure compliance with the requirements of Section 306 of the Federal Act, or with any applicable zoning or siting requirements established pursuant to Section 208 (b) (2) (c) of the Federal Act, and any other applicable water quality standards and limitations. In any event, no person shall commence a discharge without having obtained a permit from the department, and no permit shall be issued without full compliance by the permittee with all requirements of these regulations.
(ii) Modification of permits. (Refer to Section 12 of these regulations.)
(iii) Renewal of permits. (Refer to Section 10 of these regulations.)
(iv) Application for individual permits. Application for individual permits shall be made using forms provided or specified by the administrator. Completed application forms shall be submitted to the department for permits for new facilities, modifications to existing permits, and permit renewals.
(v) General information requirements. An application form for all new individual permits shall contain the following information unless the administrator determines that specific items are unnecessary:
(A) Name of company, entity, or individual seeking a permit;
(B) Identification of the facility name, location, and telephone number if applicable;
(C) Mailing address and telephone number of company, entity, or individual seeking a permit;
(D) Applicant status as federal, state, private, public, or other entity and status of applicant as owner, operator or both;
(E) Name and signature of responsible person as required by Section 14 of these regulations;
(F) Authorization of a duly authorized representative under the
Signatory Requirements of Section 14 of these rules, where applicable;
(G) Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of landowners where outfalls will be located, if property owner is other than applicant;
(H) Type and location, expressed in latitude and longitude to the nearest 15 seconds, of the facility from which discharge will occur;
(I) A description of the activities conducted by the applicant which require it to obtain an WYPDES permit and where the activity includes treatment facilities associated with the discharge, a site diagram of the treatment facilities associated with the discharge and the outfall locations;
(J) Up to four (4) SIC codes which best reflect the principal products or services provided by the facility;
(K) Expected quality and quantity (including maximum design capacity in million gallons per day and, except for POTWs, the average daily flow rate in million gallons per day) of effluent proposed for discharge, flow rate in million gallons per day or cubic feet per second, and whether the proposed discharge will be continuous or intermittent;
(L) Description of each treatment process that will be used to reduce pollutant concentrations in effluent;
(M) Outfall numbers and latitude and longitude of each outfall location to the nearest 15 seconds;
(N) Outfall numbers, the county where each outfall is located and legal description of each outfall location to the nearest quarter/quarter of a section;
(O) Distance from shore and depth below water surface;
(P) Whether the discharge will be continuous or periodic. If the discharge is to be periodic the following information for each outfall shall be provided:
(I) Number of times per year the discharge is to occur.
(II) Anticipated duration of each discharge.
(III) Anticipated flow of each discharge.
(IV) Months in which discharge is expected to occur.
(Q) Whether any outfall is or will be equipped with a diffuser and the type of diffuser used.
(R) Outfall number(s) and names of surface waters of the state that would or potentially would directly receive any portion of the discharge for each outfall, including where applicable, a description of the tributary system from the outfall location to the main stem;
(S) A topographic map extending one mile beyond the property boundaries of the source, showing the location of the facility, intake structures and associated outfalls and proposed monitoring and/or compliance points; each of its hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities; each well where fluids from the facility are injected underground; and those wells, springs, other surface water bodies, and drinking water wells listed in public records or otherwise known by the applicant in the map area.
(T) A listing of all active permits or construction approvals received or applied for by the applicant for the site under any of the following programs:
(I) Hazardous Waste Management program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
(II) Underground Injection Control program under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
(III) NPDES program under the CWA.
(IV) WYPDES program under these regulations.
(V) Prevention of Significant Deterioration program under the Clean Air Act.
(VI) Non-attainment program under the Clean Air Act.
(VII) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
(VIIl) Section 404 of the CWA.
(IX) Impoundments and/or Appropriation of Surface Water under the State Engineer=s Office.
(X) Reservoirs under the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
(XI) Other relevant local, state, or federal environmental permits.
(U) Any additional information required in accordance with appendices B through M of these regulations.
(V) Any other information the administrator may request in order to assess potential impacts to designated uses of surface waters of the state as a result of the proposed discharge, to develop permit conditions in compliance with regulations adopted pursuant to Section 304 of the CWA, or to determine whether to issue a WYPDES permit. The additional information may include additional quantitative data and bioassays to assess the relative toxicity of discharges to aquatic life and requirements to determine the cause of the toxicity.
(vi) Signature requirement. A permit application and other documents required to accompany said application when submitted to the department must be signed and certified in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of these regulations.
(vii) Records retention. Applicants shall keep records of all data used to complete permit applications and any supplemental information submitted under this section for a period of three (3) years from the date the application is signed.
(b) Processing procedures applicable to all individual permit applications.
(i) Permit issuance or denial determination. Within 180 days of the receipt of an application and requested supplemental information, the director shall make a tentative determination with respect to the issuance or denial of a permit. If the director, with the advice of the administrator, determines that the permit should be issued, then tentative determinations will also be made with respect to the following:
(A) Proposed effluent limitations, which in the absence of federal guidelines adopted pursuant to Section 304 of the CWA, will comply with 40 CFR 125.3 (c) (2) and (3);
(B) Proposed effluent limitations that will ensure that water quality standards promulgated in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1 will not be violated as a result of the proposed discharge;
(C) A proposed schedule of compliance, where appropriate; and
(D) Conditions and restrictions in addition to those specified in these regulations that are necessary in order for the requirements of the CWA or the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act to be upheld.
(ii) Completeness review. The administrator shall provide a notice of completeness or deficiency within 45 days of receipt of the application. If a notice of completeness or deficiency is not issued to the applicant within 45 days of receipt of the application, the administrator shall issue a letter of explanation to the applicant which specifies the expected date of the completeness determination.
(iii) Completeness determination. The director shall not process or issue a permit before receiving a complete application for a permit and all requirements of this section have been met. An application for a permit is complete when it has been submitted to the department, and includes all of the information required in Section 5 (a) (v) and Appendices A through M of these regulations and any applicable federal effluent guidelines of 40 CFR Parts 405 through 411, 413 through 433, 436, 437, 439, 440, 442 through, 447, 454, 455, 457 through 461, 463 through 469, and 471, such that the administrator deems that adequate information has been provided to make a determination in accordance with Section 5 (b) (i). The completeness of any application for a permit shall be judged independently of the status of any other permit application or permit for the same facility or activity.
(iv) Permit denial. If the director determines that the permit should be denied, he shall give written notice of this action to the applicant and to the Regional Administrator of the EPA within 30 days after making the tentative determination.
(v) Draft permits. For each proposed discharge for which an application determined to be complete has been received and for which none of the conditions under which permits must be prohibited exist, the administrator shall prepare a draft permit that embodies the tentative determinations reached relative to Section 5 (b) (i) above. Draft permits shall be available to the public for inspection, copying and public comment.
(vi) Public participation and public meetings. The requirements for public participation and public meetings contained in these regulations shall be complied with for every permit proposed for issuance by the director.
(c) Terms and conditions of permits. All issued permits will contain, as a minimum, authorization for discharge subject to the conditions of the permit, effluent limitations, standards of performance for any new source, standard conditions, special conditions (when applicable), monitoring requirements where discharge is allowed, and reporting requirements that comply with these regulations.
The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established under section 307(a) of the CWA for toxic pollutants within the time provided in the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions.
(i) Standard conditions. All issued permits shall contain standard conditions consisting of, but not limited to, the following:
(A) The permittee must comply with all conditions of the permit. Any noncompliance is a violation of the CWA and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and is grounds for enforcement action; for permit termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; or denial of a permit reissuance or extension of authorization.
(B) Any planned sewerage system, treatment works, or disposal system expansions, production increases, process modifications, or new source additions which will result in a new or increased discharge or the inclusion of additional criteria for a new source shall be reported by submission of an application or, if such discharge will not violate effluent limitations specified in the permit, by submission to the administrator of notification of such new or increased discharge.
(C) The discharge of pollution and/or wastes into surface waters of the state more frequently than, or at a level in excess of, that identified and authorized by a permit shall constitute a violation of the conditions of the permit.
(D) After notice and opportunity for a hearing, a permit may be modified, in whole or in part, revoked and reissued, or terminated during its term. The filing of a request by the permittee for a modification, revocation, reissuance, termination, or notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not halt any permit condition. Cause for such permit actions, includes, but are not limited to, any of the following:
(I) Violation of any conditions of the permit;
(II) Obtaining a permit by misrepresentations or failure to fully disclose all relevant facts;
(III) A change in any condition that requires either a temporary or permanent reduction or elimination of the discharge; and
(IV) A failure or refusal by the permittee to comply with the monitoring and reporting requirements of a permit and Sections 35-11-109 (a) (iv) and 35-11-110 (a) (vii) Wyoming Statutes.
(E) A permit may be modified in whole or in part during its term in order to apply any more stringent toxic effluent standard or prohibition, for a toxic substance present in the permittee's discharge, that is promulgated by the Administrator of the EPA.
(F) A requirement that the permittee allow the administrator or his authorized representative upon presentation of his credentials to:
(I) Enter the premises where a permittee=s regulated facility or activity is located or conducted or where records must be kept under the conditions of the permit;
(II) Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by these rules, the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act or the CWA, any substances or parameters at any location;
(III) Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records required by the permit to be kept;
(IV) Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under the permit; and
(V) Take any other action authorized by 35-11-109 (a) (v), (vi) and (vii) Wyoming Statutes, or these regulations.
(G) A requirement that, if requested by the administrator or the administrator=s authorized agent, the permittee shall provide access to physical locations associated with this permit including, but not limited to, well heads, discharge points, reservoirs, monitoring locations, and any waters of the state associated with the permit at the point of discharge.
(H) A requirement that, if the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by a permit after the expiration date of the perit, the permittee must apply for and obtain a new permit in accordance with Section 10 of these regulations, unless an extension is granted under Section 11 of these regulations.
(I) It is not a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of a permit.
(J) The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge in violation of this permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment.
(K) The permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege.
(L) A requirement that the permittee shall furnish to the administrator, within a reasonable time, any information which the administrator or his authorized representative may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating the permit or to determine compliance with the permit.
(M) A requirement that the permittee shall furnish to the administrator or his authorized representative, copies of records required to be kept by the permit.
(N) The permittee must properly operate and maintain all equipment and treatment systems used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the terms of the permit. The permittee must provide appropriate laboratory controls and quality assurance procedures, where applicable. Backup systems are required when needed to ensure compliance. However, each main line unit treatment process must be operated as a minimum.
(O) To assure compliance with permit limitations, the permittee shall monitor:
(I) The mass (or other measurement specified in the permit) for each pollutant limited in the permit.
(II) The volume of effluent discharged from each outfall.
(P) Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be representative of the monitored activity. Records must be retained for three (3) years subject to extension by the director. Monitoring records shall include but are not limited to the following:
(I) The date, location, and time of the sampling;
(II) The dates and by whom analyses were performed;
(III) Analytical techniques used;
(IV) The results of such analyses;
(V) Name of the person collecting the sample(s);
(VI) Sampling handling and preservation conducted; and
(VII) Detection limits for analyses conducted.
Wastewater measurements must be conducted in accordance with methods and procedures prescribed in 40 CFR Part 136 or other specified procedures.
(Q) Pollutants for which the permittee must report violations of daily maximum discharge limitations under Section 5 (c) (i) (W) (24-hour reporting) shall be listed in the permit. This list shall include any toxic pollutant or hazardous substance, or any pollutant specifically identified as the method to monitor a toxic pollutant or hazardous substance.
(R) Applications, reports, or information submitted to the administrator must be signed and certified. Knowingly making false statements, representations, or certifications is a violation of the permit, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 2 and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and is subject to enforcement.
(S) The permittee shall give advance notification to the administrator of any planned changes in the permitted facility or activity which may result in noncompliance with permit requirements.
(T) The permit is not transferrable except after written notification is provided to the administrator and such request is approved by the administrator. The administrator may require modification, or revocation and reissuance, as necessary.
(U) Monitoring reports must be submitted on a discharge monitoring report form provided by the department or on a form with an identical format as the form provided by the department, with prior approval by the administrator. Monitoring results shall be reported to the department at the intervals specified in the permit. If monitoring is conducted at a frequency greater than that required by the permit, the results of the additional monitoring must be reported. In reporting effluent limits based on average concentrations, the permittee must report the results using an arithmetic mean, except for fecal coliform. Average results for fecal coliform monitoring shall be reported as a geometric mean.
(V) Reporting of compliance or noncompliance with specified dates contained in a compliance schedule of the permit shall be submitted to the administrator no later than 14 days following each scheduled date.
(W) For any noncompliance which may endanger human health or the environment, an oral notification must be made by the permittee to the administrator within 24-hours of the permittee becoming aware of the noncompliance. Within five (5) days, the permittee must provide a written notification of the noncompliance which describes the noncompliance and its cause; the period and duration of noncompliance including exact dates and times; and, if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue and steps planned or taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrences of the noncompliance. Circumstances that must be reported within 24-hours of becoming aware of the noncompliance include, but are not limited to, any unanticipated bypass or upset which exceeds any effluent limit in the permit; or violation of a daily maximum discharge limitation for any of the pollutants listed by the administrator in the permit to be reported within 24-hours of becoming aware of the noncompliance.
(X) For noncompliance other than as reported in (S),(V), and (W) above, the permittee shall report all instances at the time monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in (W) above.
(Y) Where the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in a permit application, or submitted incorrect information in a permit application or in any report to the administrator, it shall promptly submit such facts or information.
(Z) The permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded, but only if it is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notification, if possible at least ten (10) days before the date of the bypass. If an unanticipated bypass occurs, notice shall be provided in accordance with (W) above. Bypass is prohibited except in instances where it is necessary to prevent loss of life, personal injury or severe property damage; or where there are no feasible alternatives to bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. The condition of no feasible alternative is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgement to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance. The administrator may approve an anticipated bypass, after receiving notification, if the conditions for the allowance of bypass as described in this paragraph have been met.
(AA) An upset constitutes an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with technology based permit effluent limitations if the permittee can demonstrate that: an upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset; the permitted facility was, at the time of the upset, being properly operated; the permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in (W) above; In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof.
(BB) A reopener clause which states that additional or more stringent permit requirements may be imposed, after following the procedures outlined in this regulation for permit modifications, if any of the following conditions is found to be present:
(I) The water quality standards of the receiving water(s) to which the permittee discharges are modified in such a manner as to require effluent limits different than those contained in the permit;
(II) A TMDL or watershed management plan is developed and approved by the department which calls for different effluent limitations than those contained in the permit;
(III) A TMDL or watershed management plan is revised and approved by the department which calls for different effluent limitations than those contained in the permit;
(IV) The use(s) of the receiving surface water of the state is impaired and the permitted facility is contributing to the impairment;
(V) Water quality standards in the receiving surface waters of the state are no longer achieved as a result of the discharge and the effluent limitations established by the permit are being met;
(VI) The effluent limitations in the permit do not address a pollutant that has the potential to cause or contribute to a violation of a water quality standard;
(VII) Applicable technology based effluent limits are promulgated which are more stringent than those imposed by the permit; or
(VIII) An interstate compact or agreement on potential receiving waters is established.
(CC) A reopener provision for toxicity limitations which states that additional or more stringent permit requirements, a new compliance schedule, revisions to compliance dates set forth in the permit, changes to the whole effluent toxicity protocol, or any other conditions related to the control of toxicants may be imposed, following the procedures outlined in this regulation for permit modifications, if one or more of the following events occurs:
(I) Effluent toxicity was detected late in the life of the permit near or past the deadline for compliance;
(II) The results of a toxicity reduction evaluation indicate that compliance with the toxic limitations contained in the permit will require an implementation schedule past the date for compliance and the department agrees with the conclusion;
(III) The results of a toxicity reduction evaluation indicate that the toxicant(s) represent pollutant(s) that may be controlled with specific numeric effluent limitations and the department agrees that numeric controls are the most appropriate approach to controlling toxicity;
(IV) Following the implementation of numeric controls for a toxicant, the department agrees that a modified whole effluent toxicity protocol is necessary to compensate for those toxicants that are controlled numerically;
(V) Other conditions or characteristics are identified through a toxicity reduction evaluation which justifies the incorporation of special conditions in the permit to address effluent toxicity.
(DD) For permits which do not require the submittal of monitoring result reports at least annually, the permittee shall report all instances of non-compliance not reported under the Section 5 (c) (i) (B), (P), (U), (V) or (W) at least annually.
(ii) Special conditions. In addition to conditions required in all permits, the administrator shall establish conditions, as required on a case-by-case basis, to provide for and assure compliance with all applicable requirements of the CWA, the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, and applicable Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations which have taken effect prior to final administrative disposition of the permit. Such conditions may include but are not limited to the following.
(A) Toxic effluent standards which, as a minimum, comply with those established under the CWA and may be modified in accordance with Section 5 (c) (i) (E), (BB) and (CC) and Section 12.
(B) Additional limitation(s) that may be required in order for the permittee to meet state water quality and treatment standards, implement TMDL requirements, achieve compliance with a plan approved pursuant to Section 208 (b) of the CWA, or attain or maintain a specified water quality through water quality related effluent limits established under Section 302 of the CWA.
(C) Any other requirements, including but not limited to monitoring points of compliance, water quality monitoring stations, flow monitoring stations and irrigation compliance points, that the administrator determines are necessary to carry out the provisions of W.S. 35-11-302 et seq. and to insure that water quality standards are met and waste load allocations prepared when required by the CWA.
(D) Where a compliance schedule is required in order to achieve any of the conditions described in Section 5 (c) (ii) (A), (B), or (C) above or to achieve compliance with an effluent limitation established as set forth in Section 5 (c) (iii), the following specific requirements will be met.
(I) Such schedule will, as a minimum, conform to any legally applicable schedule contained in any applicable effluent standard or water quality standard promulgated under federal or state authority. In the absence of any such legally applicable schedule, the administrator and permittee shall comply in the shortest reasonable period of time.
(II) In any case where the period of time for compliance exceeds nine (9) months, the schedule of compliance specified in the permit will set forth interim requirements and the dates for their achievement. In no event shall more than nine (9) months elapse between interim dates. To the extent practicable, the interim and final dates shall fall on the last day of the months of March, June, September, and December.
(III) The permittee will provide the administrator with written notice of the permittee's compliance or non-compliance with each interim and final date either before, or within 14 days after, such compliance date is reached.
(IV) If the permittee fails or refuses to comply with an interim or final requirement in a permit, such non-compliance shall constitute a violation of the permit, and the administrator may modify, or revoke the permit to take direct enforcement action.
(V) Upon request of the permittee, the administrator may revise or modify a schedule of compliance for good and valid cause (such as an act of God, strike, flood, material shortage, or other event over which the permittee has little or no control).
(VI) On the last day of the month of February, May, August and November, the administrator shall transmit to the Regional Administrator of the EPA, a list of all instances, as of 30 days prior to the date of such report, of failure or refusal of a permittee to comply with an interim or final compliance requirement. Such list shall be available to the public for inspection and copying and include:
(1.) The name and address of non-complying permittee;
(2.) A short description of each instance of non-compliance;
(3.) Short description of any action proposed by the permittee or the administrator to achieve compliance; and
(4.) Any details that tend to explain or mitigate the non-compliance.
(E) Alternative schedules of compliance. A WYPDES permit applicant or permittee may cease conducting regulated activities (by terminating direct discharge for WYPDES sources) rather than continuing to operate and meet permit requirements as follows:
(I) If the permittee decides to cease conducting regulated activities at a given time within the term of a permit which has already been issued:
(1.) The permit may be modified to contain a new or additional schedule leading to timely cessation of activities; or
(2.) The permittee shall cease conducting permitted activities before non-compliance with any interim or final compliance schedule requirement already specified in the permit.
(II) If the decision to cease conducting regulated activities is made before issuance of a permit whose term will include the termination date, the permit shall contain a schedule leading to termination which will ensure timely compliance with applicable requirements no later than the statutory deadline.
(III) If the permittee is undecided whether to cease conducting regulated activities, the director may issue or modify a permit to contain two schedules as follows:
(1.) Both schedules shall contain an identical interim deadline requiring a final decision on whether to cease conducting regulated activities no later than a date which ensures sufficient time to comply with applicable requirements in a timely manner if the decision is to continue conducting regulated activities;
(2.) One schedule shall lead to timely compliance with applicable requirements, no later than the statutory deadline;
(3.) The second schedule shall lead to cessation of regulated activities by a date which will ensure timely compliance with applicable requirements no later than the statutory deadline.
(4.) Each permit containing two schedules shall include a requirement that after the permittee has made a final decision under Section 5 (c) (ii) (E) (III) the permittee shall follow the schedule leading to compliance if the decision is to continue conducting regulated activities, and follow the schedule leading to termination if the decision is to cease conducting regulated activities.
(F) Best management practices. Best management practices to control or abate the discharge of pollutants when:
(I) Authorized under Section 304 (e) of the CWA for the control of toxic pollutants and hazardous substances from ancillary industrial activities;
(II) Numeric effluent limitations are infeasible; or
(III) The practices are reasonably necessary to achieve effluent limitations and standards or to carry out the purposes and intent of these regulations.
(G) Grants. Any conditions imposed in federal grants to POTWs under Sections 201 and 204 of the CWA which are reasonably necessary for the achievement of effluent limitations required in accordance with these regulations.
(iii) Effluent limitations. Effluent limitations shall be determined for all permits based on the following considerations.
(A) Technology-based effluent limitations. Technology-based effluent limits shall be determined in accordance with 40 CFR 122.44 (a), 40 CFR 122.50, 40 CFR 125, Subpart A, I and J and, for categorical industries adopted by EPA, 40 CFR Parts 405 through 411, 413 through 433, 436, 437, 439, 440, 442 through, 447, 454, 455, 457 through 461, 463 through 469, and 471.
(B) In addition to the technology-based effluent limitations described in Section 5 (c) (iii) (A), technology-based effluent limits shall be determined as follows:
(I) For discharges from new and existing POTWs as described in Appendix E.
(II) For CAFO point sources as described in Appendix G.
(III) For discharges from oil and gas production facilities as described in Appendix H.
(IV) For discharges from coal mines as described in Appendix J.
(V) For discharges containing toxic pollutants as described in Appendix N.
(C) Water quality based effluent limitations. For facilities where discharge to surface waters of the state is not prohibited subject to the provisions of technology based effluent limitations as determined in Section 5 (c) (iii) (A) and (B), water quality-based effluent limits shall be determined when requirements in addition to, or more stringent, than technology based effluent limitations are necessary to ensure that violations of water quality standards do not occur. Such effluent limitations shall be determined based on standards adopted pursuant to Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1.
(I) Water quality based effluent limitations shall be established for constituents in discharges determined to have a reasonable potential of adversely impacting uses of surface waters of the state or of causing violations of water quality standards. When making reasonable potential determinations, the administrator shall consider the following:
(1.) Existing controls on point and non-point sources of pollution;
(2.) The variability of the pollutant or pollutant parameter in the effluent;
(3.) For evaluating whole effluent toxicity, the sensitivity of the species to toxicity testing; and
(4.) Where appropriate, the dilution of the effluent in the receiving water.
(5.) Applicable designated uses and water quality
standards.
(II) Where numeric criteria are promulgated for the receiving surface waters of the state, the administrator will determine, using the most stringent numeric standard appropriate to the receiving surface waters of the state, water quality based effluent limitations based on one of the following methods:
(1.) Effluent limitations described in Section 5 (c) (iii) (C) (II) (2.) and (3.) shall be established only after having taken into account the following requirements of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1:
a. Mixing zones; and
b. Antidegradation
(2.) Where loading limitations can be instituted on the receiving surface waters of the state through the implementation of limitations on effluent volumes and concentrations for discharges to the receiving surface waters of the state, effluent limitations shall be determined based on mass balance calculations where dilution by water in the receiving surface waters of the state is considered.
(3.) Where the administrator determines that it is impractical to establish limitations on effluent volumes for discharges to receiving surface waters of the state, concentration-based effluent limitations shall be established. In no case shall a concentration-based effluent limitation be established which exceeds the most stringent of the numeric water quality standards established to protect the designated uses of the receiving surface waters of the state.
(III) Where an evaluation for reasonable potential indicates limitations based on narrative water quality standards promulgated under Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1, effluent limitations addressing the limitations of the narrative standards will be included in the permit.
(IV) Where the administrator determines that an effluent constituent has the reasonable potential to adversely impact a designated use of receiving surface waters of the state and no numeric standard has been promulgated in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1 for the constituent, the administrator may establish a numeric effluent limitation based on values derived from appropriate scientific methods.
(D) In the case of POTWs, permit effluent limitations, standards, or prohibitions shall be calculated based on design flow.
(E) Except in the case of POTWs or as provided in Section 5 (c) (i) (E), calculation of any permit limitations, standards, or prohibitions which are based on production (or other measure of operation) shall be based not upon the designed production capacity but rather upon a reasonable measure of actual production of the facility. For new sources or new dischargers, actual production shall be estimated using projected production. The time period of the measure of production shall correspond to the time period of the calculated permit limitations; for example, monthly production shall be used to calculate average monthly discharge limitations.
(F) All permit effluent limitations, standards, or prohibitions for a metal shall be expressed in terms of "total recoverable metal" as defined in 40 CFR Part 136 unless;
(I) The applicable water quality standard described in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1 is based on the dissolved form;
(II) An applicable effluent standard or limitation has been promulgated under these regulations and specifies the limitation for the metal in the dissolved or valenti or total form;
(III) In establishing permit limitations on a case-by-case basis under Section 5 (c) (iii) of these regulations it is necessary to express the limitation on the metal in the dissolved or valenti or total form to carry out the provisions of these regulations; or
(IV) All approved analytical methods for the metal inherently measure only its dissolved form (e.g., hexavalent chromium).
(G) For continuous discharges (discharges that occur without interruption throughout the operating hours of the facility, except for infrequent shutdowns for maintenance, process changes, or other similar activities) all permit effluent limitations, standards, and prohibitions, including those necessary to achieve water quality standards, shall unless impracticable be stated as:
(I) Daily maximum and average monthly discharge limitations for all dischargers other than POTWs; and
(II) Average weekly and average monthly discharge limitations for POTWs.
(H) Discharges which are not continuous shall be particularly described and limited, considering the following factors as appropriate:
(I) Frequency (for example, a batch discharge shall not occur more than once every three (3) weeks);
(II) Total mass (for example, not to exceed 100 kilograms of zinc and 200 kilograms of chromium per batch discharge);
(III) Maximum rate of discharge of pollutants during the discharge (for example, not to exceed two (2) kilograms of zinc per minute); and
(IV) Prohibition or limitation of specified pollutants by mass, concentration or other appropriate measure (for example, shall not contain at any time more than 0.1 mg/l zinc or more than 250 grams (1/4 kilogram) of zinc in any discharge).
(I) Mass limitations.
(I) All pollutants limited in permits shall have limitations, standards or prohibitions expressed in terms of mass except:
(1.) For pH, temperature, radiation, or other pollutants which cannot appropriately be expressed by mass;
(2.) When applicable standards and limitations are expressed in terms of other units of measurement; or
(3.) If an applicable effluent standard or limitation has been promulgated under these regulations and limitations expressed in terms of mass are infeasible because the mass of the pollutant discharged cannot be related to a measure of operation (for example, discharges of total suspended solids [TSS] from certain mining operations), and permit conditions ensure that dilution will not be used as a substitute for treatment.
(II) Pollutants limited in terms of mass additionally may be limited in terms of other units of measurement, and the permit shall require the permittee to comply with both limitations.
(J) Pollutants in intake water.
(I) Credit shall be granted only if the discharger demonstrates that the intake water is drawn from the same body of water into which the discharge is made.
(II) Upon request of the discharger, technology-based effluent limitations or standards shall be adjusted to reflect credit for pollutants in the discharger=s intake water if:
(1.) The applicable effluent limitations and standards contained in Section 5 (c) (iii) of these regulations provide that they shall be applied on a net basis; or
(2.) The discharger demonstrates that the control system it proposes or uses to meet applicable technology-based limitations and standards would, if properly installed and operated, meet the limitations and standards in the absence of pollutants in the intake waters.
(III) Credit for generic pollutants such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) or TSS shall not be granted unless the permittee demonstrates that the constituents of the generic measure in the effluent are substantially similar to the constituents of the generic measure in the intake water or unless appropriate additional limits are placed on process wastewater pollutants either at the outfall or elsewhere.
(IV) Credit shall be granted only to the extent necessary to meet the applicable limitation or standard, up to a maximum value equal to the influent value. Additional monitoring may be necessary to determine eligibility for credits and compliance with permit limits.
(K) Internal waste streams.
(I) When permit effluent limitations or standards imposed at the point of discharge are impractical or infeasible, effluent limitations or standards for discharges or pollutants may be imposed on internal waste streams before mixing with other waste streams or cooling water streams. In those instances, the monitoring required by Section 5 (c) or other applicable provisions of these regulations shall also be applied to the internal waste streams.
(II) Limits on internal waste streams will be imposed only when the fact sheet sets forth the exceptional circumstances which make such limitations necessary, such as when the final discharge point is inaccessible (for example, under ten [10] meters of water), the wastes at the point of discharge are so diluted as to make monitoring impracticable, or the interferences among pollutants at the point of discharge would make detection or analysis impracticable.
(L) After making the considerations described in Section 5 (c) (iii) (A), (B) and (C), the administrator shall establish in the draft permit the most stringent of the effluent limitations of those derived.
(M) Effluent limitations cannot be incorporated into modified or reissued permits which violate anti-backsliding provisions of Section 402 (o) of the CWA.
(N) If any applicable toxic effluent standard or prohibition (including any schedule of compliance specified in such effluent standard or prohibition) is promulgated under W.S.35-11-302 or Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapters 1 and 2 for a toxic pollutant and that standard or prohibition is more stringent than any limitation on the pollutant in the permit, the director shall institute proceedings under these regulations to modify or revoke and reissue the permit to conform to the toxic effluent standard or prohibition.
(O) When the department determines, using the procedures in Section 5 (c) (iii) (C) (I) and (II), that a discharge causes, has the reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an in-stream excursion above the numeric standard for whole effluent toxicity, if any such criterion has been adopted, the permit must contain effluent limits for whole effluent toxicity.
(P) Except as provided in this subparagraph, when the department determines, using the procedures in Section 5 (c) (iii) (C), toxicity testing data, or other information, that a discharge causes, has the reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an in-stream violation of a narrative water quality standard, the permit shall contain limitations, which include effluent limits, for whole effluent toxicity. Such limitations are to be derived by the department and based upon the department=s determination of what constitutes an acceptable level of whole effluent toxicity. Limits on whole effluent toxicity are not necessary where the department determines, using the procedures in Section 5 (c) (iii) (C), that chemical-specific limits for the effluent are sufficient to attain and maintain applicable numeric and narrative water quality standards.
(Q) Unless otherwise stated in the permit, effluent limitations shall be met at the outfall from the final treatment unit prior to admixture with water in the receiving surface waters of the state or with effluent from other outfalls.
(iv) Application of standards.
(A) In the application of those standards described in Section 5 (c) (ii) (B) and (C), and Section 5 (c) (iii), the administrator shall specify:
(I) The daily average and maximum quantitative limitations for the level of allowable pollution and/or waste in an authorized discharge in terms of weight, where applicable;
(II) The basis for calculation of effluent limitations;
(III) Self-monitoring, reporting, and recording requirements for each authorized discharge as promulgated in Section 5 (c) (v).
(B) The owner of a publicly owned treatment works shall require any industrial user of such works to comply with the following:
(I) Any system of user charges instituted by the owner (permittee) shall insure that each recipient of waste treatment services will pay its proportionate share of the costs of the operation and maintenance of the publicly owned treatment works;
(II) Any toxic or pretreatment standards established under Sections 5 (c) (ii) (A) and 5 (c) (iii) (O) and (P) of these regulations and any schedule required to achieve compliance with those standards; and
(III) Shall allow the permittee and the administrator or his designated representative the same rights of entry, inspection, sampling, and copying provided for in Section 5 (c) (i) (F).
(v) Monitoring, recording, and reporting.
(A) All permits shall specify required monitoring including type, intervals, and frequency sufficient to yield data which are representative of the monitored activity including, when appropriate, continuous monitoring. Monitoring results required by the permit shall be reported on a discharge monitoring report (DMR) or other forms provided or specified by the division.
(B) Any discharge authorized by a permit shall be subject to such monitoring requirements as may be required by the administrator including the installation, use, and maintenance of monitoring equipment.
(C) Any major facility authorized by a permit, or for which monitoring is requested in writing by the Regional Administrator of the EPA, or which contains toxic pollutants for which an effluent standard has been promulgated pursuant to these regulations, shall be monitored at intervals sufficiently frequent to characterize the discharge, for the following:
(I) Flow;
(II) All of the following pollutants:
(1.) Pollutants which are subject to reduction or elimination by the terms of the permit;
(2.) Pollutants which the administrator finds could have an impact on the surface waters of the state;
(3.) Pollutants specified by the Administrator of the EPA as subject to monitoring; and
(4.) Any pollutants, in addition to those above, that the Regional Administrator of the EPA requests in writing be monitored.
(D) The permittee shall maintain records of all information resulting from monitoring activities required by his permit for a period of three (3) years, or for a longer period if so requested by the administrator, or Regional Administrator of the EPA. Such records shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
(I) The date, location, and time of the sampling;
(II) The dates and by whom analyses were performed;
(III) Analytical techniques used;
(IV) The results of such analyses;
(V) Name of the person collecting the sample(s);
(VI) Sampling handling and preservation conducted; and
(VII) Detection limits for analyses conducted.
(E) Unless otherwise approved by the administrator, the permittee shall be required to periodically report, at a frequency of not less than once per year, to the administrator, on the proper forms, the results of any monitoring required by the permit. In addition, the administrator may require the submission of such additional monitoring information he may consider necessary. Where applicable, the procedures specified will be consistent with any national program specified by the Administrator of the EPA in regulations promulgated under the CWA.
(F) All reports required by permits and other information requested by the administrator shall be signed and certified as described in Section 14 of these regulations.
(G) Sample collection and analyses shall be conducted in accordance with 40 CFR 136, unless otherwise specified in these regulations.
(H) Any person falsifying, tampering with, or knowingly rendering inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this permit is a violation of the permit, these regulations and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 6 Storm Water Discharges
The following process shall be used in the application for development of and issuance of storm water discharge permits and for identifying storm water discharges covered by this rule.
(a) Deadlines to apply.
(i) Except as provided in Section 6 (b), for any storm water discharge associated with large construction activity as described in Section 6 (f) (i) or industrial activity as identified in Section 6 (g) in place prior to the effective date of this rule, should have made application to the administrator by October 1, 1992; prior to initiation of the activity or in accordance with Section 4 (o) (i) (B) of these regulations.
(ii) For any storm water discharge associated with large or small construction activities or industrial activities from a facility that is owned or operated by a municipality with a population of less than 100,000 that is not authorized by a general or individual permit, other than an airport, power plant, or sanitary landfill, a permit application must be submitted to the administrator by March 10, 2003.
(iii) Storm water discharges associated with small construction activity as described in Section 6 (f) (ii), that are not already authorized by a storm water general or individual permit, require permit authorization as of March 10, 2003, except;
(A) Storm water discharges subject to Section 4 (b) (v) which are not required to submit a NOI for coverage in accordance with the provisions of the applicable general permit, and
(B) Storm water discharges associated with small construction activity at oil and gas exploration, production, processing, and treatment operations or transmission facilities subject to the provisions of, Section 6 (a) (iv) of these regulations.
(iv) Storm water discharges associated with small construction activity at oil and gas exploration, production, processing, and treatment operations or transmission facilities, require permit authorization as of March 10, 2005.
(v) For any storm water discharge associated with regulated small MS4 as described in Section 6 (h) (i) and that is not authorized by a storm water general or individual permit, a permit application made pursuant to Section 6 (b) (iv) must be submitted to the administrator by March 10, 2003 or within 180 days of notice, unless the administrator grants a later date, if designated under Section 6 (h) (i) (C) or (D).
(vi) A permit application shall be submitted to the administrator within 60 days of notice of a storm water discharge which the administrator determines contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters of the state or where the administrator determines that storm water controls are needed for the discharge based on wasteload allocations that are part of TMDLs that address the pollutant(s) of concern; unless permission for a later date is granted by the administrator.
(b) Individual permit application. A complete application for an individual permit must contain, at a minimum, the following information, unless the administrator determines that certain items are unnecessary in accordance with Section 6 (c):
(i) General requirements of all applications:
(A) Name of the company, entity, or individual seeking a permit;
(B) Mailing address and telephone number of company, entity, or individual seeking permit;
(C) The facility name, location, and telephone number if applicable;
(D) Applicant status as federal, state, private, public, or other entity;
(E) Name and signature in accordance with the requirements of Section 14 of this chapter;
(F) Authorization of a duly authorized representative under the Signatory Requirements of Section 14 of these rules, where applicable;
(G) Location, expressed in latitude and longitude to the nearest 15 seconds, of the facility to be covered under the permit;
(H) Location, expressed as quarter/quarter, section, township, and range, in the applicable Public Land Survey (PLS), of the facility to be covered under the permit;
(I) A description of the activities conducted by the applicant which require it to obtain an WYPDES permit;
(ii) Individual permit application requirements for industrial activities. Individual permit application requirements for industrial activities (not including large or small construction activities as described in Section 6 (f). Except as provided in Section 6 (b) (iii) and in Section 6 (g) (iv) (M) and (N), the operator of a storm water discharge associated with industrial activity subject to this section shall provide, at a minimum:
(A) Up to four (4) SIC codes which best reflect the principal products or services provided by the facility;
(B) A site map showing topography (or indicating the outline of drainage areas served by the outfall(s) covered in the application if a topographic map is unavailable) of the facility including: each of its drainage and discharge structures; the drainage area of each storm water outfall; paved areas and buildings within the drainage area of each storm water outfall; each past or present area used for outdoor storage or disposal of significant materials; each existing structural control measure to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff; materials loading and access areas; areas where pesticides, herbicides, soil conditioners and fertilizers are applied; each of its hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities (including each area not required to have a RCRA permit which is used for accumulating hazardous waste under 40 CFR 262.34); each well where fluids from the facility are injected underground; springs, and other surface water bodies which receive storm water discharges from the facility;
(C) An estimate of the area of impervious surfaces (including paved areas and building roofs), the total area drained by each outfall and a narrative description of the following: significant materials that in the three (3) years prior to the submittal of this application have been treated, stored or disposed in a manner to allow exposure to storm water; method of treatment, storage or disposal of such materials; materials management practices employed, in the three (3) years prior to the submittal of this application to minimize contact by these materials with storm water runoff; materials loading and access areas; the location, manner and frequency in which pesticides, herbicides, soil conditioners and fertilizers are applied; the location and a description of existing structural and non-structural control measures to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff; and, a description of the treatment the storm water receives, including the ultimate disposal of any solid or fluid wastes other than by discharge;
(D) A certification that all outfalls that should contain storm water discharges associated with industrial activity have been tested or evaluated for the presence of non storm water discharges which are not covered by a permit. Tests for such non storm water discharges may include smoke tests, fluorometric dye tests, analysis of accurate schematics, as well as other appropriate tests. The certification shall include a description of the method used, the date of any testing, and the on site drainage points that were directly observed during a test;
(E) Existing information regarding significant leaks or spills of toxic or hazardous pollutants at the facility that have taken place within the three (3) years prior to the submittal of this application;
(F) Quantitative data based on samples collected during storm events and collected in accordance with Section 6 (b) (ii) (G) from all outfalls containing storm water discharge associated with industrial activity for the following parameters, except when waived by the administrator under the provisions of Section 6 (c) of these regulations.
(I) Any pollutant limited in an effluent guideline to which the facility is subject;
(II) Any pollutant listed in the facility's WYPDES permit for its process wastewater (if the facility is operating under an existing WYPDES permit);
(III) Oil and grease, pH, BOD5, COD, TSS, total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen;
(IV) Information on the discharge required under Appendix B (a) (vi) of these regulations;
(V) Flow measurements or estimates of the flow rate, the total amount of discharge for the storm event(s) sampled, and the method of flow measurement or estimation; and
(VI) The date and duration (in hours) of the storm event(s) sampled, rainfall measurements or estimates of the storm event (in inches) which generated the sampled runoff and the duration between the storm event sampled and the end of the previous measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event (in hours).
(G) Sampling storm water discharges.
(I) All samples shall be collected from the discharge resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inch and at least 72 hours from the previously measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. Where feasible, the variance in the duration of the event and the total rainfall of the event should not exceed 50 percent from the average or median rainfall event in that area.
(II) For all applicants, a flow weighted composite shall be taken for either the entire discharge or for the first three hours of the discharge. The flow weighted composite sample for a storm water discharge may be taken with a continuous sampler or as a combination of a minimum of three sample aliquots taken in each hour of discharge for the entire discharge or for the first three (3) hours of the discharge, with each aliquot being separated by a minimum period of 15 minutes.
(III) A minimum of one grab sample may be taken for storm water discharges from holding ponds or other impoundments with a retention period greater than 24-hours.
(IV) For a flow weighted composite sample, only one analysis of the composite of aliquots is required.
(V) For storm water discharge samples taken from discharges associated with industrial activities, quantitative data must be reported for the grab sample taken during the first thirty minutes (or as soon thereafter as practicable) of the discharge for all pollutants specified in Section 6 (b) (ii) (F).
(VI) The director may allow or establish appropriate site specific sampling procedures or requirements, including sampling locations, the season in which the sampling takes place, the minimum duration between the previous measurable storm event and the storm event sampled, the minimum or maximum level of precipitation required for an appropriate storm event, the form of precipitation sampled (snow melt or rain fall), protocols for collecting samples under 40 CFR136 of federal regulations, and additional time for submitting data on a case by case basis.
(VII) An applicant is expected to "know or have reason to believe" that a pollutant is present in an effluent based on an evaluation of the expected use, production, or storage of the pollutant, or on any previous analyses for the pollutant. (For example, any pesticide manufactured by a facility may be expected to be present in contaminated storm water runoff from the facility.)
(H) Operators of new sources or new discharges (as defined in Section 3) which are composed entirely of storm water must include estimates for the pollutants or parameters listed in Section 6 (b) (ii) (F) instead of actual sampling data, along with the source of each estimate. Operators of new sources or new discharges composed in part or entirely of storm water must provide quantitative data for the parameters listed in paragraph Section 6 (b) (ii) (F) of this section within two (2) years after commencement of discharge, unless such data has already been reported under the monitoring requirements of the WYPDES permit for the discharge.
(iii) Individual permit application requirements for large and small construction activities. When required to obtain coverage under an individual WYPDES storm water permit, the operator of an existing or new storm water discharge that is associated with large construction activity under Section 6 (f) (i) or small construction activity under Section 6 (f) (ii) shall, at a minimum, provide a narrative description of:
(A) The location (including a map) and the nature of the construction activity;
(B) The total area of the site and the area of the site that is expected to undergo excavation during the life of the permit;
(C) Proposed measures, including best management practices, to control pollutants in storm water discharges during construction, and a brief description of applicable state and local erosion and sediment control requirements;
(D) Proposed measures to control pollutants in storm water discharges that will occur after construction operations have been completed, including a brief description of applicable state or local erosion and sediment control requirements;
(E) The increase in impervious area after the construction addressed in the permit application is completed, the nature of fill material and existing data describing the soil or the quality of the discharge; and
(F) The name of the receiving water.
(iv) Individual permit application requirements for regulated small MS4s.
(A) The application requirements of Section 4 (o) (iii); and
(B) The operator of an existing or new storm water discharge from a regulated small MS4 under Section 6 (h) shall, at a minimum, provide a narrative description of:
(I) A general description of the best management practices (BMPs) that the permittee or another municipality will implement for each of the storm water minimum control measures at Section 6 (j) (i);
(II) The measurable goals for each of the selected BMPs including, as appropriate, the months and years in which the permittee will undertake required actions, including interim milestones and the frequency of the action;
(III) The person or persons responsible for implementing or coordinating the permittee=s storm water management program. A position, rather than an individual, may also be designated; and
(IV) A description of the funding sources expected for implementation of the permittee=s program.
(v) Additional information requirements. Applicants shall provide such other information the administrator may reasonably require to determine whether to issue a permit and the administrator may require any facility subject to Section 6 (b) (iii) to comply with Section 6 (b) (ii). The additional information may include additional quantitative data and bioassays to assess the relative toxicity of discharges to aquatic life and requirements to determine the cause of the toxicity.
(c) Waiver of application requirements. The administrator may waive any part of the application requirements contained in Section 6 (b) (ii) (F) and (H) when the applicant makes a conclusive demonstration to the administrator that certain parameters listed in Section 6 (b) (ii) (F) are not reasonably likely to be present in storm water discharges associated with the industrial activity.
(d) Reporting requirements.
(i) Requirements to report monitoring results for storm water discharges associated with industrial activity or large or small construction activity which are subject to an effluent guideline shall be established on a case-by-case basis with a frequency dependent on the nature and effect of the discharge, but in no case less than one (1) a year.
(ii) Requirements to report monitoring results for storm water discharges associated with industrial activity or large or small construction activity (other than those required in Section 6 (d) (i)) shall be established on a case-by-case basis with a frequency dependent on the nature and effect of the discharge. At a minimum, a permit for such a discharge must require:
(A) The discharger to conduct an annual inspection of the facility site to identify areas contributing to a storm water discharge associated with industrial activity or large or small construction activity and evaluate whether measures to reduce pollutant loadings identified in a storm water pollution prevention plan are adequate and properly implemented in accordance with the terms of the permit or whether additional control measures are needed;
(B) The discharger to maintain for a period of three years a record summarizing the results of the inspection, a certification that the facility is in compliance with the plan and the permit, and identification of any incidents of non-compliance;
(C) Such report and certification be signed in accordance with Section 14; and
(D) Permits for storm water discharges associated with industrial activity from inactive mining operations may, where annual inspections are impracticable, require certification once every three years, that the facility is in compliance with the permit, or alternative requirements.
(iii) Permits which do not require the submittal of monitoring result reports at least annually shall require that the permittee report all instances of non- compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit under which the storm water discharges are covered at least annually.
(e) General permit application requirements. See Section 4 for general permit application requirements for storm water discharges.
(f) Regulated construction activities. The following discharges, composed entirely of storm water and associated with construction activities, are point sources requiring an WYPDES permit.
(i) Storm water discharge associated with large construction activity means the discharge of storm water from construction activities, including clearing, grading, and excavating, that result in land disturbance of five (5) or more acres of total land area. Large construction activity also includes the disturbance of less than five (5) acres of total land area that is a part of a larger common plan of development or sale if the larger common plan will ultimately disturb five (5) acres or more.
(ii) A storm water discharge associated with small construction activity.
(A) Storm water discharge associated with small construction activity means the discharge of storm water from construction activities, including clearing, grading, and excavating, that result in land disturbance of equal to or greater than one (1) acre and less than five (5) acres. Small construction activity also includes the disturbance of less than one (1) acre of total land area that is part of a larger common plan of development or sale, if the larger common plan will ultimately disturb equal to or greater than one and less than five (5) acres. Small construction activity does not include routine maintenance that is performed to maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or original purpose of the facility.
(B) The administrator, at his discretion, may waive the otherwise applicable requirements in a general permit, as described in Section 4, for a storm water discharge from a small construction activity that disturbs less than five (5) acres where the value of the rainfall erosivity factor (>R= in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) is less than five (5) during the period of construction activity. The rainfall erosivity factor must be determined in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agriculture Handbook Number 703, Predicting Soil Erosion by Water: A Guide to Conservation Planning With the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), pages 21-64, dated January 1997 or a similar state-approved method. The operator or owner must certify to the administrator that the construction activity will only take place during a period when the value of the rainfall erosivity factor is less than five (5). If unforeseeable conditions occur that are outside of the control of the applicant for a waiver, and that will extend the construction activity beyond the dates initially applied for, the owner or operator must reapply for the waiver or obtain coverage under a general permit for storm water discharges. The waiver re-application or permit application must be submitted within two (2) business days after the unforeseeable condition becomes known. This waiver does not relieve the operator or owner from complying with requirements of local agencies.
(iii) Any construction activity designated by the administrator, based on the potential for contribution to a violation of a water quality standard or for significant contribution of pollutants to surface waters of the state or where the administrator determines that storm water controls are needed for the discharge based on wasteload allocations that are part of TMDLs that address the pollutants of concern.
(iv) A storm water discharge associated with small or large construction activities that are owned or operated by a municipality with a population of less than 100,000 (based on the 1990 census).
(v) For storm water discharges associated with large and/or small construction activities from point sources which discharge through a non-municipal or non-publicly owned separate storm sewer system, the director, at his discretion, may issue: a single WYPDES permit, with each discharger a co permittee to a permit issued to the operator of the portion of the system that discharges into surface waters of the state; or, individual permits to each discharger of storm water associated with large and/or small construction activity through the non municipal conveyance system.
(A) Each facility with a storm water discharge to a storm water discharge system that is not an MS4 shall be covered by a WYPDES permit, or a permit issued to the operator of the portion of the system that discharges to surface waters of the state, with each discharger to the non municipal conveyance a co permittee to that permit.
(B) Where there is more than one (1) operator of a single system of such conveyances, all operators of storm water discharges associated with industrial activity must submit applications.
(C) Any permit covering more than one (1) operator shall identify the effluent limitations, or other permit conditions, if any, that apply to each operator.
(g) Regulated industrial activities. Discharges composed entirely of storm water and associated with industrial activities are point sources requiring a WYPDES permit.
(i) "Storm water discharge associated with industrial activity" means the discharge from any conveyance which is used for collecting and conveying storm water and which is directly related to manufacturing, processing, or raw materials storage areas at an industrial plant. The term does not include discharges from facilities or activities excluded from the WYPDES program under these regulations.
(A) For the categories of industries identified in Section 6 (g) (ii) (A) through (I), the term "storm water discharge associated with industrial activity" includes, but is not limited to, storm water discharges from industrial plant yards; immediate access roads and rail lines used or traveled by carriers of raw materials, manufactured products, waste material, or by-products used or created by the facility; material handling sites; refuse sites; sites used for the application or disposal of process waste waters; sites used for the storage and maintenance of material handling equipment; sites used for residual treatment, storage, or disposal; shipping and receiving areas; manufacturing buildings; storage areas (including tank farms) for raw materials, and intermediate and final products; and areas where industrial activity has taken place in the past and significant materials remain and are exposed to storm water. For the purposes of Section 6 (g), material handling activities include the storage, loading and unloading, transportation, or conveyance of any raw material, intermediate product, final product or waste product.
(B) The term excludes areas located on a plant site separate from the plant=s industrial activities, such as office buildings and accompanying parking lots, as long as the drainage from the excluded areas is not mixed with storm water drained from the industrial areas described above.
(ii) The following categories of facilities are considered to be engaging in "industrial activity" for purposes of these regulations. (See Appendix A of these regulations for a brief description of the SIC codes identified in this section.)
(A) Facilities subject to federal storm water effluent limitations guidelines, new source performance standards, or toxic pollutant effluent standards under 40 CFR Subchapter N (except facilities with toxic pollutant effluent standards which are excluded under the "no exposure" provisions of Section 6 (g) (iii));
(B) Facilities classified as Standard Industrial Classifications (SICs) 20 through 39 and 4221-25;
(C) Facilities classified as Standard Industrial Classifications 10 and 12 through 14 including active or inactive mining operations and oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations, or transmission facilities that discharge storm water that has come into contact with any overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished products, byproducts or waste products located on the site of such operations; (inactive mining operations are mining sites that are not being actively mined, but which have an identifiable owner/operator. Inactive mining sites do not include sites where mining claims are being maintained prior to disturbances associated with the extraction, beneficiation, or processing of mined materials, nor sites where minimal activities are undertaken for the sole purpose of maintaining a mining claim);
Areas of coal mining operations no longer meeting the definition of a reclamation area under 40 CFR 434.11 (1) because the performance bond issued to the facility by the appropriate SMCRA (Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 1977) authority has been released, or areas of non-coal mining operations which have been released from applicable state or federal reclamation requirements after December 17, 1990 are not considered to be engaged in "industrial activity" and do not require coverage under a WYPDES storm water permit;
(D) Hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities, including those that are operating under interim status or a permit under Wyoming Hazardous Waste Rules and Regulations;
(E) Landfills, land application sites, and open dumps that receive or have received any industrial wastes (waste that is received from activities associated with large or small construction activity as described in Sections 6 (f) (i) and 6 (f) (ii) and industrial activities as described in Section 6 (g) (ii)) including those that are subject to regulation under subtitle D of RCRA;
(F) Facilities involved in the recycling of materials, including metal scrap yards, battery reclaimers, salvage yards, and automobile junkyards, including but limited to those classified as Standard Industrial Classification 5015 and 5093;
(G) Steam electric power generating facilities, including coal handling sites;
(H) Transportation facilities classified as Standard Industrial Classifications 40, 41, 42 (except 4221 25), 43, 44, 45, and 5171 which have vehicle maintenance shops, equipment cleaning operations, or airport deicing operations. Only those portions of the facility that are either involved in vehicle maintenance (including vehicle rehabilitation, mechanical repairs, painting, fueling, and lubrication), equipment cleaning operations, airport deicing operations, or which are otherwise identified under Section 6 (g) (ii) (A through G or I) are associated with industrial activity;
(I) Treatment works treating domestic sewage or any other sewage sludge or wastewater treatment device or system, used in the storage treatment, recycling, and reclamation of municipal or domestic sewage, including land dedicated to the disposal of sewage sludge that are located within the confines of the facility, with a design flow of 1.0 mgd or more, or required to have an approved pretreatment program under 40 CFR 403. Not included are farm lands, domestic gardens or lands used for sludge management where sludge is beneficially reused and which are not physically located in the confines of the facility, or areas that are in compliance with section 405 of the CWA;
(J) A storm water discharge associated with industrial activity from a facility that is owned or operated by a municipality with a population of less than 100,000 (based on the 1990 census);
(K) For storm water discharges associated with industrial activity from point sources which discharge through a non-municipal or non-publicly owned separate storm sewer system, the director, at his discretion, may issue: a single WYPDES permit, with each discharger a co permittee to a permit issued to the operator of the portion of the system that discharges into surface waters of the state; or, individual permits to each discharger of storm water associated with industrial activity through the non-municipal conveyance system.
(I) Each facility with a storm water discharge to a storm water discharge system that is not an MS4 shall be covered by a WYPDES permit, or a permit issued to the operator of the portion of the system that discharges to surface waters of the state, with each discharger to the non-municipal conveyance a co permittee to that permit.
(II) Where there is more than one (1) operator of a single system of such conveyances, all operators of storm water discharges associated with industrial activity must submit applications.
(III) Any permit covering more than one (1) operator shall identify the effluent limitations, or other permit conditions, if any, that apply to each operator;
(L) A WYPDES permit is not required for discharges of storm water runoff from mining operations or oil and gas exploration, production, processing or treatment operations or transmission facilities, composed entirely of flows which are from conveyances or systems of conveyances (including but not limited to pipes, conduits, ditches, and channels) used for collecting and conveying precipitation runoff and which are not contaminated by contact with or that has not come into contact with, any overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished product, byproduct or waste products located on the site of such operations. This paragraph applies only to the operation of these facilities. Construction of such facilities may require a permit to discharge storm water as specified in Sections 6 (f) (i) and (ii);
(M) The operator of an existing or new discharge composed entirely of storm water from an oil or gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operation, or transmission facility is not required to submit a notice of intent in accordance with Section 4 or a permit application in accordance with Section 6 (b), unless the facility:
(I) Has had a discharge of storm water resulting in the discharge of a reportable quantity for which notification is or was required pursuant to 40 CFR 117.21 or 40 CFR 302.6 at anytime since November 16, 1987; or
(II) Has had a discharge of storm water resulting in the discharge of a reportable quantity for which notification is or was required pursuant to 40 CFR 110.6 at any time since November 16, 1987; or
(III) Contributes to a violation of a water quality standard; or
(IV) Has been determined by the administrator that storm water controls are needed for the discharge based on wasteload allocations that are part of TMDLs that address the pollutants of concern.
(V) The construction of such facilities may still qualify for permit coverage under Section 6 (f).
(N) The operator of an existing or new discharge composed entirely of storm water from a mining operation is not required to submit a permit application unless the discharge has come into contact with any overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished product, byproduct or waste products located on the site of such operations; and
(O) Facilities that have been determined, by the administrator, to have the potential to contribute to a violation of a water quality standard or contribute pollutants to surface waters of the state that are part of a TMDL that address the pollutant(s) of concern.
(iii) Discharges composed entirely of storm water are conditionally excluded from storm water permitting by way of not meeting the definition of "storm water discharges associated with industrial activity" if there is "no exposure" of industrial materials and/or activities to precipitation, snowmelt and/or runoff, and the discharger satisfies the conditions in Section 6 (g) (iii) (A through D). "No exposure" means that all industrial materials and activities are protected by a storm resistant shelter to prevent exposure to precipitation, snowmelt, and/ or runoff. Industrial materials or activities include, but are not limited to, material handling equipment or activities, industrial machinery, raw materials, intermediate products, by-products, final products, or waste products. Material handling activities include the storage, loading and unloading, transportation, or conveyance of any raw material, intermediate product, final product or waste product.
(A) To qualify for this exclusion, the operator must:
(I) Provide a storm resistant shelter to protect industrial materials and activities from exposure to precipitation, snow melt, and runoff;
(II) Complete and sign, in accordance with Section 14 of these regulations, a certification that there are no discharges of storm water contaminated by exposure to industrial materials and activities from the entire facility, except as provided in Section 6 (g) (iii) (B);
(III) Submit the signed, updated certification to the administrator once every five (5) years;
(IV) Allow the administrator, and/or his authorized representative, upon the presentation of credentials, to inspect the facility to determine compliance with the "no exposure" conditions;
(V) Allow the administrator to make any "no exposure" inspection reports available to the public upon request;
(VI) For facilities that discharge through an MS4, submit a copy of the certification of "no exposure" to the MS4 operator, as well as allow inspection and public reporting by the MS4 operator, upon request; and
(VII) Have adequate protections in place to assure that storm water discharges associated with industrial activity do not occur from secondary containment facilities.
(B) To qualify for this exclusion, a storm resistant shelter is not required for:
(I) Drums, barrels, tanks, and similar containers intended for the outdoor storage of the contained material, that are tightly sealed, provided those containers are not deteriorated and do not leak ("sealed" means banded or otherwise secured and without operational taps or valves), and are not otherwise a source of industrial pollutants;
(II) Adequately maintained vehicles used in material handling, that are not otherwise a source of industrial pollutants; and
(III) Final products, other than products that would be mobilized in storm water discharge (e.g., rock salt).
(C) The exclusion is subject to the following limitations:
(I) Storm water discharges from construction activities identified as small or large in Section 6 (f) are not eligible for this conditional exclusion.
(II) This conditional exclusion from the requirement for a state WYPDES permit is available on a facility-wide basis only, not for individual outfalls.
(III) If circumstances change and industrial materials or activities become exposed to precipitation, snow melt, and/or runoff, the conditions for this exclusion no longer apply. In such cases, the discharge becomes subject to enforcement for unpermitted discharge. Any conditionally excluded discharger who anticipates such a change in circumstances must apply for and obtain permit authorization prior to the change of circumstances.
(IV) Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, the administrator retains the authority to require permit authorization (and deny this exclusion) upon making a determination that the discharge causes, has a reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an instream excursion above an applicable water quality standard, including designated uses.
(D) The "no exposure" certification requires the submission of the following information, at a minimum, to aid the administrator in determining if the facility qualifies for the no exposure exclusion:
(I) The legal name, address and phone number of the discharger;
(II) The facility name and address, the county name and the location description using the public land survey system quarter/quarter, section, township, and range where the facility is located;
(III) The certification must indicate that none of the following materials or activities are, or will be in the foreseeable future, exposed to precipitation, snow melt, and/or runoff:
(1.) Using, storing or cleaning industrial machinery or equipment, and areas where residuals from using, storing or cleaning industrial machinery or equipment remain and are exposed to storm water;
(2.) Materials or residuals on the ground or in storm water inlets from spills/leaks;
(3.) Materials or products from past industrial activity;
(4.) Material handling equipment (except adequately maintained vehicles);
(5.) Materials or products during loading/unloading or transporting activities;
(6.) Materials or products stored outdoors (except final products intended for outside use, e.g., new cars, where exposure to storm water does not result in the discharge of pollutants);
(7.) Materials contained in open, deteriorated or leaking storage drums, barrels, tanks, and similar containers;
(8.) Materials or products handled/stored on roads or railways owned or maintained by the discharger;
(9.) Waste material (except waste in covered, non-leaking containers, e.g., dumpsters);
(10.) Application or disposal of process wastewater (unless otherwise permitted); and
(11.) Particulate matter or visible deposits of residuals from roof stacks/vents not otherwise regulated, i.e., under an air quality control permit, and evident in the storm water outflow.
(IV) All "no exposure" certifications must include the following certification statement, and be signed in accordance with the signatory requirements of Section 14 of these regulations:
"I certify under penalty of law that I have read and understand the eligibility requirements for claiming a condition of "no exposure" and obtaining an exclusion from state WYPDES storm water permitting; and that there are no discharges of storm water contaminated by exposure to industrial activities or materials from the industrial facility identified in this document (except as allowed under Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2 Section 6 (g) (iii) (B)). I understand that I am obligated to submit a no exposure certification form once every five (5) years to the administrator and, if requested, to the operator of the local MS4 into which this facility discharges (where applicable). I understand that I must allow the administrator, or MS4 operator where the discharge is into the local MS4, to perform inspections to confirm the condition of no exposure and to make such inspection reports publicly available upon request. I understand that I must obtain coverage under a state WYPDES permit prior to any point source discharge of storm water from the facility. I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gathered and evaluated the information submitted. Based upon my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly involved in gathering the information, the information submitted is to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate and complete. I am aware there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."
(h) Regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems. Discharges composed entirely of storm water from regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) are point sources requiring a WYPDES permit.
(i) Regulated small MS4s include:
(A) Systems located in an urbanized area as determined by the latest Decennial Census by the Bureau of the Census. (If the small MS4 is not located entirely within an urbanized area, only the portion that is within the urbanized area is regulated);
(B) Publicly owned systems similar to MS4s in municipalities, such as:
(I) Systems at military bases, and large education, hospital or prison complexes, if they are designed for a maximum daily user population (residents and individuals who come there to work or use the facilities) of at least 1,000, and are located in an urbanized area.
(II) Separate storm sewer systems associated with highways and thoroughfares within the boundary of an urbanized area.
(C) Small MS4s designated by the administrator, where the designation is pursuant to the following:
(I) The administrator shall evaluate, at a minimum, any small MS4 located outside of an urbanized area serving a jurisdiction with a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile and a population of at least 10,000 (based on the latest Decennial Census by the Bureau of the Census), to determine whether or not storm water discharges from the MS4 result in or have the potential to result in exceedances of water quality standards, including impairment of designated uses, or other significant water quality impacts, including habitat and biological impacts. The evaluation shall use the following elements, at a minimum:
(1.) Relationship to sensitive waters. For purposes of this section, sensitive waters means any Outstanding Resource Water as identified in Water Quality Rules Chapter 1, waters designated for drinking water use as identified in Water Quality Rules Chapter 1, or any impaired or threatened waters listed on the most recent 303 (d) list;
(2.) High growth potential. For purposes of this section a growth rate of 10% per decade or more will be considered a high rate of growth, the administrator may also consider other factors such as, but not limited to, sustainability of population increase, future projected growth, initial population size and population density.
(3.) Size of population and population density.
Whether the MS4 is an MS4 that is not in an urbanized area and has a population of at least 10,000 and a population density of 1,000 people per square mile;
(4.) Contiguity to an urbanized area; and
(5.) Significant contribution of pollutants, based on credible data, to surface waters of the state.
Based on this evaluation, if the administrator determines that storm water discharges from the MS4 result in or have the potential to result in exceedances of water quality standards, including impairment of designated uses, or other significant water quality impacts, including habitat and biological impacts, the administrator shall designate the MS4 as a regulated small MS4 to be covered under a state WYPDES storm water discharge permit. However, the MS4 may provide information to the administrator on its existing storm water quality control programs, including any that are analogous to the six (6) minimum control measures under Section 6 (j) (i) (B). If the administrator determines that the MS4 has adequate controls for its storm water discharges, (i.e., is already implementing the applicable portions of the six (6) minimum measures), it will not be designated as a regulated small MS4 at that time.
(II) Other MS4s. The administrator may evaluate any other small MS4s other than those described in subsections (I) and (III) of this section, in order to determine whether or not storm water discharges from a small MS4 result in or have the potential to result in exceedances of water quality standards, including impairment of designated uses, or other significant water quality impacts, including habitat and biological impacts. The administrator will place a high priority on evaluating small MS4s with a combined permanent and seasonal population (as determined by the official Census population plus the number of commercially advertised bed accommodations that will allow for an overnight stay, as listed through the chamber of commerce, or any local resort or property management companies) of over 10,000. Based on this evaluation, the administrator may designate the small MS4 as a regulated small MS4 to be covered under a state WYPDES storm water discharge permit at any time, as appropriate, using the elements shown in Section 6 (h) (i) (C) (I) above.
(III) The administrator shall designate any small MS4 that contributes substantially to the pollutant loadings of a physically interconnected municipal separate storm sewer that is designated as a regulated small MS4 to be covered under a state WYPDES storm water discharge permit.
(IV) Small MS4s may be designated by the administrator based upon Section 6 (h) (ii) (C).
(V) For any small MS4 that has been evaluated as per subsections (I) or (II) above, the administrator reserves the right to re-evaluate the MS4 if circumstances change or new information becomes available.
(D) A storm water discharge that the administrator determines contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters of the state. This designation may include a discharge from any conveyance or system of conveyances used for collecting and conveying storm water runoff or a system of discharges from municipal separate storm sewers, except for those discharges from conveyances which do not require a permit under Section 6 (g) (iii) (L) or irrigation return flow which is exempted from the definition of point source in this regulation.
The administrator may designate discharges from a MS4 on a system-wide or jurisdiction-wide basis. In making this determination the administrator may consider the following factors:
(I) The location of the discharge with respect to surface waters of the state;
(II) The size of the discharge;
(III) The quantity and nature of the pollutants discharged to surface waters of the state; and
(IV) Other relevant factors.
(E) The administrator may designate discharges from municipal separate storm sewers where the administrator determines that storm water controls are needed for the discharge based on wasteload allocations that are part of TMDLs that address the pollutants of concern.
(F) The administrator may issue permits for municipal separate storm sewer systems designated in Section 6 (h) (i) (C) (D) or (E) on a system-wide basis, jurisdiction-wide basis, watershed basis or other appropriate basis, or may issue permits for individual discharges.
(ii) The administrator may waive permit coverage for a small MS4 with a population under 1,000 within the urbanized area where both of the following criteria have been met:
(A) Its discharges are not known to be contributing substantially to the pollutant loadings of a physically interconnected regulated MS4 (see Section 6 (h) (i) (C) (III)); and
(B) The small MS4 does not discharge any pollutant(s) that have been identified as a cause of impairment of any water body to which it discharges and storm water controls are not needed based on wasteload allocations that are part of a local watershed plan or an EPA approved TMDL that addresses the pollutant(s) of concern.
(C) A small MS4 waived under this section may be designated if circumstances change or new information becomes available.
(iii) Whether or not a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer is subject to regulation under this Section 6 (h) shall have no bearing on whether the owner or operator of the discharge is eligible for funding under Title II, Title III or Title VI of the CWA.
(i) Petitions.
(i) Any operator of a municipal separate storm sewer system may petition the director to require a separate WYPDES permit for any discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer system.
(ii) Any person may petition the director to require a WYPDES permit, where one does not already exist, for a discharge which is composed entirely of storm water which contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters of the state.++
(iii) Any person may petition the director for the designation of a small MS4 as defined in these regulations.
(iv) The owner or operator of a municipal separate storm sewer system may petition the director to reduce the Census estimates of the population served by such separate system to account for storm water discharged to combined sewers as defined by 40 CFR 35.2005 (b) (11) that is treated in a publicly owned treatment works. In municipalities in which combined sewers are operated, the Census estimates of population may be reduced proportional to the fraction, based on estimated lengths, of the length of combined sewers over the sum of the length of combined sewers and municipal separate storm sewers where an applicant has submitted the WYPDES permit number associated with each discharge point and a map indicating areas served by combined sewers and the location of any combined sewer overflow discharge point.
(v) The director shall make a final determination on any petition received under this section within 90 days after receiving the petition with the exception of petitions to designate a small MS4, in which case the director shall make a final determination on the petition within 180 days after receipt of the petition.
(j) Conditions for municipal storm water permits.
(i) An individual permit issued under Section 6 or general permit authorization issued under Section 4 to a regulated small MS4 shall contain the following requirements, at a minimum:
(A) The MS4 permit will require that the regulated small MS4 develop, implement, and enforce a storm water management program designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable, to protect water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act (W.S. 35-11-301 to 35-11-311). The storm water management program must include the minimum control measures described in Section 6 (j) (i) (B). Implementation of BMPs consistent with the provisions of the storm water discharge permit required pursuant to this section constitutes compliance with the standard of reducing pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.
The initial permit for the regulated small MS4 will specify a time period of up to five (5) years from the date of permit issuance for development and implementation of the program.
(B) Minimum control measures.
(I) Public education and outreach on storm water impacts. The permittee must implement a public education program to:
(1.) Distribute educational materials to the community or conduct equivalent outreach activities about the impacts of storm water discharges on water bodies and the steps that the public can take to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff; and
(2.) Inform public employees, businesses and the general public of impacts associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste.
(II) Public involvement/participation. The permittee must, at a minimum, comply with any applicable state and local public notice requirements when implementing the storm water management programs required under the permit. Notice of all public hearings should be published in a community publication or newspaper of general circulation, to provide opportunities for public involvement that reach a majority of citizens through the notification process.
(III) Illicit discharge detection and elimination. The permittee must develop, implement and enforce a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges (as defined in Section 3) into the permittee=s small MS4.
(1.) The permittee must:
a. Develop, if not already completed, a storm sewer system map, showing the location of all municipal storm sewer outfalls and the names and location of all surface waters of the state that receive discharges from those outfalls;
b. To the extent allowable under state or local law, effectively prohibit, through ordinance or other regulatory mechanism, non-storm water discharges into the storm sewer system, and implement appropriate enforcement procedures and actions; and
c. Develop and implement a plan to detect and address non-storm water discharges, including illicit discharges and illegal dumping, to the system. The plan must include the following three components: procedures for locating priority areas likely to have illicit discharges; procedures for tracing the source of an illicit discharge; and procedures for removing the source of the discharge.
(2.) The permittee shall address the following categories of non-storm water discharges or flows (i.e., illicit discharges) only if the permittee identifies them as significant contributors of pollutants to the permittee=s small MS4 discharges: landscape irrigation, lawn watering, diverted stream flows, irrigation return flow, rising groundwaters, groundwater infiltration (as defined at 40 CFR 35.2005(20)), pumped groundwater, springs, flows from riparian habitats and wetlands, water line flushing, discharges from potable water sources, foundation drains, air conditioning condensation, water from crawl space pumps, footing drains, individual residential car washing, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, and street wash water (discharges or flows from fire fighting activities are excluded from the effective prohibition against non-storm water and need only be addressed where they are identified as significant sources of pollutants to surface waters of the state).
(IV) Construction site storm water runoff control.
(1.) The permittee must develop, implement, and enforce a program to reduce pollutants in any storm water runoff to the MS4 from construction activities that result in a land disturbance of greater than or equal to one acre. Reduction of pollutants in storm water discharges from construction activity disturbing less than one acre must be included in the program if that construction activity is part of a larger common plan of development or sale that would disturb one acre or more. If the administrator waives requirements for storm water discharges associated with a small construction activity in accordance with Section 6 (f) (ii) (B), the permittee is not required to develop, implement, and/or enforce its program to reduce pollutant discharges from such a site.
(2.) The program must be developed and implemented to assure adequate design, implementation, and maintenance of BMPs at construction sites within the MS4 to reduce pollutant discharges and protect water quality. The program must include the development and implementation of, at a minimum:
a. An ordinance or other regulatory mechanism to require erosion and sediment controls, as well as sanctions to ensure compliance, to the extent allowable under state or local law;
b. Requirements for construction site operators to implement appropriate erosion and sediment control BMPs;
c. Requirements for construction site operators to control waste such as discarded building materials, concrete truck washout, chemicals, litter, and sanitary waste at the construction site that may cause adverse impacts to water quality;
d. Procedures for site plan review which incorporate consideration of potential water quality impacts;
e. Procedures for receipt and consideration of information submitted by the public, and
f. Procedures for site inspection and enforcement of control measures.
(V) Post-construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment.
(1.) The permittee must develop, implement, and enforce a program to address storm water runoff from new development and redevelopment projects that disturb greater than or equal to one acre, including projects less than one acre that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale, that discharge into the small MS4. The program must ensure that controls are in place that would prevent or minimize water quality impacts.
(2.) The permittee must:
a. Develop and implement strategies which include a combination of structural and/or non-structural BMPs appropriate for the community;
b. Use an ordinance or other regulatory mechanism to address post-construction runoff from new development and redevelopment projects to the extent allowable under state or local law; and
c. Ensure adequate long-term operation and maintenance of BMPs.
(VI) Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations. The permittee must develop and implement an operation and maintenance program that includes an employee training component and has the ultimate goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations. The program must also inform public employees of impacts associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste from municipal operations. The program must prevent and/or reduce storm water pollution from facilities such as streets, roads, highways, municipal parking lots, maintenance and storage yards, fleet or maintenance shops with outdoor storage areas, salt/sand storage locations and snow disposal areas operated by the permittee, waste transfer stations, and from activities such as park and open space maintenance, fleet and building maintenance, street maintenance, new construction of municipal facilities, and storm water system maintenance, as applicable.
(C) If an existing qualifying local program requires the permittee to implement one or more of the minimum control measures of Section 6 (j) (i) (B), the administrator may include conditions in the permit that direct the permittee to follow that qualifying program=s requirements rather than the requirements of Section 6 (j) (i) (B). A qualifying local program is a local or state municipal storm water management program that imposes, at a minimum, the relevant requirements of Section 6 (j) (i) (B). The permit may be reopened and modified to include the requirement to implement a minimum control measure if the other entity fails to implement it.
(D) The permittee must comply with any more stringent effluent limitations in the permit, including permit requirements that modify, or are in addition to, the minimum control measures, based on an approved TMDL or equivalent analysis. The administrator may include more stringent limitations based on a TMDL or equivalent analysis that determines such limitations are needed to protect water quality.
(E) The permittee must comply with other applicable state WYPDES permit requirements, standards and conditions established in the individual or general permit, developed consistent with the provisions of Section 6 (b) or Section 4, as appropriate.
(F) A permittee may rely on another entity to satisfy its state WYPDES permit obligations to implement a minimum control measure, or component thereof if:
(I) The other entity, in fact, implements the control measure;
(II) The particular control measure, or component thereof, is at least as stringent as the corresponding WYPDES permit requirement; and
(III) The other entity agrees to implement the control measure on behalf of the permittee. The permittee must specify in reports submitted under Section 6 (j) (i) (G) (iii), that it relies on another entity to satisfy some of its permit obligations. If the permittee is relying on another entity, subject to these regulations, to meet all of its permit obligations, including the obligation to file periodic reports, it must note that fact in its NOI. The permittee remains responsible for compliance with its permit obligations if the other entity fails to implement the control measure (or component thereof).
(G) Evaluation and assessment.
(I) Evaluation. The permittee shall evaluate program compliance, the appropriateness of its identified BMPs, and progress towards achieving its identified measurable goals. A summary of this evaluation shall be included in the permittee=s annual report.
(II) Record keeping. The permittee must keep records required by the permit for at least three (3) years. The permittee must submit their records to the administrator only when specifically asked to do so. The permittee must make the records, including a description of the permittee=s storm water management program, available to the public at reasonable times during regular business hours. (The permittee may assess a reasonable charge for copying. The permittee may require a member of the public to provide advance notice.)
(III) Reporting. The permittee shall submit annual reports to the administrator for the permittee=s first permit term. For subsequent permit terms, reports must be submitted in years two (2) and four (4) unless the administrator requires more frequent reporting. The permittee=s report must include:
(1.) The status of compliance with permit conditions, an assessment of the appropriateness of the permittee=s identified BMPs and progress towards achieving the permittee=s identified measurable goals for each of the minimum control measures;
(2.) Results of information collected and analyzed, including monitoring data, if any, during the reporting period;
(3.) A summary of the storm water activities the permittee plans to undertake during the next reporting cycle;
(4.) A change in any identified BMPs or measurable goals for any of the minimum control measures; and
(5.) Notice that the permittee is relying on another governmental entity to satisfy some of the permittee=s permit obligations (if applicable).
(H) Any additional requirements as determined to be necessary by the administrator.
(ii) The administrator may determine monitoring requirements for the permittee in accordance with state monitoring plans appropriate to the permittee=s watershed.
(k) Qualifying programs. Qualifying state or local programs associated with municipal storm water permits.
(i) For storm water discharges associated with small construction activity identified in Section 6 (f) (ii) (A), the administrator may include permit conditions that incorporate qualifying state or local erosion and sediment control program requirements by reference. A qualifying state or local erosion and sediment control program is one that includes:
(A) Requirements for construction site operators to implement appropriate erosion and sediment control best management practices;
(B) Requirements for construction site operators to control waste such as discarded building materials, concrete truck washout, chemicals, litter, and sanitary waste at the construction site that may cause adverse impacts to water quality;
(C) Requirements for construction site operators to develop and implement a storm water pollution prevention plan. (A storm water pollution prevention plan includes site descriptions, descriptions of appropriate control measures, copies of approved local requirements, maintenance procedures, inspection procedures, and identification of non-storm water discharges); and
(D) Requirements to submit a site plan for review that incorporates consideration of potential water quality impacts.
(ii) For storm water discharges from large construction activity identified in Section 6 (f) (i), the administrator may include permit conditions that incorporate qualifying state or local erosion and sediment control program requirements by reference. A qualifying state or local erosion and sediment control program is one that includes the elements listed in Section 6 (k) (i), and any additional requirements necessary to achieve the applicable technology-based standards of "best available technology" and "best conventional technology" based on the best professional judgment of the permit writer.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 7 Isolated Wetlands-Mitigation Requirements
This section applies to the process for approving mitigation for activities that cause the destruction, damage, or impairment of naturally occurring isolated wetlands or man-made isolated wetlands used to mitigate the loss of naturally occurring wetlands.
(a) Point source discharge activities required to file mitigation plans. Any person who proposes a point source discharge of dredged or fill material into a naturally occurring isolated wetland or man-made isolated wetlands used to mitigate the loss of a naturally occurring wetland in such a manner that causes the loss or destruction of greater than a cumulative one (1) acre of wetland habitat for the total project shall file with the administrator a notice of intent for coverage under an isolated wetlands mitigation general permit and a mitigation plan designed to offset the loss of wetland functions and values. Such notices of intent and mitigation plans must be filed and approved by the administrator prior to the commencement of the activity which will cause the wetland loss. Those activities which are subject to a permit or authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to Section 404 of the CWA or mining activities subject to a permit or authorization from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division are exempt from this requirement.
(b) Mitigation plan contents and area of impact. Mitigation plans submitted to the administrator under this section shall contain the following information:
(i) Name and address of the applicant;
(ii) Location and description of the isolated wetland that will be impacted, including the area of impact in acres, type of wetland, probable functional values, and source of water;
(iii) Delineation of the impacted wetland using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer=s 1987 wetland delineation manual including maps, drawings, data sheets and conclusions;
(iv) Name(s) and address(s) of adjacent property owners who may be affected by the activity;
(v) Description of the activity causing the wetland impact;
(vi) Description of actions to be taken to fully offset damage to the impacted wetland;
(vii) Where the proposed mitigation involves the construction of replacement wetlands or the enhancement of existing wetlands the location and description of the mitigation area including the name and address of the landowner, construction plans, maps, water sources and construction time tables;
(viii) Where the proposed mitigation involves the use of wetland credits recorded in the "Wyoming Statewide Wetland Mitigation Bank" a written authorization signed by the credit owner referencing the wetland credit file number and the amount of credit authorized for use;
(ix) List of related permissions and/or authorizations necessary to successfully complete the planned mitigation including but not limited to water rights, easements, and associated federal, state or local permits.
(c) Access to physical locations associated with the permit. If requested by the administrator or the administrator=s authorized agent, the permittee shall provide access to, physical locations associated with this permit including, but not limited to, any waters of the state associated with the permit at the point of discharge.
(d) Criteria for approval of mitigation plans under a general permit.
(i) The administrator shall approve all mitigation plans utilizing Wyoming Wetland Banked Credits in accordance with the "Wyoming Statewide Wetland Mitigation Bank - Guidelines for Interpretation and Implementation," April 1995;
(ii) The administrator shall approve all mitigation plans involving the creation of new replacement wetlands, the restoration of degraded wetlands, or the enhancement of existing wetlands that are not recorded in the Statewide Wetland Mitigation Bank but meet the substantial elements of the wetland banking guidelines;
(iii) The administrator may approve types of mitigation other than those described in the April 1995 Wetland Mitigation Bank Guidelines on a case-by-case basis after consideration of the ecological function and wetland value of the impacted wetlands and the net environmental benefit of the proposed mitigation. Such types of mitigation may include but are not limited to the acquisition of conservation easements, contributions to specific private or public habitat improvement projects, or modifications to the geographic and ecological limitations expressed in the wetland banking guidelines.
(e) Processing of notices of intent. Processing of notices of intent shall be in accordance with the procedures outlined in Section 4 (f) of these regulations.
(f) Permit by rule. Discharges of dredged or fill material into naturally occurring isolated wetlands or man-made isolated wetlands used to mitigate the loss of naturally occurring wetlands which cause the loss or destruction of one acre or less of wetland habitat for the total project are permitted by rule in accordance with the following requirements:
(i) There shall be no discharge of solid wastes (as defined in Chapter 1, Section 1 [f] of the Department=s Hazardous Waste Management Rules and Regulations), hazardous wastes, hazardous materials, hazardous constituents, radioactive material or any toxic substance.
(ii) This permit by rule is not applicable to those activities which are subject to a permit or authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to Section 404 of the CWA or mining activities subject to a permit or authorization from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 8 Variance Requests
(a) Variance requests by non-POTWs.
(i) A discharger which is not a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) may request a variance from otherwise applicable effluent limitations under any of the following statutory or regulatory provisions within the times specified in this section:
(A) Fundamentally different factors.
(I) A request for a variance based on the presence of "fundamentally different factors" from those on which the effluent limitations guideline was based shall be filed as follows:
(1.) For a request from best practicable control technology (BPT) currently available, at the time of application.
(2.) For a request from best available technology (BAT) economically achievable and/or best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT), by no later than 180 days after the date on which an effluent limitation guideline is published in the federal register for a request based on an effluent limitation guideline promulgated on or after February 4, 1987.
(II) The request shall explain how the applicable requirements of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 1 - Surface Water Quality Standards, the Environmental Quality Act and the provisions of these regulations have been met.
(B) Non-conventional pollutants. Request for a variance from the BAT requirements for CWA Section 301 (b) (2) (F) pollutants (commonly called "non-conventional" pollutants) pursuant to Section 301 (c) of the CWA because of the economic capability of the owner or operator, or pursuant to Section 301 (g) of the CWA provided however that a § 301 (g) variance may only be requested for ammonia, chlorine, color, iron, total phenols (when determined by the Regional Administrator to be a pollutant covered by Section 301 (b) (2) (F) and any other pollutant which the Regional Administrator lists under Section 301 (g) (4) of the CWA) and must be made as follows:
(I) For those requests for a variance from an effluent limitation based upon an effluent limitation guideline by:
(1.) Submitting an initial request to the director and the Regional Administrator stating the name of the discharger, the permit number, the outfall number(s), the applicable effluent guideline, and whether the discharger is requesting a Section 301 (c) or Section 301 (g) modification or both. This request must have been filed not later than 270 days after promulgation of an applicable effluent limitation guideline for guidelines promulgated after December 27, 1977; and
(2.) Submitting a completed request no later than the close of the public comment period under Section 15 of these regulations demonstrating that the applicable requirements of Section 5 (c) (iii) (A) and (B) and Appendices F, L and M have been met. Notwithstanding this provision, the complete application for a request under section 301 (g) shall be filed 180 days before the director must make a decision (unless the director establishes a shorter or longer period).
(II) For those requests for a variance from effluent limitations not based on effluent limitation guidelines, the request need only comply with Section 8 (a) (i) (B) (I) (b) and need not be preceded by an initial request under Section 8 (a) (i) (B) (I) (a).
(C) Water quality related effluent limitations. A modification under CWA Section 302 (b) (2) of requirements under CWA Section 302 (a) for achieving water quality related effluent limitations may be requested no later than the close of the public comment period under Section 15 of these regulations on the permit from which the modification is sought.
(D) Thermal discharges. A variance under the CWA Section 316 (a) for the thermal component of any discharge must be filed with a timely application for a permit under this section, except that if thermal effluent limitations are established under the CWA Section 402 (a) (1) or are based on water quality standards the request for a variance may be filed by the close of the public comment period under Section 15 of these regulations. A copy of the request as required under Appendix M of these regulations, shall be sent simultaneously to the director.
(b) Variance requests by POTWs. A discharger which is a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) may request a variance from otherwise applicable effluent limitations as follows:
Water quality based effluent limitation. A modification under CWA Section 302 (b) (2) of the requirements under Section 302 (a) for achieving water quality based effluent limitations shall be requested no later than the close of the public comment period under Section 15 of these regulations on the permit from which the modification is sought.
(c) Expedited variance procedures and time extensions.
(i) Notwithstanding the time requirements in Section 8 (a) and (b), the director may notify a permit applicant before a draft permit is issued under Section 5 that the draft permit will likely contain limitations which are eligible for variances. In the notice the director may require the applicant as a condition of consideration of any potential variance request to submit a request explaining how the requirements of Section 5 (c) (iii) (A) and (B) and Appendices F, L and M applicable to the variance have been met and may require its submission within a specified reasonable time after receipt of the notice. The notice may be sent before the permit application has been submitted. The draft or final permit may contain the alternative limitations which may become effective upon final granting of the variance.
(d) Decisions on variances.
(i) The director may grant or deny requests for the following variances:
(A) Extensions under CWA Section 301 (i) based on delay in completion of a publicly owned treatment works;
(B) After consultation with the Regional Administrator, extensions under CWA Section 301 (k) based on the use of innovative technology; or
(C) Variances under CWA Section 316 (a) for thermal pollution.
(ii) The director may deny or forward to the Regional Administrator with a written concurrence, or submit to EPA without recommendation a completed request for:
(A) A variance based on the economic capability of the applicant under CWA Section 301 (c); or
(B) A variance based on water quality related effluent limitations under CWA Section 302 (b) (2).
(iii) EPA may approve or deny any variance request. If EPA approves the variance, the director may prepare a draft permit incorporating the variance.
(iv) The director may deny or forward to the Administrator of the EPA (or his delegate) with a written concurrence a completed request for:
(A) A variance based on the presence of "fundamentally different factors" from those on which an effluent limitation guideline was based and in accordance with Appendix M of these regulations;
(B) A variance based upon certain water quality factors under CWA Section 301 (g).
(v) The Administrator of the EPA (or his delegate) may grant or deny a request for a variance listed in Section 8 (e) (iv) of these regulations. If the Administrator of the EPA (or his delegate) approves the variance, the director may prepare a permit incorporating the variance.
(vi) Any public notice of a draft permit for which a variance has been approved or denied shall identify the applicable procedures for appealing that decision.
(e) When the director issues a permit on which EPA has made a variance decision, separate appeals of the permit and of the EPA variance decision are possible.
(i) Variance decisions made by EPA may be appealed under the provisions of 40 CFR 124.19.
(ii) Decisions by the director regarding the issuance or denial of a WYPDES permit may be appealed in accordance with the provisions of Section 17 of these regulations.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 9 Issuance or Denial of Permits or Authorizations
Once the requirements of Sections 4 (b) and (c), 5 (a) and (b), and 6 (b) or 7 (a) and (b) of these regulations have been met, a final determination regarding issuance or denial of a permit or authorization shall be made.
(a) Denial of permits or authorizations. No permit or authorization shall be issued which would authorize any of the following discharges:
(i) The discharge of any radiological, chemical, or biological warfare agent, or high level radioactive waste into surface waters of the state;
(ii) Any discharge which the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, finds would substantially impair anchorage and navigation;
(iii) Any discharge to which the Regional Administrator of the EPA has objected pursuant to the provisions of 40 CFR Part 123.44;
(iv) Any discharge from a point source which is in conflict with a plan or amendment thereto approved pursuant to Section 208 (b) of the Federal Act;
(v) Any discharge that, after imposition of permit conditions, cannot ensure compliance with the applicable water quality requirements of all affected states; and
(vi) No permit may be issued when conditions of the permit do not provide compliance with applicable requirements of W.S. 35-11-302 and of these regulations.
(b) Issuance of permits or authorizations. The permit or authorization shall be issued if all the requirements of appropriate sections of W.S. 35-11-302 and these regulations have been met and the issuance of the permit or authorization is not denied under Section 9 (a). In this regard, the term "reasonableness" as used in W.S. 35-11-302 (a) (vi) shall be considered to mean, as a minimum, compliance with applicable effluent standards and applicable water quality standards.
(c) Incorporation of permit conditions. All permit conditions shall be incorporated either expressly or by reference. If incorporated by reference, a specific citation to the applicable regulations or requirements must be given in the permit.
(d) Term of permits. A permit issued pursuant to these regulations shall have a fixed term not to exceed five (5) years unless extended under Section 11 of these regulations. Reissuance of a permit issued pursuant to these regulations shall be in accordance with the requirements of Sections 5 (a) and (b), and 9.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 10 Renewal of Permits, and Renewal of Coverage Under Expiring General Permits
(a) Deadlines for permit renewal application. The owner or operator of any point source within the state who proposes to continue a permitted discharge into surface waters of the state beyond the expiration date of a permit must file with the administrator a complete application form either 1) no less than 180 days in advance of the permit expiration date, unless otherwise approved by the administrator, or 2) in sufficient time to insure compliance with the requirements of Section 306 of the Federal Act, or with any applicable zoning or siting requirements established pursuant to Section 208 (b) (2) (c) of the Federal Act, and any other applicable water quality standards and limitations or in the case of general permits, in accordance with the terms specified in the applicable general permit. Except as authorized under Section 11 of these regulations, no person shall continue to discharge beyond the expiration date of a permit without having obtained a reissued permit from the department.
(b) Renewal application requirements. An application for renewal of an existing permit shall identify any changes or additions to the information, listed in Section 5 (a) (v), that was provided in the application form or additional requested information for the permit most recently noticed.
(c) Review of renewal applications. The administrator shall have each request for renewal reviewed in light of the existing permit or authorization, information provided by the permittee with the request for renewal, and all other information available to the administrator bearing on the subject permit or authorization to insure that the following conditions exist:
(i) That the permittee is in compliance with or has substantially complied with all the terms and conditions of the expiring permit or authorization;
(ii) That the discharge is consistent with applicable effluent standards and compliance schedules, water quality standards, and other legally applicable requirements imposed under these regulations; and
(iii) That the administrator has up-to-date information on the permittee's discharge, either pursuant to the submission of new forms or pursuant to monitoring records and reports submitted to the administrator by the permittee.
(d) Determination of permit or authorization renewal. Following the review of the request for renewal of a permit or renewal authorization and the other considerations described in paragraph (c) above, the administrator shall:
(i) Make a determination to renew or deny renewal of an authorization for coverage under a general permit; and
(ii) For individual permits, the administrator shall make a recommendation to the director for permit renewal or denial of permit renewal.
(e) Notification of determination not to renew. In the event that the administrator determines that a permit shall not be renewed or that an authorization shall not be renewed, notification of such determination will be provided to the permittee prior to the expiration of the existing permit or authorization or in accordance with Section 11 of these regulations.
(f) Processing and public notice procedures for permit renewals. The processing and public notice procedures in Sections 5 (b) and 15 shall be followed for every permit that is renewed and the processing procedures in Section 4 (f) shall be followed for every authorization that is renewed.
(g) Commencement of public notice for permit renewals. Public notice for permits being proposed for renewal shall commence not later than 30 days prior to the expiration date of the permit. In the event that permit renewals are not public noticed within 30 days prior to the permit expiration date, the permit may be continued in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of these regulations.
(h) Renewal of authorizations. Renewal of coverage authorized under an expiring general permit shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions established under the general permit.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 11 Continuation of Expiring Permits
(a) Conditions. For WYPDES permits issued under the provisions of these rules, the conditions of an expired permit shall remain in force until the effective date of a new permit provided the following conditions are met:
(i) The permittee has submitted a timely and complete application for renewal in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of these regulations; and
(ii) The director, through no fault of the permittee, does not issue a renewal permit with an effective date on or before the expiration date of the previous permit.
(b) Final determination. The administrator will make a final determination on the renewal application within 180 days of the permit extension.
(c) Effectiveness and enforceability. Permits continued under this section remain fully effective and enforceable.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 12 Permit or Authorization Modifications
(a) Deadlines for permit or authorization modification application. The owner or operator of any point source within the state who proposes a major modification to an existing permit or a modification to an authorization must file a complete application form with the administrator either 1) no less than 180 days in advance of the date on which it is desired to change or alter the discharge unless otherwise approved by the administrator; or 2) in sufficient time prior to the alteration of the discharge to insure compliance with the requirements of Section 306 of the CWA, or with any applicable zoning or siting requirements established pursuant to Section 208 (b) (2) (c) of the CWA, and any other applicable water quality standards and limitations. In any event, no person shall change or alter the conditions of a permitted discharge without having obtained a modification from the department and no modification shall be issued without full compliance by the permittee with all requirements of these regulations.
(b) Modification application requirements. An application for modification of an existing permit or authorization shall identify any changes or additions to the information, listed in Section 5 (a) (v) or Section 4 (m), (n) or (o), that was provided in the application form or additional requested information for the permit most recently noticed.
(c) Request for modification. Permits or authorizations may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated either at the request of any interested person or upon the administrator=s initiative. However, permits or authorizations may only be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for the reasons specified in Sections 12 and 13. All requests shall be in writing and shall contain facts or reasons supporting the request.
(d) Reasons for permit modification. A permit may be modified in whole or in part when:
(i) There are material and substantial alterations or additions to the permitted facility or activity which occurred after permit issuance which justify the application of permit conditions that are different or absent in the existing permit.
(ii) The administrator has received new information which was not available at the time of permit issuance (other than revised regulations, guidance, or test methods) and which would have justified different permit conditions at the time of issuance, including information derived from effluent testing required under Section 5 (c) (v). This provision allows modification of a permit to include conditions that may be less stringent than the existing permit to the extent allowed under Section 12 (d) (iii).
(iii) The standards or regulations on which the permit was based have been changed by promulgation of amended standards or regulations or by judicial decision after the permit was issued. Permits may be modified during their terms for this cause only as follows:
(A) The permit condition requested to be modified was based on a promulgated effluent limitation guideline, secondary treatment regulations specified in Appendix E, or water quality standard; and
(B) EPA or the department has revised, withdrawn, or modified that portion of the federal regulation on which the permit condition was based, or the Environmental Quality Council has approved a revised water quality standard or effluent limitation on which the permit condition was based; and
(C) The permittee requests modification as required in this regulation, within 90 days after the notice of final action by which the EPA effluent limitation guideline, water quality standard, or effluent limitation is revised, withdrawn, or modified or upon the administrator=s initiative; or
(D) For judicial decisions, a court of competent jurisdiction has remanded and stayed EPA promulgated regulations or effluent limitation guidelines, if the remand and stay concern that portion of the regulations or guidelines on which the permit condition was based and a request is filed by the permittee in accordance with this regulation, within 90 days of judicial remand.
(iv) The administrator determines that good cause exists to modify a permit condition because of events over which the permittee has no control and for which there is no reasonable available remedy.
(v) When required to incorporate applicable toxic effluent limitation or standards adopted pursuant to Section 307 (a) of the CWA.
(vi) When required by the reopener conditions in the permit.
(vii) When the level of discharge of any pollutant which is not limited in the permit exceeds the level which can be achieved by the technology-based treatment requirements appropriate to the facility.
(viii) To establish a pollutant notification level required in Section 5 (c) (i) (B), (W), (X), (Y) or Appendix B.
(ix) To correct technical mistakes, such as errors in calculation, or mistaken interpretations of law made in determining permit conditions, to the extent allowed in Section 5 (c) (iii) (M).
(x) Discharge volume will increase above what was described in the most current application or permit.
(xi) Outfalls will be added, deleted or moved.
(xii) The receiving surface waters of the state will change from what was described in the most current application.
(xiii) The time of discharge will be changed where seasonal or time-limited conditions for discharge may be established.
(xiv) The administrator determines good cause exists for modification of a compliance schedule, such as an act of God, strike, flood, or materials shortage or other events over which the permittee has little or no control and for which there is no reasonably available remedy. However, in no case may a WYPDES compliance schedule be modified to extend beyond an applicable CWA statutory deadline.
(xv) When a discharger is no longer eligible for net limitations, as provided in Section 5 (c) of these regulations.
(xvi) To modify a schedule of compliance to reflect the time lost during construction of an innovative or alternative facility, in the case of a POTW which has received a grant under Section 202 (a) (3) of the CWA for 100 percent of the costs to modify or replace facilities constructed with a grant for innovative and alternative wastewater technology under Section 202 (a) (2). In no case shall the compliance schedule be modified to extend beyond an applicable CWA statutory deadline for compliance.
(xvii) For a small MS4, to include an effluent limitation requiring implementation of a minimum control measure or measures specified in Section 6 of these regulations when:
(I) The permit does not include such measure(s) based upon the determination that another entity was responsible for implementation of the requirements(s); and
(II) The other entity fails to implement measure(s) that satisfy the requirement(s).
(xviii) Cause exists for termination under Section 13 of these regulations, and the administrator determines that modification or revocation and reissuance is appropriate.
(xix) Other changes to information described in Section 5 (c) (i) (B).
(xx) When a downstream state was not properly notified
of a proposed permit.
(e) Reasons for authorization modification. An authorization may be modified in whole or in part when:
(i) There are material and substantial alterations or additions to the permitted facility or activity which occurred after issuance of an authorization.
(ii) The administrator has received new information which was not available at the time of permit issuance.
(iii) To correct technical mistakes, such as errors in calculation, or mistaken interpretations of law made in determining authorization conditions.
(iv) Discharge volume will increase above what was described in the most current application or authorization.
(v) Conditions described in Section 12 (d) (v) through (vii) and (xiii) exist.
(vi) For a small MS4, to include an effluent limitation requiring implementation of a minimum control measure or measures specified in Section 6 of these regulations when:
(A) The authorization does not include such measure(s) based upon the determination that another entity was responsible for implementation of the requirements(s); and
(B) The other entity fails to implement measure(s) that satisfy the requirement(s).
(f) Permit revocation and reissuance. When a permit is revoked and reissued under this section, the entire permit is reopened just as if the permit had expired and was being reissued. During any revocation and reissuance proceeding, the permittee shall comply with all conditions of the existing permit until a new final permit is reissued.
(g) Processing procedures for major modifications. Major modifications for permits and authorizations will be subjected to the processing procedures described in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of these regulations.
(h) Processing procedures for minor modifications. Minor modifications to permits and authorizations shall not be subject to the processing procedures of Sections 4, 5 and 6. Minor modifications to permits and authorizations will be processed according to the following procedures:
(i) Where a modification to an individual permit is initiated by the permittee, notification that the modification has been incorporated into the permit will be provided to the permittee within 30 days of the permittee=s submittal of a complete application for modification to the administrator;
(ii) Where an application for modification to an authorization is submitted by the permittee and the administrator determines that the modification can be authorized, a revised authorization reflecting the modification will be provided to the permittee within 30 days of the permittee=s submittal of a complete notice of intent for modification to the department, or as described in the general permit under which coverage is provided;
(iii) Where an application for modification to an authorization is submitted by the permittee and the administrator determines that the modification can not be authorized, a notification shall be provided to the permittee of such determination within 30 days of the permittee=s submittal of a complete notice of intent for modification to the department, or as described in the general permit under which coverage is provided.
(i) Conditions subject to modification. When a permit is modified, only the conditions subject to modification are reopened. The term of the modified permit will not be extended beyond the term of the permit being modified.
(j) No stay of permit conditions. The filing of a request by the permittee for a permit modification does not stay any permit condition.
(k) Antibacksliding. All effluent permit modifications and reissuances are subject to the antibacksliding provisions set forth in Section 5 (c) (iii) (M).
(l) Draft permits and authorization notification. For major modifications to permits, the administrator will prepare a summary describing the proposed modification(s). Copies of the modification summary will be provided to permittees for review at the time of public notice. For modifications to authorizations, copies of the issued authorizations will be provided to permittees within ten (10) days of issuance.
(m) Denial of permit or authorization modification requests. Except for denial based upon incompleteness of an application, if the director proposes to deny issuance of a permit or authorization modification, the applicant shall be notified by registered or certified mail of the intent to deny and the reason for denial.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 13 Permit and Authorization Terminations
(a) Reasons for permit or authorization termination. A permit or authorization may be terminated during its term for reasons determined by the department including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Violation of any terms or conditions of the permit;
(ii) Obtaining a permit by misrepresentation or failing to disclose any fact which is material to the granting or denial of a permit or to the establishment of terms or conditions of the permit;
(iii) Materially false or inaccurate statements or information in the permit application or the permit; or
(iv) A determination that the permitted activity endangers human health or the classified or existing uses of surface waters of the state and can only be regulated to acceptable levels by permit modifications or termination.
(b) Public notice of permit terminations or revocations. Public notice shall be given of the intent to terminate or revoke a permit in accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of these regulations.
(c) Notification of authorization termination. Notification shall be sent to the permittee of an authorization that is being terminated stating the reasons for termination and the effective date of termination.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 14 Signatory Requirements
(a) Signatures for applications and notices of intent (NOI). Applications, NOIs, and other documents required to accompany said applications or NOI when submitted to the department must be signed as follows:
(i) In the case of corporations, by a principal executive officer of at least the level of vice president, or the manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities, provided, the manager is authorized to make management decisions which govern the overall operation of the facility from which the discharge originates as described in the application, NOI or other required documentation;
(ii) In the case of a partnership, by a general partner;
(iii) In the case of a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor; and
(iv) In the case of a municipal, state, federal, or other public facility, by either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official.
(b) Signatures for reports and other required information. Except for NOI and permit applications which must be signed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, all reports required by permits, and other information requested by the administrator must be signed as described in paragraph (a) of this section or by a duly authorized representative. A person is only a duly authorized representative if:
(i) The authorization is made in writing by a person described in paragraph (a) of this Section; and
(ii) The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity.
(c) Certification. Any person signing a document under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall make the following certification, unless otherwise set forth in these regulations:
"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."
(d) Change in signatory authorization. If an authorization under paragraph (b) of this section is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section must be submitted to the administrator prior to or together with any reports or other information to be signed by the authorized representative.
(e) Violations. Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any record or other document submitted or required to be maintained under this permit, including monitoring reports or reports of compliance or noncompliance shall be in violation of the permit, these regulations and the Environmental Quality Act.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 15 Public Participation
Major modifications, issuance, or reissuance of every draft permit; or where the administrator proposes to terminate coverage under an individual permit; or where the administrator proposes to conduct a public meeting in accordance with Section 16 of these regulations, the following procedures shall be used.
(a) Public notice. Public notice of every draft permit, public meeting being held pursuant to Section 16 of the regulations, or granting of an appeal shall be given in the following manner:
(i) In addition to the applicable provisions of Section 15 (a) (ii) through (v), notice shall be circulated by one or more of the following methods:
(A) For individual permits, posting in the post office and other public places of the municipality nearest the location(s) of the proposed discharge(s);
(B) For individual permits, posting near the entrance to the applicant's premises;
(C) For individual permits, publication in newspapers of general circulation in the locations of the proposed discharges;
(D) For individual and general permits, publication in a newspaper with statewide distribution;
(E) For general permits, publication in a newspaper with circulation in the geographic area defined in the general permit.
(ii) For individual permits, where a proposed outfall would occur on property that is not owned by the applicant, a copy of the public notice will be provided to the owner of the property.
(iii) For general permits, in accordance with applicable provisions of the general permit.
(iv) For major permits, publication in a daily or weekly newspaper within the area affected by the facility or activity.
(v) In addition to Section 15 (a) (i) through (iv), publication on the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Internet Website (http://deq.state.wy.us).
(vi) No public notice is required when a request for permit modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or coverage or modification under a general permit is denied.
(vii) The applicant shall be mailed a copy of the fact sheet, which includes the public notice, a draft copy of the permit, and the statement of basis. The applicant will not be mailed a copy of the application materials, which is also part of the fact sheet.
(viii) Notice shall be mailed to any person upon request, and the administrator shall upon request add the name of any person to a list of persons or parties designated to receive copies of public notices.
(ix) The administrator shall provide a period of not less than 30 days following the date of public notice during which interested persons may submit their comments on draft permits.
(x) The contents of the public notices for draft permits shall include the following:
(A) Name, address, phone number, and internet address of the Water Quality Division;
(B) For individual permits:
(I) Names and addresses of the applicants;
(II) A brief description of each activity or operation resulting in the discharge described in each application;
(III) The name of the water course to which such discharge is made and a general description of the location of each outfall;
(IV) A statement of the tentative determination to issue the permit;
(C) For general permits:
(I) A brief description of the activity or operation resulting in the discharges for which the permit will provide coverage and a description of effluent limitations and monitoring requirements that are being proposed;
(II) A description of the geographic area covered by the general permit.
(D) The end date of the 30 day comment period; and
(E) A statement that a copy of the draft permit, fact sheet (if prepared), and other information is available at the address specified in paragraph (A) above.
(xi) The contents of a public notice announcing a public meeting shall be in accordance with Section 16 (c) of these regulations.
(b) Minor facilities. For every minor facility, the administrator shall prepare a statement of basis to accompany the draft permit. The statement of basis, draft permit and permit application shall be available for public inspection during the public comment period.
(c) Major facilities. For every major facility, the administrator shall prepare and, following public notice, shall make available, to any person so requesting, a fact sheet with respect to the application described in the notice. The administrator shall also add the name of any person so requesting to a list of those parties or persons designated to be given notice of fact sheets published, and such fact sheet shall consist of, at a minimum, the statement of basis and application, including the following information when applicable:
(i) A sketch or description of the discharge described in the permit application;
(ii) A quantitative description of the discharge which shall include the rate or frequency of discharge, the average summer and winter temperatures, and the average daily discharge in pounds per day and/or kilograms per day of any types of waste in the discharge;
(iii) Any tentative determinations reached by the administrator concerning the application;
(iv) A brief citation of any water quality standards and effluent standards that apply to the proposed discharge;
(v) A comprehensive description of the procedures for formulating a final decision with respect to the application including;
(A) The beginning and ending dates of the public comment period and the address where comments will be received;
(B) Procedures for requesting a meeting and the nature of that meeting; and
(C) Any other procedures by which the public may participate in the final decision.
(vi) Any calculations or other necessary explanation of the derivation of specific effluent limitations and conditions, including a citation to applicable effluent guidelines or performance standards and reasons why they are applicable or an explanation of how alternative effluent limitations were developed.
(vii) For permits to be issued to a treatment works owned by a person other than a state or municipality, an explanation of the administrator=s decision to issue a permit with no conditions applicable to any user, to impose conditions on one or more users, to issue separate applications, and the basis for that decision.
(viii) When the draft permit contains any of the following conditions, an explanation of the reasons that such conditions are applicable:
(A) Limitations to control toxic pollutants;
(B) Limitations on internal waste streams;
(C) Limitations on indicator pollutants;
(D) Limitations set on a case-by-case basis;
(E) Limitations to meet the criteria for permit issuance; or
(F) Waivers from monitoring requirements.
(ix) Reasons why any requested variances or alternatives to required standards do or do not appear justified.
(x) Justification for waiver for any application requirements where such a waiver is allowed under the provisions of these regulations.
(d) Governmental agency mailing list. The following governmental agencies shall be included on a mailing list for receipt of fact sheets unless such agency requests not to be included on the mailing list, and each will be provided an opportunity to comment upon the draft permit(s).
(i) United States Environmental Protection Agency.
(ii) Second Coast Guard District.
(iii) United States Bureau of Reclamation.
(iv) Natural Resources Conservation Service.
(v) United States Forest Service.
(vi) United States Bureau of Land Management.
(vii) United StatesFish and Wildlife Service.
(viii) United States Army Corps of Engineers.
(ix) Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
(x) Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
(xi) Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office.
(xii) Wyoming State Engineer.
(xiii) Any other state or federal agency requesting to be placed on the mailing list.
(e) Notification to affected states. Any state whose waters may be affected by the issuance of a permit shall be provided with a copy of the public notice and any other relevant documents that are requested. Each state whose waters may be affected shall be afforded an opportunity to comment on the draft permit, and the administrator shall take these comments into account in preparing the final permit, or the administrator shall provide the affected state, and the Regional Administrator of the EPA, a written explanation of his reasons for failing to accept any of the comments.
(f) Written comments request for public meeting. During the public comment period provided in paragraph (a) (v) of this section, any interested person may submit written comments on a draft permit and may request a public meeting. A request for public meeting shall be made in writing in accordance with Section 16.
(g) Response to comments. Before a final permit decision is considered, the administrator shall prepare a response to comments which is subject to the following conditions:
(i) A response to all comments received within the time frame specified in paragraph (b) (v) of this Section shall be prepared and provided to the parties submitting comments;
(ii) The response shall specify which provisions, if any, of the draft permit have been changed in the final permit decision, and the reasons for the change; and
(iii) The response shall provide the reasons why any comments did not
result in a change to the draft permit; and
(iv) The response to comments shall be made available to the public; and
(v) Responses to comments from other governmental agencies shall be addressed in accordance with 40 CFR 124.59.
(h) Alternative effluent limitations. Public notice for any request made under Appendix M of these regulations shall include the following:
(i) A statement that the thermal component of the discharge is subject to effluent limitations under Sections 301 or 306 of the CWA and a brief description, including a quantitative statement, or the thermal effluent limitations proposed under Sections 301 or 306;
(ii) A statement that an Appendix M request has been filed and that alternative less stringent effluent limitations may be imposed on the thermal component of the discharge under Appendix M and a brief description, including a quantitative statement, of the alternative effluent limitations, if any, included in the request; and
(iii) If the applicant has filed an early screening request under Appendix M of these regulations, a statement that the applicant has submitted such a plan.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 16 Public Meeting
(a) Reason for public meeting.
(i) Request for public meeting. The administrator shall provide an opportunity for the applicant or any interested person or state to request a public meeting, with the administrator, with respect to any draft permit. Any such request shall be filed in writing during the comment period specified in Section 15 (a) (ix) above, and shall indicate the interest of the party and the reasons why a meeting is warranted. If the administrator finds that there is a significant degree of public interest in holding such a meeting, hold such a meeting in the geographic area where the proposed discharge is located, or other appropriate area. If the administrator determines that a public meeting is not warranted, he shall provide written notification of his decision to the party requesting the meeting.
(ii) Public meetings to provide clarification. The administrator may also hold a public meeting at his discretion, whenever, for instance, such a meeting might clarify one or more issues involved in the permit decision.
(b) Purpose. The purpose of holding public meetings is to seek information and facilitate clarification in order for the administrator to make a more informed decision.
(c) Public notice of a public meeting. Public notice of a public meeting held pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, will be utilizing all of the methods available for notice of the permit application set out in paragraph b. given as described in Section 15 (a) (i) of these regulations, and such notice will be provided no less than 30 days in advance of the meeting. The contents of the public notice will consist of the following:
(i) Name, address, and phone number of the Wyoming Water Quality Division;
(ii) Name, and address of each applicant whose draft permit will be considered at the meeting;
(iii) Name of waterway to which each discharge is made and a short description of the location of each discharge on the waterway associated with the draft permit(s);
(iv) Brief reference to the public notice issued for each draft permit, including identification number and date of issuance.
(v) Information regarding the date, time, and location of the meeting;
(vi) A brief description of the nature and purpose of the meeting, including the applicable rules and procedures to be followed;
(vii) A concise statement of the issues raised by the persons requesting the meeting;
(viii) A statement that a copy of the draft permit, statement of basis, and other information is available at the address specified in paragraph (a) of this section.
(d) Submittal of statements and data. Any person may submit written or oral statements and data concerning the draft permit. Reasonable limits may be set upon the time allowed for oral statements, and the submission of written statements may be requested. The public comment period under Section 15 (a) shall be automatically extended to the close of any public meeting under this section.
(e) Documentation of the public meeting. An audio or video tape recording or written transcript of the public meeting shall be made available to the public.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 17 Hearing
In any case where the director makes a decision to issue, modify, or terminate a permit or MS4 storn water permit authorization, or where the director makes a decision to deny issuance or modification of a permit or MS4 storm water permit authorization, any interested person may request a hearing before the Environmental Quality Council. A request for hearing shall be made in accordance with the applicable Department of Environmental Quality=s Rules of Practice and Procedure.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 18 Public Information
(a) Availability of information. All information required on or attached to permit application forms, notices of intent, reporting forms, draft or issued permits, authorizations, or related correspondence shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying, subject to W.S. 35-11-1101 and all other applicable state laws. The administrator shall provide facilities for inspection of all non-confidential documents.
(b) Applicability of trade secrets. The following information may not be considered to constitute trade secrets and must be made available to the public:
(i) Name and address of any permit applicant or permittee;
(ii) Permit applications, permits and effluent data.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.2.08062025 § 19 Transfer of Permits
(a) Permits may be transferred by a permittee to a new owner or operator if:
(i) Conditional transfers. The permit has been modified or revoked and reissued to identify the new permittee and to incorporate such other requirements as may be necessary under these regulations.
(ii) Automatic transfers. A permit may be automatically transferred to a new permittee if:
(A) The current permittee notifies the director in writing at least 30 days in advance of the proposed transfer date in paragraph (b) (ii) of this Section;
(B) The notice includes a written agreement between the existing and new permittees on a form provided by the administrator. The form shall contain a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage and liability between the two parties; and
(C) The director does not notify the existing permittee and the proposed new permittee of its intent to modify or revoke and reissue the permit.
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APPENDIX A: Explanation of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes Regulated by the Industrial Storm Water Program
Industry Type
SIC Code
Comments
Metal mining and milling
10
(a)
Coal mining
12
(a)
Oil and Gas Extraction
13
Mining and quarrying of nonmetallic minerals except fuels
14
(a)
Food and kindred products
20
Tobacco products
21
Textile mill products
22
Apparel and other finished products made from fabric and similar materials
23
Lumber and wood products except furniture
24
Furniture and fixtures
25
Paper and allied products
26
Printing, publishing, and allied products
27
Chemicals and allied products
28
Petroleum refining and related industries
29
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products
30
Leather and leather products
31
Stone, clay, glass and concrete products
32
Primary metal industries
33
Fabrication of metal products, except machinery and transportation equipment
34
Industrial and commercial machinery and computer equipment
35
Electronic and other electrical equipment and components, except compute equipment
36
Transportation equipment
37
Measuring analyzing, and controlling instruments; Photographic, medical, and optical goods; watches and clocks
38
Miscellaneous manufacturing industries
39
Railroad transportation
40
(b)
Local and suburban transit and interurban highway passenger transportation
41
(b)
Motor freight transportation and warehousing
42
(except 4221, 4222, and 4225)
(b)
Farm product warehousing and storage
Refrigerated warehousing and storage
General warehousing and storage
4221
4222
4225
US Postal facilities
43
(b)
Water transportation
44
(b)
Transportation by air
45
(b)
Motor vehicle parts, used
5015
Scrap and waste materials
5093
Petroleum bulk stations and terminals
5171
(b)
Comments:
(a) For this SIC Code, a storm water permit is required only if runoff contacts overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished products, byproducts or waste products located on the site of such operations.
(b) In this SIC Code, only facilities with vehicle maintenance (including vehicle rehabilitation, mechanical repairs, painting, fueling, and lubrication), equipment cleaning, or airport deicing need a storm water permit.
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APPENDIX B: Additional Requirements Applicable to Existing Manufacturing, Commercial, Mining and Silviculture Discharges
(a) Application requirements. Existing manufacturing, commercial, mining, and silviculture discharges applying for permits, except for those facilities which discharge only non-process wastewater, shall provide the following information, in addition to that described in Section 5 (a) (v), to the administrator, using the application forms provided by the administrator.
(i) A line drawing of the water flow through the facility with a water balance, showing operations contributing wastewater to the effluent and treatment units. Similar processes, operations, or production areas may be indicated as a single unit, labeled to correspond to the more detailed identification required in paragraph (a) (ii) of this appendix. The water balance must show approximate average flows at intake and discharge points and between units, including treatment units. If a water balance cannot be determined (for example, for certain mining activities), the applicant may provide instead a pictorial description of the nature and amount of any sources of water and any collection and treatment measures.
(ii) Average flows and treatment. A narrative identification of each type of process, operation, or production area which contributes wastewater to the effluent for each outfall, including process wastewater, cooling water, and storm water runoff; the average flow which each process contributes; and a description of the treatment the wastewater receives, including the ultimate disposal of any solid or fluid wastes other than by discharge. Processes, operations, or production areas may be described in general terms (for example, "dye-making reactor," "distillation tower") For a privately owned treatment works, this information shall include the identity of each user of the treatment works. The average flow of point sources composed of storm water may be estimated. The basis for the rainfall event and the method of estimation must be indicated.
(iii) Intermittent flows. If any of the discharges described in paragraph (a) (ii) of this appendix are intermittent or seasonal, a description of the frequency, duration and flow rate of each discharge occurrence (except for storm water runoff, spillage or leaks).
(iv) Maximum production. If an effluent guideline listed in Section 5 (c) of these regulations applies to the applicant and is expressed in terms of production (or other measure of operation), a reasonable measure of the applicant's actual production reported in the units used in the applicant effluent limitation. The reported measure must reflect the actual production of the facility.
(v) Improvements. If the applicant is subject to any present requirements or compliance schedules for construction, upgrading or operation of waste treatment equipment, an identification of the abatement requirement, a description of the abatement project and projected final compliance dates.
(vi) Quantitative data. At a minimum, the applicant shall submit quantitative data for pollutants in the discharge as provided in this paragraph and in paragraph (a) (vi) (G) of this appendix. For purposes of this paragraph, an applicant is expected to know or have reason to believe that a pollutant is present in an effluent based on an evaluation of the expected use, production, or storage of the pollutant, or on any previous analyses for the pollutant.
(A) Every applicant must report quantitative data for every outfall for the following pollutants:
(I) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5),
(II) Chemical Oxygen Demand,
(III) Total Organic Carbon,
(IV) Total Suspended Solids,
(V) Ammonia (as N),
(VI) Temperature (both winter and summer), and
(VII) pH.
(B) The administrator may waive the reporting requirements for individual point sources or for a particular industry category for one or more of the pollutants listed in paragraph (a) (vi) (A) of this appendix if the applicant has demonstrated that such a waiver is appropriate because information adequate to support issuance of a permit can be obtained with less stringent requirements.
(C) Each applicant with processes in one or more primary industry category (see Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 122) contributing to a discharge must report quantitative data for the following pollutants in each outfall containing process wastewater:
(I) The organic toxic pollutants in the fractions designated in 40 CFR Part 122, Table I of Appendix D for the applicant's industrial category or categories. Table II of Appendix D lists the organic toxic pollutants in each fraction. The fractions result from the sample preparation required by the analytical procedure which uses gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A determination that an applicant falls within a particular industrial category for the purposes of selecting fractions for testing is not conclusive as to the applicant's inclusion in that category for any other purposes.
(II) The pollutants listed in 40 CFR Part 122, Table III of Appendix D (the toxic metals, cyanide, and total phenols).
(D) Each applicant must indicate whether they know or have reason to believe that any of the pollutants as described in (I) or (II) below is discharged from each outfall.
(I) Any of the pollutants in Table IV of Appendix D (certain conventional and non-conventional pollutants) of 40 CFR Part 122. If an applicable effluent limitations guideline either directly limits the pollutant or, by its express terms, indirectly limits the pollutant through limitations on an indicator, the applicant must report quantitative data. For every pollutant discharged which is not so limited in an effluent limitations guideline, the applicant must either report quantitative data or briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged.
(II) Any of the pollutants listed in Table II or Table III of Appendix D (the toxic pollutants and total phenols) of 40 CFR Part 122 for which quantitative data are not otherwise required under paragraph (a) (vi) (C) of this appendix. For every pollutant expected to be discharged in concentrations of 10 ppb or greater the applicant must report quantitative data For acrolein, acrylonitrile, 2,4 dinitrophenol, and 2-methyl-4,6 dinitrophenol, where any of these four pollutants are expected to be discharged in concentrations of 100 ppb or greater, the applicant must report qualitative data. For every pollutant expected to be discharged in concentrations less than 10 ppb, or in the case of acrolein, acrylonitrile, 2,4 dinitrophenol, and 2-methyl-4,6 dinitrophenol, in concentrations less than 100 ppb, the applicant must either submit quantitative data or briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged.
(E) Each applicant must indicate whether they know or have reason to believe that any of the pollutants in Table V of Appendix D of 40 CFR Part 122 (certain hazardous substances and asbestos) are discharged from each outfall. For every pollutant expected to be discharged, the applicant must briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged, and report any quantitative data it has for any pollutant.
(F) For purposes of paragraphs (C) and (D) above, the applicant need not provide quantitative data if the pollutant is present in the discharge solely as a result of the presence in intake water. However, the applicant must report such pollutant as present.
(G) Each applicant must report qualitative data, generated using a screening procedure not calibrated with analytical standards, for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) if they:
(I) Use or manufacture 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5,-T); 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propanoic acid (Silvex, 2,4,5,-TP); 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) ethyl, 2,2-dichloropropionate (Erbon); O,O-dimethyl O-(2,4,5-trichlorphenyl) phosphorothioate (Ronnel); 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP); or hexachlorophene (HCP); or
(II) Know or have reason to believe that TCDD is or may be present in an effluent.
(vii) When quantitative data for a pollutant are required, the applicant must collect a sample of effluent and analyze it for the pollutant in accordance with analytical methods approved under 40 CFR Part 136. When no analytical method is approved the applicant may use any suitable method but must provide a description of the method.
(A) When an applicant has two (2) or more outfalls with substantially identical effluents, the department may allow the applicant to test only one (1) outfall and report that the quantitative data also apply to the substantially identical outfalls.
(B) Grab samples must be used for pH, temperature, cyanide, total phenols, residual chlorine, oil and grease, fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus.
(C) For all other pollutants, 24-hour composite samples must be used. However, a minimum of one (1) grab sample may be taken for effluents from holding ponds or other impoundments with a retention period greater than 24-hours. In addition, for discharges other than storm water discharges, the administrator may waive composite sampling for any outfall for which the applicant demonstrates that the use of an automatic sampler is infeasible and that the minimum of four (4) grab samples will be a representative sample of the effluent being discharged.
(viii) Used or manufactured toxins. A listing of any toxic pollutant which the applicant currently uses or manufactures as an intermediate or final product or byproduct. The administrator may waive or modify this requirement for any applicant who demonstrates that it would be unduly burdensome to identify each toxic pollutant if the administrator has adequate information to issue the permit.
(ix) An identification of any whole effluent toxicity tests which the applicant knows or has reason to believe has been made within the last three (3) years on any of the applicant's discharges or on a receiving water in relation to a discharge.
(x) Contract analyses. If a contract laboratory or consulting firm performed any of the analyses required in paragraphs (a) (vi) or (a) (vii) of this appendix, the applicant shall identify each laboratory or firm and the analyses performed.
(xi) Small business exemption. An applicant which qualifies as a small business under one of the following criteria is exempt from the requirements in Appendix B (a) (vi) (C) (I) and the Table II quantitative requirement of Appendix B (a) (vi) (D) (II):
(A) For coal mines, the probable total annual production is less than 100,000 tons per year.
(B) For all other applicants, the gross total annual sales average less than $100,000 per year (in second quarter 1980 dollars).
(b) Notification of routine toxic discharges not limited in the permit. Permits for existing manufacturing, commercial, mining and silvicultural discharges shall require that the permittee report to the administrator as soon as the permittee knows or has reason to believe that any activity has occurred or will occur which would result in the discharge, on a routine or frequent basis, of any toxic pollutant which is not limited in the permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following notification levels:
(i) One hundred micrograms per liter (100 µg/l);
(ii) Two hundred micrograms per liter (200 µg/l) for acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred micrograms per liter (500 µg/l) for 2,4-dinitrophenol and for 2-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenol; and one milligram per liter (1 mg/l) for antimony;
(iii) Five (5) times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit application; or
(iv) The notification level established by the director in accordance with Section 5 (c) of these regulations.
(c) Notification of non-routine toxic discharges not limited in the permit Permits for existing manufacturing, commercial, mining and silvicultural discharges shall require that the permittee report to the director as soon as the permittee knows or has reason to believe that any activity has occurred or will occur which would result in any discharge, on a non-routine or infrequent basis, of any toxic pollutant which is not limited in the permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following notification levels:
(i) Five hundred micrograms per liter (500 µg/l);
(ii) One milligram per liter (1 mg/l) for antimony;
(iii) Ten (10) times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit application; or
(iv) The notification level established by the administrator in accordance with Section 5 (c) of these regulations.
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APPENDIX C: Additional Requirements Applicable to New Manufacturing, Commercial, Mining and Silvicultural Discharges
(a) New manufacturing, commercial, mining and silvicultural dischargers applying for permits (except for new discharges of facilities subject to the requirements of Appendix D of these regulations), shall provide the following information, in addition to that described in Section 5 (a) (iv), to the administrator, using the application form provided by the administrator.
(i) Discharge dates. The expected date of commencement of discharge.
(ii) Flows, sources of pollution, and treatment technologies.
(A) Expected treatment of wastewater. Description of the treatment that the wastewater will receive, along with all operations contributing wastewater to the effluent, average flow contributed by each operation, and the ultimate disposal of any solid or liquid wastes not discharges.
(B) Line drawing. A line drawing of the water flow through the facility with a water balance as described in Appendix B (a) (i).
(C) Intermittent flows. If any of the expected discharges will be intermittent or seasonal, a description of the frequency, duration and maximum daily flow rate of each discharge occurrence (except for storm water runoff, spillage, or leaks).
(iii) Production. If a new source performance standard promulgated under Section 306 of the CWA or an effluent limitation guideline applies to the applicant and is expressed in terms of production (or other measure of operation), a reasonable measure of the applicant's expected actual production reported in the units used in the applicable effluent guideline or new source performance standard for each of the first three (3) years. Alternative estimates may also be submitted if production is likely to vary.
(iv) Effluent characteristics.
(A) Each applicant must report estimated daily maximum, daily average, and source of information for each outfall for the following pollutants or parameters.
(I) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5),
(II) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
(III) Total Suspended Solids (TSS),
(IV) Flow,
(V) Ammonia (as N),
(VI) Temperature (winter and summer),
(VII) pH, and
(VIII) Total Organic Carbon (TOC).
(B) The administrator may waive the reporting requirements for any of the pollutants and parameters in Appendix C (a) (iv) (A) if the applicant submits a request for such a waiver before or with the application which demonstrates that information adequate to support issuance of the permit can be obtained through less stringent reporting requirements.
(C) Each applicant must report estimated daily maximum, daily average, and source of information for each outfall for all pollutants in Table IV of Appendix D 40 CFR Part 122 (certain conventional and non-conventional pollutants) if the applicant knows or has reason to believe the pollutants will be present or if the pollutants are limited by an effluent limitation guideline or new source performance standard either directly or indirectly through limitations on an indicator pollutant.
(D) Each applicant must report estimated daily maximum, daily average and source of information for the following pollutants if they know or have reason to believe that the pollutant will be present in the discharges from any outfall:
(I) The pollutants listed in Table III of Appendix D (the toxic metals, in the discharge from any outfall: Total cyanide, and total phenols) of 40 CFR Part 122;
(II) The organic toxic pollutants in Table II of Appendix D (except bis (chloromethyl) ether, dichlorofluoromethane and trichlorofluoromethane) of 40 CFR Part 122. This requirement is waived for applicants qualifying for the small business exemption as specified in Appendix B (a) (xi).
(E) The applicant is required to report that 2,3,7,8 Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-Dioxin (TCDD) may be discharged if he uses or manufactures one of the following compounds, or if he knows or has reason to believe that TCDD will or may be present in an effluent:
(I) 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5-T) (CAS #93-76-5);
(II) 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propanoic acid (Silvex, 2,4,5-TP) (CAS #93-72-1);
(III) 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) ethyl 2,2-dichloropropionate (Erbon) (CAS #136-25-4);
(IV) 0,0-dimethyl 0-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate (Ronnel) (CAS #299-84-3);
(V) 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) (CAS #95-95-4); or
(VI) Hexachlorophene (HCP) (CAS #70-30-4).
(F) Each applicant must report any pollutants listed in Table V of Appendix D (certain hazardous substances) of 40 CFR Part 122 if they believe the pollutants will be present in any outfall (no quantitative estimates are required unless they are already available).
(G) No later than two (2) years after the commencement of the discharge from a proposed facility, the applicant must submit analytical results which characterize the actual effluent discharged. The applicant need not submit this information to the extent the analytical results are reported by the applicant under the discharge monitoring requirements of the applicant's permit.
(v) Engineering report. Each applicant must report the existence of any technical evaluation concerning the applicant's wastewater treatment, along with the name and location of similar plants of which the applicant has knowledge.
(vi) Other information. Any optional information the permittee wishes to have considered.
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APPENDIX D: Additional Requirements Applicable to Manufacturing, Commercial, Mining and Silvicultural Facilities Discharging Only Non-process Waste Water
(a) Application requirements. Application requirements for manufacturing, commercial, mining and silvicultural facilities which discharge only non-process wastewater. Except for storm water discharges, all manufacturing, commercial, mining, and silvicultural dischargers applying for permits which discharge only non-process wastewater not regulated by an effluent limitation guideline or new source performance standard shall provide the following information, in addition to that described in Section 5 (a) (iv), to the administrator, using application forms provided by the administrator.
(i) Discharge date (for new dischargers). Date of expected commencement of discharge.
(ii) Type of waste. An identification of the general type of waste discharged, or expected to be discharged upon commencement of operations, including sanitary wastes, restaurant or cafeteria wastes, or noncontact cooling water. An identification of cooling water additives (if any) that are used or expected to be used upon commencement of operations, along with their composition if existing composition is available.
(iii) Effluent characteristics.
(A) Quantitative data for the pollutants or parameters listed below, unless testing is waived by the administrator.
(I) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5),
(II) Total Suspended Solids (TSS),
(III) Fecal Coliform (if believed present or if sanitary waste is or will be discharged),
(IV) Total Residual Chlorine (if chlorine is used),
(V) Oil and Grease,
(VI) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)(if non-contact cooling water is or will be discharged),
(VII) Ammonia (as N),
(VIII) Discharge Flow,
(IX) pH,
(X) Temperature (Winter and Summer), and
(XI) Total Organic Carbon (TOC).
(B) The quantitative data in Appendix D (a) (iii) (A) may be data collected over the past 365 days, if they remain representative of current operations, and must include daily maximum value, daily average value, and number of measurements taken. The applicant must collect and analyze samples in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136. Grab samples must be used for pH, temperature, oil and grease, total residual chlorine, and fecal coliform. For all other pollutants, 24-hour composite samples must be used. New dischargers must include estimates for the pollutants or parameters listed below instead of actual sampling data, along with the source of each estimate. All levels must be reported or estimated as concentration and as total mass, except for flow, pH, and temperature.
(C) The administrator may waive the testing and reporting requirements for any of the pollutants or flow listed in paragraph (a) (iii) of this appendix if the applicant submits a request for such a waiver before or with the permit application which demonstrates that information adequate to support issuance of a permit can be obtained through less stringent requirements.
(D) If the applicant is a new discharger, the applicant must provide quantitative data in accordance with paragraph (a) (iii) of this appendix no later than two (2) years after commencement of discharge. However, the applicant need not perform tests which they have already performed and reported under the discharge monitoring requirements of the applicant's permit.
(E) The requirements of paragraph (a) (iii) of this appendix do not apply for pollutants present in a discharge solely as a result of their presence in intake water. However, an applicant must report such pollutants as present. Net credit may be provided for the presence of pollutants in intake water if the requirements are met.
(iv) Flow. A description of the frequency of flow and duration of any seasonal or intermittent discharge (except for storm water runoff, leaks, or spills).
(v) Treatment system. A brief description of any system used or to be used.
(vi) Optional information. Any additional information the applicant wishes to be considered.
APPENDIX E: Additional Requirements Applicable to New and Existing Publicly owned Treatment Works (POTWs)
(a) Application requirements for new and existing POTWs. POTWs shall provide the following information, in addition to that described in Section 5 (a) (v), to the administrator, using the application form provided by the administrator.
(i) Name of State Management/River Basin and 12 digit hydrologic cataloging unit code.
(ii) Critical flow of the receiving surface waters of the state and total hardness of the receiving surface waters of the state at critical low flow.
(iii) The following POTWs shall provide to the administrator the results of whole effluent toxicity testing conducted in accordance with EPA approved methods:
(A) All POTWs with design influent flows equal to or greater than one million gallons per day; and
(B) All POTWs with approved pretreatment programs or POTWs required to develop a pretreatment program.
(iv) Effluent monitoring for specific parameters.
(A) All applicants must submit to the administrator effluent monitoring information for samples taken from each outfall through which effluent is discharged to surface waters of the state, except for CSOs. The administrator may allow applicants to submit sampling data for only one (1) outfall on a case-by-case basis, where the applicant has two (2) or more outfalls with substantially identical effluent. The administrator may also allow applicants to composite samples from one or more outfalls that discharge into the same mixing zone.
(B) Unless otherwise indicated, all applicants must sample and analyze for the pollutants listed in Table E1 of this Appendix.
(C) Unless otherwise indicated, all applicants with a design flow greater than or equal to 0.1 mgd must sample and analyze for the pollutants listed in Table E2 of this Appendix. Facilities are not required to sample and analyze for chlorine if they do not use chlorine for disinfection, do not use chlorine elsewhere in the treatment process, and have no reasonable potential to discharge chlorine in their effluent.
(D) The following applicants must sample and analyze for the pollutants listed in 40 CFR 122 Appendix J Table 2 and for any other pollutants for which state surface water quality standards have been established for the receiving waters:
(I) All POTWs with a design flow rate equal to or greater than one million gallons per day.
(II) All POTWs with approved pretreatment programs or POTWs required to develop a pretreatment program.
(III) Any other POTW as required by the administrator.
(E) Unless otherwise indicated, all applicants must provide data from a minimum of three (3) samples taken within four and one-half (4.5) year prior to the date of the permit application. Samples must be representative of seasonal variation in the discharge from each outfall. Existing data may be used, if available, in lieu of sampling done solely for the purpose of this application.
(F) All existing data for pollutants specified in this Appendix that is collected within four and one-half (4.5) years of the application must be included in the pollutant data summary submitted by the applicant. If, however, the applicant samples for a specific pollutant on a monthly or more frequent basis, it is only necessary, for such pollutant, to summarize all data collected within one (1) year of the application.
(G) Unless otherwise indicated, all applicants must collect samples of effluent and analyze such samples for pollutants in accordance with analytical methods approved und 40 CFR Part 136 unless an alternative is specified in the existing WYPDES permit. Grab samples must be used for pH, temperature, cyanide, total phenols, residual chlorine, oil and grease, and fecal coliform. For all other pollutants, 24-hour composite samples must be used. For a composite sample, only one analysis of the composite of aliquots is required.
(H) The effluent monitoring data provided must include at least the following information for each parameter.
(I) daily maximum discharge, expressed as concentration or mass, based upon actual sample values;
(II) daily average discharge for all samples, expressed as concentration or mass, and the number of samples used to obtain this value;
(III) The analytical method used; and
(IV) The practical quantitation limit for the analytical method used.
(I) Unless otherwise required by the administrator, metals must be reported as dissolved or total recoverable as applicable in accordance with Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 1.
(v) In addition to the POTWs listed in paragraph (a) (i) of this appendix, the division may require other POTWs to submit the results of toxicity tests with their permit applications, based on consideration of the following factors:
(A) The variability of the pollutants or pollutant parameters in the POTW effluent (based on chemical-specific information, the type of treatment facility, and types of industrial contributors);
(B) The dilution of the effluent in the receiving water (ratio of effluent flow to receiving surface waters of the state flow);
(C) Existing controls on point or nonpoint sources, including TMDL calculations for the waterbody segment and the relative contribution of the POTW;
(D) Receiving water characteristics, including possible or known water quality impairment, and whether the POTW discharges to Outstanding Resource Waters in accordance with Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 1; or
(E) Other considerations (including but not limited to the history of toxic impact and compliance problems at the POTW), which the administrator determines could cause or contribute to adverse water quality impacts.
(vi) For POTWs required under paragraph (a) (i) or (a) (ii) of this appendix to conduct toxicity testing, POTWs shall use methods approved by the administrator.
(vii) Effluent monitoring for whole effluent toxicity.
(A) All applicants must provide an identification of any whole effluent toxicity tests conducted during the four and one half (4.5) years prior to the date of the application on any of the applicant=s discharges or on any receiving water near the discharge.
(B) Where the POTW has two or more outfalls with substantially identical effluent discharging to the same receiving water segment, the administrator may allow applicants to submit whole effluent toxicity data for only one (1) outfall on a case-by-case basis. The administrator may also allow applicants to composite samples from one (1) or more outfalls that discharge into the same mixing zone.
(C) Each applicant required to perform whole effluent toxicity testing pursuant to paragraph (a) (iii) of this Appendix must provide:
(I) Results of a minimum of four (4) quarterly tests for a year, from the year preceding the permit application; or
(II) Results from four tests performed at least annually in the four and one half (4.5) year period prior to the application, provided the results show no appreciable toxicity using a safety factor determined by the permitting authority.
(D) Applicants must conduct tests with multiple species (no less than two (2) species; e.g., fish invertebrate, plant) and test for acute or chronic toxicity, depending on the range of receiving water dilution. It is recommended that applicants conduct acute or chronic testing based on the following dilutions.
(I) Acute toxicity testing if the dilution of the effluent is greater than 1,000:1 at the edge of the mixing zone.
(II) Acute or chronic toxicity testing if the dilution of the effluent is between 100:1 and 1000:1 at the edge of the mixing zone. Acute testing may be more appropriate at the higher end and chronic testing may be more appropriate towards the lower end.
(III) Chronic testing if the dilution of the effluent is less than 100:1 at the edge of the mixing zone.
(E) Unless otherwise directed by the administrator, each applicant required to perform whole effluent toxicity testing pursuant to paragraph (a) (i) of this appendix must provide the number of chronic or acute whole effluent toxicity tests that have been conducted since the last permit reissuance.
(F) Applicants must provide the results using a form provided by the administrator, or test summaries if available and comprehensive, for each whole effluent toxicity test conducted pursuant to this appendix for which such information has not been reported previously to the administrator.
(G) For the purposes of these regulations whole effluent toxicity testing for must be conducted using methods approved under 40 CFR Part 136.
(H) For whole effluent toxicity data submitted to the administrator within four and one half (4.5) years prior to the date of the application applicants must provide the dates on which the data were submitted and a summary of the results, unless otherwise directed by the administrator.
(I) Each POTW required to perform whole effluent toxicity testing in accordance with these regulations must provide any information on the cause of toxicity and written details of any toxicity reduction evaluation conducted, if any whole effluent toxicity test conducted within the past four and one-half years revealed toxicity.
(viii) POTWs receiving Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), or RCRA Corrective Action wastes or wastes generated at another type of environmental cleanup or remediation site must provide the following information.
(A) If the POTW receives, or has been notified that it will receive, by truck, rail, or dedicated pipe any wastes that are regulated as RCRA hazardous wastes pursuant to 40 CFR Part 261, the applicant must report the following:
(I) The method by which the waste is received (i.e., whether by truck, rail, or dedicated pipe); and
(II) The hazardous waste number amount received annually of each hazardous waste.
(B) If the POTW receives, or has been notified that it will receive wastewaters that originate from remedial activities, including those undertaken pursuant to CERCLA and sections 3004(u) or 3008(h) of RCRA, the applicant must report the following:
(I) The identity and description of the site(s) or facility(ies) at which the wastewater originates.
(II) The identities of the wastewater=s hazardous constituents, as listed in Appendix VIII of 40 CFR Part 261, if known.
(III) The extent of treatment, if any, the wastewater receives or will receive before entering the POTW.
(C) Applicants are exempt from the requirements of paragraph (e)(ii) of this Appendix if they receive no more than fifteen kilograms per month of hazardous wastes as specified in 40 CFR 261.30 (d) and 261.33 (e).
(ix) Each applicant with combined sewer systems must provide the following information.
(A) Combined sewer system information:
(I) System map. A map indicating the location of the following:
(1.) All combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharge points.
(2.) Sensitive use areas potentially affected by CSOs.
(3.) Waters supporting threatened or endangered species potentially affected by CSOs.
(II) System diagram. A diagram of the combined sewer collection system that includes:
(1.) The location of major sewer trunk lines, both combined and separate sanitary.
(2.) The locations of points where separate sanitary sewers feed into the combined sewer system.
(3.) In-line and off-line storage structures.
(4.) The locations of flow regulating devices.
(5.) The location of pump stations.
(B) Information on combined sewer outfalls:
(I) Description of the outfall, including:
(1.) Outfall number.
(2.) State, county, and city or town in which outfall is located.
(3.) Latitude and longitude, to the nearest 15 seconds.
(4.) Distance from shore and depth below surface.
(5.) Whether the applicant monitored any of the following in the past year for the CSO:
a. Rainfall.
b. CSO flow volume.
c. CSO pollutant concentrations.
d. Receiving water quality.
e. CSO frequency.
(6.) The number of storm events monitored in the last year.
(II) CSO events. The following information about CSO overflows from each outfall.
(1.) The number of events in the past year.
(2.) The average duration per event, if available.
(3.) The average volume per CSO event if available.
(4.) The minimum rainfall that caused a CSO event, if available, in the last year.
(III) Description of receiving waters. The following information about receiving water.
(1.) Name of the receiving water.
(2.) Name of watershed/stream system and the State watershed (12-digit) code (if known).
(IV) CSO operations. A description of any known water quality impacts on the receiving water caused by the CSO (e.g., permanent or intermittent beach closings, permanent or intermittent fish kills, fish advisories, other recreational loss, or exceedance of any applicable state water quality standard.
(x) Contractors. All applicants must provide the name, mailing address, telephone number, and responsibilities of all contractors responsible for any operational or maintenance aspects of the facility.
(b) A permit application shall not be considered complete if the administrator has waived application requirements under this Appendix or Section 5 of these regulations and the Regional Administrator of the EPA has disapproved the waiver. If a waiver request has been submitted to the Regional Administrator of the EPA more than 210 days prior to permit expiration and the Regional Administrator has not disapproved the waiver application 181 days prior to permit expiration, the permit application lacking the information subject to the waiver request shall be considered complete.
(c) Secondary treatment requirements. This part provides information
on the level of effluent quality that shall be obtained through the application of secondary or equivalent treatment.
(i) Terms used in this appendix are defined as follows:
(A) 7-day average. The arithmetic mean of pollutant parameter values for samples collected in a period of seven (7) consecutive days.
(B) 30-day average. The arithmetic mean of pollutant parameter values of samples collected in a period of 30 consecutive days.
(C) BOD5. The five day measure of the pollutant parameter biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5).
(D) CBOD5. The five day measure of the pollutant parameter carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5).
(E) Effluent concentrations consistently achievable through proper operation and maintenance.
(I) For a given pollutant parameter, the 95th percentile value for the 30-day average effluent quality achieved by a treatment works in a period of at least two years, excluding values attributable to upsets, bypasses, operational errors, or other unusual conditions; and,
(II) A 7-day average value equal to 1.5 times the value derived under paragraph (c) (i) (E) (I) of this appendix.
(F) Facilities eligible for treatment equivalent to secondary treatment. Treatment works shall be eligible for consideration for effluent limitations described for treatment equivalent to secondary treatment (133.105) if:
(I) The BOD5 and TSS effluent concentrations consistently achievable through proper operation and maintenance of the treatment works exceed the minimum level of effluent quality set forth in 133.02(a) and (b).
(II) A trickling filter or waste stabilization pond is used as the principal process; and,
(III) The treatment works provide significant biological treatment of municipal wastewater.
(G) Percent removal. A percentage expression of the removal efficiency across a treatment plan for a given pollutant parameter, as determined from the 30-day average values of the raw wastewater influent pollutant concentrations to the facility and the 30-day average values of the raw wastewater influent pollutant concentrations to the facility and the 30-day average values of the effluent pollutant concentrations for a given time period.
(H) Significant biological treatment. The use of an aerobic or anaerobic biological treatment process in a treatment works to consistently achieve a 30-day average of at least 65 percent removal of BOD5.
(I) TSS. The pollutant parameter total suspended solids.
(J) Significantly more stringent limitation means BOD5 and TSS limitations necessary to meet the percent removal requirements of at least 5 mg/l more stringent than the otherwise applicable concentration-based limitations (e.g., less than 25 mg/l in the case of the secondary treatment limits for BOD5 and TSS), or the percent removal limitations in paragraphs (c) (ii) and (c) (v) of this appendix, if such limits would, by themselves, force significant construction or other significant capital expenditure.
(ii) Secondary Treatment. The following paragraphs describe the minimum level of effluent quality attainable by secondary treatment in terms of the parameters BOD5, TSS, and pH. All requirements for each parameter shall be achieved except as provided for in paragraphs (c) (iii) and (c) (v) of this appendix.
(A) BOD5.
(I) The 30-day average shall not exceed 30 mg/l.
(II) The 7-day average shall not exceed 45 mg/l.
(III) The 30-day average percent removal shall not be less than 85 percent.
(IV) At the option of the administrator, in lieu of the parameter BOD5. and the levels of the effluent quality specified in paragraphs (c) (ii) (A) (I) (II) and (III) , the parameter C BOD5. may be substituted with the following levels of the CBOD5 effluent quality provided:
(1.) The 30-day average shall not exceed 25 mg/l.
(2.) The 7-day average shall not exceed 40 mg/l.
(3.) The 30-day average percent removal shall not be less than 85 percent.
(B) TSS.
(I) The 30-day average shall not exceed 30 mg/l.
(II) The 7-day average shall not exceed 45 mg/l
(III) The 30-day average percent removal shall not be less than 85 percent.
(C) pH. The effluent values for pH shall be maintained within the limits of 6.0 to 9.0 unless the publicly owned treatment works demonstrates that: (1) Inorganic chemicals are not added to the waste stream as part of the treatment process; and (2) contributions from industrial sources do not cause the pH of the effluent to be less than 6.0 or greater than 9.0.
(iii) Special considerations.
(A) Combined sewers. Treatment works subject to this part may not be capable of meeting the percentage removal requirements established under 102 (a) (3) and (b) (3) or 105 (a) (3) and (b) (3) during wet weather where the treatment works receive flows from combined sewers (i.e., sewers which are designed to transport both storm water and sanitary sewage). For such treatment works, the decision must be made on a case-by-case basis as to whether any attainable percentage removal level can be defined, and if so, what the level should be.
(B) Industrial waste. For certain industrial categories, the discharge to surface waters of the state of BOD5 and TSS permitted under Sections 301 (b) (1) (A) (i), (b) (2) (E) or 306 of the CWA may be less stringent than the values given in paragraphs (c) (ii) (A) (I) and (IV) (i), (c) (ii) (B) (I), (c) (v) (A) (I), (c) (v) (B) (I) and (c) (v) (E) (I) (i) of this appendix. In cases when wastes would be introduced from such an industrial category into a publicly owned treatment works, the values for BOD5 and TSS in paragraphs (c) (ii) (A) (I) and (IV) (i), (c) (ii) (B) (I), (c) (v) (A) (I), (c) (v) (B) (I) and (c) (v) (E) (I) (i) of this appendix may be adjusted upwards provided that: (1) The permitted discharge of such pollutants attributable to the industrial category, would not be greater that which would be permitted under Sections 301 (b) (1) (A) (i), (b) (2) (E) or 306 of the CWA if such industrial category were to discharge directly into the surface waters of the state, and (2) the flow or loading of such pollutants introduced by the industrial category exceeds 10 percent of the design flow or loading of the publicly owned treatment works. When such an adjustment is made, the values for BOD5 or TSS in paragraphs (c) (ii) (A) (II) and (IV) (ii), (c) (ii) (B) (II), (c) (v) (A) (II), (c) (v) (B) (II) and (c) (v) (E) (I) (ii) of this appendix. should be adjusted proportionately.
(C) Waste stabilization ponds. The administrator, may authorize adjusting the minimum levels of effluent quality set forth in paragraphs (c) (v) (B) (1), (2) and (3) of this appendix for treatment works subject to this part, to conform to the TSS concentrations achievable with waste stabilization ponds, provided that:
(I) Waste stabilization ponds are the principal process used for secondary treatment; and
(II) Operation and maintenance data indicate that the TSS values specified in paragraphs (c) (v) (B) (I), (II) and (III) of this appendix cannot be achieved. The term "TSS concentrations achievable with waste stabilization ponds" means a TSS value, determined by the administrator, which is equal to the effluent concentration achieved 90 percent of the time within a state or appropriate contiguous geographical area by waste stabilization ponds that are achieving the levels of effluent quality for BOD5 specified in paragraphs (c) (v) (A) (I) of this appendix.
(D) Less concentrated influent wastewater for separate sewers. The administrator may authorize substituting either a lower percent removal requirement or a mass loading limit for the percent removal requirements set forth in paragraphs (c) (ii) (A) (III) and (IV) (3), (c) (ii) (B) (III), (c) (v) (A) (III), (c) (v) (B) (III) and (c) (v) (E) (I) (3) of this appendix provided that the permittee satisfactorily demonstrates that:
(I) The treatment works is consistently meeting, or will consistently meet, its permit effluent concentration limits but its percent removal requirements cannot be met due to less concentrated influent wastewater;
(II) To meet the percent removal requirements, the treatment works would have to achieve significantly more stringent limitations than would otherwise be required by the concentration-based standards; and
(III) The less concentrated influent wastewater is not the result of excessive I/I. The determination of whether the less concentrated I/I will use the definition of excessive I/I in 40 CFR 35.2005 (b) (16) plus the additional criterion that inflow is non-excessive if the total flow to the POTW (i.e., wastewater plus inflow plus infiltration) is less than 25 gallons per capita per day.
(E) Less concentrated influent wastewater for combined sewers during dry weather. The administrator may substitute either a lower percent removal requirement or a mass loading limit for the percent removal requirements set forth in paragraphs (c) (ii) (A) (III) and (IV) (iii), (c) (ii) (B) (III), (c) (v) (A) (III), (c) (v) (B) (III) and (c) (v) (E) (I) (iii) of this appendix provided that the permittee satisfactorily demonstrates that:
(I) The treatment works is consistently meeting, or will consistently meet, its permit effluent concentration limits, but the percent removal requirements cannot be met due to less concentrated influent wastewater;
(II) To meet the percent removal requirements, the treatment works would have to achieve significantly more stringent effluent concentrations than would otherwise be required by the concentration-based standards; and
(III) The less concentrated influent wastewater does not result from either excessive infiltrations or clear water industrial discharges during dry weather periods. The determination of whether the less concentrated wastewater results from excessive infiltration is discussed in 40 CFR 35 2005 (b) (28), plus the additional criterion that either 40 gallons per capita per day or 1500 gallons per inch diameter per mile of sewer may be used as the threshold value for that portion of the dry weather base flow attributed to infiltration. If the less concentrated influent wastewater is the result of clear water industrial discharges, then the treatment works must control such discharges pursuant to 40 CFR Part 403.
(iv) Sampling and test procedures.
(A) Sampling and test procedures for pollutants listed in this part shall be in accordance with guidelines in 40 CFR Part 136.
(B) Chemical oxygen demand (COD) or total organic carbon (TOC) may be substituted for BOD5 when a long-term BOD5, COD or BOD5 TOC correlation has been demonstrated.
(v) Treatment equivalent to secondary treatment. This section describes the minimum level of effluent quality attainable by facilities eligible for treatment equivalent to secondary treatment under paragraph (c) (i) (F) of this appendix in terms of the parameters BOD5, TSS and pH. All requirements for the specified parameters in paragraphs (c) (v) (A), (B) and (C) of this appendix shall be achieved except as provided for in paragraph (c) (iii), or paragraphs (c) (v) (D), (E) or (F) of this appendix.
(A) BOD5.
(I) The 30-day average shall not exceed 45 mg/l.
(II) The 7-day average shall not exceed 65 mg/l.
(III) The 30-day average percent removal shall not be less than 65 percent.
(B) TSS. Except where TSS values have been adjusted in accordance with paragraph (c) (iii) (C) of this appendix:
(I) The 30-day average shall not exceed 45 mg/l.
(II) The 7-day average shall not exceed 65 mg/l.
(III) The 30-day average percent removal shall not be less than 65 percent.
(C) pH. The requirements of paragraph (c) (ii) (C) of this appendix shall be met.
(D) Alternative requirements. Except as limited by paragraph (c) (v) (F) of this appendix, and after public notice and opportunity for public comment, the administrator may adjust the minimum levels of effluent quality set forth in paragraphs (c) (v) (A) (I), (A) (II), (B) (I) and (B) (II) of this appendix for trickling filter facilities and in paragraphs (c) (v) (A) (I) and (A) (II) of this section for waste stabilization pond facilities, to conform to the BOD5 and TSS effluent concentrations consistently achievable through proper operation and maintenance by the median (50th percentile) facility in a representative sample of facilities within the state or an appropriate contiguous geographical area that meet the definition of facilities eligible for treatment equivalent to secondary treatment.
(E) CBOD5 limitations.
(I) Where data are available to establish CBOD5 limitations for a treatment works subject to this Section, the administrator may substitute the parameter CBOD5 for the parameter BOD5. In paragraph (c) (v) (A) (I)-(III) of this appendix, on a case-by-case basis provided that the levels of CBOD5 effluent quality are not less stringent than the following:
(1.) The 30-day average shall not exceed 40 mg/l.
(2.) The 7-day average shall not exceed 60 mg/l.
(3.) The 30-day average percent removal shall not be less than 65 percent.
(II) Where data are available, the parameter CBOD5 may be used for effluent quality limitations established under paragraph (c) (v) (D) of this appendix. Where concurrent BOD5 effluent data are available, they must be submitted with the CBOD5 data as part of the approval process outlined in paragraph (c) (v) (D) of this appendix.
(F) Permit adjustments. Any permit adjustment made pursuant to this part may not be any less stringent than the limitations required pursuant to paragraph (c) (v) (A) through (E) of this appendix. Furthermore, more stringent limitations shall be required when adjusting permits if:
(I) For existing facilities, the administrator determines that the 30-day average and 7-day average BOD5 and TSS effluent values that could be achievable through proper operation and maintenance of the treatment works, based on an analyses of the past performance of the treatment works to achieve more stringent limitations;, or
(II) For new facilities, the administrator determines that the 30-day average and 7-day average BOD5 and TSS effluent values that could be achievable through proper operation and maintenance of the treatment works, considering the design capability of the treatment process and geographical and climatic conditions, would enable the treatment works to achieve more stringent limitations.
(d) Permits for publicly owned treatment works will require that the permittee must provide adequate notification to the administrator of the following:
(i) Any new introduction of pollutants into the publicly owned treatment works from an indirect discharger which would be subject to Sections 301 or 306 of the CWA if it were directly discharging those pollutants, and
(ii) Any substantial change in the volume or character of pollutants being introduced into that publicly owned treatment works by a source introducing pollutants into the publicly owned treatment works at the time of issuance of the permit.
(iii) For the purposes of Appendix E (d) (i) and (ii), adequate notification shall include information on the quality and quantity of effluent introduced into the publicly owned treatment works; and any anticipated impact of the change on the quantity or quality of effluent to be discharged from the publicly owned treatment works.
Table E1
Effluent Parameters for All POTWs
Biological oxygen demand (BOD5 or CBOD5)
Fecal Coliform
pH
Temperature
Total Suspended Solids
Table E2 Effluent Parameters for Selected POTWS
Ammonia (as N)
Chlorine (total residual, TRC)
Dissolved oxygen
Nitrate/Nitrite
Kjeldahl nitrogen
Oil and grease
Phosphorus
Total dissolved solids
APPENDIX F: Additional Requirements Applicable to New and Existing Aquatic Animal Production Facilities
(a) Discharges into aquaculture projects, as defined in Section 3 (b) of these regulations, are subject to the WYPDES permit program in accordance with these regulations.
(b) A hatchery, fish farm, or other facility is a concentrated aquatic animal production facility for purposes of these regulations if it contains, grows, or holds aquatic animals in either of the following categories:
(i) Cold water fish species or other cold water aquatic animals in ponds, raceways, or other similar structures which discharge at least 30 days per year but does not include:
(A) Facilities which produce less than 9,090 harvest weight kilograms (approximately 20,000 pounds) of aquatic animals per year; and
(B) Facilities which produce less than 2,272 kilograms (approximately 5,000 pounds) of food during the calendar month of maximum feeding.
(ii) Warm water fish species, or other warm water aquatic animals in ponds, raceways, or other similar structures which discharge at least 30 days per year, but does not include:
(A) Closed ponds which discharge only during periods of excess runoff; or
(B) Facilities which produce less than 45,454 harvest weight kilograms (approximately 100,000 pounds) of aquatic animals per year.
(iii) "Cold water aquatic animals" include, but are not limited to the Salmonidae family of fish: e.g., trout and salmon.
(iv) "Warm water aquatic animals" include but are not limited to, the Ameiuridae, Centrarchidae and Cyprinidae families of fish; e.g. respectively, catfish, sunfish and minnows.
(c) Application requirements for new and existing aquatic animal production facilities. New and existing concentrated aquatic animal production facilities shall provide the following information, in addition to that described in Section 5 (a) (v), to the administrator, using the application form provided by the administrator.
(d) The maximum daily and average monthly flow from each outfall.
(e) The number of ponds, raceways, and similar structures.
(f) The name of the receiving water and the source of intake water.
(g) For each species of aquatic animals, the total yearly and maximum harvestable weight.
(h) The calendar month of maximum feeding and the total mass of food fed during that month.
Intentionally left blank
APPENDIX G: Criteria for Determining a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation and Additional Requirements Applicable to New and Existing Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
(a) Applicability and permit requirement for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). In accordance with W.S. 35-11-103 (a) (xi) and 35-11-302 (a) (v), CAFOs, as defined in Appendix G (b) of these regulations, are point sources that require WYPDES permits for discharges or potential discharges. Once an operation is defined as a CAFO, the WYPDES requirements for CAFOs apply with respect to all animals in confinement at the operation and all manure, litter and process wastewater generated by those animals or the production of those animals, regardless of the type of animal. All CAFOs have a duty to apply to seek coverage under a WYPDES permit as described in these regulations.
(b) Definitions applicable to this appendix:
(i) Analytical methods. The parameters that are regulated or referenced in this appendix and listed with approved methods of analysis in Table 1B at 40 CFR 136.3 are defined as follows:
(A) "Ammonia (as N)" means ammonia reported as nitrogen.
(B) "BOD5" means 5-day biochemical oxygen demand.
(C) "Nitrate (as N)"means nitrate reported as nitrogen.
(D) "Total dissolved solids" means nonfilterable residue.
(ii) Analytical methods. The parameters that are regulated or referenced in this part and listed with approved methods of analysis in Table 1A at 40 CFR 136.3 are defined as follows:
(A) "Fecal coliform" means fecal coliform bacteria.
(B) "Total coliform" means all coliform bacteria.
(iii) "Animal feeding operation" (AFO) means a lot or facility (other than an aquatic animal production facility) where the following conditions are met:
(A) Animals have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period; and
(B) Crops, vegetation forage growth or post harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility.
Two (2) or more animal feeding operations under common ownership are considered, for purposes of these regulations, to be a single animal feeding operation if they adjoin each other or if they use a common area or system for the disposal of wastes.
(iv) "Land application area" means land under the control of an AFO owner or operator, whether it is owned, rented, or leased, to which manure, litter or process wastewater from the production area is or may be applied.
(v) "Large concentrated animal feeding operation" (large CAFO). An AFO is defined as a large CAFO if it stables or confines as many as or more than the numbers of animals specified in any of the following categories.
(A) 700 mature dairy cows, whether milked or dry;
(B) 1,000 veal calves;
(C) 1,500 buffalo (Bison bison);
(D) 1,000 cattle other than mature dairy cows or veal calves. Cattle includes but is not limited to heifers, steers, bulls and cow/calf pairs;
(E) 2,500 swine each weighing 55 pounds or more;
(F) 10,000 swine each weighing less than 55 pounds;
(G) 500 horses;
(H) 10,000 sheep or lambs;
(I) 55,000 turkeys;
(J) 30,000 laying hens or broilers, if the AFO uses a liquid manure handling system;
(K) 125,000 chickens (other than laying hens), if the AFO uses other than a liquid manure handling system;
(L) 82,000 laying hens, (if the AFO uses other than a liquid manure handling system);
(M) 30,000 ducks (if the AFO uses other than a liquid manure handling system); or
(N) 5,000 ducks (if the AFO uses a liquid manure handling system).
(vi) "Manure" is defined to include animal excreta or other commonly associated wastes of animal husbandry including but not limited to bedding, compost and raw materials or other materials commingled with manure or set aside for disposal.
(vii) "Medium concentrated animal feeding operation" (medium CAFO) means any AFO with the type and number of animals that fall within any of the ranges listed in Appendix G (b) (vii) (A) and which has been defined or designated as a CAFO. An AFO is defined as a medium CAFO if:
(A) The type and number of animals that it stables or confines falls within any of the following ranges:
(I) 200 to 699 mature dairy cattle, whether milked or dry;
(II) 300 to 999 veal calves;
(III) 450 to 1499 buffalo (Bison bison);
(IV) 300 to 999 cattle other than mature dairy cows or veal calves. Cattle includes but is not limited to heifers, steers, bulls and cow/calf pairs;
(V) 750 to 2,499 swine each weighing 55 pounds or more;
(VI) 3,000 to 9,999 swine each weighing less than 55 pounds;
(VII) 150 to 499 horses;
(VIII) 3,000 to 9,999 sheep or lambs;
(IX) 16,500 to 54,999 turkeys;
(X) 9,000 to 29,999 laying hens or broilers, (if the AFO uses a liquid manure handling system);
(XI) 37,500 to 124, 999 chickens (other than laying hens), (if the AFO uses other than a liquid manure handling system);
(XII) 25,000 to 81,999 laying hens, (if the AFO uses other than a liquid manure handling system);
(XIII) 10,000 to 29,999 ducks (if the AFO uses other than a liquid manure handling system); or
(XIV) 1,500 to 4,999 ducks (if the AFO uses a liquid manure handling system); and
(B) Either one of the following conditions are met:
(I) Pollutants are discharged into surface waters of the state through a man-made ditch, flushing system, or other similar man-made device; or
(II) Pollutants are discharged directly into surface waters of the state which originate outside of and pass over, across, or through the facility or otherwise come into direct contact with the animals confined in the operation.
(viii) "New source" means any building, structure, facility or installation from which there is or may be the discharge of pollutants, the construction of which is commenced after the effective date of these regulations.
(ix) "Overflow" means the discharge of manure or process wastewater resulting from the filling of wastewater or manure storage structures beyond the point at which no more manure, process wastewater, or storm water can be contained by the structure.
(x) "Process wastewater" means water directly or indirectly used in the operation of the AFO for any or all of the following: spillage or overflow from animal or poultry watering systems; washing, cleaning, or flushing pens, barns, manure pits, or other AFO facilities; direct contact swimming, washing, or spray cooling of animals; or dust control. Process wastewater also includes any water which comes into contact with any raw materials, products, or byproducts including manure, litter, feed, milk, eggs or bedding.
(xi) "Production area" means that part of an AFO that includes the animal confinement area, the manure storage area, the raw materials storage area, and the waste containment areas. The animal confinement area includes but is not limited to open lots, housed lots, feedlots, confinement houses, stall barns, free stall barns, milk rooms, milking centers, cowyards, barnyards, medication pens, walkers, animal walkways, and stables. The manure storage area includes but is not limited to lagoons, runoff ponds, storage sheds, stock piles, under house or pit storages, liquid impoundments, static piles, and composting piles. The raw materials storage area includes but is not limited to feed silos, silage bunkers, and bedding materials. The waste containment area includes but is not limited to settling basins, and areas within berms and diversions which separate uncontaminated storm water. Also included in the definition of production area is any egg washing or egg processing facility, and any area used in the storage, handling, treatment, or disposal of mortalities.
(xii) "Twenty-five-year, 24-hour rainfall event" and 100-year, 24-hour rainfall event mean precipitation events with a probable recurrence interval of once in 25 years, or 100 years, respectively, as defined by the National Weather Service in Technical Paper No. 40, "Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the United States," May, 1961, or equivalent regional or state rainfall probability information developed from this source.
(c) CAFO designation. The director may designate any AFO as a CAFO upon determining that it is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters of the state. The director may also designate an AFO as a CAFO at the request of the Regional Administrator, but only where the Regional Administrator has determined that one or more pollutants in the AFOs discharge contributes to an impairment in a downstream or adjacent state water that is impaired for that pollutant.
(i) In making this designation, the director shall consider the following factors:
(A) The size of the AFO and the amount of wastes reaching surface waters of the state;
(B) The location of the AFO relative to surface waters of the state;
(C) The means of conveyance of animal wastes and process waste waters into surface waters of the state;
(D) The slope, vegetation, rainfall, and other factors affecting the likelihood or frequency of discharge of animal wastes manure and process waste waters into surface waters of the state; and
(E) Other relevant factors.
(ii) No AFO shall be designated under these regulations unless the director or the Regional Administrator has conducted an on-site inspection of the operation and determined that the operation should and could be regulated under the WYPDES permit program. In addition, no AFO with numbers of animals below the minimum numbers established in Appendix G (b) (vii) (A) may be designated as a CAFO unless:
(A) Pollutants are discharged into surface waters of the state through a manmade ditch, flushing system, or other similar manmade device; or
(B) Pollutants are discharged directly into surface waters of the state which originate outside of the facility and pass over, across, or through the facility or otherwise come into direct contact with the animals confined in the operation.
(d) Application for permit and exceptions.
(i) All CAFO owners and operators must seek coverage under a WYPDES permit, except as provided in Appendix G (d) (ii) of these regulations. If the director has not made a general permit available, the CAFO owner or operator must submit an application for an individual permit to the director.
(ii) Exception. An owner or operator of a large CAFO does not need to seek coverage under a WYPDES permit otherwise required by this section once the owner or operator has received from the director notification of a determination under Appendix G (f) of these regulations that the CAFO has "no potential to discharge" manure, litter or process wastewater.
(iii) New and existing concentrated animal feeding operations shall provide the following information, in addition to that described in Section 5 (a) (v) for individual permits, to the administrator, using an application form provided by the administrator.
(A) The type and number of animals in open confinement and housed under roof;
(B) The type of containment and storage (anaerobic lagoon, roofed storage shed, storage ponds, underfloor pits, above ground storage tanks, below ground storage tanks, concrete pad, impervious soil pad, other) and total capacity for manure, litter, and process wastewater storage (tons/gallons);
(C) The total number of acres under control of the applicant available for land application of manure, litter, or process wastewater;
(D) The number of acres used for confinement feeding;
(E) Estimated amounts of manure, litter and process wastewater generated per year (tons/gallons);
(F) Estimated amounts of manure, litter and process wastewater transferred to other persons per year (tons/gallons);
(G) The design basis for the runoff diversion and controls system, if one exists, including the number of acres of contributing drainage, the storage capacity, and the design safety factor to ensure no discharge except under conditions of a 25-year 24-hour, or greater, storm event; and
(H) A nutrient management plan, in accordance with Appendix G (i) developed and implemented upon the date of coverage.
(e) Land application discharges from a CAFO are subject to WYPDES requirements. The discharge of manure, litter or process wastewater to surface waters of the state from a CAFO as a result of the application of that manure, litter or process wastewater by the CAFO to land areas under its control is a discharge from that CAFO subject to WYPDES permit requirements, except where it is an agricultural storm water discharge as provided in 33 U.S.C. 1362(14). For purposes of Appendix G (e), where the manure, litter or process wastewater has been applied in accordance with site specific nutrient management practices that ensure appropriate agricultural utilization of the nutrients in the manure, litter or process wastewater, as specified in Appendix G (i) (ii) (F) - (H) a precipitation related discharge of manure, litter or process wastewater from land areas under the control of a CAFO is an agricultural storm water discharge.
(f) "No potential to discharge" determination for large CAFOs.
(i) Determination by the director. The director, upon request, may make a case-specific determination that a large CAFO has "no potential to discharge" pollutants to surface waters of the state. In making this determination, the director must consider the potential for discharges from both the production area and any land application areas. The director must also consider any record of prior discharges by the CAFO. In no case may the CAFO be determined to have "no potential to discharge" if it has had a discharge within the five (5) years prior to the date of the request submitted under Appendix G (f) (ii). For purposes of this section, the term "no potential to discharge" means that there is no potential for any CAFO manure, litter or process wastewater to be added to surface waters of the state under any circumstances or climatic condition. A determination that there is "no potential to discharge" for purposes of this section only relates to discharges of manure, litter and process wastewater covered by this appendix.
(ii) Information to support a "no potential to discharge request". In requesting a determination of "no potential to discharge," the CAFO owner or operator must submit any information that would support such a determination, within the time frame provided by the director and in accordance with Appendix G (g) and (h) of these regulations. Such information must include all of the information specified in Appendix G (f) and (i) (i) and Section 5 (a) of these regulations. The director has discretion to require additional information to supplement the request, and may also gather additional information through on-site inspection of the CAFO.
(iii) Process for making a "no potential to discharge" determination. Before making a final decision to grant a "no potential to discharge" determination, the director must issue a notice to the public stating that a "no potential to discharge" request has been received. This notice must be accompanied by a fact sheet which includes, when applicable:
(A) A brief description of the type of facility or activity which is the subject of the "no potential to discharge" determination;
(B) A brief summary of the factual basis, upon which the request is based, for granting the "no potential to discharge" determination; and
(C) A description of the procedures for reaching a final decision on the "no potential to discharge" determination.
(iv) The director must base the decision to grant a "no potential to discharge" determination on the administrative record, which includes all information submitted in support of a "no potential to discharge" determination and any other supporting data gathered by the administrator. The director must notify any CAFO seeking a "no potential to discharge" determination of its final determination within 90 days of receiving the request.
(v) Deadline for requesting a "no potential to discharge" determination. The owner or operator must request a "no potential to discharge" determination by the applicable permit application date specified in Appendix G (g) of these regulations. If the director=s final decision is to deny the "no potential to discharge" determination, the owner or operator must seek coverage under a permit within 30 days after the denial.
(vi) The "no potential to discharge" determination does not relieve the CAFO from the consequences of an actual discharge. Any unpermitted CAFO that discharges pollutants into surface waters of the state is in violation of the CWA, the Environmental Quality Act and these regulations even if it has received a "no potential to discharge" determination from the director. Any CAFO that has received a determination of "no potential to discharge," but who anticipates changes in circumstances that could create the potential for a discharge, should contact the director, and apply for and obtain permit authorization prior to the change of circumstances.
(vii) The director retains authority to require a permit. Where the director has issued a determination of "no potential to discharge," the director retains the authority to subsequently require WYPDES permit coverage if circumstances at the facility change, if new information becomes available, or if there is other reason for the director to determine that the CAFO has a potential to discharge.
(g) Deadlines to apply.
(i) For operations that are defined as CAFOs under regulations that were in operation prior to April 14, 2003, the owner or operator must have or sought to obtain coverage under a WYPDES permit as of April 14, 2003, and comply with all applicable WYPDES requirements, including the duty to maintain permit coverage in accordance with Appendix G (h) of these regulations.
(ii) Owners or operators of operations defined as CAFOs as of April 14, 2003, who were not defined as CAFOs prior to that date must seek to obtain coverage under a WYPDES permit by a date specified by the director, but no later than February 13, 2006.
(iii) Operations that become defined as CAFOs after April 14, 2003, but which are not new sources. For AFOs that make changes to their operations that result in becoming defined as CAFOs for the first time, after April 14, 2003, but are not new sources, the owner or operator must seek to obtain coverage under a WYPDES permit, as follows:
(A) Facilities defined as CAFOs resulting from operational changes (e,g. resulting from an increase in the number of animals), as soon as possible but no later than 90 days after becoming defined as a CAFO; except that
(B) If an operational change that makes the operation a CAFO would not have made it a CAFO prior to April 14, 2003, the operation has at least until April 13, 2006, or 90 days after becoming defined as a CAFO, whichever is later.
(iv) New sources. New sources must seek to obtain coverage under a permit at least 180 days prior to the time that the CAFO commences operation, unless otherwise approved by the administrator.
(v) Operations that are designated as a CAFO in accordance with Appendix G (c) of these regulations, the owner or operator must seek to obtain coverage under a permit no later than 90 days after receiving notice of the designation.
(vi) "No potential to discharge." Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a CAFO that has received a "no potential to discharge" determination in accordance with Appendix G (f) of these regulations is not required to seek coverage under a WYPDES permit that would otherwise be required by this section. If circumstances materially change at a CAFO that has received a "no potential to discharge" determination, such that the CAFO has a potential for a discharge, the CAFO shall immediately notify the director, and seek coverage under a WYPDES permit within 30 days after the change in circumstances.
(h) Duty to maintain permit coverage. Not later than 180 days before the expiration of the permit, the permittee must submit an application to renew its permit, in accordance with Section 9 of these regulations. However, the permittee need not continue to seek continued permit coverage or reapply for a permit if:
(i) The facility has ceased operation or is no longer a CAFO; and
(ii) The permittee has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the director that there is no remaining potential for a discharge of manure, litter or associated process wastewater that was generated while the operation was a CAFO, other than agricultural stormwater from land application areas; or
(i) Permit conditions applicable to all CAFOs. Any permit issued to a CAFO shall include:
(i) Nutrient management plan development and implementation requirements. At a minimum, a nutrient management plan must include best management practices and procedures necessary to implement applicable effluent limitations and standards.
(A) Permitted CAFOs must have their nutrient management plans developed (or updated if a nutrient management plan was required in the existing permit) and implemented by December 31, 2006.
(B) CAFOs that seek to obtain coverage under a permit after December 31, 2006 must have a nutrient management plan developed and implemented upon the date of permit coverage.
(ii) The nutrient management plan must, to the extent applicable:
(A) Ensure adequate storage of manure, litter, and process wastewater, including procedures to ensure proper operation and maintenance of the storage facilities;
(B) Ensure proper management of mortalities (i.e., dead animals) so they are not disposed of in a liquid manure, storm water, or process wastewater storage or treatment system that is not specifically designed to treat animal mortalities;
(C) Ensure that stormwater runoff is diverted, as appropriate, from the production area;
(D) Prevent direct contact of confined animals with surface waters of the state;
(E) Ensure that chemicals and other contaminants handled on-site, are not disposed of in any manure, litter, process wastewater, or storm water storage or treatment system unless specifically designed to treat such chemicals and other contaminants;
(F) Identify appropriate site specific conservation practices to be implemented, including as appropriate buffers or equivalent practices, to control runoff of pollutants to surface waters of the state;
(G) Identify protocols for appropriate testing of manure, litter, process wastewater and soil;
(H) Establish protocols to land apply manure, litter or process wastewater in accordance with site specific nutrient management practices that ensure appropriate agricultural utilization of the nutrients in the manure, litter or process wastewater; and
(I) Identify specific records that will be maintained to document the implementation and management of the minimum elements described in Appendix G (i) (ii) (A through H).
(iii) Record keeping requirements.
(A) The permittee must create, maintain for five (5) years, and make available to the director, upon request, the following records:
(I) All applicable records identified pursuant to Appendix G (i) (i) (I) of these regulations.
(II) All CAFOs subject to these regulations must comply with the record keeping requirements of Appendix G (i) (iii) (B) and (C).
(B) Record keeping requirements for the production area. Each CAFO must maintain on-site for a period of five (5) years from the date they are created a complete copy of the information required by Appendix G (d) (iii) and Appendix G (i) (ii) (I) and the records specified in Appendix G (i) (iii) (I) through (VI) of these regulations. The CAFO must make these records available to the director and or his designee upon request.
(I) Records documenting the inspections required under Appendix G (m) (ii) (C) (I) of these regulations.
(II) Weekly records of the depth of the manure and process wastewater in the liquid impoundment as indicated by the depth marker under Appendix G (m) (ii) (C) (II) of these regulations.
(III) Records documenting any actions taken to correct deficiencies required under Appendix G (m) (ii) (C) (III) of these regulations. Deficiencies not corrected within 30 days must be accompanied by an explanation of the factors preventing immediate correction.
(IV) Records of mortalities management and practices used by the CAFO to meet the requirements of Appendix G (m) (ii) (C) (IV) of these regulations.
(V) Records documenting the current design of any manure or litter storage structures, including volume for solids accumulation design treatment volume, total design volume, and approximate number of days of storage capacity.
(VI) Records of the date, time, and estimated volume of any overflow.
(C) Record keeping requirements of the land application area. Each CAFO must maintain on-site a copy of its site-specific nutrient management plan. Each CAFO must maintain on-site for a period of five (5) years from the date they created a complete copy of the information required by Appendix G (j) (ii), Appendix G (i) (i) and (ii), and the records specified in Appendix G (i) (iii) (C) (I through IX) of these regulations. The CAFO must make these records available to the director or his designee, for review upon request.
(I) The date(s) manure, litter, or process waste water is applied to each field;
(II) Weather conditions at time of application and for 24-hours prior to and following application;
(III) Test methods used to sample and analyze manure, litter, process waste water, and soil;
(IV) Results from manure, litter, process waste water, and soil sampling;
(V) Explanation of the basis for determining manure application rates;
(VI) Calculations showing the total nitrogen and phosphorus to be applied to each field, including sources other than manure, litter, or process wastewater;
(VII) Total amount of nitrogen and phosphorus actually applied to each field, including documentation of calculations for the total amount applied;
(VIII) The method used to apply the manure, litter, or process wastewater;
(IX) Date(s) of manure application equipment inspection.
(D) A copy of the CAFO=s site-specific nutrient management plan must be maintained on site and made available to the director upon request.
(iv) Requirements relating to transfer of manure or process wastewater to other persons. Prior to transferring manure, litter or process wastewater to other persons. Large CAFOs must provide the recipient of the manure, litter or process wastewater with the most current nutrient analysis. The analysis provided must be consistent with requirements of this appendix. Large CAFOs must retain for five (5) years records of the date, recipient name and address, and approximate amount of manure, litter or process wastewater transferred to another person.
(v) Annual reporting requirements for CAFOs. The permittee must submit an annual report to the administrator. The annual report must include:
(A) The number and type of animals, whether in open confinement or housed under roof (buffalo, beef cattle, broilers, layers, swine weighing 55 pounds or more, swine weighing less than 55 pounds, mature dairy cows, dairy heifers, veal calves, sheep and lambs, horses, ducks, turkeys, other);
(B) Estimated amount of total manure, litter and process wastewater generated by the CAFO in the previous 12 months (tons/gallons);
(C) Estimated amount of total manure, litter and process waste water transferred to other person(s) by the CAFO in the previous 12 months (ton/gallons);
(D) Total number of acres for land application covered by the nutrient management plan developed in accordance with Appendix G (i) (i) of these regulations;
(E) Total number of acres under control of the CAFO that were used for land application of manure, litter, and process wastewater in the previous 12 months;
(F) Summary of all manure, litter and process wastewater discharges from the production area that have occurred in the previous 12 months, including date, time, and approximate volume; and
(G) A statement indicating whether the current version of the CAFO=s nutrient management plan was developed or approved by a certified nutrient management planner.
(j) This paragraph applies to manure, litter, and/or process wastewater discharges resulting from CAFOs.
(i) General pretreatment standards. Any source subject to Appendix G (j) that introduces process wastewater pollutants into a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) must comply with the general pretreatment regulations of 40 CFR 403.
(ii) Best Management Practices (BMPs) for land application of manure, litter, and process wastewater.
(A) Appendix G (j) (ii) applies to any CAFO subject to Appendix G (m) of these regulations (buffalo, dairy and beef cattle other than veal calves) Appendix G (n) of these regulations (swine, poultry, and veal calves).
(B) Specialized definitions.
(I) "Setback" means a specified distance from surface waters of the state or potential conduits to surface water where manure, litter, and process wastewater may not be land applied. Examples of conduits to surface waters of the state include but are not limited to: open tile line intake structures, sinkholes, and agricultural well heads.
(II) "Vegetated buffer" means a narrow, permanent strip of dense perennial vegetation established parallel to the contours of and perpendicular to the dominant slope of the field for the purposes of slowing water runoff, enhancing water infiltration, and minimizing the risk of any potential nutrients or pollutants from leaving the field and reaching surface waters of the state.
(III) "Multi-year phosphorus application" means phosphorus applied to a field in excess of the crop needs for that year. In multi-year phosphorus applications, no additional manure, litter, or process wastewater is applied to the same land in subsequent years until the applied phosphorus has been removed from the field via harvest and crop removal.
(C) Requirement to develop and implement best management practices. Each CAFO subject to Appendix G (j) (ii) that land applies manure, litter, or process wastewater, must do so in accordance with the following practices:
(I) Nutrient management plan. The CAFO must develop and implement a nutrient management plan that incorporates the requirements of Appendix G (j) (ii) (C) (II) through (VI) of these regulations based on field-specific assessment of the potential for nitrogen and phosphorus transport from the field and that addresses the form, source, amount, timing, and method of application of nutrients on each field to achieve realistic production goals, while minimizing nitrogen and phosphorus movement to surface waters of the state.
(II) Determination of application rates. Application rates for manure, litter, and other process wastewater applied to land under the ownership or operation control of the CAFO must minimize phosphorus and nitrogen transport from the field to surface and groundwaters of the state in compliance with technical standards, established by the director, for nutrient management. These shall include:
(1.) A field-specific assessment of the potential for nitrogen and phosphorus transport from the field to surface waters of the state, and address the form, source, amount, timing, and method of application of nutrients of each field to achieve realistic production goals, while minimizing nitrogen and phosphorus movement to surface waters of the state; and
(2.) Appropriate flexibilities for any CAFO to implement nutrient management practices to comply with technical standards, including considerations of multi-year phosphorus application on fields that do not have a high potential for phosphorus runoff to surface water, phased implementation of phosphorus-based nutrient management, and other components.
(C) The director shall establish technical standards for nutrient management plans by April 12, 2004.
(III) Manure and soil sampling.
(1.) Manure must be analyzed for nitrogen and phosphorus content a minimum of once annually, and
(2.) The soil profile shall be analyzed a minimum of once every five (5) years for phosphorus content. The results of these analyses are to be used in determining application rates for manure, litter, and other process wastewater.
(IV) Inspect land application equipment for leaks. The operator must periodically inspect equipment used for land application of manure, litter, or process wastewater.
(V) Setback requirements. Unless the CAFO exercises one of the compliance alternatives provided for in Appendix G (j) (ii) (V) (i) or (j) (ii) (V) (ii) of these regulations, manure, litter, and process wastewater may not be applied closer than 100 feet to any down-gradient surface waters of the state, open tile line intake structures, sinkholes, agricultural well heads, or other conduits to surface waters of the state.
(1.) Vegetated buffer compliance alternative. As a compliance alternative, the CAFO may substitute the 100-foot setback with a 35 foot wide vegetated buffer where applications of manure, litter, or process wastewater are prohibited.
(2.) As a compliance alternative, the CAFO may demonstrate that a setback or buffer is not necessary because implementation of alternative conservation practices or field-specific conditions will provide pollutant reductions equivalent or better than the reductions that would be achieved by the 100 foot setback.
(k) Effluent Limitations Applicable to Horses and Sheep.
(i) This paragraph applies to discharges resulting from the production areas at horse and sheep CAFOs.
(ii) Except as provided in Section 8 of these regulations and subject to the provisions of Appendix G (j) (ii) (C), any point source subject to this source must have no discharge of process waste water pollutants to surface waters of the state.
(iii) Process waste pollutants in the overflow may be discharged to surface waters of the state whenever rainfall events, either chronic or catastrophic, cause an overflow of process waste water from a facility designed, constructed and operated to contain all process generated waste waters plus the runoff from a 25-year, 24-hour rainfall event for the location of the point source.
(l) Effluent limitations applicable to ducks.
(i) This paragraph applies to discharges resulting from the production areas at dry lot and wet lot duck CAFOs.
(ii) Special definitions.
(A) "Dry lot" means a facility for growing ducks in confinement with a dry litter floor cover and no access to swimming areas.
(B) "Wet lot" means a confinement facility for raising ducks which is open to the environment, has a small number of sheltered areas, and with open water runs and swimming areas to which ducks have free access.
(iii) Except as provided in Section 8 of these regulations and subject to the provisions of Appendix G (j) (ii) (C), any point source subject to this source must have no discharge of process waste water pollutants to surface waters of the state.
(iv) Process waste pollutants in the overflow may be discharged to surface waters of the state whenever rainfall events, either chronic or catastrophic, cause an overflow of process waste water from a facility designed, constructed and operated to contain all process generated waste waters plus the runoff from a 25-year, 24-hour rainfall event for the location of the point source.
(m) Effluent limitations applicable to buffalo, dairy cows and cattle other than veal calves.
(i) This paragraph applies to discharges resulting from the production areas at the following types of CAFOs:
(A) Mature dairy cows (either milking or dry).
(B) Cattle other than mature dairy cows which includes, but is not limited to heifers, steers, and bulls.
(C) Buffalo.
(ii) Except as provided in Section 8 of these regulations and subject to the provisions of Appendix G (j) (ii) (C), any point source subject to this source must meet the following limitations:
(A) There shall be no discharge of manure, litter, or process wastewater pollutants into surface waters of the state from the CAFO production area, except under the following conditions:
(I) Whenever precipitation causes an overflow of manure, litter, or process wastewater, pollutants in the overflow may be discharged to surface waters of the state provided:
(1.) The production area is designed, constructed, operated and maintained to contain all manure, litter, and process wastewater including the runoff and the direct precipitation from a 25-year, 24-hour rainfall event.
(2.) The production area is operated in accordance with the additional measures and records required by Appendix G (i) (iii) (B) and Appendix G (m) (ii) (C) of these regulations.
(II) Voluntary alternative performance standards. Any CAFO subject to Appendix G (m) of these regulations may request the administrator to establish WYPDES permit effluent limitations based upon site-specific alternative technologies that achieve a quantity of pollutants discharged from the production area equal to or less than the quantity of pollutants that would be discharged under the baseline performance standards as provided by Appendix G (m) (ii) (A) of these regulations.
(1.) Supporting information. In requesting site-specific effluent limitations to be included in the WYPDES permit, the CAFO owner or operator must submit a supporting technical analysis and any other relevant information and data that would support such site-specific effluent limitations within the time frame provided by the director. The supporting technical analysis must include calculation of the quantity of pollutants discharged, on a mass basis where appropriate, based on a site specific analysis of a system designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to contain all manure, litter, and process wastewater, including the runoff from a 25-year, 24-hour rainfall event. The technical analysis of the discharge of pollutants must include:
(a.) All daily inputs to the storage system, including manure, litter, all process waste waters, direct precipitation, and runoff.
(b.) All daily outputs from the storage system, including losses due to evaporation, sludge removal, and the removal of waste water for use on cropland at the CAFO or transport off site.
(c.) A calculation determining the predicted median annual overflow volume based on a 25-year period of actual rainfall data applicable to the site.
(d.) Site-specific pollutant data, including N, P, BOD5, TSS, for the CAFO from representative sampling and analysis of all sources of input to the storage system, or other appropriate pollutant data.
(e.) Predicted annual average discharge of pollutants, expressed where appropriate as a mass discharge on a daily basis (lbs/day), and calculated considering (A through D above).
(2.) The administrator has the discretion to request additional information to supplement the supporting technical analysis, including inspection of the CAFO.
(III) The CAFO shall attain the limitations and requirements of this paragraph as of the date of permit coverage.
(B) Discharges from land application areas are subject to the following requirements:
(I) Develop and implement the best management practices specified in Appendix G (j) (ii) of these regulations.
(II) Maintain the records specified in Appendix G (i) (iii) (C) of these regulations.
(III) Attain the limitations and requirements for discharges form land application areas as of the date of permit coverage.
(C) Additional measures. Each CAFO subject Appendix G (m) of these regulations must implement the following requirements:
(I) Visual Inspections. There must be routine visual inspections of the CAFO production area. At a minimum, the following must be visually inspected:
(1.) Weekly inspections of all storm water diversion devices, runoff diversion structures, and devices channeling contaminated storm water to the wastewater and manure storage and containment structure;
(2.) Daily inspection of water lines, including drinking water or cooling water lines and documented weekly at a minimum, for the purpose of identifying leaks, corrosion, mechanical defects or other conditions that may result in an inadvertent discharge from the facility;
(3.) Weekly inspections of the manure, litter, and process wastewater impoundments; the inspection will note the level in liquid impoundments as indicated by the depth marker in paragraph (E) (II) of this appendix; and
(4.) The visual inspection requirements may be waived if insurmountable or dangerous weather conditions exist and the weather conditions justifying the waiver are documented.
(II) Depth marker. All open surface liquid impoundments must have a depth marker which clearly indicates the minimum capacity necessary to contain the runoff and direct precipitation of the 25-year, 24-hour rainfall event.
(III) Corrective actions. Any deficiencies found as a result of these inspections must be corrected as soon as possible.
(IV) Mortality handling. Mortalities must not be disposed of in any liquid manure or process wastewater system, and must be handled in such a way as to prevent the discharge of pollutants to surface water, unless alternative technologies pursuant to Appendix G (m) (ii) (II) and approved by the director are designed to handle mortalities.
(n) Effluent limitations applicable to swine, poultry, and veal calves.
(i) This paragraph applies to discharges resulting from the production areas at the following types of CAFOs:
(A) Swine,
(B) Chickens,
(C) Turkeys, and
(D) Veal calves.
(ii) Except as provided in Section 8 of these regulations, any point source subject to this source must meet the following limitations.
(iii) There shall be no discharge of manure, litter, or process wastewater pollutants into surface waters of the state from the CAFO production area, except under the following conditions.
(A) Waste management and storage facilities are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to contain all manure, litter, and process wastewater including the runoff and the direct precipitation from a 100-year, 24-hour rainfall event and operated in accordance with the additional measures and records required by Appendix G (i) (iii) (B) and Appendix G (n) (vi) (A) of these regulations.
(B) The production area is operated in accordance with additional measures required by Appendix G (i) (iii) (B) and Appendix G (n) (vi) of these regulations.
(C) The discharge is an upset/bypass consistent with the provisions for upset/bypass, as provided in Section 5 (c) (i) (Z) and (AA) of these regulations.
(iv) Discharges from land application areas are subject to the following requirements.
(A) Develop and implement the best management practices specified in Appendix G (j) (ii) of these regulations.
(B) Maintain the records specified in Appendix G (i) (iii) (C) of these regulations.
(C) Attain the limitations and requirements for discharges from land application areas as of the date of permit coverage.
(v) Voluntary superior environmental performance standards. Any new source CAFO subject to Appendix (G) (n) may request the director to establish alternative WYPDES permit limitations based upon a demonstration that site-specific innovative technologies will achieve overall environmental performance across all media which is equal to or superior to the reductions achieved by baseline standards as provided by Appendix G (n) (iii). The quantity of pollutants discharged from the production area must be accompanied by an equivalent or greater reduction in the quantity of pollutants released to other media from the production area (e.g., air emissions from housing and storage) and/or land application areas for all manure, litter, and process wastewater at on-site and off-site locations. The comparison of quantity of pollutants must be made on a mass basis where appropriate. The director has the discretion to request supporting information to supplement such a request.
(vi) Additional measures. Each CAFO subject to Appendix G (n) of these regulations must implement the following requirements:
(A) Visual inspections. There must be routine visual inspections of the CAFO production area. At a minimum, the following must be visually inspected:
(I) Weekly inspections of all storm water diversion devices, runoff diversion structures, and devices channeling contaminated storm water to the wastewater and manure storage and containment structure;
(II) Daily inspection of water lines, including drinking water or cooling water lines;
(III) Weekly inspections of the manure, litter, and process wastewater impoundments; the inspection will note the level in liquid impoundments as indicated by the depth marker in paragraph (E) (II) of this appendix.
(B) Depth marker. All open surface liquid impoundments must have a depth marker which clearly indicates the minimum capacity necessary to contain the runoff and direct precipitation of the 100-year, 24-hour rainfall event.
(C) Corrective actions. Any deficiencies found as a result of these inspections must be corrected as soon as possible.
(D) Mortality handling. Mortalities must not be disposed of in any liquid manure or process wastewater system, and must be handled in such a way as to prevent the discharge of pollutants to surface water, unless alternative technologies pursuant to Appendix G (n) (v) and approved by the director are designed to handle mortalities.
APPENDIX H: Additional Requirements Applicable to Produced Water Discharges from Oil and Gas Production Facilities
(a) Application requirements specific to all produced water discharges from oil and gas production facilities must provide the following information in addition to that described in Section 5 (a) (v), to the administrator, using the application form provided by the administrator.
(i) The produced water discharged into surface waters of the state shall have use in agriculture or wildlife propagation. The produced water shall be of good enough quality to be used for wildlife or livestock watering or other agricultural uses and actually be put to such use during periods of discharge.
(b) Permits for all produced water discharges from oil and gas production facilities shall include the following conditions and limitations:
(i) In no case shall any produced water discharge contain toxic materials in concentrations or combinations which are toxic to human, animal or aquatic life.
(ii) Diffuse discharges. Water shall not be discharged in a diffuse manner such that damage to land and/or vegetation occurs.
(iii) Facility identification. All facilities authorized to discharge produced water shall be clearly identified with an all-weather sign posted at a visually prominent location. The sign shall be securely mounted and maintained to prevent the sign from being knocked down by livestock or wind. In the case where multiple outfalls are permitted or authorized, a sign shall be posted to identify each outfall. Signs shall, as a minimum, convey the following information:
(A) The name of the company, corporation, person or persons who hold(s) the discharge permit;
(B) The name of the facility (lease, tank battery number, etc.) as identified by the discharge permit; and
(C) The WYPDES permit number assigned to the facility and outfall identification number assigned to each outfall.
(iv) Measures must be implemented to minimize erosion of the drainage at the point of discharge.
(v) Discharges of produced water will not contain substances that will settle to form sludge, bank or bottom deposits in quantities sufficient to result in significant aesthetic degradation, significant degradation of habitat for aquatic life or adversely affect public water supplies, agricultural or industrial water use, plant life or wildlife.
(vi) Discharges of produced water may not result in the formation of a visible hydrocarbon sheen on the receiving water.
(vii) The following effluent limitations are protective for stock and wildlife consumption. Limitations on additional parameters or limitations more stringent will be imposed when such limitations are necessary to assure compliance with Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1.
(A) Chlorides. The chloride content of any produced water discharge shall not exceed 2,000 mg/l in any single properly preserved grab sample except in those cases where a modification is granted in accordance with paragraph (c) of this appendix.
(B) Sulfates. The sulfate content of any produced water discharge shall not exceed 3,000 mg/l in any single properly preserved grab sample except in those cases where a modification is granted in accordance with paragraph (c) of this appendix.
(C) Total dissolved solids and specific conductance. The total dissolved solids content of any produced water discharge shall not exceed 5,000 mg/l for total dissolved solids or 7500 μmhos/cm for specific conductance in any single properly preserved grab sample except in those cases where a modification has been granted in accordance with paragraph (c) of this appendix.
(D) pH. In no case shall the pH of any produced water discharge be less than 6.5 or greater than 9.0 standard units as measured by a single grab sample.
(viii) Samples collected to demonstrate compliance with effluent limitations specified in this appendix shall be collected as grab samples and reported as an instantaneous maximum, unless otherwise specified.
(ix) There shall be no discharge of waste pollutants into surface waters of the state from any source (other than produced water) associated with production, field exploration, drilling, well completion, or well treatment (i.e., drilling muds, drill cuttings, and produced sands). These materials shall be managed in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations.
(x) All water quality samples collected by the Department and discharge permit holders subject to this Appendix shall be taken from the free fall of water from the last treatment unit which is located out of the natural drainage. The sample must not be mixed with waters of any other surface water or with water from another discharge point.
(c) Additional Permit Conditions and Limitations Specific to Oil and Natural Gas (other than coal bed natural gas) Production Facilities.
(i) For existing permits where the original permit application was submitted prior to September 5, 1978, modification of the effluent limits described in paragraphs (b) (vii) of this appendix may be granted on a case-by-case basis if a signed "letter of beneficial use" from the land owner was provided specifically requesting that the discharge in question be allowed to continue; or a signed statement by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department was provided in which it was stated that the discharge in question is of value to fish or wildlife; or documentation was provided by the owner or operator of the discharging facility that, because of extenuating circumstances (volume of discharge, individual chemical constituents, nature of the area in which the discharge occurs, etc.), an exemption should be considered. The user must have indicated the exact beneficial use of the water (stock watering, irrigation, etc.) and the history of such use. No action taken by the department under this paragraph or any other paragraph of these regulations shall be interpreted as the granting of a water right or any other water use authority.
(ii) For discharge permit applications filed after the date of adoption of these regulations, modification of effluent limits described in paragraph (b) (vii) of this appendix may be granted on a case-by-case basis. The Water Quality Administrator shall review all requests for modification of effluent limits submitted under this section and make a determination based upon the technical merits of a Use Attainability Analysis. Such requests shall also provide a signed "letter of agricultural or wildlife use" by the land owner specifically requesting that the discharge will serve a specific agricultural or wildlife use.
(iii) In no case will a modification as described in paragraph (c) (i) or (c) (ii) of this appendix be permitted which would result in a violation of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1.
(iv) Location of skim ponds and disposal pits. Location of skim ponds and disposal pits shall be managed in accordance with applicable state (e.g. Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) and federal (e.g. Bureau of Land Management) regulations.
(v) An effluent limitation of 10 mg/l for oil and grease as measured by EPA method 1664 or 10 mg/l for net oil and grease as measured by alternate test procedure method 1664-Cu.
(d) Additional Permit Conditions and Limitations Specific to Coal Bed Natural Gas Production Facilities.
(i) Where discharge water is accessible to livestock and/or wildlife; meets the effluent limitations as specified in this appendix; and meets the criteria for the protection of livestock and wildlife as specified in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 1, Wyoming Surface Water Quality Standards, the discharge will be considered in compliance with the requirements of Appendix H (a) (i) of these regulations.
(ii) For discharge permit applications filed after the date of adoption of these regulations, modification of effluent limits described in paragraph (b) (vii) of this appendix may be granted on a case by case basis. The Water Quality Administrator shall review all requests for modification of effluent limits submitted under this section and make a determination based upon the technical merits of a Use Attainability Analysis. Such requests shall also provide a signed "letter of agricultural or wildlife use" by the land owner specifically requesting that the discharge will serve a specific agricultural or wildlife use or a demonstration that the conditions of Appendix (H) (d) (i) have been met.
(iii) Location of disposal pits. Location of disposal pits shall be managed in accordance with applicable state (e.g. Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) and federal (e.g. Bureau of Land Management) regulations.
(iv) The permittee shall take all reasonable measures to prevent downstream erosion that would be attributable to the discharge of produced water.
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APPENDIX I: RESERVED
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APPENDIX J: Additional Requirements Applicable to Coal Mining Operations
(a) General definitions applicable to Appendix J.
(i) "Abandoned mine" means a mine where mining operations have occurred in the past and:
(A) The applicable reclamation bond or financial assurance has been released or forfeited; or
(B) If no reclamation bond or other financial assurance has been posted, no mining operations have occurred for five years or more.
(ii) "Acid or ferruginous mine drainage" means mine drainage which, before any treatment, either has a pH of less than 6.0 or a total iron concentration equal to or greater than 10 mg/l.
(iii) "Active mining area" means the area, on and beneath land, used or disturbed in activity related to the extraction, removal, or recovery of coal from its natural deposits. This term excludes coal preparation plants, coal preparation plant associated areas and post-mining areas.
(iv) "Alkaline, mine drainage" means mine drainage which, before any treatment, either has a pH of greater than 6.0 or a total iron concentration less than 10 mg/l.
(v) "Bond release" means the time at which the appropriate regulatory authority returns a reclamation or performance bond based upon its determination that reclamation work (including, in the case of underground mines, mine sealing, and abandonment procedures) has been satisfactorily completed.
(vi) "Coal preparation plant" means a facility where coal is subjected to cleaning, concentrating, or other processing or preparation in order to separate coal from its impurities and then is loaded for transit to a consuming facility.
(vii) "Coal preparation plant associated areas" means the coal preparation plant yards, immediate access roads, coal refuse piles, and coal storage piles and facilities.
(viii) "Coal preparation plant water circuit" means all pipes, channels, basins, tanks, and all other structures and equipment that convey, contain, treat, or process any water that is used in coal preparation processes within a coal preparation plant.
(ix) "Coal refuse disposal pile" means any coal refuse deposited on the earth and intended as permanent disposal or long-term storage (greater than 180 days) of such material, but does not include coal refuse deposited within the active mining area or coal refuse never removed from the active mining area.
(x) "Controlled surface mine drainage" means any surface mine drainage that is pumped or siphoned from the active mining area.
(xi) "Mine drainage" means any drainage, and any water pumped or siphoned, from any active mining area or a post mining area.
(xii) "ml/l" means milliliters per liter.
(xiii) "New source coal mine" means a coal mine (excluding coal preparation plants and coal preparation plant associated areas) including an abandoned mine which is being reminded:
(A) The construction of which is commenced after May 4, 1984; or
(B) Which is determined by the administrator to constitute a "major alteration." In making this determination, the administrator shall take into account whether one or more of the following events resulting in a new, altered or increased discharge of pollutants has occurred after May 4, 1984 in connection with the mine for which the WYPDES permit is being considered:
(I) Extraction of a coal seam not previously extracted at the mine;
(II) Discharge into a drainage area not previously affected by wastewater discharge from the mine;
(III) Extensive new surface disruption at the mining operation;
(IV) A construction of a new shaft, lope, or drift; and
(V) Such other factors as the administrator deems relevant.
(xiv) "One year, 2-year, and 10-year, 24-hour precipitation events" means the maximum 24-hour precipitation event with a probable recurrence interval of once in one (1), two (2), and ten (10) years respectively as defined by the National Weather Service Technical Paper No. 40, "Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the U.S." May 1961, or equivalent regional or rainfall probability information developed therefrom.
(xv) "Post-mining area" means:
(A) A reclamation area; or
(B) The underground workings of an underground coal mine after the extraction, removal, or recovery of coal from its natural deposit has ceased and prior to bond release.
(xvi) "Reclamation area" means the surface area of a coal mine which has been returned to required contour and on which revegetation (specifically, seeding, or planting) work has commenced.
(xvii) "Settleable solids" is that matter measured by the volumetric method specified in Appendix J (f).
(xvii) "Treatment facility" and "treatment system" mean all structures which contain, convey, and as necessary, chemically or physically treat coal fine drainage, coal preparation plant process wastewater, or drainage from coal preparation plant associated areas, which remove pollutants regulated by this part from such waters. This includes all pipes, channels, ponds, basins, tanks, and all other equipment serving such structures.
(b) Application requirements specific to discharges from coal mines must provide the following information, in addition to that described in Section 5 (a) (v), and where applicable the information described in Appendix B, Appendix C, and/or Appendix D, to the administrator, using an application form provided by the administrator.
(i) Construction application requirements. A permit application, which may include an approved sedimentation structure control plan, in accordance with the provisions outlined in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 3, is required for the construction of any sedimentation ponds or runoff control facilities associated with surface coal mining operations. By agreement between the Land Quality Division and the Water Quality Division, this may take the form of one consolidated application for surface coal mining operations.
(ii) Minimum design standards for sedimentation control facilities. The minimum design standards for runoff control facilities of surface coal mining operations are set forth in this subparagraph. The department reserves the right to impose more stringent design requirements to ensure compliance with the effluent limitations contained in Section 5 (c) (iii) of these regulations.
(A) Scope. These standards pertain only to permits for surface coal mining sedimentation control facilities required pursuant to Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 3.
(B) Sedimentation ponds and sedimentation control structures.
(I) Design.
(1.) Inlet ditches or structures shall be designed to minimize erosion, disturbance of the pond bottom, and resuspension of silts or colloidal soil particles.
(2.) Outlet structures, if used, shall have an overflow device, minimize short-circuiting, minimize floating solids from discharging and shall not erode or disturb the dike. All pipe protruding through a dike shall have adequate seepage control. The point of discharge into a channel shall be protected against erosion and erosion control devices shall be designed based on flow velocities.
(3.) The design, construction and maintenance of a sedimentation pond or other sediment control measures shall not relieve the person from compliance with applicable effluent limitations.
(4.) Computations showing the facility volume to include runoff from a 10-year 24-hour precipitation event shall be provided. The pond treatment or containment volume shall be in addition to sediment storage required by Land Quality Division regulations. A lesser design event may be approved by the administrator based on terrain, climate, other site-specific conditions and on a demonstration by the applicant that the effluent limitations of Section 5 (c) (iii) will be met. The design for the runoff control facilities shall contain all supportive documentation, calculations and drawings necessary to determine compliance with the effluent limitations of Section 5 (c) (iii) of these regulations.
(5.) Each person who conducts surface mining activities shall design, construct and maintain sedimentation ponds to minimize short-circuiting where the facility is not designed to contain the 10-year 24-hour precipitation runoff.
(II) Construction. This paragraph pertains only to impoundments not defined as major impoundments by the State Engineer's regulations. Below grade sedimentation ponds may be exempted provided site specific contours indicate a slope that will provide wall structure stability and minimize seepage.
(1.) Where pond bottoms and sidewalls are made of fill material, the soils used shall be relatively incompressible, have a low permeability, and be free from organic material and trash. The soil shall be compacted at a water content that will ensure structural stability, minimize hydraulic seepage, and minimize settling.
Fill material containing rocks larger than six (6) inches in the longest dimension shall not be placed within five (5) feet of the interior slope surface of any pond embankment. Material containing by volume less than 25 percent of rock larger than six (6) inches and less than 12 inch in the longest dimension may be placed in the remainder of the embankment.
(2.) Outer dike slopes shall not be steeper than one vertical to two (2) horizontal. Flatter slopes may be required to maintain slope stability. Inner dike slopes shall be sloped one vertical to three horizontal or flatter.
(3.) The minimum top dike width shall be sufficient to provide structural stability.
(4.) The application shall contain an evaluation of the need for riprap. This evaluation shall address site specific conditions such as surrounding topography, predominant wind directions, highest predicted peak wind velocity, calculation of predicted wave heights, data on windy months versus potential of water and water depths in the impoundment, impoundment life or any other relevant parameters. If necessary, riprap or other acceptable erosion control shall be installed on the inner dike slopes at all anticipated levels of water. Sedimentation control structures shall be exempted from requirements of this appendix.
(III) Dewatering. The storage resulting from inflow shall be removed by a nonclogging dewatering device or a spillway as soon as possible but not prior to the time that the discharge will comply with the effluent standards of these regulations. The application shall contain documentation that equipment or outlet structures are available for draining the pond.
(C) Discharge structures. Outfall structures and related equipment which is sufficient to meet the self-monitoring requirements of the WYPDES permit shall be properly installed, maintained, operated, and shall be removed when no longer required.
(c) Permit condition. Identification of outfalls. Point source discharges which consist of process wastewater or a combination of process wastewater and water from affected lands shall be identified as specific points of discharge in the discharge permit for each mine. Point source discharges which consist of water discharged from affected lands only may not be required to be identified as specific points of discharge in the discharge permit for each mine. Even if a discharge is not designated as a specific point of discharge, such discharges shall be required to meet the applicable self-monitoring and effluent requirements of the permit.
(d) Effluent limitations.
(i) The following types of mine discharges are subject to the effluent limitations of Appendix J (d) (ii):
(A) Coal preparation plants and coal preparation plant associated areas, as indicated, including discharges which are pumped, siphoned, or drained from the coal preparation plant water circuit and coal storage, refuse storage, and ancillary areas related to the cleaning or beneficiation of coal of any rank including, but not limited to, bituminous, lignite, and anthracite.
(B) Acid or ferruginous mine drainage from an active mining area resulting from the mining of coal of any rank including, but not limited to, bituminous, lignite, and anthracite.
(C) Alkaline mine drainage from an active mining area resulting from the mining of coal of any rank including, but not limited to, bituminous, lignite, and anthracite.
(D) Post-mining underground mine drainage from the underground workings of underground mines until Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) bond release.
(ii) All point source mine discharges, as described in Appendix J (d) (i), which enter or will directly affect surface waters of the state shall meet the following effluent limitations except during a precipitation event of any duration within any 24-hour period which results in a rainfall depth greater than the 10-year, 24-hour precipitation amount (or snowmelt of equivalent volume). During such precipitation events only the limitation on pH shall apply:
Effluent Characteristic
30 Day Average
Daily Maximum
Instantaneous Maximum
Total Suspended Solids (mg/l)
35
70
90
Total Iron (mg/l)
3.0
6.0
9.0
Total Manganese* (mg/l)
2.0
4.0
6.0
pH (standard units)
N/A
N/A
6.0 to 9.0
*Applicable only when pH of the discharge, prior to any treatment, is less than 6.0 standard units.
(iii) Post-Mining Areas. The provisions of this paragraph are applicable to discharges from post mining areas, except as provided in Appendix J (h).
(A) Reclamation Areas. The following limitations apply to discharges from reclamation areas until the performance bond issued to the facility by the appropriate SMCRA authority has been released. The following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged.
Pollutant or Pollutant Property
Limitations
Settleable Solids
0.5 ml/l maximum not to be exceeded
pH
Within the range of 6.0 and 9.0 at all times
(iv) Co-mingling of waste streams. Where waste streams from any facility covered by this appendix are combined for treatment or discharge with waste streams from another facility covered by this part, the concentration of each pollutant in the combined discharge may not exceed the most stringent limitations for that pollutant applicable to any component waste stream of the discharge.
(v) Alternate effluent limitation for pH. Where the application of neutralization and sedimentation treatment technology results in inability to comply with the otherwise applicable manganese limitations, the permit issuer may allow the pH level in the final effluent to exceed 9.0 to a small extent in order that the manganese limitations can be achieved, provided that the pH of the receiving surface water of the state does not exceed water quality standards of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 1, Wyoming Surface Water Quality Standards.
(e) Effluent limitations for precipitation events.
(i) The alternate limitations specified in Appendix J (e) (ii) apply with respect to:
(A) All discharges of alkaline mine drainage except discharges from underground workings of underground mines that are not commingled with other discharges eligible for these alternate limitations;
(B) All discharges from steep slope areas, (as defined in Section 515 (d) (4) of the SMCRA of 1977, as amended), and form mountaintop removal operations (conducted pursuant to Section 515 (c) of SMCRA);
(C) Discharges from coal preparation plants and preparation plant associated areas (excluding acid or ferruginous mine drainage from coal refuse disposal piles).
(ii) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by precipitation within any 24-hour period less than or equal to the 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable limitations:
Pollutant or Pollutant Property
Limitations
Settleable Solids
0.5 ml/l maximum not to be exceeded
pH
Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times
(iii) The following alternate limitations apply with respect to acid or ferruginous drainage from coal refuse disposal piles: Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by precipitation within any 24-hour period greater than the 1-year, 24-hour precipitation event, but less than or equal to the 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable limitations:
Pollutant or Pollutant Property
Limitations
Settleable Solids
0.5 ml/l maximum not to be exceeded
pH
Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times
(iv) The following alternate limitations apply with respect to acid or ferruginous mine drainage, except for discharges addressed in: Appendix J (e) (i) (B) (mountaintop removal and steep slope areas) and Appendix J (e) (vii) (discharges from underground workings of underground mines):
(A) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by precipitations within any 24-hour period or less or equal to the 2-year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable limitations:
Pollutant or Pollutant Property
Limitations
Total Iron
7.0 mg/l maximum for any one day
Settleable Solids
0.5 ml/l maximum not to exceed
pH
Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times
(B) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by precipitation within any 24-hour period greater than the 2-year, 24-hour precipitation event, but less than or equal to the 10-year, 24-hour precipitations event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable limitations:
Pollutant or Pollutant Property
Limitations
Settleable Solids
0.5 ml/l maximum not to be exceeded
pH
Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times
(v) Any discharge which occurs during a precipitation event of any duration within any 24-hour period which results in a rainfall depth greater than the 10- year, 24-hour precipitation amount (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) shall be required to meet an instantaneous maximum pH limitation of 6.0 - 9.0 only.
(vi) The operator shall have the burden of proof that the discharge or increase in discharge was caused by the applicable precipitation event described Appendix J (e) (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v).
(vii) Discharges of mine drainage from underground workings or underground mines which are not commingled with discharges eligible for alternate limitations set forth in Appendix J (e) shall in no event be eligible for the alternate limitations set forth in Appendix J (e).
(f) If effluent limitations more stringent than those given in paragraph (c) (i) or (ii) of this appendix are necessary to assure compliance with Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1, such limitations shall be established in accordance with Section 5 (c) (iii) (C).
(g) Procedure and method detection limit for measurement of settleable solids. For the purposes of this appendix, the following procedure shall be used to determine settleable solids: Fill an Imhoff cone to the one-liter mark with a thoroughly mixed sample. Allow to settle undisturbed for 45 minutes. Gently stir along the inside surface of the cone with a stirring rod. Allow to settle undisturbed for 15 minutes longer. Record the volume of settled material in the cone as milliliters per liter. Where a separation of settleable and floating materials occurs, do not include the floating material in the reading. Notwithstanding any provision of 40 CFR Part 136, the method detection limit for measuring settleable solids under this part shall be 0.4 ml/l.
(h) Western alkaline coal mining.
(i) Applicable to alkaline mine drainage at western coal mining operations from reclamation areas, brushing and grubbing areas, topsoil stockpiling areas, and regraded areas where the discharge, before any treatment, meets all of the following requirements:
(A) pH is equal to or greater than 6.0,
(B) Dissolved iron concentration is less than 10 mg/l, and
(C) Net alkalinity is greater than zero.
(ii) Special definitions.
(A) "Brushing and grubbing" area means the area where woody plant materials that would interfere with soil salvage operations have been removed or incorporated into the soil that is being salvaged.
(B) "Regraded area" means the surface area of a coal mine that has been returned to required contour.
(C) "Sediment" means undissolved organic and inorganic material transported or deposited by water.
(D) "Sediment yield" means the sum of the soil losses from a surface minus deposition in macro-topographic depressions, at the toe of the hillslope, along field boundaries, or in terraces and channels sculpted into the hillslope.
(E) "Topsoil stockpiling area" means the area outside the mined-out area where topsoil is temporarily stored for use in reclamation, including containment berms.
(F) "Western coal mining operation" means a surface or underground coal mining operation located in the interior western United States, west of the 100th meridian, west longitude, in an arid or semiarid environment with an average annual precipitation of 26 inches or less.
(iii) The effluent limitations of Appendix J (h) (iv) apply until the appropriate SMCRA authority has authorized bond release.
(iv) Effluent limitations.
(A) The operator must submit a site specific sediment control plan to the permitting authority that is designed to prevent an increase in the average annual sediment yield from pre-mined, undisturbed conditions. The sediment control plan must be approved by the administrator and be incorporated into the permit as an effluent limitation. The sediment control plan must identify best management practices (BMPs) and also must describe design specifications, construction specifications, maintenance schedules, criteria for inspection, as well as expected performance and longevity of the best management practices.
(B) Using watershed models, the operator must demonstrate that implementation of the sediment control plan will result in average annual sediment yields that will not be greater than the sediment yield levels from pre-mined, undisturbed conditions. The operator must use the same watershed model that was, or will be, used to acquire the SMCRA permit.
(C) The operator must design, implement, and maintain BMPs in the manner specified in the sediment control plan.
(l) Coal remining. Applicable to pre-existing discharges that are located within or are hydrologically connected to pollution abatement areas of a coal mining operation.
(i) Specialized definitions.
(A) "Coal remining operation" means a coal mining operation at a site on which coal mining was previously conducted and where the site has been abandoned or the performance bond has been forfeited.
(B) "Pollution abatement area" means the part of the permit area that is causing or contributing to the baseline pollution load of pre-existing discharges. The pollution abatement area must include, to the extent practicable, areas adjacent to and nearby the remining operation that also must be affected to reduce the pollution load of the pre-existing discharges and may include the immediate location of the pre-existing discharges.
(C) "Pre-existing discharge" means any discharge resulting from mining activities that have been abandoned prior tot the time of a remining permit application. The term shall include a pre-existing discharge that is relocated as a result of the implementation of BMPs contained in the Pollution Abatement Plan.
(D) "Steep slope" means any slope above 20 degrees or such lesser slope as may be defined by the administrator after consideration of soil, climate, and other characteristics of the State. The term does not apply to those situations in which an operator is mining on flat or gently rolling terrain, on which an occasional steep slope is encountered and through which the mining operation is to proceed, leaving a plain or predominantly flat area.
(E) "New source remining operation" means a remining operation at a coal mine where mining first commences after February 22, 2002 and subsequently becomes an abandoned mine.
(ii) A pre-existing discharge that is intercepted by active mining or that is commingled with waste streams from active mining areas for treatment is subject to the provisions of Appendix J (d) (iv) of these regulations only during the time when the pre-existing discharge is intercepted by active mining or is commingled with active mine wastewater for treatment or discharge. After commingling has ceased, the pre-existing discharge is subject to the provisions of Appendix J (i) of these regulations.
(iii) In situations where coal remining operations seek reissuance of an existing remining permit with BPJ limitations and the administrator determines that it is not feasible for a remining operator to re-establish baseline pollutant levels in accordance with the statistical procedures contained in 40 CFR Part 434 Appendix B pre-existing discharge limitations at existing remining operations shall remain subject to baseline pollutant levels established during the original permit application.
(iv) The effluent limitations of Appendix J (i) apply to pre-existing discharges until the appropriate SMCRA authority has authorized bond release.
(v) Effluent limitations applicable to coal remining.
(A) The operator must submit a site-specific pollution abatement plan to the administrator for the pollution abatement area. The plan must be approved by the administrator and incorporated into the permit as an effluent limitation. The Pollution Abatement Plan must identify characteristics of the pollution abatement area and the pre-existing discharges. The Pollution Abatement Plan must be designed to reduce pollution load from pre-existing discharges and must identify the selected BMPs to be used. The plan must describe the design specifications, construction specifications, maintenance schedules, criteria for monitoring and inspection, and expected performance of the BMPs. The BMPs must be implemented as specified in the plan.
(B) Except as provided in Appendix J (h) (v) (C) of these regulations, the following effluent limits shall apply to pre-existing discharges:
(I) Total iron may not exceed baseline loadings (as defined 40 CFR Part 434 Appendix B).
(II) Total manganese may not exceed baseline loadings (as defined 40 CFR Part 434 Appendix B).
(III) Net acidity may not exceed baseline loadings (as defined 40 CFR Part 434 Appendix B).
(IV) TSS, during remining and reclamation, may not exceed baseline loadings (as defined 40 CFR Part 434 Appendix B).
(V) Prior to bond release, the pre-existing discharge must meet the applicable standards for TSS or SS contained in Appendix J (d) (iii).
(VI) A pre-existing discharge is exempt from meeting standards in Subpart E for TSS and SS when the administrator determines that Subpart E standards are infeasible or impractical based on the site-specific conditions of soil, climate, topography, steep slopes, or other baseline conditions provided that the operator demonstrates that significant reductions of TSS and SS will be achieved through the incorporation of sediment control BMPs into the Pollution Abatement Plan as required by Appendix J (i) (v) of these regulations.
(C) If the administrator determines that it is infeasible to collect samples for establishing the baseline pollutant levels pursuant to Appendix J (i) (v) (B) of these regulations and that remining will result in significant improvement that would not otherwise occur, the numeric effluent limitations in Appendix J (i) (v) (B) of these regulations do not apply.
(D) Pre-existing discharges for which it is infeasible to collect samples for determination of baseline pollutant levels include, but are not limited to:
(I) Discharges that exist as a diffuse groundwater flow that cannot be assessed via sample collection;
(II) A base flow to a receiving surface water of the state that can not be monitored separate from the receiving surface waters of the state;
(III) A discharge on a steep or hazardous slope that is inaccessible for sample collection; or
(IV) A number of pre-existing discharges so extensive that monitoring of individual discharges is infeasible.
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APPENDIX K: RESERVED
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APPENDIX L: Criteria and Standards for Determining Fundamentally Different Factors
(a) Purpose and scope.
(i) This appendix establishes the criteria and standards to be used in determining whether effluent limitations alternative to those required by promulgated EPA effluent limitations guidelines under sections 301 and 304 of the CWA (hereinafter referred to as "national limits") should be imposed on a discharger because factors relating to the discharger=s facilities, equipment, processes or other factors related to the discharger are fundamentally different from the factors considered by EPA in development of the national limits. This subpart applies to all national limitations promulgated under sections 301 and 304 of the CWA, except for the BPT limits contained in 40 CFR 423.12 (steam electric generating point source category).
(ii) In establishing national limits, EPA takes into account all the information it can collect, develop and solicit regarding the factors listed in section 304 (b) of the CWA. In some cases, however, data which could affect these national limits as they apply to a particular discharge may not be available or may not be considered during their development. As a result, it may be necessary on a case-by-case basis to adjust the national limits, and make them either more or less stringent as they apply to certain dischargers within an industrial category or subcategory. This will only be done if data specific to that discharger indicates it presents factors fundamentally different from those considered by EPA in developing the limit at issue. Any interested person believing that factors relating to a discharger=s facilities, equipment, processes or other facilities related to the discharger are fundamentally different from the factors considered during development of the national limits may request a fundamentally different factors variance under Section 8 of these regulations. In addition, such a variance may be proposed by the director in the draft permit.
(b) Criteria.
(i) A request for the establishment of effluent limitations under this appendix shall be forwarded to the Administrator of the EPA (or his delegate) with a written concurrence only if:
(A) There is an applicable national limit which is applied in the permit and specifically controls the pollutant for which alternative effluent limitations or standards have been requested; and
(B) Factors relating to the discharge controlled by the permit are fundamentally different from those considered by EPA in establishing the national limits; and
(C) The request for alternative effluent limitations or standards is made in accordance with the requirements of Section 8 of these regulations.
(ii) A request for the establishment of effluent limitations less stringent than those required by national limits guidelines shall be forwarded to the Administrator of the EPA (or his delegate) with a written concurrence only if:
(A) The alternative effluent limitation or standard requested is no less stringent than justified by the fundamental difference; and
(B) The alternative effluent limitation or standard will ensure compliance with Sections 208 (e) and 301 (b) (1) (C) of the CWA; and
(C) Compliance with the national limits (either by using the technologies upon which the national limits are based or by other control alternatives) would result in:
(I) A removal cost wholly out of proportion to the removal cost considered during development of the national limits; or
(II) A non-water quality environmental impact (including energy requirements) fundamentally more adverse than the impact considered during development of the national limits.
(iii) Factors which may be considered fundamentally different are:
(A) The nature of quality of pollutants contained in the raw waste load of the applicant=s process wastewater;
(B) The volume of the discharger=s process wastewater and effluent discharged;
(C) Non-water quality environmental impact of control and treatment of the discharger=s raw waste load;
(D) Energy requirements of the application of control and treatment technology;
(E) Age, size, land availability, and configuration as they relate to the discharger=s equipment or facilities, processes employed, process changes, and engineering aspects of the application of control technology;
(F) Cost of compliance with required control technology.
(iv) A variance request or portion of such a request under this section shall not be forwarded to the Administrator of the EPA (or his delegate) with a written concurrence on any of the following grounds:
(A) The infeasibility of installing the required waste treatment equipment within the time the CWA allows.
(B) The assertion that the national limits cannot be achieved with appropriate waste treatment facilities installed, if such assertion is not based on factor(s) listed in Appendix L (iv);
(C) The discharger's ability to pay for the required waste treatment; or
(D) The impact of a discharge on local receiving water quality.
(v) Nothing in this appendix shall be construed to impair the right of any locality under Section 510 of the CWA to impose more stringent limitations than those required by federal law.
(c) Method of application.
(i) A written request for a variance under this appendix shall be submitted in triplicate to the director in accordance with Section 8 of these regulations.
(ii) The burden is on the person requesting the variance to explain that:
(A) Factor(s) listed in Appendix L (b) (ii) of these regulations regarding the discharger's facility are fundamentally different from the factors EPA considered in establishing the national limits. The requester should refer to all relevant material and information, such as the published guideline regulations development document, all associated technical and economic data collected for use in developing each national limit, all records of legal proceedings, and all written and printed documentation including records of communication, etc., relevant to the regulations which are kept on public file by the EPA;
(B) The alternative limitations requested are justified by the fundamental difference alleged in Appendix L (c) (ii) (A) of these regulations; and
(C) The appropriate requirements of Appendix L (b) of these regulations have been met.
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APPENDIX M: Criteria for Determining Alternative Effluent Limitations
(a) With respect to any point source otherwise subject to the provisions of Section 301 or Section 306 of the CWA, whenever the owner or operator of any such source, after opportunity for public hearing can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the administrator that any effluent limitation proposed for the control of the thermal component of any discharge from such source will require effluent limitations more stringent than necessary to assure the protection and propagation of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on the body of water into which the discharge is to be made, the administrator may impose an effluent limitation on such plant, with respect to the thermal component of such discharge (taking into account the interaction of such thermal component with other pollutants), that will assure the protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on that body of water. This appendix describes the factors, criteria and standards for the establishment of alternative thermal effluent limitations.
(b) Definitions.
(i) "Alternative effluent limitations" means all effluent limitations or standards of performance for the control of the thermal component of any discharge which are established under this appendix.
(ii) "Representative important species" means species which are representative, in terms of their biological needs, of a balanced, indigenous community of shellfish, fish and wildlife in the body of water into which a discharge of heat is made.
(iii) The term "balanced, indigenous community" is synonymous with the term "balanced, indigenous population" in the CWA and means a biotic community typically characterized by diversity, the capacity to sustain itself through cyclic seasonal changes, presence of necessary food chain species and by a lack of domination by pollution tolerant species. Such a community may include historically non-native species introduced in connection with a program of wildlife management and species whose presence or abundance results from substantial, irreversible environmental modifications. Normally, however, such a community will not include species whose presence or abundance is attributable to the introduction of pollutants that will be eliminated by compliance by all sources with section 301 (b) (2) of the CWA; and may not include species whose presence or abundance is attributable to alternative effluent limitations imposed pursuant to this appendix.
(c) Early screening of applications.
(i) Any initial application for an alternative effluent limitation under this appendix shall include the following early screening information:
(A) A description of the alternative effluent limitation requested;
(B) A general description of the method by which the applicant proposes to demonstrate that the otherwise applicable thermal discharge effluent limitations are more stringent than necessary;
(C) A general description of the type of data, studies, experiments and other information which the applicant intends to submit for the demonstration; and
(D) Such data and information as may be available to assist the administrator in selecting the appropriate representative important species.
(ii) After submitting the early screening information under Appendix M (c), the applicant shall consult with the administrator at the earliest practicable time (but not later than 30 days after the application is filed) to discuss the applicant=s early screening information. Within 60 days after the application is filed, the applicant shall submit for the administrator=s approval a detailed plan of study which the applicant will undertake to support its demonstration under this appendix. The applicant shall specify the nature and extent of the following type of information to be included in the plan of study: biological, hydrographical and meteorological data; physical monitoring data; engineering or diffusion models; laboratory studies; representative important species; and other relevant information. In selecting representative important species, special consideration shall be given to species mentioned in applicable water quality standards. After the applicant submits its detailed plan of study, the administrator shall either approve the plan or specify any necessary revisions to the plan. The applicant shall provide any additional information or studies which the administrator subsequently determines necessary to support the demonstration, including such studies or inspections as may be necessary to select representative important species. The applicant may provide any additional information or studies which the applicant feels are appropriate to support the demonstration.
(iii) Any application for the renewal of an alternative effluent limitation under this appendix shall include only such information described in Appendix M (c) (i) and (ii) as the administrator requests within 60 days after receipt of the permit application.
(iv) The administrator shall promptly notify the Regional Administrator of the EPA and any affected state of the filing of the request and shall consider any timely recommendations they submit.
(v) In making the demonstration, the applicant shall consider any information or guidance published by EPA to assist in making such demonstrations.
(vi) If an applicant desires a ruling on an application under this appendix, before the ruling on any other necessary permit terms and conditions, the applicant shall so request upon filing its application under Appendix M (c) (i). This request shall be granted or denied at the discretion of the administrator.
(d) Criteria and standards for the determination of alternative effluent limitations under this appendix.
(i) Thermal discharge effluent limitations or standards established in permits may be less stringent than those required by applicable standards and limitations if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the administrator that such effluent limitations are more stringent than necessary to assure the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous community of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on the body of water into which the discharge is made. This demonstration must show that the alternative effluent limitation desired by the applicant, considering the cumulative impact of its thermal discharge together with all other significant impacts on the species affected, will assure the protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous community of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on the body of water into which the discharge is to be made.
(ii) In determining whether or not the protection and propagation of the affected species will be assured, the administrator may consider any information contained or referenced in any applicable thermal water quality criteria and thermal water quality information published by the Administrator of the EPA under Section 304 (a) of the CWA, or any other information the administrator deems relevant.
(iii) Demonstration upon the absence of prior appreciable harm.
(A) Existing permittees may base their demonstration upon the absence of prior appreciable harm in lieu of predictive studies. Any such demonstrations shall show:
(I) That no appreciable harm has resulted from the normal component of the discharge, taking into account the interaction of such thermal component with other pollutants and the additive effect of other thermal sources to a balanced, indigenous community of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on the body of water into which the discharge has been made; or
(II) That despite the occurrence of such previous harm, the desired alternative effluent limitations (or appropriate modifications thereof) will nevertheless assure the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous community of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on the body of water into which the discharge is made.
(iv) In determining whether or not prior appreciable harm has occurred, the administrator shall consider the length of time in which the applicant has been discharging and the nature of the discharge.
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APPENDIX N: Toxic Pollutant Effluent Standards and Prohibitions
(a) Scope and purpose.
(i) The provisions of this appendix apply to owners or operators of specified facilities discharging into surface waters of the state.
(ii) The effluent standards or prohibitions for toxic pollutants established in this appendix shall be applicable to the sources and pollutants hereinafter set forth, and may be incorporated in any WYPDES permit, modification or renewal thereof, in accordance with the provisions of this appendix.
(iii) The provisions of these regulations shall apply to any WYPDES permit proceedings for any point source discharge containing any toxic pollutant for which a standard or prohibition is established under this appendix.
(b) Definitions. All terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given them in the CWA or in Section 3 of these regulations. As used in this appendix, the term:
(i) "Effluent standard" means any restriction established by the administrator on quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents which are discharged from point sources into surface waters of the state but does not include a schedule of compliance.
(ii) "Prohibited" means that the constituent shall be absent in any discharge subject to these standards, as determined by any analytical method.
(iii) "Working day" means the hours during a calendar day in which a facility discharges effluents subject to this part.
(iv) "Ambient water criterion" means that concentration of a toxic pollutant in a surface water of the state that, based upon available data, will not result in adverse impact on important aquatic life, or on consumers of such aquatic life, after exposure of that aquatic life for periods of time exceeding 96 hours and continuing at least through one reproductive cycle; and will not result in a significant risk of adverse health effects in a large human population based on available information such as mammalian laboratory toxicity data, epidemiological studies of human occupational exposures, or human exposure data, or any other relevant data.
(v) "New source" means any source discharging a toxic pollutant, the construction of which is commenced after proposal of an effluent standard or prohibition applicable to such source if such effluent standard or prohibition is thereafter promulgated in accordance with Section 307 of the CWA.
(vi) "Existing source" means any source which is not a new source as defined in Appendix N (b) (v).
(vii) "Source" means any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is or may be the discharge of toxic pollutants designated as such by the administrator.
(viii) "Owner or operator" means any person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises a source as defined in Appendix N (b) (vii).
(ix) "Construction" means any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities or equipment (including contractual obligations to purchase such facilities or equipment) at the premises where such equipment will be used, including preparation work at such premises.
(x) "Manufacturer" means any establishment engaged in the mechanical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products, including but not limited to, the blending of materials such as pesticidal products, resins, or liquors.
(xi) "Process wastes" means any designated toxic pollutant, whether in wastewater or otherwise present, which is inherent to or unavoidably resulting from any manufacturing process, including that which comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, by product or waste product and is discharged into surface waters of the state.
(xii) "Air emissions" means the release or discharge of a toxic pollutant by an owner or operator into the ambient air either 1) by means of a stack or 2) as a fugitive dust, mist or vapor as a result inherent to the manufacturing or formulating process.
(xiii) "Fugitive dust, mist or vapor" means dust, mist or vapor containing a toxic pollutant regulated under this part which is emitted from any source other than through a stack.
(xiv) "Stack" means any chimney, flue, conduit, or duct arranged to conduct emissions to the ambient air.
(xv) "Ten year 24-hour rainfall event" means the maximum precipitation event with a probable recurrence interval of once in ten (10) years as defined by the National Weather Service in Technical Paper No. 40, Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the United States, May 1961, and subsequent amendments or equivalent regional or state rainfall probability information developed therefrom.
(c) Abbreviations. The abbreviations used in this part represent the following terms:
(i) lb=pound (or pounds)
(ii) g=gram
(iii) ug/l=micrograms per liter (1 one millionth gram/liter)
(iv) kg=kilogram(s) kkg=1000 kilogram(s)
(d) Toxic pollutants. The following are the pollutants subject to regulation under the provisions of this appendix:
(i) Aldrin/Dieldrin - Aldrin means the compound aldrin as identified by the chemical name, 1,2,3,4,10,10 hexachloro -1,4,4a,5,8,8a hexahydro -1,4 -endo 5,8 -exo- dimethanonaphthalene; ``Dieldrin'' means the compound the dieldrin as identified by the chemical name 1,2,3,4,10,10 -hexachloro-6,7 - epoxy -1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a octahydro-1,4 -endo 5,8 -exo- dimethanonaphthalene.
(ii) DDT - DDT means the compounds DDT, DDD, and DDE as identified by the chemical names:(DDT)-1,1,1 -trichloro -2,2 - bis(p- chlorophenyl) ethane and someo,p' isomers; (DDD) or (TDE) -1,1 -dichloro -2,2- bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane and some o,p'-isomers; (DDE) -1,1-dichloro -2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene.
(iii) Endrin - Endrin means the compound endrin as identified by the chemical name 1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-6,7 epoxy - 1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a -octahydro -1,4-endo 5,8-endodimethanonaphthalene.
(iv) Toxaphene - Toxaphene means a material consisting of technical grade chlorinated camphene having the approximate formula of C10H10Cl8 and normally containing 67-69 percent chlorine by weight.
(v) Benzidine - Benzidine means the compound benzidine and its salts as identified by the chemical name 4,4'-diaminobiphenyl.
(vi) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) - Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) means a mixture of compounds composed of the biphenyl molecule which has been chlorinated to varying degrees. [42 FR 2613, Jan. 12, 1977, as amended at 42 FR 2620, Jan. 12, 1977; 42 FR 6555, Feb. 2, 1977]
(e) Compliance.
(i) Within 60 days from the date of promulgation of any toxic pollutant effluent standard or prohibition each owner or operator with a discharge subject to that standard or prohibition must notify the director of such discharge. Such notification shall include such information and follow such procedures as the director may require.
(ii) Any owner or operator who does not have a discharge subject to any toxic pollutant effluent standard at the time of such promulgation but who thereafter commences or intends to commence any activity which would result in such a discharge shall first notify the director in the manner herein provided at least 60 days prior to any such discharge.
(iii) Upon receipt of any application for issuance or reissuance of a permit or for a modification of an existing permit for a discharge subject to a toxic pollutant effluent standard or prohibition the permitting authority shall proceed thereon in accordance with these regulations.
(iv) Every permit which contains limitations based upon a toxic pollutant effluent standard or prohibition under this appendix is subject to revision following the completion of any proceeding revising such toxic pollutant effluent standard or prohibition regardless of the duration specified on the permit.
(v) For purposes of this section, all toxic pollutants for which standards are set under this appendix are deemed to be injurious to human health within the meaning of Section 402 (k) of the CWA unless otherwise specified in the standard established for any particular pollutant.
(vi) Upon the compliance date for any toxic pollutant effluent standard or prohibition, under Section 307 (a) of the CWA, each owner or operator of a discharge subject to such standard or prohibition shall comply with such monitoring, sampling, recording, and reporting conditions as the director may require for that discharge. Notice of such conditions shall be provided in writing to the owner or operator.
(vii) In addition to any conditions required pursuant to Appendix N (e) (vi) and to the extent not required in conditions contained in WYPDES permits, within 60 days following the close of each calendar year each owner or operator of a discharge subject to any toxic standard or prohibition shall report to the director concerning the compliance of such discharges. Such report shall include, as a minimum, information concerning 1) relevant identification of the discharger such as name, location of facility, discharge points, receiving waters, and the industrial process or operation emitting the toxic pollutant; 2) relevant conditions (pursuant to Appendix N (e) (vi) or to an WYPDES permit) as to flow, toxic pollutant concentrations under Section 307 (a) of the CWA, and toxic pollutant mass emission rate under Section 307 (a) of the CWA; and 3) compliance by the discharger with such conditions.
(viii) When samples collected for analysis are composited, such samples shall be composited in proportion to the flow at time of collection and preserved in compliance with requirements of the director, but shall include at least five (5) samples, collected at approximately equal intervals throughout the working day.
(ix) Nothing in these regulations shall preclude the director from requiring in any permit a more stringent effluent limitation or standard pursuant to Section 301 (b) (1) (C) of the CWA and implemented pursuant to the provisions of these regulations.
(x) Any owner or operator of a facility which discharges a toxic pollutant to surface waters of the state and to a publicly owned treatment system shall limit the summation of the mass emissions from both discharges to the less restrictive standard, either the direct discharge standard or the pretreatment standard; but in no case will this paragraph allow a discharge to surface waters of the state greater than the toxic pollutant effluent standard established for a direct discharge to the surface waters of the state.
(xi) In any permit hearing or other administrative proceeding relating to the implementation or enforcement of these standards, the parties thereto may not contest the validity of any national standards established in this appendix, or the ambient water criterion established herein for any toxic pollutant.
(f) Adjustment of effluent standard for presence of toxic pollutant in the intake water.
(i) Upon the request of the owner or operator of a facility discharging a pollutant subject to a toxic pollutant effluent standard or prohibition, the director shall give credit, and shall adjust the effluent standard(s) in such permit to reflect credit for the toxic pollutant(s) in the owner's or operator's water supply if 1) the source of the owner's or operator's water supply is the same body of water into which the discharge is made, and if 2) it is demonstrated to the director that the toxic pollutant(s) present in the owner's or operator's intake water will not be removed by any wastewater treatment systems whose design capacity and operation were such as to reduce toxic pollutants to the levels required by the applicable toxic pollutant effluent standards in the absence of the toxic pollutant in the intake water.
(ii) Effluent limitations established pursuant to this section shall be calculated on the basis of the amount of the toxic pollutant(s) under Section 307(a) of the CWA present in the water after any water supply treatment steps have been performed by or for the owner or operator.
(iii) Any permit which includes toxic pollutant effluent limitations established pursuant to this appendix shall also contain conditions requiring the permittee to conduct additional monitoring in the manner and locations determined by the director for those toxic pollutants for which the toxic pollutant effluent standards have been adjusted.
(g) Requirement and procedure for establishing a more stringent effluent limitation.
(i) In exceptional cases:
(A) Where the director determines that the ambient water criterion established in these regulations is not being met or will not be met in the receiving water as a result of one or more discharges at levels allowed by these regulations, and
(B) Where the director further determines that this is resulting in or may cause or contribute to significant adverse effects on aquatic or other organisms usually or potentially present, or on human health, the director may issue to an owner or operator a permit or a permit modification containing a toxic pollutant effluent limitation at a more stringent level than that required by these regulations. In any proceeding in connection with such action the burden of proof and burden of going forward with evidence with regard to such more stringent effluent limitation shall be upon the director as the proponent of such more stringent effluent limitation.
(C) Evidence in such proceeding shall include at a minimum: An analysis using data and other information to demonstrate receiving water concentrations of the specified toxic pollutant, projections of the anticipated effects of the proposed modification on such receiving water concentrations, and the hydrologic and hydrographic characteristics of the receiving waters including the occurrence of dispersion of the effluent.
(ii) Any effluent limitation in a WYPDES permit proposed to be issued which is more stringent than the toxic pollutant effluent standards promulgated by the director is subject to review by the Administrator of the EPA under Section 402 (d) of the CWA. The Administrator of the EPA may approve or disapprove such limitation(s) or specify another limitation(s) upon review of any record of any proceedings held in connection with the permit issuance or modification and any other available evidence. If the Administrator of the EPA takes no action within 90 days of receipt of the notification of the action of the director and any record thereof, the action of the director shall be deemed to be approved.
(h) Aldrin/Dieldrin.
(i) Specialized definitions.
(A) "Aldrin/Dieldrin manufacturer" means a manufacturer, excluding any source which is exclusively an aldrin/dieldrin formulator, who produces, prepares or processes technical aldrin or dieldrin or who uses aldrin or dieldrin as a material in the production, preparation or processing of another synthetic organic substance.
(B) "Aldrin/Dieldrin formulator" means a person who produces, prepares or processes a formulated product comprising a mixture of either aldrin or dieldrin and inert materials or other diluents, into a product intended for application in any use registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 135, et seq.).
(C) The ambient water criterion for aldrin/dieldrin in surface waters of the state is 0.003 ug/l.
(ii) Aldrin/Dieldrin manufacturer.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the manufacturing areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by aldrin/dieldrin as a result of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (h) (ii) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of aldrin/dieldrin; or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136, except that a 1 liter sample size is required to increase the analytical sensitivity.
(C) Effluent standard.
(I) Existing sources. Aldrin or dieldrin is prohibited in any discharge from any aldrin/dieldrin manufacturer.
(II) New Sources. Aldrin or dieldrin is prohibited in any discharge from any aldrin/dieldrin manufacturer.
(iii) Aldrin/Dieldrin formulator.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the formulating areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by aldrin/dieldrin as a result of the formulating process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (h) (iii) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of aldrin/dieldrin; or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136, except that a 1 liter sample size is required to increase the analytical sensitivity.
(C) Effluent standard.
(I) Existing sources. Aldrin or dieldrin is prohibited in any discharge from any aldrin/dieldrin formulator.
(II) New sources. Aldrin or dieldrin is prohibited in any discharge from any aldrin/dieldrin formulator.
(i) DDT, DDD, and DDE.
(i) Specialized definitions.
(A) "DDT manufacturer" means a manufacturer, excluding any source which is exclusively a DDT formulator, who produces, prepares or processes technical DDT, or who uses DDT as a material in the production, preparation or processing of another synthetic organic substance.
(B) "DDT formulator" means a person who produces, prepares or processes a formulated product comprising a mixture of DDT and inert materials or other diluents into a product intended for application in any use registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 135, et seq.). The ambient water criterion for DDT in surface waters of the state is 0.001 ug/l.
(ii) DDT manufacturer.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the manufacturing areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by DDT as a result of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (i) (ii) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of DDT; or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136, except that a 1 liter sample size is required to increase the analytical sensitivity.
(C) Effluent standard.
(I) Existing sources. DDT is prohibited in any discharge from any DDT manufacturer.
(II) New sources. DDT is prohibited in any discharge from any DDT manufacturer.
(iii) DDT formulator.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the formulating areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by DDT as a result of the formulating process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (i) (iii) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of DDT or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136, except that a 1 liter sample size is required to increase the analytical sensitivity.
(C) Effluent standard.
(I) Existing sources. DDT is prohibited in any discharge from any DDT formulator.
(II) New Sources. DDT is prohibited in any discharge from any DDT formulator.
(j) Endrin.
(i) Specialized definitions.
(A) "Endrin manufacturer" means a manufacturer, excluding any source which is exclusively an endrin formulator, who produces, prepares or processes technical endrin, or who uses endrin as a material in the production, preparation or processing of another synthetic organic substance.
(B) "Endrin formulator means" a person who produces, prepares or processes a formulated product comprising a mixture of endrin and inert materials or other diluents into a product intended for application in any use registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 135 et seq.).
(C) The ambient water criterion for endrin in surface waters of the state is 0.004 ug/l.
(ii) Endrin manufacturer.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the manufacturing areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by endrin as a result of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (j) (ii) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of endrin or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136.
(C) Effluent standard.
(I) Existing sources. Discharges from an endrin manufacturer shall not contain endrin concentrations exceeding an average per working day of 1.5 ug/l calculated over any calendar month; and shall not exceed a monthly average daily loading of 0.0006 kg/kkg of endrin produced; and shall not exceed 7.5 ug/l in a sample(s) representing any working day.
(II) New sources. Discharges from an endrin manufacturer shall not contain endrin concentrations exceeding an average per working day of 0.1 ug/l calculated over any calendar month; and shall not exceed a monthly average daily loading of 0.00004 kg/kkg of endrin produced; and shall not exceed 0.5 ug/l in a sample(s) representing any working day.
(III) Mass emission standard during shutdown of production. In computing the allowable monthly average daily loading figure required under the preceding Appendix N (j) (ii) (C) (I) and (II), for any calendar month for which there is no endrin being manufactured at any plant or facility which normally contributes to the discharge which is subject to these standards, the applicable production value shall be deemed to be the average monthly production level for the most recent preceding 360 days of actual operation of the plant or facility.
(iii) Endrin formulator.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the formulating areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by endrin as a result of the formulating process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (j) (iii) (A) (II); and
b. water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of endrin, or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136, except that a 1 liter sample size is required to increase the analytical sensitivity.
(C) Effluent standard.
(I) Existing sources. Endrin is prohibited in any discharge from any endrin formulator.
(II) New sources. Endrin is prohibited in any discharge from any endrin formulator.
(iv) The standards set forth in this section shall apply to the total combined weight or concentration of endrin, excluding any associated element or compound.
(k) Toxaphene.
(i) Specialized definitions.
(A) "Toxaphene manufacturer" means a manufacturer, excluding any source which is exclusively a toxaphene formulator, who produces, prepares or processes toxaphene or who uses toxaphene as a material in the production, preparation or processing of another synthetic organic substance.
(B) "Toxaphene formulator" means a person who produces, prepares or processes a formulated product comprising a mixture of toxaphene and inert materials or other diluents into a product intended for application in any use registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 135, et seq.).
(C) The ambient water criterion for toxaphene in surface waters of the state is 0.005 ug/l.
(ii) Toxaphene manufacturer.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the manufacturing areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by toxaphene as a result of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (k) (ii) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of toxaphene or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136.
(C) Effluent standard.
(I) Existing sources. Discharges from a toxaphene manufacturer shall not contain toxaphene concentrations exceeding an average per working day of 1.5 ug/l calculated over any calendar month; and shall not exceed a monthly average daily loading of 0.00003 kg/kkg of toxaphene produced, and shall not exceed 7.5 ug/l in a sample(s) representing any working day.
(II) New sources. Discharges from a toxaphene manufacturer shall not contain toxaphene concentrations exceeding an average per working day of 0.1 ug/l calculated over any calendar month; and shall not exceed a monthly average daily loading of 0.000002 kg/kkg of toxaphene produced, and shall not exceed 0.5 ug/l in a sample(s) representing any working day.
(III) Mass emission during shutdown of production. In computing the allowable monthly average daily loading figure required under the preceding Appendix N (k) (ii) (C) (I) and (II), for any calendar month for which there is no toxaphene being manufactured at any plant or facility which normally contributes to the discharge which is subject to these standards, the applicable production value shall be deemed to be the average monthly production level for the most recent preceding 360 days of actual operation of the plant or facility.
(iii) Toxaphene formulator.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the formulating areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by toxaphene as a result of the formulating process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (k) (iii) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of toxaphene, or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136, except that a 1 liter sample size is required to increase the analytical sensitivity.
(C) Effluent standards.
(I) Existing sources. Toxaphene is prohibited in any discharge from any toxaphene formulator.
(II) New sources. Toxaphene is prohibited in any discharge from any toxaphene formulator.
(iv) The standards set forth in this section shall apply to the total combined weight or concentration of toxaphene, excluding any associated element or compound.
(l) Benzidine.
(i) Specialized definitions.
(A) "Benzidine manufacturer" means a manufacturer who produces benzidine or who produces benzidine as an intermediate product in the manufacture of dyes commonly used for textile, leather and paper dyeing.
(B) "Benzidine based dye applicator" means an owner or operator who uses benzidine based dyes in the dyeing of textiles, leather or paper.
(C) The ambient water criterion for benzidine in surface waters of the state is 0.1 ug/l.
(ii) Benzidine manufacturer.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards apply to:
(1.) All discharges into the surface waters of the state of process wastes, and
(2.) All discharges into the surface waters of the state of wastes containing benzidine from the manufacturing areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas, and other areas subject to direct contamination by benzidine or benzidine containing product as a result of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (l) (ii) (A) (II), and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of benzidine or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136.
(C) Effluent standards.
(I) Existing sources. Discharges from a benzidine manufacturer shall not contain benzidine concentrations exceeding an average per working day of 10 ug/l calculated over any calendar month, and shall not exceed a monthly average daily loading of 0.130 kg/kkg of benzidine produced, and shall not exceed 50 ug/l in a sample(s) representing any working day.
(II) New sources. Discharges from a benzidine manufacturer shall not contain benzidine concentrations exceeding an average per working day of 10 ug/l calculated over any calendar month, and shall not exceed a monthly average daily loading of 0.130 kg/kkg of benzidine produced, and shall not exceed 50 ug/l in a sample(s) representing any working day.
(D) The standards set forth in Appendix N (l) (ii) shall apply to the total combined weight or concentration of benzidine, excluding any associated element or compound.
(iii) Benzidine based dye applicators.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards apply to:
(1.) All discharges into the surface waters of the state of process wastes, and
(2.) All discharges into the surface waters of the state of wastes containing benzidine from the manufacturing areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas, and other areas subject to direct contamination by benzidine or benzidine containing product as a result of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (l) (iii) (A) (II), and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of benzidine or to storm water that exceeds that from the 10-year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable.
(I) EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136; or
(II) Mass balance monitoring approach which requires the calculation of the benzidine concentration by dividing the total benzidine contained in dyes used during a working day (as certified in writing by the manufacturer) by the total quantity of water discharged during the working day.
(C) Effluent standards.
(I) Existing sources. Discharges from benzidine based dye applicators shall not contain benzidine concentrations exceeding an average per working day of 10 ug/l calculated over any calendar month; and shall not exceed 25 ug/l in a sample(s) or calculation(s) representing any working day.
(II) New sources. Discharges from benzidine based dye applicators shall not contain benzidine concentrations exceeding an average per working day of 10 ug/l calculated over any calendar month; and shall not exceed 25 ug/l in a sample(s) or calculation(s) representing any working day.
(D) The standards set forth in Appendix N (l) (iii) shall apply to the total combined concentrations of benzidine, excluding any associated element or compound [42 FR 2620, Jan. 12, 1977].
(m) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
(i) Specialized definitions.
(A) "PCB manufacturer" means a manufacturer who produces polychlorinated biphenyls.
(B) "Electrical capacitor manufacturer" means a manufacturer who produces or assembles electrical capacitors in which PCB or PCB containing compounds are part of the dielectric.
(C) "Electrical transformer manufacturer" means a manufacturer who produces or assembles electrical transformers in which PCB or PCB containing compounds are part of the dielectric.
(D) The ambient water criterion for PCBs in surface waters of the state is 0.001 ug/l.
(ii) PCB manufacturer.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes;
(2.) All discharges from the manufacturing or incinerator areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas, and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by PCBs as a result of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (m) (ii) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of PCBs, or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10 year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical Method Acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136 except that a 1 liter sample size is required to increase analytical sensitivity.
(C) Effluent standards.
(I) Existing sources. PCBs are prohibited in any discharge from any PCB manufacturer;
(II) New sources. PCBs are prohibited in any discharge from any PCB manufacturer.
(iii) Electrical capacitor manufacturer.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the manufacturing or incineration areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by PCBs as a result of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (m) (iii) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of PCBs or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10 year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136, except that a 1 liter sample size is required to increase analytical sensitivity.
(C) Effluent standards.
(I) Existing sources. PCBs are prohibited in any discharge from any electrical capacitor manufacturer;
(II) New sources. PCBs are prohibited in any discharge from any electrical capacitor manufacturer.
(iv) Electrical transformer manufacturer.
(A) Applicability.
(I) These standards or prohibitions apply to:
(1.) All discharges of process wastes; and
(2.) All discharges from the manufacturing or incineration areas, loading and unloading areas, storage areas, and other areas which are subject to direct contamination by PCBs as a result of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
a. Storm water and other runoff except as hereinafter provided in Appendix N (m) (iv) (A) (II); and
b. Water used for routine cleanup or cleanup of spills.
(II) These standards do not apply to storm water runoff or other discharges from areas subject to contamination solely by fallout from air emissions of PCBs or to storm water runoff that exceeds that from the 10 year 24 hour rainfall event.
(B) Analytical method acceptable. EPA method specified in 40 CFR Part 136, except that a 1 liter sample size is required to increase analytical sensitivity.
(C) Effluent standards.
(I) Existing sources. PCBs are prohibited in any discharge from any electrical transformer manufacturer;
(II) New sources. PCBs are prohibited in any discharge from any electrical transformer manufacturer.
(v) Adjustment of effluent standard for presence of PCBs in intake water. Whenever a facility which is subject to these standards has PCBs in its effluent which result from the presence of PCBs in its intake waters, the owner may apply to the director, for a credit pursuant to Appendix N (f), where the source of the water supply is the same body of water into which the discharge is made. The requirement of Appendix N (f) (i), relating to the source of the water supply, shall be waived, and such facility shall be eligible to apply for a credit under Appendix N (f), upon a showing by the owner or operator of such facility to the director that the concentration of PCBs in the intake water supply of such facility does not exceed the concentration of PCBs in the receiving water body to which the plant discharges its effluent. [42 FR 6555, Feb. 2, 1977]
APPENDIX O: Additional Requirements Applicable to Colorado River Basin Salinity Control
(a) Definitions. The following definitions supplement those definitions contained in Section 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(i) Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum - The organization composed of water quality and water resource representatives of the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, with the responsibility for developing salinity standards and criteria for the waters of the Colorado River Basin.
(b) Salinity Standards/Criteria. The State of Wyoming shall cooperate with the other states of the Colorado River Basin and the government of the United States to maintain salinity levels in the main stem of the Colorado River at or below the following:
Location
Salinity in mg/L of total dissolved solids
Below Hoover Dam
723
Below Parker Dam
747
Imperial Dam
879
The above are flow-weighted average annual values and temporary increases above these values are allowed provided that with completion of salinity control projects, salinity concentrations would return to or below criteria level. These increases above the numeric criteria are provided for in order to allow development projects to be completed before control measures are brought on line, and to allow for unfavorable reservoir conditions or periods of below normal annual river flows.
(c) Point Source Discharges to Surface Waters. Point source discharges to the surface waters in the Colorado River Basin of Wyoming shall be controlled as described in the following policies adopted by the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum:
(i) "Policy for Implementation of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Standards through the NPDES Permit Program", October 30, 2002;
(ii) "Policy for Implementation of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Standards through the NPDES Permit Program for Intercepted Groundwater, October 20, 1980"; and
(iii) "Policy for Implementation of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Standards through the NPDES Permit Program for Fish Hatcheries, October 28, 1988"
(d) Interstate Compacts, Court Decrees and Water Rights. It is the policy of the Department that the adoption and enforcement of these regulations is not intended to prevent the utilization of water apportioned to the State of Wyoming through any interstate compact or court decree or to prevent the diversion of water under future or existing water rights.
History
- Effective 2025-08-06
Chapter 3 Regulations for Permit to Construct, Install or Modify Public Water Supplies, Wastewater Facilities, Disposal Systems, Biosolids Management Facilities, Treated Wastewater Reuse Systems and Other Facilities Capable of Causing or Contributing to Pollution
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 1 Authority
This Chapter is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, specifically Wyoming Statutes (W.S.) § 35-11-301 and W.S. § 35-11-304.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 2 Applicability
(a) This Chapter applies to all public water supplies, sewerage systems, treatment works, disposal facilities, biosolids management facilities, treated wastewater systems and other facilities capable of causing or contributing to pollution, including:
(i) Land application or surface disposal of biosolids or domestic septage;
(ii) Reuse of treated wastewater; and
(iii) Biosolids facilities where:
(A) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not regulate the land application or disposal of biosolids or domestic septage by issuance of an Authorization To Land Apply or Surface Dispose Sludge Under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System;
(B) Commercial waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities are used ;
(C) Non-commercial waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities are involved;
(D) Biosolids are prepared outside of the state and brought into the state for land application or surface disposal; or
(E) Treated wastewater is prepared outside of the state and brought into the state for land application.
(b) This Chapter does not apply to:
(i) Uranium mill tailing facilities that are regulated by the Land Quality Division, Uranium Recovery Program;
(ii) Noncommercial pits and ponds described by W.S. § 30-5-104(d)(vi)(A) that are regulated by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission;
(iii) Class II injection wells that are regulated by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission;
(iv) Sanitary landfills, pits at sanitary landfills, sludge disposal sites, and coal combustion residual surface impoundments permitted by the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division;
(v) Sediment control structures where the outfall enters into another sediment control structure that is permitted under this Chapter;
(vi) Treatment works, sediment impoundments, disposal systems, biosolids facilities, land application, or treated wastewater reuse systems regulated by the Land Quality Division;
(vii) Class V facilities requiring permits under Water Quality Rules Chapter 27;
(viii) Class VI facilities requiring permits under Water Quality Rules Chapter 24;
(ix) Supporting facilities for Class I injection wells permitted under Water Quality Rules Chapter 27;
(x) Confined swine feeding operations permitted under Water Quality Rules Chapter 20;
(xi) Facilities permitted by a municipality, water and sewer district, or county delegated authority under W.S. § 35-11-304;
(xii) Biosolids facilities permitted by EPA, if the recipient of the EPA permit submits a copy of the EPA permit to the Water Quality Division.
(xiii) A person who applies biosolids, domestic septage, or treated wastewater where the biosolids, domestic septage, or treated wastewater are prepared by another person authorized by a permit issued under this Chapter and the applier has a written agreement with the preparer;
(xiv) Initial emergency response activities to stop and contain a release, as defined in Water Quality Rules Chapter 4, that enters or threatens to enter Waters of the State or presents an immediate threat to human health, safety, or the environment.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 3 Definitions
(a) The definitions in this Section supplement those definitions contained in W.S. § 35-11-103;
(b) "Biosolids" means solid, semi-solid, or liquid residues generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works. Biosolids include, but are not limited to, domestic septage; scum or solids removed in primary, secondary, or advanced wastewater treatment processes; and a material derived from biosolids. Biosolids do not include ash generated during the firing of biosolids in a biosolids incinerator or grit and screenings generated during preliminary treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works.
(c) "Coal combustion residuals" means fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization materials generated from burning coal for the purpose of generating electricity by electric utilities and independent power producers.
(d) "Domestic septage" means either liquid or solid material removed from a septic tank, cesspool, portable toilet, Type III marine sanitation device, or similar treatment works that receives only domestic sewage. Domestic septage does not include liquid or solid material removed from a septic tank, cesspool, or similar treatment works that receives either commercial wastewater or industrial wastewater. Domestic septage does not include grease removed from a grease trap at a restaurant.
(e) "Domestic sewage" means waste and wastewater that is primarily from human or household operations that is discharged to or otherwise enters a treatment works.
(f) "Groundwater" means subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil materials such that they may be considered water saturated under hydrostatic pressure.
(g) "Noncommercial pits and wells" means pits and wells that are operated by an oil and gas operator; that receive wastes from oil or gas wells on a lease, unit or communitized area; that are not operated primarily for profit; and that are owned or operated by any of the owners of the oil and gas wells that produce the received wastes.
(h) "Non-discharging treatment works" means any plant or other works used for the purpose of treating, stabilizing or holding wastes without any addition of any pollution or wastes to any Waters of the State.
(i) "Publicly owned or controlled facility" means a system owned or controlled by a municipality, county or water and sewer district.
(j) "Receiver" means any zone, interval, formation or unit in the subsurface into which fluids and pollutants are or may be discharged.
(k) "Sedimentation control structures" means any collection ditch, containment ditch or other conveyance or impoundment used to convey runoff to an impoundment or impound runoff for the purpose of settling out sediment or suspended solids. Non-soil strainer dikes, terraces, riprap and mulches primarily intended for soil conservation purposes and are not sedimentation control structures.
(l) "Sedimentation pond" means a primary sediment control structure designed, constructed, or maintained to control runoff to allow sediment to settle out. Dam-created impoundments, excavated depressions, and natural depressions are sedimentation ponds if they are designed, constructed, or maintained to control runoff to allow sediment to settle out and are larger than two acre-feet. Strainer dikes, terraces, riprap, check dams, mulches, or other secondary sediment control structures are not sedimentation ponds.
(m) "Sewage collection facility" means a sewerage system, including pipelines, conduits, storm sewers, pumping stations, force mains, and all other construction, devices, appurtenances, and facilities used for collection or conducting wastes to an ultimate point for treatment or disposal.
(n) "Treated wastewater" means domestic sewage discharged from a treatment works after completion of the treatment process.
(o) "Treatment works" means either a publicly or privately owned device or system used to treat either domestic sewage or a combination of domestic sewage and commercial or industrial waste of a liquid nature. Treatment works also include:
(i) Devices or systems that prepare biosolids or domestic septage for land application or surface disposal; and
(ii) Devices or systems that prepare treated wastewater for reuse.
(p) "Wastewater facilities" means sewerage systems, disposal systems and treatment works.
(q) "Water distribution facility" means pipelines, conduits, pumping stations, storage facilities and all other constructions, devices, appurtenances and facilities used for collecting or conducting water from the source to an ultimate point for treatment and from the treatment facility to the service connections of a public water supply.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 4 Individual Permits
(a) Any person who proposes to construct, install, modify, or operate a facility required to be permitted by this Chapter shall submit a written application on forms provided by the Administrator and shall include with their application:
(i) Plans, specifications, design data, or other pertinent information covering the project;
(ii) Any additional information required by the Administrator; and
(iii) If required under Section 14(a) of this Chapter, a proposed environmental monitoring plan.
(iv) All plans, specifications, and reports submitted under this chapter shall be sealed, signed, and dated by a licensed professional engineer under W.S. § 33-29-601 or by a licensed professional geologist under W.S. § 33-41-115, as applicable.
(v) All plans and specifications shall conform to common and accepted engineering and geological practices as determined by the Administrator or as defined by applicable Water Quality Rules.
(b) An applicant for an individual permit shall submit with its application all supporting data necessary for the Director to determine compliance with this Chapter. The Administrator shall review each application or resubmittal within sixty (60) days from the date the application or resubmittal is received and shall make an initial determination of completeness.
(i) An application is complete when the Division receives an application and all supplemental information necessary to determine compliance with this Chapter.
(ii) An application will be denied if the Division determines it is incomplete.
(c) If the Administrator determines that an application is incomplete:
(i) The Administrator may return the application to the applicant, or the Administrator may request additional information to complete the application.
(ii) If the Administrator requests additional information to complete an application, the applicant shall provide the additional information within six (6) months of the request. If the applicant fails to provide the requested information within that period, the Administrator shall deny the application.
(d) All facilities permitted under this Chapter shall be designed, constructed, installed, or modified and operated to meet the minimum design standards of this Chapter and as specified in applicable Water Quality Rules.
(i) The plans and specifications for facilities permitted under this Chapter shall meet the minimum design standards of this Chapter and as specified in applicable Water Quality Rules.
(ii) If an existing facility applies for a permit to modify the facility, or to transfer or renew the permit to operate the facility, and the facility meets the minimum design standards that were in effect when its permit to construct, install, or modify the facility was issued, the Director may:
(A) Issue a permit to modify the facility to increase its capability to treat, hold, or dispose of wastes without altering the minimum design standards that apply to the facility under its existing permit;
(B) Issue a permit to modify the facility that requires the facility to meet the minimum design standards that are in effect when the permit to modify is issued that apply to the modification without altering any other minimum design standards that apply to the facility under its existing permit; or
(C) Issue a permit to modify the facility that requires the facility to meet all minimum design standards that are in effect when the permit to modify the facility is issued.
(iii) If an existing facility does not meet the minimum design standards that were in effect when its permit to construct, install, or modify the facility was issued, any permit to modify the facility, or any transferred or renewed permit to operate the facility, shall require the facility to meet or exceed the minimum design standards of these regulations that are in effect when the permit to modify is issued.
(iv) The Director shall not issue, renew, or transfer a permit to operate to any facility that does not meet the minimum design standards that were in effect when its permit to construct, install, or modify the facility was issued.
(v) All applications for a permit to construct or install a treatment works, disposal system, or other facility capable of causing or contributing to pollution (excluding sedimentation ponds, sedimentation control structures, small wastewater systems, sewerage systems, and public water supplies) shall contain the following:
(A) Documentation that the facility poses no threat of discharge to groundwater. The documentation shall consist of data that demonstrates that:
(I) Facility construction will not allow a discharge to groundwater by direct or indirect discharge, percolation, or filtration;
(II) The quality of wastewater will not cause any violation of the groundwater standards of Water Quality Rules Chapter 8; or
(III) Existing soils or geology will not allow a discharge to groundwater; or
(B) A subsurface study that meets the following requirements and contains the following information:
(I) Type, quantity, source, and chemical, physical, radiological, and toxic characteristics of fluids, wastes, or other materials to be held, treated, or disposed;
(II) The name, description, depth, geology, and hydrology of any receiver that may be affected by the proposed facility;
(III) A map indicating existing well locations, topography, proposed facility locations, and surface water features. The map shall also include proposed monitoring wells if required in accordance with Section 14(a) of this Chapter;
(IV) Types of soils, soil permeability, and soil assimilation capabilities at the site;
(V) Information on all existing water wells near the proposed facility, including well completion, yield, water use, water quality, and other relevant data. This information is required for:
(1.) All wells within one-quarter (¼ ) mile radius of the proposed facility;
(2.) All domestic and public water supplies located in a one (1) mile radius of the proposed facility; and
(3.) In aquifers where groundwater movement is rapid, the Administrator may require this information on wells within a three (3) mile radius of the proposed facility;
(VI) Hydrologic information that includes:
(1.) Potentiometric surface (water table) map;
(2.) Identification of aquifers:
a. Distribution and depth range;
b. Aquifer characteristics; and
c. Aquifer test data; and
(3.) Water quality variations.
(VII) If available, the following information:
(1.) Surface geology maps of:
a. Area distribution of formations or units;
b. Dip and strike; and
c. Faults, dikes, sills, and other intrusives or extrusives.
(2.) Area geologic reports;
(3.) Stratigraphic information, including:
a. Columnar or stratigraphic section;
b. Lithologic descriptions of rock units; and
c. Thickness of rock units; and
(C) The subsurface study shall demonstrate that the proposed facility will not cause or result in a violation of the groundwater standards in Water Quality Rules Chapter 8, contain information and data from pre-operational monitoring wells located to accurately characterize the subsurface environment, and include the following items:
(I) Well locations;
(II) Well completion information;
(III) Depth to the uppermost water-bearing zone;
(IV) Background water quality;
(V) Direction of groundwater movement;
(VI) Hydraulic conductivity;
(VII) Geology and types of soils; and
(VIII) Depth to base of the uppermost water-bearing zone.
(e) The Administrator shall promptly notify the applicant in writing of all actions taken on the application.
(f) If, upon review of an application, the Administrator determines that a permit is not required under the Environmental Quality Act, the Administrator shall notify the applicant of this determination in writing.
(g) The Administrator may provide opportunity for public comment and hold a public meeting prior to recommending individual permit approval if the Administrator determines there is a significant degree of public interest.
(h) If upon review of an application, the Director determines that a permit should not be granted, the Director shall notify the applicant in writing of the permit denial and state the reasons for denial.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 5 General Permits
(a) The Director shall issue a general permit for the installation, modification, construction, or operation of new systems for the following classes of facilities:
(i) Small wastewater facilities that require a permit under Water Quality Rules Chapter 25;
(ii) Extensions to or modifications of existing sewage collection facilities and public water supply distribution facilities, excluding finished water storage facilities, booster pump systems, and sewage lift systems;
(iii) Pilot plants constructed to obtain data to demonstrate compliance with applicable Water Quality Rules.
(b) The general permit for each type of facility listed in paragraph (a) of this Section shall contain requirements to protect surface and groundwater resources and to provide safe and adequate water for public water supply systems.
(c) The Administrator shall provide public notice and opportunity for public comment on the draft general permit before it is issued by the Director. The public comment period shall include:
(i) Notice in a paper of statewide circulation and electronic notification to persons on the Division subscriber list;
(ii) A minimum 30-day public comment period;
(iii) An opportunity for a public hearing if the Administrator determines there is a significant degree of public interest in the draft general permit; and
(iv) The preparation of a written analysis of how the Division responded to public comments. This analysis shall be made available to all persons who commented on the proposed permit.
(d) Applications for coverage under a general permit shall be submitted to the Division in a format required by the Administrator and include the application form, plans, specifications, design data, and other pertinent information concerning the project.
(e) All facilities described in paragraph (a) of this Section shall be designed, constructed, installed, modified, and operated to meet minimum design standards as specified in applicable Water Quality Rules.
(f) All plans, specifications, and reports submitted under this chapter shall be sealed, signed, and dated by a licensed professional engineer under W.S. § 33-29-601 or by a licensed professional geologist under W.S. § 33-41-115, as applicable.
(g) All plans and specifications shall conform to common and accepted engineering and geologic practices as determined by the Administrator or as defined by applicable Water Quality Rules.
(h) Facilities are authorized under the general permit when the Administrator issues a written notification of coverage under the general permit.
(i) The Administrator may require an applicant for a general permit to obtain an individual permit for that facility if the Administrator determines that the general permit would not be protective of surface water standards, groundwater standards, public health, or the environment.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 6 Permit by Rule
.
(a) The following facilities are permitted by rule when they are constructed, installed, modified, or operated in accordance with the requirements of this section:
(i) Monitoring wells, boreholes, test holes installed using direct push methods, soil vapor surveys, and test pits that are used to characterize subsurface conditions at sites where pollution is not known to exist; and
(ii) Monitoring wells and other subsurface investigation facilities used to obtain information for a permit application under Sections 4(d) and 14 of this Chapter.
(b) Prior to constructing or installing the facility, owners shall submit to the Administrator a Notice of Intent that includes the owner's name; address; phone number; legal description of the facility including the physical address, latitude and longitude, or township, range section and quarter-quarter (¼ ¼) section; any associated permit numbers and or program the facility operates under; the number of facilities to be installed under this Authorization, and; the date construction or installation will begin. By submission of the required information, the owner acknowledges and certifies they will comply with the requirements contained in this section.
(c) If pollution that has entered or threatens to enter Waters of the State, including groundwater, is found during installation of a facility permitted by rule pursuant to this Section, the owner shall notify the Administrator within twenty-four (24) hours.
(d) When pollution that has entered or threatens to enter Waters of the State, including groundwater, is found in facilities described in paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of this Section, the property owner or owner of the test facility shall immediately notify the Water Quality Division and submit a written report to the Administrator within thirty (30) days of receipt of the initial sample results. The report shall include:
(i) The name, address, and telephone number of the operator and the owner of the property;
(ii) A legal description of the specified property by ¼ section, township and range, or by latitude and longitude if accurate to within ten (10) meters;
(iii) The type, nature and extent of the pollution;
(iv) A brief description of the suspected source(s)of pollution;
(v) A description of any known or potential threat to human health, safety, or the environment;
(vi) A description of any corrective action(s) that have been taken or are planned to be taken;
(vii) Any sample results obtained; and
(viii) A seal, signature, and date by a Wyoming Professional Engineer or a Wyoming Professional Geologist, as applicable, on all plans, specifications, and reports submitted under this Section.
(e) Monitoring wells shall be designed and constructed in compliance with Water Quality Rules Chapter 26. Toxic glue shall not be used in monitoring wells.
(f) Monitoring wells shall be plugged and abandoned in compliance with Water Quality Rules Chapter 26. All other subsurface investigation facilities shall be abandoned by proper sealing to prevent surface contamination from reaching groundwater and to prevent the intermingling of aquifers.
(g) The Administrator may request information from the owner or operator of a facility permitted by rule to determine whether that facility may be in violation of or causing a violation of Water Quality Rules. Any request for information under this section shall be made in writing and include a brief statement of the reasons for requesting the information. An owner or operator shall submit the information within the time frame provided in the request for information.
(h) The Administrator may require any owner or operator of a facility permitted by rule to obtain an individual permit for that facility if the Administrator determines that a permit by rule would not be protective of surface water standards, groundwater standards, public health, or the environment.
(i) Coverage for facilities permitted by rule continues until the facility is properly closed, until coverage is suspended, terminated, or revoked under Section 13 of this Chapter, or until an individual permit or authorization under a general permit is issued for the facility.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 7 Sedimentation Control Structures
(a) Sedimentation control structures shall:
(i) Not obtain wastewater from any other source than natural runoff;
(ii) Not be located in a drainage channel that accepts runoff from undisturbed areas;
(iii) Be constructed before lands are affected, except sedimentation control structures for topsoil piles may be completed within fifteen (15) days after the need arises; and
(iv) Individually contain less than two acre-feet of runoff in addition to sediment storage or contain less than two acres in surface area, whichever is smaller;
(b) Within thirty (30) days after construction of a sedimentation control structure is completed, the permittee shall submit the following information to the Division:
(i) Exact size, location, and capacity of the facility; and
(ii) Amount of disturbed area and other information used by the permittee to size the facility.
(c) An applicant may obtain an individual permit for each sedimentation control structure or may obtain a permit for a sedimentation control structure plan that authorizes multiple sedimentation control structures. The permit application for a sedimentation control structure plan shall contain:
(i) Design information that the applicant shall use to size individual facilities to meet requirements of applicable Wyoming Water Quality Rules;
(ii) Provisions for dewatering;
(iii) Typical design and construction details of the facilities; and
(iv) Plan view indicating all areas to be covered by the sedimentation control structure and the topography of the area.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 8 Permit Duration
(a) In general, any construction, installation, modification, reuse of treated wastewater or land application permits authorized by a permit issued under this Chapter shall be completed within five (5) years from the date of issuance.A permit may specify a shorter deadline.
(i) For individual permits, the date of issuance is the date the Director issues the permit to the permittee.
(ii) For general permits, the date of issuance is the date the Director issues a written notification of coverage to the permittee.
(b) If the construction, installation, or modification, reuse of treated wastewater, or land application is not completed within five (5) years of the date of issuance or by the deadline specified in the permit (whichever is sooner), the permit automatically terminates, and the applicant shall obtain a new permit before constructing, installing, or modifying the facility, or continuing to reuse treated wastewater, or land apply.
(c) If the permittee completes construction, installation, or modification of the facility, or reuse of treated wastewater or land application before the deadline established by this paragraph or the permit (whichever is sooner), the permit continues as a permit to operate the facility. The permittee may continue to operate the facility in compliance with the terms of the permit until the permit is suspended, revoked, or terminated under Section 13 of this Chapter.
(d) Operational, record keeping, and reporting requirements shall remain in effect for the life of the facility.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 9 Transferring Permits
(a) Any permit issued under this Chapter is specific to the facility and applicant, and no permit shall be transferred without the approval of the Director. The Director shall issue permits only to:
(i) The owner of a public water supply, sewerage system, treatment works, disposal facility, biosolids management facility, treated wastewater system, or other facility capable of causing or contributing to pollution; or
(ii) The preparer or applier of the treated wastewater or biosolids.
(b) To transfer a permit to a new owner of a facility, a new preparer of treated wastewater or biosolids, or a new applier of treated wastewater or biosolids, the new applicant shall:
(i) Complete and submit an ownership transfer form to the Division; and
(ii) Include with the ownership transfer form a written request from the existing permittee to transfer the permit to the new applicant.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 10 Renewing Permits
(a) The Director may renew a permit issued under this Chapter if the permittee provides a written notice to the Division stating that there shall not be any changes in the plans for construction, installation, modification, or operation of the facility.
(b) The Director may renew an expired or terminated permit if the Director determines that renewing the permit will not cause or result in a violation of the requirements of this Chapter or the requirements of other applicable Water Quality Rules.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 11 Denying Permits or Coverage under a General Permit
(a) The Director may deny a permit or coverage under a general permit for any of the following reasons:
(i) The application is incomplete;
(ii) The facility does not meet the minimum design standards of this Chapter or other applicable Water Quality Rules;
(iii) The installation, construction, modification, or operation of the facility will cause or result in a violation of the surface water standards in Water Quality Rules Chapter 1 or the groundwater standards in Water Quality Rules Chapter 8;
(iv) The installation, construction, modification, or operation of the facility would not comply with applicable state and local water quality management plans as required by Section 15 of this Chapter;
(v) The installation, construction, modification, or operation of the facility would result in hydraulic or organic overloading of wastewater facilities;
(vi) The installation, construction, modification, or operation of the facility would result in public water supply demand in excess of source, treatment, or distribution capabilities; or
(vii) The Director determines that the installation, construction, modification, or operation of the facility would not be protective of surface water standards, groundwater standards, public health, or the environment.
(b) The Director shall notify the applicant in writing of the reason(s) for denying the permit.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 12 Amending Permits
(a) The Director may modify a permit for any of the following reasons:
(i) Existing, unknown, or changing site conditions that would prevent compliance with the Water Quality Rules;
(ii) Receipt of additional information; or
(iii) The Administrator determines that modifying the permit is necessary to achieve compliance with Water Quality Rules or the Environmental Quality Act; or
(iv) The permittee requests a permit modification.
(b) The Department shall notify the permittee in writing of its intent to modify an individual permit. The notification shall include the proposed permit modification and the reasons for modifying the permit. The modified permit is effective twenty (20) days after the permittee receives notice of the Department's intent to modify the permit unless within that time the permittee requests a contested case hearing before the Environmental Quality Council.
(c) The Director shall issue a new individual permit that reflects the modifications when the permit becomes effective.
(d) The Director shall review each general permit at least every five (5) years from the date of issuance, make modifications as needed, and reissue the general permit.
(i) All proposed modifications to the general permit shall be subject to public notice and opportunity for public comment according to Section 5(c) of this Chapter before the general permit is modified.
(ii) Facilities that are covered under a general permit shall continue to be covered under the modified general permit. To continue to be covered, facilities shall comply with all requirements of the modified general permit.
(e) A permittee may request a modification to its permit at any time by submitting a new application, an amended application, or a request to modify the permit.
(f) Any request to modify a permit, deviate from the plans submitted with the permit application, or use alternative materials or procedures shall be made in writing, and no modification to the permit shall be effective until the Director issues written authorization or a modified permit, except that:
(i) To prevent construction delays, a permittee may verbally request to use alternative materials or procedures, and the Administrator may verbally approve the request. The Administrator may approve the request if the materials or procedures specified in the issued permit cannot be obtained or accomplished and alternative materials or procedures meet the minimum design standards of this Chapter, Water Quality Rules Chapter 11, Water Quality Rules Chapter 12, Water Quality Rules Chapter 25, and Water Quality Rules Chapter 28; and
(ii) Verbal approval to use alternative materials or procedures is immediately effective, provided that the permittee submits a written request within five (5) days of receiving verbal approval.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 13 Suspending, Revoking, and Terminating Permits
(a) The Director may suspend, revoke, or terminate an individual permit, coverage under a general permit, or coverage under a permit by rule for any of the following reasons:
(i) Noncompliance with the terms of the permit, the Water Quality Rules, or the Environmental Quality Act;
(ii) Unapproved modifications in design or construction;
(iii) False information submitted in the application, failure in the application or during the issuance process to disclose fully all relevant facts, or misrepresenting any relevant facts at any time;
(iv) Changing site conditions that would result in violation of the requirements of this Chapter or applicable Water Quality Rules;
(v) Noncompliance with applicable state and local water quality management plans as required by Section 15 of this Chapter; or
(vi) The Director determines that the installation, construction, modification, or operation of the facility is not protective of surface water standards, groundwater standards, public health, or the environment.
(b) The Department shall notify the permittee in writing of its intent to suspend, terminate, or revoke an individual permit or coverage under a general permit. The notification shall include the reasons for suspending, terminating, or revoking the permit. The suspension, revocation, or termination is effective twenty (20) days after the permittee receives the Department's notice unless the permittee requests a contested case hearing before the Environmental Quality Council.
(c) Individual permits and authorizations under general permits automatically terminate:
(i) Sixty (60) days after sale or exchange of the permitted facility if the Division does not receive an application to transfer the permit in compliance with Section 9(b) of this Chapter;
(ii) When superseded by a new, transferred, renewed, or modified permit; and
(iii) Upon written request of the permittee.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 14 Environmental Monitoring Program for Protection of Waters of the State
(a) As determined by the Administrator, whenever a facility may cause, threaten, or allow the discharge of any pollution or wastes into Waters of the State or may alter the physical, chemical, radiological, biological or bacteriological properties of any Waters of the State, the permittee shall develop and implement an environmental monitoring program.
(b) An environmental monitoring program shall be adequate to ensure detection and knowledge of migration and behavior of the pollution or wastes and may include:
(i) Operational monitoring;
(ii) Post-discharge or post-operational monitoring; and
(iii) Recordkeeping and reporting.
(c) A monitoring program shall include plans for monitoring the quality of affected or potentially affected surface water and groundwater, including:
(i) Stratigraphic and depth interval to be monitored by each well;
(ii) Details of monitor well(s) construction;
(iii) Details of how the monitoring program shall be carried out from preparation to site abandonment;
(iv) Background water quality obtained from representative samples that characterize water quality and water quality variability for each monitor well;
(v) Background water quality for wells and surface water that may be impacted, based on site-specific geohydrology;
(vi) A description of how representative sampling shall be accomplished; and
(vii) Parameter list(s) and frequency of sampling after operation begins.
(d) The permittee is responsible for properly installing, operating, maintaining, and removing all necessary monitoring equipment.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.3.08192022 § 15 Compliance with State and Local Water Quality Management Plans
(a) No permit may be issued for any facility that conflicts with any local or state-approved water quality management plan established pursuant to section 201 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1281.
(b) No permit may be issued for any facility that conflicts with any Department of Environmental Quality-approved wellhead protection plan established pursuant to section 1428 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300h-7 or local source water protection plan established pursuant to section 1453 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300j-13.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Chapter 4 Regulations for Releases of Oil and Hazardous Substances into Waters of the State of Wyoming
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.4.01122026 § 1 Authority
These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, specifically Wyoming Statutes (W.S.) §§ 35-11-301 and 35-11-302.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.4.01122026 § 2 Applicability
This Chapter applies to the containment, clean up, and disposal of oil or hazardous substances that have been released and that enter, or threaten to enter, Waters of the State and to require notification to the Water Quality Division of such releases.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.4.01122026 § 3 Definitions
(a) The definitions in this Section supplement those contained in W.S. § 35- 11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(b) "Hazardous Substance" means any substance or waste that, after release, constitutes a threat to public health or welfare, or other aquatic life or wildlife because of its quantity, concentration, chemical, corrosive, flammable, reactive, toxic, infectious, radioactive, or other harmful characteristics. The term shall also include all substances so designated by Table 302.4 of 40 C.F.R. §302.4.
(c) "Oil" means insoluble or partially soluble oil of any kind including, but not limited to, crude or fuel oil, lubricating oil, oily sludge, asphalt, crude condensate, gasoline, aviation fuel, kerosene, diesel motor fuels, road oil, waste oil, oil mixed with federally defined nonhazardous wastes and derivatives of mineral, animal, or vegetable oils.
(d) "Release" includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, emitting, discharging, dumping, addition of, escaping, leaching, or unauthorized disposal of any oil or hazardous substance that enters, or threatens to enter, Waters of the State.
(e) "Responsible party" means any person owning or having control over the release of an oil or hazardous substance."
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.4.01122026 § 4 Notification, Containment and Clean Up of Releases
(a) In accordance with these regulations, after the release of an oil or a hazardous substance in any amount that enters or threatens to enter Waters of the State, the responsible party or delegate shall:
(i) Contain, remove, and dispose of the oil or hazardous substance release;
(ii) Immediately take appropriate action to stop and contain the release;
(iii) Immediately proceed to correct the cause of the release; and
(iv) Unless exempted by subsection (b) of this Section, immediately notify the
Division, in a format provided by the Administrator, of the following:
(A) Type;
(B) Quantity;
(C) Location of the release; and
(D) Clean up actions that have been taken or are proposed to be taken.
(b) Releases are exempt from the notification requirement identified in subparagraph (a)(iv) of this Section if the release:
(i) Does not physically enter Waters of the State;
(ii) Is immediately contained, removed, and disposed of in accordance with Departmental regulations;
(iii) Does not contain a hazardous substance; and
(iv) Is either:
(A) 10 barrels (420 gallons) or less of crude oil, petroleum condensate, produced water, or a combination thereof; or
(B) 25 gallons or less of refined crude oil products, including but not limited to, gasoline, diesel motor fuel, aviation fuel, asphalt, road oil, kerosene, fuel oil, and derivatives of mineral, animal, or vegetable oils.
(c) The responsible party or delegate shall clean up oil or hazardous substance releases in a timely and diligent manner. Satisfactory clean up of an oil or hazardous substance release will be achieved when the following clean up criteria have been met:
(i) Oil or hazardous substance releases shall not be present in, or threaten, Waters of the State in amounts that would cause any one of the following conditions:
(A) Oil and grease content to exceed 10 mg/L; or
(B) Visible deposits on the bottom or shoreline.
(ii) Surface spills shall be remediated to standards identified in the Department guidance or alternate standards approved by the Administrator.
(iii) Oil or hazardous substances shall not be present in, or threaten, Waters of the State in concentrations or combinations that, as determined by the Administrator, would damage or impair the normal growth, function, or reproduction of human, animal, plant, or aquatic life, or impair the beneficial use of any Waters of the State.
(d) The Administrator may require physical removal of the released oil or hazardous substance, except in cases where extreme fire danger, or unique hazardous circumstances exist.
(e) For releases subject to the notification requirements of paragraph (a) of this Section, the responsible party or delegate shall, within 15 business days following a release, submit a complete written report to the Division describing:
(i) The release;
(ii) Final disposition of the spill and all contaminated materials;
(iii) Sampling results if sampling was required to comply with Departmental regulations; and
(iv) Steps taken to prevent the release from reoccurring.
(f) If sampling was required to comply with Departmental regulations and sampling results cannot be received within the 15-business-day period, the responsible party or delegate may apply to the Administrator for an extension of the reporting deadline. If the Administrator approves the extension request, the Administrator will notify the responsible party or delegate in writing.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.4.01122026 § 5 Compliance Liability
Compliance with these regulations does not exempt the responsible party from the penalty provisions of W.S. § 35-11-901.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.4.01122026 § 6 Use of Chemicals
The responsible party or delegate shall not use chemicals to disperse, coagulate, collect, sink, or otherwise treat oil or hazardous substance releases except in emergency situations where the oil or hazardous substance release poses an immediate or substantial danger to human or animal health or safety. The responsible party or delegate shall use these chemicals in a manner authorized by the Department.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.4.01122026 § 7 Disposal
The responsible party or delegate shall handle and dispose of recovered oils, hazardous substances, or the contaminated materials resulting from the containment, clean up, or treatment of a release in a manner authorized by the Water Quality Division and the Department of Environmental Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.4.01122026 § 8 Incorporation by Reference
(a) These regulations incorporate by reference the following statutes, rules, and regulations in effect as of July 1, 2024:
(i) Table 302.4 of 40 C.F.R. §302.4, List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities, available at http://www.ecfr.gov.
(b) For these regulations incorporated by reference:
(i) The Environmental Quality Council has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules;
(ii) This Chapter does not incorporate later amendments or editions of incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations; and
(iii) All incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations are available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Cheyenne office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov or from (307) 777-7937.
History
- Effective 2026-01-12
Chapter 5 Certification of Operators of Public Water and Distribution Systems and Publicly Owned Wastewater Treatment and Collection Systems
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 1 Authority
This rule is promulgated pursuant to W.S. 35-11-101 through 1904, specifically 302(a)(iv).
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 2 Objective
. Water treatment systems, water distribution systems, wastewater collection systems, and wastewater treatment systems protect public health and the environment only if they are being properly operated and maintained.
This rule requires all public water supplies and publicly owned wastewater treatment and collection systems be operated by an appropriately certified operator and establishes the standards for experience, training, and certification of such operators for the protection of the public health of the people of Wyoming.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 3 Definitions
The following definitions supplement those contained in W. S. 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(a) "Administrator" means, for the purposes of this rule, the administrator of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Water Quality Division (WQD) or their authorized agents.
(b) "Certificate" means the document showing the level and area of competency of an operator, the operator's identification number, issue date, certificate number, and expiration date.
(c) "Certification" means the level and area of competency of an operator.
(d) "Certified operator" means an individual who has met the requirements of this rule and has been certified by DEQ to hold at least one certificate as defined by this rule and who is directly involved in the on-site operational and technical actions of a publicly owned wastewater treatment or collection system and/or public water supply. "Certified operator" shall not include an individual whose duties are limited to laboratory testing, general facility maintenance, or who exercises general or indirect supervision only.
(e) "Contract operator" means a certified water, distribution, collection, or wastewater operator who is offering to provide services to a facility on a contractual basis.
(f) "Distribution system" means all parts of a public water supply system except collection, treatment, or wells.
(g) "Equivalent" means experience and education determined in written policy, by the Administrator, to be comparable to a high school diploma.
(h) "Facility" means the components of any public water supply, publicly owned sewerage, or publicly owned wastewater treatment works, including all infrastructure associated with the water/wastewater system.
(i) "Facility classification" means the level of operational complexity of a water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, or wastewater treatment system based on a nationally recognized point rating system.
(j) "Lagoon system" means a publicly owned wastewater collection and treatment system where the primary method of treatment is a lagoon.
(k) "Letter of good standing" means a letter from the regulatory agency that issued a certificate to an applicant applying for reciprocity, stating the certification is current and has no violations against it.
(l) "Operating shift" means the period of time during which certified operator decisions that affect public health are necessary for proper operation of the facility.
(m) "Operator Certification Program" means the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, Operator Certification Program.
(n) "Owner" means the entity who owns the real estate, easement, or facility.
(o) "Pertinent continuing education" means training that pertains to, or is consistent with, what an operator needs to understand in order to successfully perform a water or wastewater job.
(p) "Pertinent experience" means employment as an operator or employment in other Administrator-recognized professions closely related to the operation of a public water supply, sewerage, or treatment works.
(q) " Publicly owned wastewater treatment or collection system" means any federal, state, or local government system collecting or treating greater than 2,000 gallons a day average flow of wastewaters containing human waste. This definition includes improvement and service districts and homeowner associations. Underground Injection Control (UIC) facilities permitted in accordance with DEQ Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 27 and utilizing septic tanks as primary treatment are excluded.
(r) "Responsible charge operator" means the person(s) designated by the facility owner to be the certified operator who makes decisions regarding the daily operational and technical actions of a water treatment facility, distribution system, wastewater treatment facility, or collection system that will directly impact the quality or quantity of drinking water or wastewater treatment.
(s) "Well system" means a public water system consisting of a well or wells, disinfection equipment, and a distribution system.
(t) "Water treatment" means all parts of a water supply that collect or treat water. All disinfection equipment and wells are considered part of water treatment.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 4 Stakeholder Involvement
The public health objective of the operator certification program is supported by stakeholder involvement. This requirement is satisfied by public meetings and hearings held by the Water and Wastewater Advisory Board, as created and empowered by W.S. 35-11-113 to 114, and the Environmental Quality Council, as created and empowered by W.S. 35-11-111 to 112.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 5 Facility Classification
(a) All water and wastewater treatment facilities subject to this rule shall be classified in accordance with the Points and Classification System from the Association of Boards of Certification Program Standards, Copyright 1999-2007.
(b) All water distribution and wastewater collection systems subject to this rule shall be classified by the Administrator.
(i) The rating systems used to classify water distribution and wastewater collection systems will be posted to the DEQ/WQD Operator Certification website.
(c) The Administrator may alter the classification of an individual plant or system because of special conditions including ease or difficulty of operation or extraordinary environmental or public health factors.
(d) A facility classification review by the Administrator is required for any change to a facility that is significant enough to require a DEQ individual permit to construct.
(e) Upon completion of a classification or classification review, the Administrator shall notify the facility owner of the classification level.
(f) Classification levels shall be:
(i) Level 1 through 4 for Water Treatment
(ii) Level 1 or 2 for Water Distribution
(iii) Level 1 through 4 for Wastewater Treatment
(iv) Level 1 or 2 for Wastewater Collection
(v) Well System
(vi) Lagoon System
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 6 Operator Certification Levels
(a) Operators shall obtain certification for the desired level and all preceding levels listed in Section 5(f) of this chapter.
(b) Operators shall demonstrate that they have achieved a high-school diploma or equivalent prior to requesting certification.
(c) Operators shall demonstrate compliance with Section 7(c) of this chapter for the desired certification level and all preceding levels listed in Section 5(f) of this chapter.
(d) The applicant must reside in or be employed as an operator in the State of Wyoming.
(e) Any system may be operated by an operator with a higher level of certification than the level of the facility.
(f) Operators shall meet the following requirements for each level of certification prior to requesting a certificate:
(i) All Level 1 certifications, including Well System and Lagoon System, require:
(A) At least six (6) months of operational experience at a facility in the area of the certification. Other pertinent experience may be used to substitute for operational experience.
(B) Demonstration that the operator has completed at least thirty-five (35) hours of pertinent continuing education.
(C) Level 1 Water Treatment operators may also operate Level 1 Water Distribution facilities and Well Systems.
(D) Level 1 Wastewater Treatment operators may also operate Level 1 Wastewater Collection facilities and Lagoon Systems.
(ii) All level 2 certifications require:
(A) At least twelve (12) months of operational experience at a facility at or above a Level 1 in the area of the certification. Other pertinent experience may be used to substitute for operational experience.
(B) Demonstration that the operator has completed at least seventy (70) hours of pertinent continuing education.
(iii) All Level 3 certifications require:
(A) At least twenty-four (24) months of operational experience at a facility at or above a Level 1 in the area of the certification. Other pertinent experience may be used to substitute for no more than twelve (12) months of operational experience.
(B) At least twelve (12) months of plant operational experience must be obtained at a Level 2 or higher facility in the area of the certification. Other pertinent experience may not be used to substitute for plant operational experience.
(C) Demonstration that the operator has completed 300 hours of pertinent continuing education.
(iv) All Level 4 certifications require:
(A) At least thirty-six (36) months of operational experience at a facility at or above a Level 1 in the area of the certification. Other pertinent experience may be used to substitute for no more than twelve (12) months of operational experience.
(B) At least twenty-four (24) months of plant operational experience must be obtained at a Level 3 or higher facility in the area of the certification. Other pertinent experience may not be used to substitute for plant operational experience.
(C) Demonstration that the operator has completed 400 hours of pertinent continuing education.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 7 Examinations
(a) The Administrator, the Administrator's designee, or an appropriate proctoring agency selected by the Administrator, will proctor exams.
(b) Exams will be obtained from a nationally recognized standardized exam development program that uses validated questions.
(i) Exam information is available at the DEQ/WQD Operator Certification website.
(c) A passing exam score is seventy percent (70%) or other score as determined by the exam development program.
(d) Applicants who take and pass exams without meeting the experience or education requirement will have two (2) years from the exam date to complete the requirements for certification.
(e) Special accommodations for testing will be considered for individuals who submit a written request to the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 8 Certificates
(a) Upon completion of the requirements of this rule, the Administrator will provide a certificate indicating the level and category for which the operator has qualified and the expiration date of the certification.
(b) The first certificate from any level and category issued to an operator shall be valid for the remainder of the issuing year plus two (2) calendar years and shall expire on December 31.
(c) Thereafter, each certificate shall be valid for three (3) calendar years and shall expire on December 31.
(d) The certificate will be provided through an online account provided by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 9 Operator Responsibilities
(a) Operators shall maintain accurate pertinent continuing education records.
(b) Operators shall be available to any system for which they are designated, unless as provided in paragraph (ii) of this section.
(i) Operators shall be capable of being on-site within eight (8) hours and shall initiate the appropriate operational and technical actions within one (1) hour of being notified that there is a problem at the facility.
(ii) If the operator is not available, they shall notify the owner and the substitute responsible charge operator.
(c) Operators shall ensure that their employment history is accurate and current.
(d) A substitute responsible charge operator shall perform the duties and make the decisions of the responsible charge operator when the responsible charge operator is not available.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 10 Contract Operators
(a) Contract operators shall keep records of the amount of time spent and duties performed at each contracted facility.
(i) These records shall be accessible for review upon request by the Administrator or the owner.
(ii) Contract operators shall keep their records for no less than five (5) years from the date of each record.
(b) Contract operators shall make a physical inspection of each contracted facility at least once per week.
(i) Upon written request from the owner, the Administrator may make an exception to the frequency of the visits based on:
(A) Location; or
(B) Automation; or
(C) Complexity of the facility; or
(D) Special conditions including extraordinary environmental or public health factors.
(ii) No exception shall jeopardize public health.
(c) DEQ may periodically audit the records kept by contract operators.
(d) Contract operators shall be certified at a level equal to or greater than the classification level of a facility before they enter into a contract with that facility.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 11 Renewal of Certificates
(a) Certified operators are required to obtain twenty-four (24) hours of pertinent continuing education within the three year time period for which the certificate is valid in order to renew their certification.
(b) Failure to obtain twenty-four (24) hours of pertinent continuing education within the time period for which the certificate is valid shall result in expiration of the certificate.
(c) If a certified operator is unable to renew their certification because of extenuating circumstances or undue hardship, the Administrator may grant an extension to renewal not to exceed two (2) years. The expiration date of the certification for which the operator is asking an extension shall not be extended.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 12 Continuing Education
(a) A minimum of eight (8) hours of pertinent continuing education, for the purpose of renewing a certification, shall come from core topic areas.
(i) A list of core topic areas shall be maintained on the DEQ/WQD Operator Certification Program website.
(b) In addition to the eight (8) hours of core topic area training, a minimum of two (2) hours of pertinent continuing education, for the purpose of renewing a certification, shall consist of state and/or federal rule training pertinent to the area of the certification.
(c) Operators shall enter their pertinent continuing education information into an online account provided by the Administrator.
(i) Training obtained through a DEQ-recognized training provider shall be entered by the training provider into the operator's online account.
(ii) Training information entered by DEQ-recognized training providers may not be modified by the operator.
(d) A single training unit may be applied to no more than one certificate.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 13 Audits
(a) Certified operator continuing education records may be audited by the operator certification program.
(b) An audit shall include a review of documents, signed by the proctor or instructor, attesting to completion of the pertinent continuing education for which a certified operator is claiming hours.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 14 Reciprocity
An operator who is certified as a water or wastewater operator in another state may obtain a reciprocal certification in Wyoming.
(a) Criteria
(i) The Administrator has received a letter of good standing or similar verification from the regulatory agency that issued the current certification stating the name of the applicant, status of their certification, date originally issued, expiration date, level and area of the certification, and any disciplinary action imposed against the applicant; if any.
(ii) The applicant must meet Wyoming certification requirements in Section 6 of this chapter.
(b) The expiration date of the Wyoming certification will be December 31 of the expiration year of the certification being reciprocated, not to exceed three years. Thereafter, the certification shall be subject to the requirements of this rule.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 15 Facility Owner Responsibilities
(a) Owners of facilities in Wyoming subject to this rule shall designate a responsible charge operator and a substitute responsible charge operator who are responsible for the operation and/or direct supervision of that facility.
(i) For facilities with multiple operating shifts, an operator certified to the level of the facility shall be available for each shift.
(ii) Owners shall ensure that either the responsible charge operator or the substitute responsible charge operator is capable of being on-site within eight (8) hours and shall initiate the appropriate operational and technical actions within one (1) hour of being notified that there is a problem at the facility.
(b) The facility owner shall immediately replace the responsible charge operator with an adequately certified operator or adequately certified contract operator in the event of termination of services of the responsible charge operator.
(c) The owner shall ensure that the responsible charge operator and any substitute responsible charge operator are certified at a level equal to or greater than the facility for which they are responsible.
(d) Any changes made to the responsible charge operator, the substitute responsible charge operator or other personnel for positions that require certification shall be reported to the Administrator no later than ten (10) days after the change has been made.
(e) The facility owner shall make accessible to the responsible charge operator a comprehensive operation and maintenance manual for the facility. Specific guidance for contents of such manuals can be found in Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 under "Operation and Maintenance Manuals".
(f) In the case of a contract operator, the facility owner shall outline in writing the services expected of the contract operator. A description of services expected shall be made accessible to DEQ upon request.
(g) The facility owner shall ensure compliance with the requirements of this rule.
(h) The facility owner shall not allow inadequately certified or non-certified individuals to operate or maintain any facility.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 16 Revocation or Suspension of Operator Certification
(a) In addition to any other penalties or enforcement actions the Administrator may suspend or revoke an operator's certificate for violations including, but not limited to:
(i) Obtaining certification by knowingly making false statements, submitting false information, refusing to provide complete information including continuing education documents;
(ii) Falsification of operating records;
(iii) Falsification of operating records by a contract operator;
(iv) Cheating on an exam;
(v) Fraud
(vi) Willful negligence in operation;
(vii) Falsification of sample results, or;
(viii) While acting in the official capacity as a certified operator, being convicted of any act that endangers public health or the environment.
(b) The Administrator shall suspend or revoke an operator's certificate by providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing to the operator.
(i) The notice to the operator shall include a statement of the basis for suspension or revocation and shall state the date on which the revocation or suspension is effective.
(ii) The suspension or revocation shall become final thirty (30) days from the date of such notice unless within that time the operator requests a contested case hearing in accordance with the Department of Environmental Quality Rules of Practice and Procedure, Chapter 2, Contested Case Hearings and W.S. 16-3-113.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 17 Reinstatement after Suspension of Certification
(a) The operator shall have three (3) months after the end of the suspension period to apply for reinstatement.
(b) If reinstatement of the suspended certificate is not requested within three (3) months after the end date of the suspension, the certification(s) that was/were suspended shall be terminated.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.5.04242018 § 18 Recertification after Losing Certification for Lack of Continuing Education
(a) If the operator requests recertification within three (3) months of the end of the certification period, the operator shall provide the Administrator with proof of pertinent continuing education equal to the amount the operator was short for renewal. These pertinent continuing education hours can only be used for this recertification and shall be from courses listed on the DEQ/WQD Operator Certification Program website and appropriate for the certificate being renewed.
(i) Operators requesting recertification shall submit their request and all documentation prior to close of business on the last business day of the deadline described in subsection (a) of this section.
(b) If the operator requests recertification more than three (3) months after the end of the certification period, the operator shall:
(i) Provide the Administrator with proof of pertinent continuing education equal to the amount the operator was short for renewal. These pertinent continuing education hours can only be used for this recertification and shall be from courses listed on the DEQ/WQD Operator Certification Program website and appropriate for the certificate being renewed; and
(ii) Provide the Administrator with proof of pertinent continuing education equal to eight (8) hours for each year or part of year past the termination date, not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours; and
(iii) Pass an exam at the level of the certification desired, not to exceed the level of the previous certification.
History
- Effective 2018-04-24
Chapter 8 Quality Standards For Wyoming Groundwaters
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.8.06292018 § 1 Authority
These regulations are promulgated pursuant to Sections 35-11-101 through 1104 of the Wyoming Statutes, specifically Section 35-11-302, and no person shall cause, threaten or allow violation of any water quality standard or provision contained herein.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.8.06292018 § 2 Definitions
The following definitions supplement those definitions contained in Section 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(a) "Aquifer" means a zone, stratum or group of strata that can store and transmit water in sufficient quantities for a specific use.
(b) "Background" means the constituents or parameters and the concentrations or measurements that describe water quality and water quality variability prior to a subsurface discharge.
(c) "Below-Surface Receiver (Receiver)" means any zone, interval, formation or unit in the subsurface that can accept water or fluid from other sources.
(d) "Domestic Water" means a water that is suitable for uses, including but not limited to, drinking, gardening and other household uses, municipal uses and farmstead uses, including water used in the washing or hydro-cooling of farm products destined for human consumption on the farm, for sale on the fresh food market or for delivery to a processing plant for canning, freezing or other type of preparation prior to marketing. Classification of Domestic water does not mean that it meets the national drinking water standards.
(e) "Fluid" means any material that flows or moves whether semisolid liquid, sludge, gas or any other form or state.
(f) "Groundwater" means subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil materials such that they may be considered water saturated under hydrostatic pressure.
(g) "Groundwaters of the State" are all bodies of underground water that are wholly or partially within the boundaries of the State; Groundwaters of the State is synonymous with Groundwaters of Wyoming.
(h) "Hazardous Material (Substance)" means any matter of any description including petroleum related products and radioactive material (substance) that, when discharged into any waters of the State presents an imminent and substantial hazard to public health or welfare and shall include all materials (substances) so designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register for March 13, 1978 (Part III), Water Programs, Hazardous Substances.
(i) "Milliequivalents Per Liter," abbreviated meq/L, used to report the Residual Sodium Carbonate concentration in water used for irrigation, is defined as 0.001 of the equivalent weight of the ion per liter volume.
(j) "Milligrams Per Liter," abbreviated mg/L, means milligrams of solute per liter of solution -- equivalent to parts per million assuming unit density of water.
(k) "Parameter" means one of a set of physical or chemical properties whose measured values determine the characteristics of a fluid.
(l) "pH" is a term to express the intensity of the acid or basic condition. A pH value of 7.0 at 25 degrees Celsius (C) is neutral, with pH's of less than 7.0 progressively more acid and pH's of greater than 7.0 progressively more basic.
(m) "Picocuries Per Liter," abbreviated pCi/L, is a measure of radioactivity of waters or fluids. A picocurie is equal to 10-12 curie; a curie is defined as 3.7 x 1010 disintegrations per second.
(n) "Residual Sodium Carbonate", abbreviated RSC, is defined as twice the concentration of carbonate or bicarbonate a water would contain after subtracting an amount equivalent to the calcium plus the magnesium, and is a measure of potential hazard that exists when waters high in carbonate and bicarbonate and relatively low in calcium and magnesium are used for irrigation.
(o) "Sodium Adsorption Ratio", abbreviated SAR, of a water is defined by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture Laboratory (1954) as: where ion concentrations are expressed in meq/L. The SAR predicts reasonably well the degree to which irrigation water tends to enter into cation-exchange reactions in soil.
(p) "Standard Unit", abbreviated s.u., is the unit of measurement used to describe the numerical pH of a solution, fluid or pollutant.
(q) "Subsurface Discharge" means a discharge to a below-surface receiver.
(r) "Total Dissolved Solids," abbreviated TDS, is the sum of the dissolved mineral constituents in water, expressed as mg/L.
(s) "Toxic Materials (Substances)" are those materials (substances) or combinations of materials (substances), including disease-causing agents, that, after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation or assimilation into any environmentally significant organism, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, may cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic malfunctions, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction of offspring) or physical deformations in such organisms or their offspring; and includes all materials (substances) so designated as toxic by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register for December 24, 1975 (Part IV), Water Programs, National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
(t) "Underground Water" means subsurface water that is any body of water under the surface of the earth, including water in the vadose zone and groundwater.
(u) "Vadose Zone" means the unsaturated zone in the earth, between the land surface and the top of the first saturated aquifer that is not a perched water aquifer. The vadose zone characteristically contains liquid water under less than atmospheric pressure, and water vapor and air or other gases at atmospheric pressure. Perched water bodies exist within the vadose zone.
(v) "Virtually Free" means a concentration less than the concentration that is the lower limit of detection.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.8.06292018 § 3 Underground Water Protected
(a) All waters, including Groundwaters of the State, within the boundaries of the State of Wyoming are the property of the State; and control of the beneficial use of waters of the State resides with the Wyoming State Engineer.
(b) Nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to interfere with the right of any person to use water from any underground water source for any purpose identified in W.S. 35-11-102 and 35-11-103(c)(i); or to limit or interfere with the jurisdiction, duties or authorities of other Wyoming State agencies or officials.
(c) Protection shall be afforded all underground water bodies (including water in the vadose zone). Water being used for a purpose identified in W.S. 35-11-102 and 103(c)(i) shall be protected for its intended use and uses for which it is suitable. Water not being put to use shall be protected for all uses for which it is suitable.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.8.06292018 § 4 Quality Standards Prescribed; Groundwaters of the State Classified
(a) Standards are prescribed to protect the natural quality of underground water:
(i) Receiving pollution or wastes directly from a subsurface discharge or by migrating water or fluid of a discharge;
(ii) Invaded by underground water of inferior quality as a result of well or exploration hole drilling or completion practices;
(iii) From pollution that may result from above-ground facilities capable of causing or contributing to pollution;
(iv) From pollution that may result from surface mining operations.
(b) Groundwaters of the State are classified in order to apply standards to protect water quality. Groundwaters of the State are classified by use, and by ambient water quality.
(c) Waters that are known sources of supply and appropriated for uses identified in W.S. 35-11-102 and 103(c)(i) are classified herein as: Domestic water; Water for fish and aquatic life; Water for agriculture; Water for livestock; and, Water for industry. A discharge or activity that impacts an underground source of water for existing uses identified in W.S. 35-11-102 and 103(c)(i) shall not make the affected water unsuitable for its intended use or uses, at any place or places of withdrawal or natural flow to the surface.
(d) Unappropriated waters are classified by ambient water quality.
(i) Class I Groundwater of the State - This water is suitable for domestic use. The ambient quality of underground water of this suitability does not have a concentration in excess of any of the standards for Class I Groundwater of the State (see Table I, page 9).
(ii) Class II Groundwater of the State - This water is suitable for agricultural use where soil conditions and other factors are adequate. The ambient quality of underground water of this suitability does not have a concentration in excess of any of the standards for Class II Groundwater of the State (see Table I, page 9).
(iii) Class III Groundwater of the State - This water is suitable for livestock. The ambient quality of underground water of this suitability does not have a concentration in excess of any of the standards for Class III Groundwater of the State (see Table I, page 9).
(iv) Class Special (A) Groundwater of the State -This water is suitable for fish and aquatic life. The ambient quality of underground water of this suitability does not have a concentration in excess of any of the standards for Class Special (A) Groundwater of the State (see Table I, page 10).
(v) Underground water of Class I, II, III or Special (A)
(A) Shall not contain biological, hazardous, toxic or potentially toxic materials or substances in concentrations or amounts that exceed maximum allowable concentrations based upon information of the EPA in the Federal Register for December 24, 1975 (Part IV), Water Programs, National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations; and in the Federal Register for March 13, 1978 (Part II), Water Programs, Hazardous Substances. In addition, underground water of Class I, II, III or Special (A) shall not contain any biological, hazardous, toxic or potentially toxic materials or substances in concentrations or amounts that, based upon the latest available scientific information and as determined by the Administrator, will impair this water for its use suitability or that may contribute to a condition in contravention of groundwater quality standards or to any toxic or hazardous effect on natural biota.
(vi) A discharge into an aquifer containing Class I, II, III or Special (A)
(A) Groundwater of the State shall not result in variations in the range of any parameter, or concentrations of constituents in excess of the standards of these regulations at any place or places of withdrawal or natural flow to the surface. A discharge that results in concentrations in excess of standards shall be permitted if post-discharge water quality can be returned to a quality of use equal to, or better than, and consistent with the uses for which the water was suitable prior to the operation.
(vii) Class IV Groundwater of the State - This water is suitable for industry. The quality requirements for industrial water supplies range widely and almost every industrial application has its own standards.
(A) Class IV (A) Groundwater of the State has a total dissolved solids concentration not in excess of 10,000 mg/L.
(B) Class IV (B) Groundwater of the State has a total dissolved solids concentration in excess of 10,000 mg/L.
(C) A discharge into an aquifer containing Class IV (A) or
IV (B) Groundwater of the State shall not result in the water being unfit for its intended use.
(D) A discharge into an aquifer with Class IV (A) or IV (B)
Groundwater of the State shall not result in oil and grease concentrations in excess of 10 mg/L or a lesser amount if a concentration in excess of the lesser amount is determined to be toxic; or oil and grease in excess of background concentrations of the underground water, whichever is greater, at any place or places of withdrawal or natural flow to the surface.
(E) A discharge into an aquifer with Class IV (A) or IV (B)
Groundwater of the State shall not result in radioactivity concentrations or amounts that exceed the standards for Class I through III and Special (A) Groundwaters of the State; or in concentrations or amounts that exceed background concentrations of the underground water, whichever is greater, at any place or places of withdrawal or natural flow to the surface.
(F) A discharge into an aquifer with Class IV (A) or IV (B) Groundwater of the State shall not result in biological, hazardous, toxic or potentially toxic materials or substances including pesticides, insecticides or herbicides in concentrations or amounts that exceed maximum allowable concentrations, based upon information of the EPA in the Federal Register for December 24, 1975 (Part IV), Water Programs, National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations, and in the Federal Register for March 13, 1978 (Part II), Water Programs, Hazardous Substances; or that exceed background concentrations of the underground water, whichever is greater, at any place or places of withdrawal or natural flow to the surface.
In addition, a discharge shall not result in any biological, hazardous, toxic or potentially toxic materials or substances, in concentrations or amounts that, based on the latest available scientific information and as determined by the Administrator, will impair the quality of ambient Groundwaters of the State of this class; or that may contribute to a condition in contravention of groundwater quality standards or cause, allow or permit any deleterious effect on natural biota.
(viii) Groundwater of the State found closely associated with commercial deposits of hydrocarbons and/or other minerals, or that is considered a geothermal resource, is Class V (Hydrocarbon Commercial), Class V (Mineral Commercial) or Class V (Geothermal) Groundwater of the State.
(A) A discharge into a Class V (Hydrocarbon Commercial)
Groundwater of the State shall be for the purpose of the production of oil and gas and shall not result in the degradation or pollution or waste of other water resources.
(B) A discharge into a Class V (Mineral Commercial)
Groundwater of the State shall be for the purpose of mineral production and shall not result in the degradation or pollution of the associated or other groundwater and, at a minimum, be returned to a condition and quality consistent with the pre-discharge use suitability of the water.
(C) A discharge into a Class V (Geothermal) Groundwater of the State shall be for the purpose of the production of geothermal resources and shall not result in the degradation or pollution or waste of other water resources.
(ix) Class VI Groundwater of the State may be unusable or unsuitable for use:
(A) Due to excessive concentration of total dissolved solids or specific constituents; or
(B) Is so contaminated that it would be economically or technologically impractical to make the water useable; or
(C) Is located in such a way, including depth below the surface, so as to make use economically and technologically impractical.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.8.06292018 § 5 Classification for Groundwater of the State Affected by a Discharge; Classification by Aquifer and Area
(a) Classification of Groundwaters of the State shall be based on the water quality standards of this chapter; excepting, a Class I Groundwater of the State shall be classified by ambient water quality and the technical practicability and economic reasonableness of treating ambient water quality to meet use suitability standards.
(b) Underground water quality shall be classified for an aquifer that is or may be affected by a subsurface discharge or other activity identified in Section 4.a. of these regulations.
(c) Classification shall be made:
(i) Whenever there is pollution or the threat of pollution to a Groundwater of the State; or
(ii) The physical, chemical, radiological or biological properties of any Groundwater of the State are or may be altered by man's action.
(d) Classification shall be for a water in a specified locally defined area by named and described aquifer or receiver. Any aquifer or receiver in its regional setting may have one or more classifications by defined area or areas.
(i) The name shall be a recognized geologic name whenever possible;
(ii) The description shall include a lithologic description.
(e) The lateral and vertical limits of an aquifer or receiver, for purposes of classification, shall be based on existing water use, ambient water quality and geologic and hydrologic characteristics of the aquifer or of the receiver.
(f) An underground water may be reclassified if new or additional data warrant reclassification
TABLE I
UNDERGROUND WATER CLASS
I
II
III
Use Suitability Constituent or Parameter
Domestic* Concentration**
Agriculture
Concent.**
Livestock
Concent.**
Aluminum (Al)
5.0
5.0
Ammonia (NH3-N)
0.57
Arsenic (As)
0.05
0.1
0.2
Barium (Ba)
2.0
Beryllium (Be)
0.1
Boron (B)
0.75
0.75
5.0
Cadmium (Cd)
0.005
0.01
0.05
Chloride (Cl)
250.0
100.0
2000.0
Chromium (Cr)
0.10
0.1
0.05
Cobalt (Co)
0.05
1.0
Copper (Cu)
1.0
0.2
0.5
Cyanide (CN)
0.2
Fluoride (F)
4.0
Hydrogen Sulfide(H2S)
0.05
Iron (Fe)
0.3
5.0
Lead (Pb)
0.015
5.0
0.1
Lithium (Li)
2.5
Manganese (Mn)
0.05
0.2
Mercury (Hg)
0.002
0.00005
Nickel (Ni)
0.2
Nitrate (NO3-N)
10.0
Nitrite (NO2-N)
1.0
10.0
(NO3+NO2)-N
100.0
Oil & Grease
Virtually Free
10.0
10.0
Phenol
0.001
Selenium (Se)
0.05
0.02
0.05
Silver (Ag)
0.10
Sulfate (SO4)
250.0
200.0
3000.0
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
500.0
2000.0
5000.0
Vanadium (V)
0.1
0.1
Zinc (Zn)
5.0
2.0
25.0
pH
6.5-8.5
4.5-9.0s.u.
6.5-8.5s.u
SAR
8.0
RSC
1.25 meq/L
Combined Total Radium 226 and Radium 2288
5pCi/L
5pCi/L
5pCi/L
Total Strontium 90
8pCi/L
8pCi/L
8pCi/L
Gross alpha particle radioactivity (including Radium 226 but excluding Radon and Uranium8
15pCi/L
15pCi/L
15pCi/L
- This list does not include all constituents in the national drinking water standards.
** mg/L, unless otherwise indicated
TABLE I
UNDERGROUND WATER CLASS
Use Suitability Constituent or Parameter
Special (A)
Fish/Aquatic Life Concentration*
Aluminum (Al)
0.1
Ammonia (NH3)
0.021
Arsenic (As)
0.05
Barium (Ba)
5.0
Beryllium (Be)
0.011-1.33
Boron (B)
Cadmium (Cd)
0.0004-0.0153
Chloride (Cl)
Chromium (Cr)
0.05
Cobalt (Co)
Copper (Cu)
0.01-0.043
Cyanide (CN)
0.005
Fluoride (F)
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
0.0022
Iron (Fe)
0.5
Lead (Pb)
0.004-0.153
Lithium (Li)
Manganese (Mn)
1.0
Mercury (Hg)
0.00005
Nickel (Ni)
0.05-0.43
Nitrate (NO3-N)
Nitrite (NO2-N)
(NO3+NO2-N
Oil & Grease
Virtually Free
Phenol
0.001
Selenium (Se)
0.05
Silver (Ag)
0.0001-0.000253
Sulfate (SO4)
Total Dissolved Solids(TDS)
500.04-1000.05-2000.06
Uranium (U)
0.03-1.43
Vanadium (V)
Zinc (Zn)
0.05-0.63
pH
6.5-9.0 s.u.
Combined Total Radium 226 and Radium 2288
5 pCi/L
Total Strontium 90
8 pCi/L
Gross alpha particle radioactivity (including Radium 226 but excluding Radon and Uranium8
15pCi/L
*mg/L, unless otherwise indicated
TABLE I
Explanation for Superscripts Used in Table I
1Unionized ammonia: When ammonia dissolves in water, some of the ammonia reacts with water to form ammonium ions. A chemical equilibrium is established that contains unionized ammonia (NH3), ionized ammonia (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).The toxicity of aqueous solutions of ammonia is attributed to NH3; therefore, the standard is for unionized ammonia. [Note: 0.02 mg/L NH3 is equivalent to 0.016 NH3 as (N)]
2Undissociated H2S: The toxicity of sulfides derives primarily from H2S, rather than from the dissociated hydrosulfide (HS-) or sulfide (S2-) ions; therefore, the standard is for the toxic undissociated H2S.
3Dependent on hardness: The toxicity of metals in natural waters varies with the hardness of the water; generally, the limiting concentration is higher in hard water than in soft water.
4Egg hatching
5Fish rearing
6Fish and aquatic life
7Total ammonia nitrogen
8Requirements and procedures for the measurement and analysis of gross alpha particle activity, Radium 226 and Radium 228 shall be the same as requirements and procedures of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations, EPA-570/9-76-003, effective June 24, 1977.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.8.06292018 § 6 Standards for the Underground Management of Hazardous or Toxic Wastes
The underground management of wastes includes the temporary storage and the ultimate disposal of all hazardous or toxic wastes in below-surface receivers. The following standards apply to any underground storage or disposal of hazardous or toxic wastes.
(a) The below-surface receiver:
(i) Is an extensive sedimentary rock stratum or strata free of complex faulting and folding and distant from any underground water recharge area;
(ii) Is adequately separated from aquifers both above and below;
(iii) Has normal or low formation pressure and is capable of accepting the discharge without necessitating excessive discharge or injection pressure;
(iv) Has slow movement of ambient formation fluid under the natural horizontal gradient and is not in an area of underground water discharge for the receiver;
(v) Is located areally and stratigraphically so that an escape of waste to useable water resources would not be anticipated due to:
(A) Seismic risk;
(B) Abandoned holes; or
(C) Mineral exploration or other drilling, or mineral development.
(b) The underground water in the receiver;
(i) Is not an economically available source of water or is unusable;
(ii) Is confined by strata overlying and underlying the receiver; and
(iii) Is classified as Class VI groundwater by this chapter.
(c) The discharge or waste:
(i) Will not create or result in a hazard to health or impair existing rights, and is not prohibited from subsurface disposal by Federal or State law or regulation;
(ii) Will not degrade or decrease the availability of mineral resources, including oil and gas;
(iii) Is compatible with the receiver and ambient water; and
(iv) Can be controlled at all times.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.8.06292018 § 7 Testing Procedures
(a) For determination of the parameters involved in the standards, analysis will be in accord with test procedures as defined pursuant to: Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 136, or any modifications thereto. For test procedures not listed in the Code of Federal Regulations, test procedures outlined in EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes (March, 1979); or Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewaters (1975); or, A.S.T.M. Standards, Part 31 (1979), Water shall be used.
(b) The analytical technique for total uranium (as U) shall be the fluorometric method as referenced in Methods for Determination of Radioactive Substances in Water and Fluvial Sediments, Techniques of Water - Resource Investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey, Book 5, Chapter A-5 (1977).
(c) Where standard methods of testing have not been established, the suitability of testing procedures shall be determined by the Department.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.8.06292018 § 8 Limit of Detection
Where the standard is below the lower limit of detection given in EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes (March, 1979), or Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewaters (1975), or, A.S.T.M. Standards, Part 31 (1979), Water, the standard shall be the lower limit of detection, unless otherwise provided by the Environmental Quality Council.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Chapter 9 Wyoming Groundwater Pollution Control Permit
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 1 Authority
These regulations are promulgated pursuant to W.S. 35-11-101 through 1104, specifically 302, and no person shall cause, threaten or allow violations of any provision contained herein. Nothing in these regulations shall interfere or conflict with the authority of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 2 Definitions
The following definitions supplement those definitions contained in Section 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(a) "Aquifer" means a zone, stratum or group of strata that can store and transmit water in sufficient quantities for a specific use.
(b) "Area of review" means the area for which information and analyses will be submitted as part of a groundwater pollution control permit application, and reviewed for issuance of a permit; the extent of the area will never be less than an area within a 1/4 mile radius of the discharge site. The area of review may coincide with a permit area and adjacent lands, or may be determined by use of a mathematical model and formula that have been developed to describe groundwater hydraulics and flow.
Methodology for determining the area of review is not limited to a specific method, as long as the method used can be documented as being appropriate. The formula recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for determining the radius of endangering influence may be used. This formula is given as:
where:
R = Radius from injection or discharge well (feet)
K = Hydraulic conductivity of the injection or discharge zone (feet/day)
H = Thickness of the injection or discharge zone (feet)
t = Time of injection or discharge (days)
S = Storage coefficient (dimension less)
Q = Injection or discharge rate (feet /day)
hbo = Original hydrostatic head of formation fluid (feet) measured from top of injection or discharge zone
hw = Hydrostatic head of underground source of water (feet) measured from top of injection or discharge zone
SpGB = Specific gravity of formation fluid (dimension less)
π = 3.14
(c) "Background" means the constituents or parameters and the concentrations or measurements that describe water quality and water quality variability prior to the subsurface discharge.
(d) "Best management alternative" means the subsurface discharge operation or action described that, after problem assessment and examination of alternative methods, is proposed as the most practically effective (including technological, economic, environmental and institutional considerations) means of waste management.
(e) "Commercial waste" means waste or pollutants resulting from a commercial activity.
(f) "Discharge area" means the area designated by an owner/operator and/or specified in a permit or permit application as the area that will be involved in a subsurface discharge operation. It may coincide with the area of review.
(g) "Discharge zone" means the receiver proposed in the permit application or into which the permittee has been authorized by permit to discharge pollution or wastes.
(h) "Domestic waste" means pollutants or waste from residences, business buildings, institutions and public water supplies.
(i) "Dry well" means any well that, upon completion, does not collect groundwater.
(j) "Endangerment" means exposure to actions or activities that could pollute Groundwaters of the State.
(k) "Fluid" means any material that flows or moves whether semisolid, liquid, sludge, gas or any other form or state.
(l) "Groundwater" means subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil materials such that they may be considered water saturated tinder hydrostatic pressure.
(m) "Groundwaters of the State" are all bodies of underground water that are wholly or partially within the boundaries of the State.
(n) "Hazardous material (or wastes)" means any matter (or wastes) of any description including petroleum related products and radioactive material that, when discharged into any waters of the State, presents an imminent and substantial hazard to public health or welfare and shall include all materials (or wastes) so designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register for March 13, 1978 (Part III), Water Programs, Hazardous Substances.
(o) "Industrial waste" is waste or pollutants resulting from an industrial activity.
(p) "Logging data" means the written record progressively describing the strata and geologic and hydrologic character thereof to include electrical, radioactivity and similar surveys, a lithologic description of all cores, and test data.
(q) "Mechanical integrity" means the sound and unimpaired condition of all components of the well or facility or system for control of a subsurface discharge and associated activities.
(r) "Mining wastes" refers to waste or pollutants resulting from any mining activity.
(s) "Monitor" means obtain fluid samples for analysis and/or water level measurements, or observe and record.
(t) "Municipal waste" means pollutants or waste from a municipal collection, storage or treatment facility.
(u) "New subsurface discharge facility" means a subsurface discharge facility for which construction starts after the effective date of these regulations.
(v) "Permit" means a Wyoming Groundwater Pollution Control Permit, unless otherwise identified.
(w) "Recharge" means replenishment of groundwater.
(x) "Receiver" means any zone, interval, formation or unit in the subsurface into which fluids and pollutants are discharged.
(y) "Special process discharge" is a subsurface discharge for the purpose of recovering a product or fluid at the surface, and includes any process used to obtain products or solutions of uranium, copper, oil shale, hydrocarbon-impregnated sands and sandstones and tar sands not amenable to oil field production modes, sulfur, coal and lignite, bedded salt, sodium, potassium, phosphate or any other naturally occurring mineral commodity; excepting, it does not include the primary or enhanced recovery of naturally occurring oil and gas.
(z) "Subsidence" means a lowering of a portion of the earth's surface or substrata that is detectable by visual observation or by instrumentation above or below the surface.
(aa) "Subsidence control discharge" means a discharge into a non-oil or gas producing receiver to reduce or eliminate subsidence associated with the withdrawal of subsurface fluids or solids.
(bb) "Subsurface" means any level below the surface.
(cc) "Subsurface discharge" means a discharge to a receiver.
(dd) "Subsurface discharge facility" means any construction, such as a well, or utilization by a permittee to discharge pollution or waste into a receiver.
(ee) "System" means each and all components of a subsurface discharge facility.
(ff) "Toxic characteristics (or wastes)" are those characteristics (or wastes) that are due to the presence of: Those substances or combinations of substances including disease-causing agents, that, after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation or assimilation into any environmentally significant organism, either directly from the environmental or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, may cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic malfunctions, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction) or physical deformation in such organisms or their offspring; and include all substances so designated as toxic or hazardous by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register for December 24, 1975 (Part IV), Water Programs, National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
(gg) "Vadose zone" means the unsaturated zone in the earth, between the land surface and the top of the first saturated aquifer that is not a perched water aquifer. The vadose zone characteristically contains liquid water under less than atmospheric pressure and water vapor and air or other gases at atmospheric pressure. Perched water bodies exist within the vadose zone.
(hh) "Well" means an opening, excavation, shaft or hole in the ground allowing or used for a subsurface discharge or for the purpose of extracting a fluid, mineral, product or pollutant from the subsurface or for monitoring.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 3 Applicability; General
(a) These regulations shall apply to any discharge to the subsurface including the vadose zone that could render any Groundwater of the State unsuitable or degrade it for all uses for which it was suitable prior to discharge. Class I and Class V facilities are regulated pursuant to Chapters 13 and 16, respectively and are not regulated under Chapter 9.
(b) A permit for a discharge shall not be required if the discharge is part of a facility for which an application has been made to the Division for a Permit to Construct, Install or Modify Public Water Supplies and Wastewater Facilities.
(c) Discharges, for the purpose of these regulations, are described and identified as:
(i) Discharges of commercial, municipal and industrial wastes, which include but are not limited to:
(A) Municipal wastes;
(B) Chemical, refining and manufacturing wastes;
(C) Mining and mineral processing wastes;
(D) Oil field wastes including water produced with oil and gas;
(E) Power-generation wastes;
(F) Geothermal fluid return or geothermal resource wastes;
(G) Nuclear and radioactive wastes from any source; and
(H) Toxic and hazardous wastes from any source.
Not included is a discharge that is further described by the Administrator as a discharge of commercial, municipal and industrial wastes of limited time and scope for the purpose of considering the effects specified in W.S. 35-11-302 (a) (vi) (A) through (E), or for demonstrating compatibility between the waste and the receiver and fluids in the receiver. This type of discharge is identified as a Miscellaneous Discharge in Section 3.(c) (iii) (H).
(ii) Special process discharges:
(A) Special process discharges include processes or operations called in situ gasification, in situ mining, in situ leaching, borehole mining, slurry mining, solution mining or by any other descriptive terminology; which in fact consist of discharging fluids, including air, oxygen or steam, into and circulating through subsurface rock formations or mineral accumulations, or of using a hydraulic jet to slurrify a mineral commodity or of injecting fluids to fracture rock strata and/or stimulate production, or a process involving borehole fragmentation or blasting; as part of a process or operation, excluding the production of naturally occurring oil and gas, whereby a subsurface commodity is extracted remotely by activities that are conducted from the surface.
(B) Not included is a special process discharge that is further described by the Administrator as a discharge of limited time and scope for the purpose of considering the effects specified in W.S. 35-11-302 (a) (vi) (A) through (E), or for demonstrating compatibility between the injected fluid and the receiver and fluids in the receiver. This type of discharge is identified as a Miscellaneous Discharge in Section 3 (c) (iii) (H).
(iii) Discharges for the purpose of artificial recharge and miscellaneous discharges which include but are not limited to:
(A) Groundwater replenishment to augment water supplies.
(B) Injection(s) of chemicals used as tracers.
(C) Discharge from drainage well(s) that accept(s) urban storm water runoff or highway runoff or excess ponded surface water.
(D) Discharge of domestic wastes.
(E) Discharge for subsidence control not associated with oil and gas production.
(F) Discharge by means of a facility constructed or utilized to discharge into an abandoned underground mine for purposes other than oil and gas storage or commercial, municipal or industrial waste disposal or storage.
(G) Discharge by means of a dry well not constructed or utilized for any other identified discharge.
(H) Discharge of commercial, municipal and industrial waste or a special process discharge from any facility that utilizes subsurface discharges in an activity or operation of limited time and scope conducted to determine facts bearing upon the reasonableness of the pollution involved or that may result from the subsurface discharge, the economic reasonableness of reducing or eliminating the source of pollution and the effect upon the environment, pursuant to W.S. 35-11-302 (a) (vi) (A) through (E); or for demonstrating the applicability of a proposed methodology, or for demonstrating that pollution can be contained and will not migrate into other receivers or to the surface; or for demonstrating compatibility between waste and the receiver and fluids in the receiver.
A miscellaneous discharge that is a special process discharge of Section 3 (c) (ii) (B), for the purpose of these regulations, is the same as an in situ mining research, in a development testing project of Land Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 18, Section 2(a).
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 4 Control of Subsurface Discharges; Permit Required; Exemptions
(a) New subsurface discharges shall be allowed only pursuant to the Act and provisions of Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 8, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters, and these regulations.
(b) No new subsurface discharge to Groundwaters of the State shall be allowed:
(i) Unless a permit has been obtained from the
Department; or
(ii) Unless the discharge is exempt from the requirements of these regulations.
(c) Specifically exempt from these permitting regulations are:
(i) New discharges associated with mineral exploration and water, including geothermal well drilling:
(A) Drilling fluids and additives used in drilling or development; and
(B) Pits constructed or utilized to hold drilling fluids or drilling wastes.
(ii) New discharges associated with the drilling of oil and gas production wells:
(A) Drilling fluids and additives; and
(B) Pits constructed or utilized to hold drilling fluids or drilling wastes.
(iii) New discharges for the purpose of storage of oil and gas or other hydrocarbons.
(iv) New discharges for the purpose of the enhanced recovery of naturally occurring oil and gas.
(v) Aboveground facilities authorized by permits issued pursuant to Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(vi) Overburden replacement associated with mining operations authorized by permits issued pursuant to Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations of the Department.
(vii) Facilities authorized pursuant to Solid Waste Management Rules and Regulations of the Department.
(viii) Skim ponds associated with oil production.
(d) Existing subsurface discharges to Groundwaters of the State excluded or exempt from these regulations are those originating from:
(i) Aboveground domestic sewage treatment and disposal facilities, including individual disposal systems constructed prior to January 15, 1975;
(ii) Any kind of facility mentioned in Section 4. (c) that is existing and operating at the time these regulations go into effect.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 5 Permit Application
(a) The owner/operator of a subsurface discharge facility shall apply for a permit in accordance with these regulations.
(i) The operation of a new subsurface discharge or facility not exempt or excluded from these regulations is prohibited unless the owner/operator has obtained a permit from the Department.
(ii) The owner/operator of an existing discharge facility not exempt or excluded from these regulations shall have a period of one (1) year within which to show compliance with the requirements of these regulations; excepting that for a special process discharge, the operator shall comply with requirements of Land Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 18, Section 2(a) for in situ mining.
(b) After the effective date of these regulations, a modification in the operation of any subsurface discharge facility that is capable of causing or increasing groundwater pollution in excess of standards or permit conditions will require a new or modified permit before the modification is implemented or constructed.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 6 Application Requirements
(a) A complete application for a permit for the purpose of underground management of commercial, municipal and industrial wastes shall include the following:
(i) Complete identification including name, address and telephone number of the owner/operator and the facility, and location of the facility by section, township, range and county.
(ii) Type, source, and chemical, physical, radiological and toxic characteristics of the discharge; and the management procedure.
(iii) The name, description, depth, geology and hydrology of the receiver; and fluid chemistry of the receiver, including total dissolved solids.
(iv) A description of groundwater or receiver testing procedures used.
(v) Water quality information, including background water quality data, that will facilitate the classification of any groundwater that may be affected by the proposed discharge.
(vi) A listing of the locations of all water wells in the area of review and the status of each.
(vii) Construction and engineering details of the facility.
(viii) Operating data.
(ix) Methods and procedures for inspection of the facility and operations, and for detecting failure of the well(s) and system in a timely fashion.
(x) Information that shows that the discharge can be controlled and will not migrate into other receivers or to the surface, or will not adversely affect the quality of other water resources.
(xi) Maps and sections:
(A) Location;
(B) General geology;
(C) Area geohydrology.
(xii) Plans:
(A) For monitoring volume and chemistry of the discharge, and water quality of nearby water wells.
(B) For monitoring injection and annular fluid pressures of the discharge well and for minimizing the possibility of fracturing confining strata above and below the discharge zone.
(C) Contingency plans to cope with all shut-ins, malfunctions or well failures to prevent endangerment of groundwater.
(xiii) Documentation to show that the discharge will not impair existing water supply sources or rights, be hazardous to public health or eliminate an opportunity to economically recover or store valuable minerals or groundwater in the receiver.
(xiv) The applicant will affirmatively demonstrate or document mechanical integrity of the well or system; and that the discharge is compatible with the receiver and fluids in the receiver and the operation is in conformity with provisions and standards of Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters and these regulations.
(xv) The applicant will provide a written evaluation of alternative disposal practices demonstrating that subsurface discharge is the best management alternative.
(b) An application for a permit for the purpose of a special process discharge may be a copy of the application for an in situ mining permit meeting the requirements of Land Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 18, Section 2(a), and shall include but not be limited to:
(i) Complete identification including name, address and telephone number of the owner/operator and the facility, and location of the facility by section, township, range and county.
(ii) A site facility description and engineering and operating data, including:
(A) A map that accurately locates and identifies the area and shows the discharge area boundaries and the locations of all wells installed and planned by the owner/operator.
(B) Construction and engineering details of the facility.
(C) A description of the special process technique and method of operation to be used, and the fluid to be injected.
(iii) The name, geology, description and depth of the receiver; hydrologic information including, but not limited to, direction and rate of water movement in the receiver; and fluid chemistry of the receiver, including total dissolved solids.
(iv) The location and identification of each underground water use in the area of review.
(v) Water quality information, including background water quality data, that will facilitate the classification of any groundwater that may be affected by the proposed discharge.
(vi) Plans to monitor:
(A) Discharge operations;
(B) Quality parameters and fluid levels of Groundwaters of the State in the vicinity of the discharge operation;
(C) Groundwater flow in the receiver in order to promptly detect the arrival of waste or pollution at a monitor well installed for this purpose.
(vii) Information that shows that the proposed discharge can be controlled and will not migrate into other receivers or to the surface through previously drilled wells; and will not migrate into the water source area for any water supply well.
(viii) Methods and procedures for inspection of the facility and operations, and for detecting failure of the well(s) and system as required by the permit.
(ix) The applicant will affirmatively demonstrate or document mechanical integrity of the well or system; and that groundwater pollution that may result from a special process discharge can be eliminated or reduced to an appropriate level, in conformity with provisions and standards of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(c) A complete application for a permit for the purpose of artificial recharge or a miscellaneous discharge shall include the following:
(i) Complete identification including name, address and telephone number of the owner/operator and the facility, and location of the facility by section, township, range and county.
(ii) A map of the area showing the location of the discharge facility in relation to nearby communities and residences, water wells and other pertinent features, and geology.
(iii) The name, depth, geology of the receiver; hydrology of an aquifer-receiver; and fluid chemistry of the receiver, including total dissolved solids.
(iv) Type, source, and chemical, physical, radiological and toxic characteristics of the discharge.
(v) Water quality information, including background water quality data, that will facilitate the classification of any groundwater that may be affected by the proposed discharge.
(vi) Construction and engineering details of the facility, and operating data.
(vii) Other relevant information that the Administrator determines necessary as would be required for an application of Section 6. (a) or (b)
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 7 Application Processing Procedures; Permit Issuance or Denial; Permit Duration
(a) For any subsurface discharge excepting a special process discharge:
(i) The applicant shall file three (3) copies of his application at the office of the Department.
(ii) The Administrator will review each application received to determine if the application:
(A) Should be accepted as complete; or
(I) Requires public notice; or
(II) Does not require public notice.
(B) Is incomplete; or
(C) Should be denied.
(iii) If a permit is denied, written notice of the action shall be given within 30 days after the determination has been made.
(iv) For each application determined to be complete, the Administrator shall have prepared a proposed permit that embodies tentative determinations reached. Proposed permits shall be provided to the applicant and made available to the public for inspection and copying. If public notice is not required, the proposed permit will be the final permit.
(v) Prior to the issuance of a permit for a discharge of commercial, municipal or industrial wastes, the applicant will affirmatively demonstrate that the pollution or waste can be contained and will not migrate into other receivers or to the surface. The demonstration may be waived if the applicant submits data that document that the provisions of this requirement will be accomplished by the proposed operation. If the demonstration is not waived, the applicant may apply for a miscellaneous discharge permit in lieu of a permit for a discharge of commercial, municipal or industrial waste.
(vi) Prior to the issuance of a permit for a subsurface discharge and at a minimum of once every five (5) years thereafter for the life of the permit, the operator shall demonstrate and/or document, as required by the Administrator, the mechanical integrity of the well or system.
(vii) A permit shall be issued within 60 days after receipt of all information if, acting upon the complete application of the person applying to discharge, the Administrator has found and determined that the proposed discharge will not result in violation of Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters, and a public hearing is not required.
(viii) Public notice is required for every application for a permit to discharge to Groundwater of the State that is an existing source of water supplies; or for the purpose of underground management of commercial, municipal and industrial wastes.
(A) Notice shall be given pursuant to Section 17 of these regulations.
(B) If no objections are received, the permit shall be issued within 20 days following the complete comment period.
(C) If written objections are filed during the comment period, the Council shall hold a public hearing pursuant to Section 18 of these regulations.
(D) If a hearing is held, the Council shall issue a decision within 60 days after the final hearing. A permit is then issued or denied by the Director no later than 15 days from receipt of the Council's decision.
(ix) Permits may be issued on a well-by-well basis or by discharge facility, project, field, area or other appropriate method.
(x) Every permit issued under these regulations will be issued for the life of the discharge operation excepting as otherwise specified in these regulations.
(A) Each issued permit shall be reviewed at least once every five (5) years.
(B) The permit review shall be an evaluation to determine that the permittee is in compliance with or has substantially complied with all the terms and conditions of the permit, that the Department has the most recently updated information of the permittee's discharge and related pertinent activities including records, reports and notices submitted to the Department by the permittee; and that the mechanical integrity of the discharge well and facility is intact.
(xi) A permit issued for a discharge described in Section 3.(c) (iii) (H) shall be for a limited period not to exceed a total of 18 months from the date of issuance, and shall not affect a discharge area larger than 2½ acres, unless a different time and scope are established by the Director.
(b) Permit processing procedures, issuance or denial and duration for a special process discharge shall be identical to the procedures for an in situ mining permit or license meeting the requirements and provisions of Land Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 18, Section 2(a).
(i) An application for a special process discharge/in situ mining permit or license shall be submitted simultaneously to the Water Quality and Land Quality Divisions. Both Divisions shall review and evaluate the application for compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements of the Department.
(ii) Upon recommendation by the Administrator of the Land Quality Division and the Administrator of the Water Quality Division, and pursuant to these regulations, the Director shall issue a single permit by both Divisions for in situ mining.
(iii) Prior to the issuance of a permit for a special process discharge, the applicant will affirmatively demonstrate that the pollution can be eliminated or reduced to an appropriate level. The demonstration may be waived if the applicant submits data that document that the provisions of this requirement will be accomplished by the proposed operation. If the demonstration is not waived, the applicant may apply for a miscellaneous discharge permit in lieu of a special process discharge permit.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 8 Permit Conditions and Content. For any subsurface discharge excepting a special process discharge
(a) The permittee is required to conduct the operation in accordance with statements, representations and procedures presented in the complete permit application and supporting documents, as accepted and approved by the Administrator.
(b) The subsurface discharge authorized by permit shall be consistent with the conditions and content of the permit; any modifications that will result in a violation of permit conditions shall be reported by submission of a new or amended permit application and shall not be implemented until a new or modified permit has been issued.
(c) After notice and opportunity for a hearing, a permit may be modified, suspended or revoked in whole or part during its term for cause that includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(i) Violation of the permit;
(ii) Obtaining a permit by misrepresentation or failure to fully disclose all relevant facts;
(iii) A change in any condition that indicates failure of the discharge well or system.
(d) A permit may be modified in whole or part in order to apply more, or less, stringent standards; or prohibitions for a toxic or other substance present in the permittee's discharge, as may be ordered by the Council.
(e) All issued permits shall contain the following:
(i) Authorization for the Director or his representative, upon presentation of his credentials and during normal working hours, to enter the permittee's premises, inspect the discharge and related facilities, review and copy reports and records required by the permit, collect fluid samples for analyses, measure and record water levels and perform any other function authorized by law or regulation.
(ii) Authorization for the permittee to discharge into an identified receiver during a subsurface discharge operation.
(iii) A requirement that each discharge well and associated discharge facilities have mechanical integrity, determined by methods or procedures approved by the Administrator that demonstrate the unimpaired condition of the facility or the absence of leaks in casing and tubing, and mechanical integrity of all wells and systems be maintained continuously. An approved method or procedure shall reflect the current state of the art in the monitoring of mechanical integrity, in an economically viable manner.
(iv) A requirement that the operation of any well or system that does not have mechanical integrity, or is in disrepair, be discontinued until mechanical integrity has been restored.
(v) A requirement that immediately following the permanent cessation of subsurface discharge or related activity, or where a well is not completed, the applicant shall notify the Director and follow the procedures prescribed by the Director for plugging and abandonment or discontinuance of related activities.
(vi) A requirement that the discharge or injection pressure be controlled to prevent fracturing of the confining strata above and below the discharge zone.
(vii) A requirement that the discharge or injection pressure, and annulus pressure, of a pressure-operated discharge well be monitored on a continuous basis.
(viii) A requirement that water quality of any groundwater in the area of review be monitored at regular intervals.
(ix) Provisions for such measures as the Director finds necessary to ensure the availability of adequate financial resources for dealing with discharge wells or systems that either are improperly abandoned or may otherwise cause pollution and contamination of groundwater sources, and with incomplete or inadequate groundwater pollution reduction or elimination.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 9 Special Permit Conditions
(a) A permit for a discharge of commercial, municipal or industrial wastes shall include the following requirements, in addition to the requirements of Section 8:
(i) A requirement that the Administrator be notified as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after either a significant leak in the casing or tubing, or fluid movement out of the discharge zone has been detected and verified.
(ii) A condition that pollution or waste that migrates into an aquifer containing a useable Groundwater of the State is a violation of the permit.
(iii) A condition that the subsurface discharge or operations will terminate immediately if mechanical integrity of the well or system fails and/or a leak or unauthorized fluid movement occurs.
(b) A permit for a discharge for the purpose of artificial recharge or a miscellaneous discharge shall include the following requirements in addition to the requirements of Section 8:
(i) A requirement that the Administrator be notified as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after mechanical integrity of the well or system has failed or groundwater pollution is detected and verified.
(ii) A condition that pollution or waste resulting from a miscellaneous discharge, excepting a discharge or operation of limited time and scope described in Section 3. (c) (iii) (H) of these regulations, that migrates into an aquifer containing useable Groundwater of the State is a violation of the permit.
(iii) A condition that a discharge or operation of limited time and scope be evaluated periodically by the Administrator for permit compliance; non-compliance is a permit violation.
(iv) A condition that the subsurface discharge or operation can be terminated by authority of the Administrator for one or more permit violations.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 10 Environmental Monitoring Program for Groundwaters of the State
(a) Whenever the discharge of any pollution or wastes into Groundwaters of the State is caused, threatened or allowed; or the physical, chemical, radiological, biological or bacteriological properties of any Groundwaters of the State may be altered by man's actions, a monitoring program shall be required and shall be adequate to insure knowledge of migration and behavior of the pollution or wastes.
(i) Monitoring may be required for any circumstance where Groundwaters of the State could be affected.
(ii) The extent and design of a monitoring system will be influenced by the pollution potential of the proposed discharge or activity.
(b) A monitoring program will consist of any or all of the following:
(i) Pre-discharge or pre-operational monitoring;
(ii) Operational monitoring;
(iii) Post-discharge or post-operational monitoring;
(iv) Record-keeping and reporting;
(v) Such additional requirements established by the Administrator as required to meet the purposes of the Act.
(c) A monitoring program shall include maps and cross-sections, where appropriate, showing the location of each monitoring site.
(d) The discharger or operator is responsible for properly installing, operating, maintaining and removing all necessary monitoring equipment.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 11 Sample Collection and Analysis
Acceptable procedures and methods for sample collection and analysis shall be implemented by the applicant or permittee.
(a) The procedures used to collect groundwater samples shall ensure that the samples are representative of the groundwaters being sampled.
(b) Sampling shall be of such frequency and of such variety (season, time, location, depth, etc.) as to properly describe the groundwater.
(c) Sampling shall be accomplished by methods and procedures described in the EPA SW-616 manual, Procedures Manual for Groundwater Monitoring at Solid Waste Disposal Facilities, August, 1977, unless alternate methods and procedures are approved by the Administrator.
(d) Analysis will be pursuant to provisions of Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 12 Records and Reports
For any subsurface discharge excepting a special process discharge:
(a) The permittee shall maintain records of all information resulting from monitoring activities required of him by the permit.
(b) Data obtained as a result of monitoring discharge operations shall be submitted to the Administrator as requested.
(c) Data obtained as a result of monitoring quality parameters and levels of fluids shall be submitted to the Administrator as requested.
(d) Upon request by the Administrator, the permittee shall submit construction, completion and logging data of any discharge, monitor or operational well(s) constructed.
(e) The permittee shall submit a written report to the Administrator of all remedial work concerning the failure of equipment or operational procedures that resulted in a permit violation, at the completion of the remedial work.
(f) Annual reports shall be submitted as required to the Administrator within 30 days following the anniversary date of the permit.
(g) A comprehensive report shall be submitted for any aborted or curtailed subsurface discharge operation within 30 days of complete termination of the discharge or associated activity, in lieu of an annual report.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 13 Prohibitions
(a) No person, except when authorized by a permit issued pursuant to the Act and these regulations, shall engage in any subsurface discharge operation that may:
(i) Cause, threaten or allow the discharge of any pollution or wastes into any Groundwaters of the State; or
(ii) Alter the physical, chemical, radiological, biological or bacteriological properties of any Groundwaters of the State; or shall
(iii) Construct, install or operate any discharge system capable of causing or contributing to pollution of Groundwaters of the State.
(b) No zone or interval other than that represented as the discharge zone in the complete approved application shall be used as a receiver for the discharge.
(c) No uncased hole may be used as a conduit for the discharge, excepting that portion of a hole in the discharge zone.
(d) No annular space between the wall of the hole and casing in the hole may be used as a conduit for the discharge, excepting in that portion of a hole in the discharge zone.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 14 Permit Revocation
For any subsurface discharge excepting a special process discharge:
(a) The Director shall revoke a permit if at any time he determines that the permit holder intentionally misstated or failed to provide information that would have resulted in the denial of a permit and that good faith compliance with the policies, purposes and provisions of the Act would have required him to provide.
(b) Unless an emergency exists, the revocation of a permit shall become effective upon 30 days notice to the operator. In case of an emergency, a special meeting of the Council may cause such revocation to become effective immediately upon receipt of notice thereof by the permit holder.
(c) The Director has the power to issue emergency orders pursuant to W.S. 35-11-115.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 15 Responsibility; Transfer of Responsibility
For any subsurface discharge excepting a special process discharge:
The owner/operator of record is always responsible for permit compliance. A permit holder desiring to transfer his permit shall apply to the Administrator; and the potential transferee shall agree, in a written statement to the Administrator, to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the original permit. No transfer of a permit will be allowed if the current permit holder is in violation of the Act or the permit, unless the transferee agrees to bring the permit into compliance. Upon notification of transfer approval by the Director to both the old and new operators, the new operator becomes the operator of record.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 16 Public Information
All information received on or with the permit application shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying except such information as has been determined to constitute trade secrets or confidential information pursuant to W.S. 35-11-1101. The Administrator shall provide facilities for inspection and copying of all non-confidential documents. Copying shall be at the expense of the person requesting copies.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 17 Public Participation
If public notice of any complete subsurface discharge permit application other than for a special process discharge is required, public notice shall be given within ten (10) days after the applicant has been notified that the application is complete, and in the following manner:
(a) Notice shall be circulated by one or more of the following methods:
(i) Posting in the post office and other public places of the municipality nearest the premises;
(ii) Posting near the entrance to the applicant's premises;
(iii) Publication in local newspapers.
(b) Notice shall be mailed to the applicant and, upon request, to any other person or group.
(c) The Administrator shall provide a period of not less than 30 days following the date of public notice during which interested persons may submit their views on the permit application.
(d) The contents of the public notice described herein shall include the following:
(i) Name of the Division with addresses and phone numbers at which interested persons may obtain further information and inspect and copy Wyoming Groundwater Pollution Control Permit forms and related documents.
(ii) Name and address of the applicant and brief description of the location of the discharge.
(iii) Nature of the applicant's activities or operations that result in the discharge.
(iv) A physical, chemical and biological description of the discharge, and a brief description of proposed discharge procedures.
(v) Depth and geologic name of the receiver.
(vi) A statement of the tentative determination concerning the permit with a brief explanation of the reasons for the determination. If the tentative determination is to issue the permit, the proposed date of issuance and a brief description of any proposed special conditions of the permit.
(vii) A brief description of the procedures used in the permit administration process, including information relating to the opportunity for public participation in that process.
(viii) Notification of the right to request, in writing, a public hearing, information as to how such a request may be made and the final date after which no such request will be entertained. Such final date shall be the 30th day after provision of notice under this section.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 18 Public Hearing
(a) The Administrator shall provide an opportunity for the applicant or any interested person to request a public hearing with respect to any permit application of Section 17 above. Any such request shall be filed during the comment period specified in Section 17. (c) and shall indicate the interest of the party and the reasons why a hearing is warranted. If the Administrator finds that there is a significant degree of public interest in holding the hearing, he will request that the Council hold such a hearing in the geographic area wherein the proposed discharge is located, or other appropriate area.
(b) Public notice of a hearing held pursuant to paragraph (a) above will be circulated utilizing any or all of the methods available for notice of the permit application set out in Section 17 (a), and such notice will be provided no less than 30 days in advance of the hearing. The contents of the public notice will consist of the following:
(i) Name, address and phone number of the Division;
(ii) Name and address of each applicant whose application will be considered at the hearing;
(iii) Name of receiver to which each discharge is made and description of the location of each existing discharge to the receiver in the area of review;
(iv) Brief reference to the public notice issued for each permit application including identification number and date of issuance;
(v) Information regarding the time and location of the hearing;
(vi) The purpose of the hearing;
(vii) A concise statement of the issues raised by the persons requesting the hearing;
(viii) A statement that a copy of the proposed permit and other information is available at the address specified in paragraph (i) above;
(ix) A brief description of the nature of the hearing, including applicable rules and procedures to be followed in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act; and
(x) The Administrator shall make available at the hearing, as reasonable, copies of the subject permit application.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 19 Special Process Discharge/In Situ Mining; Permit Conditions an Content; Records and Reports; Permit Revocation; Responsibility; Public Participation; Public Hearing
The following provisions for a special process discharge shall conform to or be identical with the same or similar provisions established for in situ mining by Land Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 18, Section 2(a):
(a) Permit conditions and content;
(b) Records and reports;
(c) Permit revocation;
(d) Transfer of responsibility;
(e) Public participation; and
(f) Public hearing.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.9.06292018 § 20 Civil or Criminal Remedy
Nothing in this Chapter shall in any way limit any existing civil or criminal remedy for any wrongful action arising out of violation of any provision of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act or any rule, regulation, standard, permit, license or variance or order adopted thereunder.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Chapter 11 Design and Construction Standards for Sewerage Systems,treatment works,disposal systems or other facilities capable of causing or contributing to pollution and mobile home park and campground sewerage and public water supply distribution systems
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.11.06292018 Design and Construction Standards for Sewerage Systems,treatment works,disposal systems or other facilities capable of causing or contributing to pollution and mobile home park and campground sewerage and public water supply distribution systems
CHAPTER 11
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR
SEWERAGE SYSTEMS, TREATMENT WORKS, DISPOSAL SYSTEMS OR
OTHER FACILITIES CAPABLE OF CAUSING OR CONTRIBUTING TO POLLUTION AND MOBILE HOME PARK AND CAMPGROUND SEWERAGE AND PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
PART A: INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Section 1. Authority.
These standards are promulgated pursuant to W. S. 35-11-101 through 35-11-1207. Specifically, W. S. 35-11-302 requires the Administrator to establish standards for the issuance of permits for construction, installation, or modification of any public water supply and sewerage system, treatment works, disposal system or other facility capable of causing or contributing to pollution.
Section 2. Purpose.
The purpose of these standards is to:
(a) Ensure that the design and construction of sewerage systems, treatment works, disposal systems and other facilities capable of causing or contributing to pollution meet the purpose of the Environmental Quality Act.
(b) Prevent, reduce and eliminate pollution and enhance the Waters of the State of Wyoming by ensuring design and construction of systems and facilities are capable of the required treatment and/or disposal and continued operation to protect the health, safety and welfare of the environment and its inhabitants.
These standards pertain only to permits required pursuant to Chapter 3 and 9, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
Section 3. Intent.
The design and construction standards included in these regulations are directed toward conventional wastewater and waste systems. These standards impose limiting values of design for which a construction, installation or modification permit application and plans and specifications can be evaluated by the Division.
The terms "shall" and "must" are used when practice is sufficiently standardized to permit specific delineation of requirements or when safeguarding public health or protection of water quality justifies such definite action. Other terms, such as "should", "recommend", and "preferred" indicate desirable procedures or methods that allow deviations provided the purpose of these regulations can be accomplished.
The applicant shall use the date referenced copy of other standards referred to in these regulations. Where no date is listed for the referenced standards, the standards used shall be those in effect when these regulations become effective.
Section 4. Definitions.
The following definitions supplement those contained in W.S. 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(a) "Affected land" means the area of land from which overburden is removed, or upon which overburden, development waste rock or refuse is deposited, or both, access roads, haul roads, mineral stockpiles, mill tailings, impoundment basins, and all other lands whose natural state has been or will be disturbed as a result of the operations.
(b) "Campground" means a parcel or tract of land under the control of a person at which sites are offered for the use of the public or members of an organization either free of charge or for a fee, for the establishment of temporary living quarters for two or more recreational units.
(c) "Commercial/industrial waste and wastewater facilities" means any facility not defined as a municipal or single family residence facility.
(d) "Construction" shall encompass the materials used, installation procedures and tolerances, and testing and disinfection requirements.
(e) "Feedlot" means the concentrated confinement of animals or poultry in pens or houses for meat, milk, or egg production or the stabling of animals or poultry for a period of forty-five (45) days or more in a twelve (12) month period when forage or crops are not grown in the area of confinement.
(f) "Hazardous substance" means any matter of any description including petroleum related products and radioactive material (substance) that, when discharged into any Waters of the State, presents an imminent and substantial hazard to public health or welfare. This definition includes all materials (substances) so designated by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register for March 13, 1978 (Part III), Water Programs, Hazardous Substances.
(g) "Land application/treatment" means the application of wastes or wastewater to the land at a predetermined rate for the purpose of disposal or treatment by any or all of the following processes: degradation, plant uptake, assimilation or accumulation in the soil profile from filtration.
(h) "Maximum daily demand" means the largest daily water use rate that would occur during the calendar year.
(i) "Maximum hourly or peak hourly demand" means the largest water use rate that would occur during any one hour during the year. The maximum hourly demand may or may not occur during the maximum daily demand period.
(j) "Mobile home park" means a parcel or tract of land under the control of a person upon which two (2) or more mobile homes are located on a continual or seasonal nonrecreational basis, regardless of whether a charge is made therefore.
(k) "Off-channel" means the interception of a drainage way that collects runoff only from disturbed areas.
(l) "On-channel" means the interception of a drainage way that collects runoff from both disturbed and undisturbed areas.
(m) "Permanent pool level" means the elevation in a sedimentation pond or sediment control structure below which the water will not be discharged by an outlet structure or by pumping.
(n) "Pond/lagoon" means a manmade or natural basin that is intended for containment, treatment or disposal of wastes or wastewater.
(o) "Rapid infiltration system" means a land treatment system in which treatment is accomplished by the movement of large quantities of wastewater through a coarse or highly permeable soil profile.
(p) "Recreational unit" means a tent or vehicular type structure, primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, that either has its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by a self-powered vehicle. A tent means a collapsible shelter of canvas or other fabric stretched and sustained by a rigid structure(s) and used for camping outdoors.
(q) "Seasonal high groundwater table" is the highest elevation reached by the groundwater during the wet season of the year (usually spring or early summer).
(r) "Sedimentation control facility" means a pond or structure designed to capture runoff from disturbed areas for the purpose of treating water for sediment and suspended solids removal.
(s) "Slow rate land application system" means an irrigation system in which wastewater treatment is achieved due to vegetative uptake and percolation of wastewater through the soil profile by low application rates.
(t) "Sludge" is the accumulation of solids settled from wastewater in a septic tank, aerobic unit, clarifier, or equivalent.
(u) "Soil" means all unconsolidated material overlaying bedrock.
(v) "Toxic characteristics (or wastes)" means those characteristics (or wastes) that are due to the presence of: substances or combinations of substances including disease causing agents that, after discharge and upon exposure, ingestions, inhalation or assimilation into any environmentally significant organism, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, may cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic malfunctions, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction) or physical deformation in such organisms or their offspring. This definition shall include all substances designated as toxic or hazardous by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register for December 24, 1975, (Part IV), Water Programs, National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Federal Register for May 19, 1980, (Section 261), Hazardous Waste Management System: Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste; and the Federal Register for July 16, 1982, Part V, National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan.
Section 5. Facilities and Systems Not Specifically Covered by These Standards.
This section is provided to encourage new technology and equipment and provide a process for evaluating and permitting designs that deviate from these regulations. The proposed construction of facilities and processes not in compliance with these regulations will be permitted provided that the facility, when constructed, can operate meeting the purpose of these regulations.
(a) Each application for a permit to construct a facility under this section shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis using the best available technology. The following information should be included with the application:
(i) Data obtained from a full scale, comparable installation that demonstrates the acceptability of the design and/or,
(ii) Data obtained from a pilot plant operated under the design condition for a sufficient length of time to demonstrate the acceptability of the design and/or,
(iii) Data obtained from a theoretical evaluation of the design that demonstrates a reasonable probability of the facility meeting the design objectives; and
(iv) An evaluation of the flexibility of making corrective changes to the constructed facility in the event it does not function as planned.
(b) If an applicant wishes to construct a pilot plant to provide the data necessary to show the design will meet the purpose of the act, a permit to construct must be obtained.
Section 6. Engineering Design Report.
(a) Scope and purpose. An engineering design report that describes existing conditions, problems, and the proposed solution is required for each project.
(b) Sewerage systems. The engineering design report shall include:
(i) A description of the service area including scaled vicinity plan map(s) of the project with regard to adjacent and proposed development, elevations, and topographic features.
(ii) Current and projected average, maximum day and peak flows for the design of the project, per capita design flows, extraneous flows, and industrial and/or commercial waste flows.
(iii) Downstream impact on existing sewers, lift stations and treatment facilities. This information shall include existing population, waste loads, existing flows and capacity of downstream facilities.
(iv) A letter of acceptance from the municipality, sewer district, or owner of any affected downstream sewerage, treatment or disposal facilities.
(c) Treatment works and disposal systems. The engineering design report shall include:
(i) A description of the facility site and location, including scaled site plan and:
(A) Present and projected facility property.
(B) Flood protection indicating predicted elevation of 25- and 100- year flood stages.
(C) Present and proposed access.
(D) Distances from current habitation.
(E) Prevailing wind direction.
(F) Fencing and/or security.
(G) Topographic features and contours with indicated datum.
(H) Soil and subsurface geological characteristics. Location of soil borings, rock elevations and groundwater elevations shall be indicated. Provide a soils investigation report of the proposed site.
(ii) A detailed description of the service area for the project including scaled plan showing land use and boundaries.
(iii) A detailed description of the disposal technique for effluent and solids. For lagoons, indicate whether the discharge is continuous, seasonal, or nondischarging.
(iv) Effluent water quality considerations for design of the facility shall be described to include:
(A) Surface discharge. An application shall be submitted to the Water Quality Division for a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit.
(B) Groundwater protection. Pursuant to Chapter 8 of the Water Quality rules.
(v) Design conditions shall be described to include:
(A) Proposed effluent standards.
(B) Design population.
(C) Existing and projected flows and flow variations.
(D) Shock loads, with cause and frequency.
(E) Existing and projected wastewater characteristics including BOD, suspended solids, and pH.
(F) Existing and projected flow, loads and characteristics of industrial wastes and toxic Materials.
(G) Existing or proposed quantity and frequency of septage discharges.
(H) Climate conditions at existing or proposed treatment facility site.
(I) Existing or proposed water supply.
(J) Theory of operation.
(K) Odor control features.
(L) Complete description of existing facilities.
(vi) Specific requirements of any pertinent approved Water Quality Management Plan shall be included.
Section 7. Plans and Specifications Content.
(a) All plans for sewerage works shall have a suitable title showing the following:
(i) Name of owner and location of project.
(ii) North arrow and drawing scale.
(iii) Name and seal or signature of the engineer.
Datum used shall be indicated. Plans shall contain a site plan of the proposed project with topography and boundaries of the project.
(b) Sewers. Plans for interceptor sewers, outfall sewers, new collector systems, force mains, sewer extensions, or any combination shall include:
(i) A detailed plan view at a legible scale of each sewer line showing all existing and proposed streets, adjacent structures, physical features, existing and proposed locations of utilities and a North arrow. The location and size of all sewer lines, manholes, cleanouts, and other appurtenances shall be indicated. Pertinent elevations shall be indicated on all appurtenances.
(ii) Profiles of all sewer lines shall be shown on the same sheet as the plan view at legible horizontal and vertical scales, with a profile of existing and finished surfaces, elevations of the sewer inverts at all manholes, and the slope of the sewer inverts at all manholes, pipe size and material, and the slope of the sewer line. The location of all special features such as inverted siphons, concrete encasements, casing pipes, elevated sewers, etc., shall be shown.
(iii) Special detail drawings, scaled and dimensioned to show the following:
(A) Details of all sewer appurtenances such as manholes, cleanouts, inverted siphons, elevated sewers, encasements, casing pipes, force main thrust blocks, outfall
structures, etc.
(B) The approximate bottom of the stream, the approximate elevation of the low and high-water levels, and other topographic features at all locations where the project is at streams or lakes.
(C) Cross section drawing of the sewer's bedding.
(D) Additional features not otherwise covered by specifications.
(iv) Location of waterlines within thirty (30) feet (9m) horizontally shall be shown on the plan. Water lines that intersect sewers shall be shown on the profile drawings. Public and/or private water wells within thirty (30) feet (9m) of sewer lines shall be indicated on the plans.
(c) Pumping stations, treatment works and disposal systems. Plans shall be submitted showing the relation of the proposed project to the remainder of the system. Layouts and detail plans shall show the following:
(i) Site location and layout including topographic and physical features, proposed arrangement of pumping or treatment units, existing facilities, existing and proposed piping arrangements, access drive, power supply, fencing, embankments, outfall sewer, outfall structure, and receiving stream with direction of flow.
(ii) Schematic flow diagram(s) and hydraulic profile(s) for treatment works wastewater, sludge and effluent flows.
(iii) Plan and section view(s) of the wetwell and drywell of the pumping station with specific construction details, features and pertinent elevations.
(iv) Plan and section view(s) of each treatment facility process unit with specific construction details, features and pertinent elevations. Details of each unit should include, but are not limited to, inlet and outlet devices, baffles, valves, arrangement of automatic control devices, aeration equipment, motors, sludge scrapers, sludge disposal, electrical devices or other mechanical devices.
(d) Specifications. Technical specifications shall accompany the plans for new sewers, pump stations, treatment works, disposal systems, or additions/modifications to existing systems or facilities. Where plans are for extensions to sewer systems, the specifications may be omitted, provided it is stated that the work is to be constructed under specifications authorized by the Water Quality Division office. Specifications on file must conform to these regulations.
The specifications accompanying construction drawings shall include:
(i) Identification of construction materials.
(ii) The type, size, strength, operating characteristics, rating or requirements for all mechanical and electrical equipment, including machinery, valves, piping, electrical apparatus, wiring and meters; laboratory fixtures and equipment; operating tools; special appurtenances; and chemicals where applicable.
(iii) Construction and installation procedure for materials and equipment.
(iv) Requirements and tests of materials and equipment to meet design standards.
(v) Performance tests for operation of completed works and component units.
PART B: MUNICIPAL AND DOMESTIC SEWERAGE SYSTEMS, TREATMENT WORKS, AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
Section 8. General.
This part contains the minimum standards for the design and construction of sewerage systems, treatment works, and disposal systems for domestic and municipal wastewater. Soil absorption and land application systems are contained in other parts. All facilities shall comply with the purpose of this chapter.
Section 9. Design of Sewers.
(a) Separate sewers. Separate sewers shall be provided for collection of stormwater and wastewater. Roof, areaway, drive or foundation drains shall not be connected to sanitary sewers.
(b) Pipe materials.
(i) Wastewater characteristics. Pipe materials shall resist acid and alkaline solutions, organic solvents, and other wastewater constituents and environmental conditions encountered.
(ii) Pipe loadings. Pipe materials shall be chosen and the pipeline shall be designed to withstand all trench and superimposed surface live loads with a minimum factor of safety. Rigid pipes shall have a minimum factor of safety of 1.5, and flexible pipes shall have a minimum factor of safety of 1.25.
(iii) Soil characteristics. Pipe materials shall be chosen to resist corrosion due to aggressive soil characteristics by the soil it contacts. Iron or steel pipe shall be protected from corrosion with polyethylene encasement or cathodic protection.
(iv) Joints. Pipe joints shall be flexible, durable and designed to minimize infiltration/exfiltration and exclude roots.
(v) Performance tests. Piping shall be subjected to leakage tests. Leakage tests shall be infiltration, exfiltration, or air tests.
(A) Infiltration. Maximum of 200 gallons per inch diameter per mile per day (1200 liters/cm/km/day) with a minimum of two feet (0.6 m) of head over the top of the pipe.
(B) Exfiltration. Maximum of 200 gallons per inch diameter per mile per day (1200 liters/cm/km/day) with a minimum of two feet (0.6 m) of head over the top of the pipe.
(C) Air. Air tests shall conform to ASTM C-828-80. (D) Deflection. Maximum five percent deflection after flexible pipe is backfilled for thirty (30) days. A mandrel of 95 percent of pipe diameter shall be used. No mechanical pulling of mandrel is permitted.
(vi) Approved pipe material specifications. Type of commercial pipe approved for gravity sanitary systems include:
(A) Extra strength and standard strength vitrified clay pipe: ASTM C700-78a.
(B) PVC sewer pipe and fittings: ASTM D3034-80, SDR35, ASTM F679-81, or ASTM F794-83.
(C) ABS composite sewer pipe: ASTM D2680-80.
(D) Reinforced plastic mortar pipe: ASTM D3262-81.
(E) Asbestos cement nonpressure sewer pipe: ASTM C428-80.
(F) Reinforced concrete sewer pipe: ASTM C76-82.
(G) Concrete Sewer Pipe: ASTM C-14.
(H) Ductile iron sewer pipe: ASTM A746-77.
Types of commercial pipe approved for pressure sanitary sewer systems include:
(I) PVC water pipe: ASTM D2241-80, or AWWA C900.
(J) Asbestos cement pressure pipe: AWWA C400-80.
(K) Ductile iron pipe: AWWA C151-81.
(L) Glass Fiber-Reinforced Thermo-setting-Resin Pressure Pipe: AWWA C950-81.
(c) Collection piping design, construction and testing. A sewage collection line is any conduit that carries wastewater that originates from two (2) or more separate buildings or from a single building that generates more than 2,000 gpd (7.6 m3/d) of average daily flow.
(i) Gravity system.
(A) Depth. Sewers shall be located to protect them from freezing and frost heave as prudently possible.
(B) Size. Sewers to be aligned straight shall be 8-inch (20.3 cm) diameter or larger except 6-inch (15.2 cm) sewers may be used in cul-de-sacs, or other dead end locations where the sewer cannot be extended in the future. 18-inch (45.7 cm) or larger sewers may be laid on curves. Lines shall be sized for 200 percent of maximum daily flow or more. In the absence of data deriving maximum daily flow, the chart on Figure 1-1 shall be used to determine maximum daily flow.
(C) Slope. Sewers shall be laid with uniform slope between manholes. Minimum slopes shall be:
| Sewer Size Inch (cm) | Minimum Slope in Feet Per 100 Feet (m/100 m) | | --- | --- | | 6 (15.2) | 0.60 | | 8 (20.3) | 0.40 | | 10 (25.4) | 0.28 | | 12 (30.5) | 0.22 | | 14 (35.6) | 0.17 | | 15 (38.1) | 0.15 | | 16 (40.6) | 0.14 | | 18 (45.7) | 0.12 | | 20 (50.8) | 0.11 | | 21 (53.3) | 0.10 | | 24 (61.0) | 0.08 | | 27 (68.6) | 0.067 | | 30 (76.2) | 0.058 | | 33 (83.8) | 0.051 | | 36 (91.4) | 0.046 |
Maximum slopes without the use of concrete anchors shall be 20 percent. The following spacing of concrete anchors shall apply to slopes greater than 20 percent:
| Slopes (percent) | Concrete Anchor | | --- | --- | | 20-35 | 36 ft (11 m) | | 35-50 | 24 ft (7.3 m) | | More than 50 | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
(D) Velocity. Minimum velocities shall be 2 fps (0.6 mps) when flowing full. Velocities greater than 10 fps (3.0 mps) require special design considerations.
(E) Increasing size. All sewer pipe size changes shall be at manholes. Pipe size shall not be decreased in the direction of flow. The energy gradient line should be maintained when a smaller sewer joins a larger one.
(F) Excavation, bedding installation, backfill.
(I) Excavation. Trench width from the trench bottom to a point one foot above the top of the pipe shall be no less than the outside diameter of the pipe plus 8 (8) inches (20.3 cm) but not more than twenty-four (24) inches (61 cm) plus the pipe O.D. The trench bottom shall be excavated for the pipe bell. All rock shall be removed within six (6) inches (15.2 cm) of pipe. The trench shall be dewatered for all work.
(II) Bedding. Bedding shall be designed in accordance with:
(1.) Rigid pipe. Types A, B, C (Water Pollution Control Federation Manual of Practice No. 9) or ASTM C12-81.
(2.) Flexible pipe. Types I, II, III, ASTM D2321-74.
(III) Backfill. Backfill shall be performed without disturbing pipe alignment. Backfill shall not contain debris, frozen material, unstable material, or large clods. Stones greater than three (3) inches (7.6 cm) in diameter shall not be placed within two (2) feet (0.6 m) of pipe. Compaction shall be to a density equal to or greater than the surrounding soil.
(ii) Force mains and pressure sewers.
(A) Depth. Force mains shall be located to protect them from freezing and frost heave.
(B) Size. Force mains shall be four (4) inches (10 cm) diameter or greater. Pressure sewer collection system piping shall be one (1) inch (2.5 cm) minimum.
(C) Velocity. Minimum velocity shall be 2.5 fps (0.76 mps).
(D) Air release. Air release facilities shall be provided at the high point in the piping whenever the pipe crown elevation falls below the pipe invert elevation. Access to air release manholes shall not be in traffic-ways.
(E) Cleanouts. Cleanouts shall be provided at 400-foot (122 m) maximum spacing in pressure piping four-inch diameter or less.
(F) Pressure sewer systems. Pressure sewer collection systems shall be preceded by grinder pumps or septic tanks.
(G) Pressure sewer collection system pumps. Pumps shall be provided with isolation and check valves. If a septic tank is not provided before the pump, a grinder pump shall be required. Pump holding sumps shall not be steel, iron, or coated metal. The sump chamber shall be fifty (50) gallon (189 liters) volume, minimum.
(iii) Service connections. A service connection is any conduit that carries wastewater that is not defined as a sewage collection line. Service connections shall conform to the requirements for sewage collection lines (Section 9(c)(i) and (ii)) with the following modifications:
(A) Size: minimum size shall be four (4) inches (10.2 cm).
(B) Slope: minimum slope shall be 2 feet/100 feet (2 m/100 m).
(C) Flow: flow shall be determined from a fixture unit count and the sewage size based on flowing full.
(D) Connections: all service connections to sewage collection lines shall be made with a wye or tee for new construction and a tapping saddle for connection to existing collection lines.
(d) Manholes and cleanouts.
(i) Location. Manholes shall be located at all changes in pipe size, vertical or horizontal alignment, pipe intersections, and the end of lines. Maximum spacing for various line sizes are as follows:
| Line Size (In) | (cm) | Maximum M.H. | Spacing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 15 or less | (38 or less) | 400 ft | 122 m | | 16 - 30 | (40.6 - 76) | 500 ft | 152 m | | 31 or more | (78 or more) | 600 ft | 183 m |
Terminal sewer cleanouts may be provided at the end of sewer lines if they are not more than 150 feet (45.7 m) from the nearest downstream manhole. The cleanout shall be constructed using 45-degree bends to the upturned pipe coming to the surface of the ground. The diameter of the cleanout shall be the same as the pipe size. Lampholes shall not be used.
(ii) Size. Minimum manhole interior size is four (4) feet (1.2 m).
(iii) Drop manhole. Drop manholes must be constructed where the change in elevation between two lines is greater than twenty-four (24) inches (0.6 m). Concrete encasement shall be provided around the drop pipe.
(iv) Invert. Manhole inverts shall be constructed to conform to the shape of the sewer. The bench shall drain to the invert. Connections to the manhole shall be watertight and allow differential settlement between the manhole and pipe. Minimum fillet height shall be one half of the pipe diameter.
(v) Cover. The manhole cover shall be suitable to withstand all loads, including impact loading without deformation, slip or rattle. The manhole cover shall be watertight in areas subject to flooding and a bolt-down type in areas subject to unauthorized dumping or vandals.
(vi) Steps. Access to manholes shall be with portable ladders, or with cast iron manhole steps spaced at sixteen (16) inches (40.6 cm) maximum.
(vii) Materials. Manholes shall be constructed watertight and durable using cast-in-place concrete, or precast concrete with gasketed joints. Where precast concrete bases are used, the first twelve (12) inches (30 cm) of wall will be monolithically cast with the base.
(viii) Access. A twenty-two (22) inch (56 cm) minimum diameter clear opening shall be provided on all manholes. All manholes shall be located to be accessible by motorized equipment for maintenance.
(e) Special structures.
(i) Inverted siphons. Inverted siphons shall have a minimum of two (2) six (6) inch (15.2 cm) barrels. The inlet and outlet shall be arranged to cause only one (1) pipe to be used during normal flows. The minimum velocity shall be 3 fps (1 mps) at average flow, and occur at least daily. The siphon shall be designed for flushing and maintenance.
(ii) Aerial crossings. Aerial crossings shall be designed to prevent freezing, leaking, settlement, lateral movement, and damage from expansion/contraction. It shall be located with proper vertical clearances for highway vehicles and the 100-year flood.
(iii) Stream crossings. Stream crossings shall be within
10° of the perpendicular direction of the stream. Pipe shall have a minimum cover of one (1) foot in rock, and three (3) feet under other surfaces. The crossing shall be made with an inverted siphon or without a grade change. Pipe materials shall be steel, cast iron, or ductile iron pipe.
(f) Potable water supply protection.
(i) Cross connections. There shall be no cross-connections between sewer lines and potable water lines.
(ii) Horizontal and vertical separation from water mains. Minimum horizontal separation shall be ten (10) feet (3 m) where the water main is less than 1.5 feet (0.46 m) above the elevation of the sewer. Minimum vertical separation shall be 1.5 feet (0.46 m) at crossing. Joints in sewers at crossing shall be located at least ten (10) feet (3 m) from water mains. The upper line of a crossing shall be specially supported. Where vertical and/or horizontal clearances cannot be maintained, the sewer shall be placed in a separate conduit pipe.
Section 10. Pumping stations.
(a) Design conditions.
(i) Total dynamic head. The total dynamic head rating of pumping units shall be based on pipe friction, pressure losses from piping entrances, exits, appurtenances (bends, valves, etc.), and static head at the rated flow.
(ii) Grit. Where no grit removal is provided ahead of the pumping station, equipment and piping design shall minimize the deleterious effects of grit in the sewage.
(iii) Screening. Screens or comminutors shall be provided ahead of pumps where the average daily flow is in excess of 1.0 mgd (3,784 m3/d) to prevent solids larger than 2 ½ inches (6.4 cm) from entering the pump.
(iv) Minimum pump opening. Except for grinder pumps, raw sewage pumps shall be capable of passing spheres of at least three (3) inches (7.6 cm) in diameter. Pump suction and discharge piping in all sewage and sludge services shall be no smaller than four (4) inches in diameter (10 cm).
(v) Pump cycle time. Intermittently operated pumps shall be designed to start no more often than once every ten (10) minutes at the minimum operating interval.
(vi) Removal of equipment. Pumping stations shall be designed to permit removal of all items of equipment including pumps, valves, electrical and control equipment. Equipment located in wetwells shall be removable without entering the wetwell.
(vii) Surge control. Piping systems shall be designed to withstand the maximum possible surge (water hammer) from the pumping station, or adequate surge control provided to protect the piping. Pressure relief valves are not acceptable surge control.
(viii) Net positive suction head. Pumps shall be selected so that the net positive suction head required at maximum flow (NPSHR) is less than the NPSH available minus four feet (1.2 m) based on the hydraulic conditions and altitude of the pumping station.
(ix) Uplift. The pumping station chambers shall resist hydrostatic uplift pressures. Siting requirements.
(b) Siting requirements.
(i) Access. Pumping stations shall be located so that they are readily accessible to operating and maintenance personnel at all times of day or night, and under all weather conditions. Pumping stations shall be located off of traffic ways.
(ii) Flood protection. Pumping stations shall be designed so there is no equipment or structural damage in the 100-year flood, and so the pumping station's operation is uninterrupted by the 25-year flood.
(iii) Security. The pumping station shall be designed to discourage unauthorized entry.
(c) Pumping station types.
(i) Dry wells.
(A) Access. Pumping station dry wells and equipment rooms shall be accessible for equipment inspection, operation and maintenance. Ladder and stair dimensions, locations of landings, and structural design shall comply with the Wyoming OHSA (1982). Equipment shall be removable from pumping stations without making structural changes to the station.
(B) Separation from wetwell. Dry wells and equipment rooms shall be completely separated from wetwells with no hatches, untrapped drains, or other connecting accessways.
(C) Dewatering. Dry pits and below-grade equipment rooms shall be provided with sump pumps sized to remove infiltration of water during normal seepage and leakage.
(ii) Wetwell design. Wetwells shall be designed to prevent vortexing and unstable pump operation. Pumps shall be located below the minimum water level, except suction lift pumps. Suction intakes shall be bell-mouthed. Provisions shall be made for isolating, bypassing and/or dewatering portions of the wetwell for maintenance. Hopper walls of wetwells shall be sloped at no less than 1.75 vertical to one (1) horizontal.
(iii) Submersible pumping stations. Submersible pumping stations shall be designed specifically for totally submerged operation and so that pumps may be readily removed from the wetwell without dewatering the wetwell or disconnecting piping in the wetwell. Submersible pumps shall have an adequate means of indicating motor seal failure. Electrical equipment shall be suitable for Class 1, Division 1, Groups C and D hazardous environments, as defined in the National Electrical Code (1982).
(iv) Suction lift. Pumping stations utilizing suction lift pumps shall have adequate priming means to prime the pumps quickly and shall be designed for priming the pumps when the water level in the wetwell is one (1) foot (0.3 m) below the lead pump starting elevation in the suction wetwell, and for maintaining prime when the wetwell level is one (1) foot (0.3 m) below the lead pump stopping level. Valving shall not be located in the wetwell.
(v) Pneumatic ejectors. Pneumatic ejectors shall be limited to design flows equivalent to 25 residential connections. One standby compressor shall be provided.
(vi) Grinder pumps. Grinder pumps shall be limited to design flows equivalent to 25 residential connections.
(d) Piping and valves.
(i) Suction.
(A) Suction intake. Suctions shall be located so the pump is below the minimum water level. Suction intakes shall be bell-mouthed. Suction intakes shall be located against the far wall from the wetwell inlet.
(ii) Piping.
(A) Size. Sewage and sludge piping shall be no smaller than four (4) inches (10.2 cm) diameter, except as required for metering, or where grinder pumps are provided.
(B) Velocity. Piping and pumping systems shall be designed to maintain a minimum velocity of 2.5 fps (0.76 mps), and a maximum velocity of 5 fps (1.52 mps) for suction piping.
(C) Design pressure. Piping shall be designed for the maximum operating pressure and for the maximum value of any surges (water hammer) that may occur, taking into account any surge protection provided.
(D) Restraints. Piping shall be blocked and otherwise restrained to prevent damaging movement under the maximum anticipated pressure (including test pressure).
(E) Cleanouts. Cleanouts shall be provided in pump suctions.
(iii) Valves. Valves shall not be located in wetwells.
(A) Shutoff. Except on submersible pumps and suction lift pumps, a shutoff valve shall be provided on the suction of all pumps. A shutoff valve shall be provided on the discharge of all pumps, regardless of type or service.
(B) Check. All pumps shall be provided with a check valve located between the pump and the discharge shutoff valve, except where arranged so that backflow is not possible under normal operating conditions.
(C) Air release. Air release valves shall be provided at the high points in piping whenever the pipe crown elevation falls below the pipe invert elevation. On sewage lines, air or air and vacuum release valves shall be specifically designed for sewage service.
(e) Reliability.
(i) Multiple units. Every pumping station shall have not less than two (2) pumping units. The number of units and their size shall be sufficient to permit pumping the maximum design flow with the largest pumping unit out of service.
(ii) One of the following shall be provided:
(A) Alternative power source. Where the pumping station serves more than fifty (50) residential units, alternative power shall be provided. Alternative power shall be permanently installed or portable engine generator sets, permanently installed or portable engine driven pumps or a separate, independent utility source provided. Where manual starting is required, sufficient storage shall be provided to allow notifying the operator and performing whatever tasks are necessary to get the pumping station in service. Where permanently installed engine driven equipment is provided, sufficient fuel shall be provided for at least eight hours operation under the maximum flow condition. Where more than one (1) pumping station is affected by a power outage and portable equipment is planned for alternative power source, sufficient portable equipment shall be provided to provide alternative power to all pumping stations under maximum flow conditions.
(B) Generators. Generators shall be sized to permit starting the largest pump in the pumping station with all other pumps except one running. If the generator is not capable of starting all pumps simultaneously, suitable controls shall be provided to stagger the pump starts to remain within the capabilities of the equipment. Generators shall be diesel-fired, natural gas-fired or bottled gas-fired. The use of gasoline or digester gas-fired generators for permanently installed standby service is unacceptable. Gasoline-fired portable generators are accept able.
(C) Engine driving pumps. Engine driven pumps shall be sized for maximum design flow. Diesel, natural gas and bottled gas are acceptable fuels for portable engines only. Digester gas is unacceptable for standby fuel. Quick connecting couplings shall be provided for portable engine driven pumps.
(D) Storage. Wastewater storage may be provided in the form of underground storage or surface ponds or tanks in lieu of alternative power supplies. Storage shall be sized for the maximum anticipated power outage, but not less than twenty-four (24) hours at average design flow. Storage shall be water tight and arranged to drain back to the pumping station wetwell.
(f) Electrical.
(i) Equipment location. All electrical equipment, including motors, motor starters and controls shall be located so as to be undamaged by the 100-year flood.
(ii) Controls. Controls shall include a separate start/stop device for each pump or for each pumping position in the control sequence. Controls shall be arranged so that the failure of any one control system component will affect only the operation of one pumping unit. Manual override shall be provided for normal pump operating control.
(iii) Code requirements. All electrical work shall comply with the National Electrical Code as adopted and amended by the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety. Electrical equipment in enclosed wetwells, which may be subject to explosive concentration of hazardous gases or flammable fluids, including all raw sewage wetwells, shall comply with the NEC requirements for Class 1, Division 1, Groups C and D areas.
(iv) Alarms. An alarm system shall be provided for each pumping station. As a minimum, alarms shall include high wetwell level and high water level in the dry well. For pumping stations having a capacity of 0.5 mgd (1890 m3/d) or more, the alarm shall be telemetered to a facility that is manned twenty-four (24) hours a day. For pumping stations having a capacity of 0.5 mgd (1890 m3/d) or less, an audio and visual alarm shall be provided in a conspicuous location.
(g) Safety.
(i) Ventilation. All accessible pumping station areas shall be ventilated. Ventilation may be continuous or intermittent. If intermittent, ventilation in areas normally visited by operating personnel shall be started automatically at not greater than 30-minute intervals. Permanently installed dry well ventilation shall provide at least six air changes per hour if continuous, and twelve (12) air changes per hour if intermittent. Permanently installed wetwell ventilation shall provide twelve (12) complete air changes per hour if continuous, and thirty (30) complete air changes per hour if intermittent. Wetwell ventilation shall be positive pressure, forcing air into the wetwell rather than exhaustion from it. All ventilation equipment shall be of a non-sparking design. Intermittent ventilating equipment shall insure starting upon entry of operating personnel. Wetwells may be ventilated by gravity means if normal access by operating personnel is unnecessary. Wetwells that are accessed infrequently shall be designed to permit the use of portable blowers that will exhaust the space and continue to supply fresh air during access periods.
(ii) Hoists. Where required for removing equipment, hoists shall be rated for not less than 50 percent more than the weight of the heaviest single item to be lifted by the hoist.
(iii) Lighting. Lighting levels shall be sufficient to permit safe operation and maintenance of all equipment within the pumping station, but not less than 30 foot-candles. All areas shall be lit in such a manner that the failure of one lighting fixture or lamp will not cause the area to be completely dark.
(iv) Equipment guards. Provide shields to protect from rotating or moving machinery.
(v) Warning signs. Provide warning signs for nonpotable water, electrical hazards, chemical hazards, or other unsafe features. Warning signs shall be permanently attached to the structure or appropriate equipment.
(vi) Safety. Comply with the Wyoming Occupational Health and Safety Rules and Regulations.
Section 11. General Treatment Plant Considerations.
(a) Surface water protection. Discharges to surface waters shall meet or exceed quality limitations in the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. Plant configurations and piping shall be arranged to avoid the bypassing of process units that could result in inadequately treated sewage reaching the receiving surface water.
(b) Groundwater protection. Seepage and/or discharge to groundwater shall comply with Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Regulations. Plan configurations and piping shall be arranged to avoid the bypassing of process units that could result in inadequately treated sewage reaching the groundwater.
(c) Siting requirements.
(i) Isolation. Treatment facilities shall be located to minimize public and private nuisances and health hazards on inhabited areas or residential areas. Where treatment plant siting does potentially affect inhabited areas, appropriate measures to minimize nuisances or hazards shall be incorporated in the design.
(ii) Flood protection. All treatment process structures, mechanical equipment, and electrical equipment shall be protected from the 100-year flood. The treatment facilities shall remain fully operational and accessible during the 25-year flood.
(d) Hydraulic and treatment reliability.
(i) Alternative power source. All treatment plants shall have an alternative source of power to provide reliable pumping and disinfection of sewage if required. The alternative source of power shall be sized to provide the capability to pump design maximum day flow rates through the treatment process and to disinfect the sewage if necessary. Acceptable alternative power sources include:
(A) A diesel, natural gas, or propane fueled engine generator.
(B) A second independent electrical supply.
(C) Storage of sewage and subsequent treatment
(ii) Bypass treatment units. Complete by-passing of treatment units is prohibited. Provide means to bypass any duplicate process unit or single unit where adequate downstream process capability is provided. Sewage shall be treated in parallel singular units and/or subsequent processes.
(iii) Multiple units. For average design flows greater than 100,000 gpd (378 m3/d), more than one unit of each unit process shall be provided. For average design flows of less than 100,000 gpd (378 m3/d), one unit of each unit process may be provided if electrical or mechanical equipment or diffusers can be removed while the unit is in operation, or if the unit can be compartmentalized to permit access. There shall be no provision to bypass the entire plant nor shall bypass provisions be made that will allow inadequately treated sewage to reach the ground or surface waters.
Where more than one parallel unit is provided, positive means of dividing the flow proportionally between units shall be included (such as splitter weirs or valves and meters).
(iv) Multiple equipment. Mechanical process equipment shall be provided in multiple units. All pumping functions shall include sufficient pumping capacity that the peak flow can be pumped with the largest single unit not in service. Blowers and mechanical aerators for process aeration shall include sufficient capacity that the maximum day design capacity can be delivered with the largest single unit not in service. Other equipment shall have standby units where their function is critical to the treatment process.
(e) Electrical.
(i) Equipment location. Service transformers and other critical electrical equipment shall be located above the 100-year flood and above grade. Transformers shall be located in a manner that they are remote from or protected by substantial barriers from traffic. Motor controls shall be located in superstructures and in rooms that do not contain sewage, chemical processes, or corrosive atmospheres.
(ii) Code requirements. All electrical work shall comply with the National Electrical Code as enacted and amended by the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety. Areas in which the occurrence of explosive concentrations of hazardous gases or flammable fluids can occur Class 1, groups C and D, Division 1 locations shall be designed for hazardous locations in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
(f) Structural.
(i) Construction materials. Construction materials shall be selected, apportioned, and/or protected to provide water tightness, corrosion protection, and resistance to weather variations.
(ii) Coatings. Coatings used to protect structures, equipment and piping shall be suitable for atmospheres containing hydrogen sulfide and volatile organics. Surfaces exposed in chemical areas shall be protected from chemical attack. Concrete surfaces in confined spaces containing sewage shall be protected. Paints containing lead or mercury shall not be used.
(iii) Geological conditions. Structural design shall consider the seismic zone, groundwater and soil support. Soils investigations shall be made, or adequate previous soils investigations shall be available to develop structural design.
(g) Safety. The Wyoming Occupational Health and Safety Rules and Regulations shall be complied with. The following items shall also be provided:
(i) Instruction manuals. Instruction manuals shall be provided for all mechanical and electrical equipment describing operation, maintenance, and safety.
(ii) Handrails. In addition to all Wyoming OSHA requirements, barriers around treatment basins shall be provided.
(iii) Warning Signs. Provide warning signs for nonpotable water, electrical hazards, chemical hazards, or other unsafe features. Warning signs shall be permanently attached to the structure or appropriate equipment.
(iv) Equipment guards. Provide shields to protect from rotating or moving machinery.
(v) Lighting. Provisions shall be made to light walkways, paths, and other accessways around basins, in buildings and on the site. All areas shall be lit in a manner that the failure of one lighting fixture will not cause an area to be dark, or the loss of power will not cause a room or enclosed area to be dark.
(vi) Climate conditions. Design of facilities such as exposed stairs, walkways, and sidewalks shall include nonskid surfaces.
(h) Instrumentation.
(i) Location. A flow measuring device shall be provided for the plant effluent unless it is a mechanical plant where an influent flow measuring device will be acceptable.
(ii) Type. For plants having an average design flow of 50,000 gpd (189 m3/d) or more, the flow measuring device shall provide recording of instantaneous flow rate, enable calculation of average daily flow rate and have provisions for calibration and correction.
(iii) Controls. Automatic controls shall be designed to permit manual override.
(iv) Alarms. Conditions that may affect discharge quality or personnel or public safety shall be alarmed at an attended location.
(i) Sampling. Access shall be provided to sample untreated wastewater ahead of the treatment facilities prior to adding any process return flows, and sampling of the effluent after all treatment process units, but before discharge to the receiving stream. An automatic sampler that composites samples in proportion to the flow rate on the effluent shall be provided if required by the NPDES permit.
(j) Ventilation. All enclosed spaces shall be provided with forced ventilation, excepting pumping station wetwells, scum pits, anaerobic process units, and man-holes. In areas where there are open sewage channels, wet pits exposed to the room or process units without gas tight enclosures, ventilation shall be provided to maintain a higher pressure in the room than atmospheric and shall provide twelve (12) air changes per hour. In equipment rooms, ventilation shall be provided to limit the temperature rise in the room to less than 15° F (8° C) above ambient, but not less than six air changes per hour. Rooms housing chlorine storage and/or feeders shall have provisions for exhausting the room contents in two (2) minutes and continuous ventilation to provide twelve (12) air changes per hour.
(k) Dewatering of treatment units. All treatment units, channels, housing screens, or other embedded equipment, and wetwells shall be provided with drains or sumps that facilitate draining the unit for access and maintenance. Drainage shall be to upstream process units. Basin slabs shall be designed to successfully resist the hydrostatic uplift pressure or relief valves shall be provided.
(l) Cold weather protection. All equipment including pumps, bar screens, grit washers, electrical equipment and other equipment not required to be in or on open basins (such as clarifier drives and surface aerators) shall be housed in heated, lighted, and ventilated structures. Structure entrances shall be above grade. Piping shall be buried below frost level, placed in heated structures, or provided with heat and insulated. Walkways shall be located away from areas of spray and/or ice buildup.
(m) Chemical storage. All chemical storage shall be housed or buried. Areas designated for storage of specific chemicals shall be separated from areas designated for other reactive chemicals. Liquid storage containers shall be isolated from other portions of the structure by a curb that will contain and/or drain ruptured tank contents. Concrete floors, walls and curbs in chemical storage and feed areas shall be coated to protect the concrete from aggressive chemicals. Floors in polymer feed and storage areas shall be provided with nonslip surfaces. Rooms for chlorine storage and feed equipment shall be gas tight and be provided with entry from outdoors. All toxic chemical storage areas shall be provided with lighting and ventilation that are switched from outside the room, and windows to permit viewing the room from outside.
(n) Design capacities.
(i) Flow. In the absence of flow measurement information, the design average daily flow shall be based on a per capita daily flow rate of 100 gallons (378 liters). Allowances shall be made for return flows from digesters, sludge thickeners and the like, and the infiltration and wet weather inflow into older sewer systems. Significant industrial waste flows shall be added to the per capita flow rate.
(ii) Organic loads. In the absence of wastewater strength data, domestic waste treatment design shall be based on a per capita daily BOD and suspended solids contribution of 0.22 lb (0.10 kg) and 0.25 lb (0.11 kg), respectively. The influence of sidestream return flows and significantly strong industrial wastes shall be considered and included in the design where applicable.
Section 12. Pretreatment.
(a) Flow equalization.
(i) Storage requirements. Where mechanical plants experience large diurnal variations in flow rate that will cause mechanical, hydraulic, or biological process upsets, flow equalization shall be provided.
(ii) Location. Pretreatment facilities, such as bar screens, comminutors and grit chambers, and where possible, primary clarifiers should be located ahead of the equalization basin.
(iii) Drainage and cleaning. Provisions shall be made to isolate, drain and clean the basin(s).
(iv) Aeration and mixing. Aeration shall be sufficient to maintain a minimum of 2.0 mg/L of dissolved oxygen in the basin at all times. Air supply rates shall be a minimum of 10 cfm/ 1,000 cubic feet (10 m3/min/1000 m3) of volume for primary treated wastewater and 20 cfm/1,000 cubic feet (20 m3/min/1000 m3) of volume for raw or screened waste water.
(v) Controls. Controls shall be provided to control the flow rate from the flow equalization basin. Flow measurement devices shall be provided.
(b) Screens.
(i) Location. Coarse screens shall be the first unit in the treatment process. Screens shall be housed. The housing shall be heated and ventilated. Access shall be separated from other enclosed spaces. Housing shall be designed for hazardous location (National Electrical Code, Class 1, Groups C and D, Division 1 locations).
(ii) Capacity. The screen capacity shall be capable of handling the maximum anticipated peak hourly flow including inflow and infiltration.
(iii) Types.
(A) Mechanically cleaned. Bar screens shall be mechanically cleaned if the removal of the daily accumulation of screenings results in surging of the flow. Manually cleaned screens shall be provided in parallel channels to permit removal of the mechanically cleaned screen from service. Bars shall be between 45° and 90° measured from the horizontal.
(B) Manually cleaned. Manually cleaned bar screens shall be used for bypass of a mechanically cleaned screen or for treatment installations having an average design capacity of less than 100,000 gpd (378 m3/day). Bars shall be between 30° to 45° from the vertical.
(iv) Bar spacing. Clear spacing on mechanically cleaned bar screens shall range from 1/2 inch to 1 3/4 inches (1.27 cm to 4.45 cm). Manually cleaned screens shall have a range from one to 1 3/4 inches (2.54 cm to 4.45 cm) clear spacing. Coarse screens may have spacing greater than 1 3/4 inches (4.45 cm).
(v) Velocities. Maximum approach velocity at average flows for a mechanically cleaned screen shall be 3.0 fps (0.91 mps). Maximum velocity for a manually cleaned bar screen shall be 1.5 fps (0.46 mps). Minimum velocities shall be 1.25 fps (0.38 mps).
(vi) Channel. Channels shall be designed to eliminate deposition and permit draining. The channel shall contain a rock trap ahead of mechanically cleaned screens. Multiple channels shall be designed to allow uniform and equal flow to the screens. Slide gates shall be provided to permit isolating sections of channel containing screens.
(vii) Controls. Cleaning operation shall be controlled by one or several of the following methods.
(A) Timers. A timer to start the cleaning operation, and a device to stop the cleaning operation after one cycle.
(B) Differential head. Cleaning device starts and stops on differential head across screen.
(C) High level switch. Cleaning device starts on high level and runs for predetermined length of time.
All screens shall have manual override capability. All controls shall be suitable for use in hazardous location (National Electrical Code, Class 1, Groups C and D, Division 1 locations).
(viii) Handling. Screenings receptacles shall be designed to contain a minimum of one day's screenings. Manually cleaned bar screens shall include an easily accessible and safe working platform. All handling areas should be well drained.
(ix) Disposal. Screenings shall be disposed of in a manner approved by the Department of Environmental Quality, Solid Waste Management section. Grinding of screenings and return to the wastewater flow is not acceptable.
(c) Comminutors.
(i) Location. When used, comminutors shall be located downstream of a coarse screen. Where grit removal is provided, comminutors shall be located downstream.
(ii) Capacity. Comminution or screening capacity shall be adequate with the largest comminutor out of service.
(iii) Number of units. Wherever comminutors are used, a bypass, manually cleaned bar screen shall be installed.
(iv) Channel. Provide stop plates or similar devices to permit isolating a comminutor for maintenance. Provide drainage and washdown facilities. Where grit removal is not provided upstream, provide a gravel trap upstream of each comminutor.
(v) Bypass. An emergency bypass with a manually cleaned bar screen shall be provided. All flow exceeding the operating capacity of the comminutor(s) shall be automatically directed to the emergency bypass.
(vi) Controls. The comminutor shall run continuously. All electrical controls shall be NEC Class 1, Groups C and D, Division 1 rated.
(d) Grit removal and disposal.
(i) Where required. Grit removal shall be provided either by providing for its accumulation in other process units or by removal in a specially designed basin. Where accumulation is provided in other process units, duplicate units shall be provided to permit removal of grit.
(ii) Location. Grit removal shall be placed after bar screens or racks, but before comminutors and other treatment units. Where grit removal facilities can be located at grade, they shall be upstream of raw sewage pumping stations. Grit basins may be located outdoors with proper precautions against freezing, but all grit conveying, washing and handling facilities shall be located indoors.
(iii) Capacity. Grit removal devices shall be designed to effectively remove grit at the peak instantaneous flow rate. The grit handling capacity shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) cubic feet per million gallons (1.12 m3/1,000,000 m3).
(iv) Number of units. A minimum of one mechanically cleaned unit and a bypass pipe or channel shall be provided for plants serving separate sewers. Five hundred thousand gallons per day (500,000 gpd) (1892.7 m3/d) plants or smaller may have a manually cleaned unit and bypass. Plants larger than 1.0 mgd (3784 m3/d), shall have two mechanically cleaned units with capability to isolate each one.
(v) Type.
(A) Aerated.
(I) Air requirements. Air supply must be controllable and capable of varying from 10 to 40 cfm/1,000 cubic feet (10 to 40 m3/m/1,000 m3) of basin. Air diffusers shall be located above the tank bottom and positioned for adequate mixing.
(II) Equipment requirements. The tank shall be sized for a three (3) minute retention time at peak flows. Grit shall be collected to a hopper for removal by sixty (60) or greater sloped sides or mechanical equipment. The inlet and outlet shall be designed to avoid short-circuiting. Air diffusers shall be removable without taking the basin out of service.
(B) Gravity chamber. Horizontal channel grit basins shall have an outlet control weir and specially shaped channel to maintain velocities from 0.8 to 1.3 fps (0.24 to 0.4 m/s) over the anticipated range of flows. Square basins shall be designed for an overflow rate of 30,000 gpd/sq ft (1220 m3/m2/d) at the peak instantaneous flow rate.
(vi) Method of grit removal. Grit removal facilities located in pits six (6) feet (1.8 m) or deeper and for plants larger than 500,000 gpd (1892.7 m3/d) shall be provided with mechanical equipment for moving grit to ground level.
Plants having an average design capacity less than 100,000 gpd (378 m3/d) may be provided with manually cleaned grit basins.
(vii) Drains. Each unit in the grit facility shall be capable of being dewatered.
(viii) Grit disposal. Grit disposal methods shall be approved by the Department of Environmental Quality, Solid Waste Management Office.
Section 13. Primary Treatment.
(a) Sedimentation.
(i) Number of basins. For plants having an average design capacity greater than 100,000 gpd (378.4 m3/d) and where primary settling is provided, multiple units capable of independent operation shall be provided.
(ii) Design parameters.
(A) Performance. Unless full-scale data is available, primary settling shall be assumed to remove one third of the influent BOD and 55 percent of the influent suspended solids. It is unacceptable to return waste activated sludge to the primary clarifier.
(B) Water depth. The minimum side water depth shall be seven (7) feet (2.1 m).
(C) Surface overflow rates. Surface overflow rates shall not exceed 1,000 gpd/sq ft (41 m3/m²d) of surface area at the average design flow nor 1,500 gpd/sq ft (61 m3/m²d) of surface area at the maximum day flow rate. Maximum day flow is the highest flow over a 24 hour period that is projected to occur during the design year.
(D) Weir loading rates. Circular basins (or basins with center inlets) shall be provided with a full periphery weir. Rectangular basins shall be provided with end weirs that provide less than 80,000 gpd/ft (9,920 m3/m d) weir hydraulic loading at peak instantaneous flow rates.
(iii) Clarifier inlet and outlet.
(A) General. Clarifier inlet structures shall be designed to achieve the following:
(I) Dissipate the inlet kinetic energy.
(II) Distribute the flow evenly into the tank.
(III) Prevent short circuiting.
Inlet channels or piping shall be designed for minimum velocities of one (1) fps (0.3 mps). Where minimum velocities are less, mixing, flushing or other means of resuspending solids shall be provided.
Circular basins shall be provided with symmetrical baffling to distribute flow equally in all radial directions.
Rectangular basins shall be provided with inlet parts uniformly distributed along the entire end of the basin and shall be provided with baffles.
(B) Weirs. Weir plates shall be adjustable for leveling and sealed against the effluent channel.
(C) Baffles. Provide scum baffles at the water surface to intercept all floating materials and scum prior to the weir. Baffles should extend three (3) inches (7.6 cm) above the weir plate elevation and eight (8) inches (20.3 cm) below the water surface.
(D) Clarifier effluent channel.
(I) Size. The effluent channel shall be sized to prevent weir submergence at the peak hourly flow.
(E) Freeboard. The outer walls of sedimentation tanks shall extend at least six (6) inches (0.15 m) above the surrounding ground and shall provide at least twelve (12) inches (0.3 m) of freeboard to the water surface. Where basin walls do not extend four (4) feet (1.2 m) above the surrounding ground, a fence or suitable barrier to prevent debris from entering the basin shall be provided.
(F) Basin equipment and access. Provide walkways and accessways to collector drive units, effluent launders and manual skimmer. Handrail shall be provided.
(b) Fine screens.
(i) Number of units. A minimum of two (2) units shall be provided. Multiple units shall be capable of independent operation. With the largest unit out of service, the remaining units shall be capable of passing the peak flow rate.
(ii) Flow distribution. Positive means of flow distribution shall be provided ahead of the screens to ensure even loading and hydraulic flows.
(iii) Design parameters.
(A) Performance. In the absence of pilot plant data, the removal efficiency of fine screens shall be assumed to be zero percent removal of BOD5 and 15 percent removal of suspended solids.
(B) Preliminary treatment requirement. Prior to the fine screens, removal of large debris shall be provided by coarse screens. Comminution shall not be provided ahead of screens.
(iv) Screenings storage and disposal. Screens with openings of 0.10 inch (2.5 mm) or more shall be disposed of directly to landfill in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Environmental Quality, Solid Waste Management Office. Screens with openings less than 0.10 inch (2.5 mm) shall discharge the screenings (primary sludge) to sludge handling system for organic stabilization.
(v) Cleaning and maintenance. Provide facilities to permit regular cleaning of screens with a high pressure, hot water or steam system.
(vi) Controls. For rotating screens, each screen or series of screens shall be provided with an overflow. An alarm shall be provided when overflowing.
(c) Sludge handling.
(i) Sludge removal. Mechanical sludge collection equipment is required for all primary settling basins. The sludge collection rake arms or flights and the drive assembly shall be designed to withstand the maximum anticipated loads and move sludge to the hopper.
(ii) Scum removal. Provide scum collection and removal facilities for all primary settling basins. Scum shall be removed from the liquid process and not returned.
(iii) Sludge hopper. The minimum side slope of the hopper shall be 1.7 vertical to 1.0 horizontal. Hopper bottoms shall have a maximum dimension of two feet (0.61 m). The sludge removal pipe shall be flush with the hopper bottom, and have a minimum diameter of six inches (15.2 cm).
(iv) Scum box. The scum box shall be located outside and immediately adjacent to the scum collection point (beaching plate). The beaching plate shall be located on the opposite side of the basin from the prevailing wind. Provide for mixing the contents of the scum box, such as a mechanical mixer or air diffusion. Provide access and wash water for washing the scum box.
(v) Controls.
(A) Primary settling sludge facilities. Primary sludge and scum shall be removed using positive displacement pumps. Each basin shall have a separately activated and controlled pump. (The standby pumps may be shared by more than one basin.) Pumps shall be on timers and the pumps should be designed to initiate sludge removal two (2) or more times per hour.
Include devices on the primary sludge piping for sampling the primary sludge flow.
(B) Primary screen sludge facilities. Where sludge pumping is provided, include a means to shut off the pump when insufficient material is being supplied to the pump suction. The controls for the pump shall be designed to match the pumping rate to quantity of sludge. Where conveyors are used, they shall run continuously and alarm when off.
Section 14. Activated Sludge.
(a) Pretreatment. Where primary clarification is not provided, screening of the raw sewage to remove debris larger than 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) shall be provided. The screened material shall not be returned to the plant process. Where primary clarifiers are not provided, cleanouts, grinders, or other similar provisions shall be made in the return sludge piping.
(b) Loading rates. Activated sludge systems shall be designed to accommodate peak day loadings at the design year. Permissible loadings are presented in the following table. Where raw sewage BOD5 is less than 200 mg/L, detention times may be reduced.
(i) Conventional, including complete mix, plug flow, step aeration
Average Day
Detention (*) hrs, Following primary clarifiers 6 minimum
Without primary clarifiers 9 minimum
Organic Loading: lb/1,000 cu ft/day 35 maximum (560
(kg/1000 m3d)
MLSS, mg/L 1,000 - 3,000
(ii) Contact stabilization.
Detention (*) hrs,
Contact Zone 0.5 - 3
Sludge Stabilization Zone 6 minimum
Average Day
Organic Loading (**) lb/1,000 cu ft/day 50
(kg/1000 m3d) (800)
MLSS, mg/L
Contact Zone 1,000 - 3,000
Sludge Stabilization Zone 5,000 - 10,000
(iii) Extended aeration, including oxidation ditch.
Detention (*) hrs, 16 minimum
Organic Loading, lb/1,000 cu ft/day 15 maximum (240)
(kg/1000 m3d)
MLSS, mg/L 1,000 - 3,000
(*) Based on average day raw sewage flow rate exclusive of recirculation flow.
(**) Based on contact zone and sludge stabilization zone combined.
(c) Number of basins. For all design average flows in excess of 0.1 mgd (378 m3/d), two or more aeration basins shall be provided. For flows less than 0.1 mgd (378 m3/d), one aeration basin may be provided if the aeration devices can be readily removed while the basin is in operation.
(d) Configuration. The basin configuration shall promote mixing, transfer of oxygen, and minimize stagnant zones.
(e) Freeboard. The walls of the aeration shall extend above the normal water surface to provide a minimum freeboard as follows:
Minimum Freeboard (*)
inches cm
Diffused air 18 45.7
Surface aeration 48 121.9
Submerged turbine 18 45.7
Brush aeration, less than 10 feet from aeration device 48 121.9
Brush aeration, 10 feet or more from aeration device 18 45.7
Surface aeration, where aeration 36 91.40
is 30 or more feet from basin wall
(*) Vertical walls. For sloped walls, the runup effect shall be considered.
(f) Inlet and outlet conditions. Inlets may be submerged and shall be baffled or directed away from the outlet to minimize shortcircuiting. Outlets shall be of the overflow type to discourage buildup of foam and floatables on the aeration basins. Pipe and channels shall provide a minimum velocity of 0.5 fps (0.15 m/s).
(g) Aeration requirements.
(i) Carbonaceous BOD. When it can be shown that nitrification will not occur in the activated sludge process, the aeration devices may be sized to meet only the carbonaceous oxygen demand. The oxygen provided by the aeration device shall be selected to be adequate for the projected maximum day loading. In the absence of other data, an oxygen requirement of two (2) times the average design day BOD5 to the aeration basin shall be used.
(ii) Nitrification. Where nitrification is required to meet the effluent requirements or where the process cannot be operated to prevent nitrification, the aeration requirements will be selected to provide oxygen for both carbonaceous BOD and nitrification on the projected maximum day loading. In the absence of other data, an oxygen requirement of two times the average design day BOD5 plus 7.5 times the average day ammonia nitrogen to the aeration basin shall be used.
(iii) Minimum dissolved oxygen. Oxygen supply shall be selected to transfer the design quantity during the maximum day loading while maintaining an aeration basin dissolved oxygen of 2.0 mg/L. The oxygen supply shall be designed for the specific site considering all factors that affect oxygen transfer efficiency.
(h) Mechanical aeration. Mechanical surface aerators shall be designed to maintain all organics in suspension, enhance the oxygen transfer capability of the unit, and minimize mist and spray that escape the basin. Drive units shall be protected from freezing mist and spray.
(i) Diffused aeration.
(i) Diffuser requirements. The number and location of diffusers shall be selected to distribute the design air quantity for efficient aeration and mixing. Diffusers in a basin shall be grouped on control valves to permit varying the air supply to different parts of the basin. Oxygen transfer efficiencies used for design purposes shall be conservatively selected, based on experimentally determined transfer rates of generically similar diffusers. The effect of transferring oxygen to wastewater, in lieu of water, and the effect of altitude shall be considered. The aeration basin mid-depth shall be used to determine the oxygen saturation concentration. Differential head loss to individual diffuser inlets shall not be more than 0.2 psi (14 gm/cm²).
(ii) Blower requirements. Blowers shall be sized to provide the air requirements for the aeration basins and other plant uses of low-pressure air. The inlet air to the blowers shall be filtered or otherwise conditioned to effectively remove dust and other particulate material. Removal of particulate material for fine bubble diffusers shall be designed for 95 percent of 0.3 micron. Filters designed for blowers shall be easily replaceable. Blower intakes shall be located to avoid clogging from drifting snow. Blowers shall be housed. The housing shall be ventilated to prevent more than a 15° F (8° C) temperature rise with all blowers operating, excepting the standby blower. The housing, blowers, and blower piping shall be arranged to permit removal of individual blowers while all other blowers are operating. Noise attenuating materials shall be used in the building interior. Blower systems shall be designed to permit varying the volume of air delivered. Blower motors shall be of a size to operate the blower throughout the range of ambient air temperatures experienced at the plant site.
(j) Sludge recirculation and waste.
(i) Rates. Sludge recirculation from the secondary settling basin to the aeration basin shall be variable within 25 to 100 percent of the average design flow. Sludge wasting from the activated sludge process may be from the mixed liquor or the return sludge. Sludge wasting shall be variable to enable wasting ½ of the total system solids in one day to zero wasting.
(k) Equipment requirements.
(i) Return sludge. Return sludge pumping shall be variable. The return sludge rate from each secondary settling unit and the rate to each aeration basin shall be controllable. Pumps shall be housed in heated, ventilated space. The pump floor shall be sloped and drained. Valves shall permit isolating each pump. Pumps and piping shall be arranged to allow ready removal of each pump. Check valves shall be provided where backflow through the pump could occur. Check valves shall be located in the horizontal.
Pump suction and discharge shall be three (3) inches (7.6 cm) minimum diameter. Sludge piping diameter shall be four (4) inches (10.2 cm) or larger. Cleanouts and couplings shall be provided in sludge piping to enable cleaning the pipe or to remove pumping equipment. All pipe high points shall be provided with air releases. All sludge piping shall be metallic material. Should air lift pumps be used, the units shall be designed with a minimum of 80 percent static submergence.
(ii) Waste sludge. If separate waste sludge pumps are provided, the rate shall be controlled by timers or variable speed devices. Pumping units shall be housed in heated, ventilated space, with sloped and drained floors. Pump suction and discharge piping shall be three (3) inches (7.6 cm) minimum diameter. Sludge piping shall be four (4) inches diameter (10.2 cm) or larger, except short, easily removable sections that may be required to maintain velocities above one fps (0.3 mps), or for use in conjunction with meters.
(l) Metering.
(i) Return sludge. For treatment plants having an average day design capacity greater than 100,000 gpd (378 m3/d) the return sludge flow rate from each secondary settling unit and to each aeration basin shall be metered to indicate flow rate. Return sludge metering devices shall be suitable for liquids carrying grease and solids, and shall be accurate to within ±5 percent of the actual flow rate. Meters shall be readily field calibrated by plant personnel. Meters shall be arranged to avoid trapping air.
(ii) Waste sludge. For treatment plants having an average day design capacity greater than 100,000 gpd (378 m3/d), waste sludge flows shall be metered to indicate and totalize. Waste sludge meters shall meet the requirements described for return sludge meters.
(iii) Air flow. Low-pressure air used for basin aeration and other plant uses shall be metered. Separate meters shall be used to indicate the flow rate to each aeration basin and to the ancillary uses made of the low-pressure air. Indicators shall be located near the device used to control the air flow rate. Pressure gages shall be provided immediately downstream from each blower and immediately upstream of each aeration basin.
(m) Controls. Facilities for control shall be provided for:
(i) Control of flow split between parallel process units.
(ii) Control of return sludge flow rate to each aeration basin.
(iii) Control of waste sludge quantity.
(iv) Control of air flow rate to each aeration basin.
(v) Control of air distribution to different zones in aeration basin.
(vi) Control of energy imparted with mechanical aeration. Facilities for control shall include a meter or device to measure rate and a device to change the rate such as a valve or adjustable weir.
(n) Prefabricated treatment units. Prefabricated activated sludge units shall conform to the applicable requirements described.
(o) Ancillary facilities. Adequate nonpotable washdown water shall be provided around the aeration basins sludge pumping area and secondary settling basins. Sampling ports, pipes or other access shall be provided on aeration basin inlets, return sludge piping, waste sludge piping and secondary settling basins. Hoisting or other means of equipment removal shall be provided. All subgrade floors shall be drained.
Section 15. Attached Growth Systems.
(a) Pretreatment and primary treatment requirements. Attached growth systems shall be preceded by primary settling or fine screening. If fine screening is provided, the screen size shall have 0.06 inch (1.5 mm) or smaller openings.
(b) Trickling filters.
(i) Loading rates. Applied organic loading rates on trickling filters, where not used in series with activated sludge, shall be limited to:
Applied Liquid Rate
to Surface of Filter BOD Loading*
(gpm/sf) (1pm/m) (lb/1000ft3/d) (kg/1000 m3/d)
Rock Media 0.1 4.07 10 160
0.2 8.15 12 192
0.3 12.22 16 256
Plastic or
Redwood Media 20 320
*For more than a one-stage trickling filter, the volume of all stages shall be used.
(ii) Recirculation. Recirculated flow to stationary media attached growth systems shall be provided. Recirculated flow shall be sufficient to provide the following minimum wetting rates:
Media Minimum Wetting Rate
(gpm/sf) (1pm/m²)
Rock 0.1 4.07
Plastic or redwood 0.75 30.5
(iii) Media. Media may be rock or specially manufactured material made of redwood or plastic. Rocks shall be durable and free from thin, elongated, flat pieces and should have the following size distribution:
Passing 6-inch (15.2 cm) screen 100% by weight
Retained on 4-inch (10.2 cm) screen 95 - 100% by weight
Fabricated media shall be resistant to ultraviolet degradation, disintegration, erosion, aging, all common acids, alkalies, organic compounds, fungus and biological attack. Media shall be capable of supporting a man's weight.
(iv) Flow distribution. Wastewater shall be applied to stationary media by a rotary distributor or a fixed nozzle distribution system that provides uniform distribution. Flow distribution between multiple units of stationary or rotating media systems shall be by weirs, meters and valves, or other positive flow split device.
(v) Depth of media. Rock trickling filter depths shall be between five (5) to ten (10) feet (1.52 to 3.04 m), and manufactured media filter depth shall be between ten (10) to thirty (30) feet (3.05 to 9.15 m).
(vi) Underdrain system. The underdrainage system shall cover the entire floor of the filter. Inlet openings into the underdrains shall have an unsubmerged gross combined area equal to at least 15 percent of the surface area of the filter. Underdrains shall have a minimum slope of one percent.
Effluent channels shall be designed to maintain minimum velocity of two (2) feet per second (0.61 mps). Drains, channels and pipe shall be designed to have maximum depth flow of 50 percent.
(vii) Flushing. Provide valves and structurally capable walls to permit flooding rock media filters. Access shall be provided around the periphery of the underdrain system to allow flushing the underdrains.
(viii) Freeboard. The clearance between rotating distributor and the media shall be at least eighteen (18) inches (0.46 m). The surrounding wall shall extend 2.5 feet (0.76 m) above the distributor.
(ix) Ventilation. All trickling filters shall be provided with ventilation openings to the underdrain. Ventilation openings will be provided with dampers or other adjustable devices to permit adjusting the ventilation rate opening. Ventilation openings shall be a minimum of eight (8) square feet (0.74 m²) per 1,000 lb (454 kg) BOD5/day.
Forced ventilation providing 4,000 cfm (113 m3/min) per 1,000 lb (454 kg) BOD5/day shall be provided for covered filters.
(c) Rotating biological contactors (RBC).
(i) Loading rates. The organic loading rate on the first stage of an RBC shall be limited to 140 lb BOD/1,000 cu ft (2240 kg/1,000 m3) of media per day. The organic loading rate on all stages of an RBC shall be limited to 45 lb/1,000 cu ft (720 kg/1,000 m3) of media for media having a specific surface area of 35 sq ft per cu ft (114.8 sq m/m3). When more than ½ of the media has a specific surface area of 50 sq ft per cu ft (164 sq m/m3), the organic loading may be increased to 50 lb/ 1,000 cu ft (800 kg/1,000 m3).
(ii) Number of stages. Rotating biological contactors shall be designed with a minimum of three (3) stages in series. Baffles shall be provided between stages.
(iii) Velocities. The rotational speed of the contactors shall be designed to maintain at least two mg/L of dissolved oxygen in each stage at designed loading rates. Drive units shall provide a rotational speed of one rpm or more.
(iv) Draining. Provide drains from each contactor basin.
(v) Media materials. Media materials shall be special manufactured material suitable and durable for the rotating biological contactor process. Media shall be resistant to disintegration, ultraviolet degradation, erosion, aging, all common acids, alkalies, organic com pounds, fungus, and biological attack. Media shafts shall be designed for unbalanced loads and cycle fatigue.
(vi) Housing. The housing for the RBC'S shall be designed with openings or access to allow removal and replacement of entire shafts.
Section 16. Combination systems.
When more than one type of biological treatment process is used in series, the removal through each biological unit shall be calculated as if it were acting alone. No symbiotic effect will be included in the design calculation.
Pretreatment requirements for combinations of biological systems will be the same as for attached growth systems. Final settling and sludge handling will be the same as for activated sludge systems.
Section 17. Secondary settling.
(a) Secondary settling. Secondary settling is required after suspended growth and attached growth biological processes such as activated sludge, trickling filters and RBC's.
(b) Configuration. The largest dimension (either diameter or length) of a clarifier shall be eighty (80) feet (24.4 m). Corner sweeps on circular equipment are not acceptable.
(c) Flow distribution. Positive flow splitting shall be provided ahead of multiple sedimentation basins to ensure proportional hydraulic flows and solid loadings to each basin. Flow splitting shall be achieved using positive means such as weirs or valves and meters.
(d) Clarifier inlet and outlet structures.
(i) Clarifier inlet structures shall be designed to dissipate the:
(A) Inlet kinetic energy.
(B) Distribute the flow evenly into the basin.
(C) Minimize hydraulic turbulence.
(D) Prevent short circuiting.
Inlet devices that promote flocculation are encouraged.
The inlet structure for rectangular tanks shall be the full width of the basin, for peripheral feed clarifiers it shall be the entire periphery, and for center feed basins it shall be at least
20 percent of the tank diameter. Baffled scum relief ports shall be provided between the inlet structure and the clarifier.
(ii) Inlet conveyance pipe or channels shall be designed to maintain a minimum velocity of 0.5 fps (0.15 mps) at the design flow. Where channels provide less velocity, provide mixing, flushing, or other means of resuspending solids.
(iii) Clarifier outlet systems shall be designed to minimize vertical velocities and reduce the effect of density currents at the effluent weir. Weir level shall be adjustable.
(e) Freeboard. The outer walls of settling tanks shall extend at least six (6) inches (0.15 m) above the surrounding ground and provide at least twelve (12) inches (0.3 m) of free board to the water surface. Where settling basin walls are less than four (4) feet (1.22 m) above the surrounding ground, a fence or other debris barrier shall be provided on the wall.
(f) Design parameters.
(i) Surface overflow rates.
(A) Activated sludge. Settling basins following an activated sludge process shall be designed to both thicken the sludge and clarify the liquid flow entering the tanks. The overflow rate shall not exceed:
Design Flow Peak Hourly Flow
gpd/ft² m3/m²/d gpd/ft² m3/m²/d
Activated Sludge 600 24.4 1,200 48.8
Separate
Nitrification 400 16.3 800 32.5
(B) Attached growth biological reactors. Overflow rates for settling basins following attached growth processes shall not exceed:
Design Flow Peak Hourly Flow
gpd/ft² m3/m²/d gpd/ft² m3/m²/d
Trickling Filters
and RBC's 800 32.5 1,200 48.8
(ii) Solids loadings. Solids loadings for settling basins following an activated sludge process shall not exceed:
Design Flow Peak Hourly Flow
lbs/d/ft² kg/d/m2 lbs/d/ft² kg/d/m2
All Activated
Sludge Processes 28 136.7 50 244.1
Separate
Nitrification 25 122.1 40 195.3
(iii) Side water depth. Settling basins shall be deep enough to provide adequate distance between the sludge blanket and the effluent weirs to avoid disturbance of settled sludge.
The volume of the settling basin shall provide a minimum detention time of two (2) hours at peak hourly flow rate. The peak hourly flow is the projected maximum flow over a one hour period during the design year. Peak hourly flow shall include all recycle flows entering clarifier.
(iv) Weir overflow rates and placement. Weir loading rates shall not exceed the following values:
Design Flow Peak Hourly Flow
gpd/ft² m3/m²/d gpd/ft² m3/m²/d
Launder and weir at
outer wall 12,000 489 20,000 815
Launder and weir at
3/4 point of radius or less 18,000 733 36,000 1467
Where double weirs or serpentine type weirs are used, the weir length shall be computed as the length of the centerline of the launder.
(g) Baffles. Baffles shall be located at the water surface and in such a position as to intercept all floating materials (scum) prior to the weirs. Baffles shall extend three (3) inches (7.6 cm) above the weir level and twelve (12) inches (0.3 m) below the water surface. In circular basins, the baffle shall be a minimum of six (6) inches (0.15 m) inside the weir plate. In rectangular basins, the baffle shall extend across the width of the basin and upstream of the effluent weirs.
(h) Basin and equipment access. Walkways and access ways shall be provided to drive units, effluent launders, and manual scum devices.
(i) Sludge removal. Sludge collection and withdrawal equipment shall provide complete and continuous removal of settled sludge. Rapid sludge removal pipes shall return sludge to a well at the surface that enables visual observation of flow. Mechanical rakes shall move sludge to a hopper at the floor. The tip speed for circular mechanisms shall not exceed 8 fpm (2.4 m/min) and straight line flight speed shall not exceed 1 fpm (0.3 m/min).
The return sludge removal pipes shall be at least four (4) inches (10.2 cm) in diameter. The hydraulic differential between the clarifier water level and the return sludge level shall be sufficient to maintain a 3-fps (0.9 mps) velocity in each rapid return sludge withdrawal pipe. Each sludge withdrawal pipe shall be accessible for rodding or backflushing when the settling basin is in operation.
(ii) Scum removal. Provide effective baffling and scum collection and removal facilities for all secondary settling basins. Equipment shall include a mechanical, positive scum skimmer.
(iii) Sludge hopper. The minimum side slope of the hopper shall be 1.7 vertical to 1.0 horizontal. Hopper bottoms shall have a maximum dimension of two (2) feet (0.61 m). The sludge removal pipe should be flush with hopper bottom, and have a minimum diameter of six (6) inches (0.15 m).
(iv) Scum box. Locate scum box outside settling tank and adjacent to the scum collection point. Provide method for mixing contents of scum box, such as air jets or surface wetting using waste sludge. Provide access and washwater for washing the scum box. The scum box shall be located on the side of the tank opposite the prevailing wind direction.
Section 18. Lagoons.
(a) Design requirements.(ii) Wastewater loading rates.
(i) Location. Wastewater lagoons shall be located more than 500 feet (152 m) from existing habitations.
(A) Facultative. The primary cells of a facultative (non-aerated) pond system shall be limited to a maximum BOD application of 40 lb/acre/day (44.8 kg/ha/d) at average design loading conditions.
(B) Aerated. Aerated lagoons shall be designed for an organic loading of less than 10 lb BOD5/day/1,000 cu ft (160 kg/1,000 m3/d) for completely mixed systems, and less than two lb BOD5/day/1,000 cu ft (32 kg/1,000 m3/d) for aerated non-completely mixed systems. Aeration equipment shall be sized to maintain a minimum dissolved oxygen of two mg/L. Completely mixed systems are mixed to provide 1/4 hp/1000 cu ft mechanical mixing or 10 cfm/1000 cu ft of air mixing.
(C) Nonsurface water discharging ponds. Nonsurface water discharging ponds shall be designed on the basis of a water balance that considers evaporation and seepage. Water balance calculations shall be submitted with the plans and specifications. The BOD5 loading for non discharging ponds shall not exceed 14 lb/acre/day (15.7 kg/ha/d) based on the average annual BOD5.
(ii) Detention. Facultative lagoons shall be designed for a minimum detention time of 180 days.
The detention time in aerated lagoons shall be at least one and one half (1 1/2) days for completely mixed primary cells, and seven (7) days for non-completely mixed primary cells. Secondary cells shall increase the overall detention time to thirty (30) days.
(iii) Storage. Nonsurface water discharging lagoons shall be designed to provide sufficient storage to retain all wastewater and rainfall during the wettest year of record during a ten (10) year period of record. Seepage shall be controlled to maintain a minimum water depth of two (2) feet (0.6 m) in the primary cell during the driest occurring year of a ten (10) year period.
(iv) Inlet.
(A) Location. The inlet pipe to the primary cell of a facultative lagoon shall be at least thirty (30) feet (9.2 m) from any bank. It shall terminate at a point away from the outlet by a distance of at least equal to or greater than 2/3 of the longest lagoon dimension. In aerated systems, the influent line shall be located in the mixing zone of the aeration equipment.
(B) Apron. Provide a concrete apron at the inlet pipe termination with minimum dimensions of four feet by four feet (1.2 m by 1.2 m).
(C) Influent manhole. An influent man-hole shall be provided prior to the lagoons. The influent pipe in the influent manhole shall be at least six (6) inches (0.15 m) above the normal operating water level of the primary lagoons.
(D) Flow distribution. Flow distribution for multiple primary cells shall be provided to effectively split hydraulic and solids proportionately.
(v) Inlet and outlet structures.
(A) Location. Inlet and outlet structures shall be easily accessible by plant operators and located to minimize short circuiting within the cell. A level control structure shall be provided at the outlet of each cell.
(B) Level control. Provide controls to permit varying water levels between two (2) feet and six (6) feet (0.6 m to 1.8 m). Provide baffling at the outlet to prevent scum overflow. Multiple draw offs in the final cell shall be provided. At least one (1) shall be located at the two (2) foot (0.6 m) level.
(vi) Interconnecting piping.
(A) Location. Piping between lagoon cells shall connect to the preceding cell outlet control structure and discharge into the subsequent cell. The pipe shall discharge at least ten (10) feet (3.05 m) from the toe of the slope on the lagoon bottom and shall terminate on the concrete apron that is at least four (4) feet by four (4) feet (1.2 m by 1.2 m).
(B) Elevation. The piping shall discharge at the floor of the lagoon.
(C) Material. Interconnecting piping shall be any acceptable pipe designed to resist low pressures and adequately protected from corrosion.
(b) Number of lagoons cells. A lagoon system with a total area greater than one (1) acre (0.4 ha) shall have at least three (3) cells in series. Smaller systems and nondischarge pond systems shall have at least two (2) cells. The maximum size cell shall be twenty (20) acres (8 ha).
(c) Lagoon configuration.
(i) Shape. Rectangular cells shall have a maximum length to width ratio of 5:1. No sharp corners nor dead-end coves are permitted.
(ii) Water depth. Facultative ponds shall be designed to have water depths of not less than two (2) feet, nor more than six (6) feet (0.61 m to 1.8 m). Aerated lagoons shall be designed to have water depths of not less than four (4) feet nor more than fifteen (15) feet (1.2 m to 4.6 m).
(iii) Removal of lagoon cells from operation. Bypass piping for primary lagoon cells and aerated lagoon cells shall be provided.
(iv) Lagoon freeboard. A minimum freeboard of two (2) feet (0.6 m) shall be provided. Greater freeboard shall be provided for wave runup, where required.
(d) Construction requirements.
(i) Dike.
(A) Material. Dikes and embankments shall be of relatively impervious and stable material, and compacted to at least 95 percent of maximum density (ASTM D698-78). Embankment fill shall be free from organic material, rock larger than six (6) inches (15.2 cm) and construction debris. The area where the embankment is to be constructed shall be stripped of vegetation and roots.
(B) Top width. Dikes and embankments shall be constructed with minimum top width of eight (8) feet (2.4 m).
(C) Slopes. Interior slopes shall be from three (3) to four (4) horizontal to one vertical, and shall be stable under varying water level conditions. Interior slopes that are surfaced with concrete paving or riprap may be constructed at slopes of two (2) or more horizontal to one (1) vertical. Exterior slopes shall be three (3) or more horizontal to one (1) vertical and shall prevent the entrance of surface water to the lagoon.
(ii) Seeding. Exterior slopes and interior slopes that are not riprapped shall be seeded with dryland grasses, unless another equivalent method for soil erosion control is provided.
(iii) Erosion control. Interior embankments except cells smaller than one (1) acre shall be protected from wave action with riprap, paving, or other erosion resistant material, unless it is demonstrated that the ponds are sheltered from wind or where wind velocity is low and erosion will not occur.
(e) Lagoon sealing.
(i) Lagoon sealing. The seepage through the pond bottom and side walls shall not cause a violation of the groundwater standards as described in Chapter 8 (Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters) of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Rules and Regulations. Liners shall be required if the wastewater characteristics or site conditions will not insure the protection of the groundwater for which it is classified.
If the applicant cannot document that the facility poses no threat to groundwater and elects not to perform a subsurface study in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 17 (a) and (b), then the groundwater shall be protected from contamination by the wastewater with a liner equivalent to three (3) feet (1 m) of soil having a permeability of 10-7cm/sec or less. When an applicant performs a subsurface study, the requirements for the liner shall be determined based on the results of the study and the groundwater protection required. In no instance shall the maximum seepage rate exceed 1/8 inch per day (3.2 mm/day) in the primary pond(s).
Following construction of the lagoons, but prior to startup, a testing program shall be conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the sealing program. Should the testing program show the lagoon seal to be less effective than the above requirements, the seal shall be modified and retested until it succeeds.
(ii) Synthetic liners.
(A) Material. Synthetic liners shall be essentially impervious. The minimum lining thickness shall be 30 mils. The liner material shall be resistant to organic materials typical of sewage. The liner shall be resistant to sunlight or shall be covered with 12 inches (30.5 cm) or more of soil at all locations including the lagoon bottom and side slopes.
(B) Liner stabilization. Where the seasonal high groundwater is above the bottom of the lagoon, the liner shall be stabilized to prevent it from rising.
(C) Appurtenances. A leak detection system and/or air release mechanism may be required.
(f) Aerated systems.
(i) Air requirements. Aerated ponds shall be designed to maintain 2 mg/L of dissolved oxygen or more throughout the pond contents.
(ii) Equipment requirements.
(A) Number. Surface aerators shall be provided at intervals of 200 feet (61 m) or less. The lagoon shall be protected from erosion from the aeration equipment. At least two surface aerators or brush aerators shall be provided. With the largest unit out, the remaining units shall be capable of transferring the average day oxygen demand. Each diffused aeration system shall be provided with at least two blowers. With the largest blower out of service, the remainder shall be capable of supplying the design air flow rate.
(B) Removal. All equipment shall be accessible and removable from the edge of the lagoons. Provisions for dewatering shall be made for removal or repair of diffusers.
Section 19. Tertiary treatment systems.
(a) Phosphorus removal.
(i) Equipment requirements.
(A) Flash mixing. Chemical addition points shall be at points of high turbulence, such as Parshall flumes, hydraulic jumps, or separate mixing basins.
(B) Flocculation. Inlet and outlet design shall prevent short circuiting and turbulent destruction of floc. Minimum detention time shall be 20 minutes at the average design flow rate.
The velocity of flocculated water to settling basins shall be 0.5 to 1.5 fps (0.15 to 0.46 mps). Changes in direction shall be with long radius elbows or curved channels.
(C) Chemical feed equipment. Storage shall be provided for at least 14 days of chemical supply. Liquid chemical storage tanks shall have a liquid level indicator, an overflow, and a receiving basin capable of holding 110 percent of the stored volume, or a drain capable of receiving accidental spills or overflows. Liquid chemical storage shall be provided with heat.
(b) Ammonia nitrogen reduction.
(i) Activated sludge. Ammonia nitrogen removal by activated sludge processes shall be designed with sludge retention time of at least 15 days and shall provide at least 16 hours of hydraulic detention time. Aeration requirements are described in Section 15.
(ii) Attached growth. Rock media trickling filters shall not be used for ammonia reduction. Fabricated media trickling filters used for ammonia shall be designed using a BOD loading of less than 14 lb/1000 cu ft (224 kg/1,000 m3) of media. Rotating biological contactors used for ammonia reduction shall be designed with hydraulic loadings less than 1.0 gpd/sq ft (40.7 L/m²/d) of media surface area. At least four stages shall be provided for ammonia nitrogen removal.
(iii) Lagoons. The design of facultative lagoons for ammonia removal shall provide a minimum detention of 180 days. Aerated lagoon systems may be designed for 160 days.
(c) Solids reduction.
(i) Filtration.
(A) Filtration rate. The maximum hydraulic loading for 24 inch (61 cm) or deeper media is 5 gpm/sq ft (292.5 m3/m²/d) of filter area. Filtration rates for shallower media shall be limited to 3 gpm/sq ft (175 m3/m²d).
(B) Backwash requirements. Provide a minimum backwash rate of 20 gpm per square foot (1170 m3/m²/d) of filter bed for 24 inch (61 cm) or deeper media and 12 gpm/square foot (702 m3/m²/d) for shallower media; supply shall be filtered water. A rate of flow regulator on the main backwash line shall be provided. The total backwash water storage capacity shall be adequate for twenty 20 minutes of continuous backwash.
Air scour or surface wash facilities are required. All surface wash devices shall be provided with a minimum flow rate of 0.5 gpm per sq ft (29.3 m3/m²d) water pressures of 50 psi (3.52 kg/cm²) or greater and use filtered water.
(C) Backwash waste handling and treatment. Waste filter backwash shall be collected in a surge tank and recycled to the treatment plant at a rate not to exceed ten percent of the average plant design flow rate. Waste backwash water may be returned to any point upstream of the biological treatment units.
(D) Number of units. At least two units shall be provided. With one filter out of service, the remaining filters shall be capable of passing the maximum day design flow rate.
(E) Controls. Controls should be provided to remove a filter from service, backwash the filter, and return it to service. Where the control is automatic, there shall also be a means of manually overriding the operating equipment, including each valve essential to filter operation.
In addition, the following shall be provided:
(I) Sampling tap on filter influent and effluent.
(II) Indicating and recording loss of head gauge.
(III) Flow rate indicating and control.
(IV) Means for feeding polymer as a filter aid at a controlled rate to filter influent water when chemically coagulated effluent is being filtered.
(ii) Microscreens.
(A) Pilot testing. Pilot plant testing on the fluid to be screened or data from other similar applications to demonstrate the suitability of the proposed filter fabric, fabric life, proposed loading rates, and other design criteria shall be provided.
(B) Loading rates. Flow equalization facilities shall be included in the design to moderate influent quality and flow variations.
The screening rate shall be selected to be compatible with available pilot plant test results and selected screen aperture, but shall not exceed 1.5 gpm/sq ft (87.8 m3/m²/d) for lagoon effluent or 5 gpm/sq ft (292.5 m3/m²/d) for activated sludge or attached growth effluents based on the maximum hydraulic flow rate applied to the units. The screening rate shall not exceed 0.75 lb/sq ft/day (3.7 kg/ m²/day). The effective screen area shall be considered the submerged screen surface area less the area of screen blocked by structural supports and fasteners.
(C) Backwash requirements. The backwash water shall be at least eight gpm/ linear foot (99 Lpm/m) of screen length at 60 psi (4.2 kg/cm2), obtained from microscreened effluent.
(D) Controls. Each microscreen unit shall be provided with automatic drum speed controls with provisions for manual override.
(d) Rapid infiltration.
(i) Wastewater preapplication requirements. Rapid infiltration shall be preceded by settling or fine screening having 0.6 inch (15.2 mm) or smaller openings.
(ii) Hydraulic loading rates.
(A) Permeability. Hydraulic capacity of the rapid infiltration site shall be based upon soil permeability, basin infiltration tests, or cylinder infiltrometer tests. Design loading rates based on these tests shall be as follows:
Field Measurement Annual Loading Rate
| Basin infiltration test | 10% of minimum measure rate | | --- | --- | | Cylinder infiltrometer | 2% of minimum measured rate | | Permeability | 5% of conductivity of most restricting soil layer |
(B) Precipitation. The total hydraulic load to the rapid infiltration basins includes precipitation. The one in ten year precipitation event should be used as the basis for design.
(C) Cold weather conditions. The design must recognize that drying rates, oxidation rates, nitrification and denitrification rates all decrease in cold weather. Cold weather loading rates shall be used to determined land requirements or cold weather storage shall be used. Provisions should be made to mow and disc basin surfaces in the fall to prevent ice from freezing the vegetation near the soil surface. Snow fences can be used to keep snow cover on the rapid infiltration basins to insulate the applied wastewater and soil.
(iii) Land requirements.
(A) Storage. A minimum of fourteen (14) days of storage shall be provided. Where applied sewage will be less than 4° C, 160 days of effluent storage shall be provided.
(B) Location. Rapid infiltration basins shall be located more than 500 feet (152 m) from existing habitation.
(iv) Basin size. Individual basin size shall not be greater than five (5) acres (2.0 ha). Basin sizing should be based upon a maximum water depth of twelve (12) inches (30.5 cm) in the rapid infiltration basins.
(v) Subsurface drainage. The capillary fringe above the groundwater mound shall not be closer than two (2) feet (0.6 m) to the bottom of the infiltration basin. The distance to groundwater shall be at least five (5) feet (1.5 m) below the soil surface within two (2) days following wastewater application.
(vi) Groundwater monitoring. Refer to Chapter 3, Section 15, of the regulations.
(e) Intermittent sand filters.
(i) Wastewater preapplications treatment requirements. Intermittent sand filters shall be preceded by settling or fine screens having 0.06 inch (1.5 mm) or smaller openings.
(ii) Hydraulic loading rates. The maximum application rates shall be limited to:
Maximum Application Rate
Source gallons/acre/day (m3/ha/d)
Primary Effluent 130,000 (1216)
Secondary Effluent 400,000 (3742)
Lagoon Effluent 300,000 (2806)
(iii) Media. The minimum sand depth shall be twenty-four (24) inches (0.6 m). The sand must be free of cementing materials and clay or loam. The sand should have an effective size of not less than 0.2 mm and not greater than 0.5 mm, and a uniformity coefficient of less than 5.
Clean graded gravel shall be placed around the under drains and to a depth of at least twelve (12) inches (0.3 m) over the top of the underdrains.
(iv) Underdrains. All intermittent sand filters shall be provided with underdrains. Underdrains shall be at least four (4) inches (10.2 cm) in diameter. The under-drain pipe shall have a minimum slope of 5 feet per 1,000 feet (5 m/1,000 m).
The groundwater shall be at least two (2) feet (0.6 m) below the bottom of the underdrain pipe.
(v) Number of units. Three (3) or more filters shall be provided.
(vi) Dosing.
(A) In each dosage of an intermittent filter, the hydraulic capacity shall permit covering the bed to a depth of two (2) inches (5 cm), within twenty (20) minutes or less.
Section 20. Sludge Handling, Treatment and Disposal.
(a) Pumping.
(i) Design requirements. Sludge pumps shall be provided with a positive suction pressure at the pump impeller, rotor or plunger at dynamic conditions. Discharge pressure shall include static pressure difference and system friction losses based on the higher viscosity of the sludge than water.
(ii) Piping and valves.
(A) Minimum size. Sludge piping and valves shall at least four (4) inches (10.2 cm) in diameter for pressure piping and six inches (15.2 cm) in diameter for gravity pipe. Pump suction and discharge shall not be less than three (3) inches (7.6 cm) in diameter.
(B) Minimum velocity. For sludge pipes larger than four (4) inches (10.2 cm) in diameter, the minimum velocity shall be one fps (0.3 m/sec).
(b) Thickening.
(i) Types.
(A) Gravity. Gravity thickening shall only be used for primary sludge, digested primary sludge, lime sludge, or combinations of lime sludge, trickling filter humus and primary sludge.
(B) Dissolved air flotation. Dissolved air flotation shall only be used for combination of primary and biological sludges, waste biological sludges, and aluminum and iron salt sludges.
(ii) Design parameters.
(A) Influent solids concentration. The design for influent solids concentrations to gravity or flotation thickeners shall be 5,000 mg/L or less, except tertiary lime sludge.
(B) Operating schedule. Sludge thickening facilities shall have the capacity to treat the maximum amount of solids produced. Where intermittent operation is provided, sludge holding tanks ahead of and after the thickening process shall be provided.
(C) Solids loading. Solids loadings (solids applied to the thickener) on thickening devices shall be limited to the following maximum values.
| | Solids Loading | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | lb/sq ft/day | kg/m²/d | | | | Sludge Type | Gravity | Dissolved Air Flotation | Gravity | Dissolved Air Flotation | | Primary | 24 | NA | 117.2 | | | Digested primary | 20 | NA | 97.6 | | | Waste activated, | | | | | | without polymer | NA | 12 | | 58.6 | | with polymer | | 48 | | 234.3 | | Primary and trickling filter | 15 | -- | 73.2 | | | Anaerobically digested primary and activated | NA | NA | | | | Primary and lime | 20 | NA | 97.6 | | | Tertiary lime | 60 | NA | 292.9 | | | Alum | NA | 12 | | 58.6 |
*NA - Not allowed.
(D) Hydraulic loading. Gravity thickeners shall be designed for 400-800 gpd/ sq ft (16.3 m3/m²/d to 32.5 m3/m²/d) of surface area.
(iii) Number of units. Unless sludge storage capacity for three (3) days is provided, there shall be at least two (2) units of equal capacity provided for sludge thickening.
(iv) Controls. Controls for gravity and flotation sludge thickening operations shall include provision for influent flow rate control. Centrifuge thickening shall include adjustable manual controls for differential scroll speed, pool depth, and influent flow rate. Where chemical conditioning is required, chemical dosage rate shall have adjustable manual controls.
(v) Side stream waste characteristics. The flow, organic load, and solids load in the thickener return flow to the plant shall be included in the plant design loadings.
(vi) Odor control. Provisions shall be made for the continuous chlorination of gravity thickener influent. Any thickening installation for anaerobically digested sludge shall make provisions for enclosing zones where the sludge or decant is exposed to atmosphere, exhausting the zone at an adequate rate to prevent escape of gas, and treating the exhaust air for removal of odor causing agents.
(c) Aerobic digestion.
(i) Solids retention time. Solids shall be retained in the aerobic digester for thirty (30) days for primary sludge and twenty (20) days for waste sludge from conventional activated sludge systems. Waste activated sludge from extended aeration systems shall be retained for a minimum of ten (10) days.
(ii) Mixing and aeration requirements. Aeration requirements shall include the oxygen requirements for BOD stabilization, nitrification of ammonia nitrogen in the sludge, and nitrification of organic nitrogen in raw sewage solids and biological solids. A minimum dissolved oxygen of 2 mg/l shall be maintained. Minimum aeration requirements shall be:
| Sludge | CFM/1,000 lb solids/day | m3/min/1,000 kg/d | | --- | --- | --- | | Extended Aeration | 300 | 18.7 | | Conventional Activated Sludge | 800 | 50.0 | | Primary Sludge | 2,100 | 131.0 |
The aerobic digester aeration shall be provided with nonclog diffused aeration. Mechanical surface aerators shall not be allowed. Aeration provisions shall be a minimum of 30 cfm/1,000 cu ft (30 m3/min/1,000 m3) of volume.
(iii) Number of digesters. Where aerobic digesters are used, two (2) or more shall be provided for treatment plants having an average design capacity of 100,000 gpd or more. Multiple aerobic digesters shall be arranged to permit either parallel or series operation.
(iv) Supernatant removal and disposal. Supernatant shall be returned prior to the influent of the biological treatment process.
(d) Anaerobic digestion.
(i) Sludge characteristics. The minimum sludge concentration for feed to anaerobic digesters is four percent.
(ii) Number of digesters. Two or more digesters shall be provided for treatment plants having an average design capacity of 100,000 gpd (378.54 m3/d) or more.
(iii) Design requirements.
(A) Temperature. Primary anaerobic digesters shall be heated to provide a minimum temperature of 95°F (35°C). Controls shall maintain the digester temperature within ±5°F (±2° C).
(B) Mixing equipment. Digester mixing shall, as a minimum, provide control of scum accumulation at the gas/liquid interface. Mixing that is designed for increasing the effectiveness of the digester and thereby reducing detention time shall mix the entire tank contents. Mixing devices and their application rate that will be considered to provide high-rate digestion are:
Volume Per 1,000 cf Per 1,000 m3
Slow speed turbine mixers 0.25 hp 6.7 kw
Draft tube mechanical mixers 0.40 hp 10.5 kw
External pumps and jet nozzles 500 gpm 66.7 m3/m
Gas mixing applied at bottom of digester 10 cfm 10 m3/m
Less mixing may be provided; however, longer solids retention times than described below shall be required.
(C) Solids retention time. The minimum solids retention time for heated, primary digesters are:
Unmixed Completely mixed
30 days 10 days
Solids retention time shall be the same as liquid retention time in the primary digester where waste activated sludge is anaerobically digested.
(D) Volatile solids loading. As an alternative design basis to solids retention time, heated primary digesters may be designed for the following maximum volatile solids loading:
Unmixed
0.1 lb/ft3/day (1.6 kg/m3/d)
Completely mixed
0.3 lb ft3/day (4.8 kg/m3/d)
(iv) Sludge piping.
(A) Inlet. Except in completely mixed digesters, multiple inlets shall be provided. The piping shall provide the opportunity to heat undigested sludge prior to entering the digester.
(B) Sludge withdrawal. Except in completely mixed digesters, multiple withdrawal pipes shall be provided. One or more withdrawal pipes shall be from the digester floor.
(C) Supernatant withdrawal. The design basis for facilities using digesters for waste activated sludge shall assume no supernatant withdrawal. Piping for supernatant withdrawal may be provided. A minimum of three (3) supernatant withdrawal levels shall be provided otherwise.
(v) Gas system. All portions of the gas system, including the space above the tank liquor, storage facilities, and piping shall be designed to be under greater than atmospheric pressure at all times.
(A) Piping. Gas piping shall be 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) diameter or greater. Piping from the digester shall be provided with a flame trap. Piping shall slope to condensate traps. Float controlled condensate traps are not permitted.
(B) Safety equipment. All necessary safety equipment shall be included. Pressure and vacuum relief valves, flame traps and other safety equipment shall be provided. Gas safety equipment and gas compressors shall be housed in a separate room with an exterior entrance.
(C) Metering. A gas meter with bypass shall be provided for measurement of total gas production.
(vi) Heating equipment. Sludge and digester contents shall be heated with an external heat exchanger. Where sludge is heated using digester gas, an auxiliary fuel supply shall be provided. Boilers using digester gas shall be designed to minimize corrosion and to facilitate burner replacement. All digester gas that is not beneficially used shall be incinerated in a waste gas burner.
(vii) Access. The roof of the digester and the top sidewall shall be provided with sealed access hatches.
(viii) Sampling. One and one-half inches (3.8 cm) or larger sampling ports shall be provided for inlet sludge, effluent sludge, supernatant and digester contents.
(ix) Supernatant disposal. Supernatant from secondary digesters or from subsequent thickening or dewatering facilities for digested sludge shall be treated independently or returned immediately preceding the biological process. Supernatant shall not be returned to the primary clarifier.
(e) Dewatering.
(i) Mechanical dewatering. Where provided, mechanical dewatering facilities shall include storage tanks for liquid sludge and shall provide for reliable use.
(ii) Drying beds.
(A) Gravity. Drying beds may be strictly evaporation or evaporation - percolation. Evaporation-percolation beds shall be provided with graded gravel and sand beds over perforated underdrain pipe. Evaporation beds shall be designed for the application of 1.5 feet (0.46 m) of sludge per year. Evaporation - percolation beds shall be designed for the application of four feet (1.2 m) of sludge per year. Storage of sludge in the beds or in separate basins shall provide 180 days of capacity. Percolate shall be returned to the plant ahead of the biological treatment process.
(B) Vacuum. The bed area for vacuum assisted open drying beds shall be based on the application of no more than forty (40) feet (12.2 m) of liquid per year. If the beds are housed, the bed area shall be based on the application of eighty (80) feet (24.4 m) per year. Where beds are not housed, sludge storage shall be provided for 180 days of capacity. Polymer conditioning, chemical feed, chemical storage and facilities for mixing the polymer with the sludge shall be provided. Vacuum pumps, sump pumps, chemical feed equipment and motor control equipment shall be housed.
(iii) Filtrate disposal. Filtrate, centrate or underdrain liquid shall be returned to a point upstream of the biological treatment process. Centrate or filtrate shall not be returned upstream of the primary clarifier.
(f) Disposal.
(i) Degree of stabilization.
(A) Land application. Sludges shall be stabilized. Sludges that are to be used on public lands that are accessed by the public (parks, golf courses, cemeteries) or sludges that are to be made available to the public shall be composted or stabilized and stored for a period of at least one (1) year. Sludges that are to be incorporated into the land shall be stabilized.
"Stabilized sludge" shall have reduced organic content and reduced pathogenic content. Stabilized sludge shall have less than 60 lb of BOD5 per 1,000 lb (60 kg/1,000 kg) of dry weight sludge solids.
(B) Landfill. Sludge processed for incorporation into a landfill shall be (1) a solid or semisolid material that will not release water upon standing, and (2) has been subjected to anaerobic or aerobic digestion, or chemically treated with lime to a pH of 12.0 or chemically treated with chlorine to a free chlorine residual. Waiver of this requirement must be obtained from the Solid Waste Management Section of the Department of Environmental Quality.
(ii) Storage. Sludge storage shall be provided in lined earthen lagoons or structural tanks. The lagoon lining shall be designed to protect the groundwater pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Divisions rules and regulations. Sludge storage volume shall be sufficiently large to provide for independent operation of the sludge dewatering or disposal facilities from preceding liquid or sludge processes.
Section 21. Disinfection.
(a) Chlorination/dechlorination.
(i) Chlorination. The disinfection capacity shall be sized to provide the coliform concentrations required by the discharge permit. Feeders shall be sized to provide the minimum dosage at the minimum flow rate and to the maximum dosage at the maximum flow rate.
(ii) Dechlorination. Dechlorination feeders shall be sized for the final effluent dechlorination dosage required by the discharge permit requirements.
(iii) Chlorination.
(A) Number of units. Feeders shall be able to supply, at all times, the necessary amounts of chemical at an accurate rate (±3%) throughout the range of feed. The number of units shall provide capacity for effluent disinfection with the largest unit out of service and a separate feeder or feeders for ancillary uses, such as prechlorination or intermediate process control chlorination. The number of feeders shall be selected to permit feeding chemicals over the range of required dosage while only varying a single feeder over a 10:1 range.
(B) Chemical storage. Chlorine shall be stored in a heated, ventilated space. Space shall provide at least thirty (30) days of chemical supply, convenient and efficient handling, and dry conditions. Cylinders or other containers of chlorine gas should be isolated from operating areas and restrained in position to prevent upset.
(C) Piping. Piping systems carrying gaseous or liquid chlorine shall be schedule 80 black steel pipe with forged steel fittings. Bushings shall not be used. Vacuum piping for gaseous chlorine may be polyethylene tubing.
Gas piping between the chlorine pressure reducing valve of the chlorinator and the ejector shall be PVC or polyethylene. Piping for aqueous solutions of chlorine beyond the ejector shall be PVC, fiberglass, or steel pipe lined with PVC or saran.
(D) Maximum withdrawal. The maximum withdrawal rate of gaseous chlorine shall be limited to 40 lbs/day (18.1 kg/day) for 100 or 150 lb (45.4 or 68.0 kg) cylinders and 400 lbs/day (181 kg/day) for 2,000 lb (907 kg) cylinders, unless chlorine evaporators are used.
(iv) Dechlorination.
(A) Number of units. Dechlorination equipment shall be provided to permit feeding the design dosage with the largest unit out of service. Feeders shall be sized for a 10:1 feed range.
(B) Chemical storage. Chemical storage shall be in a heated, ventilated room, separate from chlorine cylinder storage. Provisions for heating the storage area or the S0 cylinders shall be provided. Where used, bin storage shall be provided with desiccated vents.
(C) Piping. Piping for liquid or gaseous S0 shall be schedule 80 black steel pipe with forged steel fittings. Bushings shall not be used. Piping for aqueous solutions of dechlorination chemicals shall be PVC, fiber glass, or steel pipe lined with PVC or saran. All valves for liquid and gaseous sulfur dioxide shall be as approved by the Chlorine Institute. Valves for aqueous solution of dechlorination chemicals shall be PVC or saran lined.
(D) Maximum withdrawal.
(I) The maximum withdrawal rate for sulfur dioxide from 2,000 lb (907 kg) cylinders shall be 200 lb (90.7 kg) per day, unless sulfur dioxide evaporators are used.
(v) Makeup water. Water used for dissolving dry chemicals, diluting liquid chemicals or operating chlorine or S0 injectors shall be chlorinated and strained for filtered (65 mesh) final effluent or potable water. Where potable water is used, backflow prevention shall be achieved by (a) a six (6) inch (15.2 cm) air gap between the potable water supply pipe and the maximum water level of a receiving tank; or (b) an approved reduced-pressure-zone backflow preventer.
(vi) Mixing requirements. The feed point for chlorination or dechlorination chemical shall be at a location of high turbulence. At points of critical flow, specially designed static tube mixers or artificial mixing are required.
(vii) Contact basins.
(A) Detention time. The chlorine contact period shall provide a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes contact time at the peak hour design flow. The contact period shall be from the point of chemical injection into the flow to the outfall point or dechlorination feed point.
(B) Baffling. Baffling of the chlorine contact basin shall provide a length-to-width ratio of 5:1 or greater.
(viii) Controls. The minimum control for chlorination-dechlorination facilities shall include manual variation of feed rate and a portable chlorine residual monitor.
(b) Ozonation.
(i) Applied dosage rates. Ozonation system for disinfection shall provide a range of chemical feed as follows:
Secondary effluents 5-15 mg/L
Advanced treatment effluents 5-10 mg/L
(ii) Piping. Injection equipment and piping in contact with ozonated air and air water emulsions shall be of stainless steel, Teflon or other material resistant to ozone. Valves carrying ozonized air shall be made of metal coated with ozone-resistant materials.
(iii) Mixing requirements. Ozone shall be fed to a contact tank along the length of the tank. The ozone contact tank shall be at least fifteen (15) feet (4.6 m) deep and provided with vertical serpentine baffles. Fine bubble diffusers shall be used in areas where the flow is downward.
(iv) Detention time. The minimum contact time for ozone is 15 minutes at peak hourly flow. Ozone contact basins shall be covered and provided with means to collect and destroy unreacted ozone. The contact basin shall be designed to facilitate maintenance and cleaning without reducing the effectiveness of the ozonation process.
(c) Housing.
(i) Access. Where housing is specially designed for equipment, structures, rooms and areas containing chemical feed equipment used in disinfection, convenient access should be provided. Access to chemical feed rooms shall only be from the outside. Doors shall be provided with panic hardware, and open from the inside to the outside.
(ii) Heating and ventilation. Chemical feed rooms and chemical storage rooms shall be heated and ventilated. Ventilation shall exhaust continuously from near the floor to an outside area that will not contaminate an air inlet to any building. The exhaust shall be screened and turned downward. Continuous ventilation shall provide a complete air change six times per hour. Emergency exhaust ventilation shall provide a complete room air change thirty (30) times per hour. The control for the emergency ventilation fan shall be on the outside of the room.
(iii) Visual inspection. A clear glass, gas-tight window shall be installed in an exterior door or interior wall of the disinfection chemical feed room.
(iv) Isolation. Chemical feed and storage rooms shall be gas-tight. Ventilation, plumbing and access shall be separated from other building parts. When ton cylinders are used for chlorine or sulfur dioxide storage, storage and feed rooms will be separate. Where powdered or granular chemicals are used, they will be stored in separate rooms from the feed room. Switches for fans and lights shall be outside the room at the entrance. Vents from feeders and storage shall discharge to the outside atmosphere above grade. Pipes and feed lines through interior walls shall be gas-tight.
(d) Safety.
(i) Leak detectors. A bottle of ammonium hydroxide shall be available for chlorine leak detection. For plants that store 1,000 lbs (454 kg) or more of chlorine, continuously monitoring leak detectors shall be provided that sound an alarm in the event of an escape of gas.
(ii) Repair kits. Repair kits approved by the Chlorine Institute shall be provided for plants using ton containers or tank cars.
(iii) Personnel equipment. Protective clothing, rubber gloves, and U.S. Bureau of Mines approved industrial canister gas masks shall be provided for each operator who will handle or prepare chemical solutions/mixtures. A respiratory protection program shall be available for all employees.
(iv) Emergency breathing apparatus. Industrial size canister gas masks of the type designed for chlorine gas and approved by U.S. Bureau of Mines shall be available at all installations where chlorine gas is handled. Pressure-demand, self- contained breathing apparatus shall be provided for repairing leaks to chlorine systems. A respiratory protection program shall be available for all employees.
(v) Instruction manuals. Instruction manuals for all elements of the disinfectant storage, preparation and application system shall be provided. These instruction manuals shall describe each component of the system, and provide a complete discussion of the operation and maintenance requirements.
Section 22. Effluent Structures.
(a) Location. The location of the effluent discharge shall be at least three (3) miles from public water supply intakes.
(b) Protection from hazards. The outfall sewer shall be constructed and protected against the effects of floodwater, ice, debris, or other hazards as to insure its structural stability and freedom from stoppage. A manhole should be provided at the shore-end of all gravity sewers extending into the receiving waters.
Section 23. Laboratory requirements.
(a) Test procedures. Test procedures for analysis of monitoring samples shall conform to regulations published pursuant to Section 304(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 466 et. seq.).
(b) Testing requirements. All treatment plants shall have capability to perform or contract for the self-monitoring analytical work required by discharge permits or ground water monitoring requirements. All plants shall in addition be capable of performing or contracting out the analytical work required to ensure good management and control of plant operation and performance. Plants operating under requirements of an industrial pretreatment program must have the capability of performing or must contract out the necessary testing to maintain the program as approved by the reviewing agency.
(c) Minimum requirements.
(i) Location and space. The laboratory shall be located away from vibrating machinery or equipment that might have adverse effects on the performance of laboratory instruments or the analyst and shall be designed to prevent adverse effects from vibration.
A minimum of 400 square feet (37.2 m²) of floor space shall be provided for the laboratory where an analysis program for a fulltime laboratory chemist is proposed. If more than two persons will be working in the laboratory, 100 square feet (9.3 m²) of additional space shall be provided for each additional person.
(ii) Materials.
(A) Walls. Provide a durable, impervious surface that is easily cleaned.
(B) Doors. Two (2) exit doors or openings shall be located to permit a straight egress from the laboratory; one (1) exit shall be directly to outside of the building. Panic hardware shall be used. Interior doors shall have glass windows.
(C) Cabinets and bench tops. Cabinet and storage space shall be provided for dust-free storage of instruments and glassware.
Bench top height shall be thirty-six (36) inches (0.91 m). Tops should be field joined into a continuous surface with acid, alkali, and solvent-resistant cements.
(D) Hoods. Fume hoods shall be provided where reflux or heating of toxic or hazardous materials is required.
(I) Fume hoods.
(1.) Location. A hood shall not be situated near a doorway, unless a secondary means of egress is provided.
(2.) Fixtures. All switches, electrical outlets, and utility and baffle adjustment handles shall be located outside the hood. Light fixtures shall be explosion proof.
(3.) Exhaust. Twenty-four (24) hour continuous exhaust capability shall be provided. Exhaust fans shall be explosion proof.
(iii) Sinks. The laboratory shall have a minimum of two (2) sinks per 400 ft (121.92 m) (not including cup sinks). Sinks shall be double-well with drainboards and shall be made of epoxy resin or plastic. All water fixtures shall be provided with reduced pressure zone backflow preventers. Traps constructed of glass, plastic, or lead and accessibility for cleaning shall be provided.
(iv) Ventilation and lighting. Laboratories shall be separately air conditioned, with external air supply for 100 percent makeup volume. Separate exhaust ventilation shall be provided. Ventilation outlet locations shall be remote from ventilation inlets.
Lighting shall provide 100 foot-candles at the bench top.
(v) Gas and vacuum. If gas is required in the laboratory, natural gas shall be supplied. Digester gas shall not be used.
(vi) Water still. Distilled water shall conform to the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 15th Edition.
(vii) Emergency shower and eye wash. All laboratories shall be equipped with an emergency eye wash and shower.
(d) Portable testing equipment. Portable testing equipment shall be provided where necessary for operational control testing or industrial waste testing. Portable testing may be used for testing as necessary, provided the testing procedure meets the requirements of Section 304(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, if the results are to be used for permit reporting. Non-EPA certified procedures may be used for operational control or gross data generation.
Section 24. Operation and Maintenance Manuals.
(a) Where required. Plant operation and maintenance manuals are required for each new or modified treatment or pumping facility. The manuals shall provide the following information as a minimum:
(i) Introduction.
(ii) Description of facilities and unit processes through the plant from influent structures through effluent structures.
(iii) Plant control system.
(iv) Utilities and systems.
(v) Emergency operation and response.
(vi) Permit requirements and other regulatory requirements.
(vii) Staffing needs.
(viii) Index to manufacturer's manuals.
(b) When required. Draft operation and maintenance manuals shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality at 50 percent completion of construction. Approval of the final operation and maintenance manuals is required prior to plant startup.
(c) Description and facilities. The description of facilities and unit processes shall include the size, capacity, model number (where applicable) and intended loading rate.
(i) Each unit. The manual shall describe each unit, including the function, the controls, the lubrication and maintenance schedule, as well as the following:
(A) Startup operations.
(B) Routine operations.
(C) Abnormal operations.
(D) Emergency or power outage operations.
(E) Bypass procedures.
(F) Safety.
(ii) Flow diagrams. The manual shall provide flow diagrams of the entire process, as well as individual unit processes. The flow diagrams shall show the flow options under the various operational conditions listed above.
(d) Operating parameters. The O&M manual shall provide the design criteria for each unit process. The data shall include the number, type, capacity, sizes, etc., and other information, as applicable.
(e) Troubleshooting guide. Each equipment maintenance manual shall include a section on troubleshooting. These manuals are to be indexed in the plant O&M manual. The troubleshooting guide shall include a telephone number for factory troubleshooting assistance.
(f) Emergency procedures. The plant O&M manual shall detail emergency operations procedures for possible foresee able emergencies, including power outage, equipment failure, development of unsafe conditions, oil and hazardous substances discharge into the plant, and other emergency conditions. The details shall include valve positions, flow control settings, and other information to insure continued operation of the facility at maximum possible efficiency.
The manual shall also detail emergency notification procedures to be followed to protect health and safety under various emergency conditions.
(g) Safety. The manual shall provide general information of safety in and around the plant and its components. Each unit process discussion shall include applicable safety procedures and precautions. For unit processes or operations having extreme hazards (i.e., chlorine, closed tanks, etc.) the discussion shall detail appropriate protection, rescue procedures, and necessary safety equipment.
(h) Compliance submittals. The O&M manual shall summarize the monitoring and the reporting requirements of the discharge permit. These requirements will be modified from time-to-time, and should, therefore, be placed in an appendix to the O&M manual.
(i) Maintenance manuals. Maintenance manuals shall be required for each piece of equipment. These manuals must meet the requirements of the engineer and contractor for installation and startup of equipment. The information included in the manufacturers' manuals shall not be included in the O&M manual.
(i) General content of manuals.
(A) Neatly typewritten table of contents for each volume, arranged in a systematic order.
(B) Product data.
(C) Drawings.
(D) Written text as required to supplement product data for the particular installation.
(E) Copy of each warranty, bond and service contract issued.
(ii) Manuals for equipment and systems.
(A) Description of unit and component parts.
(B) Operating procedures.
(C) Maintenance procedures and schedules.
(D) Service and lubrication schedule.
(E) Sequence of control operation.
(F) Parts list.
(G) Recommended spare parts.
PART C: COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL WASTE AND WASTEWATER FACILITIES
Section 25. General.
This part contains the minimum standards for the design and construction of commercial/ industrial wastewater facilities. The applicant shall demonstrate to the Administrator that any discharge or seepage from the wastewater facility will not cause a violation of the Surface and/ or Groundwaters of the State in accordance with Chapter 1, "Quality Standards for Wyoming Surface Waters" and Chapter 8, "Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters." Due to the wide variety of wastes, wastewater and site conditions, the latest available scientific information shall be used to demonstrate that violations will not occur.
Section 26. Discharge to Public Sewerage System.
The discharge of commercial/industrial wastewater to a public sewerage system shall be allowed provided a letter of verification from the public sewerage system manager is submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality stating that the municipal system is capable of handling the added organic and/or hydraulic loads. The applicant shall demonstrate (1) that the wastewater will not adversely impact the treatment works and/or discharge or (2) that pretreatment of the wastewater shall be provided to eliminate the adverse impacts. The design and construction of any pretreatment device shall reduce the pollutants to the limits imposed by the public sewerage system manager.
Section 27. Domestic Wastes from Commercial/Industrial Facilities.
Commercial/industrial facilities that generate waste that is entirely domestic waste shall be designed in compliance with Part B of Chapter 11 or Chapter 25. When the commercial/industrial facility generates a combined domestic and commercial/industrial waste, the facility may be designed in compliance with Chapter 25 or Part B of this chapter provided the applicant can demonstrate that the commercial/ industrial waste will not interfere or adversely impact the treatment works or the discharge.
Section 28. Biological Treatment Ponds.
This section includes the standards for ponds that accept commercial/ industrial waste and wastewater that is primarily organic and utilizes biological organisms for treatment and do not meet the requirements of Section 27. The presence of toxic wastes, hazardous substances, and/or petroleum products shall not interfere or adversely impact the treatment process or disposal system.
(a) Location.
(i) Extraneous surface water and groundwater shall be excluded from entering the wastewater pond or entering the wastewater flow into the pond.
(ii) Ponds shall not be located within the ordinary high water mark of perennial rivers, streams, or creeks; nor in the bottoms of rivers, streams, creeks, draws, coulees, or other natural drainages into which natural runoff may flow and/or enter.
(iii) Ponds shall be protected from structural damage during the 100-year flood event.
(b) Basis of design.
(i) Aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic ponds shall be designed based on the type, strength characteristics, and anticipated flow rates of the wastewater. Loading rates shall be determined on a case-by-case basis using the best available technology, reference, and/or pilot studies. The effect of any toxic wastes, hazardous substances, and/or petroleum products on the wastewater treatment works and disposal system shall be evaluated. All anaerobic ponds shall be followed by an aerobic process if the system discharges to Surface Waters of the State.
When seepage is considered part of the design, the potential effect of groundwater mounding on the seepage rate shall be evaluated.
(ii) In addition to the above, all nonsurface water discharging ponds shall be designed on the basis of a water balance that considers net evaporation and seepage. They shall be designed to provide sufficient storage for retention of all wastewater and rainfall during the wettest occurring year of a ten-year period. Seepage shall be controlled to maintain a minimum water depth of two feet in the primary cell during the driest occurring year of a ten-year period.
(c) Pond layout.
(i) Discharging treatment systems and ponds that require liners to protect groundwater shall consist of a minimum of two (2) cells. The largest cell shall not contain more than 55 percent of the total waste volume at the design capacity.
(ii) Inlet structures shall be submerged and located to properly distribute the wastewater flow throughout the pond(s) and shall prevent short circuiting. Influent wastewater shall not erode or disturb the liner, seal, or dike. Submerged multiple inlets are recommended. The pipe shall discharge at least ten (10) feet from the toe of the slope.
(iii) Outlet structures from discharging treatment systems shall be capable of multilevel drawoff and have an overflow device. Outlet structures shall prevent short circuiting, prevent floating debris from discharging, and keep outlet velocities at a minimum so as not to erode or disturb the receiving channel. Erosion control material shall be designed based on flow velocities and quantities. Ice formation shall neither stop the overflow nor damage the outlet structure.
(iv) All pipe protruding through a dike or embankment shall have adequate seepage controls. Capabilities shall exist to drain the ponds for maintenance purposes. Bypass piping for each individual pond cell shall be provided.
(v) A manhole or vented cleanout wye shall be installed prior to the entrance of the influent pipe into the primary pond(s) and shall be located as close to the dike as topography permits. The influent pipe invert should be at least six (6) inches above the maximum operating level of the pond.
(vi) The maximum water depth shall be six (6) feet in the primary cell(s) of non-aerated aerobic or facultative systems. The maximum water depth shall be fifteen (15) feet in aerated cells. The maximum water depth for subsequent cells or other types of ponds shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The minimum water depth shall be three (3) feet in the primary cell(s) and two feet in subsequent cell(s). Cells designed for high-rate infiltration may be allowed to be dry periodically provided that the applicant can demonstrate that vegetation will be controlled and a regular maintenance program is provided.
(vii) Free board shall be provided to protect embankments and dikes from overtopping from wave action, and shall be a minimum of three (3) feet above the high water level. For ponds less than two (2) acres, two (2) feet of freeboard may be acceptable.
(d) Pond construction.
(i) Soils used in constructing the pond bottom and dike cores (not including the liner) shall be relatively incompressible, have a low permeability, and be free from organic material or trash. The soil shall be compacted at a water content that will insure structural stability, minimize hydraulic seepage, and minimize settling. The soil shall provide an adequate foundation for the liner, if used.
(ii) On ponds that are not specified to receive an artificial liner, no rocks larger than six (6) inches in length shall be permitted in any of the designated embankment.
On ponds that are specified to be lined with an artificial liner, rocks larger than six (6) inches in length shall not be placed within five (5) feet of the interior slope of any pond embankment. Material containing by volume less than 25 percent of rock larger than six (6) inches and less than twelve (12) inches in length may be placed in the remainder of the embankment.
(iii) Outer dike slopes shall not be steeper than one vertical to two horizontal. Flatter slopes may be required to maintain slope stability. Outer dike slopes shall prevent surface runoff from entering the ponds.
Inner dike slopes shall be sloped between one (1) vertical to four (4) horizontal and one (1) vertical to three (3) horizontal. Flatter inner slopes may be allowed where vegetation due to the shallower slopes will not interfere with treatment or the dike's integrity. Interior slopes surfaced with concrete paving or riprap may be constructed at slopes of one (1) vertical to two (2) horizontal.
(iv) The minimum top dike width shall be eight (8) feet to permit access of maintenance vehicles. Top dikes wider than eight (8) feet shall be required when necessary to ensure structural stability.
(v) The pond bottom shall be sufficiently flat to insure a minimum water depth as required in Section 28 (c)(vi).
(e) Dike protection.
(i) Interior embankments shall be protected from wave action with riprap, paving, or other erosion resistant material. The following conditions may be exempted from the riprap requirements:
(A) Ponds of one (1) surface acre or less;
(B) Ponds with an artificial liner;
(C) Embankments cut into natural slopes when a soil liner is not provided; or
(D) Ponds that are sheltered from wind or where winds are slow enough that significant erosion will not occur.
(ii) Exterior of dikes, top of dikes, and all interior dike surfaces where riprap or a seal is not provided shall be covered with topsoil and seeded with suitable dryland grasses to prevent erosion. A uniform coarse graded gravel may be substituted for the vegetation requirement.
(f) Liners.
(i) Seepage limits. The seepage through the pond bottom and side walls shall not cause a violation of the groundwater standards as described in Chapter 8 (Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters) of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Rules and Regulations. Liners shall be required if the wastewater characteristics or site conditions will not insure the protection of the groundwater for which it is classified.
If the applicant cannot document that the facility poses no threat to groundwater and elects not to perform a subsurface study in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 15(a) and (b), then the groundwater shall be protected from contamination by the wastewater with a liner equivalent to three (3) feet of soil having a permeability of 10-7 cm/sec or less. When an applicant performs a subsurface study, the requirement for the liner shall be determined based on the results of the study and the groundwater protection required. In no instance shall the maximum seepage rate exceed 1/8 inch per day in the primary pond(s).
(ii) Soil and bentonite liners. The specifications for a soil or bentonite liner shall be based upon the results of a preliminary testing program and shall contain at a minimum the type of material, optimum and acceptable range in water content, acceptable range for compaction, and maximum allowable particle size.
Soil or bentonite liners used to protect groundwater quality shall meet the following criteria: Written certification that the soil liner was constructed in accordance with specifications shall be provided by a Wyoming registered professional engineer or an independent soils laboratory. Tests for water content and density shall be taken during application of each lift. Additionally, either permeability testing of undisturbed core samples from the in-place seal, or detailed tests such as particle size distribution and Atterburg limits confirming that the soil used in the liner construction was the same soil initially tested, shall be provided. In all cases, at least one test shall be provided per acre per lift, except for core sampling of the in-place liner, where one core of the completed liner shall be tested per acre.
(iii) Synthetic liners. The thickness requirements for synthetic liners shall be determined on a case-by-case basis but shall not be less than 30 mil. The type of liner shall be compatible with the wastewater characteristics. The synthetic liner shall have a permeability equivalent to that required in Section 28(f)(i).
Synthetic liners shall be anchored to prevent movement, slippage, and flotation. The synthetic liner shall be protected from degradation by ultraviolet light, ice damage and settling of underdrain trenches. An air venting system may be required beneath the synthetic liner to expel gases trapped during installation, produced by decomposing organic material, or produced by a fluctuating water table.
(iv) Uniformity. The pond bottom shall be smooth with a maximum tolerance of ± 6 inches.
(v) Prefilling. All ponds shall be prefilled to the two foot level to protect the liner, to prevent weed growth, to encourage rapid startup of the biological process and discourage odor, to reduce freeze up problems for late fall startups, to confirm the seal's integrity and to maintain the water of the seal at or above optimum conditions. The raw wastewater shall not be used for prefilling purposes except for anaerobic ponds.
(vi) Exfiltration evaluation. All ponds designated with a maximum exfiltration rate shall be tested for exfiltration. A maximum exfiltration rate not in excess of the design rate shall be deemed acceptable. If the exfiltration rate is deemed excessive, the seal shall be repaired and the test procedure repeated. This procedure shall be repeated until the maximum exfiltration rate criteria is met. Results of all testing shall be submitted to DEQ.
(g) Miscellaneous. A permanent flow measuring device shall be installed at the outfall of discharging pond sites and shall measure the effluent under all climatic conditions. The accuracy of the flow measuring device must be within ten percent of the actual flow. Ponds with a maximum daily discharge of less than 50,000 gallons per day may be exempted from installing a permanent flow measuring device.
Section 29. Feedlots.
This section includes the standards for wastewater retention systems for feedlot runoff. The basic concept of retention systems is to intercept and collect runoff and wastes from the animal feeding area until it can be disposed of via land application. Although retention systems are usually the most economical method of treatment, other systems will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
(a) Location.
(i) Groundwater shall be excluded from entering the wastewater pond or the wastewater flow into the pond.
(ii) Ponds shall not be located within the ordinary highwater mark of perennial rivers, streams, or creeks. Ponds not containing hazardous or toxic wastes may be located within the ordinary high water mark of intermit tent rivers, streams, creeks, draws, coulees, or other natural drainages provided a by-pass ditch is installed capable of passing the 24-hour - 100 -year precipitation event.
(iii) The wastewater retention system shall be as near to the animal feeding operation as possible to keep construction to a minimum. The retention ponds shall be located outside the pen area for safety and maintenance purposes. Sufficient space must be left between streams or drainage areas to allow construction of the necessary collection ditches and retention ponds.
(b) Basis of design. All livestock confinement areas, alleyways, etc., shall be graded to prevent accumulation of surface waters and to drain all contaminated water to the retention system. Collection ditches shall be provided when necessary to intercept contaminated water. The wastewater retention system shall be designed to contain the 25-year, 24-hour precipitation event. Wastewater in the retention pond shall be removed and disposed of as soon as possible after a precipitation event. The applicant shall demonstrate that equipment is available for removing the wastewater.
(i) Diversion ditches. The animal feeding area shall be protected with diversion ditches that will direct uncontaminated runoff from areas above and adjacent to the site away from the ponds and shall be capable of diverting the 25-year, 24-hour precipitation event.
(ii) Collection ditches. Collection ditches shall be constructed around the feeding area to intercept the contaminated runoff and transport it to the settling and/or retention pond. The depth shall be adequate to handle the design flow and shall have a bottom slope sufficient to produce a velocity of not less than two (2) feet per second. Side slopes shall not be steeper than eight (8) horizontal to one (1) vertical.
(iii) Settling pond. A settling pond ahead of the retention pond is recommended to accumulate the solids in the waste flow and to simplify their removal and final disposal. The surface area shall be sized to reduce the flow velocity below one (1) foot per second to allow settling of solids. The pond shall be between three (3) to six (6) feet deep to allow sufficient capacity for holding the solids and yet allow easy removal of the solids. The outlet structure shall minimize the overflow of solids into the retention pond.
(iv) Retention pond. The retention pond shall be capable of containing all runoff from the feeding area for the design storm until the contaminated runoff can be disposed. If a settling pond is not provided before the retention pond, the design volume shall be increased by 10 percent to accommodate collection of solids.
(c) Retention pond layout.
(i) The shape and depth shall facilitate ease of cleaning and maintenance. A minimum freeboard of 1.5 feet shall be required above the high water level of the spillway.
(ii) Spillways shall be provided on all retention ponds to pass flows in excess of the 25 year, 24-hour precipitation event. The spillway shall be placed above the design high water level.
(d) Retention pond construction. The retention pond construction shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Soils used in constructing the pond bottom and dike cores (not including the liner) shall be relatively incompressible, have a low permeability, and be free from organic material or trash. The soil shall be compacted at a water content that will insure structural stability, minimize hydraulic seepage, and minimize settling. The soil shall provide an adequate foundation for the liner, if used.
(ii) On ponds that are not specified to receive an artificial liner, no rocks larger than six inches in length shall be permitted in any of the designated embankments.
On ponds that are specified to be lined with an artificial liner, rocks larger than six (6) inches in length shall not be placed within five (5) feet surface of the interior slope of any pond embankment. Material containing by volume less than 25 percent of rock larger than six (6) inches and less than twelve (12) inches in length may be placed in the remainder of the embankment.
(iii) Outer dike slopes shall not be steeper than one (1) vertical to two (2) horizontal. Flatter slopes may be required to maintain slope stability.
Inner dike slopes shall be sloped between one (1) vertical to four (4) horizontal and one (1) vertical to three (3) horizontal. Flatter inner slopes may be allowed where vegetation due to the shallower slopes will not interfere with treatment or the dike's integrity. Interior slopes surfaced with concrete paving or riprap may be constructed at slopes of one (1) vertical to two (2) horizontal.
(iv) The minimum top dike width shall be eight (8) feet to permit access of maintenance vehicles. Top dikes wider than eight feet (8) shall be required when necessary to ensure structural stability.
(v) The pond bottom may be sloped to facilitate pumping but shall not exceed a 0.5 percent slope.
(e) Liners.
(i) Seepage limits. The seepage through the pond bottom and side walls shall not cause a violation of the groundwater standards as described in Chapter 8 (Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters) of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Rules and Regulations. Liners shall be required if the wastewater characteristics or site conditions will not insure the protection of the groundwater for which it is classified.
If the applicant cannot document that the facility poses no threat to groundwater and elects not to perform a subsurface study in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 15(a) and (b), then the groundwater shall be protected from contamination by the wastewater with a liner equivalent to three (3) feet of soil having a permeability of 10-7 cm/sec or less. When an applicant performs a subsurface study, the requirement for the liner shall be determined based on the results of the study and the groundwater protection required. In no instance shall the maximum seepage rate exceed 1/8 inch per day in the primary pond(s).
(ii) Soil and bentonite liners. The specifications for a soil or bentonite liner shall be based upon the results of a preliminary testing program and shall contain at a minimum the type of material, optimum and acceptable range in water content, acceptable range for compaction, and maximum allowable particle size.
Soil or bentonite liners used to protect groundwater quality shall meet the following criteria: Written certification that the soil liner was constructed in accordance with specifications shall be provided by a Wyoming registered professional engineer or an independent soils laboratory. Tests for water content and density shall be taken during application of each lift. Additionally, either permeability testing of undisturbed core samples from the in-place seal, or detailed tests such as particle size distribution and Atterburg limits confirming that the soil used in the liner construction was the same soil initially tested, shall be provided. In all cases, at least one test shall be provided per acre per lift, except for core sampling of the in-place liner, where one core of the completed liner shall be tested per acre.
(iii) Synthetic liners. The thickness requirements for synthetic liners shall be determined on a case-by-case basis but shall not be less than 30 mils. The type of liner shall be compatible with the wastewater characteristics. The synthetic liner shall have a permeability equivalent to that of Section 29(e)(i).
Synthetic liners shall be anchored to prevent movement, slippage, and flotation. The synthetic liner shall be protected from degradation by ultraviolet light, ice damage and settling of underdrain trenches. An air venting system may be required beneath the synthetic liner to expel gases trapped during installation, produced by decomposing organic material, or produced by a fluctuating water table.
(iv) Exfiltration evaluation. All ponds designated with a maximum exfiltration rate shall be tested for exfiltration. A maximum exfiltration rate not in excess of the design rate shall be deemed acceptable. If the exfiltration rate is deemed excessive, the seal shall be repaired, and the test procedure repeated. This procedure shall be repeated until the maximum exfiltration rate criteria is met. Results of all testing shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality.
Section 30. Non-biological Treatment Ponds.
This section includes the standards for non-biological treatment ponds or ponds that accept commercial/industrial waste or wastewater that is primarily non-biological in nature and does not utilize biological organisms for treatment. Radiological effects considered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from non-surface discharging treatment works within a NRC licensed permit boundary are exempt from this section.
(a) Location.
(i) Extraneous surface water and groundwater shall be excluded from entering the wastewater pond or entering the wastewater flow into the pond.
(ii) Ponds shall not be located within the ordinary high water mark of perennial rivers, streams, or creeks. Ponds not containing hazardous or toxic wastes may be located within the ordinary high water mark of intermit tent rivers, streams, creeks, draws, coulees, or other natural drainages provided a by-pass ditch is installed capable of passing the 24-hour - 100-year precipitation event. All other ponds shall be protected from structural damage during the 100-year flood event.
(b) Basis of design.
(i) Ponds shall be designed based on the type of wastewater, the wastewater strength characteristics, and the anticipated flow rates. Loading rates shall be determined on a case-by-case basis using the best available technology, reference, and/or pilot studies. The effect of any toxic wastes, hazardous substances, and/or petroleum products on the wastewater treatment process and disposal system shall be evaluated.
Where seepage is considered part of the design, the potential effect of groundwater mounding on the seepage rate must be evaluated.
(ii) In addition to the above, non-surface water discharging ponds shall be designed on the basis of a water balance that considers net evaporation and seepage. Non-discharging ponds shall be designed to provide sufficient storage to retain all wastewater and rainfall during the wettest occurring year of a ten year period.
(c) Pond layout.
(i) Discharging treatment systems and ponds that require liners to protect groundwater shall consist of a minimum of two cells. The largest cell shall not contain more than 55 percent of the total waste volume at the design capacity.
(ii) Inlet and intracell structures for discharging treatment systems shall prevent short circuiting, and shall not erode or disturb the liner, seal or dike.
(iii) Outlet structures from a discharging treatment system shall have an overflow device, prevent short circuiting, prevent floating debris from discharging, and keep outlet velocities to a minimum so as not to erode or disturb the receiving channel. Erosion control material shall be designed based on flow velocities and quantities. Ice formation shall neither stop the overflow nor damage the outlet structure.
(iv) All pipe protruding through a dike or embankment shall have adequate seepage controls. Capabilities shall exist to drain the ponds for maintenance purposes.
(v) A manhole or vented cleanout wye shall be installed prior to the entrance of the influent pipe into the primary pond(s) and shall be located as close to the dike as topography permits. The influent pipe invert should be at least six (6) inches above the maximum operating level of the pond.
(vi) The maximum and minimum water depth shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. However, the design engineer must demonstrate that ponds with less than two (2) feet water depth will not have vegetation problems.
(vii) Free board shall be provided to protect embankments and dikes from overtopping from wave action, and shall be a minimum of three (3) feet above the high water level. For ponds less than two (2) acres, two (2) feet of freeboard may be acceptable.
(d) Pond construction.
(i) Soils used in constructing the pond bottom and dike cores (not including the liner) shall be relatively incompressible, have a low permeability, and be free from organic material or trash. The soil shall be compacted at a water content that will insure structural stability, minimize hydraulic seepage, and minimize settling. The soil shall provide an adequate foundation for the liner, if used.
(ii) On ponds that are not specified to receive an artificial liner, no rocks larger than six (6) inches in length shall be permitted in any of the designated embankment.
On ponds that are specified to be lined with an artificial liner, rocks larger than six (6) inches in length shall not be placed within five (5) feet of the interior slope surface of any pond embankment. Material containing by volume less than 25 percent of rock larger than six (6) inches and less than twelve (12) inches in length may be placed in the remainder of the embankment.
(iii) Outer dike slopes shall not be steeper than one (1) vertical to two (2) horizontal. Flatter slopes may be required to maintain slope stability. Outer dike slopes shall prevent surface runoff from entering the ponds.
Inner dike slopes shall be sloped between one (1) vertical to four (4) horizontal and one (1) vertical to three (3) horizontal. Flatter inner slopes may be allowed where vegetation due to the shallower slopes will not interfere with treatment or the dike's integrity. Interior slopes surfaced with concrete paving or riprap may be constructed at slopes of one (1) vertical to two (2) horizontal.
(iv) The minimum top dike width shall be eight (8) feet to permit access of maintenance vehicles. Top dikes wider than eight (8) feet shall be required when necessary to ensure structural stability.
(e) Dike protection.
(i) Interior embankments shall be protected from wave action with riprap, paving, or other erosion resistant material. The following conditions may be exempted from the riprap requirements:
(A) Ponds of one (1) surface acre or less:
(B) Ponds with an artificial liner;
(C) Embankments cut into natural slopes where a soil liner is not provided; or
(D) Ponds that are sheltered from wind or where winds are slow enough that significant erosion will not occur.
(ii) Exterior of dikes, top of dikes, and all interior dike surfaces where riprap or a seal is not provided shall be covered with topsoil and seeded with suitable dryland grasses to prevent erosion. A uniform coarse graded gravel may be substituted for the vegetation requirement.
(f) Liners.
(i) Seepage limits. The seepage through the pond bottom and side walls shall not cause, a violation of the groundwater standards as described in Chapter 8 (Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters) of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Rules and Regulations. Liners shall be required if the wastewater characteristics or site conditions will not insure the protection of the groundwater for which it is classified.
If the applicant cannot document that the facility poses no threat to groundwater and elects not to perform a subsurface study in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 15(a) and (b), then the groundwater shall be protected from contamination by the wastewater with a liner equivalent to three (3) feet of soil having a permeability of 10-7 cm/sec or less. When an applicant performs a subsurface study, the requirement for the liner shall be determined based on the results of the study and the groundwater protection required. In no instance shall the maximum seepage rate exceed 1/8 inch per day in the primary pond(s).
(ii) Soil and bentonite liners. The specifications for a soil or bentonite liner shall be based upon the results of a preliminary testing program and shall contain at a minimum the type of material, optimum and acceptable range in water content, acceptable range for compaction, and maximum allowable particle size.
Soil or bentonite liners used to protect groundwater quality shall meet the following criteria. Written certification that the soil liner was constructed in accordance with specifications shall be provided by a Wyoming registered professional engineer or an independent soils laboratory. Tests for water content and density shall be taken during application of each lift. Additionally, either permeability testing of undisturbed core samples from the in-place seal, or detailed tests such as particle size distribution and Atterburg limits confirming that the soil used in the liner construction was the same soil initially tested, shall be provided. In all cases, at least one test shall be provided per acre per lift, except for core sampling of the in-place liner, where one core of the completed liner shall be tested per acre.
(iii) Synthetic liners. The thickness requirements for synthetic liners shall be determined on a case-by-case basis but shall not be less than 30 mils. The type of liner shall be compatible with the wastewater characteristics. The synthetic liner shall have a permeability equivalent to that of Section 30(f)(i).
Synthetic liners shall be anchored to prevent movement, slippage, and flotation. The synthetic liner shall be protected from degradation by ultraviolet light, ice damage and settling of underdrain trenches. An air venting system may be required beneath the synthetic liner to expel gases trapped during installation, produced by decomposing organic material, or produced by a fluctuating water table.
(iv) Prefilling. For soil or bentonite liners, a method of maintaining the seal at or above optimum moisture conditions is required.
(v) Exfiltration evaluation. All ponds designated with a maximum exfiltration rate shall be tested for exfiltration. A maximum exfiltration rate not in excess of the design rate shall be deemed acceptable. If the exfiltration rate is deemed excessive, the seal shall be repaired and the test procedure repeated. This procedure shall be repeated until the maximum exfiltration rate criteria is met. Results of all testing shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality.
(g) Miscellaneous. A permanent flow measuring device shall be installed at the outfall of discharging pond sites and shall measure the effluent under all climatic conditions. The accuracy of the flow measuring device must be within ten percent of the actual flow. Ponds with a maximum daily discharge of less than 50,000 gallons per day may be exempted from installing a permanent flow measuring device.
Section 31. Sedimentation Control Facilities.
This section includes the standards for sedimentation control facilities. Those sedimentation control facilities that are regulated under Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2, Appendix J, "Additional Requirements Applicable to Coal Mining Operations" are exempted from this section.
(a) Location. The sedimentation control facilities shall be as near to the affected lands as possible to keep construction and containment volumes to a minimum. Sedimentation control facilities shall be located off-channel when possible. Runoff from unaffected lands should be by-passed around the containment area. All affected lands must drain to a sedimentation control facility.
(b) Basis of design. Sedimentation control facilities shall control all runoff from areas that drain into the facility from a 10-year 24-hour precipitation event in addition to the estimated sediment storage volume for one (1) year be always available. The pond shall be drained down to the permanent pool level as soon as the effluent meets the discharge parameters. The applicant shall demonstrate that equipment or outlet structures are available for draining the pond.
(c) Layout.
(i) Inlet ditches or structures shall not erode or disturb the pond bottom.
(ii) Outlet structures, if used, shall have an overflow device, prevent short-circuiting, prevent floating debris from discharging and shall not erode or disturb the dike. All pipe protruding through a dike shall have adequate seepage control. The point of discharge into a channel shall be protected against erosion and erosion control devices shall be designed based on flow velocities.
(iii) Spillways. Sedimentation control facilities that individually contain more than 2.0 acre-feet of runoff or that individually have more than 2.0 acres of surface area or that are located on-channel shall have a spillway to by-pass precipitation events in excess of the design event. Spillways shall safely pass the 25-year flood event except when the impoundment height is greater than twenty feet or capacity exceeds twenty acre-feet; in which case the spillway shall safely pass the 100-year flood event.
(iv) By-pass ditches. If by-pass ditches are provided to transport runoff from unaffected lands, they shall be designed to pass the runoff from a 25-year precipitation event.
(v) Freeboard. Freeboard shall be provided to protect embankments and dikes from overtopping from wave action and shall be a minimum of one (1) foot above the high water level. For ponds less than two (2) acres, one-half (1/2) foot of freeboard may be acceptable.
(d) Construction.
(i) Soils used in constructing the pond bottom and dike cores shall be relatively incompressible, have a low permeability, and be free from organic material or trash. The soil shall be compacted at a water content that will insure structural stability, minimize hydraulic seepage, and minimize settling.
Rocks larger than six (6) inches in length shall not be placed within five (5) feet of the interior slope surface of any pond embankment. Material containing by volume less than 25 percent of rock larger than six (6) inches and less than twelve (12) inch in length dimension may be placed in the remainder of the embankment.
(ii) Outer dike slopes shall not be steeper than one (1) vertical to two (2) horizontal. Flatter slopes may be required to maintain slope stability. Inner dike slopes shall be sloped between one (1) vertical to four (4) horizontal and one (1) vertical to three (3) horizontal.
(iii) The minimum top dike width shall be sufficient to provide structural stability.
(iv) Riprap or other acceptable erosion control shall be installed on the inner dike slopes at all anticipated levels of water. Dikes cut into existing ground shall be exempted from riprap requirements. Ponds that have less than 2.0 acres of surface area shall also be exempted.
PART D: SEPTIC TANK AND/OR SOIL ABSORPTION SYSTEMS AND OTHER SMALL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS
Section 32. Reserved.
Section 33. Reserved.
Section 34. Reserved.
Section 35. Reserved.
Section 36. Reserved.
Section 37. Reserved.
Section 38. Reserved.
Section 39. Reserved.
Section 40. Reserved.
Section 41. Reserved.
Section 42. Reserved.
Section 43. Reserved.
Section 44. Reserved.
Section 45. Reserved.
Section 46. Reserved.
Section 47. Reserved.
PART E: STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF BIOSOLIDS AND THE REUSE OF TREATED NON-DOMESTIC WASTEWATER
Section 48. General.
This part contains the minimum standards for the design and construction of waste and wastewater land application facilities.
The permitting of biosolids facilities or the land application of biosolids is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Code of Federal Regulations at 40 CFR Part 503. In cases where the EPA does not issue a permit under 40 CFR 503, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division (WDEQ/WQD) will issue a permit. The WQD will require applicants to comply with the requirements of 40 CFR § 503.12, § 503.13, and § 503.14. The permit applications and permits will be reviewed and processed according to Chapter 3 of the Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
Section 49. Definitions Specific to Part E.
(a) "Overland flow land application system" is a system in which treatment is accomplished by the application of wastewater to a sloping, largely impermeable site. Treatment mechanisms include filtration, sedimentation, microbial oxidation, and crop uptake. Typical application rates range from 0.0392-0.3136 yd3/yd/hr.
(b) "Primary treatment level" (as related to pathogenic organism reduction) is that level of fecal coliform reduction (a minimum of 25 percent reduction) achievable by primary sedimentation in single cell discharging lagoons operated within the limits described in Part B, Section 13(c).
(c) "Biosolids" are solid, semi-solid, or liquid residue generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works. Biosolids include, but are not limited to, domestic septage; scum or solids removed in primary, secondary, or advanced wastewater treatment processes; and a material derived from biosolids. Biosolids do not include ash generated during the firing of biosolids in a biosolids incinerator or grit and screenings generated during preliminary treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works.
Section 50. Site Requirements.
(a) The method for determining the size of a particular land site for accomplishing the treatment level necessary to comply with an NPDES permit or to maintain a groundwater aquifer within its present class shall be based on the number of acres (hectares) required to reduce the waste constituent identified as requiring the largest land area, based on soil assimilative capacity. The ratio used for this determination is expressed as:
Required Land Treatment Area = G/C
Where:
G = generation rate = the yearly amount of the controlling constituent to be applied for land treatment. G is listed in kilograms per year (kg/yr) or pounds per year (lbs/yr).
C = plant-soil assimilative capacity = the yearly amount of the controlling constituent that can be assimilated by plant uptake, soil adsorption and accumulation, transformation or degradation, and allow survival and maintenance of indigenous or crop plant species. C is listed in kilograms per hectare per year (kg/ha/yr) or pounds per acre per year (lbs/ac/yr).
Wastewater constituents or categories of constituents from which the land-limiting factor will be selected are generally grouped as:
Organics Nitrogen
Phosphorus Heavy metals
Salts, acids and bases Water
Oil and grease
(b) Slope. Slow rate irrigation systems (generally less than 4.0 inches/wk application rate) will not be developed on slopes greater than 15 percent unless the site is terraced, gated pipe is placed on the contour, or vegetation, application rate and soil infiltration rate are such that runoff and erosion would not result.
Overland flow systems will not be developed on sites having less than two percent or greater than eight percent slope.
(c) Soil profile. The minimum depth of unsaturated soil strata on which a land treatment system may be developed is five (5) feet for a slow rate system and ten (10) feet for a rapid infiltration system, unless underdrains or pumped recovery wells are employed for lowering the water table. The applicant should refer to Part A, Section 5 for innovative technology permit requirements.
(d) Runoff and erosion. All land treatment sites will be protected from upslope runoff by diversion ditches capable of intercepting the overland flow from a 10-year 24-hour storm event, unless it is otherwise demonstrated that a storm of this size will not have an impact on the site. A runoff collection ditch is required at the base of overland flow slopes or on sloping irrigation sites where site conditions are such that over application of wastewater and/or seasonal precipitation events may threaten to pollute Surface Waters of the State. Provisions for storage, return and reapplication are required where a runoff collection ditch is required.
Section 51. Pretreatment Water Quality Requirement.
Pretreatment of wastewater shall provide sufficient organic and inorganic solids reduction, maintaining the estimated infiltration rate of the soil surface.
Section 52. Reserved.
Section 53. Reserved.
Section 54. Reserved.
Section 55. Irrigation Water Quality.
(a) The surface infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity of the soil profile shall be approximated by the appropriate tests and used in determining an average annual application rate.
(b) Indigenous or crop plant species shall be capable of survival and maintenance under the conditions of increased soil moisture, salinity, and alkalinity, the classes of which will be determined by use of Figure 1, Tables 1-3 and a soil textural analysis. Waste and wastewater analyses required for this evaluation include electrical conductivity (EC in umhos/cm @ 25C), sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), bicarbonate (HCO3), chloride (Cl-), sulfate (SO42-), Boron (B) and Selenium (Se), and calculation of the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) by use of the formula:
SAR =
(c) Numerical water quality criteria for special situations.
(i) For continuous and unrestricted irrigation of direct human consumption food crops or of parks, playgrounds, highway rest areas and rights-of-way (R.O.W.s), or domestic, commercial and industrial grounds with treated municipal wastewater effluent, the following quality criteria shall not be exceeded:
| pH | 4.5 - 9.0 s.u. | | --- | --- | | BOD | 10.0 mg/L Daytime | | BOD | 30 mg/L Dusk-Dawn | | TSS | 5.0 mg/L Daytime | | TSS | 100 mg/L Dusk-Dawn | | Fecal Coliforms | 200/100 mL (positive disinfection) | | TDS | 480.0 mg/L | | Electrical Condutivity, (EC) | 750 micromhos/cm@25C | | Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) | 10 | | Chlorides (Cl-) | 213 mg/L | | Sulfates (SO42-) | 192 mg/L | | Bicarbonates (HO3-) | Not greater than 50 percent of the total anion concentration in meq/L | | Aluminum (Al) | 5.0 mg/L | | Arsenic (As) | 1.0 mg/L | | Beryllium (Be) | 0.1 mg/L | | Boron (B) | 0.6 mg/L | | Cadmium (Cd) | 0.01 mg/L | | Cobalt (Co) | 0.5 mg/L | | Chromium (Cr) | 0.1 mg/L | | Copper (Cu) | 0.2 mg/L | | Iron (Fe) | 5.0 mg/L | | Lead (Pb) | 5.0 mg/L | | Lithium (Li) | 0.1 mg/L | | Manganese (Mn) | 10.0 mg/L | | Nickel (Ni) | 0.2 mg/L | | Selenium (Se) | 0.1 mg/L | | Vanadium (V) | 0.1 mg/L | | Zinc (Zn) | 2.0 mg/L |
(ii) For disposal of limited volumes of industrial wastewater and sludge of less than 10 percent solids, the following criteria shall not be exceeded:
| pH | 4.5 - 9.0 s.u. | | --- | --- | | Electrical Conductivity (EC) | 3,250 micromhos/cm @25C | | Total Dissolved Solids | 2,100 mg/L | | Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) | 26 | | Potassium | In combination with sodium, will not produce an SAR greater than 26 | | Chlorides (Cl-) | 1,500 mg/L | | Sulfates (SO42-) | 960 mg/L | | Bicarbonates (HCO3- ) | Not greater than 50 percent of the total anion concentration, meq/L | | Arsenic (as H3AsO4, Arsenious Acid) | 0.1 mg/L | | Boron (as H3BO3, Boric Acid) | 2.0 mg/L | | Chromium (Cr) | 1.0 mg/L | | Copper (Cu) | 1.0 mg/L | | Nickel (Ni) | 0.2 mg/L | | Selenium (Se) | 0.2 mg/L | | Zinc (Zn) | 2.0 mg/L | | Oil and grease | 20,000 lbs/ac when soil incorporated (surface 6 inches) 2,000 lbs/ac when surface applied |
(iii) All other continuous disposal land application systems will be approved on a site specific, case by case basis by use of the applicable standards and guidelines.
Section 56. Effluent Quality.
(a) Surface water protection. Discharge from a land treatment system to a surface water body will be regulated by the NPDES permit process.
(b) Groundwater protection. Percolation water from land treatment of waste or wastewater shall not degrade groundwater quality to the point at which it is no longer suitable for its current or potential use as described in Chapter 8 of the Wyoming Water Quality Regulations.
IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY
Permissibility Classes for Salinity
Class C1, low salinity: --
Good water with little or no likelihood of salt accumulation under the leaching provided by average irrigation practices, except where sub-surface drainage is inadequate.
Class C2, medium salinity: --
Can be used if a moderate amount of leaching occurs. Plants with moderate salt tolerance can be grown in most cases without special practices for salinity control.
Class C3, high salinity: --
Cannot be used on soils with restricted drainage. With adequate drainage, considerable excess water must be applied to each irrigation; irrigations must be made more frequently, and plants with a good salt tolerance should be selected.
Class C4, very high salinity: --
Not usable under ordinary conditions. On very light and permeable soils with excellent drainage, water may be usable with a large amount of excess leaching water, frequent irrigations, and very salt-tolerant crops.
Permissibility Classes for Alkalinity
Class S1, low sodium: --
Good for almost all soils and all Wyoming crops.
Class S2, medium sodium: --
Can cause alkali problems on heavy clayey soils, with low leaching, unless gypsum (or equivalent soil amendments) are present or added to the soils.
Class S3, high sodium: --
May create harmful levels of exchangeable sodium in all soils and will require special management--good drainage, high leaching, and organic matter additions. Soils containing natural gypsum may not develop alkali troubles. Chemical amendments may be necessary, but are not feasible with waters of very high salinity.
Class S4, very high sodium: --
Generally unsuited for irrigation. Special conditions of low salinity water, favorable gypsum content of soils, tolerant crops, and special management may permit use of these waters.
These water classes are based on recommendations of the United States Regional Salinity Laboratory and numerous state agricultural experiment stations.
TABLE 1 - Boron Class Limits
| | Limits -- parts per million | Description | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Class | Sensitive crops | Semi-tolerant crops | Tolerant crops | | | 1 | Below 0.33 | Below 0.67 | Below 1.00 | Very low. No effect on crops. | | 2 | 0.33 to 0.67 | 0.67 to 1.33 | 1.00 to 2.00 | Low. Very slight effect on crops. | | 3 | 0.67 to 1.00 | 1.33 to 2.00 | 2.00 to 3.00 | Moderate. Significant yield depression. | | 4 | 1.00 to 1.25 | 2.00 to 2.50 | 3.00 to 3.75 | High. Large yield depression anticipated. | | 5 | Over 1.25 | Over 2.50 | Over 3.75 | Very high. Non-usable. |
TABLE II - Selenium Class Limits
| Class | Limits -- parts per million | Description | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | 0.00 to 0.10 | Low. No plant toxicity anticipated. | | | 2 | 0.11 to 0.20 | Medium. Usable -- possible long-term accumulation under particular conditions and should be watched | | | 3 | 0.21 to 0.50 | High. Doubtful -- probably toxic accumulation in plants except under especially favorable conditions | | | 4 | Over 0.50 | Very High. Non-usable under any conditions. | | | | | | |
TABLE III. CHLORIDE AND SULFIDE LIMITS FOR
THREE CLASSES OF IRRIGATION WATERS
| | | Chlorides | Sulfates | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Class | meq/L | mg/L | meq/L | mg/L | | | I- | Excellent to good; or suitable for most plants under most conditions | less than 2-5.5 | 71.1 - 195.5 | 4 - 10 | 192 - 480 | | II- | Good to injurious; harmful to some under certain conditions of soil, climate and practices | 2 -16 | 71.1 - 568.0 | 4 - 20 | 192 - 960 | | III- | Injurious to unsatisfactory; unsuitable under most conditions | 6 -16 | 213 - 568 | 12 - 20 | 576 - 960 |
PART F: MOBILE HOME PARK AND CAMPGROUND SEWERAGE AND PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Section 57. General.
This part contains the minimum standards for the design and construction of mobile home park and/or campground wastewater facilities and public water supply systems.
Section 58. Sewage System Standards.
(a) If sewerage system services are to be provided by a second person, a letter of verification from the system manager stating that they are capable of handling added organic and/or hydraulic loads shall be provided by the owner/operator of the system.
(b) A mobile home park or campground sewerage system, treatment works and disposal system shall comply with Part A, B, C, and/or D of Chapter 11 except as follows:
(i) Mobile home park sewerage systems, treatment works and disposal systems shall be designed on the basis of not less than 350 gallons per site per day. Camp ground sewerage systems, treatment works and disposal systems shall be designed on the basis of not less than 100 gallons per site per day for all sewered sites or 75 gallons per site per day for all unsewered sites.
(ii) Sanitary sewers shall not be smaller than six inches in diameter. They shall be installed at a slope equal to or greater than 0.6 feet per 100 feet.
(iii) Not more than two mobile homes or campground sites shall be served by a sanitary sewer service connection pipe of a least four (4) inches in diameter, provided the main branch of the service pipe is served by a cleanout and provided it is not longer than fifty (50) feet. It shall be installed at a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot. The riser portion of the service connection pipe shall be constructed of cast iron or schedule 40 plastic pipe. The riser shall be terminated at least four (4) inches above finished grade and shall not be located closer than five (5) feet from a potable water service riser. The service connection pipe shall connect to the sewerage system at a maximum 45-degree bend in the direction of sewage flow.
(iv) Not more than one mobile home shall be served by a sanitary sewer service riser pipe. The riser shall be located so as to minimize the length of pipe required to connect the mobile home drain. The riser pipe shall be capped or plugged when not in use.
(v) The connection of the mobile home drain to the riser pipe shall be sealed.
(vi) If sewer service is provided to sites in a campground, the sanitary sewer service connection pipe shall comply with subsections (iii) and (iv) above.
(vii) Service connection pipes for campgrounds shall be trapped below the frost line.
Section 59. Potable Water Supply Standards.
(a) The potable water distribution system serving any building, mobile home lot, campground site or other appurtenance within a mobile home park or campground that is connected to a public water supply shall be considered an extension or modification of the public supply.
(b) If water is to be obtained from a public water supply, a letter of verification shall be provided from the public water supply system manager stating that the required flow can be supplied at a minimum pressure of twenty (20) pounds per square inch under all conditions of flow throughout the proposed distribution system. A normal working pressure of thirty-five (35) pounds per square inch shall be maintained in the distribution system.
(c) The public water supply serving mobile home sites, buildings and other facilities within a mobile home park shall be designed, constructed or installed and protected in accordance with Chapter 12 of the Water Quality Rules and Regulations, except as follows:
(i) The water supply source shall be capable of supplying the peak water demand to a mobile home park distribution system according to the following table:
| Homes | Gallons per Minute | | --- | --- | | 25 | 65 | | 50 | 105 | | 75 | 145 | | 100 | 180 | | 150 | 235 | | 200 | 285 | | each additional mobile home over 200 | 1 gpm |
(ii) If fire protection is provided, the flow required shall be in addition to the requirements of subsection (i) above.
(iii) Each mobile home shall be provided with a potable water service connection pipe. It shall be 3/4 inch nominal pipe size or larger. The riser portion of the pipe shall be constructed of type K copper or steel pipe from a point below the frost line to the point of connection to the mobile home piping. The riser shall terminate at least four (4) inches above finished grade and shall be protected from damage. The service connection pipe shall be provided with a curb stop below frost penetration. A stop and waste valve with a weep hole below grade shall not be used.
(iv) The distribution system shall be of sufficient size to supply the required volume of water at a minimum pressure of twenty (20) pounds per square inch under all conditions of demand. A working pressure of thirty-five (35) pounds per square inch shall be maintained under average day demand conditions. The distribution system mains shall not be smaller than 1 1/2 inches in diameter. If fire protection is provided, the distribution system shall meet the requirements of Chapter 12 of the Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(v) If the potable water is pumped to the distribution system from wells or storage facilities, the pumps shall be capable of meeting the maximum day demand with the largest pumping unit out of service.
(vi) Water storage facilities shall be provided when the potable water source cannot meet the peak demand.
(d) The public water supply serving campground sites, buildings and/or other facilities within a campground shall be designed, constructed and protected in accordance with Chapter 12 of the Water Quality Rules and Regulations except as follows:
(i) The public water supply source shall be capable of supplying water to a campground distribution system at a rate of 0.5 gpm/site.
(ii) Below ground stop and waste valves with weep holes below ground shall not be permitted.
(iii) A minimum pressure of twenty (20) pounds per square inch shall be maintained throughout the distribution system under all conditions of flow. A working pressure of thirty-five (35) pounds per square inch shall be maintained under average day demand conditions.
(iv) The distribution piping shall not be smaller than one inch in diameter. Service pipes shall not be smaller than 1/2 inch in diameter.
PART G: WELL CONSTRUCTION
Section 60. Reserved.
Section 61. Reserved.
Section 62. Reserved.
Section 63. Reserved.
Section 64. Reserved.
Section 65. Reserved.
Section 66. Reserved.
Section 67. Reserved.
Section 68. Reserved.
Section 69. Reserved.
Section 70. Reserved.
PART H: STANDARDS FOR THE REUSE OF TREATED DOMESTIC WASTEWATER
Section 71. Authority and Purpose.
(a) These regulations establish standards that address the primary health concerns associated with the reuse of treated wastewater. The regulations establish criteria to address the risk of pathogen exposure and infectious disease risks associated with various specified uses of treated wastewater. The regulations establish standards for the following:
(i) The level of wastewater treatment required;
(ii) Treatment reliability requirements;
(iii) Upper limits for water quality parameters;
(iv) Site access restrictions; and
(v) Management practices.
(b) In addition, the standards in this part include the parameters to be monitored, frequency of monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements when treated wastewater is reused.
(c) These regulations establish the degree of control required for wastewater reuse through site access limitations, management practices and crop restrictions that will be commensurate with the level of treatment provided, reliability of the treatment process, quality of the wastewater and the intended use. As the quality of the wastewater and the reliability of the treatment process increases, the regulatory controls are reduced to a level consistent with protecting public health and the environment.
(d) Pathogen reduction and public health impacts related to infectious disease agents are the major concerns associated with the reuse of treated wastewater. Chemical and toxic pollutants in treated domestic sewage are generally not a concern and are not targeted for state regulation in this chapter. There are additional constituents, such as total dissolved solids, that should be considered as part of an overall irrigation management program but are not regulated by this chapter.
Section 72. Applicability.
(a) These regulations apply to any person who prepares or applies treated waste-water from domestic sewage.
(b) These regulations are not applicable if the primary intent is to provide treatment and/or disposal of a wastewater. Treatment and disposal are regulated under appropriate sections of Chapter 11, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(c) If the reuse of treated wastewater involves the construction of facilities for the disinfection, delivery, storage or land application, a construction permit is required in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 3 and 11, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations. Such a permit constitutes approval to reuse the treated wastewater. This permit is not an operational permit and does not require periodic renewal. If there are no structural facilities requiring a construction permit, the reuse of wastewater will be authorized by a land application permit issued in accordance with these regulations. The land application permit is not an operational permit and does not require periodic renewal.
(d) These regulations are not applicable to the discharge of a treated wastewater that is subject to a discharge permit issued pursuant to Chapter 2, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(e) These regulations are not applicable to treated wastewater reused at reclamation sites regulated by the Land Quality Division under Article 4 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(f) These regulations are not applicable to treated wastewater reused for irrigation of grass, shrubs and trees at the treatment works.
(g) These regulations are not applicable to the disposal of gray water.
(h) These regulations are not applicable to groundwater recharge projects that are regulated by the Underground Injection Control Program of the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division.
Section 73. Definitions Specific to Part H.
The following definitions supplement those definitions contained in Section 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(a) "Agricultural land" is land on which a food crop, a feed crop, or a fiber crop is grown. This includes range land and land used as pasture.
(b) "Agronomic rate" is the wastewater application rate designed to: (1) provide the amount of nitrogen needed by the food crop, feed crop, fiber crop, cover crop, or vegetation grown on the land; and (2) minimize the amount of nitrogen in the treated wastewater that passes below the root zone of the crop or vegetation grown on the land to the groundwater.
(c) "Class A wastewater" is treated wastewater that has received advanced treatment and/or secondary treatment and a level of disinfection so that the maximum number of fecal coliform organisms is 2.2/100 mL or less.
(d) "Class B wastewater" is treated wastewater that has received the equivalent of secondary treatment and a level of disinfection so that the maximum fecal coliform level is greater than 2.2/100 mL but less than 200/100 mL.
(e) "Class C wastewater" is treated wastewater that has received the equivalent of primary treatment and a level of disinfection so that the maximum fecal coliform level is 200/100 mL or greater but less than 1000/100 mL.
(f) "Contaminate a groundwater aquifer" means to introduce a substance that causes the maximum contaminant level for water quality parameters specified in Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations to be exceeded or that causes the existing concentration of pollutants in groundwater to increase when the existing concentration of the parameters in the groundwater exceeds the maximum contaminant level specified in Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(g) "Direct human consumption food crops" are crops consumed directly by humans. These include, but are not limited to fruits, vegetables and grains grown for human consumption.
(h) "Domestic sewage" is waste and wastewater that is primarily from human or household operations that is discharged to or otherwise enters a treatment works.
(i) "Forest" is a tract of land thick with trees and underbrush.
(j) "Groundwater" is subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil material such that they may be considered water saturated under hydrostatic pressure.
(k) "Indirect human consumption crop" are crops utilized by grazing animals and are thereby one step removed from human consumption.
(l) "Land with a high potential for public exposure" is land that the public uses frequently and there are no restrictions or limitations on public access during irrigation periods. This includes, but is not limited to public parks, ball fields, cemeteries, plant nurseries, turf farms, golf courses and a reclamation site located in a populated area (e.g., a construction site located in a city).
(m) "Land with moderate potential for public exposure" is land that is accessible to the public but access is limited during irrigation periods. This would include the facilities in (n) where signing and fencing is provided to restrict access.
(n) "Land with a low potential for public exposure" is land that the public uses infrequently. This includes, but is not limited to agricultural land, forest, and a reclamation site located in an unpopulated area (e.g., a strip mine located in a rural area).
(o) "Municipal wastewater" means the discharge from a publicly owned or con-trolled treatment system receiving primarily domestic wastewater or a combination of domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater that is normally treated in a primary, secondary or advanced wastewater treatment process.
(p) "Pathogenic organisms" are disease-causing organisms. These include, but are not limited to certain bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and viable helminth ova.
(q) "Pasture" is land on which animals feed directly on feed crops such as legumes, grasses, grain stubble, or stover.
(r) "Permitting authority" is the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division.
(s) "Pollutant" is an organic substance, an inorganic substance, a combination of organic and inorganic substances, or a pathogenic organism that, after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into an organism either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through the food chain, could, on the basis of information available to the permitting authority, cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction), or physical deformations in either organisms or offspring of the organisms.
(t) "Pollutant limit" is a numerical value that describes the amount of a pollutant allowed per unit amount of wastewater (e.g., milligrams per liter).
(u) "Range land" is open land used for grazing by livestock and/or wildlife on which the natural potential plant community is dominated by grasses, grasslike plants, forbs and shrubs.
(v) "Reclamation site" is drastically disturbed land that is reclaimed using waste-water. This includes, but is not limited to, strip mines and construction sites.
(w) "Runoff" is rainwater, leachate, or other liquid that drains overland on any part of a land surface and runs off of the land surface.
(x) "Treated wastewater" is domestic sewage discharged from a treatment works after completion of the treatment process.
(y) "Treatment works" is either a publicly or privately owned device or system used to treat either domestic sewage or a combination of domestic sewage and commercial or industrial waste of a liquid nature.
Section 74. Compliance with Other Laws and Regulations.
Nothing in these regulations or the permits issued pursuant to these regulations shall be construed to relieve the recipient of a permit of the need to comply with any other law, rule or regulation. It is the duty of the permittee to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws or regulations in the exercise of activities authorized pursuant to these regulations.
Specifically, the permittee is responsible for complying with the water right requirements of the Wyoming State Engineers Office.
Section 75. Compliance Period.
(a) Compliance with the standards in these regulations shall be achieved as expeditiously as practicable, but in no case later than one (1) year after final adoption. When compliance with the standards requires construction of new or modified treatment facilities, compliance with the standards shall be achieved as expeditiously as practicable, but in no case later than two years after final adoption.
(b) Water reuse facilities operating under authority granted by the Department of Environmental Quality are required to notify the Department of the nature and requirements of the existing authorization. Existing authorized facilities are not required to comply with the requirements of these regulations unless the Administrator determines it is necessary to revise the existing authorization in order to protect public health and the environment. Existing facilities are required to comply with the monitoring and reporting requirements of Sections 83, 84, 85 and 86.
Section 76. Permits, Enforceability and Applications.
(a) The requirements in these regulations may be implemented through:
(i) A land application permit issued by the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division in accordance with these regulations;
(ii) A construction and operation permit issued by the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division in accordance with Chapters 11 and 3, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulation; or
(iii) A general statewide operation permit issued by the Water Quality Division, Department of Environmental Quality for the Land Application of Treated Waste-water.
(b) No person shall prepare or use treated wastewater except in accordance with the requirements of these regulations.
(c) Applications for permits shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations. The application materials submitted shall be adequate to demonstrate compliance with all requirements of this part. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the proposed reuse of treated wastewater will not endanger public health or the environment.
(d) The person who prepares treated wastewater and makes it available to another person for reuse shall provide, as part of the application required by Section 76 (c), a demonstration that all of the requirements of this chapter will be met. This will include access restrictions, management practices, record keeping and reporting requirements that may be the responsibility of another person who will apply the treated wastewater. This demonstration may be in the form of either a written agreement with the applier specifying his or her responsibilities or a separate permit application from the applier. If the method selected is an agreement, the agreement must cover appropriate access restrictions, management practices, record keeping and reporting requirements of this chapter. If the method selected is a separate permit for the applier the permit application by the applier must address the same requirements.
(e) Any person who prepares treated wastewater outside of the State to be applied within the State must either obtain a permit to land apply in accordance with this chapter or provide the wastewater to a person who has a permit.
(f) Any person who prepares treated wastewater outside of the State of Wyoming that is to be applied to land within the State of Wyoming and opts not to obtain a permit shall provide written notice, prior to the initial application of treated wastewater to the reuse site by the applier, to the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. The notification shall include the following:
(i) The location, by either street address or latitude and longitude, of each reuse site;
(ii) The approximate time period the treated wastewater will be applied to the site;
(iii) The name, address, telephone number, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit number (if appropriate) for the person who prepares the treated wastewater;
(iv) The name, address, telephone number of the person who will reuse the treated wastewater; and
(v) Documentation that the requirements of this regulation have been met.
Section 77. Exclusions.
(a) Treatment processes. These regulations do not establish requirements for processes used to treat wastewater.
(b) Selection of a reuse practice. This chapter does not require the selection of a reuse practice. The determination of the manner in which treated wastewater is to be reused is a local determination.
Section 78. General Management Practices.
(a) Treated wastewater shall be applied for the purpose of beneficial reuse and shall not exceed the irrigation need or demand of the vegetation at the site. Winter irrigation is considered to be beneficial reuse.
(b) Treated wastewater shall not be applied to agricultural land, forest, a public contact site, or a reclamation site at an application rate that is greater than the agronomic rate for the vegetation at the site.
(c) Treated wastewater shall not be applied in a manner that will contaminate a groundwater aquifer.
(d) Treated wastewater will be applied in a manner and time that will not cause any surface runoff to leave the application site and enter Surface Waters of the State.
(e) Direct human consumption food crops shall not be harvested for thirty (30) days after application of treated wastewater.
(f) Animals shall not be allowed to graze on the land for thirty (30) days after application of Class C treated wastewater.
(g) Fencing and signing shall be provided at sites where Class B treated wastewater is proposed for reuse on land with a moderate potential for public exposure.
(h) Signing shall be provided at sites where Class B or Class C treated wastewater is proposed for reuse on land with a low potential for public exposure in order to protect the health and safety of workers.
Section 79. Site Isolation Requirements.
No person shall reuse treated wastewater on an application site except in accordance with the restrictions specified below.
(a) Isolation of spray irrigation systems.
(i) Wind drift shall not leave the application site.
(ii) If Class A or Class B wastewater is reused for irrigation, a 30-foot buffer zone is required between the reuse site and adjacent property lines. Public right-of-ways may be utilized to meet this requirement for a buffer zone.
(iii) If Class C wastewater is reused for irrigation a 100-foot buffer zone is required between the reuse site and adjacent property lines and any public right-of-way.
(iv) A 30-foot separation distance is required between reuse sites and all surface waters.
(v) A 100-foot separation distance is required between reuse sites and all potable water supply wells.
(vi) Surface runoff shall not leave the application site.
(b) Isolation distances between reuse sites irrigated by flood irrigation systems.
(i) Surface runoff shall not leave the application site.
(ii) If Class A or Class B wastewater is reused for irrigation, a 30-foot buffer zone is required between the reuse site and adjacent property lines. Public right-of-ways may be utilized to meet this requirement for a buffer zone.
(iii) If Class C wastewater is reused for irrigation, a 30-foot buffer zone is required between the reuse site and adjacent property lines and any public right-of-way.
(iv) A 30-foot separation distance is required between reuse sites and all surface waters.
(v) A 100-foot separation distance is required between reuse sites and all potable water supply wells.
(c) Drip irrigation systems. The buffer zone requirements of Section 79(a)(ii) and 79(b)(ii) for Class A and B wastewaters may be met by the use of drip irrigation systems.
Section 80. Minimum Level of Wastewater Treatment.
Treated wastewater must receive the equivalent of primary treatment and a maximum fecal coliform value of less than 1000/100 ml in order to be reused in accordance with these regulations.
Section 81. Treatment Reliability.
(a) The ability of the treatment process to deliver the class of treated wastewater required for a particular use will be considered by the permitting authority when approving or denying wastewater reuse in accordance with Section 76. The criteria for evaluating treatment reliability may include the following as appropriate:
(i) Multiple units and equipment;
(ii) Alternative power sources;
(iii) Alarm systems and instrumentation;
(iv) Operator certification and stand-by capability;
(v) Bypass and dewatering capability;
(vi) Frequency of sampling;
(vii) Hydraulic and organic loading design capabilities; and
(viii) Emergency storage.
(b) Where treatment reliability cannot be provided by existing facilities, the reuse may be approved based upon the preparer's ability to dispose of the treated wastewater in an acceptable alternative manner or to reuse the treated wastewater for a less restrictive authorized reuse as indicated in Section 82.
Section 82. Authorized Reuse.
(a) Class A wastewater may be used for the following purposes:
(i) Irrigation of land with a high potential for public exposure;
(ii) Irrigation of land with a moderate potential for public exposure;
(iii) Irrigation of land with a low potential for public exposure;
(iv) Irrigation of direct human consumption food crops; and
(v) Irrigation of indirect human consumption food crops.
(b) Class B wastewater may be used for the following purposes:
(i) Irrigation of land with a moderate potential for public exposure;
(ii) Irrigation of land with a low potential for public exposure;
(iii) Irrigation of direct human consumption food crops; and
(iv) Irrigation of indirect human consumption food crops.
(c) Class C wastewater may be used for the following purposes:
(i) Irrigation of land with a low potential for public exposure; and
(ii) Irrigation of indirect human consumption food crops.
Section 83. Monitoring.
(a) Sampling. Representative samples of the treated wastewater that is to be reused shall be collected and analyzed by the person who prepares the wastewater.
(b) Methods. Waste constituents shall be analyzed in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136, Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants.
(c) Parameters. The treated wastewater shall be analyzed for the following:
(i) Fecal coliform;
(ii) Nitrate as N;
(iii) Ammonia as N;
(iv) pH;
(v) Parameters identified in 40 CFR Part 122, Appendix D, Table III, when required by the NPDES permit; and
(vi) Other parameters identified in the permit.
(d) Frequency for monitoring for these pollutants shall be:
(i) For lagoon systems, once per month or the frequency specified in the NPDES discharge permit whichever is more frequent;
(ii) For mechanical plants, once per week or the monitoring frequency specified in the NPDES discharge permit whichever is more frequent; and
(iii) For monitoring of parameters identified in Section 83 (c) (v), shall be conducted at the frequency specified in the NPDES discharge permit.
Section 84. Noncompliance Actions, Reporting and Monitoring Requirements.
In the event that the monitoring program identified in Section 83 indicates noncompliance with the fecal coliform levels associated with the class of wastewater and the appropriate authorized reuse identified in Section 82, the responsible party shall take the following actions.
(a) Discontinue the reuse of treated wastewater immediately. The responsible party may discharge in compliance with the requirements of an NPDES permit or convert to any authorized reuse that is consistent with the quality of the treated wastewater.
(b) Report the noncompliance to the permitting authority as soon as possible, but no later than the next working day.
(c) Initiate monitoring of the parameter in noncompliance on a daily or more frequent basis in order to adequately demonstrate that the treated wastewater can reliably meet the reuse criteria.
(d) Report the results on the noncompliance monitoring to the permitting authority. Upon adequate demonstration by the responsible party that the reuse criteria can be reliably met, the permitting authority may grant verbal and written authorization to re-institute the discontinued reuse.
(e) The responsible party shall provide a written report within fifteen (15) days of the resolution of the event that will contain the following:
(i) A description of the noncompliance and its cause;
(ii) The period of the noncompliance, including dates and times;
(iii) All monitoring data related to the noncompliance and the return to compliance; and
(iv) Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate or prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.
Section 85. Record Keeping.
(a) A person who prepares treated wastewater shall develop the following information and shall retain the information for five (5) years.
(i) The concentration of each applicable pollutant listed in Section 83 (c) in the treated wastewater at the frequency specified in Section 83 (d).
(ii) A description of how the minimum level of treatment requirements in Section 80 are met.
(iii) A description of how the treatment reliability requirements in Section 81 are met.
(iv) The following certification statement: "I certify, under penalty of law, that the level of treatment requirements in Section 80 of Chapter 11, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, the treatment reliability requirements in Section 81 and the water quality parameters have been met. This determination has been made under my direction and supervision. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification."
(b) A person who prepares treated wastewater shall obtain the following information from any person who reuses the treated wastewater and shall retain the information for five years.
(i) The location, by either street address or latitude and longitude, of each site on which treated wastewater is applied.
(ii) The number of acres on each site on which treated wastewater is applied.
(iii) The date and time treated wastewater is applied to each site.
(iv) The cumulative amount of treated wastewater applied to each site.
(v) The following certification statement: "I certify, under penalty of law, that the general management practices in Section 78 of Chapter 11, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, and the site isolation requirements in Section 79 have been met. This determination has been made under my direction and supervision. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification."
Section 86. Reporting.
(a) A person preparing treated wastewater shall submit the information in Section 85 (a) and (b) to the permitting authority on an annual basis.
(b) A person who reuses treated wastewater shall submit the information in Section 85 (b) to the person who prepares the treated wastewater on an annual basis if he or she is operating under an agreement with the applier. If the application is regulated by a permit, the information shall be submitted to the permitting authority.
Section 87. Operation and Maintenance Manual.
(a) Any person responsible for the application of treated wastewater shall provide an operation and maintenance manual as part of the agreement or permit application required by Section 75 (d).
(b) The operation and maintenance manual shall include the following:
(i) Description of the facilities;
(ii) Description of the application system;
(iii) Procedures for emergency operation and spill events;
(iv) Procedures for meeting permit and regulatory requirements;
(v) Maintenance and operation requirements for any mechanical equipment; and
(vi) Description of how the monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements of this chapter will be met.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Chapter 12 Design and Construction Standards for Public Water Supplies
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 1 Authority
These standards are promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, specifically, § 35-11-302.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 2 Applicability
(a) This Chapter contains the minimum standards for the design and construction of public water supplies that are required to obtain a permit under Wyoming Statute (W.S.) § 35-11-301(a)(iii) and Water Quality Rules Chapter 3.
(i) All applicants for a Water Quality Rules Chapter 3 permit to construct, install, modify, or operate a public water supply facility shall comply with all minimum standards of this Chapter.
(ii) No permit to construct, install, modify, or operate a public water supply facility shall be issued to a facility that does not comply with the minimum standards of this Chapter.
(iii) All public water supply facilities shall be constructed, installed, and operated in accordance with permits issued pursuant to this Chapter.
(b) The construction, installation, or modification of any component of a public water supply facility requires a permit to construct.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 3 Timing of Compliance with These Regulations
Any facility covered by an individual or general permit issued pursuant to Water Quality Rules, Chapter 3, prior to the effective date of this Chapter shall remain covered under that permit. New construction or modification of existing permitted facilities must obtain authorization under a new permit, in accordance with Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 4(d) or Section 5(e), subject to the requirements of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 4 Incorporation By Reference of Recommended Standards for Water Works 2018 Edition
(a) This Chapter incorporates sections of the Recommended Standards for Water Works, A Report of the Water Supply Committee of the Great Lakes--Upper Mississippi River Board of State and Provincial Public Health and Environmental Managers, 2018 Edition, also known as the "Ten State Standards," referred to as "2018 TSS," as noted in Section 8(a), Section 9(a), Section 10(a), Section 11(a), Section 12(a), Section 13(a), Section 14(a), Section 15(a), Section 16(a), Section 17(a), and Section 19(a)(lviii) of this Chapter.
(b) The State term "Administrator" shall replace the term "reviewing authority" used in the Recommended Standards for Water Works 2018 Edition.
(c) The State term "shall" shall replace the term "should" used in the Recommended Standards for Water Works 2018 Edition.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 5 Definitions
(a) The following definitions supplement those contained in W.S. § 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(b) "Auxiliary source of supply" means any water supply on or available to the water user's system other than an approved public water supply acceptable to the water supplier. These auxiliary waters may include water from another supplier's public potable water supply or any natural source(s), such as a well, spring, river, stream, harbor, and so forth; used waters; or industrial fluids. These waters may be contaminated or polluted, they may be objectionable or they may be from a water source that the water supplier is uncertain of sanitary control.
(c) "Average daily demand" means the total annual water use divided by the number of days the system was in operation.
(d) "Backflow" means the undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases, or other substances into the distribution system of the public water supply from any other source or sources.
(e) "Backflow incident" means any identified backflow to a public water supply distribution system or to the potable water piping within the water user's system benefitting from a water service connection to the public water supply distribution system.
(f) "Back-pressure" means a form of backflow caused when the pressure of the water user's system is greater than that of the water supply system whether caused by a pump, elevated tank, elevated piping, boiler, pressurized process, pressurized irrigation system, or air pressure.
(g) "Back-siphonage" means a form of backflow caused by negative or reduced pressure in the water supply system whether caused by loss of pressure due to high water demands, a line break, or excessive firefighting flows.
(h) "Calculated Dose" means the reduction equivalent dose (RED) calculated using the dose-monitoring equation that was developed through validation testing.
(i) "Contamination" means an impairment of a public water supply by the introduction or admission of any foreign substance that degrades the quality of the potable water or creates a health hazard.
(j) "Cross-connection" means any actual or potential connection between a potable water supply and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce contamination into the system.
(k) "Degree of hazard" means either a high or low hazard situation where a substance may be introduced into a public water supply through a cross-connection. The degree of hazard or threat to public health is determined by a hazard classification.
(l) "Domestic services" means services using potable water for ordinary living processes.
(m) "Dual check" means a device conforming to American Association of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE) Standard #1024 consisting of two independently acting check valves.
(n) "Groundwater source" includes all water obtained from dug, drilled, bored, jetted, or driven wells; springs that are developed so that the water does not flow on the ground and that are protected to preclude the entrance of surface contamination; and collection wells.
(o) "Hazard classification" means a determination by a Hazard Classification Surveyor as to high hazard or low hazard and the potential cause of backflow as either back-pressure or back-siphonage.
(p) "Hazard Classification Survey" means inspection of a premises to identify the potable water systems, the location of any potential cross-connections to the potable water systems, the hazard of the potential backflow, the physical identification of any backflow devices or methods present, and the inspection status of any backflow devices or methods recorded and certified by a qualified Hazard Classification Surveyor.
(q) "Hazard Classification Surveyor" means an individual certified by the USC- Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research as Cross Connection Control Specialist (USC-FCCCHR), the ASSE as a Cross-Connection Control Surveyor, or another state certification program submitted with the permit application and approved by the Administrator, or an individual who is a water distribution system operator also certified as a backflow device tester employed by the public water supplier for the service where the survey is being conducted.
(r) "High hazard" means a situation created when any substance that is or may be introduced into a public water supply poses a threat to public health through poisoning, the spread of disease or pathogenic organisms, or any other public health concern.
(s) "Isolated" when referring to cross-connections means the properly approved backflow prevention devices have been installed at each point of cross-connection within the water user's system.
(t) "Low hazard" means a situation created when any substance that is or may be introduced into a public water supply does not pose a threat to public health but that does adversely affect the aesthetic quality of the potable water.
(u) "Maximum daily demand" means the demand for water exerted on the system over a period of 24 consecutive hours, for the period during which such demand is greatest.
(v) "Maximum hourly demand" means the highest single-hour demand exerted on the system. This may or may not occur on the maximum day.
(w) "Mechanical sludge equipment" means the equipment used to physically remove solids from a water treatment process. This may include mechanical drives that use scrapers or differential water levels to collect the sludge.
(x) "Mineralized water" means any water containing more than 500 mg/L total dissolved solids.
(y) "Minor field change" means any in-field adjustment due to previously unknown physical constraints of the project site that do not affect the project's scope. Minor field changes still allow full compliance with the requirements of this Chapter and are shown on the submitted, post-construction as-built plan set for the Division in red.
(z) "Primary disinfection" means disinfection that kills or inactivates bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful organisms in drinking water.
(aa) "Reduction Equivalent Dose" means the ultraviolet (UV) dose derived by entering the log inactivation measured during full-scale reactor testing into the UV dose-response curve that was derived through collimated beam testing. RED values are always specific to the challenge microorganism used during experimental testing and the validation test conditions for full-scale reactor testing.
(bb) "Required Dose" means the UV dose in units of mJ/cm2 req needed to achieve the target log inactivation for the target pathogen.
(cc) "Secondary disinfection" means disinfection that provides longer lasting water treatment as the water moves through pipes to consumers.
(dd) "Stabilized drawdown" means a water level that has not fluctuated by more than plus or minus 0.5 foot for each 100 feet of water in the well over at least a six-hour period of constant pumping flow rate. The water column is measured from pre-test static water level to the top of the deepest water bearing fracture that contributes at least 10 percent of total well yield, and plotted measurements that have not shown a trend of decreasing water level.
(ee) "Surface water source" includes all tributary streams and drainage basins, natural lakes, and artificial reservoirs or impoundments upstream from the point of the water supply intake.
(ff) "Validated Dose" means the UV dose in units of mJ/cm2 delivered by the UV reactor as determined through validation testing that is compared to the required dose to determine log inactivation credit.
(gg) "Water service connection" means any water line or pipe connected to a distribution supply main or pipe for the purpose of conveying water to a water user's system.
(hh) "Water supplier" means any entity that owns or operates a public water supply, whether public or private.
(ii) "Water user" means any entity, whether public or private, with a water service connection to a public water supply and includes customers of a public water supplier.
(jj) "Water user's system" means that portion of the user's water system between the water service connection and the point of use. This system includes all pipes, conduits, tanks, fixtures, and appurtenances used to convey, store, or use water provided by the public water supply.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 6 Facilities and Systems not Specifically Covered by these Standards
(a) Each application for a permit to construct a facility under this section shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis using the best available technology. The Administrator may approve applications demonstrating the constructed facility can meet the purpose of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and this Chapter.
(b) The following information shall be included with the application for a permit to construct, install, modify, or operate a public water supply facility not specifically covered by these standards:
(i) Data obtained from:
(A) A full scale, comparable installation that demonstrates the acceptability of the design; or
(B) A pilot plant operated under the design condition for a sufficient length of time to demonstrate the acceptability of the design; or
(C) A theoretical evaluation of the design that demonstrates a reasonable probability the facility will meet the design objectives.
(ii) An evaluation of the flexibility of making corrective changes to the constructed facility in the event it does not function as planned.
(c) If an applicant wishes to construct a pilot plant to provide the data necessary to meet the requirements of this Section, the applicant must obtain a permit to construct.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 7 Permits, Permit Application, and Recordkeeping Requirements
(a) Applications for a permit to construct, install, modify, or operate a public water supply shall comply with the requirements of Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 6.
(b) The application shall include the following components:
(i) An engineering design report that meets the requirements of Section 9 of this Chapter;
(ii) A construction plan that meets the applicable requirements of Sections 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 of this Chapter;
(iii) An operation and maintenance plan that meets the requirements of Section 18 of this Chapter; and
(iv) Any additional information required by the Administrator.
(c) The application and components required by this Chapter shall be submitted to the Division in a format required by the Administrator.
(d) The application shall include certification under penalty of perjury that the applicant has secured and will maintain permission for Department personnel and their invitees to access the facility, including permission to:
(i) Access the land where the facility is located;
(ii) Collect resource data as defined by W.S. § 6-3-414(e)(iv); and
(iii) Enter and cross all properties necessary to access the facility if the facility cannot be directly accessed from a public road.
(e) Sections of permit applications that represent engineering work shall be sealed, signed, and dated by a licensed professional engineer as required by W.S. § 33-29-601.
(f) Sections of permit applications that represent geologic work shall be sealed, signed, and dated by a licensed professional geologist as required by W.S. § 33-41-115.
(g) The Administrator may allow an alternative two-step permitting and application procedure for wells and water storage tank project applicants that meet the following requirements:
(i) For applications that include wells, the Department will issue one permit with the following phased authorizations:
(A) The issued permit will authorize the well to be constructed, developed, and tested;
(B) Applicants shall then submit well test data and water quality data for Administrator review; and
(C) Upon the Administrator's approval of the well test data and water quality data, the Director shall modify the issued permit to authorize connection of the distribution system to the well.
(ii) Applicants for water storage tanks may follow an alternative procedure when the final plans and specifications for the tank cannot be submitted with the initial permit application due to project bidding constraints. In these instances, the Department will issue a permit through the following phased authorizations:
(A) The issued permit will authorize the project to initiate the bidding process. Applicants shall ensure the project bidding documentation includes a requirement that the final water storage tank design complies with the requirements of this Chapter.
(B) Applicants shall then submit final documentation and specifications for the water storage tank that demonstrate the design is consistent with the requirements of this Chapter. Upon the Administrator's approval of the final tank documentation specifications, the Director shall modify the issued permit to authorize the construction of the water storage tank and foundation.
(iii) Applicants that use phased authorization procedures in this paragraph (g) shall request a pre-application meeting with the applicable Division district engineer prior to submission of the permit application package to ensure efficient coordination of the submittals of all reports, plans, and specifications, and Division review timelines.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 8 Plans and Specifications
(a) 2018 TSS, part 1.2-1.2.2(r), plans; 1.3-1.3(e), specifications; 1.4-1.4(m), design criteria; 1.5, revisions to approved plans; and 1.6, additional information required; are herein incorporated by reference.
(b) All plans for waterworks and treatment facilities shall also include the name of the real estate owner, the owner of the project, and the location of the project.
(c) Plans for transmission and distribution lines shall include:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) A detailed plan view at a legible scale of each reach of the water line showing all existing and proposed streets, adjacent structures, physical features, and existing locations of utilities that indicates:
(A) The location and size of all water lines, valves, access manholes, air-vacuum release stations, thrust blocking, and other appurtenances; and
(B) Pertinent elevations.
(iii) Profiles of all water lines that are shown on the same sheet as the plan view at legible horizontal and vertical scales and that show:
(A) Profiles of:
(I) Existing and finished surfaces;
(II) Pipe size and material; and
(III) Valve size, material, and type.
(B) The location of all special features such as access manholes, concrete encasements, casing pipes, blowoff valves, and air-vacuum relief valves.
(iv) Special detail drawings scaled and dimensioned to show the following:
(A) The bottom of the stream, the elevation of the high- and low-water levels, and other topographical features at points where the water line:
(I) Is located within 10 feet of streams or lakes; or
(II) Crosses streams or lakes.
(B) A cross-section drawing of the pipe bedding; and
(C) Additional features of the pipe or its installation that are not otherwise covered by specifications.
(v) The location of any sewer lines within 30 feet horizontally of water lines. Sewers that cross water lines shall be shown on the profile drawings.
(d) Plans for storage tanks, pumping stations, and water treatment facilities shall show the relation of the proposed project to the remainder of the system and shall include:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) The seal and signature of the Wyoming Professional Engineer providing the design;
(iii) The site location and layout including:
(A) Topographic and physical features, including embankments;
(B) The proposed arrangement of pumping or treatment units;
(C) Existing facilities;
(D) Existing and proposed piping and valving arrangements;
(E) The route to access the facility;
(F) The power supply;
(G) Fencing; and
(H) The proposed location of clearwells, waste ponds, and sludge ponds.
(iv) Schematic flow diagram(s) and hydraulic profile(s) for facility-treated water;
(v) A flow diagram for sludge and wastewater flows; and
(vi) Plan(s) and section view(s) of each treatment facility process unit with specific construction details, features, and pertinent elevations including but not limited to the following:
(A) Inlet and outlet devices;
(B) Baffles;
(C) Valves;
(D) Arrangement of automatic control devices;
(E) Mixers;
(F) Motors;
(G) Chemical feeders;
(H) Sludge scrapers;
(I) Sludge disposal; or
(J) Other mechanical devices.
(e) Plans for well construction shall include:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) Assembled order, size, and length of casing and liners;
(iii) The well test method and allowable tolerance;
(iv) The locations of all caisson construction joints and porthole assemblies on drawings, if a radial water collector is proposed;
(v) From the ground surface to the total depth of the drilled borehole, the elevation and designation of geological formations, water levels, formations penetrated, and other details to describe the proposed well completely;
(vi) Screen locations, size of screen openings, and screen intervals;
(vii) The location of any blast charges, if available; and
(viii) Existing well test data, including:
(A) Test pump capacity-head characteristics;
(B) Static water level;
(C) Depth of test pump setting;
(D) Time of starting and ending each test cycle;
(E) Pumping rate;
(F) Pumping water level;
(G) Drawdown; and
(H) Water recovery rate and levels.
(f) Plans for water lines, pump stations, treatment facilities, wells, storage, or additions/modifications to existing systems or facilities shall be accompanied by technical specifications that include:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) Identification of construction materials;
(iii) When applicable, the type, size, strength, operating characteristics, rating or requirements for all mechanical and electrical equipment, including machinery, valves, piping, electrical apparatus, wiring, and meters; laboratory fixtures and equipment; operating tools; special appurtenances; and chemicals;
(iv) Construction and installation procedure for materials and equipment;
(v) Requirements and tests of materials and equipment to meet design standards;
(vi) Performance tests for the operation of completed works and component units;
(vii) Specialized requirements for tests, analyses, disinfection techniques, and other special needs;
(viii) A demonstration that all water service connections will be provided with backflow prevention devices in accordance with the requirements of Section 16(m) of this Chapter; and
(ix) If technical specifications have been independently permitted by the Department for statewide use, the title, date, and permit approval identification number in lieu of providing technical specifications.
Section 9 Engineering Design Report.
(a) 2018 TSS, parts 1.1-1.1.1(d), engineers report, general information; 1.1.2-1.1.2(c), engineers report, extent of water works system; 1.1.4-1.1.4(c), engineers report, soil, groundwater conditions, and foundation problems; 1.1.5-1.1.5(f), engineers report, water use data; 1.1.6-1.1.6(b), engineers report, flow requirements; 1.1.7-1.1.7.1(f), engineers report, sources of water supply, surface water sources; 1.1.7.2-1.1.7.2(g), engineers report, sources of water supply, groundwater sources; 1.1.8, engineers report, proposed treatment processes; 1.1.9, engineers report, sewerage system available; 1.1.10, engineers report, waste disposal; 1.1.15-1.1.15(d), engineers report, pumping facilities; 1.1.16-1.1.16(c), engineers report, storage; and 1.1.17-1.1.17(d), engineers report, security, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness; are herein incorporated by reference.
(b) An engineering design report shall be submitted with each application and shall include the following required elements:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) A description by narrative, analyses, and calculations of the project purpose and intent in order to support the project plans and specifications;
(iii) A description of known or suspected problems, needs, or requirements, and the reasoning used to arrive at the proposed solution;
(iv) An identification of problems and solutions related to but not limited to the following:
(A) Water quantity and quality;
(B) Compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. §300f et seq.; and
(C) Operational requirements, redundancy, maintenance, and reliability.
(v) A determination of the degree of hazard of all known or anticipated water service connections to be connected to the proposed project. A hazard classification shall be identified for each connection and recommended mitigation measures shall be described for each hazard.
(c) The engineering design report for all new water distribution system extensions shall include the following required elements:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) A description of the service area including scaled vicinity plan map(s) of the project with regard to adjacent and proposed development, elevations, and topographic features; and
(iii) Current and projected system water use data and flow requirements to include maximum hourly demand and per capita maximum daily flows;
(iv) Information on fire protection and fire flow capabilities of the proposed system.
(d) The engineering design report for all treatment facilities shall include the following required elements:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) A description of the facility site and location, including a scaled site plan, and:
(A) Present and projected facility property boundaries;
(B) Flood protection indicating predicted elevation of 25- and 100-year
flood stages;
(C) Present and proposed access for the purpose of operation, maintenance, and compliance inspection;
(D) Distances from:
(I) Current habitation;
(II) The closest major treated water transmission line;
(III) The closest treated water storage facility; and
(IV) The water source.
(E) Fencing and security;
(F) Topographic features and contours with indicated datum; and
(G) Soil and subsurface geological characteristics, including a soils investigation report of the proposed site suitable for structural design of the proposed facilities.
(iii) A description of the service area, including scaled vicinity plan map(s) of the project with regard to adjacent and proposed development, elevations, and topographic features;
(iv) A detailed description of the recycle flows and procedures for reclamation
of recycle streams; and
(v) A detailed description of disposal techniques for settled solids, including a description of the ultimate disposal of sludge.
(e) Engineering design reports for new surface water sources shall include the following required elements:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) A description of water quantity available during average and driest years of record that contains details of:
(A) Any diversion records; and
(B) Diversion dams, impoundments, or reservoirs that may impact design considerations or long-term water availability.
(iii) A tabulation of water quality data that describes the biological, radiological, and chemical water quality sufficient to determine necessary treatment processes that:
(A) For surface water source testing, include at least one sampling event during spring runoff and at least one sampling event during late summer or early fall low flow; and
(B) Includes data that are sufficient for the Division to determine that the processes safely and reliably comply with water quality standards required by 40 CFR Part 141.
(f) Engineering design reports for new groundwater sources shall include:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) A description of the geology of the aquifer(s) and overlying strata;
(iii) Tabulated water quality testing data for biological, radiological, and chemical water quality sufficient to determine necessary treatment processes and sufficient for the Administrator to determine that the processes safely and reliably meet water quality standards required by 40 CFR Part 141;
(iv) If known, a summary of the likely drilling and completion challenges that will be faced, including a description of the engineering design, management, monitoring, and drilling and completion practices that will be used to successfully construct the well in accordance with this Chapter; and
(v) For wells that will be drilled through multiple aquifers, applicants shall request a pre-application meeting with the applicable Division district engineer to discuss:
(A) The boring advancement, well sealing, well development, and methods used to determine the adequacy of the well seal; and
(B) The methods that will be used to overcome lost circulation, bore instability, and deviations from vertical alignment.
(g) Engineering design reports for conversion of an existing well into a public water supply well shall include the following required elements:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) The information required in paragraph (f) of this Section;
(iii) The submission of the State Engineer's Office (SEO) Statement of Completion and Description of Well; and
(iv) A video log of the well inspection accompanied by a written description of the location, shape, and estimated size of any holes, breaches, corroded areas in the casing, if any, that includes:
(A) If any damage to the casing is found, a description of how defective areas will be repaired and if there is a need for additional well bond logging; or
(B) If well bond logging is not recommended, a description of the technical justification and an alternative means of certifying the adequacy of the well seal to protect the water source.
(h) Engineering design reports for new water treatment facilities shall include the following required elements:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) A description of all water treatment chemical requirements, including dosage and feed rates, delivery, handling, and storage;
(iii) A description of automatic operation and control systems, including basic operation, manual override operation, and maintenance requirements; and
(iv) A description of the on-site laboratory facilities and a summary of those tests to be conducted on-site. If no on-site laboratory is provided, a description of plant control and water quality testing requirements, and where the testing will be conducted shall be included.
(i) Engineering design reports for water treatment facility modifications shall describe:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) The purpose of the facility modification;
(iii) All proposed new equipment, tankage, and chemical treatment processes, including a description of the modification's effect on treatment system reliability, water quantity and quality; and
(iv) A listing of the new equipment design criteria and the associated chemicals.
(j) Engineering design reports for water main upsizing or looping projects shall describe the purpose of the water main upsizing or looping project and shall include the following required elements:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) Hydraulic analysis that demonstrates how peak hour, average day, maximum day, and maximum day plus fire flows, if fire flows are available, will be improved by upsizing; and
(iii) A table that summarizes the hydraulic model results.
(k) Engineering design reports for water main removal and replacements shall describe the purpose of the replacement and identify the existing main size, material type, and condition, and shall include the following required elements:
(i) The information required in paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) For any main replacement(s), the replacement main size, material type, and dimension ratio;
(iii) For projects that consist of main replacements in multiple discrete locations, an aerial image that shows all replacement pipeline segments, including new valves, with called-out pipe diameters and lengths;
(iv) A description of the protective measures that will be taken at locations where the new water main will cross a sewer or storm sewer when standard horizontal and vertical separations cannot be met; and
(v) For projects where asbestos cement may be encountered, a discussion of the disposal, or abandonment method to be used.
(l) Engineering design reports for new water mains shall describe the purpose of the new water main and shall include the information required in paragraph (a) of this Section. If the water main will provide service to a new development the engineering design report shall include the following required elements:
(i) The modeling result from a hydraulic analysis that demonstrates that the design will meet the requirements of Section 16(d)(i-ii) of this Chapter;
(ii) A demonstration that the hydraulic model was calibrated based on existing fire hydrant test flow data, when available, or based on modeling; and
(iii) Identification of any impacts the new fire flow demand will have on finished storage and pumping systems over the required fire flow duration.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 10 Design and Construction Standards for Public Water Supplies
Design Requirements for Preliminary Treatment and Redundancy.
(a) 2018 TSS, parts 2.9-2.9(c), monitoring equipment; 2.10, sample taps; 2.11, facility water supply; and 2.14, piping color code are herein incorporated by reference.
(b) The proposed design shall demonstrate that the capacity of the water treatment or water production system is designed for the maximum daily demand at the design year based on historical usage records.
(i) Where water use records are not available to establish water use, the design shall include an equivalent per capita water use of at least 125 gallons per day (gpd) for average daily water demand and 340 gpd for maximum daily water demand.
(ii) The plant capacity design shall demonstrate consideration of:
(A) Maximum daily water demand;
(B) Agricultural water use;
(C) Industrial water use; and
(D) Filter backwash quantities. In the absence of data, filter backwash quantity shall be five percent of the maximum daily demand.
(c) The structural design shall demonstrate consideration of:
(i) The seismic zone;
(ii) Groundwater; and
(iii) Soil support that demonstrates:
(A) The applicant has conducted soils investigations or has included documentation of adequate previous soils investigations used to develop the structural design;
(B) Basin slabs have been designed to successfully resist the hydrostatic uplift pressure or include an area dewatering system; and
(C) Consideration of long-span breakage in basins designed to resist uplift.
(d) Proposed treatment facilities locations shall demonstrate that:
(i) No sources of pollution will affect the quality of the water supply or treatment system;
(ii) The facility location is not within 500 feet of landfills, garbage dumps, or wastewater treatment systems; and
(iii) All treatment process structures, mechanical equipment, and electrical equipment will be protected, accessible, and remain fully operational during the maximum flood of record or the 100-year flood, whichever is greater.
(e) Proposed treatment shall demonstrate that the facility will produce potable water that is bacteriologically, chemically, radiologically, and physically safe, as required by 40 CFR Part 141.
(f) Designs for proposed treatment facilities with 100,000 gpd capacity and over shall include duplicate units, as a minimum, for chemical feed, flocculation, clarification, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
(g) Designs for proposed treatment facilities under 100,000 gpd capacity shall include:
(i) Duplicate units as described in paragraph (f) of this Section; or
(ii) Finished water system storage equal to twice the maximum daily demand; and
(iii) Demonstration of consideration of plant design flexibility to account for future changes in source water quality, unexpected need to modify process piping, service area expansion, changing treatment technologies, and equipment life cycles and upgrades.
(h) All treatment facility pumping shall provide the maximum daily demand flow with the largest single-unit not in service. Finished water pumping in combination with finished water storage that floats on the distribution systems shall provide the maximum hourly demand with the largest single-unit not in service. For designs that include fire protection, pumping, and finished water storage that floats on the system shall provide the fire demand plus the maximum daily demand, or the maximum hourly demand, whichever is greater.
(i) Where the finished water storage volume that floats on the distribution system is not capable of supplying the maximum daily demand, the proposed design shall include alternative power for the finished water pumps that demonstrates:
(i) The combined finished water storage volume and pumping capacity supplied by alternative power will be at least adequate to provide the maximum daily demand; and
(ii) The alternative power source will include engine generators, engine drive pumps, or a second independent electrical supply that will provide sufficient power to run the system.
(j) Process equipment, filters and appurtenances, disinfection, chemical feed and storage, electrical and controls, and pipe galleries shall be located in suitable structures.
(k) All equipment not required to be in or on open basins, such as clarifier drives and flocculators, shall be located in heated, lighted, and ventilated structures.
(l) Piping shall be buried below frost level, placed in heated structures, or provided with heat and insulated.
(m) Structure entrances shall be above grade.
(n) Selected construction materials shall provide water tightness, corrosion protection, and resistance to weather variations.
(o) NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2020/NSF/ANSI/CAN 600-2021 certified coatings used to protect structures, equipment, and piping shall be suitable for atmospheres containing moisture and low concentrations of chlorine.
(p) Surfaces exposed in chemical areas shall be protected from chemical attack.
(q) Paints shall not contain lead, mercury, or other toxic metals or chemicals.
(r) All enclosed spaces shall be provided with forced ventilation, except pumping station wetwells or clearwells that meet the following requirements:
(i) In areas where there are open treatment units exposed to the room, ventilation shall be provided to limit relative humidity to less than 85 percent but not less than six air changes per hour; and
(ii) Ventilation in electrical and equipment rooms shall limit the temperature rise in the room to less than 15 degrees Fahrenheit above ambient with at least six air changes per hour.
(s) Service transformers and other critical electrical equipment shall be located above the 100-year flood and above grade. Transformers shall be located so that they are remote or protected by substantial barriers from traffic. Motor controls shall be located in superstructures and in rooms that do not contain corrosive atmospheres.
(t) All treatment facilities shall have a flow-measuring device provided for raw water influent and clear well effluent and each shall provide totalized flow. The accuracy of the device shall be at least plus or minus two percent of span and shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Automatic controls shall be designed to permit manual override; and
(ii) The meter shall also record the instantaneous flow rate.
(u) Water treatment plants shall be provided with continuous water turbidimeters (including recorders) that demonstrate compliance with the Guidance Manual for Compliance with the Surface Water Treatment Rules, Turbidity Provisions.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 11 Source Development
(a) 2018 TSS, parts 2.10, sample taps; 3.1.4.1-3.1.4.1(i), surface water, structures, design of intake structures; 3.1.4.3-3.1.4.3(f) surface water, structures, offstream raw water storage reservoir; 3.1.6-3.1.6.3, surface water, impoundments and reservoirs; 3.2.3.2, groundwater, location, continued sanitary protection; 3.2.4-3.2.4.14(b)(4), groundwater, general well construction; 3.2.5-3.2.5.4, groundwater, testing and records; 3.2.6.1-3.2.6.1(c), groundwater, aquifer types and construction methods--special conditions, sand or gravel wells; 3.2.6.2-3.2.6.2(b)(7), groundwater, aquifer types and construction methods--special conditions, gravel pack material; 3.2.6.4-3.2.6.4(d),groundwater, aquifer types and construction methods--special conditions, infiltration lines; 3.2.6.5-3.2.6.5(b), groundwater, aquifer types and construction methods--special conditions, limestone or sandstone wells; 3.2.7.3-3.2.7.3(c)(3), groundwater, well pumps, discharge piping and appurtenances, discharge piping; 3.2.7.4-3.2.7.4(d), groundwater, well pumps, discharge piping and appurtenances, pitless well units; 3.2.7.6, groundwater, well pumps, discharge piping and appurtenances, casing vent; 3.2.7.7-3.2.7.7(b), groundwater, well pumps, discharge piping and appurtenances, water level measurement; 3.2.7.8-3.2.7.8(b), groundwater, well pumps, discharge piping and appurtenances, observation wells; are herein incorporated by reference.
(b) Surface water intake structures that operate in the winter shall be capable of minimizing the formation of ice on the intake.
(c) Transmission lines and interconnecting process piping shall be capable of withstanding the forces and conditions they will be subject to and comply with the following specifications for water service, as applicable:
(i) AWWA C200;
(ii) AWWA C207;
(iii) AWWA C208;
(iv) AWWA C220;
(v) AWWA C228;
(vi) AWWA C300;
(vii) AWWA C301;
(viii) AWWA C302;
(ix) AWWA C303;
(x) AWWA C304;
(xi) AWWA C900;
(xii) AWWA C901;
(xiii) AWWA C903;
(xiv) AWWA C904;
(xv) AWWA C906;
(xvi) AWWA C907;
(xvii) AWWA C909;
(xviii) AWWA C950;
(xix) ASTM A53;
(xx) ASTM A134;
(xxi) ASTM A135;
(xxii) ASTM A139;
(xxiii) ASTM D2846;
(xxiv) ASTM F480;
(xxv) ASTM F645;
(xxvi) ASTM F877;
(xxvii) ASTM F23891;
(xxviii) ASTM F2806;
(xxix) ASTM F2855;
(xxx) ASTM F2969;
(xxxi) API 5L:
(A) Grade B;
(B) Grade X42;
(C) Grade X46;
(D) Grade X52;
(E) Grade X56;
(F) Grade X60;
(G) Grade X65;
(H) Grade X70; or
(I) Grade X80.
(d) Designs shall not include any customer service connection from the raw water transmission line to the treatment plant unless there are provisions to treat the water to meet the requirements of this Chapter, or the sole purpose of the service is for irrigation or agricultural water use. For irrigation agricultural services, applicants shall conduct a hazard classification and implement appropriate backflow prevention.
(e) Designs that include groundwater source development shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Proposed designs shall have a water sample tap installed on groundwater sources prior to treatment or water storage and shall include:
(A) Two wells that are each capable of supplying the average daily demand with the largest producing well out of service; or
(B) One well and finished water storage that together equal twice the maximum daily demand; or
(C) For public water supplies that, as determined by the Administrator, are neither community water systems nor nontransient noncommunity water systems, one well that is capable of supplying the maximum daily demand.
(ii) Wells shall maintain the following minimum isolation distances:
(A) If domestic wastewater is the only wastewater present and the design domestic sewage flow is less than 2,000 gpd, the following minimum isolation distance shall be maintained:
Table 1. Isolation Distances for Domestic Sewage Flows Less than 2,000 gpd
Source of Domestic Wastewater
Minimum Distance to Well
Storm and Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
50 feet
Septic tank
100 feet
Absorption system
200 feet
(B) If domestic wastewater is the only wastewater present and the design domestic sewage flow is greater than 2,000 gpd but less than 10,000 gpd, the following minimum isolation distances shall be maintained:
Table 2. Isolation Distances for Domestic Sewage Flows Greater than 2,000 gpd
Source of Domestic Wastewater
Minimum Distance to Well
Storm and Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
50 feet
Septic tank
100 feet
Absorption system
500 feet
(C) If domestic wastewater is the only wastewater present and the design domestic sewage flow is greater than 10,000 gallons per day or non-domestic wastewater is present the required isolation distance shall be determined by a subsurface study, in accordance with the requirements of Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 4, but shall not be less than those required in Tables 1 and 2 of this Section.
(iii) Wells shall maintain the following minimum isolation distances from buildings and property lines:
(A) When a well is outside of a building, the well shall be located so that the surface casing has a clearance radius of a minimum of 10 feet horizontally and will clear any projection from the building;
(B) When a well is located inside a building:
(I) The top of the casing and any other well opening shall not terminate in the basement of the building, or in any pit or space that is below natural ground surface unless the well is completed with a properly protected submersible pump or provided with provisions for drainage to the ground surface that is not subject to flooding by surface water;
(II) Wells located in a structure shall be accessible to pull the casing, pipe, or pump; and
(III) The structure shall have overhead access.
(C) Wells shall be located at least 50 feet from any property line.
(iv) Applicants for wells shall complete testing and maintain records as follows:
(A) Yield and drawdown tests shall be performed on every production well after construction or subsequent treatment and prior to placement of the permanent pump. The test methods shall be clearly indicated in the specifications. The test pump capacity, at maximum anticipated drawdown, shall be at least 1.5 times the design rate anticipated. The well shall be test pumped at the desired yield (design capacity) of the well for at least 24 consecutive hours after stabilized drawdown. Alternatively, the well may be pumped at a rate of 150 percent of the desired yield for at least six continuous hours after stabilized drawdown.
(B) Every well shall be tested for plumbness and alignment in accordance with AWWA A100.
(v) In addition to meeting the requirements of Section 8 of this Chapter, plans for wells developed through acidizing activities shall also include the following elements:
(A) Information on the geology of the area that contains descriptions of:
(I) Known or potential faults, fractures, springs, karst features (such as sinkholes and other similar features) within a one-mile radius of the proposed well; and
(II) Faults and fractures that may extend from the acidized zone into overlying and underlying geologic formations and a description of any measures that will be taken to ensure that the acidized solution does not migrate into any of those geologic formations.
(B) For wells developed within a radius of one mile of existing wells, applicants shall submit plans that analyze the risk and mitigation measures to be taken to prevent impacts to those wells and the risk and mitigation measures for any potential effects to each existing well;
(C) Existing information on the location of other wells (such as water supply, oil and gas, mineral development wells) within a one-mile radius of the proposed well, including any wells that intercept the acidized zone, and for wells that intercept the acidized zone:
(I) An analysis of whether or not those wells that intercept the acidized zone have been properly plugged and abandoned;
(II) An analysis of whether or not those wells have been properly cased and cemented; and
(III) A description of what measures will be or have been taken to prevent the acidized solution from migrating vertically in the annular space or casing of the existing wells into overlying or underlying geologic formations.
(D) A description of the borehole drilling phase and what measures will be taken to minimize the introduction of lost circulation materials into aquifers when encountering under-pressured geologic formations or other factors that may lead to a loss of circulation;
(E) A description of the acid injection process and the measures that will be taken to ensure that injection pressures do not create fractures in the overlying and underlying geologic formations and through which the acidized solution may migrate;
(F) A description of the volume and content of the acid and any other chemical compounds to be used during acidizing activities, including the management of the acid and chemical compounds prior to acidizing and final disposition of any acid, water, or chemical mixtures recovered from the well after acidizing activities are completed;
(G) A description of the measures that will be or have been taken to ensure that the recovery of the acidized solution is of sufficient duration and volume to eliminate the potential for acidic impacts to other wells completed within the injection zone; and
(H) A description of the methods to be performed to establish the placement and integrity of the annular seal and casing prior to acidization of the well.
(vi) During any well construction or modification, the well and surrounding area shall be adequately protected to prevent any groundwater contamination. Surface water shall be diverted away from the construction area.
(vii) All wells shall comply with the following construction standards:
(A) Dug wells shall be constructed according to the State Engineer's standards;
(B) Drilled, driven, jetted, or bored wells shall have an unperforated casing that extends from a minimum of 12 inches above the concrete surface and 18 inches above natural ground surface and the design shall demonstrate compliance with Water Quality Rules, Chapter 26, Section 8;
(C) In gravel-packed wells or artificial filter-packed wells, aquifers containing inferior quality water shall be sealed by pressure grouting, or with special packers or seals, to prevent such water from moving vertically in gravel-packed portions of the well. Gravel-packed wells shall meet the following sealing requirements:
(I) If a permanent surface casing is not installed, the annular opening between the casing and the drill hole shall be sealed in the top 10 feet with concrete or cement grout; or
(II) If a permanent surface casing is installed, it shall extend to a depth of at least 10 feet. The annular opening between this outer casing and the inner casing shall be covered with a metal or cement seal.
(D) When naturally flowing water is encountered in a well, unperforated casing shall extend into the confining layer overlying the water-bearing zone. This casing shall be adequately sealed with cement grout into the confining zone and shall extend at least 10 feet into the target aquifer to prevent both surface and subsurface leakage from the water-bearing zone. The method of construction shall be such that during the placing of the grout and the time required for it to set, no water shall flow through or around the annular space outside the casing, and no water pressure sufficient to disturb the grout prior to final set shall occur. Drilling operations shall not be continued into the water-bearing zone until the grout has set completely. If leakage occurs around the well casing or adjacent to the well, the well shall be recompleted with any seals, packers, or casing necessary to eliminate the leakage completely.
(I) Flowing wells shall be constructed to control the flow of water from the well. The well grouting shall be engineered to prevent the movement of water along the well casing and to prevent the migration of pressurized water into upper aquifers. A flow control device shall be installed into the wellhead to control the flow of water from the well. The well discharge or overflow line installations must connect to the well casing at least 12 inches above ground and be valved. The size of the air gap between the overflow line from the well to drainage structure shall be twice the diameter of the well overflow pipe. Overflow water must be drained and diverted to prevent ponding around the well casing.
(II) There shall be no direct connection between any discharge pipe and a sewer or other source of pollution and all terminations shall provide for an air gap of 3 pipe diameters for drain or overflow above an opening to a sanitary or storm sewer.
(E) If mineralized water or water known to be polluted is encountered during the construction of a well, the aquifer or aquifers containing such inferior quality of water shall be adequately cased or sealed off to prevent water from entering the well and to prevent water from moving up or down the annular space.
(I) For wells that penetrate multiple aquifers, mineralized water shall be excluded from the well if water is taken from other, non-mineralized aquifers.
(II) Applicants that propose to use mineralized water as a public water supply shall demonstrate that any necessary treatment will comply with the drinking water quality standards required by 40 CFR Part 141.
(F) Existing oil or gas wells, private water wells, or exploration test holes that can be completed to conform to all minimum construction standards required by this Chapter may be converted for use as a public water supply well. The permit application shall identify all actions to be completed to achieve compliance with this Chapter.
(viii) The minimum grout thickness for public water supply wells shall be determined in accordance with AWWA Standard A100, part 4.7.8.3.
(ix) Well seals shall meet the following requirements:
(A) The annular space shall be sealed to protect against contamination or pollution by the entrance of surface or shallow subsurface waters; and
(B) Annular seals shall be installed to provide protection for the casing against corrosion, to ensure the structural integrity of the casing, and to stabilize the upper formation.
(x) Upper terminal well designs that include a concrete floor shall demonstrate a slope of one inch per foot away from the casing.
(xi) Well pumps shall be located at a point above the top of the well screen.
(xii) An accessible check valve that is not located in the pump column shall be installed in the discharge line of each well between the pump and the shut-off valve. Additional check valves shall be located in the pump column as necessary to prevent negative pressures on the discharge piping.
(xiii) A pitless adaptor or well house shall be used where needed to protect the water system from freezing.
(xiv) A frost pit may be used only in conjunction with a properly protected pitless adaptor.
(xv) Wells with diameters that are greater than four inches shall be equipped with an air line for water level measurements or, in the case of a flowing artesian well, with a pressure gauge that will indicate pressure.
(xvi) An instantaneous and totalizing flow meter equipped with nonvolatile memory shall be installed on the discharge line of each well in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Meters installed on systems with variable frequency drives shall be capable of accurately reading the full range of flow rates.
(xvii) Test wells and groundwater sources that are sealed for plugging and abandonment in accordance with requirements of Water Quality Rules Chapter 26, Section 11 shall be sealed by filling with neat cement grout. The filling materials shall be applied to the well hole through a pipe, or tremie.
(xviii) Designs for groundwater sources that are subject to 40 CFR 141.402(a)(1)(i) and either 40 CFR 141.402(a)(1)(ii) or 40 CFR 141.402(a)(1)(iii) shall demonstrate compliance with 40 CFR 141.402(e).
(f) Facilities that include spring development shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Spring collection systems shall be constructed to collect spring water while preventing contamination of the source from the ground surface or other contaminant sources.
(ii) Seepage springs shall have a trench for the collection site that extends at least six inches into the impervious layer, but not entirely through the impervious layer. Concentrated springs shall be developed down to bedrock.
(iii) A bed of clean and disinfected rock that extends the width of the spring from which water is being collected shall be installed at the collection site.
(iv) The collection site shall:
(A) Be covered with 60 mil plastic sheeting or an equivalent puncture-proof and water-proof barrier; and
(B) Be protected from damage during back-fill and re-grading of the site to the original surface elevation with protective fabric or sand.
(v) Collecting walls shall be:
(A) Constructed immediately downstream of the collection site; and
(B) Made of concrete, or other material that meets the requirements of Section 15(b)(ii) of this Chapter;
(vi) The spring water collection pipe shall be installed in accordance with the USDA NRCS Part 631 National Engineering Handbook, Chapter 32, part 631.3201(b)(iii) for delivery pipes and shall meet the following requirements:
(A) The size of the collection pipe shall be sufficient to convey the flow of the spring; and
(B) Pipe material and appurtenances shall comply with allowable well construction material for water distribution in accordance with the standards listed in paragraph (c) of this Section.
(vii) Appropriate bedding and cover material shall protect the spring collection system from damage and freezing.
(viii) The Administrator shall determine the spring protection area, based on the information submitted in the engineering design report required by Section 8 of this Chapter, which shall be no less than the isolation distances in (e)(ii) of this Section. The Administrator may require additional setback distances if the engineering design report demonstrates the additional distance is required to prevent contamination of the source from the ground surface or other contaminant sources.
(ix) All potential sources of contamination shall be removed from the spring protection area.
(x) The spring collection site shall include fencing or other protective features that are constructed and secured to exclude large animals and unauthorized persons from entering the protection area.
(A) Fencing shall be designed to withstand animals and snow loading. Other protective systems may be proposed.
(B) Fencing shall include an entry point to allow access by authorized persons for inspection and maintenance activities.
(xi) The spring collection site shall include a diversion ditch that is constructed on the upstream side of the spring collection site to route surface water flows away from the collection area. The diversion ditch shall be located a minimum of 10 feet away from the collection wall.
(xii) The spring collection site shall be equipped to disinfect water prior to distribution and shall include sampling ports before and after the disinfection application point. The equipment shall be maintained and available to operate for its intended use.
(xiii) Spring box designs shall comply Section 15(a), (b), (f-j), and (l) of this Chapter. Combined spring box and finished water storage designs shall comply with Section 15 of this Chapter.
(xiv) All designs for the spring collector box and collecting walls shall be performed by a Wyoming registered professional engineer. The plans or contractor furnished information shall be signed and sealed by a Wyoming registered professional engineer.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 12 Treatment
(a) 2018 TSS, parts 4.2.1, 4.2.1(b)-(c), clarification, presedimentation; 4.2.2-4.2.2(c), clarification, coagulation; 4.2.4, 4.2.4(b)-4.2.4(d)(3), coagulation, sedimentation; 4.3.1.1, filtration, rapid rate gravity filters, pretreatment; 4.3.1.4-4.3.1.4(o), filtration, rapid rate gravity filters, structural details and hydraulics; 4.3.1.6-4.3.1.6(d)(2)(d), filtration, rapid rate gravity filters, filter material; 4.3.1.6(d)(4), filtration, rapid rate gravity filters, filter material, granular activated carbon (GAC); 4.3.1.6(e)-4.3.1.6(e)(1)(b), filtration, rapid rate gravity filters, filter material, support media; 4.3.3.6-4.3.3.6(b), filtration, diatomaceous earth filtration, pre-coat; 4.3.3.7-4.3.3.7(c), filtration, diatomaceous earth filtration, body feed; 4.3.3.8-4.3.3.8(e), filtration, diatomaceous earth filtration, filtration; 4.3.3.10- 4.3.3.10(a)(4), filtration, diatomaceous earth filtration, appurtenances; 4.3.4.2, filtration, slow sand filters, number; 4.3.4.4, filtration, slow sand filters, rates of filtration; 4.3.4.5, filtration, slow sand filters, underdrains; 4.3.4.6-4.3.4.6(e), filtration, slow sand filters, filter material; 4.3.4.7, filtration, slow sand filters, filter gravel; 4.3.4.8, filtration, slow sand filters, depth of water on filter beds; 4.3.4.9, 4.3.4.9(b), (e) and (f), filtration, slow sand filters, control appurtenances; 4.4.1- 4.4.1(b), disinfection, contact time, CT, and point(s) of application; 4.4.3- 4.4.3(d) and (f), disinfection, testing equipment; 4.4.4.3, disinfection, chlorine, automatic switch-over; 4.4.4.7, disinfection, chlorine, cross-connection protection; 4.4.4.8, disinfection, chlorine, pipe material; 4.4.5, disinfection, chloramines; 4.4.6.1, disinfection, ozone, design considerations; 4.4.6.2- 4.4.6.2(e), disinfection, ozone, feed gas preparation; 4.4.6.3- 4.4.6.3(d), disinfection, ozone, ozone generator; 4.4.6.4-4.4.6.4(b), disinfection, ozone, ozone contactors; 4.4.6.5-4.4.6.5(g), disinfection, ozone, ozone destruction unit; 4.4.6.6, disinfection, ozone, piping materials; 4.4.6.7-4.4.6.7(c), disinfection, ozone, joints and connections; 4.4.6.8-4.4.6.8(h), disinfection, ozone, instrumentation; 4.4.6.9-4.4.6.9(h), disinfection, ozone, alarms; 4.4.6.11-4.4.6.11(c), disinfection, ozone, construction considerations; 4.5.1, softening, lime or lime-soda process; 4.5.1.1, softening, lime or lime-soda process, hydraulics; 4.5.1.3, softening, lime or lime-soda process, chemical feed point; 4.5.1.4, softening, lime or lime-soda process, rapid mix; 4.5.1.5, softening, lime or lime-soda process, stabilization; 4.5.1.6-4.5.1.6(b), softening, lime or lime-soda process, sludge collection; 4.5.1.7, softening, lime or lime-soda process, sludge disposal; 4.5.1.8, softening, lime or lime-soda process, disinfection; 4.5.1.9, softening, lime or lime-soda process, plant start-up; 4.5.2.1, softening, cation exchange process, pre-treatment requirements; 4.5.2.2, softening, cation exchange process, design; 4.5.2.3, softening, cation exchange process, design; 4.5.2.4, softening, cation exchange process, depth of resin; 4.5.2.5, softening, cation exchange process, flow rates; 4.5.2.7, softening, cation exchange process, underdrains and supporting gravel; 4.5.2.8, softening, cation exchange process, brine distribution; 4.5.2.9, softening, cation exchange process, cross-connection control; 4.5.2.10, softening, cation exchange process, bypass piping and equipment; 4.5.2.11, softening, cation exchange process, additional limitations; 4.5.2.12, softening, cation exchange process, sampling taps; 4.5.2.13-4.5.2.13(f), softening, cation exchange process, brine and salt storage tanks; 4.5.2.14, softening, cation exchange process, salt and brine storage capacity; 4.5.2.15, softening, cation exchange process, brine pump or eductor; 4.5.2.18, softening, cation exchange process, construction materials; 4.5.2.19, softening, cation exchange process, housing; 4.5.3, softening, water quality test equipment; 4.6-4.6.14, anion exchange treatment; 4.7-4.7.11, aeration; 4.8, iron and manganese control; 4.8.1-4.8.1.3, iron and manganese control, removal by oxidation, detention and filtration; 4.8.2, iron and manganese control, removal by the lime-soda softening process; 4.8.3-4.8.3(f), iron and manganese control, removal by manganese coated media filtration;-4.8.4, iron and manganese control, removal by ion exchange; 4.8.6-4.8.6(d), iron and manganese control, sequestration by polyphosphates; 4.8.7-4.8.7(e), iron and manganese control, sequestration by sodium silicates; 4.8.8, iron and manganese control, sampling taps; 4.9.3-4.9.3(e), stabilization and corrosion control, carbon dioxide addition; 4.9.5, 4.9.5(c)-4.9.5(c)(9), stabilization and corrosion control, phosphates, design; 4.9.6-4.9.6.1(c)(4), stabilization and corrosion control, pH/alkalinity adjustment; 4.10, taste and odor control; 4.10.1, taste and odor control, flexibility; 4.10.2, taste and odor control, chlorination; 4.10.3, taste and odor control, chlorine dioxide; 4.10.4-4.10.4(f), taste and odor control, powdered activated carbon; 4.10.8, taste and odor control, potassium permanganate; 4.11, membrane technologies for public water supplies; 4.11.1-4.11.1(c), membrane technologies for public water supplies, pilot study/preliminary investigations; 4.11.2-4.11.2(l)(4), membrane technologies for public water supplies, general design considerations; 4.11.3-4.11.3(h), membrane technologies for public water supplies, systems treating surface water or GWUDI; 5.4.7-5.4.7(f), specific chemicals, fluoride; 5.4.8, specific chemicals, activated carbon; 9.3-9.3(a)(2), precipitative softening sludge, lagoons; 9.4.1-9.4.1(h), alum sludge, lagoons; 9.5-9.5.1(k), red water waste, sand filters; 9.5.2-9.5.2(g), red water waste, lagoons; 9.5.3, red water waste, discharge to community sanitary sewer; are herein incorporated by reference.
(b) The capacity of the water treatment or water production system shall be designed for the maximum daily demand at the design year.
(c) Presedimentation shall be required for raw waters that have episodes of turbidity in excess of 1,000 Nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) for a period of one week or longer.
(d) Basins shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Basins without mechanical sludge collection equipment shall have a minimum detention time of three days;
(ii) Basins with mechanical sludge collection equipment shall have a minimum detention time of three hours;
(iii) Basins shall have a bottom slope to drain of ¼ inch per foot without mechanical sludge collection equipment and two inches per foot with mechanical sludge collection equipment; and
(iv) Basins shall have a minimum of one, eight-inch drain line to completely dewater the facility.
(e) Rapid dispersal of chemicals throughout the water shall be accomplished by mechanical mixers, jet mixers, static mixers, or hydraulic jump and shall meet the following requirements:
(i) For mechanical mixers, the minimum Gt (velocity gradient (sec-1) x t (sec)) provided at maximum daily flow shall be 27,000;
(ii) The detention time in a flash mixing chamber shall not exceed 30 seconds at maximum daily flow conditions; and
(iii) The basin shall have a drain.
(f) Flocculation shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Mechanical flocculators shall be used for low-velocity agitation of chemically treated water.
(ii) The minimum detention time of 10 minutes shall be provided.
(iii) Basins shall have a minimum of one drain line to dewater the facility.
(iv) The velocity gradient (G value) shall be adjustable through the use of variable speed drives. The velocity gradient for single basin systems shall be 30 sec-1, 20 sec-1 in the final basin of a two-stage system, and 10 sec-1 in the final basin of a three-stage system.
(v) The tip speed for a single-speed drive system shall not exceed 3 feet per
second (ft/sec). Variable speed drives shall provide tip speeds between 0.5 and 3.0 ft/sec.
(vi) The velocity of flocculated water through pipes or conduits to settling basins shall not be less than 0.5 ft/sec or greater than 1.5 ft/sec.
(g) Sedimentation basins shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) The maximum diameter in circular basins shall be 80 feet.
(ii) The minimum basin side water depth shall be eight feet if mechanical sludge collection equipment is provided or basin sludge hopper segments are less than 100 square feet in surface area and 15 feet if basins are manually cleaned.
(iii) The outer walls of the settling basin shall extend at least 12 inches above the surrounding ground and provide at least 12 inches of freeboard to the water surface. Where the basin walls are less than four feet above the surrounding ground, a fence or other debris barrier shall be provided on the wall.
(iv) Basin bottoms shall slope toward the drain at not less than one inch per foot where mechanical sludge collection equipment is provided and ¼ inch per foot where no mechanical sludge collection equipment is provided.
(v) The basin overflow rate shall not exceed 1,000 gpd/ft2 at design conditions.
(vi) Mechanical sludge collection shall be provided if settleable organics are present in the water or the source water exceeds secondary maximum contaminant levels identified at 40 CFR 143.3.
(vii) Pipes for removing sludge shall not be less than six inches in diameter and arranged to facilitate cleaning. Valves on sludge lines shall be located outside the tank.
(h) Facilities with softening sedimentation or clarification for softened groundwater sources shall meet the following requirements:
(i) The basin overflow rate shall not exceed 21,000 gpd/ft2 at the design flow; and
(ii) Mechanical sludge removal shall be provided and shall be designed to handle a load of 40 lbs/ft of collector scraper arm length.
(i) Solids contact units are acceptable for combined softening and clarification of well water where water quality characteristics are not variable and flow rates are uniform and consistent. Solids contact units shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (e) of this Section and may be considered under the following circumstances:
(i) Solids contact units may be considered for use as clarifiers without softening when they are designed as conventional sedimentation units; and
(ii) Solids contact units may be used for other treatment processes such as rapid mixing or flocculation when the individual components of the units are designed for that specific treatment process.
(j) Tube clarifiers that are horizontal or steeply inclined may be used when designed as follows:
(i) The maximum flow rate shall be less than 2.0 gpm/ft2 based on the surface area of the basin covered by the tubes;
(ii) The top of the tubes shall be more than 12 inches from the underside of the launder and more than 18 inches from the water surface and the spacing of the effluent launder shall not be more than three times the distance from the water surface to the top of the tube modules;
(iii) Sludge shall be removed using 45-degree or steeper hoppered bottoms, mechanical devices that move the sludge to hoppers, or devices that remove settled sludge from the basin floor using differential hydraulic level; and
(iv) A method of tube cleaning shall be provided that may include provisions for a rapid reduction in clarifier water surface elevation, a water jet spray system, or an air scour system. If cleaning is automatic, controls shall cease clarifier operation during tube cleaning and a 20-minute rest period.
(k) Filtration systems shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Vertical or horizontal pressure filters shall not be used on surface waters. Pressure filters may be used for groundwater filtration, including iron and manganese removal;
(A) Slow rate sand filters may be used when maximum turbidity is less than 50 NTU and the turbidity present is not caused by colloidal clay; and
(B) Maximum color shall not exceed 30 units.
(ii) Washwater troughs shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) Washwater troughs shall not cover more than 25 percent of the filter area;
(B) The minimum distance between the bottom of the trough and the top of the unexpanded media shall be 12 inches;
(C) The minimum distance between the weir of the trough and the unexpanded media shall be 30 inches;
(D) There shall be no more than six feet clear distance between troughs;
(E) The trough and wastewater line shall be sized for a filter backwash rate of 20 gpm/ft2 plus a surface wash rate of 2 gpm/ft2;
(F) The backwash system shall be sized to provide a minimum backwash flowrate of 20 gpm/ft2 or a rate necessary to provide a 50 percent expansion of the filter bed;
(G) The system and wash water storage shall be designed to provide two, 20-minute washes in rapid succession and shall meet the following requirements:
(I) If only one filter is provided, the backwash system needs to provide only one 20-minute backwash; and
(II) If pumps are used to convey water to the filter(s) or to the wash water tank, two equivalent pumps shall be provided.
(H) Washwater shall be filtered and disinfected;
(I) The washwater rate shall be controlled on the main wash water line and the flowrates shall be metered and indicated;
(J) Air-assisted backwash systems may be used when the design precludes disturbing the gravel support and the minimum flowrate for air-assisted backwash shall be 12 gpm/ft2;
(K) A surface wash system shall be provided and shall meet the following requirements:
(I) The system shall be capable of supplying 0.5 gpm/ft2 for a system with rotating arms and 2 gpm/ft2 for fixed nozzles, at a minimum pressure of 50 psi; and
(II) The surface wash can be air-assisted.
(L) Both backwash and surface wash supply systems shall be provided with adequate backflow prevention;
(iii) Single media beds shall use either clean crushed anthracite or a sand and anthracite mixture, the media shall have an effective size of 0.45 - 0.55 mm and a uniformity coefficient not greater than 1.65, and shall meet the following requirements:
(A) When gravel is used as supporting media, it shall consist of coarse aggregate in which most of it is round and of similar size and shape;
(B) Gravel as supporting media shall have sufficient strength and hardness to resist degradation during handling and use, be free of harmful materials and exceed the minimum density requirements; and
(C) The gravel shall also comply with AWWA B100 specifications.
(iv) Dual media coal sand filters shall consist of a coarse layer of coal not less than 15 inches deep above a layer of fine sand not less than eight inches deep on a torpedo sand or garnet layer of support not less than three inches on gravel support.
(v) Filter bottoms and strainer systems shall be limited to pipe, perforated pipe laterals, tile block, and perforated tile block. Perforated plate bottoms or plastic nozzles shall not be used.
(vi) Every filter shall have:
(A) Influent and effluent taps;
(B) A head loss gauge;
(C) An indicating effluent turbidimeter;
(D) A waste drain for draining the filter component to waste;
(E) A filter rate flow meter;
(F) Polymer feed facilities including polymer mixing, storage tank and at least one feed pump for each filter compartment; and
(G) Recorders on the turbidimeters.
(vii) Filter rate control shall be such that the filter is not surged. The filter rate of flow shall not change more than 0.3gpm/ft2 per minute. A filter that stops and restarts during a cycle shall have a filter-to-waste system installed. Declining flow rate filters shall not be used unless the flow rate for each filter is controlled to a rate less than allowed in paragraph (j)(iii) of this Section and there are four more individual filters.
(viii) A filter to waste cycle shall be provided after the filter backwash operation. The filter to waste cycle shall be at least 10 minutes.
(ix) Multi-media filter beds shall contain a depth of fine media made up of anthracite (specific gravity 1.5), silica sand (specific gravity 2.6), and garnet sand or ilmenite (specific gravity 4.2-4.5). The bed depths and distribution shall be determined by the water quality and shall meet the following requirements:
(A) There shall not be less than 10 inches of fine sand and 24 inches of anthracite;
(B) The relative size of the media shall be such that the hydraulic grading of the material during backwash will result in a pore space that progressively goes from coarse to fine in the direction of flow;
(C) The multi-media shall be supported on two layers of special high-density gravel placed above the conventional silica gravel supporting bed;
(D) The special gravel shall have a specific gravity not less than 4.2;
(E) The bottom layer shall consist of particles passing U.S. Standard 5 mesh sieves and retained in U.S. Standard 12 mesh sieves and shall be 1 ½ inches thick; and
(F) The top layer shall consist of particles passing U.S. Standard 12 mesh sieves and retained in U.S. Standard 20 mesh sieves and shall be 1 ½ inches thick.
(x) Diatomaceous earth filtration shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) Diatomaceous earth filters may be used under the following circumstances:
(I) To remove turbidity from surface waters where turbidities entering the filters do not exceed 10 NTU and where total raw water coliforms do not exceed 100 organisms/100 mL;
(II) Where the raw water quality exceeds the previously mentioned limits when flocculation and sedimentation are used preceding the filters; and
(III) To remove iron from groundwaters.
(B) The proposed diatomaceous earth filtration shall include pressure or vacuum type units; and
(C) A precoating system shall be provided.
(D) The proposed diatomaceous earth filtration shall include a continuous monitoring turbidimeter with recorder on each filter effluent for plants treating surface water.
(l) All designs that propose supplies of surface water, groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, and groundwater that does not meet 40 CFR Part 141 or where other treatment is provided, shall include disinfection via one of the following methods:
(i) Chlorine;
(ii) Chloramines, recommended only for secondary disinfection;
(iii) Chlorine dioxide;
(iv) Ozone;
(v) Ultraviolet light; or
(vi) Other disinfecting agents that demonstrate reliable application equipment is available and that include testing procedures for a residual that is recognized in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 2018.
(m) All designs that require disinfection shall demonstrate that:
(i) The system will maintain a detectable residual throughout the distribution system; and
(ii) The applicant has considered the formation of disinfection byproducts when selecting the disinfection.
(n) Disinfection equipment shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Chlorination equipment shall comply with NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2020/NSF/ANSI/CAN 600-2021 and the following requirements:
(A) Positive displacement pumps shall be provided for solution feed gas chlorinators or hypochlorite feeders;
(B) The chlorine solution injector/diffuser shall provide a rapid and thorough mix with all the water being treated;
(C) If the application point is to a pipeline discharging to a clearwell, the chlorine shall be added to the center of the pipe at least 10 pipe diameters upstream of the discharge into the clearwell;
(D) Gas chlorinators shall comply with the following requirements:
(I) The injector/eductor shall be selected based on solution pressure, injector water flowrate, feed point backpressure, and chlorine solution line length and size;
(II) The maximum feed point backpressure shall not exceed 110 psi unless a chlorine solution pump is used; and
(III) Gauges shall be provided for chlorine solution pressure, feed water pressure, and chlorine gas pressure or vacuum.
(E) Standby equipment of sufficient capacity shall be available to replace the largest chlorinator unit. Well systems providing no treatment other than disinfection are exempt from the requirements of this paragraph (E) and are not required to provide standby chlorination equipment.
(ii) Points of application and contact time shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) Filtration types shall comply with the contact time and minimum chlorine residuals required in Table 3 of this Section after the appropriate baffling factor has been applied to the reactor. Contact times assume a baffling factor of 0.1 unless documentation justifying the use of a higher baffling factor is provided. Contact time requirements are based on worst-case operating conditions of water temperature of 32.9 degrees Fahrenheit and pH of 9.
Table 3. Required Contact Time and Residual by Filtration Type
Filtration Type
Required Contact Time (minutes), 0.4 mg/L minimum chlorine residual
Required Contact Time (minutes), 1.0 mg/L minimum chlorine residual
Conventional Filtration
162.5
73
Direct Filtration, Bag or Cartridge Filtration, Slow Sand Filtration, Diatomaceous Earth Filtration
325
146
Membrane Filtration (MF or UF)
30
12
(B) When chlorine is applied to a groundwater source to maintain a residual, a 4-log inactivation shall be achieved prior to the first customer.
(o) Systems that propose disinfection via ultraviolet light shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Proposed designs for ultraviolet light shall include the following information in the ultraviolet reactor influent water quality analysis:
(A) Influent temperature (degrees Fahrenheit);
(B) UV transmittance (UVT) at a reported wavelength of 254 nm and a pathlength of 1 cm;
(C) A description of the UVT range over a 12-month period;
(D) Total hardness (mg/L as CaCO3);
(E) pH;
(F) Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3);
(G) Total iron (mg/L) influent < 0.3mg/L;
(H) Calcium (mg/L); and
(I) Total manganese (mg/L) influent <0.03 mg/L
(ii) Proposed designs for ultraviolet disinfection systems shall include the following information:
(A) The maximum, average, and minimum flowrates;
(B) A matrix that identifies paired flow and ultraviolet treatment values;
(C) A description of the organisms targeted for inactivation;
(D) Log inactivation requirements;
(E) Operating approach (UV intensity vs. calculated dose);
(F) Maximum and minimum operating pressures;
(G) Maximum pressure at the UV reactor;
(H) UV system redundancy;
(I) Lamp cleaning strategy;
(J) Mercury trap for broken UV lamps;
(K) Maximum headloss through the UV reactor;
(L) A demonstration that the UV reactor(s) shall be hydrostatically tested to 1.5 times the rated operating pressure;
(M) A demonstration that the UV reactor(s) shall be designed to ensure that plant personnel can change lamps and the UV intensity meter without draining the reactor; and
(N) A demonstration that the units shall meet NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 61.
(iii) Ultraviolet treatment systems shall be designed to comply with the Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidance Manual for the Final LT2ESWTR and the following dose requirements:
(A) The UV disinfection system shall deliver a validated dose that meets or exceeds the required dose at the end of lamp life, with fouled sleeves.
(B) The minimum required validated dose used for system design shall incorporate a Combined Age and Fouling Factor (CAF), calculated as:
CAF = EOLL x FF.
EOLL is the ratio of the lamp output at the end of life relative to the new lamp output
FF is the fouling factor.
(C) The EOLL shall be 75 percent of the new lamp output.
(D) The FF shall be:
(I) 0.5 for UV systems with no sleeve wiping system;
(II) 0.75 for UV systems with mechanical wiping only; or
(III) 0.95 for UV systems with a combined online chemical and mechanical cleaning.
(E) The validated dose that meets or exceeds the required dose shall be delivered under maximum flow and design (UVT) condition, when the larger UV unit is out of service.
(iv) Ultraviolet disinfection shall comply with the following validation requirements:
(A) The applicant shall submit the manufacturer's bioassay validation report for the proposed UV reactor with the permit application;
(B) The bioassay testing and results shall demonstrate validation by an independent third party in full compliance with the Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidance Manual for the Final LT2ESWTR;
(C) The owner and engineer shall submit a certification to the Administrator if validation requirements are adjusted and identify each of the equipment and system modifications required to ensure that the appropriate dosage is provided for the inactivation requirements;
(D) Bioassay testing shall evaluate reactor performance over the range of:
(I) Flowrates (maximum, average, and minimum);
(II) UVT from 70 percent to 98 percent (measured at 254 nm, 1 cm path length); and
(III) RED at maximum flowrate and design UVT conditions.
(E) The bioassay testing shall incorporate the range of design and operating conditions described in paragraph (o)(i) of this Section for UV Light;
(F) Extrapolations to flowrates, UV transmittance values, or UV doses outside the range actually tested, are not permitted; and
(G) Bioassay testing shall also verify that the head loss generated by the proposed reactor is less than or equal to the specified limits.
(v) Ultraviolet disinfection hydraulics shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) The inlet and outlet piping configuration to the UV reactor shall result in a UV dose delivery that is equal to or greater than the dose delivered when the UV reactor was validated;
(B) If the UV reactor validation is performed off-site, the applicant shall refer to the validation report to determine the validated inlet and outlet conditions that apply to the site-specific requirements; and
(C) Ultraviolet hydraulic piping shall comply with at least one of the following requirements:
(I) The piping configuration shall consist of a minimum of 10 pipe diameters of straight pipe upstream and five pipe diameters of straight pipe downstream of the UV reactors, with additional pipe diameters above the minimum if required by the manufacturer's guidelines for electromagnetic or other flowmeter installation;
(II) The inlet and outlet piping configurations shall be identical to those constructed for the UV reactor validation; or
(III) If on-site validation or custom off-site validation is planned, the inlet and outlet piping hydraulics must be designed according to the manufacturer's recommendations and to accommodate any site-specific constraints.
(vi) Ultraviolet control and measurement instrumentation for each reactor shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) Each reactor shall be capable of measuring UV intensity and lamp status (on/off);
(B) For systems that use the calculated dose monitoring strategy, each reactor shall be capable of measuring or calculating the UV transmittance;
(C) Piping for each UV reactor shall be sized and configured in accordance with the validated operating conditions and maintain equal head loss through each reactor over the range of validated flowrates. Each UV reactor shall not be by-passed;
(D) Each UV reactor train shall have a dedicated flow meter to confirm the validated operating conditions;
(E) UV lamps in the UV reactor shall be submerged at all times during operation;
(F) The specific configuration of the UV reactor(s) within a facility will dictate the use of air release, air/vacuum, or combination air valves to prevent air pockets and negative pressure conditions and the design shall verify that the UV manufacturer was consulted to determine any equipment-specific air release and pressure control valve requirements;
(G) Each UV reactor shall have the piping configured so that it can be isolated and removed from service while the other UV reactor(s) remain in service; and
(H) A booster pump shall be used if the head loss constraints indicate that a pump is necessary. The UV reactor shall be sized accordingly.
(vii) The applicant shall describe the dose monitoring strategy and the operational approach for the UV reactor that complies with the approaches described in Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidance Manual for the Final LT2ESWTR, part 3.5.2.
(viii) The cleaning system for each UV reactor shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) Each UV reactor shall be equipped with an automatic online mechanical lamp sleeve cleaning system and may include optional chemical cleaning;
(B) The UV sensor shall include mechanical cleaning capabilities with an automatically initiated and controlled cleaning cycle; and
(C) The UV reactor(s) shall be fully operational and shall provide validated dose requirements during system cleaning.
(ix) The minimum spare parts kept at a facility shall include the following:
(A) 20 percent of the UV Lamps;
(B) Five percent of the lamp sleeves; and
(C) One UV intensity sensor.
(p) Facilities that propose disinfection via fluoridation and defluoridation shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Fluoride storage designs shall demonstrate that:
(A) Fluoride storage tanks shall be covered;
(B) All other storage shall be inside a building; and
(C) Storage tanks of hydrofluorosilicic acid shall be vented to the atmosphere at a point outside the building.
(ii) Fluoride feed equipment shall meet the following requirements:
(A) There shall be scales or weight loss recorders for dry chemical feeds and the feeders shall be accurate to within five percent of any desired feed rate;
(B) The application of hydrofluorosilicic acid, if into a horizontal pipe, shall be in the lower half of the pipe;
(C) Fluoride compounds shall not be added before lime soda or ion exchange softening;
(D) A fluoride solution shall be applied by a positive displacement pump;
(E) The solution shall not be injected into a point of negative pressure;
(F) All fluoride feed lines and dilution water lines shall be isolated from the potable water supplies by either an air gap above the solution tank or a reduced pressure principal backflow preventer;
(G) Water used for sodium fluoride solution shall have a hardness not exceeding 45 mg/L; and
(H) Flow meters for treated water flow and fluoride solution water shall be provided.
(iii) Provisions shall be made to allow the transfer of dry fluoride compounds from shipping containers to storage bins or hoppers that minimize the quantity of fluoride dust that enters the room where the equipment is installed and shall meet the following requirements:
(A) The transfer system shall be equipped with an exhaust fan and dust filter that places the hopper or storage bin under negative pressure;
(B) Air exhausted from fluoride handling equipment shall discharge through a dust filter to the atmosphere outside the building and shall not discharge within 50 feet of a fresh air intake for the building; and
(C) A floor drain shall be provided for cleaning equipment and maintenance.
(iv) The following methods are acceptable for fluoride removal:
(A) Activated alumina may be used in open gravity filters or pressure filter tanks;
(B) The minimum media depth shall be five feet;
(C) The loading rate shall not exceed 4 gpm/ft2;
(D) The mesh size for the alumina media shall be between #28 and #48;
(E) Media regeneration facilities shall be provided and shall include both weak caustic and weak acid systems; and
(F) Bone char filtration or lime softening with magnesium addition may be used.
(v) Water that is unstable due either to natural causes or to subsequent treatment shall be stabilized.
(vi) Facilities shall have the capability of feeding both acid and alkalinity.
(vii) Unstable water created by ion exchange softening shall be stabilized by an alkali feed.
(viii) Laboratory equipment shall be provided to determine the effectiveness of stabilization treatment. This shall include testing equipment for hardness, calcium, alkalinity, pH, and magnesium at a minimum.
(q) Taste and odor control equipment shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Open or closed, granular activated carbon adsorption units may be used to absorb organics for taste and odor control, subject to the following requirements:
(A) The loading rate shall not exceed 10 gpm/ft2;
(B) The minimum empty bed contact time shall be 20 minutes;
(C) The pH of the water shall be less than 9.0 with a turbidity of less than 2 NTU when using packed beds;
(D) There shall be provisions for moving the carbon to and from the contactors;
(E) Contactors may be upflow or downflow design. A single unit is acceptable for countercurrent upflow designs. Downflow designs shall have two or more parallel units;
(F) Contactors shall be designed as open gravity or pressure bed;
(G) Pressure contactors shall have an air-vacuum relief valve fitted with a stainless-steel screen to prevent plugging;
(H) The contactor materials of construction shall be concrete, steel, or fiberglass-reinforced plastic and shall meet the following requirements:
(I) Steel vessels shall be protected against corrosion; and
(II) Inlet and outlet screens shall be made of stainless steel or other suitable materials.
(I) There shall be provisions for flow reversal and bed expansion that meet the following requirements:
(I) Backwashing facilities shall provide up to 50 percent bed expansion; and
(II) Backwashing facilities shall meet the backwash criteria as rapid filters.
(ii) If ozone is used for taste and odor control, there shall be at least 10 minutes of contact time to complete all reactions and the minimum applied feed rate of ozone shall be 1 mg/L, or the design shall identify a contact time and feed rate that demonstrate the application of ozone will not cause an exceedance of the maximum contaminant levels identified at 40 CFR 141.64.
(r) Designs that include the addition of phosphates for stabilization and corrosion control shall demonstrate the evaluation of reactions with aluminum and impacts on wastewater treatment plants to overcome the secondary impacts of phosphates.
(s) Designs that propose anion-exchange treatment shall include a pH/alkalinity feed system unless otherwise approved by the Administrator.
(t) Microscreens shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) A microscreen shall be allowed as a supplement to treatment, but it shall not be used in place of filtration or coagulation;
(ii) The screen shall be capable of removing suspended matter from the water by straining;
(iii) Screens shall be made of corrosion-resistant material;
(iv) Bypass piping around the unit shall be provided;
(v) There shall be protection against back siphonage when potable water is used for washing the screen; and
(vi) Wash water shall be wasted and not recycled to the microscreen.
(u) Membrane technologies shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Proposed membrane treatment processes shall comply with the requirements of Section 6 of this Chapter. Protocols for pilot plant testing shall incorporate guidance or procedures from the US EPA Membrane Filtration Guidance Manual, Chapter 6.
(ii) All proposed membrane filters shall demonstrate third-party validation for the removal of Giardia or Cryptosporidium. Removal efficiency shall be determined through challenge testing as outlined in the US EPA Membrane Filtration Guidance Manual and one of the following:
(A) Membranes that are used as final compliance filters of a multiple treatment barrier approach shall meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 141; or
(B) All surface water or groundwater under direct influence (GWUDI) systems using membrane technology shall demonstrate minimum disinfection that meets 4.0-log virus inactivation.
(v) Facilities that propose bag and cartridge filters shall comply with the procedures identified in Section 6 of this Chapter and the following requirements:
(i) Filter performance will be based on Cryptosporidium oocyst removal;
(ii) The filter shall demonstrate at least a 3-log removal of particle size 1 micron and above with an associated log reduction credit of 2-logs for Giardia and Cryptosporidium;
(iii) Removal efficiency shall be determined through challenge testing as outlined in Toolbox Guidance Manual, Chapter 8 and NSF/ANSI 419-2018;
(iv) The performance demonstration shall be specific to the corresponding housing and type or model of filter. Any other combination of housing and filter that could be used for treatment shall also demonstrate filter efficiency;
(v) Applicants shall include documentation that the proposed bag or cartridge filter has received third-party validation for the removal of Giardia and Cryptosporidium;
(vi) Filter and housing specifications shall include a description of the materials of construction, surface area per filter, and the minimum and maximum operating pressure, and the specifications shall meet the requirements of NSF/ANSI 419-2018 and the Toolbox Guidance Manual, Chapter 8;
(vii) System components such as housing, bags, cartridges, gaskets, and O-rings shall comply with NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for leaching of contaminants;
(viii) A means for monitoring the performance of the filter shall be provided and shall include at a minimum flow meters and valves, pressure gauges, and sample taps;
(ix) The proposed design shall specify chemical compatibility limitations;
(x) A minimum of two filter housings shall be provided;
(xi) Bag or cartridge filters that are used as final compliance filters of a multiple treatment barrier approach shall meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 141; and
(xii) All surface water or GWUDI systems using bag or cartridge filter technology shall provide at minimum disinfection that meets 4.0-log virus inactivation and 1.0-log Giardia inactivation or shall demonstrate that combined filtration and disinfection will provide 3-log removal.
(w) Pre-engineered water treatment plants shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Pre-engineered water treatment plants shall be permitted on a case-by-case basis for specific process applications and flow rates. Multiple units may be installed in parallel to accommodate flow rates;
(ii) Pre-engineered water treatment plant equipment shall be designed in accordance with NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372;
(iv) Pre-engineered water treatment plants shall comply with the procedures in Section 6 of this Chapter to obtain data that demonstrates the treatment effectiveness of the treatment for the source water and the proposed application; and
(v) Each component and process of the pre-engineered water treatment plant shall demonstrate compliance with the applicable design criteria of the respective treatment processes of this Chapter.
(x) Wastes shall be handled and disposed of as follows:
(i) The sanitary and laboratory waste from water treatment plants, pumping stations, or well systems, shall not be recycled to any part of the water plant, and shall be discharged directly into a sanitary sewer when feasible or a permitted on-site disposal system;
(ii) Brine waste from ion exchange plants, demineralization plants, and other similar facilities may not be recycled to the water plant and shall meet the following requirements:
(A) Where discharging to a sanitary sewer, a holding tank shall be provided to prevent the overloading of the sewer and interference with the waste treatment process; and
(B) Where disposal to an off-site waste treatment system is proposed, the sewer and treatment facility shall have the required capacity and dilution capability.
(iii) Acceptable methods of treatment and disposal of lime softening sludge are:
(A) Sludge lagoons, provided that the design of sludge lagoons includes:
(I) The location of the lagoon shall be protected from the 100-year flood;
(II) A means of diverting surface water runoff so that it does not flow into the lagoon;
(III) The freeboard shall be a minimum of three feet;
(IV) An adjustable decanting device for recycling the overflow; and
(V) An accessible effluent sampling point.
(B) Land application of liquid lime softening sludge that demonstrates compliance with Water Quality Rules Chapter 11, Part E;
(C) Disposal at a landfill;
(D) Mechanical dewatering of sludge may be used;
(E) Recalcination of sludge may be used; and
(F) Lime sludge drying beds shall not be allowed.
(iv) Acceptable methods of treatment and disposal of alum sludge are as follows:
(A) Lagoons may be used as storage and interim disposal. Lagoons used for storage shall have a volume of at least 100,000 gallons for every 1,000,000 gpd of facility water treating capacity.
(B) Alum sludge may be discharged to the sanitary sewer only when the system is capable of handling the waste and with the approval of the owner of the sewer system.
(C) Mechanical dewatering may be used.
(D) Alum sludge drying beds may be used.
(E) Alum sludge may be acid-treated and recovered.
(F) Disposal at a landfill.
(v) Designs that propose disposal of waste filter wash water from iron and manganese removal plants that include sand filters shall demonstrate the inclusion of a separate structure, unless otherwise approved by the Administrator.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 13 Chemical Application
(a) 2018 TSS, parts 5.0.2 and 5.0.2(f), general, chemical application; 5.0.3-5.0.3(h), general, general equipment design; 5.1.2-5.1.2(e)(4), feed equipment, control; 5.1.3-5.1.3(c), feed equipment, dry chemical feeders; 5.1.4-5.1.4(d), feed equipment, positive displacement solution feed pumps; 5.1.5-5.1.5(d), feed equipment, liquid chemical feeders-siphon control; 5.1.6-5.1.6(d), feed equipment, cross-connection control; 5.1.8-5.1.8(e), feed equipment, in-plant water supply; 5.1.9(a)(1-3), (b), and (d)(1-2), feed equipment, storage of chemicals; 5.1.10-5.1.10(j), feed equipment, bulk liquid storage tanks; 5.1.11-5.1.11(h), feed equipment, day tanks; 5.1.12-5.1.12(e), feed equipment, feed lines; 5.1.13-5.1.13(d); feed equipment, handling; 5.1.14-5.1.14(b), feed equipment, housing; 5.3.2, operator safety, respiratory protection equipment; 5.3.3, operator safety, chlorine gas leak detection; 5.4.1(d)(1-5) and (7-10), (f), and (h)(1-5), specific chemicals, chlorine gas; 5.4.2-5.4.2(b), specific chemicals, acids and caustics; 5.4.3-5.4.3(c)(5), specific chemicals, sodium chlorite; 5.4.4-5.4.4(b)(5), specific chemicals, sodium hypochlorite; are herein incorporated by reference.
(b) Chemical application facility designs shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) A separate feeder shall be used for each chemical applied; and
(ii) Chemical storage tanks shall be constructed of materials that are resistant to the chemicals stored. Tanks shall maintain structural integrity while in use.
(c) Chemical application facilities shall include an alarm for high effluent turbidity, low chlorine residual, and chlorine leaks when chlorine gas is used. The alarm shall be located at an attended location.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 14 Pumping Facilities
(a) 2018 TSS, parts 6.1-6.1.1(e), location; 6.2, 6.2(b)-(e), pumping stations; 6.2.1-6.2.1(d), pumping stations, suction well; 6.2.2-6.2.2(b), pumping stations, equipment servicing; 6.3.2, pumps, pump priming; 6.6.1, appurtenances, valves; 6.6.3-6.6.3(d), appurtenances, gauges and meters; 6.6.4-6.6.4(b), appurtenances, water seals; 6.6.5, appurtenances, controls; 6.6.6, appurtenances, standby power; are herein incorporated by reference.
(b) Stairways or ladders shall be provided between all floors and in pits or compartments that must be entered.
(c) Pumping facilities shall be heated to maintain a minimum temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit if typically unoccupied and 50 degrees Fahrenheit if normally occupied.
(d) Pumping station ventilation designs shall demonstrate that:
(i) All areas of the pumping station that are accessible shall be ventilated;
(ii) Ventilation may be continuous or intermittent;
(iii) Drywell ventilation shall provide:
(A) At least six air changes per hour if continuous; and
(B) At least 30 air changes per hour if intermittent with an automatic start upon operator entry into the area.
(iv) Wetwell ventilation shall provide 12 continuous air changes per hour or 60 intermittent air changes per hour and be designed to permit the use of portable blowers that will exhaust the space and supply fresh air during the access periods.
(e) Dehumidification equipment shall be provided in below-ground pumping stations. The equipment shall be sized to maintain a dewpoint at least two degrees Fahrenheit below the coldest anticipated temperature of the water to be conveyed in the pipes.
(f) All pumping stations that are manned four or more hours per day shall be provided with potable water, lavatory, and toilet facilities. The waste shall be discharged to the sanitary sewer or an on-site waste treatment system.
(g) Pump design shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) At least two pumps shall be provided. With the largest pump out of service, the remaining pump or pumps shall be capable of providing the maximum pumping capacity of the system.
(ii) Pumps shall be selected such that the net positive suction head required (NPSHR) is less than the net positive suction head available (NPSHA) minus four feet based on hydraulic conditions and the altitude of the pump installation. If this condition cannot be satisfied, a means of priming shall be provided.
(iii) A surge analysis shall be provided to demonstrate if surge protection devices will be needed to protect the piping. Pressure relief valves are not acceptable as surge control.
(iv) The calculated total dynamic head for pumping units shall be based on pipe friction, pressure losses from pipe entrances, exits, appurtenances (such as valves and bends), and static head at the design flow.
(v) The station shall have a flow rate indicator and totalizing meter, and a method of recording the total water pumped.
(h) Booster pumps shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Booster pumps shall not produce less than 5 psi in suction lines. If the suction line has service connections, the pressure shall be at least 35 psi during normal operation and shall have a low-pressure cutoff switch to maintain at least 20 psi.
(ii) For booster pumps used for fire suppression, no person shall install or maintain a water service connection to any premises where a fire pump has been installed on the service line to or within such premises unless the pump is equipped with one of the following:
(A) A low suction throttling valve or pilot-operated valve installed in the discharge piping that maintains positive pressure in the suction piping while monitoring pressure in the suction piping through a sensing line. The valve shall throttle the discharge of the pump when necessary so that suction pressure will not be reduced below 20 psi gauge when the pump is operating; or
(B) A variable-speed suction limiting control that is used to maintain a minimum positive suction pressure at the pump inlet by reducing the pump driver speed while monitoring pressure in the suction piping through a sensing line. The limiting control shall be set so that the suction pressure will not be reduced below 20 psi gauge while the pump is operating.
(iii) Automatic or remote-controlled pumps shall have a range between the start and cutoff pressure that will prevent the pump from cycling more than one start every 15 minutes.
(iv) In-line booster pumps shall be accessible for maintenance. There shall be access openings, as needed, to allow the removal of the pump.
(v) Individual home booster pumps shall not be allowed for any individual service from the public water supply main.
(vi) Un-manned or remotely controlled pump stations shall have an alarm at an operator attended location for any conditions that may affect the continuous delivery of water.
(i) Pumping facility valves shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Air release valves shall be provided where the pipe crown is dropped in elevation. The discharge pipe from the valve shall have a minimum of an 8-inch air gap and shall be covered with a #24 mesh non-corrodible screen.
(ii) Each pump shall either have an individual suction line or the suction lines shall be manifolded such that they demonstrate similar hydraulic and operating conditions.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 15 Finished Water Storage
((a) 2018 TSS, parts 7.0.1-7.0.1(c), general, sizing; 7.0.2-7.0.2(b), general, location of finished water storage structures; 7.0.3, general, protection from contamination; 7.0.4, general, security; 7.0.5, general, drains; 7.0.6, general, stored water age; 7.0.8-7.0.8.2(b), general, access; 7.0.9-7.0.9(e), general, vents; 7.0.10-7.0.10(f), general, roof and sidewall; 7.0.17-7.0.17(c), general, painting and/or cathodic protection; 7.0.18-7.0.18(c), general, disinfection; 7.1.1, treatment plant storage, filter washwater tanks; 7.2-7.2.4, hydropneumatic tank systems; are herein incorporated by reference.
(b) Finished water storage structures shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Water storage structures shall comply with the following standards for storage tanks, standpipes, ground storage reservoirs that are described in AWWA M42, clearwells, and elevated storage:
(A) AWWA D100;
(B) AWWA D102;
(C) AWWA D103;
(D) AWWA D104;
(E) AWWA D106;
(F) AWWA D107;
(G) AWWA D108;
(H) AWWA D110;
(I) AWWA D115;
(J) AWWA D120; and
(K) AWWA D121.
(ii) All tank and foundation design shall be performed by a Wyoming registered professional engineer. The plans or contractor-furnished information shall be signed and sealed by a Wyoming registered professional engineer.
(iii) All new or modified water storage tanks shall have the inlet and outlet connections separated from each other as much as is practical.
(c) Storage facility designs shall demonstrate:
(i) The average daily demand will require a daily fill of 20 percent of the total storage volume for surface water sources and 10 percent for groundwater sources.
(ii) For designs that demonstrate the storage tank has a small daily demand and a high fire water storage requirement, or the storage tank water age average is greater than two days, the design shall demonstrate that a volume equal to at least 20 percent of the tank volume will be delivered to the storage tank each time pumping is initiated.
(iii) For designs with well systems that provide a minimum of two wells that can supply either the maximum hourly demand or the fire demand, whichever is greater, storage is not required. These systems shall demonstrate that they will provide alternative power for the finished water pumps.
(d) Storage structure design shall eliminate short-circuiting.
(e) The minimum inlet velocity shall be 10 ft/sec unless demonstration of employed mixing system or lower inlet velocity addresses disinfection by-product formation, stratification, stagnation, freezing, and other water age issues.
(f) Overflow and drain lines shall:
(i) Be protected with a mechanical device such as:
(A) A sealed flapper valve or duckbill valve; or
(B) A #24 mesh non-corrodible screen.
(ii) For overflow lines that are protected with a mechanical device, include installation of a #4 mesh non-corrodible screen or finer to prevent the entrance of birds or rodents;
(iii) For overflow lines that are protected with #24 mesh non-corrodible screen, demonstrate prevention of screen clogging that would lead to structural storage tank damage;
(iv) Include installation of the screen within the overflow line at a location that is not susceptible to vandalism and that allows for the overflow line to be operational during an overflow event;
(v) Provide access to the screen with the smallest openings for replacement; and
(vi) Demonstrate that the screen with the smallest openings will be the outermost screen.
(g) Overflow designs shall demonstrate the provisions that will be included to prevent mechanical devices from freezing shut.
(h) Overflow lines shall not be considered as vents and overflow lines shall terminate between 12 and 24 inches above ground surface.
(i) Vents shall be designed to protect the tank from contaminants including but not limited to surface water, stormwater runoff, insects, rodents, and birds.
(i) All openings shall be protected with #24 mesh non-corrodible screen or a combination of #24 mesh and coarser mesh non-corrodible screen.
(ii) The design shall demonstrate consideration of site conditions, freezing, frosting, and provide justification including precautions for snow depth.
(A) The design shall demonstrate consideration of frost-free or frost-proof vents; and
(B) The design shall demonstrate consideration of pressure/vacuum, frost-proof release vents that will need to protect openings with #24 mesh non-corrodible screen.
(j) Down-turned vent openings shall be at least 24 inches above the nearest horizontal surface. Non-downturned vents or roof vents must extend a minimum of eight inches from the top of the tank to a #24 mesh screened opening, and the vent opening is to be covered by a protective shroud to the bottom of the screen.
(k) Elevated tanks shall be designed to remove snow via tank geometry to prevent snow build-up clogging vents.
(l) Vent designs shall include calculations that verify the required volume of flow is achievable through the proposed vent pipe and screen combination.
(m) Finished water plant water storage shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) Clearwell storage shall be sized, in conjunction with distribution system storage, to relieve the filter of having to follow fluctuations in water use. Where water is pumped from clearwell storage to the system, an overflow shall be provided.
(ii) If unfinished water is stored in compartments adjacent to finished water, the unfinished and finished water shall be separated by double walls.
(iii) Receiving basins and wetwells shall be designed as finished water storage structures and shall comply with the requirements of this Section.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 16 Distribution Systems
(a) 2018 TSS, parts 8.2-8.2.4(b), system design; 8.3, valves; 8.4-8.4.4(d), hydrants; 8.5-8.5.2(c), air relief valves; 8.6, valve, meter, and blow-off chambers; 8.7.3, installation of water mains, cover; 8.7.4, installation of water mains, blocking; 8.7.6, installation of water mains, pressure and leakage testing; 8.7.7, installation of water mains, disinfection; 8.7.8, installation of water mains, external corrosion; 8.7.9, installation of water mains, separation from other utilities; 8.8.2-8.8.2(b), separation distances from contamination sources, parallel installation; 8.8.3-8.8.3(b), separation distances from contamination sources, crossings; 8.8.6, separation distances from contamination sources, sewer manholes, inlets, and structures; 8.9-8.9.1, surface water crossings, above-water crossings; 8.9.2-8.9.2(c); surface water crossings, under water crossings; 8.11.1, water services and plumbing, plumbing; 8.12, service meters; are herein incorporated by reference.
(b) Distribution systems shall be constructed of commercial pipe that conforms to the following standards:
(i) PVC pipe:
(A) Less than four inches diameter, ASTM D 2241; or
(B) Four inches and larger diameter, AWWA C900.
(ii) Ductile iron, AWWA C151;
(iii) Fiberglass pressure pipe, AWWA C950;
(iv) Polyethylene pipe:
(A) ¾ inch through three inches diameter, AWWA C901;
(B) Four inches through 65 inches diameter, AWWA C906; or
(v) Other material submitted with the permit application and approved by the Administrator.
(c) Flanged piping shall not be allowed for buried pipe except for connection to valves.
(d) New water mains shall be sized after the hydraulic analysis required by Section 9(l)(i) of this Chapter and the design shall demonstrate that:
(i) At maximum day demand plus current State of Wyoming-required fire flow, or the fire flow of an authority having jurisdiction, the pressure in the municipal distribution system will not fall below 20 pounds per square inch (psi); and
(ii) The normal system working pressure shall be greater than 35 psi.
(e) When fire protection is provided, the water main system shall be designed to also serve fire flows.
(f) Hydrants shall:
(i) Have hydrant leads that are a minimum of six inches in diameter;
(ii) Have valves installed;
(iii) Be protected from freezing at hydrant leads and barrels;
(iv) Where groundwater levels are above the gravel drain area, hydrants shall be pumped dry or otherwise dewatered and hydrant weep holes shall not be used; and
(v) Have drains that are not connected to or located within 10 feet of a sanitary sewer or storm drain.
(g) Fire hydrants or active service taps may be substituted for air relief in 6- and 8-inch lines.
(h) Where excavation is performed for distribution systems:
(i) The trench bottom shall be excavated for the bell of the pipe;
(ii) All rock shall be removed within six inches of the pipe; and
(iii) The trench shall be dewatered for all work.
(i) Distribution system bedding for rigid pipe shall be designed in accordance with ASTM C12 Classes A, B, or C. Flexible pipe bedding shall be designed in accordance with ASTM D2321 Class I, II, or III.
(j) Distribution system pipe shall be joined to ensure a watertight fitting and installed in accordance with the following standards, as applicable:
(i) For ductile iron pipe, AWWA C600;
(ii) For PVC pipe, AWWA M23; and
(iii) For HDPE pipe, AWWA M55.
(k) Backfill for distribution systems shall:
(i) Be performed without disturbing pipe alignment;
(ii) Not contain debris, frozen material, unstable material, or large clods;
(iii) Not contain rocks or stones that are greater than three inches in diameter within two feet of pipe; and
(iv) Be compacted to a density equal to or greater than the surrounding soil.
(l) Distribution systems shall meet the following requirements for separation of water mains from sanitary and storm sewers:
(i) Where the minimum vertical or horizontal separation distances required by incorporation by reference of 2018 TSS parts 8.8.2 and 8.8.3 of paragraph (a) of this Section cannot be met, the sewer or water line shall be placed in a separate conduit pipe or meet the flow-fill requirements of paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of this Paragraph (l);
(ii) Flow-fill for pipelines shall comply with the following:
(A) Cement-treated fill, non-shrink backfill, low-density concrete backfill, or structural backfill may be used as flow-fill when the material has a 28-day compressive strength of 30-60 psi;
(B) The pipe to be encased shall be laid on a four to six-inch bed of washed gravel that has been widened, with the walls of the trench benched away from the center-line of the trench, so the pipe is uniformly supported over the length or supported on blocks no further than 10 feet apart;
(C) The flow-fill and washed gravel or blocks shall rest on an undisturbed trench bottom;
(D) The pipe shall not move laterally or float during placement of the flow-fill and the line and grade of the pipe shall be maintained; and
(E) The flow-fill shall extend from trench sidewall to trench sidewall and extend at least two inches above the top of the pipe.
(iii) Flow-fill for pipe crossings shall comply with the following:
(A) To the extent possible, there shall be no joints or taps within nine feet of the crossing;
(B) The flow-fill shall extend from undisturbed earth at the bottom of the lower pipe to at least two inches above the top of the upper pipe;
(C) The block of flow-fill shall be wide enough to ensure the structural integrity of the installation; and
(D) Pipes that cross one another shall be separated by a minimum of two inches when encased in flow-fill.
(m) Cross-connections shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) There shall be no water service connection installed or maintained between a public water supply and any water user whereby unsafe water or contamination may backflow into the public water supply.
(A) To protect all public water supplies from the possibility of the introduction of contamination due to cross-connections, the water supplier shall:
(I) Require backflow prevention devices for each water service connection in accordance with Table 4 of this Section, with the exception of (B)(I) residential water service connections and (B)(II) domestic non-residential water service connections;
(II) Take appropriate actions that may include:
-
Immediate disconnection for any water user that fails to maintain a properly installed backflow prevention device; or
-
Compliance with other measures as identified in this Section.
(III) Any high hazard non-residential connection to any public water supply shall be protected by the backflow prevention device required by Table 4.
(IV) Water suppliers shall establish record keeping and management procedures to ensure that requirements of this regulation for installation and maintenance of backflow prevention devices are being met.
(B) The method of backflow control, selected from Table 4, shall be determined based upon the degree of hazard of the cross-connection and the cause of the potential backflow. Hazards shall be classified as high hazard or low hazard. The potential cause of the backflow shall be identified as being back-siphonage or back-pressure.
(I) Residential water service connections shall be considered to be low hazard back-siphonage connections unless determined otherwise by a Hazard Classification.
(II) Domestic non-residential water service connections (such as schools without laboratories, churches, office buildings, warehouses, and motels) shall be considered to be low hazard back-pressure connections unless determined otherwise by a Hazard Classification conducted by the water supplier.
(III) Any water user's system with an auxiliary source of supply shall be considered to be a high hazard, back-pressure cross-connection. A reduced pressure principle backflow device shall be installed at the water service connection to any water user's system with an auxiliary source of supply.
(IV) All water loading stations shall be considered high hazard connections. A device, assembly, or method consistent with Table 4 shall be provided.
(V) Non-domestic commercial or industrial water service connections (such as restaurants, refineries, chemical mixing facilities, sewage treatment plants, mortuaries, laboratories, laundries, dry cleaners, irrigation systems, and facilities producing or using hazardous substances) shall be considered to be high hazard back-pressure connections unless determined otherwise by a Hazard Classification. For some of these service connections, a Hazard Classification may result in a determination of a back-siphonage or low hazard classification. The backflow prevention device required shall be appropriate to the degree of hazard established by the Hazard Classification. Where potential high hazards exist within the non-residential water user's system, even though such high hazards may be isolated at the point of use, an approved backflow prevention device shall be installed and maintained at the water service connection.
(C) Determination of the hazard classification of a water service connection is the responsibility of the water supplier. The water supplier may require the water user to furnish a Hazard Classification Survey to be used to determine the Hazard Classification.
(D) Hazard Classification Surveys that have been conducted by Hazard Classification Surveyors that have been certified by another state certification program shall include the following information for Administrator approval:
(I) Documentation that indicates the Hazard Classification Surveyor has received certification from the regulatory agency that issued the current certification that states the name of the Hazard Classification Surveyor, the status of their certification, the date originally issued, the expiration date, and the classification for which the Hazard Classification Surveyor is certified; and
(II) Any disciplinary action imposed against the applicant; if any.
(E) All backflow prevention devices shall be in-line serviceable (repairable), in-line testable except for devices meeting ASSE 1024, and installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions and applicable plumbing codes.
(F) All backflow prevention devices must have a certification by an approved third-party certification agency. Approved certification agencies are:
(I) American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE);
(II) International Association of Plumbing/Mechanical officials (IAPMO); and
(III) Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic
Research, University Of Southern California (USC-FCCCHR).
(G) Backflow prevention devices at water service connections shall be inspected and certified by a certified backflow assembly tester at the time of installation. Certification of the assembly tester shall be by one of the following:
(I) The American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE); or
(II) American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA).
(H) Backflow prevention devices installed at high hazard non-residential cross-connections shall be inspected and tested on an annual basis by a certified backflow assembly tester.
(I) If any device is found to be defective or functioning improperly, it shall be immediately repaired or replaced. Failure to make necessary repairs to a backflow prevention device will be cause for the water service connection to be terminated.
(J) All public water suppliers shall report any high hazard backflow incident within seven days to the Division. The backflow incident shall be reported on a form provided by the Administrator.
(ii) Neither steam condensate nor cooling water from engine jackets or other heat exchange devices shall be returned to the public water supply after it has passed through the water service connection.
Table 4. Backflow Prevention Devices, Assemblies and Methods
Degree of Hazard
Device, Assembly, or
Method
Low Hazard
High Hazard
Notes
Back-Siphonage
Back-Pressure
Back-Siphonage
Back-Pressure
Airgap
X
X
X
X
See Note 1 and Note 2
Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker
X
X
Not allowed under continuous pressure
Spill-proof Pressure-type Vacuum
X
X
Double Check Valve Backflow Preventer
X
X
Pressure Vacuum Breaker
X
X
Reduced Pressure Principal Backflow
X
X
X
X
See Note 2,
Dual Check
X
Restricted to residential services
Note 1: Minimum Airgap for Water Distribution. For spouts with an effective opening diameter of ½ inch or less, the minimum airgap when the discharge is not affected by side walls shall be one inch. The minimum airgap when the discharge is affected by sidewalls shall be 1 ½ inches. For effective openings greater than ½ inch, the minimum airgap shall be two times the effective opening diameter when the discharge is not affected by sidewalls. The minimum airgap when the discharge is affected by sidewalls shall be three times the effective opening diameter.
Note 2: Extreme Hazards. In the case of any water user's system where, in the opinion of the water supplier or the Administrator, an undue health threat is posed because of the presence of extremely toxic substances or potential back pressures in excess of the design working pressure of the device, the water supplier may require an airgap at the water service connection to protect the public water system.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 17 Laboratory Requirements
(a) 2018 TSS, parts 2.8.1-2.8.1(h), testing equipment, is herein incorporated by reference.
(b) Test procedures for analysis of monitoring samples shall conform to the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.
(c) All treatment plants shall have the capability to perform or contract for the self-monitoring analytical work required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. §300f et seq. All plants shall, in addition, be capable of performing or contracting the analytical work required to ensure good management and control of plant operation and performance.
(d) All laboratories used for the tests, analysis, and monitoring required by this Section shall meet the following requirements:
(i) The laboratory shall be located away from vibrating machinery or equipment that might have adverse effects on the performance of laboratory instruments or the analyst and shall be designed to prevent adverse effects from vibration.
(ii) Walls shall have an easily cleaned, durable, and impervious surface.
(iii) Cabinet and storage space shall be provided for dust-free storage of instruments and glassware. Benchtop height shall be 30 inches. Benchtops shall be field joined into a continuous surface with acid, alkali, and solvent-resistant cement.
(iv) Fume hoods shall be provided where reflux or heating of toxic or hazardous materials is required. A hood shall not be situated near a doorway unless a secondary means of exit is provided. All fume hood switches, electrical outlets, and utility and baffle adjustment handles shall be located outside the hood. Light fixtures shall be explosion-proof. 24-hour continuous exhaust capability shall be provided. Exhaust fans shall be explosion-proof.
(v) The laboratory shall have a minimum of two sinks per 400 square feet (not including cup sinks). Sinks shall be double well with drainboards and shall be made of epoxy resin or plastic. All water fixtures shall have reduced pressure zone backflow preventers. Traps shall be constructed of glass or plastic and be accessible for cleaning.
(vi) Distilled water shall conform to the quality specified by Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 2018.
(e) Portable testing equipment shall be provided where necessary for operational control testing.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 18 Operation and Maintenance Manuals
(a) Each new or modified treatment or pumping facility shall have an operation and maintenance manual (O & M Manual) located at the facility. The manuals shall provide the following information as a minimum:
(i) Introduction;
(ii) Description of facilities and unit processes within the plant from influent structures through effluent structures;
(A) The size, capacity, model number (where applicable), and intended loading rate of facilities and unit processes;
(B) A description of each unit, including the function, controls, lubrication, and maintenance schedule;
(C) A description of start-up operations, routine operations, abnormal operations, emergency or power outage operations, bypass procedures, and safety;
(D) Flow diagrams of the entire process, as well as individual unit processes that show the flow options under the various operational conditions listed in paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section; and
(E) The design criteria for each unit process, including the number, type, capacity, sizes, and other relevant information.
(iii) Plant control system;
(iv) Utilities and systems;
(v) Emergency procedures, including:
(A) Details of emergency operations procedures for possible foreseeable emergencies, such as power outage, equipment failure, development of unsafe conditions, and other emergency conditions;
(B) Emergency operations valve positions, flow control settings, and other information to ensure continued operation of the facility at maximum possible efficiency during emergencies; and
(C) Emergency notification procedures to be followed to protect health and safety under various emergency conditions.
(vi) Permit requirements and other regulatory requirements;
(vii) Staffing needs;
(viii) Index of manufacturers' manuals;
(ix) Index of equipment maintenance manuals; and
(x) General information on safety in and around the plant and its components, including the following safety information:
(A) Each unit process discussion shall include applicable safety procedures and precautions; and
(B) For unit processes or operations having extreme hazards (such as chlorine and closed tanks), the discussion shall detail appropriate protection, rescue procedures, and necessary safety equipment.
(b) Administrator approval of the final O & M Manual is required prior to plant startup.
(c) Public water supply facilities shall have an equipment maintenance manual located at the facility for each piece of equipment. Each equipment maintenance manual shall:
(i) Have a typewritten table of contents for each volume arranged in a systematic order;
(ii) Include the following general contents:
(A) Product data;
(B) Drawings;
(C) Written text as required to supplement product data for the particular installation;
(D) Copies of each warranty, bond, and service contract issued;
(E) Descriptions of unit and component parts;
(F) Operating procedures;
(G) Maintenance procedures and schedules;
(H) Service and lubrication schedule;
(I) Sequence of control operation;
(J) Parts list; and
(K) Recommended spare parts list.
(iii) Include a section on troubleshooting that shall include:
(A) Typical operation problems and solutions; and
(B) A telephone number for factory troubleshooting assistance.
(iv) Meet the requirements of the engineer and contractor for installation and startup of equipment.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.12.07262023 § 19 Incorporation by Reference
(a) The following codes, standards, rules, and regulations referenced in this Chapter are incorporated by reference:
(i) American National Standards Institute/National Sanitation Foundation Standard 53, Drinking Water Treatment Units - Health Effects (2019), referred to as "NSF/ANSI 53," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/NSF/NSFANSI532020;
(ii) American National Standards Institute/National Sanitation Foundation Standard 55, Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems (2020), referred to as "NSF/ANSI 55," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/NSF/NSFANSI552021;
(iii) American National Standards Institute/National Sanitation Foundation Standard 61, Drinking Water System Components - Health Effects NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2020/NSF/ANSI/CAN 600-2021, referred to as "NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2020/NSF/ANSI/CAN 600-2021," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/NSF/NSFANSI612021600;
(iv) American National Standards Institute/National Sanitation Foundation Standard 372, Drinking Water System Components-Lead Content 372-20, referred to as "NSF/ANSI/CAN 372-20," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/NSF/NSFANSI3722020;
(v) American National Standards Institute/National Sanitation Foundation Standard 419, Public Drinking Water Equipment Performance - Filtration, referred to as "NSF/ANSI 419-2018," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/NSF/NSFANSI4192018;
(vi) American Petroleum Institute Specification 5L, Line Pipe, Forty-Sixth Edition (2019), referred to as "API 5L," available at https://www.techstreet.com/api/standards/api-spec-5l?gateway_code=api&product_id=2010552;
(vii) American Water Works Association Standard A100, Water Wells, A100-20, referred to as "AWWA A100-20," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/83080725;
(viii) American Water Works Association Standard C200, Steel Water Pipe, 6 In. (150 mm) and Larger, C200-17 (2017), referred to as "AWWA C200," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/63106282;
(ix) American Water Works Association Standard C300, Reinforced Concrete Pressure Pipe, Steel-Cylinder Type, C300-11 (2011), referred to as "AWWA C300," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/59483818;
(x) American Water Works Association Standard C301, Prestressed Concrete Pressure Pipe, Steel-Cylinder Type, C301-14 (2014), referred to as "AWWA C301," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/81647229;
(xi) American Water Works Association Standard C600, Installation of Ductile-Iron Mains and Their Appurtenances, C600-10 (2010), referred to as "AWWA C600," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/25724;
(xii) American Water Works Association Standard C601, AWWA Standard for Disinfecting Water Mains, C601-81 (1981), referred to as "AWWA C601," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/18646;
(xiii) American Water Works Association Standard C652, Disinfection of Water Storage Facilities, C652 (2011), referred to as "AWWA C652," available at ttps://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/81912774;
(xiv) American Water Works Association Standard C900, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pressure Pipe and Fabricated Fittings, 4 In. Through 12 In. (100 mm through 300 mm), for Water Transmission and Distribution, C900-07 (2007), referred to as "AWWA C900," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/18943;
(xv) American Water Works Association Standard C901, Polyethylene (PE) Pressure Pipe and Tubing, 3/4 in. (19 mm) through 3 in. (76 mm), for Water Service, C901- 20 (2020), referred to as "AWWA C901," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/86488411;
(xvi) American Water Works Association Standard C906, Polyethylene (PE) Pressure Pipe and Fittings, 4 in. through 65 In. (100 mm Through 1,650 mm), for Waterworks, C906-21 (2021), referred to as "AWWA C906," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/105341623;
(xvii) American Water Works Association Standard C950, Fiberglass Pressure Pipe, C950-13 (2013), referred to as "AWWA C950," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/34040472;
(xviii) American Water Works Association Standard D100, Welded Carbon Steel Tanks for Water Storage, D100-11 (2011), referred to as "AWWA D100-11," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/28162;
(xvix) American Water Works Association Standard D102, Coating Steel Water-Storage Tanks, D102-17 (2017), referred to as "AWWA D102-21," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/92298590;
(xx) American Water Works Association Standard D103, Factory-Coated Bolted Carbon Steel Tanks for Water Storage, D103-19, referred to as "AWWA D103-19," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/80453600;
(xxi) American Water Works Association Standard D104-17, Automatically Controlled, Impressed-Current Cathodic Protection for the Interior of Steel Water Storage, referred to as "AWWA D104-17," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/65522513;
(xxii) American Water Works Association Standard D106-20, Sacrificial anode Cathodic Protection Systems for the Interior Submerged Surfaces of Steel Water Storage Tanks, referred to as "AWWA D106-20," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/84700967;
(xxiii) American Water Works Association Standard D107-16, Composite Elevated Tanks for Water Storage, referred to as "AWWA D107-16," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/54635993;
(xxiv) American Water Works Association Standard D108-19, Aluminum Dome Roofs for Water Storage Facilities, referred to as "AWWA D108-19," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/80933896;
(xxv) American Water Works Association Standard D110-13 (R18), Wire- and Strand-Wound, Circular, Prestressed Concrete Water Tanks, referred to as "AWWA D110-13 (R18)," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/72304450;
(xxvi) American Water Works Association Standard D115-20, Tendon-Prestressed Concrete Water Tanks, referred to as "AWWA D115-20," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/83072907;
(xxvii) American Water Works Association Standard D120-19, Thermosetting Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic Tanks, referred to as "AWWA D120-19," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/79004100;
(xxviii) American Water Works Association Standard D121-12, Bolted Aboveground Thermosetting Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Panel-Type Tanks for Water Storage, referred to as "AWWA D121-12," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/29429;
(xxix) American Water Works Association Standard M23-20, PVC Pipe - Design and Installation, Third Edition, M23, referred to as "AWWA M23-20," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/81145714;
(xxx) American Water Works Association Standard M55-20, PE Pipe-Design and Installation, Second Edition, M55, referred to as "M55-20," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/84701177;
(xxxi) American Water Works Association Manual M42, Steel Water Storage Tanks, 2013, referred to as "AWWA M42," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/36253113;
(xxxii) American National Standards Institute ASSE Standard 1024, Dual Check Backflow Preventers, ASSE 1024-17 (2017), referred to as "ASSE 1024," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASSE-Sanitary/ASSEStandard10242017;
(xxxiii) ASTM International Standard A53, Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless, A53M-18 (2018), referred to as "ASTM A53, available at https://www.astm.org/a0053_a0053m-18.html;
(xxxiv) ASTM International Standard A134, Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Electric-Fusion (Arc)-Welded (Sizes NPS 16 and Over), A134M-18 (2018), referred to as "ASTM A134," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/astm/astma134a134m18;
(xxxv) ASTM International Standard A135, Standard Specification for Electric-Resistance-Welded Steel Pipe, A135M-19 (2019), referred to as "ASTM A135," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/astm/astma135a135m19;
(xxxvi) ASTM International Standard ASTM A139 / A139M - 16, Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion (Arc)-Welded Steel Pipe (NPS 4 and Over), (2016), referred to as "ASTM A139," available at https://www.astm.org/a0139_a0139m-16.html;
(xxxvii) ASTM International Standard A409, Standard Specification for Welded Large Diameter Austenitic Steel Pipe for Corrosive or High-Temperature Service, A409M-15 (2015), referred to as "ASTM A409," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMA409A409M15;
(xxxviii) ASTM International Standard C12, Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines, C12-17 (2017), referred to as "ASTM C12," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/astm/astmc1217;
(xxxix) ASTM International Standard C14, Standard Specification for Nonreinforced Concrete Sewer, Storm Drain, and Culvert Pipe, C14-15a (2015), referred to as "ASTM C14," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/astm/astmc1415a?gclid=Cj0KCQiA95aRBhCsARIsAC2xvfxIaQ66MqCuC40LMUwG0WMe0kbvHUvuxW6F3Nc7jy92bGyVdNFHiaoaAo-uEALw_wcB;
(xl) ASTM International Standard C76, Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe, C76-19a (2019), referred to as "ASTM C76," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMC7619a;
(xli) ASTM International Standard D2321, Standard Practice for Underground Installation of Thermoplastic Pipe for Sewers and Other Gravity-Flow Applications, D2321-18 (2018), referred to as "ASTM D2321," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMD232118;
(xlii) ASTM International Standard D2846, Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Hot- and Cold-Water Distribution Systems, ASTM D2846/D2846M-19A (2019), referred to as "ASTM D2846," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMD2846D2846M19a;
(xliii) ASTM International Standard D2996, Standard Specification for Filament-Wound "Fiberglass" (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin) Pipe, D2996-17 (2017), referred to as "ASTM D2996," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMD299617;
(xliv) ASTM International Standard D2997, Standard Specification for Centrifugally Cast "Fiberglass" (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin) Pipe, D2997-15 (2015), referred to as "ASTM D2997," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMD299715;
(xlv) ASTM International Standard D3517, Standard Specification for "Fiberglass" (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin) Pressure Pipe, D3517-19 (2019), referred to as "ASTM D3517," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Search/Find?in=1&st=ASTM+D3517-19;
(xlvi) ASTM International Standard F480, Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Well Casing Pipe and Couplings Made in Standard Dimension Ratios (SDR), SCH 40 and SCH 80, F480-14 (2014), referred to as "ASTM F480," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMF48014;
(xlvii) ASTM International Standard F645, Standard Guide for Selection, Design, and Installation of Thermoplastic Water- Pressure Piping Systems, ASTM F645-18b, (2018), referred to as "ASTM F645," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMF64518b;
(xlviii) ASTM International Standard F877, Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Hot- and Cold-Water Distribution Systems, ASTM F877-20, (2020), referred to as "ASTM F877," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMF87720;
(xlix) ASTM International Standard F2389, Standard Specification for Pressure-rated Polypropylene (PP) Piping Systems, ASTM F2389-21, (2021), referred to as "ASTM F2389," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMF238921;
(l) ASTM International Standard F2806, Standard Specification for Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Plastic Pipe (Metric SDR-PR), ASTM F2806-20, (2020), referred to as "ASTM F2806," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMF280620;
(li) ASTM International Standard F2855, Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride)/Aluminum/Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC-AL-CPVC) Composite Pressure Tubing ASTM F2855-19, (2019), referred to as "ASTM F2855," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMF285519;
(lii) ASTM International Standard F2969,Standard Specification for Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) IPS Dimensioned Pressure Pipe ASTM F2969-12(2020), (2020), referred to as "ASTM F2969," available at https://webstore.ansi.org/Standards/ASTM/ASTMF2969122020;
(liii) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, published by American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation, 23rd Edition (2018), referred to as "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 2018," available at https://engage.awwa.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Store/Product-Details/productId/65266295;
(liv) Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR Part 141, in effect as of July 1, 2011, available at: http://www.ecfr.gov;
(lv) Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 143.3, in effect as of July 1, 2021; available at: http://www.ecfr.gov;
(lvi) Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 173.3(e), in effect as of November 7, 2018, available at: http://www.ecfr.gov;
(lvii) United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Part 631 National Engineering Handbook, Chapter 32 Well Design and Spring Development, Part 631.3201(b)(iii), in effect as of January 2010, referred to as "USDA NRCS Part 631 National Engineering Handbook," available at https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=26985.wba;
(lviii) Recommended Standards for Water Works, published by Great Lakes Upper Mississippi River Board of State and Provincial Public Health and Environmental Managers, (2018), referred to as "2018 TSS," available at https://www.mngovpublications.com/catalog/Default.asp?CatalogID=21656&Provider_ID=1241868;
(lix) United States Environmental Protection Agency, Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Toolbox Guidance Manual, 2010, referred to as "Toolbox Guidance Manual," available at https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P1009JLI.txt;
(lx) United States Environmental Protection Agency, Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidance Manual For The Final Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, 2006, referred to as "Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidance Manual for the Final LT2ESWTR," available at https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=600006T3.txt; and
(lxi) United States Environmental Protection Agency, Membrane Filtration Guidance Manual, 2005, referred to as "US EPA Membrane Filtration Guidance Manual,"available at https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/P1008S15.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index=2006+Thru+2010&Docs=&Query=&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0&XmlQuery=&File=D%3A%5Czyfiles%5CIndex%20Data%5C06thru10%5CTxt%5C00000021%5CP1008S15.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&SortMethod=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=hpfr&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=1&SeekPage=x&ZyPURL.
(b) For these codes, standards, rules, and regulations incorporated by reference:
(i) The Environmental Quality Council has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules.
(ii) This Chapter does not incorporate later amendments or editions of incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations.
(iii) All incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations are available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Cheyenne office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov or from (307) 777-7937.
History
- Effective 2023-07-26
Chapter 14 Financial Assurance Requirements
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.14.10022020 § 1 In General
(a) This Chapter is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statutes (W.S.) § 35-11-101 through § 35-11-2005, specifically § 306 and § 307.
(b) This Chapter governs all commercial oil field waste disposal facilities that are required to demonstrate financial assurance under W.S. § 35-11-306(c) and all commercial waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities used for the management of more than ten (10) tons of dried wastewater treatment sludges or the equivalent per operating day that are required to demonstrate financial assurance under W.S. § 35-11-307(a). This chapter does not apply to publicly owned facilities or facilities that receive non-domestic sludges.
(c) The following definitions supplement those contained in W. S. § 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act:
(i) "Closure" means the process of securing and stabilizing a regulated facility pursuant to the requirements of this Chapter and a closure plan approved by the Department.
(ii) "Corrective action" means all actions necessary to remedy, abate, and eliminate the public health threat, environmental threat, and damages from a release to the environment of pollutants from a regulated facility or from any violation of a permit, standard, rule, or other requirement established under the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act
(iii) "Monitoring" means all procedures and techniques used to systematically collect, analyze and inspect data on operational parameters of the facility or on the quality of the air, groundwater, surface water, and soil.
(iv) "Operator" means a person who owns or operates a regulated facility or a person who holds a permit to construct, install, modify, or operate a regulated facility.
(v) "Regulated facility" means a commercial sludge facility or a commercial oil field waste disposal facility as specified in Section l(b) of this chapter.
(vi) "Release" includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, emitting, discharging, dumping, addition, escaping, leaching, or unauthorized disposal of any pollutant that enters, or threatens to enter, the air, land or waters of the State.
History
- Effective 2020-10-02
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.14.10022020 § 2 Requirements to Demonstrate Financial Assurance
(a) All regulated facilities shall provide financial assurance for closure, post-closure, and corrective action in compliance with this Chapter.
(b) No new permit shall be issued for any regulated facility unless the applicant provides financial assurance that ensures there are adequate sources of funds to provide for closure, post-closure, and corrective action.
(i) The Department may deny a permit application if the documentation or proposed forms of financial assurance do not ensure that adequate funds will be available to provide for closure, post-closure, and corrective action.
(ii) A permit may be transferred to a new permittee only if the new permittee demonstrates compliance with the financial assurance requirements of this Chapter. Construction permit ownership will be transferred in accordance with Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 3, Section 12.
(c) Any operator of a regulated facility that violates a permit, standard, rule, or requirement established under the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act that results in a release of pollution or waste to the air, land, or water resources of the state shall provide financial assurance for the costs of completing corrective action to remedy or abate the violation or damages caused by the violation.
(d) An operator shall submit documentation of the financial assurance to the Department as part of any permit application for a regulated facility and shall update documentation of financial assurance as required by Sections 3(d)(iv), 3(e)(iv), 4(d)(iv), 5(c)(ii), and 5(d)(ii) of this Chapter. The Department shall determine whether the documentation and proposed forms of financial assurance are adequate and shall notify the applicant in writing of its determination.
History
- Effective 2020-10-02
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.14.10022020 § 3 Closure and Post-Closure Requirements
(a) At least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the anticipated date for initiation of closure of a regulated facility, the operator shall:
(i) Notify the Department in writing of the operator's intention to close a regulated facility;
(ii) Notify the governing body of each locality and adjacent property owners by certified or registered mail of the operator's intention to close a regulated facility;
(iii) Post at least one (1) sign at the regulated facility notifying all persons of the anticipated closing and prohibition against further receipt of waste materials; and
(iv) Install barriers at all access points to prevent new waste from being deposited.
(b) An operator or permit applicant shall submit a closure plan and a post-closure plan with each permit application for a regulated facility. Additionally, a permittee shall submit a revised closure plan and revised post-closure plan to the Department whenever changes to facility operations, conditions, or anticipated closure necessitate changes to the plans.
(c) The closure plan shall:
(i) Describe the work necessary to minimize or eliminate, to the extent necessary to protect human health and the environment, the post-closure escape of leachate, surface runoff, or waste decomposition products to the groundwater, surface water, or the atmosphere;
(ii) Minimize the need for post-closure maintenance and controls; and
(iii) Include a cost estimate.
(d) The closure plan cost estimate shall:
(i) Include an itemized written estimate of the cost of completing all work described in the closure plan;
(ii) Be based on the cost required for a third-party contractor to complete the work described in the closure at the most expensive point in the life of the facility;
(iii) Account for the following factors:
(A) The size and topography of the site;
(B) The total waste material storage capacity at the site;
(C) Availability of cover and fill material needed for site grading;
(D) The type of waste to be received at the site;
(E) Disposal method and sequential disposal plan;
(F) The location of the site and the character of the surrounding area;
(G) Requirements for surface drainage;
(H) Operation and maintenance of the leachate collection and treatment system, and, the off-site disposal of leachate;
(I) Environmental monitoring system;
(J) Structures and other improvements to be dismantled and removed. Salvage values cannot be used to offset demolition costs;
(K) Site storage capacity for solid waste, incinerator residue, and compost material;
(L) Off-site disposal requirements;
(M) Vector control requirements;
(N) A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) variable contingency fee to cover other closure costs as determined appropriate by the Department; and
(O) Any other relevant site-specific factors.
(iv) Be updated, revised, and submitted to the Department by April 1 of each year.
(e) The post-closure plan shall:
(i) Describe the monitoring, maintenance, and controls necessary to confirm that:
(A) Post-closure escape of leachate, surface runoff, or waste decomposition products to the groundwater, surface water, or the atmosphere has been minimized or eliminated to the extent necessary to protect human health and the environment; and
(B) The facility has been stabilized and closed in accordance with the most recent approved closure plan.
(ii) Establish the monitoring period necessary to ensure that the regulated facility has been stabilized and closed in accordance with the most recent approved closure plan. The monitoring period shall continue for a minimum of five (5) years after the date of completing closure of the regulated facility, but the Department may require a longer monitoring period or extend the post-closure monitoring period if the Department determines a longer monitoring period is necessary to protect human health and the environment; and
(iii) Include a cost estimate. However, an incinerator, resource recovery facility, compost facility, or storage surface impoundment may omit the post-closure plan cost estimate from its post-closure plan if onsite disposal of wastes or residues is not planned or required.
(f) The post-closure plan cost estimate shall:
(i) Include a written estimate of the cost of completing all work described in the post-closure plan;
(ii) Be based on the cost required for a third-party contractor to complete the work described in the post-closure plan;
(iii) Account for the following factors :
(A) The size and topography of the site;
(B) The type and quantity of waste that can be received;
(C) Disposal method and sequential disposal plan;
(D) The potential for significant leachate production and the possibility of contaminating water supplies;
(E) Environmental monitoring systems;
(F) Soil conditions.;
(G) The location of the site and the character of the surrounding area;
(H) A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) contingency fee to cover other post-closure costs as determined appropriate by the Department; and
(I) Other site-specific factors.
(iv) Be updated, revised, and submitted to the Department by April 1 of each year.
(g) Inspection:
(i) The Department shall inspect all closed regulated facilities to determine if the closure is complete and adequate in accordance with the approved plan after being notified by the operator that closure has been completed. The Department shall provide written inspection results to the operator of a closed facility after the inspection. If the closure is not satisfactory, the Department shall specify necessary construction or such other steps that may be appropriate to bring unsatisfactory sites into compliance with closure requirements.
(ii) Notification by the Department that the closure is satisfactory does not relieve the operator of responsibility for corrective action in accordance with regulations of the Department to prevent or abate problems caused by the regulated facility that are subsequently discovered.
(h) Within sixty (60) days after receiving certification from the owner or operator that closure has been accomplished in accordance with the closure plan and the provisions of this Chapter, the Director shall verify that proper closure has occurred. Unless the Director has reason to believe that closure has not been in accordance with the closure plan, the Director shall notify the owner or operator in writing that the Director is no longer required to maintain financial assurance for closure of the particular facility. Such notice shall release the owner or operator only from the requirements for financial assurance for closure of the facility; it does not release the Director from legal responsibility for meeting the closure or post-closure standards. If no written notice or termination of financial assurance requirements or failure to properly perform closure is received by the owner or operator within sixty (60) days after certifying proper closure, the owner or operator may petition the Director for an immediate decision, in which case the Director shall respond within ten (10) days after receipt of such petition.
History
- Effective 2020-10-02
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.14.10022020 § 4 Corrective Action Requirements
(a) The Department shall notify the operator of the need to take corrective action to remedy a violation of a permit condition, standard, rule or requirement relating to a regulated facility. The notification shall describe the nature of the violation.
(i) If deemed necessary by the Department, the operator will be required to close the facility and cease further receipt of waste materials.
(ii) If the facility is closed, the operator shall post one (1) sign notifying all persons of the closing and prohibition against further receipt of waste materials. Further, suitable barriers shall be installed at former accesses to prevent new waste from being deposited.
(b) Remediation Activities: In the event of a release, the operator shall:
(i) Initiate immediate measures to:
(A) Prevent further release to the environment;
(B) Prevent further migration of the released substance into surrounding soils and Waters of the State; and
(C) Identify, monitor and mitigate any safety hazards or health risks associated with the violation.
(ii) Comply with all applicable requirements of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 4; and
(iii) If more than 10 barrels (420 gallons) of crude oil, petroleum condensate, produced water, or a combination thereof, or more than 25 gallons of refined crude oil products (including but not limited to gasoline; diesel motor fuel; aviation fuel; asphalt; road oil; kerosene; fuel oil; and derivatives of mineral, animal, or vegetable oils) are released:
(A) Prepare a plan to conduct an investigation of the release, the release site and any surrounding area that may be affected by the release. The plan shall include:
(I) A comprehensive subsurface investigation to define the extent and degree of contamination.
(II) A schedule for conducting the investigation.
(III) A cost estimate for a third-party to perform the tasks identified by the plan.
(B) Submit the investigation plan to the Department within thirty (30) days. The extent of contamination study should begin as soon as the plan has been approved and all necessary permits obtained.
(C) Conduct the extent of contamination study in accordance with the approved plan and submit a written report of the findings to the Department.
(D) If required by the Department, develop a comprehensive plan for mitigation and clean-up. The remediation plan shall be submitted to the Department for approval. The remediation plan shall be implemented as soon as the Department has approved the plan and all necessary permits have been obtained. The remediation plan shall contain an estimate of the costs for a third-party to perform the tasks identified by the plan.
(c) Cost Estimate for Corrective Action:
(i) The operator of a commercial oil field disposal system regulated under W.S. § 35-11-306 or a commercial sludge facility regulated under W.S. § 35-11-307 in submitting an application for a construction permit as required by Chapter 3, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations shall include a written estimate of the cost of corrective actions to remediate a release from the facility. The estimated cost of corrective action and clean-up of a release shall be determined by the Department on a case-by-case basis considering information submitted by the operator. Such costs shall be based on the work required for a third-party contractor.
(ii) The factors to be considered in estimating the cost of corrective actions and clean-up of a release shall include the following:
(A) Soils, geologic and hydrogeologic conditions at the site.
(B) The type and quantity of waste received.
(C) Disposal method and sequential disposal plan.
(D) The potential for significant leachate production and the possibility of contaminating groundwater.
(E) Environmental monitoring systems.
(F) The location of the site and the character of the surrounding area.
(G) A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) contingency fee to cover other corrective action and clean-up costs as determined appropriate by the Department.
(H) The ability of the facility to prevent and detect a release and to facilitate clean-up activities. The criteria used to evaluate this ability shall include design, construction, operation, monitoring, and contingency plans submitted as part of the application package.
(I) The class, use, value and environmental vulnerability of surface and groundwater resources that may be impacted by a release.
(J) Other site-specific factors.
History
- Effective 2020-10-02
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.14.10022020 § 5 Establishment of Financial Assurance Requirements
(a) The Department shall establish the amount of financial assurance required for regulated facilities based on the plans and cost estimates for closure, post-closure, and corrective action. Upon receipt of a cost estimate, the Department shall determine whether the cost estimate meets the requirements of this Chapter and notify the operator in writing of its determination.
(b) If the Department determines that a cost estimate meets the requirements of this Chapter:
(i) The Department shall establish the amount of financial assurance required and notify the operator in writing of the amount established; and
(ii) The operator shall submit documentation of financial assurance in an amount at least equal to the Department's established financial assurance amount within thirty (30) days of the Department's establishment of the financial assurance amount.
(c) If the Department determines that a cost estimate does not meet the requirements of this Chapter:
(i) The Department shall notify the operator of the deficiencies in the cost estimate, and the operator shall revise and resubmit the cost estimate to the Department within thirty (30) days of the Department's determination; or
(ii) The Department shall establish the amount of financial assurance required and notify the operator in writing of the amount established, and the operator shall submit documentation of financial assurance in an amount at least equal to the Department's established financial assurance amount within thirty (30) days of the Department's establishment of the financial assurance amount.
History
- Effective 2020-10-02
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.14.10022020 § 6 Forms of Financial Assurance
(a) An operator of a regulated facility shall provide financial assurance in an amount at least equal to the established financial assurance amount for closure, post-closure, and corrective action in one (1) or a combination of the following:
(i) Surety bond;
(ii) Federally insured certificates of deposit;
(iii) Government-backed securities;
(iv) Cash.
(b) Surety Bonds:
(i) A corporate surety shall not be considered good and sufficient for purposes of W.S. § 35-11-307 or W.S. § 35-11-306 unless:
(A) It is licensed to do business in the State;
(B) The estimated bond amount does not exceed the limit of risk as provided for in W.S. § 26-5-110, nor raise the total of all bonds held by the applicant under that surety above three (3) times the limit of risk; and
(C) The surety agrees:
(I) Not to cancel bond, except as provided for in W.S. § 35-11-
307 or W.S. § 35-11-306 or where the Department gives prior written approval of a good and sufficient replacement surety with transfer of the liability that has accrued against the operator on the permit area;
(II) To be jointly and severally liable with the permittee.
(III) To provide immediate written notice to the Department and operator once it becomes unable or may become unable due to any action filed against it to fulfill its obligations under the bond.
(ii) The provisions applicable to cancellation of the surety's license in W.S. § 35-11- 307 or W.S. § 35-11-306 shall also apply if for any other reason the surety becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the bond. Upon such occurrence, the operator shall provide the required notice. Failure to comply with this provision shall result in suspension of the permit.
(c) In lieu of a bond, the facility operator shall deposit federally insured certificates of deposit payable to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, cash, or government securities, or all three (3).
(i) Securities that are unencumbered shall only include those that are United States Government securities or State Government securities that are acceptable to the Director. Government securities must be endorsed to the order of the Department and placed in possession of the Department. Possession shall be in the form of the cash value of the irrevocable trust for the full amount of the reclamation obligation and payable to the Department and federally insured.
(ii) An operator shall satisfy the requirements of this subsection by establishing an irrevocable trust that conforms to the requirements below and submitting an originally signed duplicate of the trust agreement to the Administrator for consideration.
(A) The irrevocable trust must be submitted to the Director on the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Irrevocable Trust Form and be signed by the operator or guarantor as principal and the financial institution as Trustee, and made payable to the Department;
(B) The Trustee must be a bank organized to do business in the United States that has the authority to act as a trustee and whose trust operations is regulated and examined by a Federal Agency;
(C) The irrevocable trust must be cash funded for the full amount of the financial assurance obligation to be provided in the irrevocable trust before it may be approved to satisfy the requirements of financial assurance in lieu of a bond. For purposes of this subsection, "the full amount of the financial assurance obligation to be provided" means the amount of coverage for Closure, Post-Closure and Corrective Action required to be provided for the permit/facility, less the amount of financial assurance obligation that is being provided by other financial assurance mechanisms being used to demonstrate financial assurance by the operator or guarantor;
(D) Cancellation of an irrevocable trust shall follow the same procedures detailed in W.S. §35-11-306(j) for performance bonds; and
(E) Forfeiture proceeding for an irrevocable trust shall follow the same procedures detailed in W.S. §35-11-306(m) for performance bonds.
History
- Effective 2020-10-02
Chapter 20 Permitting, Design and Operation Standards Confined Swine Feeding Operations
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.20.06292018 Permitting, Design and Operation Standards Confined Swine Feeding Operations
CHAPTER 20
PERMITTING, DESIGN AND OPERATION STANDARDS
CONFINED SWINE FEEDING OPERATIONS
PART A.
INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Section 1. Authority. This regulation is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. 35‑11‑101 through W.S. 35‑11‑1207, specifically, W.S. 35‑11‑301 (a)(iii) and W.S. 35-11-302 (a)(ix).
Section 2. Severability. If any section or provision of this regulation, or the application of that section or provision to any person, situation, or circumstance is adjudged invalid for any reason, the adjudication does not affect any other section or provision of these regulations or the application of the adjudicated section or provision to any other person, situation, or circumstance. The Environmental Quality Council declares that it would have adopted the valid portions and application of this regulation without the invalid part, and to this end the provisions of this regulation are declared to be severable.
Section 3. Definitions. The following definitions supplement those definitions contained in Section 35‑11‑103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(a) "Adjacent" means two (2) or more housed facilities separated at their closest points by distances not greater than one (1) mile.
(b) "Agronomic rate" means the annual total nutrient application rate designed:
(i) To provide the amount of the limiting constituent needed by the food crop, feed crop, fiber crop, cover crop, or vegetation grown on the land; and
(ii) To minimize the amount of the limiting constituent that runs off to surface waters or passes through the root zone of the crop or vegetation grown on the land to the groundwater.
(c) "Animal unit" means a unit of measurement for any feeding operation relating to the number of swine. Two and one-half (2 ½) swine constitute one (1) animal unit.
(d) "Animal waste" means animal excreta or other commonly associated wastes of animal husbandry including, but not limited to, bedding, litter, or feed losses. Dead animals are not considered animal waste.
(e) "Application" means all the information submitted to obtain a permit to construct and operate a confined swine feeding operation. The application includes the completed "application for confined swine feeding permit" form and the accompanying management plan.
(f) "Best available technology" or "BAT" means that technology and practice that has been tested, proven, and practiced at a number of locations and offers the best performance and protection for the environment and public health and safety for the local site conditions.
(g) "BMP" means best management practice, as defined by Chapter 1, Wyoming Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(h) "Closed facility" and "closure" mean a confined swine feeding operation at which operations have been properly terminated and the site restored to the conditions specified by these regulations and the closure plan as approved as part of the current permit allowing operation of the confined swine feeding operation.
(i) "Common ownership" means the ownership of a confined swine feeding operation as a sole proprietor, or a major ownership interest held by a person or entity, in each of two (2) or more feeding operations as a joint tenant, tenant in common, shareholder, partner, member, beneficiary, limited liability company or other equity interest holder. The majority ownership interest is a common ownership interest when it is held directly or indirectly through a partnership, a corporation, a closely held corporation, a limited liability corporation or partnership, parent or affiliate corporation, a spouse, a dependent child, or other legal entity or any combination thereof.
(j) "Complete application" means an application for a permit and a management plan that has all the necessary components. The major elements of each component as identified by this regulation must be present for the application to be complete. A complete application may or may not be technically adequate.
(k) "Confined swine feeding operation" means an operational unit where swine are confined, fed, and maintained for a total of 45 consecutive days or more in any twelve (12) month period and the operational unit is designed to confine an equivalent of 1,000 or more animal units.
(l) "Corrective action" means all actions necessary to eliminate the threat to public health and safety and the threat to the environment from a release to the environment of pollutants from an operating or closed confined swine feeding operation and to restore the environmental conditions as required.
(m) "Dilute liquid wastes" means those liquid wastes resulting from confined swine feeding operations utilizing a minimum fresh water flushing flow of four (4) gallons/hour/1000 lbs of animal weight on site.
(n) "Division" means the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality/Water Quality Division.
(o) "Direct human consumption crops" means crops consumed directly by humans. These include but are not limited to fruits, vegetables, and grains grown for human consumption.
(p) "Housed facility" means any structure that is used to enclose, contain, or shelter swine and to treat or store wastes originating from the operation. This includes feed pens and confinement areas that may not be sheltered by a roof, but contain manure or animal waste.
(q) "Indirect human consumption crops" means crops utilized by grazing animals.
(r) "Lagoon" means a manmade or natural basin that is intended for containment, treatment or disposal of animal wastes and wastewater.
(s) "Land application" means the beneficial use of animal waste products by the spraying or spreading of animal wastes onto the land surface; the injection of animal waste below the land surface; or the incorporation of animal waste into the soil so that the animal waste can either condition the soil or fertilize crops or vegetation grown on the soil.
(t) "Liquid wastes" means animal wastes with a solids content of five (5) percent or less by weight. These animal wastes are generally produced when feces and urine are diluted by wash water or flushing water.
(u) "Management plan" means a comprehensive plan for managing the animal wastes from a confined swine feeding operation. The management plan is a mandatory part of the application for a permit. It includes the following:
(i) Construction plan;
(ii) Operation plan;
(iii) Animal waste management plan; and
(iv) Financial assurance, closure and corrective action plan.
(v) "Manure" means animal excreta or other commonly associated animal wastes of animal husbandry including, but not limited to, bedding, litter, or feed losses.
(w) "Manure slurries" means animal wastes with a solids content of five (5) to ten (10) percent by weight that are primarily feces and urine, and when agitated, behave as a liquid. Manure with a solids content greater than ten (10) percent by weight that does not pass the paint filter test shall be managed as a manure slurry.
(x) "Manure storage facility" means any structure, storage basin, bunker, pad, etc., other than a lagoon utilized to store animal waste.
(y) "Monitoring" means all procedures and techniques used to systematically collect, analyze, and inspect data on operational parameters of the confined swine feeding operation or on the quality of the air, groundwater, surface water and soil.
(z) "Notice of Intent" is the notice provided to the Division, local governments, and the public by a potential applicant for a permit that the construction and operation of a confined swine feeding operation at a specific site is being considered.
(aa) "Occupied dwelling" means a permanent building or fixed mobile home that is occupied on a permanent or temporary basis as a residence.
(bb) "Operational unit" means all adjacent common ownership housed facilities or housed facilities on noncontiguous, common ownership lands that utilize a common area or system for the storage, treatment, or disposal of animal wastes.
(cc) "Operator" means those legal entities or persons who control activities associated with the housed facilities that are part of a confined swine feeding operation as set forth in these regulations.
(dd) "Owner" means those legal entities or persons in whose name the deed for the land occupied by the housed facility is recorded. Owner also includes any legal entity or person with a general interest in any real property that is part of the housed facility.
(ee) "Pathogen" means a disease causing organism. This includes, but is not limited to, certain bacteria, protozoa, viruses, cysts, and viable helminth ova.
(ff) "Permit" means written authorization duly executed by the Director that authorizes the permittee to construct or operate a confined swine feeding operation as set forth in these regulations.
(gg) "Permittee" means all owners and operators bound by the permit.
(hh) "Public hearing" means a non-adversarial meeting held by the Administrator or the Director. The meeting shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Rules of Practice and Procedure.
(ii) "Release" means, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, emitting, discharging, dumping, escaping, leaching, or unauthorized disposal of any animal waste product, organic or non-organic, from a confined swine feeding operation that may result in the pollution of groundwater, surface water, soils, or air.
(jj) "Relinquished facility" means a facility for which the permittee is not capable or willing to complete closure in compliance with the permit.
(kk) "Sludge" means the accumulated solids settled from a wastewater treatment facility.
(ll) "Slurry" means a mixture of liquids and undissolved solids that behaves primarily as a liquid.
(mm) "Soil" means all unconsolidated material overlaying bedrock.
(nn) "Solid manure" means animal wastes with a solids content greater than ten percent (10%) by weight produced by separating liquid and solid wastes. Solid manure must pass the paint filter test, as defined by Method 9095A from EPA Test Methods For Evaluating Solid Waste.
(oo) "Swine" means butcher or breeding pigs that are over 55 pounds weight. For purposes of determining animal units, three (3) pigs each weighing less than 55 pounds that have been weaned from the sow shall be counted as one (1) swine.
(pp) "Technically adequate" means that the information presented in an application for a permit is scientifically sound, meets all requirements of the regulations and is sufficient to allow the Administrator to determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed permit.
(qq) "Treatment facility" means an animal waste receiving facility designed to digest or alter the animal waste either mechanically or biologically.
(rr) "Vector" means a carrier that is capable of transmitting a pathogen from one organism to another including, but not limited to, flies, other insects, rodents, birds, and vermin.
(ss) "Waste collection system" means a system, including pipelines, conduits, pumping stations, force mains, and all other construction, devices, appurtenances, and facilities used for collecting animal wastes or conducting animal wastes to an ultimate point for treatment or disposal. The waste collection system is considered to start at the end of or immediately beneath the feeding floor. The collection system shall include all piping, channels, and appurtenances that transfer the animal waste and flush water from the feeding floor to the animal waste treatment or storage facility.
(tt) "Waste storage facilities" are structures or other receptacles that store animal waste for periods of fourteen (14) days or more. Animal waste receiving facilities not designed specifically to alter the animal waste either mechanically or biologically shall be considered storage facilities. Some decomposition of animal waste may occur during extended periods of storage.
Section 4. Purpose. This regulation sets forth the requirements and process for applying for and obtaining a permit for a confined swine feeding operation.
Section 5. Applicability.
(a) These regulations shall apply to all confined swine feeding operations that file a permit application after February 28, 1997.
(b) These regulations shall apply to confined swine feeding operations that filed a permit application before February 28, 1997 if there is an increase in animal unit capacity above permitted levels.
(c) These regulations shall apply to all confined swine feeding operation animal waste produced by operations permitted under this regulation.
(d) These regulations shall apply to any housed facilities that can be considered an operational unit due to common ownership and collectively meet the criteria of a confined swine feeding operation.
(e) Modifications of facilities, exempted from the provisions of these regulations, that do not result in an increase in animal unit capacity above permitted levels, shall be regulated by the provisions of Chapters 3 and 11 of the Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(f) These regulations supersede Chapter 3, except for Section 17, and Chapter 11 for confined swine feeding operations.
Section 6. Prohibitions.
(a) No person shall construct or operate a confined swine feeding operation prior to receiving a permit in accordance with these regulations.
(b) No person shall construct, modify, or operate any confined swine feeding operation unless authorized and in compliance with a permit.
(c) No person shall construct, modify, or operate a confined swine feeding operation with a permit that has expired or has been suspended or revoked.
(d) No person shall construct, modify, or operate any confined swine feeding operation without complying with all financial assurance requirements of these regulations.
(e) No person shall discharge animal waste to the Surface Waters of the State.
Section 7. Requirements for an Application for a Permit. The following procedures shall be used when applying for a permit:
(a) Any person who proposes to construct, modify, or operate a confined swine feeding operation shall submit a written application for a permit on forms provided by the Administrator.
(b) The application for a permit shall be accompanied by a management plan. A complete management plan shall have the following components:
(i) Construction plan;
(ii) Operation plan;
(iii) Animal waste management plan; and
(iv) Financial assurance, closure, post closure, and corrective action plan.
(c) The application for approval of a permit or for modification of an approved permit must be accompanied by three (3) copies of plans, specifications, design data, or other pertinent information covering the project and any additional information requested by the Administrator.
(d) In instances where a groundwater monitoring program is required as determined by the Administrator, the application shall also include a proposed monitoring program to satisfy the requirements of Section 17, Chapter 3, Wyoming Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(e) All construction plans and specifications submitted shall carry the seal and signature of the designing engineer in accordance with W.S. 33-29-114 through 33-29-139.
(f) All plans and specifications must conform to common and accepted professional practices as determined by the Administrator or as defined by applicable division regulations.
(g) The application form shall be signed by all owners and operators that have a participation in the confined swine feeding operation. The persons signing the permit shall be:
(i) For a sole proprietorship or family farm, the proprietor or the farmer.
(ii) For a corporation, limited liability company, or other form of legal entity, an individual having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility and the authority to encumber the entity.
(iii) For a partnership, a general partner.
(h) One permit shall be issued listing all applicants of record. Each owner or operator signatory to the permit shall be jointly and severely liable for compliance with all terms of the permit.
Section 8. Construction Plan Content.
(a) An engineering design report that describes existing conditions, problems, and the proposed solution is required as part of the management plan. The engineering design report shall include:
(i) A description of the confined swine feeding operation site and vicinity. A site plan prepared on a 7 ½' USGS Quadrangle or a high color reproduction shall be included. Everything within two (2) miles of the site perimeter shall be shown. This plan shall indicate the location of occupied dwellings, public or private schools, incorporated municipalities, domestic water wells, wetlands, and perennial streams within the setback distances specific in W.S. 35-11-302 (a)(ix)(C) and Sections 24 and 25 of these regulations.
(ii) A detailed description of the project and site plan, including:
(A) Present and projected confined swine feeding operation property.
(B) Flood vulnerability.
(I) Indicate areas subject to flooding by a 100-year event.
(II) Indicate areas subject to flooding by the maximum probable flood event.
(C) Present and proposed access.
(D) Distances from occupied dwellings.
(E) Prevailing wind direction.
(F) Proposed fencing and any other site security measures.
(G) Topographic features and contours with indicated datum. The datum must be a standard datum recognized by the U.S. Geological Survey.
(H) Two (2) permanent benchmarks within one (1) mile of the facility tied to the reference datum.
(I) A geologic report signed and sealed by a licensed professional geologist in accordance with W.S. 33-41-101 through 33-41-121 that includes:
(I) A stratigraphic column that illustrates the thickness and geologic names of alluvial materials and geologic formations that comprise the unsaturated, or vadose, zone.
(II) A description of the lithology and hydraulic conductivity of materials and geologic formations comprising the unsaturated zone, the first encountered groundwater section, and the uppermost aquifer underlying the proposed facility.
(III) A potentiometric map of the uppermost water table that illustrates the locations and use of all wells within one (1) mile of the proposed facility, clearly identifying those wells producing in whole, or in part, from the uppermost aquifer. Include project borings or wells.
(IV) A description of the uppermost aquifer in terms of its confinement or unconfinement, type and amount of porosity.
(J) Baseline surface water quality: Baseline water quality shall be established for all surface waters within two (2) miles of the facility. Where adequate water quality records are not available, four (4) quarterly samples shall be performed. All quarterly sampling need not be completed when the permit application is submitted.
(K) Baseline groundwater quality: Baseline groundwater quality shall be established for any unconfined aquifer and any other Class I, II, or III aquifers being produced within two (2) miles of the facility. All wells owned or developed by the common ownership controlling the facility shall be sampled and tested one (1) time for the parameters listed in Table 1 of Chapter 8 of the Water Quality Division Regulations. The permit applicant shall make all reasonable efforts within the applicant's control to obtain water samples from private wells as necessary to test all aquifers.
(iii) Design conditions, including:
(A) Initial or existing and proposed animal capacity, expressed as number of head and as live animal weight.
(B) Initial or existing and projected waste generation rates and generation rate variations.
(C) Shock loads, with cause and frequency.
(D) Initial or existing and projected waste characteristics.
(E) Projected treated waste characteristics.
(F) Climate conditions at the confined swine feeding operation site.
(G) Existing or proposed water supply.
(H) Odor control requirements.
(I) Dust control requirements.
(J) Pathogen control requirements.
(K) Vector control requirements.
(iv) A demonstration that groundwater quality class of use as identified in Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations shall be protected in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 17, Wyoming Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(v) Specific requirements of any applicable approved water quality management, source water or well head protection plan.
(vi) Design calculations for animal waste collection systems.
(vii) Design calculations for animal waste storage and animal waste treatment facilities.
(b) Detailed plans shall be prepared and submitted.
(i) All plans shall have a suitable title block and legend that includes:
(A) Name of permittee and location of project.
(B) The revision date and number.
(C) North arrow and graphical drawing scale.
(D) Name, seal, and signature of the engineer. The engineer must have a current registration in the State of Wyoming.
(ii) All plans shall be tied to the reference datum used for the project.
(iii) All drawings shall be scaled and dimensioned.
(iv) The first page of each plan set shall be a cover sheet with an index to the plans. The second page shall be the site plan referred to in Section 8 (a)(ii).
(v) Detailed plans of the animal waste collection systems shall include:
(A) Site location and layout, including existing and proposed buildings and facilities.
(B) Locations and dimensions of animal waste collection systems, including those in and under buildings. Constructed pits and flushing gutters shall be shown. All animal waste transmission lines (sewers) and appurtenances shall be shown.
(C) Detailed cross sections and profiles. The location of all cross sections and profiles shall be identified on the plan views.
(D) Schematic flow diagrams and hydraulic profiles.
(vi) Detailed plans of the animal waste storage and animal waste treatment facilities shall include:
(A) Detailed cross sections. The location of all cross sections should be identified on the plan views.
(B) Construction details. Special emphasis shall be given to primary and secondary containment features. All mechanical and electrical devices and lines associated with animal waste management shall be shown.
(C) Additional features affecting animal waste management not otherwise shown on the drawings or covered in the specifications.
(c) The specifications accompanying the construction drawings shall include the following information for all construction related to animal waste management:
(i) Identification of required performance characteristics of all construction materials.
(ii) The type, size, strength, operating characteristics, rating or requirements for all mechanical and electrical equipment; laboratory fixtures and equipment; operating tools; special appurtenances; and chemicals where applicable.
(iii) Construction and installation procedures.
(iv) Testing requirements to ensure materials and equipment meet design standards.
Section 9. Operation Plan Content. An operation plan is required for each new or modified confined swine feeding operations. The plan shall be finalized and approved prior to the approval of the permit. The plan shall include a description of the operation of the following as necessary for the proper management of animal waste facilities:
(a) Feeding and production facilities.
(b) Animal waste collection systems.
(c) Animal waste storage facilities.
(d) Animal waste and wastewater application systems.
(e) Description of emergency operation and response actions.
(f) Sampling, analysis and reporting requirements appropriate for the operation.
(g) Disposal of other wastes:
(i) Non-manure solid wastes incidental to the operation.
(ii) Dead animals.
(h) Operation and maintenance manual.
Section 10. Animal Waste Management Plan Content. The animal waste management plan shall address the following, if applicable:
(a) The amount of animal waste to be generated at the facility and a description of storage methods.
(b) The estimated time period that animal waste must be stored before land application.
(c) The total amount of the controlling constituents produced by the operation
(d) The controlling constituents requirements or uptake values for the vegetation or crops to receive the animal waste.
(e) The acreage to receive the animal waste except when solid wastes are sold or given away.
(f) A description of the animal waste conveyance or transportation method to get the animal waste to the land application sites.
(g) A demonstration that adequate and suitable land is available upon which to land apply the animal waste in accordance with the requirements of these regulations.
(h) The estimated application rate in terms of tons of animal waste and controlling constituents per acre, including:
(i) A description of animal waste and soil sampling and analysis procedures to determine application rates.
(ii) A description of record keeping systems for location, dates and rates of animal waste application, and for animal waste and soil testing results.
(i) The planned method and time of application.
(j) Written agreements with landowners for land application must be included in the plan, if animal waste is to be applied on property not owned by the permittee.
(i) Agreements with landowners for land application shall allow the Division to assume the agreement in the event that a facility is relinquished.
(ii) Agreements with landowners for land application must provide right of entry for the Division for the life of the agreement to monitor for compliance with the permit.
(k) Procedures and methods to control odors from animal confinement areas, lagoons, animal waste storage facilities, and land application sites.
(l) Procedures and methods to control vectors associated with confined swine feeding operations.
(m) If the animal waste is to be utilized for uses other than land application, the animal waste management plan must demonstrate that the protection of Waters of the State, public health and safety, and the environment is equal to or greater than that provided by land application conducted in accordance with these regulations.
Section 11. Financial Assurance Plan Content. The financial assurance plan shall be consistent with Parts E and F of these regulations and shall contain the following:
(a) A relinquished site closure plan and an estimate of associated costs in accordance with Sections 44 and 47 of these regulations.
(b) A calculation of the corrective action contingency bond amount prepared in accordance with Section 48.
(c) The financial assurance instruments shall be in amounts determined by the Administrator to be adequate to carry out the activities contained in the relinquished site closure plan plus the corrective action contingency bond amount plus solid waste transfer, treatment, storage or disposal bond amounts as required by Section 21. The entire amount of financial assurance provided shall be available to remedy any violation of this regulation or any other violations of the Environmental Quality Act associated with the confined swine feeding operation permitted by this regulation.
(d) Provision for annual review and updating of the financial assurance instruments.
Section 12. Application Processing Procedures.
(a) Each application for a confined swine feeding operation permit must be submitted with all supporting data necessary for review. Processing of the application shall be in accordance with the provisions of applicable statutes of the State and regulations of the Division.
(b) The Administrator or a designated representative shall review each application and resubmittal within thirty (30) days of receipt in order to determine if it is complete. This completeness review shall determine if all of the components of a management plan, as defined in these regulations, are addressed in the application. All items not specified as incomplete shall be deemed to be complete.
(c) If an application is determined to be incomplete, the necessary information to complete the application shall be requested by the Administrator or his designated representative.
(d) Upon determination than an application is complete, the applicant shall be directed to provide public notice according to Section 13 (b) of these regulations. The public notice of a complete application is intended to allow the public the opportunity to provide comment during the technical review of the proposed permit.
(e) Permit applications determined to be complete shall be reviewed for technical adequacy in the following manner:
(i) A technical review shall be completed by the Division within sixty (60) days of the determination that the application is complete.
(ii) Additional information may be requested by the Administrator or his designated representative to satisfy the technical review and demonstrate that the proposed confined swine feeding operation shall meet the requirements of these regulations.
(iii) Review of additional information submitted shall be completed by the Division within sixty (60) days of receipt. If the information submitted is still inadequate to allow the Administrator and Director to make a decision to deny or approve the application, more information may be requested of the applicant subject to the procedures outlined in this sub-section. All items not specified as technically inadequate shall be deemed to be adequate for purposes of this subsection.
(f) The applicant shall have a maximum of six (6) months to fully comply with any request for necessary or additional information under this subsection.
(i) If the applicant fails to completely satisfy the request for information within eight (8) months of the determination that the application is complete, the permit application shall be terminated.
(ii) The Notice of Intent referred to in Section 13 (a) shall be automatically revoked by the termination of the application.
(iii) The Director has the discretion for good cause to extend the time period to satisfy the request for information beyond eight (8) months from the determination that the application was complete.
Section 13. Notice of Intent, Public Participation, Public Notice, and Public Hearing Requirements.
(a) A prospective applicant for a confined swine feeding operation permit must file a Notice of Intent with the Division. A Notice of Intent is filed for the purpose of establishing a date to fix setback requirements in accordance with Section 24 of these regulations and to keep the public fully informed. The official date of the notification of intent shall be the date that it is received by the Division.
(i) The party filing the Notice of Intent shall have a maximum of twelve (12) months from the filing date to submit a completed permit application.
(ii) If a completed permit application has not been submitted within twelve (12) months, the Notice of Intent shall expire.
(iii) The Notice of Intent shall be filed upon forms provided by the Division and shall include the following information:
(A) Identification of the submitting party.
(B) Size and type of proposed confined swine feeding operation.
(C) Legal description of the proposed housed facility.
(D) A list of all property owners of record within one (1) mile of the perimeter of the proposed housed facility.
(E) The signature of a responsible official for the submitting party and the date.
(iv) The prospective applicant shall:
(A) Send a copy of the Notice of Intent to all property owners within the one (1) mile perimeter by certified mail, return receipt requested.
(B) Provide a Notice of Intent to any local government having jurisdiction over the area where the facility or operation is proposed to be located or to any jurisdiction within five (5) miles of the location. The Division shall receive verification that this requirement was met.
(C) Publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the proposed facility a copy of the Notice of Intent to be filed with the Division. The Division shall be provided a certified published copy of this public notice.
(b) When a proposed permit filed with the Division is determined to be complete, a public notice shall be issued by the applicant.
(i) The public notice shall include the following information:
(A) The names, addresses, and phone numbers of the Division and applicant personnel whom interested persons may contact to review the application.
(B) The name, address, and phone number of the applicant for the confined swine feeding operation permit.
(C) The location of facilities to be constructed, including the housed facility and land application areas.
(D) A brief description of the proposed confined swine feeding operation.
(E) A brief description of comment and public hearing procedures.
(F) Any additional information considered necessary by the Division.
(ii) The applicant shall provide public notice by:
(A) Mailing the notice to any unit of local government (including counties) having jurisdiction over the area where the facility or operation is proposed to be located or jurisdiction within five (5) miles of the location. The Division shall be provided a copy of this notice.
(B) Mailing by first class mail the public notice to all persons and organizations on a general mailing list of interested parties provided by the Division.
(C) Publishing in a newspaper of general circulation and any local papers in the area of the proposed facility, a public notice prepared by the Division. The Division shall be provided a certified published copy of this public notice.
(iii) The intent of the public notice is to provide the public an opportunity to comment. The comment period shall be a minimum of thirty (30) days from the date of publication. During the public comment period, any interested person may submit written comments on the permit application to the Division. Any interested person may submit a written request detailing the need for a public hearing.
(c) When an application for a proposed operation is determined to be technically adequate, the Administrator shall hold a public hearing upon finding a significant degree of public interest. The Administrator also has the discretion to hold a public hearing whenever such a hearing may clarify issues involved in the review of a permit.
(i) If a public hearing is to be held, the Administrator shall provide a notice of the public hearing. Notice of a public hearing shall be given at least thirty (30) days before the hearing. A notice of public hearing shall be provided after the permit application has been determined by the Administrator to be technically adequate to make a decision to either approve or deny the permit.
(ii) The applicant shall be required to provide a public hearing place in the vicinity of the proposed confined swine feeding operation. Such hearing place shall accommodate such attendance as might reasonably be expected. The hearing place shall conform to the accessability standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(iii) The notice of public hearing shall contain the following information in addition to that information required by Section 13 (b)(i):
(A) Reference to previous public notices relating to the proposed permit.
(B) Any additional information considered necessary by the Division.
(C) Date, time, and place of the public hearing.
(D) A brief description of the nature and purpose of the public hearing.
(iv) The public comment period shall automatically extend to the close of any public hearing. The Administrator may also extend the comment period by so stating at the public hearing.
Section 14. Approval or Denial of a Permit Application. A permit shall be approved if the permit application complies with all provisions of these regulations and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act. The management plan shall show that the proposed confined swine feeding operation can be operated in compliance with these regulations.
(a) The Administrator shall not render a final recommendation to the Director on a proposed permit until after the completion of the final comment period and the public hearing, if one is held. The Administrator shall make a decision as soon as reasonably possible. Before a final decision is issued, the Administrator shall prepare a written response to all comments received during the comment period. The written response shall be provided to members of the public upon request. The written response shall:
(i) Specify any changes made to the management plan as the result of public comment.
(ii) Briefly describe and respond to all comments voicing a legitimate regulatory concern that is within the authority of the Division to regulate.
(b) The Director may deny a permit for any of the following reasons:
(i) The application does not meet applicable minimum design, construction, or operation standards as specified by these regulations.
(ii) The facility, if constructed, would cause violation of applicable state surface or groundwater standards.
(iii) The project does not comply with applicable state and local water quality management plans or approved well head or source water protection plans.
(iv) The facility does not comply with the setback requirements of W.S. 35-11-302 (a)(ix).
(v) The application does not demonstrate the use of BAT to reduce odors, pathogens, and vectors.
(vi) The application does not meet the requirements for financial assurance as required in Part F of these regulations.
(vii) Other justifiable reasons necessary to carry out the provisions of the Environmental Quality Act.
(viii) The application is incomplete according to Sections 7 through 11.
(c) The procedures to be followed in case of denial are as follows:
(i) The Director shall notify the applicant by registered or certified mail of the decision to deny the permit application and the reason for denial.
(ii) The applicant may request a contested case hearing before the Environmental Quality Council pursuant to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Section 15. Periodic Review of the Management Plan.
(a) Prior to ninety (90) days of the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance of the permit and every five (5) years thereafter, the permittee shall submit to the Division a report of review of the management plan. The report shall evaluate compliance of the confined swine feeding operation with the permit and address the following items:
(i) Record of compliance with applicable regulations and statutes.
(ii) A determination of whether BAT is incorporated in the permit as required for animal waste management practices.
(iii) Status of any closure activities or corrective actions that are underway.
(iv) Compliance with financial assurance requirements.
(b) The Administrator or a designated representative shall evaluate the review within sixty (60) days of receipt. The Division may request additional information or modifications as necessary to satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (a) above.
(c) The Division shall publish a notice of the availability of the management plan review and the Division's findings in accordance with the procedures for a public notice as described by Section 13 (b)(ii) of these regulations.
Section 16. Transfer of a Permit. A confined swine feeding operation permit may be transferred upon submittal of a written request to the Administrator signed by all present and proposed parties to the permit. A transfer shall be requested within sixty (60) days of sale or transfer of real estate or real property, or change of operator.
(a) The Administrator shall approve or deny the transfer within thirty (30) days after receipt of the request.
(b) The Administrator may refuse to approve the transfer of the permit if:
(i) The proposed permittee fails to provide adequate financial assurance; or
(ii) The proposed permittee or a controlling interest in the proposed permittee has a pattern or history of significant violations of the Environmental Quality Act or similar acts in other jurisdictions of the United States.
(c) The new permittee must acknowledge and accept all conditions of the permit.
Section 17. Modification of a Management Plan. A management plan may be modified with the approval of the Administrator upon demonstration that the modification complies with this and other applicable regulations.
(a) The permittee may request a modification to the management plan. Modifications shall be requested when necessary to correct operational problems or to incorporate best available technology (BAT). Modifications to the operation may be requested at the permittee's discretion.
(b) The permittee must receive approval from the Administrator for a modification before initiating any change in operational procedures including but not limited to the following:
(i) Increasing the number of animals permitted at the operation.
(ii) Changing animal waste treatment, storage, or disposal practices from those permitted at the facility.
(iii) Changing the nature and volume of the animal waste generated at the facility.
(iv) Disposing of animal waste at any locations other than those identified in the permit.
(c) The Administrator may require the permittee to modify a management plan as necessary because of:
(i) Significant changes to the operation.
(ii) Significant advances in BAT.
(iii) Changes to the operation determined by the Administrator to be necessary to ensure that the operation complies with the Environmental Quality Act and related statutes and regulations.
(iv) Discovery of existing, unknown, or changing site conditions that could prevent construction or subsequent operations from complying with applicable statutes and regulations.
(v) Discovery of inaccurate or false information in the permit.
(vi) Failure to comply with the permit and these regulations.
Section 18. Probation or Suspension of a Permit.
(a) The Director may place a permit on probation for violation or the threat to violate the terms and conditions of the permit or these regulations. If the permittee fails to resolve the issues leading to probation within ninety (90) days, the Director may suspend or revoke the permit. The Director shall notify the permittee by registered or certified mail of the Department's intent to place the permit on probation. The notification shall include the effective date and the reasons for probation. A permit may be suspended or revoked without being placed on probation.
(b) The Director may suspend a permit for:
(i) A substantial noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the permit or these regulations.
(ii) Unapproved modifications in design, construction, or operation.
(iii) Failure to submit records and information required to show compliance with the permit.
(iv) Violation of any financial assurance requirements.
(v) Failure to request a transfer pursuant to Section 16 of these regulations within sixty (60) days of sale or exchange of an operational unit. Failure to apply for a permit transfer upon sale or exchange of an operational unit is a violation of these regulations that shall allow the Director to declare forfeiture of the financial assurance provided by the permittee of record.
(vi) Any other reason necessary to achieve compliance with applicable statutes, standards, or regulations.
(c) The Director shall notify the permittee of record by registered or certified mail of the Department's intent to suspend the permit. The notification shall include the effective date, the actions with completion dates necessary to lift the suspension, and the reasons for suspension.
(d) If the permittee chooses not to comply with the terms of the suspension, the permittee shall request a hearing before the Environmental Quality Council under the provisions of Section 19, Permit Termination. In the event of such a hearing, the Environmental Quality Council shall have the option of recommending permit revocation.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or contravene enforcement authority of the Department pursuant to the Environmental Quality Act.
Section 19. Permit Revocation.
(a) A permit shall be revoked upon written request of the permittee and demonstration that the closure in accordance with Section 43 and any corrective action requirements in accordance with Section 45 of these regulations have been satisfactorily completed.
(b) A permit may be revoked by the Director for:
(i) Obtaining a permit by misrepresentation, failure fully to disclose all relevant facts, or false information submitted in the application.
(ii) Changing site conditions that cannot be addressed by modifications to prevent violation of the Environmental Quality Act or applicable regulations.
(iii) A pattern or history of violations of the permit or these regulations.
(iv) Failure to comply with the terms of a permit suspension.
(v) Any other reason necessary to achieve compliance with applicable statutes, standards, or regulations.
(vi) The Director shall notify the permittee of record by registered or certified mail of the Department's intent to terminate the permit. The notification shall include the effective date and detailed requirements of the permit revocation, including:
(A) The date that all animals must be removed from the facility.
(B) The date that all animal waste must be removed from the facility.
(C) The date that closure must begin. A closure plan shall be prepared and approved in accordance with Section 43 of these regulations before closure shall begin.
(vii) The revocation notice shall become final sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of notice unless within that time the operator requests a hearing before the Environmental Quality Council. Such a request shall be made in accordance with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Rules of Practice and Procedure.
(viii) Failure to comply with the terms of the revocation notice, as modified by the contested case hearing if applicable, shall be cause for forfeiture of financial assurance.
(ix) Financial assurance must be maintained by the permittee until the closure and any corrective actions necessary have been completed and approved by the Division.
Section 20. Compliance with State and Local Water Quality Management Plans. A management plan or permit shall not be approved for any facility that is in conflict with an approved water quality management plan, source water protection plan, or well head protection plan.
Section 21. Solid Waste Transfer, Treatment, Storage or Disposal. Any solid waste transfer, treatment, storage or disposal facility, as defined in Chapter 1 of the Wyoming Solid Waste Rules and Regulations, that is located within the boundaries of a confined swine feeding operation shall be permitted by the Water Quality Division under the authority of these regulations. Storage, treatment (incineration or composting), or disposal (burial) of dead swine is a regulated facility as defined in Chapter 1 of the Wyoming Solid Waste Rules and Regulations.
(a) The permit application shall include solid waste management facilities constructed or operated as part of the confined swine feeding operation. The permit application shall address the requirements and standards described in Chapter 2 "Sanitary Landfill Regulations" or Chapter 6 "Transfer, Treatment and Storage Facility Regulations" of the Wyoming Solid Waste Rules and Regulations.
(b) Financial assurance requirements associated with any solid waste management facility shall be addressed under the provisions of Section 50 of these regulations and calculated according to Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Chapter 2 "Sanitary Landfill Regulations", Chapter 6 "Transfer, Treatment and Storage Facility Regulations" and Chapter 7 "Financial Assurance Requirements."
Section 22. Relationship to Other Programs.
(a) The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division requires new sources of air emissions to obtain a permit. The disposal of dead swine by incineration is considered such a source.
(b) The Wyoming State Engineer regulates the appropriation and use of water and the safety of dams.
(i) All water well construction requires a permit from the State Engineer. Appropriate water rights must be granted by the State Engineer before the use or detention of surface water.
(ii) Lagoons with above ground berms or dikes may be subject to regulations administered by the State Engineer governing safety of dams.
(c) The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division requires a storm water permit for construction activities including clearing, grading, and excavation activities that disturb a total land area as designated by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Regulations.
(d) Approval of a permit for a confined swine feeding operation does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility to comply with any local requirements including land use, zoning, or permitting requirements established by any local government.
Section 23. Permit Conditions.
(a) The permittee shall:
(i) Conduct all construction and operation of a confined swine feeding operation consistent with the management plan and the permit. Unauthorized changes, deviations, or modifications are a violation of the permit. An amended application or request for revision to an approved permit must be filed with the Administrator to obtain approval of a modification. No modification shall be started until a modified management plan has been approved pursuant to Section 17 of these regulations.
(ii) Request authorization of the Administrator to use materials or procedures different from those specified in the permit. A modification to a permit component may be granted if materials cannot be obtained or procedures cannot be accomplished and alternative materials or procedures meet the standards specified in these regulations. To prevent delaying construction, the Administrator may grant a modification orally, upon oral request. A written request for modification must be submitted within five (5) days. Failure to do so may result in the Administrator revoking the oral modification.
(iii) Conduct the operation according to statements, representations, and procedures contained in the permit.
(b) Routine maintenance and repair of the facilities that collect, convey, treat, or store animal waste shall not require notification of the Division or modification of the permit.
(c) The owner of the facility shall allow authorized representatives of the Department, upon presentation of credentials, in compliance with the permittee's established, printed biosecurity protocols, and at reasonable times to:
(i) Enter upon the premises of the operation, land application areas, or premises where records are kept as required by the permit.
(ii) Read or copy any records required to be kept under the terms of the permit.
(iii) Inspect any facilities, equipment, and land application areas covered under the permit.
(iv) Sample any animal waste, wastewater, sludge, residuals, and by-products covered under the provisions of the permit. This includes soils of land application areas.
(d) A permit does not allow the permittee to violate any provision of the Environmental Quality Act or any other applicable regulation.
PART B.
SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR SITING
Section 24. Setbacks. A confined swine feeding operation shall comply with W.S. 35-11-302 (a)(ix)(C). Swine confinement areas, animal waste storage facilities, or animal waste treatment facilities shall not be within:
(a) One (1) mile of an occupied dwelling without the written consent of the owner of the house.
(b) One (1) mile of a public or private school without the written consent of the school's board of trustees or board of directors.
(c) One (1) mile of the boundaries of any incorporated municipality without the resolution and consent of the governing body of the municipality.
(d) One-fourth (¼) mile of a water well permitted for current domestic purposes without the written consent of the owner of the well.
(e) One-fourth (¼) mile of a perennial stream unless it is proved to the Division that potential adverse effects to the water quality of the stream can be avoided.
Section 25. Setback Determination. The date for determining whether a permit complies with setback requirements shall be fixed according to Section 13 (a).
(a) Dwellings or schools may be constructed or municipal limits extended to closer than one (1) mile of confined swine feeding operations. Entities intruding into the one (1) mile setback zone after filing of the Notice of Intent shall be considered to have waived permanently their rights to protection of the setback requirement with respect to that operation.
(b) Permitted confined swine feeding operations shall have the right to operate and modify their permits, including expansions, based on conditions as of the setback date fixed according to Section 13 (a).
(c) The one (1) mile setback is considered part of the odor management for a confined swine feeding operation. Odor complaints from entities intruding into the fixed setback zone shall be evaluated at a distance of one (1) mile from the nearest portion of the confined swine feeding operation.
Section 26. Waivers. The setback distances specified in these regulations may be waived with the consent of the party benefitted by the setback distance.
(a) A waiver granted by a private property owner becomes effective upon being recorded with the county clerk of the county where the affected property is located. The waiver shall reflect the full legal description of the proposed confined swine feeding operation site, the full legal description of the property for which the waiver is granted and the signature of the owner of record as of that date. A certified copy of this recording shall be provided to the Division as part of the permit application. If the proposed confined swine feeding operation site is in a different county than the affected property, the waiver shall also be filed in the county where the proposed confined swine feeding operation site is located.
(b) Public schools and incorporated municipalities shall approve a waiver of setback requirements by action of the governing body. A certified copy of the final action approving the waiver shall be included with the application.
PART C.
DESIGN AND OPERATION STANDARDS
Section 27. Purpose of Design and Operation Standards. The purpose of these designs and operation standards is to ensure that the design, construction, and operation of confined swine feeding operations and any associated facilities capable of causing or contributing to pollution comply with the Environmental Quality Act.
Section 28. General. This part contains the minimum standards for the design, construction, and operation of a confined swine feeding operation. The applicant shall demonstrate to the Administrator that there shall be no surface discharge and that any subsurface discharges from the confined swine feeding operation or animal waste management activities shall not cause a violation of standards for Groundwaters of the State as established by Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 8, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters.
Section 29. Groundwater Protection.
(a) The design of a confined swine feeding operation shall demonstrate protection of Groundwaters of the State in compliance with Chapter 3, Section 17 of the Wyoming Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(b) These regulations provide minimum design requirements designated to prevent a threat of discharge to groundwater in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 17 (a). Alternate designs may be approved if justified by a complete subsurface investigation in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3, Section 17 (b).
Section 30. Surface Water Protection. A confined swine feeding operation shall not allow any animal waste to enter the Surface Waters of the State.
(a) All animal confinement areas, animal waste collection, waste storage, and animal waste treatment areas shall either be constructed above the 100-year/24-hour floodplain or protected by diversion channels and dikes from the 100-year/24-hour flood.
(b) All animal waste storage and animal waste collection structures shall be operated with sufficient freeboard to always contain the maximum probable precipitation event safely.
Section 31. Approval of Alternative Technology and Designs.
(a) Each application for a permit for a confined swine feeding operation under this section shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and compared to best available technology. The following information, if available, shall be included with the application:
(i) Data obtained from a full scale, comparable installation that demonstrates the acceptability of the design.
(ii) Data obtained from a pilot plant operated under the design condition for a sufficient length of time to demonstrate the acceptability of the design.
(iii) Data obtained from a theoretical evaluation of the design that demonstrates a reasonable probability of the facility meeting the design objectives.
(iv) An evaluation of the flexibility of making corrective changes to a constructed facility that does not function as planned.
(v) An evaluation of the risk and potential costs of failure of the proposed facility or technology. The financial assurance plan must reflect this evaluation. The Administrator may choose to increase or decrease the corrective action bond amount determined under Section 49 based on this evaluation.
(b) A pilot plant may be constructed to provide the data necessary to satisfy these regulations. A separate permit to construct for the pilot plant shall be obtained under the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Wyoming Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
Section 32. Domestic Wastes at Confined Swine Feeding Operations. No human or domestic wastes shall be allowed to mix with the animal waste collection, storage, treatment, and disposal operations at a confined swine feeding operation. Separate domestic waste collection and treatment facilities shall be constructed and maintained. Such domestic waste facilities shall be permitted under Chapter 3 and designed according to Chapter 25 of the Wyoming Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations or by the appropriate local agency delegated permitting authority for small wastewater systems.
Section 33. Animal Waste Collection Systems. The design and construction of animal waste and wastewater collection systems for confined swine feeding operations shall meet the following minimum standards:
(a) Gutters and trenches that do not have a constant hydraulic head against the joints or the structure, such as those designed to be free draining and are frequently flushed or scraped, shall have a watertight design.
(i) Construction shall be of air entrained concrete with a 28-day compressive strength of 4000 psi or better. The minimum thickness of any section shall be four (4) inches. All joints shall be keyed construction and sealed with a high quality elastomeric caulk. Any other materials proposed for gutter construction shall be evaluated under the provisions of Section 31 of these regulations.
(ii) Flushing gutters shall have a minimum grade of 0.4 percent.
(iii) Gutters shall be flushed at least every 12 hours or scraped once each 48 hours. Each gutter shall be inspected weekly and any build ups removed or freed using manual scraping or pressure washers.
(iv) Gutters shall be cleaned and visually inspected at least annually for water tightness. Any probable leaks shall be repaired immediately.
(b) Gutters and trenches that normally retain manure and flush water and are subject to a constant hydraulic head shall be described as pull plug gutters. Any waste containment structures normally subject to hydraulic head, including pull plug gutters, shall have secondary containment with a leak collection and recovery system.
(i) Construction shall be of air entrained concrete with a 28-day compressive strength of 4000 psi or better. The minimum thickness of any section shall be four (4) inches. All joints shall be keyed construction and sealed with a high quality elastomeric caulk. All expansion joints shall have bulb type water stops. Any other materials proposed for gutter construction will be evaluated under the provisions of Section 31.
(ii) The secondary containment shall consist of a geomembrane at least 20 mils thick installed by the manufacturer's recommendations, a geosynthetic clay liner or a compacted clay liner at least one foot thick with a permeability of 1 X 10-6 cm/sec or less. Compacted clay liners shall be constructed, tested, and certified in accordance with the provision of Section 35 (d)(i)(A). The secondary containment shall be graded to the recovery system with a minimum grade of 0.4 percent.
(iii) The secondary containment surfaces shall drain by gravity into the recovery system. The recovery pump shall have a totalizing hour meter and a high level alarm.
(A) The amount of the liquids being recovered from the secondary containment surface shall be determined and recorded on a weekly basis. If the calculation of liquids recovered exceeds sixty (60) gallons/week/thousand square feet of confinement building, repair of the gutters and trenches must be completed within six (6) months. The permittee shall report any exceedance of this rate to the Division within seven (7) days.
(B) If the high level alarm is activated or the recovery rate exceeds 120 gallons/week/thousand square feet of confinement building the gutters must be drained immediately and operated as free draining, daily flush type gutters until repairs are made. The permittee shall report any exceedance of this rate to the Division within 48 hours.
(iv) Pull plug gutters shall be charged to a minimum depth of six (6) inches with fresh or recycled water before receiving animal wastes.
(v) A minimum clearance of six (6) inches must be maintained between the top of the animal waste and the bottom of the trench cover.
(vi) Pull plug gutters shall be drained and recharged at least every fourteen (14) days.
(c) Collection lines convey animal waste and flush water from the gutters and trenches to treatment or storage facilities. This section contains the minimum standards for the design and construction of animal waste piping and transfer systems.
(i) Collection lines shall be designed to accommodate the maximum instantaneous flows. If storm water is collected and introduced to the animal waste treatment or storage facilities, the design of the collection system and the treatment or storage system shall be adequate to accommodate the maximum instantaneous and annual precipitation rates.
(ii) Collection line layouts shall allow isolation of individual lines for testing and cleaning.
(iii) Pipe materials shall resist acid and alkaline solutions, organic solvents, and other animal waste constituents and environmental conditions encountered.
(iv) Pipe materials shall be chosen and the pipeline shall be designed to withstand all trench and superimposed surface live loads with a minimum factor of safety. Rigid pipes shall have a minimum factor of safety of 1.5, and flexible pipes shall have a minimum factor of safety of 1.25.
(v) Piping shall be tested for integrity after all trenches are backfilled. The testing results shall be certified by a Wyoming licensed engineer. Leakage tests shall be infiltration, exfiltration, or air tests. All flexible piping shall be tested for deflection. Deflection tests shall be made with a mandrel or other technology producing comparable data.
(A) Infiltration or exfiltration shall not exceed a maximum of 200 gallons per inch diameter per mile per day (1200 liters/cm/km/day) with a minimum of two (2) feet (0.6 m) of head over the top of the pipe.
(B) Air tests shall conform to ASTM C‑828‑80.
(C) A maximum five (5) percent deflection after flexible pipe is backfilled for thirty (30) days is allowed. A mandrel of 95 percent of pipe diameter shall be used. No mechanical pulling of a mandrel is permitted.
(vi) Potable water shall be protected according to the AWWA Manual M14, which addresses cross-connection control.
(vii) If animal waste or waste water is pumped, the pumping station shall be designed if possible so that failure shall not result in any release. If such design is not possible, a redundant, fail safe design of the pumping station shall be required.
(d) Gravity drained lines shall be tested at least every five (5) years for leakage according to Section 33 (c)(v) of these regulations. Test results shall be included in the annual report. Lines failing the leakage test shall be repaired within thirty (30) days. After repair, the integrity of the line must be verified by retesting.
(e) Pressure lines shall be tested annually for leakage according to Section 33 (c)(v)(A). Test results shall be included in the annual report. Lines failing the leakage test shall be removed from service and repaired immediately. After repair, the integrity of the line must be verified by retesting.
Section 34. Animal Waste Storage Facilities. The design and construction of animal waste storage facilities for confined swine feeding operations shall meet the following minimum standards:
(a) Animal waste storage structures shall be required to have secondary containment and liquid recovery systems incorporated because they are subject to a constant hydraulic head.
(b) A total minimum animal waste storage capacity equal to nine (9) months waste production shall be provided to allow for the limited periods when manure slurries may be land applied.
(c) The design of the operational unit shall permit any animal waste storage structure to be removed completely from service for repair without significant impact to the feeding operation.
(d) Concrete construction shall conform to recommendations of the "Concrete Manure Storage Handbook," MWPS-36 dated 1994, or later version as adopted by division policy, published by the MidWest Plan Service and available from the land grant universities of the North Central Region.
(e) Structures interior to or beneath swine housing facilities constructed of concrete, shall meet the following requirements: (Construction of other materials shall be addressed pursuant to Section 31 of these regulations.)
(i) Construction shall be of air entrained concrete with a 28-day compressive strength of 4000 psi or better. All joints shall be keyed construction and sealed with a high quality elastomeric caulk. All expansion joints shall have bulb type water stops.
(ii) The secondary containment shall consist of a geomembrane liner at least 30 mils thick installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, a geosynthetic clay liner, or a compacted clay liner at least one (1) foot thick with a permeability of 1 X 10-6 cm/sec or less. Compacted clay liners shall be constructed, tested, and certified in accordance with the provision of Section 35 (d)(i)(A). The secondary containment shall be graded to the recovery system with a minimum grade of 0.4 percent.
(A) The secondary containment surfaces shall drain by gravity into the recovery system. The recovery pump shall have a totalizing hour meter and a high level alarm.
(B) The amount of the liquids being recovered from the secondary containment surface shall be determined and recorded on a weekly basis. If the calculation of liquids recovered exceeds sixty (60) gallons/week/thousand square feet of confinement building, repair of the storage tank or pit must be completed within six (6) months. The permittee shall report any rate greater than this to the Division within seven (7) days.
(C) If the recovery rate exceeds 120 gallons/week/thousand square feet of confinement building, the storage facility must be emptied within sixty (60) days and repairs made. The permittee shall report any rate greater than this to the Division within 48 hours.
(D) If the high alarm level is reached, the Division must be notified immediately. The storage tank must be emptied immediately.
(iii) Animal waste shall not be allowed to accumulate to within one (1) foot of the bottom of the floor slats.
(iv) Interior or under floor animal waste storage facilities shall be mechanically ventilated. If the exhaust gas from this mechanical ventilation is determined to be a source of problem odors, treatment of the exhaust gas shall be required. A positive odor control technology resulting in either the adsorption or destruction of the odor causing gases shall be installed.
(f) Above grade structures are subject to the following requirements:
(i) Above grade structures shall be surrounded with a containment dike designed to hold a minimum of 1.5 times the tank volume.
(ii) Secondary containment shall be designed and operated pursuant to Section 34 (e)(ii) of these regulations.
(iii) A floating cover shall be maintained on uncovered above ground structures. Other BAT may be employed or required instead of a floating cover.
(g) Below grade external structures shall be either concrete or lined earthen storage basins.
(i) Concrete structures and secondary containment systems shall be designed according to this section.
(ii) Lined earthen storage basins shall be designed according to Section 35 (c) and (d) of these regulations.
(A) Only earthen basins with geomembrane liners and secondary containment shall be allowed. The geomembrane liner shall be a minimum of 60 mils thick and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
(B) The engineering design report must show the animal waste removal operations shall not damage the integrity of the liner.
(iii) A floating cover shall be maintained on uncovered below grade external structures. Other BAT may be employed or required instead of a floating cover.
Section 35. Animal Waste Treatment Facilities. The construction and operation of solids separators and liquid animal waste treatment lagoons shall meet the following minimum standards. Methane generation, composting, and other treatment systems are encouraged. Permitting of such systems shall be reviewed under provisions of Section 31 of these regulations. When considering alternate technology, primary emphasis shall be given to environmental protection, improved odor management, and pathogen control. The appropriate MidWest Plan Service publications are the preferred basis for alternative designs.
(a) Solids separation techniques may be used to remove solids from the animal waste. To be considered separated solid manure, the solids content must be greater than ten (10) percent by weight and the resultant mass must pass the paint filter test, i.e., when the mass is placed in a paint filter no liquid shall drain through the filter.
(i) Separated solids shall be stored on a water tight paved surface:
(A) The storage area shall be sloped to a gutter that drains to the liquid animal waste treatment facility.
(B) The storage area shall not receive precipitation runoff from other areas of the facility.
(C) The storage floor or pavement shall have adequate structural integrity for the equipment used to load or remove the solids.
(ii) Operation of the solids separator and solids storage area shall follow the odor, dust, and vector control procedures required by Sections 40, 41, and 42 of these regulations.
(A) All solids shall be removed from the storage area and the area cleaned within thirty (30) days after the spring thaw each year.
(B) Pesticides and rodenticides shall be employed as necessary to control rodents or insects breeding or feeding on the solids. The vector control agents used shall not leave any residuals in or on the solid animal waste.
(iii) The solids storage area shall be large enough to hold six (6) months' production of animal wastes unless the management plan demonstrates the ability to use the animal wastes in a more timely fashion.
(b) Wastewater treatment lagoons receiving liquid animal wastes diluted with water to a solids content of five (5) percent or less by weight shall be sized and constructed according to this section and one of the following references, USDA Part 651 Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, MWPS-8 Swine Housing and Equipment Handbook, or MWPS-18 Livestock Waste Facilities Handbook, or later version as adopted by division policy. The design report shall reflect which reference is used as the basis of design. Lagoons receiving dilute liquid wastes as defined in Section 3 (m) may be designed as single cell compacted clay lined structures. Lagoons receiving animal wastes other than dilute liquid wastes shall be designed with a minimum of two (2) cells with the capability to continue confined swine feeding operations with one (1) cell removed from service for maintenance or repair.
(c) Earthwork standards.
(i) Soils used in constructing the lagoon bottom and dike cores (not including the liner) shall be relatively incompressible, have low permeability, and be free from organic material or trash. The soil shall be compacted at a water content that shall ensure structural stability, reduce hydraulic seepage, and reduce settling. The soil shall provide an adequate foundation for the liner, if used.
(ii) For lagoons that are not specified to receive a geomembrane liner, no rocks larger than six (6) inches in length shall be permitted in any of the designated embankment.
(iii) For lagoons specified to be lined with a geomembrane liner, rocks larger than six (6) inches in length shall not be placed within five (5) feet of the interior slope of any lagoon embankment. Material containing by volume less than 25 percent of rock larger than six (6) inches and less than 12 inches in length may be placed in the remainder of the embankment.
(iv) Outer dike slopes shall not be steeper than one (1) vertical to three (3) horizontal. Flatter slopes may be required to maintain slope stability. Outer dike slopes shall prevent surface runoff from entering the lagoons.
(v) Inner dike slopes shall be sloped between one (1) vertical to four (4) horizontal and one (1) vertical to three (3) horizontal. Flatter inner slopes may be allowed where vegetation, due to the shallower slopes, shall not interfere with treatment or the dike's integrity. Interior slopes surfaced with concrete paving or riprap may be constructed at slopes of one (1) vertical to two (2) horizontal.
(vi) The minimum top dike width shall be 12 feet to allow access to maintenance vehicles. Top dikes wider than 12 feet shall be required when necessary to ensure structural stability.
(vii) The minimum freeboard at the maximum operating level shall be three (3) feet.
(viii) Interior embankments shall be protected from wave action with riprap, paving, or other erosion resistant material. The following conditions may be exempted from the riprap requirements:
(A) Lagoons of one (1) surface acre or less.
(B) Lagoons with a geomembrane liner.
(C) Embankments cut into natural slopes when a soil liner is not provided.
(D) Lagoons sheltered from wind or where wind velocities are low enough that significant erosion shall not occur.
(ix) Exterior of dikes, top of dikes, and all interior dike surfaces where riprap or a seal is not provided shall be covered with topsoil and seeded with suitable dry land grasses to prevent erosion. A coarse uniform graded gravel may be substituted for the vegetation requirement.
(x) The seepage through the lagoon bottom and side walls shall not cause a violation of the groundwater standards as described in Chapter 8, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters, Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(d) The allowable permeability of a compacted clay liner shall be based on the type of lagoon construction and the type of liquid animal waste contained in the lagoon.
(i) The specifications for compacted clay liners shall be based upon the results of a preliminary testing program and shall contain the type of material, optimum and acceptable range in water content, acceptable range for compaction, and maximum allowable particle size. Compacted clay liners used to protect groundwater quality shall meet the following criteria:
(A) The tests for water content and density shall be taken during the placement of each lift of the liner. A total minimum liner thickness of one (1) foot shall be provided and shall be constructed with maximum lifts of one-half (0.5) foot. Either permeability testing of undisturbed core samples from the in-place seal, or detailed tests such as particle size distribution and Atterburg limits shall be conducted. Detailed tests should confirm that the soil specified was used for liner construction. One (1) test shall be conducted per acre per lift. For core sampling of the in-place liner, one (1) core of the completed liner shall be tested per acre. The permittee shall provide the Division written certification by a Wyoming registered professional engineer that the soil liner was constructed according to the permit and that final testing indicated results within the allowable limits established by the permit.
(B) For compacted clay liners, a method of maintaining the seal at or above optimum moisture conditions is required.
(ii) Unlined lagoons or lagoons using compacted clay liners as the primary liner shall require a subsurface investigation and monitoring plan according to the provisions of Chapter 3, Section 17 (b), (c), and (d).
(A) Lagoons receiving dilute liquid wastes may be designed as a single cell system. Dilute liquid waste systems shall not have a combined evaporation and exfiltration rate that exceeds 25 percent of the minimum daily inflow from operations.
(B) Multiple cell lagoons shall not have a combined evaporation and exfiltration rate that interferes with the treatment processes occurring in the lagoons.
(iii) Control of the exfiltration from lagoons may be provided by a cone of depression. The cone of depression created by the withdrawal of groundwater to provide water for the operation must be adequate to intercept all leachate from the lagoon. Water rights for the pumping necessary to create the cone of depression must be adjudicated before the issuance of a permit for a confined swine feeding operation using this method of animal waste treatment.
(e) Geosynthetic clay liners installed according to the manufacturer's instructions are acceptable. Geosynthetic clay liners shall have a maximum hydraulic conductivity of 1 X 10-8 cm/sec. The liner manufacturer shall have more than ten million square feet of its product installed. The liner installation contractor shall be approved by the manufacturer. Geosynthetic clay liners used as primary liners require:
(i) Surface erosion and abrasion protection provided shall be acceptable to the liner manufacturer. The factor of safety for slope failure of the composite liner shall be shown to be at least 1.5:1. Primary geosynthetic clay liners shall be installed over a compacted clay liner. The compacted clay liner shall have a minimum thickness of one (1) foot and a maximum permeability of 1 X 10-5 cm/sec. Compacted clay liners shall be constructed, tested, and certified in accordance with the provision of Section 35 (d)(i)(A). This type of construction shall satisfy the requirements for a subsurface investigation as required by the provisions of Chapter 3, Section 17 (b). A monitoring system installed according to the provisions of Chapter 3, Section 17 (b) shall be required.
(ii) Geosynthetic clay liners may be used as secondary liners. Overlying leachate collections systems shall be sand blankets at least four (4) inches in thickness. Synthetic drainage media shall not be used with geosynthetic clay liners.
(f) Geomembrane liners constructed of polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene shall be at least 30 mils in thickness. High density polyethylene liners shall be at least 60 mils in thickness. The liner manufacturer shall have more than ten million square feet of its product installed. Geomembrane liners installed and operated according to this section shall satisfy the requirements for a subsurface investigation and monitoring as required by the provisions of Chapter 3, Section 17 (b).
(i) Secondary containment shall be required for all geomembrane liners. The secondary containment shall be one of the following:
(A) A compacted clay liner with a maximum permeability of 1 X 10-6 cm/sec.
(B) A geosynthetic clay liner.
(C) A geomembrane liner with a minimum thickness of 20 mils backed by a compacted clay liner one (1) foot thick with a maximum permeability of 1 X 10-5 cm/sec.
(D) Compacted clay liners shall be constructed, tested, and certified in accordance with the provision of Section 35 (d)(i)(A).
(ii) Geomembrane liners require a secondary containment system.
(A) The drainage layer between the primary and secondary liners shall have a minimum hydraulic transmissivity of one (1) gpm/foot. Synthetic drainage media may be used when the secondary liner is a geomembrane. All other construction shall require a durable granular filter blanket with a minimum thickness of four (4) inches. The drainage layer shall have a minimum grade of 0.4 percent.
(B) Perforated or slotted collection lines shall be installed in the drainage layer arranged to create sub-cells with a maximum area of two (2) acres or less. A means of monitoring the collection system to isolate a leak to an individual sub-cell shall be provided. No portion of the drainage layer should be more than 100 feet from a collection line.
(C) The collection lines shall drain to a sump enclosed by the secondary liner. The sump shall be designed so that the maximum high liquid level during operating conditions is below the invert of any collection line discharging to the sump. The sump shall be large enough to allow the pump installed to operate with a minimum pumping time of two (2) minutes between the automatic start and stop levels. A high level alarm shall be installed.
(D) The recovery pump in the sump shall be self-priming and capable of pumping a volume at least four (4) times the failure rate of flow designated in the permit for the lagoon. The pump shall have a totalizing hour meter that records total time of operation.
(E) Monitoring requirements are as follows:
(I) High level alarms shall be continuously monitored.
(II) The totalizing hour meters shall be read at least weekly. If the calculated recovery rate exceeds the allowable for the smallest sub-cell, the inflow from each sub-cell must be measured to determine individual sub-cell compliance.
(F) Reporting and required repair actions are as follows:
(I) If the recovery rate exceeds 400 gpd/acre for any sub-cell as delineated by the recovery system, the permittee shall notify the Division within seven (7) days. Repair of the primary liner must be scheduled within twelve (12) months.
(II) If the recovery rate exceeds 800 gpd/acre for any sub-cell as delineated by the recovery system, the Division shall be notified within 48 hours. Repair of the primary liner must be scheduled within sixty (60) days.
(III) If the high alarm level is reached, the Division must be notified immediately. Repairs must be initiated immediately.
PART D.
ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
Section 36. Application Controls. The animal waste management plan is part of the permit for a confined swine feeding operation and shall address storage, treatment, and land application of all animal waste produced at the feeding operation including liquid animal waste, manure slurry, solid manure, and sludge. The animal waste management plan shall demonstrate the use of best available technology (BAT) to control odors for all aspects of the operation. The use of animal waste generated by a confined swine feeding operation including liquid animal waste, manure slurry, solid manure, and sludge shall meet the following minimum standards:
(a) Animal waste that is land applied shall be applied at such rates and in a manner to prevent surface and groundwater contamination.
(b) Animal waste shall not be applied at a rate or in any manner that shall allow any surface runoff from the application site.
(c) Buffer zones shall be established for land application areas. Buffer zone requirements for land application are independent of the setback requirements as set forth in Sections 24, 25 and 26. In conjunction with other measures required by these regulations, buffer zones help provide pathogen and odor management.
(d) Animal waste applied at agronomic rates is exempt from the requirements of Chapter 3, Section 17, Wyoming Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
(e) The method for determining the required land treatment area for application of animal wastes shall be based upon the determination of the "agronomic rate" of the crops or vegetation present on the site. The application rate for animal waste constituents shall be limited to appropriate plant uptake values to protect surface and groundwater. The ratio used for this determination is expressed as:
Required Land Treatment Area = L/U
Where:
L= the yearly amount of the controlling constituent to be applied for land treatment. L is expressed in kilograms per year (kg/yr) or pounds per year (lbs/yr).
U= plant assimilative capacity = the yearly amount of the controlling constituent that can be assimilated by plant uptake. U is expressed in kilograms per hectare per year (kg/ha/yr) or pounds per acre per year (lbs/ac/yr).
(f) The following list of constituents shall be evaluated by the permittee to determine the controlling constituents. The method of selecting the controlling constituents shall be documented in the permit applications.
(i) Organics.
(ii) Nitrogen.
(iii) Phosphorus.
(iv) Metals.
(v) Salts, acids, and bases.
(g) The initial selection of the constituents of concern shall be made by the permittee by estimating chemical make up of animal wastes based on published data or data available from similar operations and by sampling soils at proposed application sites. The constituents of concern selected once land application begins shall be derived from analyses of representative animal waste product samples and soil samples from the application sites.
(h) The permittee shall maintain records to demonstrate compliance with the animal waste management plan and monitoring and reporting requirements as specified:
(i) Animal waste management plans shall be reviewed annually by the permittee and updated as necessary to reflect changes in procedures and management. Permittees shall notify the Division of any changes or updates to the plan and submit changes and updates for review and approval. A representative sample of the animal waste to be land applied shall be collected not more than thirty (30) days before every land application event. The permit shall identify the required sampling parameters. After a sufficient number of samples have been collected and analyzed, the Administrator may adjust the frequency of sampling or the parameters analyzed.
(ii) The soils at each application site shall be sampled and analyzed at least annually before application of the animal waste. The analysis shall include the controlling constituents and phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, copper, and zinc. The soil samples shall be taken at a minimum rate of one (1) for each ten (10) acres, or as required by variations in soil type. If the soil type is the same on adjacent ten (10) acre tracts, the samples from up to 40 acres may be composited for a single analysis. Soil samples shall be taken in the root zone and below the root zone before repeated seasons of application of animal waste.
(iii) Written records shall be kept of all animal waste applied to the land. Records shall include:
(A) Date of application.
(B) Amount of animal waste applied.
(C) Identification of the application sites.
(D) Acreage of application sites.
(E) Method of application.
(F) Application rate.
(G) Crop or vegetation on the application sites.
(H) Plant assimilative capacity for controlling constituents.
(I) Concentration of controlling constituents in the animal waste.
(J) Amount of controlling constituents of concern applied to the site and soil samples to monitor controlling constituents of concern in the soil.
(iv) All records shall be kept at the facility and made available to a representative of the Division upon request. All records shall be compiled in a format identified in the permit and shall be included in a report submitted to the Division annually.
(v) The permittee is required to provide immediate oral notification and follow-up written notification to the Division of any violations or non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit including the animal waste management plan.
Section 37. Liquid Animal Wastes.
(a) Site requirements:
(i) Liquid animal waste may be applied by center pivot sprinkler on slopes with a grades of up to ten (10) percent. Overland flow irrigation systems shall not be developed to spread liquid animal wastes on sites having greater than one (1) percent slope or less than 0.4 percent slope.
(ii) The minimum depth of unsaturated soil strata on which a land application system may be developed is four (4) feet.
(iii) All land application sites shall be protected from up slope runoff by diversion ditches capable of intercepting the overland flow from a 25-year 24-hour storm event. Diversion ditches are not required if it can be shown that a storm of this size will not have an impact on the site.
(b) Pretreatment of liquid animal waste shall provide sufficient organic and inorganic solids reduction to ensure that the infiltration rate of the soil surface is maintained.
(c) Pathogen controls.
(i) Spray irrigation application shall not leave the property used as the land application site.
(ii) Surface runoff containing animal wastes shall not leave the application site.
(iii) Liquid animal wastes shall be only applied to lands with a low potential for public access.
(iv) Public access to all application sites shall be restricted by signing at points of potential public access. The access restriction shall apply one (1) year after the application of liquid animal wastes.
(v) Crops shall not be harvested during the seven (7) days after the application of liquid animal wastes.
(vi) Direct human consumption crops, which are consumed fresh, shall not be harvested during the ninety (90) days after the application of liquid animal wastes.
(vii) Turf grass or sod grown on land where liquid animal wastes are applied shall not be harvested for one (1) year after application of liquid animal wastes.
(d) Buffer zone.
(i) A buffer zone of one-fourth (¼) mile is required between a land application site and any building with human occupancy or area of public use, not including public roadways.
(ii) Liquid animal waste shall not leave the property where it is applied.
(iii) Liquid animal waste shall not be land applied within 200 feet of a perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral water body or water well permitted for current domestic purposes.
(e) Method of application.
(i) Liquid animal waste shall be evenly distributed over application sites at a rate that shall not exceed the agronomic rate and at a rate that shall not result in any surface runoff from the site.
(ii) Land application of liquid animal waste shall not be undertaken when soil is saturated, frozen, or covered with ice or snow or immediately before or during a storm event.
(iii) Surface application by means other than center pivot irrigation may be used when the land slope is no more than five (5) percent or when the yearly average soil loss is less than five (5) tons per acre as determined by the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Injection or surface application with immediate incorporation shall be used when the land slope exceeds five (5) percent and the yearly soil loss is greater than five (5) tons per acre as determined by the Universal Soil Loss Equation.
(iv) Sprinkler type land application systems shall be equipped with a backflow prevention device to protect any water source or well connected to the system. The required level of protection is a reduced-pressure principal backflow prevention device or air gap. All devices must be approved by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control, University of Southern California.
Section 38. Manure Slurries and Sludges.
(a) Manure slurries and sludges shall not be applied where the land slope exceeds five (5) percent or the yearly soil loss is greater than five (5) tons per acre as determined by the Universal Soil Loss Equation or in any manner that will allow surface runoff to transport animal waste from the application site.
(b) The minimum depth of unsaturated soil strata on which a land application system may be developed is four (4) feet.
(c) All land application sites shall be protected from up slope runoff by diversion ditches capable of intercepting the overland flow from a 25-year 24-hour storm event. Diversion ditches are not required if it can be shown that a storm of this size will not have an impact on the site.
(d) Pathogen controls.
(i) Spray irrigation application shall not leave the property used as the land application site.
(ii) Manure slurries and sludges shall be applied only to lands with a very low potential for public access.
(iii) Public access to all application sites shall be restricted by signing at points of potential public access. The access restriction shall apply one (1) year after the application of manure slurries.
(iv) Crops shall not be harvested for ninety (90) days after the application of manure slurries and sludges.
(v) Direct human consumption crops, which are consumed fresh, shall not be harvested for one year after the application of manure slurries and sludges.
(vi) Turf grass or sod grown on land where manure slurries or sludges are applied shall not be harvested for one year after application of liquid animal wastes.
(e) Buffer zones shall be required to protect the public from exposure to pathogens or odors that might be present in manure slurries or sludges.
(i) A buffer zone of one-fourth (¼) mile is required between a land application site and any building with human occupancy or area of public use, not including public roadways.
(ii) Manure slurries or sludges shall not leave the property where they are applied.
(iii) Manure slurries or sludges shall not be land applied within 200 feet of a perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral water body or water well permitted for current domestic purposes.
(f) Method of application.
(i) Manure slurries and sludges shall be evenly distributed over application sites at a rate that shall not exceed the agronomic rate and at a rate that shall not result in any surface runoff from the site.
(ii) Land application of manure slurries and sludges shall not be undertaken when soil is saturated, frozen, or covered with ice or snow or immediately before or during a storm event.
(iii) Sprinkler type land application systems shall be equipped with a backflow prevention device to protect any water source or well connected to the system. The required level of protection is a reduced-pressure principal backflow prevention device or air gap. All devices must be approved by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control, University of Southern California.
(iv) All manure slurries and sludges shall be injected or incorporated within six (6) hours after application.
(g) Metals. Sludges shall not be land applied if the metals concentrations exceed the ceiling pollutant levels established by Chapter 11, Part E, Section 48 of these regulations.
Section 39. Solid Manure Wastes.
(a) Buffer zone.
(i) A buffer zone of 200 feet is required between a land application site and current residential, commercial, school, or industrial development lands where solid manure is to be spread.
(ii) Solid manure shall not be land applied within 200 feet of a perennial or intermittent water body or water well permitted for current domestic purposes.
(iii) Solid manure shall not leave the property where it is applied.
(b) Pathogen controls:
(i) Solid manure wastes shall not leave the application site when solid manure wastes are land applied.
(ii) Solid manure wastes shall be applied only to lands with a low potential for public contact with the solid manure wastes or the soil. This restriction does not preclude hunting or fishing.
(iii) Crops shall not be harvested for thirty (30) days after the application of solid manure wastes.
(iv) Direct human consumption crops, which are consumed fresh, shall not be harvested for one (1) year after the application of solid manure wastes.
(v) Turf grass or sod grown on land where solid manure wastes are applied shall not be harvested for landscaping for one year after application of solid manure wastes.
(c) Solid manure wastes may be sold or given away. The permittee must maintain a record of who received solid manure and the amount received. The permittee must ensure that the use of the solid manure complies with the requirements of this regulation.
Section 40. Odor Controls.
(a) Best available technology (BAT) shall be used to control odors in all phases of animal waste management.
(b) The one (1) mile separation of confined swine feeding operations from occupied dwellings, schools, and incorporated municipalities required by W.S. 305-11-302 (a)(IX) is an odor control provision.
(c) Odor emissions shall not cause a violation of Wyoming Air Quality Standards related to odors.
(d) The animal waste management plan shall include a proposal for controlling odors from animal housing areas, lagoons, storage facilities, and land application sites. The plan shall include a checklist of potential odor sources and identify specific management practices to reduce odors from each source. Potential management practices include, but are not limited to, the following:
(i) Mechanical incorporation of liquid animal waste, manure slurries, solid manure, and sludge.
(ii) Avoidance of land application when wet humid conditions exist.
(iii) Limiting of land application of manure slurries and sludges to the time from one (1) hour after sunrise to one (1) hour before sunset.
(iv) Conducting activities that increase odor emissions during periods of favorable wind conditions.
(v) Controlling volatile solids loading rates for lagoons.
(vi) Aeration of lagoons.
(vii) Collection and treatment of emissions.
(viii) A list of specific actions to be taken by the permittee if odors are identified as a problem.
Section 41. Dust Controls.
(a) Particulate concentrations shall meet Wyoming Air Quality Standards.
(b) The animal waste management plan shall include a proposal for controlling dust from the confined swine feeding operation and facility roads. The proposal shall identify management practices including but not limited to the following:
(i) Maintenance of animal waste moisture content of 20 to 30 percent.
(ii) Solid set sprinklers or portable spray equipment to control dust.
(iii) Conducting activities that could increase dust emissions during periods of favorable wind conditions.
(iv) A list of specific actions to be taken by the permittee if dust is identified as a problem.
Section 42. Vector Controls. The animal waste management plan shall include a proposal for controlling vectors associated with the confined swine feeding operation. The plan shall include a checklist of potential vector sources and identify specific management practices to control each of these sources. Management practices to be considered include:
(a) Normal management practices used to ensure no accumulation of organic or inorganic materials that create a harborage for rodents, flies, or other vectors.
(b) A list of specific actions to be taken by the permittee if vectors are identified as a problem. These actions should be listed for each vector problem, (e.g., actions to be taken for fly problems, actions to be taken for rodent problems, etc.).
PART E.
CLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Section 43. Closure by Permittee. A permittee intending to close a confined swine feeding operation shall notify the Division by certified mail. The notice of intended closure shall be given as soon as possible and at least 180 days before initiation of closure. Simultaneous notice shall be made by the permittee to the governing body of each locality and adjacent property owners within one (1) mile of the permitted operation by certified mail.
(a) Closure Plan Standards.
(i) Closure procedures shall be carried out according to plans approved by the Administrator. A closure plan shall be submitted concurrent with the notice of intended closure. In reviewing any closure, the Administrator may require such modifications as may be deemed necessary by the Administrator for the protection of human health and safety and the protection of the environment.
(ii) The permittee shall close the facility according to the closure plan. The post-closure monitoring period shall continue for a minimum of three (3) years after the date of completing closure. The minimum post-closure monitoring period shall be extended if the Administrator determines it is needed to protect human health and safety or the environment.
(b) Closure completed by the permittee shall provide for the following:
(i) Removal and disposal of all animal waste materials.
(ii) Removal of all structures, lagoons, and miscellaneous structures, not incorporated into an approved post-closure use.
(iii) Placement of topsoil and revegetation of the disturbed areas.
(iv) Any other requirement necessary to protect human health and safety and the environment.
(c) The closure plan shall provide for the following post-closure activities:
(i) Evaluation of the beneficial use of structures and other permit related facilities not removed as part of the closure plan. Those facilities for which there is not a documented beneficial use shall be removed and the affected areas reclaimed.
(ii) Monitoring of post closure site impacts on water quality, to include sampling, analysis, and reporting.
(iii) Periodic inspection by the permittee.
(iv) Certification of final closure by the permittee.
(v) Any other requirement determined by the Administrator necessary to protect human health and safety and the environment.
(d) Closure inspection:
(i) After the permittee or other responsible party has completed closure of the facility the Division shall be so notified. The Division shall inspect all closed confined swine feeding operations to determine if the closure is complete and meets the approved plan. The Division shall provide written inspection results to the permittee after the inspection. If the closure is not satisfactory, the Division shall specify necessary steps to bring the site into compliance with closure requirements. When the closure is satisfactory, the permittee or other responsible party shall be so notified.
(ii) Notification by the Division that the closure is satisfactory shall not act as a waiver of any remedy under these regulations or under law that may be available to the State of Wyoming. Such notification does not relieve the permittee of responsibility for corrective action. Environmental problems caused by the operation discovered anytime shall require corrective action by the permittee. Corrective action shall be completed by the permittee according to the regulations of the Division and other applicable laws, and regulations.
Section 44. Relinquished Facility Closure Plan.
(a) Relinquished facility closure plans shall be based on returning the site to its approximate original contour and stable condition. Financial assurance amounts shall be based on costs for closure of a relinquished facility.
(b) A relinquished facility closure plan shall be submitted with the permit application for approval and determination of financial assurance amounts.
(c) If the permittee fails to close the facility, the state shall close the facility according to the relinquished facility closure plan or as modified by the Division with the approval of the Director. Specifically the requirements to remove all structures and to restore the approximate original contours may be waived with the approval of the Director.
(d) The relinquished facility closure plan shall provide for the following:
(i) Removal and disposal of all animal waste materials.
(ii) Removal of all structures, lagoons, and miscellaneous structures.
(iii) Restoration of approximate contour and replacement of topsoil.
(iv) The revegetation and restoration of the site to a stable condition.
(v) Fence installation, signage, and maintenance to protect the revegetation.
(vi) Reseeding as necessary to complete revegetation.
(vii) Periodic inspection by the Administrator or designated agent.
(viii) Post-closure monitoring to include sampling, analysis, and reporting for a minimum of three (3) years.
(ix) Any other requirement necessary to protect human health and safety and the environment.
(x) A detailed estimate of the costs for a third party contractor to carry out the closure plan, with a complete listing of all assumptions upon which the cost estimate is based, and a 15 percent contingency factor.
Section 45. Corrective Action Requirements.
(a) In the event of an unauthorized release of animal waste or other contamination to the environment, the permittee shall:
(i) Immediately notify the Division.
(ii) Initiate immediate measures that shall:
(A) Prevent further release to the environment.
(B) Prevent further migration of the released substance into surrounding soils, air, and waters of the State.
(C) Identify, monitor, mitigate, and remediate any threat to human health or safety and the environment associated with the release.
(iii) Prepare a plan to investigate the release, the release site and any surrounding area that may be affected by the release. The plan shall include but not be limited to the following items:
(A) Comprehensive surface and subsurface investigations to define the extent and degree of contamination.
(B) A schedule for conducting the investigation.
(iv) Submit the investigation plan to the Division within thirty (30) days. The extent of contamination study should begin when the plan has been approved and all necessary permits obtained.
(v) Conduct the extent of contamination study according to the approved plan and submit a written report of the findings to the Division.
(vi) If required by the Administrator, develop a remediation plan. The remediation plan shall be submitted to the Division for approval. The remediation plan shall be implemented when the Administrator has approved the plan and all necessary permits have been obtained.
(b) Violation of any of these requirements or permit conditions, after notice as required by these rules, shall constitute immediate grounds for forfeiture of the financial assurance accepted pursuant to these regulations.
(c) If deemed necessary by the Division, the permittee shall be required to close the facility and cease all further activities that generate, store, or deposit animal waste materials.
PART F.
FINANCIAL ASSURANCE STANDARDS
Section 46. Purpose. The purpose of this part of these regulations is to establish financial assurance requirements in accordance with W.S. 35-11-302 (a)(ix). Permittees of all confined swine feeding operations permitted under Chapter 20, Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations shall provide financial assurance for relinquished facility closure, and corrective actions. The amount shall be adequate for corrective action, closure and post-closure requirements, as required by these regulations and the Administrator. Nothing in these regulations shall relieve the permittee of confined swine feeding operations of liability for closure and corrective action costs. Violation of any of the financial assurance requirements of these regulations shall be cause for revocation of a bond or other form of financial assurance and the denial or revocation of the permit.
Section 47. Closure Bond Amount Determination.
(a) The closure plan for a relinquished confined swine feeding operation shall include an itemized written projection of the estimated cost of closing the facility. The cost estimate shall be based upon the current Means Site Work & Landscape and Repair & Remodeling Cost Data and the current Wyoming Department of Transportation Weighted Average Bid Prices.
(b) The permittee shall provide the information necessary to determine closing costs for closure after forfeiture of financial assurance in accordance with Section 44 of these regulations. When determining closure costs for financial assurance requirements, the Administrator may also consider information from other sources.
(c) Revised relinquished facility closure cost estimates shall be submitted to the Division annually.
(d) When the revised cost estimates are approved by the Division, the permittee shall have ninety (90) days to adjust the amount of financial assurance provided after receipt of notification by the Division.
Section 48. Corrective Action Contingency Bond Amount Determination.
(a) The corrective action contingency bond amount shall be determined using the following formula:
Bond Amount = Maximum Rate X fw X fg X fi.
From Table 1, the Maximum Rate is determined by the proposed size of the facility.
From Table 2, fw is a factor that accounts for groundwater monitoring, secondary containment with a liquid collection and recovery system, setback distance of the facility from the permittee's down gradient property line and the class of groundwater that underlies the facility.
From Table 3, fg is a factor that accounts for the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the thickness of the least permeable stratum between the lowest point of construction and the first encountered groundwater.
The effects of variations in the cost index are corrected for by the factor fi. The factor fi is a weighted annual average of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Indexes for Capital Equipment, WPUSOP3200; Material and components for construction, WPUSOP2200; and Machinery and equipment, WPU114. On December 31 of each year, fi. shall be calculated for the coming year by dividing the weighted annual index value for the previous year by 100. For example, the fi. for 1998 is calculated by dividing the weighted annual index for 1996, 141.5, by 100. The fi. for 1998 is 1.415.
(b) Table 1
| Maximum Rate Determination* | | | --- | --- | | Number of Swine at the Confined Swine Feeding Operation | Maximum Rate | | 2500 - 5000 | $2,800,000 | | 5000 - 10,000 | $3,100,000 | | 10,000 - 20,000 | $3,500,000 | | 20,000 - 50,000 | $4,400,000 |
- The Maximum Rate is based on estimates of the cost of remediation and subsequent monitoring of the worst case release from a facility housing the range of swine numbers listed.
**Bond amounts for facilities greater than 50,000 animals shall be determined by the Department based on a case-by-case analysis of the potential corrective action costs.
(c) Table 2
| Determination of Groundwater Classification Factor (fw) | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Groundwater Monitoring | Liquid Collection and Recovery System (Secondary Containment) | Setback Distance from Animal Waste Facility* | Groundwater Classification | fw | | Yes/No | No | | Class I | 1 | | No | Yes | | Class I | 0.7 | | Yes | Yes | Less than ½ mile | Class I | 0.4 | | Yes | Yes | Greater than ½ mile | Class I | 0.25 | | Yes/No | No | | Class II-III | 1 | | No | Yes | | Class II-III | 0.4 | | Yes | Yes | Less than ½ mile | Class II-III | 0.2 | | Yes | Yes | Greater than ½ mile | Class II-III | 0.1 | | Yes/No | No | | Class IV-VI | 1 | | No | Yes | | Class IV-VI | 0.2 | | Yes | Yes | | Class IV-VI | 0.1 |
- To Down Gradient Property Boundary or Area Controlled by Groundwater Easement
(d) Table 3
| Determination of Vadose Zone Factor (fg)* | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (k) of Least Permeable Stratum between Impoundment and First Encountered Groundwater | Thickness of Least Permeable Stratum | fg | | Hydraulic conductivity k > 10 -4 cm/s | Less than 75 ft. | 1 | | k > 10 -4 cm/s | 75 to 250 ft. | 0.9 | | k > 10 -4 cm/s | Greater than 250 ft. | 0.75 | | 10 -4 cm/s > k > 10 -6 cm/s | 20 to 30 ft. | 0.8 | | 10 -4 cm/s > k > 10 -6 cm/s | 30 to 100 ft. | 0.65 | | 10 -4 cm/s > k > 10 -6 cm/s | Greater than 100 ft. | 0.5 | | Low Permeability Media k < 10 -6 cm/s | 3 to 10 ft. | 0.4 | | Low Permeability Media k < 10 -6 cm/s | Greater than 10 ft. | 0.2 |
*For facilities developed within highly sensitive hydrogeologic settings (e.g. fractured, faulted or karst terrain) or within Zones of Contribution to public drinking water systems, the value for (fg) will be established by the Administrator.
(e) The corrective action contingency bond amount shall be recalculated each year in accordance with Section 11, Financial Assurance Plan Content. When the bond amount is recalculated, the permittee shall have ninety (90) days to adjust the amount of financial assurance provided after receipt of notification by the Division.
Section 49. Financial Assurance for Facility Closure and Corrective Action.
(a) General.
(i) Every confined swine feeding operation permitted under these regulations shall provide financial assurance equal to the sum of the costs estimated following Section 47 for closure; Section 21 and the appropriate Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Rules and Regulations for a solid waste facility, if required; and Section 48 for the corrective action contingency bond.
(ii) Final determination of the amounts of financial assurance requirements shall be made by the Division.
(iii) The Department shall have the right to conduct an independent review of a surety or a financial institution for its ability to ensure performance under the instrument of financial assurance. The Department shall deny, in whole or in part, any proposed form of financial assurance determined inadequate or lacking in soundness.
(iv) Evidence of the selected forms of financial assurance shall be filed with the Division as part of the permit application. Financial assurance shall be accepted by the Division before a permit is approved. Valid financial assurance shall be a condition of conducting a confined swine feeding operation.
(v) The Division may reject the proposed forms of assurance of financial responsibility if the evidence submitted, in the Division 's sole judgment, does not adequately ensure that funds will be available as required by these regulations. The permittee shall be notified by the Administrator of the decision to accept or reject the proposed forms of financial assurance according to Section 14, Approval or Denial of a Permit Application.
(vi) All forms of financial assurance shall be made payable to the Department upon demand and shall not be subject to any liens or setoffs. The submittal and acceptance of any form of financial assurance shall be conditioned upon the requirements set forth in these regulations.
(b) Failure to provide an increased amount of financial assurance required by these regulations shall be a failure to satisfy the requirement to demonstrate financial assurance and shall be cause for revocation of the financial assurance and the permit.
Section 50. Forms of Financial Assurance. Financial assurance shall be accepted in a lump sum to be used for any purpose under these regulations. Financial assurance shall be executed in the amount calculated following the methods specified in these regulations. By offering the forms of financial assurance required to meet closure and corrective action requirements, the permittee of a confined swine feeding operation and its surety represent that the form of financial assurance offered is binding, irrevocable, unconditional, is financially guaranteed by assets sufficient to meet the obligation, is a valid instrument made payable to the Department, and fully complies with these regulations. The following forms of financial assurance may be accepted:
(a) A letter of credit. A letter of credit shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) A letter of credit shall be accepted only from a bank or lending institution licensed to do business in the State of Wyoming and subject to banking laws and regulations of the State of Wyoming with more than 50 percent of the bank's assets residing in the U.S.
(ii) The letter shall be irrevocable during its term. The Department may approve the use of a letter of credit as security according to a schedule approved within the permit. Any bank or lending institution issuing a letter of credit shall notify the Director in writing by certified mail at least ninety (90) days before the maturity date or expiration of the letter of credit agreement of its intent not to extend the letter of credit. A letter of credit shall be forfeited if not replaced by another form of financial assurance thirty (30) days before expiration of the letter of credit. All forms of financial assurance shall be approved by the Department before being accepted. A forfeited letter of credit shall be converted to cash by the bank or lending institution and the cash transferred to the Department.
(iii) Letters of credit shall be made payable to the Department both in writing and upon the records of the bank issuing the letter of credit. Letters of credit must be payable upon demand by the Department and the lending institutions or banks issuing letters of credit are required to waive all rights of set off or liens against the letters of credit.
(iv) The letter of credit shall not be more than ten (10) percent of the bank's capital surplus account as shown on a balance sheet and a financial statement certified by a certified public accountant in good standing.
(v) No bank or lending institution shall issue a letter of credit to any person or entity, on any permit or financial assurance requirement required of that person or entity, in excess amounts allowed under W.S. 13-3-402. Violation of this provision shall be deemed a violation of the permit and the Department shall declare forfeiture of the letter of credit.
(vi) In addition to those requirements set forth above, letters of credit shall provide that:
(A) The bank or lending institution shall give prompt notice to the permittee and the Director by certified mail of any notice received or action filed alleging the insolvency or bankruptcy of the bank or lending institution, or alleging any violations of regulatory requirements that could result in suspension or revocation of the bank or lending institution's charter or license to do business.
(B) In the event the bank or lending institution becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the letter of credit for any reason, notice shall immediately be given to the permittee and the Director by certified mail. In the event the permittee becomes aware that the institution providing a letter of credit has become unable to fulfill its obligations, the permittee shall immediately notify the Director by certified mail.
(C) The permittee is in violation of the permit if the financial assurance becomes invalid due to failure of the issuing bank or lending institution. The bank or lending institution shall be considered incapacitated due to bankruptcy, insolvency, lapse, suspension, or revocation of its charter or license to do business in Wyoming, or violation of the requirements set forth in these regulations. The Director shall issue a notice of violation to any permittee without financial assurance requiring replacement coverage within sixty (60) days. During this period the Director or a designated representative shall conduct weekly inspections to ensure continuing compliance with the permit. If any other permit conditions are violated, the Director may suspend the permit.
(vii) Nothing herein shall limit the right to serve any process, notice , or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the bank.
(b) Surety bonds. A surety shall not be considered good and sufficient for purposes of these regulations unless:
(i) It is licensed to do business in the State of Wyoming.
(ii) The surety holds the highest rating under the following rating services:
(A) Standard and Poors.
(B) Moodys.
(C) Others accepted by the Division.
(iii) The estimated bond amount does not exceed the limit of risk as provided for in W.S. 26-5-110, nor raise the total of all bonds held by the applicant under that surety above three (3) times the limit of risk.
(iv) The surety agrees:
(A) Not to cancel the bond, except where the Department gives prior written approval of a good and sufficient replacement form of financial assurance complying with these regulations.
(B) To be jointly and severally liable with the permittee for closure and corrective actions as required by Part E of this regulation.
(C) To provide immediate written notice to the Department and permittee once it becomes unable or may become unable to fulfill its obligations under the bond.
(D) To warrant in the bond instrument that the bond is authorized, is fully enforceable, and is backed by sufficient assets to guarantee execution on the bond.
(E) To further warrant that the bond shall be payable to the Department upon demand and shall not be subject to any liens or setoffs.
(v) If, for any reason, the surety becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the bond, the permittee and surety shall immediately provide the required notice to the Department. The permittee shall have sixty (60) days to secure alternative bonding complying with the provisions of these regulations. Failure to provide notice to the Department or failure to secure alternative bonding shall result in suspension of the permit.
(c) Federally insured certificate of deposit. The Department shall not accept an individual federally insured certificate of deposit in an amount in excess of the maximum insurable amount as determined by the FDIC. Such certificates of deposit shall be made payable to the Department both in writing and upon the records of the bank issuing the certificate of deposit. All certificates of deposit shall be retained by the Wyoming State Treasurer and shall be payable on demand. The Department shall require the bank or lending institution issuing the certificate to waive all rights of set off or liens against the certificate. The amount of the certificate of deposit shall be calculated after any penalty for payment before maturity is deducted.
(d) Government-backed securities. In lieu of a bond, the permittee or its principal may deposit government securities registered solely in the Department 's name and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The market value of the securities shall be utilized to value the security.
(e) Cash. In lieu of a bond, the permittee or its principal may provide cash to be retained on deposit by the Wyoming State Treasurer in the name of the Department. Interest shall not be earned on amount of cash deposited in lieu of a bond or other form of financial assurance.
Section 51. Release of the Permittee from the Requirements of Financial Assurance.
(a) No bond or other form of financial assurance may be canceled by the surety unless sixty (60) days prior written notice is given the Director and the Director gives written consent, which may be granted only when the requirements of these regulations have been fulfilled.
(b) When closure and corrective actions required by a permit are complete, financial assurance shall be released by the Department.
(i) When the Administrator determines that initial closure activities have been completed for a permit, financial assurance less retainages shall be released.
(ii) A sufficient amount of financial assurance shall be retained to pay for estimated costs of post-closure activities. This portion of the financial assurance shall be held for a period of at least three (3) years after initial facility closure activities are completed.
(iii) The corrective action contingency bond amount shall be reduced 20 percent per year after initial closure activities have been completed. The reduction rate may be adjusted by the Administrator if justified to provide for the costs of unresolved remedial action requirements. Such amounts shall be held until remedial actions are complete.
(iv) Release of any amounts of financial assurance shall not release the permittee or other responsible person from any responsibility for meeting closure or corrective action requirements.
Section 52. Forfeiture of Bond or Other Form of Financial Assurance.
(a) Bond or other financial assurance forfeiture proceedings shall occur only after the Department provides notice to the owner and any surety in accordance with W.S. 35-11-421 that a violation exists and the Council has approved the request of the Director to begin forfeiture proceedings.
(b) With the approval of the Council, the Director may:
(i) Collect forfeited funds from financial assurance provided under these regulations.
(ii) Expend forfeited funds to remedy and abate the circumstances for which any financial assurance was provided.
(c) Use of all financial assurance shall not relieve the permittee or other responsible parties from responsibility and liability for closure and corrective action costs. The Wyoming Attorney General may bring suit to recover any costs incurred by the state for closure or corrective action costs not covered by collected financial assurance monies.
20-1
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Chapter 22 Capacity Development Standards for Public Water Supplies
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.22.08111999 Capacity Development Standards for Public Water Supplies
Capacity Development Standards for
Public Water Supplies
Chapter 22
Section 1. Authority. These standards are promulgated pursuant to W.S. 35-11-101 through 35-11-1207 and W.S. 16-1-301 through 16-1-308, specifically, W.S. 35-11-302 (a) (x).
Section 2. Severability. If any section or provision of this regulation, or the application of that section or provision to any person, situation, or circumstance is adjudged invalid for any reason, the adjudication does not affect any other section or provision of these regulations or the application of the adjudicated section or provision to any other person, situation, or circumstance. The Environmental Quality Council declares that it would have adopted the valid portions and application of this regulation without the invalid part, and to this end the provisions of this regulation are declared to be severable.
Section 3. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards that accomplish the following.
(a) Ensure that all new or modified community water systems and nontransient noncommunity water systems commencing operations on or after October 1, 1999 meet the capacity development requirements of these rules and acquire and maintain capacity development in order to meet the purpose of the Environmental Quality Act.
(b) Implement a strategy and procedures to ensure all public water supplies acquire and maintain the required technical, financial and managerial capabilities for the collection, treatment and distribution of potable water in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of users.
(c) Assure that applicants for Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Fund loans made under the State Loan and Investment Board Rules and Regulations Chapter 16 meet the capacity development requirements of these rules.
Section 4. Definitions. The following definitions supplement those contained in W.S. 35- 11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and W.S. 16-1-301 of the Wyoming Joint Powers Act.
(a) "Capacity development strategy" means a plan to assist public water supplies in acquiring and maintaining technical, managerial and financial capability to maintain compliance with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
(b) "Corrective action plan" means a scheduled course of action to correct technical, financial and/or managerial deficiencies.
(c) "Implementation schedule" means a timetable to correct the deficiencies identified in a corrective action plan.
(d) "Modified" means a change to a public water supply that requires new construction or replacement of an existing unit with a differently sized unit, different type material(s) or different equipment for which a construction permit is required.
(e) "Owner" means a person or entity having the legal rights and responsibilities to possess public water supply.
(f) "Safe Drinking Water Act," or "SDWA," means the federal Safe Drinking Water Act including the 1996 amendments (Public Law 104-182, 42 U.S.C. §300f et seq.).
(g) "Sanitary survey" means the on-site review of the water source, source water susceptibility to contamination, facilities, equipment, operation, and maintenance of a public water supply for the purpose of evaluating the adequacy of such source, facilities, equipment, operation, and maintenance for producing and distributing drinking water.
(h) "System assessment" means an assessment conducted by or on behalf of a public water supply to review the technical, managerial and financial aspects of the system, to identify capabilities and to develop a corrective action plan to correct any identified deficiencies, and to identify potential threats to the source water.
Section 5. Demonstrating Capacity Development. All new or modified community and nontransient noncommunity water systems shall demonstrate capacity development by accomplishing the following.
(a) Complying with the requirements of Chapter 5 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations for certified operators of the system or have a division approved compliance schedule in place to meet the requirements.
(b) Completing a system assessment of the managerial, technical, and financial aspects of the system using capacity assessment worksheets provided by the administrator. These worksheets shall be developed with input from a capacity development assessment workgroup whose members are appointed by the administrator to be representative of all public water supplies and state and federal agencies. This workgroup shall periodically meet to review and update the assessment worksheets. All meetings shall be noticed and open to the public.
(c) Developing a corrective action plan and implementation schedule if deficiencies are identified by the division as a result of the capacity development assessment.
(d) Providing a plan to assure sufficient financial resources to cover system operation and maintenance costs including debt service if financial capability deficiencies are identified.
(e) Demonstrating compliance with Chapters 3 and 12 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations. Chapters 3 and 12 establish standards for construction permitting and minimum design criteria for public water supplies.
Section 6. Implementation of Capacity Development. All public water supplies seeking SDWA State Revolving Fund Loan per State Land and Investment Board Rules and Regulations Chapter 16 and all new or modified community and nontransient noncommunity water systems commencing operations on or after October 1, 1999 and all water systems providing water to them shall demonstrate capacity development as described in section 5 of this chapter and in accordance with the following.
(a) All new or modified community and noncommunity nontransient water systems for which a construction permit is required pursuant to Chapter 3 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations shall demonstrate capacity development by:
(i) Having an approved system assessment that meets the criteria in Section 5 of these rules, or obtaining a division approved time schedule to complete a system assessment including corrective action plan if necessary; and
(ii) Implementing the corrective action plan, if necessary, in accordance with an approved implementation schedule.
(b) Applicants seeking a SDWA State Revolving Fund Loan per State Land and Investment Board Rules and Regulations Chapter 16 shall demonstrate capacity development by meeting the requirements of this chapter.
Section 7. System Assessment Processing Procedures. System assessments submitted to the division shall be processed in the following manner.
(a) The division shall review the system assessments for completeness within 30 days of submittal. The administrator or a designee shall notify the system owner if the assessment is incomplete and shall include a description of the information needed to complete the assessment.
(b) The division shall make a final decision on capacity development demonstration within 60 days of the division's determination that the system owner's capacity development demonstration submittal is complete.
(c) The department shall render a final decision on the system assessment as appropriate from among the following options.
(i) Approval of the system assessment as demonstrating capacity development in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(ii) Disapproval of the system assessment as not meeting the minimum requirements of this chapter to demonstrate capacity development.
(iii) Conditional approval based upon a corrective action plan and a schedule to correct identified technical, financial and/or managerial deficiencies.
(d) The final decision of the department may be appealed to the Environmental Quality Council in accordance with Department of Environmental Quality Rules of Practice and Procedure.
History
- Effective 1999-08-11
Chapter 23 Minimum Standards for Subdivision Applications
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.23.07312012 Minimum Standards for Subdivision Applications
Minimum Standards for Subdivision Applications
CHAPTER 23
Section 1. Authority. This regulation is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act. Specifically, W.S. 35-11-302 (a) (xi) stipulates that the administrator shall develop standards for subdivision applications submitted to the department under W.S. 18-5-306.
Section 2. Applicability. These regulations shall apply to all subdivision permits as required by W.S. 18-5-305 and 306 and submitted to the department upon or after the effective date this rule.
Section 3. Definitions.
(a) The definitions in Section 35-11-103(a) and (c) of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act apply to this chapter. For example:
(i) "Administrator" means the administrator of the Water Quality Division of the department.
(ii) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Quality established by the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act;
(iii) "Director" means the director of the Department of Environmental Quality;
(iv) "Public water supply" means any water supply as defined in W.S. 35-11- 103(c) (viii).
(b) The following definitions, contained in Section 18-5-302(a) of Article 3, Real Estate Subdivisions as of July 1, 2001, apply to this chapter:
(i) “Sewage System” means all pipelines, conduits, pumping stations, force mains and other constructions used for collecting or conducting wastes to a treatment plant or disposal system; any plant or other works used for the purpose of treating, stabilizing or holding wastes; and any system used for disposing of wastes, either by surface or underground methods, including any treatment plant, disposal wells and absorption fields;
(ii) “Subdivider” means any person who lays out any subdivision or parts thereof either for the account of the subdivider or others;
(iii) “Subdivision” means the creation or division of a lot, tract, parcel or other unit of land for the immediate or future purpose of sale, building development or redevelopment, for residential, recreational, industrial, commercial or public uses. The word “subdivide” or any derivative thereof shall have reference to the term subdivision, including mobile home courts, the creation of which constitutes a subdivision of land.
(iii) “Water supply system” includes development of the source and all structures for conveyance of raw water to the treatment plant or delivery systems; all water treatment plants including disinfection facilities; and all finished water delivery systems including pipelines, pumping stations and finished water storage facilities. Separate water supply systems used solely for irrigation or stock water are not included.
(c) The following definition supplements those definitions contained in Section 35- 11-103 of the Environmental Quality Act.
“Enhanced treatment system” means a facility or system reviewed and approved by the administrator in accordance with Section 5, Chapter 11,Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, that will meet or exceed the applicable standards contained within this chapter.
Section 4. Submittal and Processing of Subdivision Applications
(a) Submittal of subdivision applications. Prior to subdivision permit approval by the board of county commissioners, and pursuant to W.S. 18-5-306 (c) and 307, the county, subdivider, or county planning and zoning commission shall send three (3) copies of the portions of the application containing evaluations of the proposed sewage system and water supply system to the department for review of the safety and adequacy of the proposed sewage system and proposed water supply system.
(b) Processing of applications
(i) Pursuant to W.S. 18-5-306(c):
(A) The department may request assistance from the state engineer, the Wyoming water development office and any other state agency or county governmental entity in preparing its review. Any agency or entity requested to assist in the review shall fully cooperate to the extent possible with the department and shall furnish the information or recommendations requested within the time period specified by the department;
(B) The department shall file its written comments and recommendations on the application with the commission or board within 30 days after receipt of the application. The department may extend its review period for an additional 30 days if an extension is necessary to complete the review.
(ii) Incomplete applications will be processed in the following manner:
(A) Additional information shall be requested from the applicant within 30 days of the department’s receipt of the application. If the applicant fails to remedy an incomplete application within 60 days of the department’s receipt of the application, the department will file an adverse recommendation with the commission or board.
(B) Applications containing plans, specifications, reports, maps, and other documentation submitted under this chapter that are not signed, sealed, and dated, when required, by a licensed professional engineer under W.S. Title 33, Chapter 29, a licensed professional geologist under W.S. Title 33, Chapter 41 or a licensed land surveyor under W.S. Title 33, Chapter 29 will be deemed incomplete by the department and returned to the applicant without further review.
Section 5. Requirements Applicable to All Applications
(a) All plans, specifications, reports, maps, and other documentation submitted under this chapter must meet or exceed the standards contained within these regulations to be deemed complete;
(b) All plans, specifications, reports, maps, and other documentation submitted under this chapter shall be signed, sealed, and dated, when required, by a licensed professional engineer under W.S. Title 33, Chapter 29, a licensed professional geologist under W.S. Title 33, Chapter 41, and by a licensed land surveyor under W.S. Title 33, Chapter 29, as applicable.
(c) The administrator may, upon review of submitted documentation, modify any, or all, requirements of this chapter when:
(i) The subdivision includes one or more lots with existing sewage systems, water supply systems, or on-lot wells; or
(ii) Holding tanks are used to fully contain on-lot sewage.
Section 6. Exemptions from Provisions. Exemptions to the provisions of this chapter are defined in W.S. 18-5-303 and W.S. 18-5-306.
Section 7. Standards for Sewage Systems
(a) All applications shall contain the following information:
(i) Identification of the type of sewage system to serve the subdivision and identification of the entity or entities responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed facility;
(ii) An assessment of the adequacy of the proposed sewage system in relation to the proposed population density of the subdivision and any other existing or proposed land and water uses in the vicinity of the subdivision that may affect the adequacy of the system; and
(iii) Demonstration that the proposed sewage system will meet all county, state and federal standards. The demonstration shall include, but not be limited to addressing the relationship of the development to any local or state approved water quality management plans established pursuant to Section 201 of the federal Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1281 and demonstrate no conflict exists with any state approved local wellhead protection plan or local source water protection plan.
(b) In addition to the information required in part (a) of this section, applications proposing the use of a new central sewage system shall contain the following:
(i) An estimate of the average and maximum number of gallons per day of sewage generated by the proposed subdivision;
(ii) A demonstration that technical requirements and design standards of the department of environmental quality applicable to central sewage systems can and will be met. The demonstration shall include, but not be limited to the information contained within Chapter 11, Section 6 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations;
(iii) An estimated schedule for the development and occupancy of the proposed subdivision; and
(iv) A detailed demonstration that the proposed sewage system for the subdivision is compatible with the proposed water supply system for the subdivision. The demonstration must determine that the operation of the sewage system will not affect the suitability or safety of the proposed water supply system and include a determination of the potential impacts of downgradient use of groundwater. The demonstration shall include:
(A) Documentation that the facility poses no threat of discharge to groundwater; or
(B) A subsurface study and a contaminant fate and transport analysis demonstrating that groundwater standards contained within Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations will not be exceeded.
(v) Confirmation that the owner of the subdivision collection system will provide for certified operators pursuant to Chapter 5, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(c) In addition to the information required in part (a) of this section, applications proposing to connect to an existing central sewage system shall contain:
(i) Certification by the owner of the wastewater collection and treatment facilities that the system can and will provide adequate service to the proposed subdivision. This certification should address the willingness and a commitment of the owner to provide service as well as the ability of all downstream sewers, lift stations and treatment facilities to handle the hydraulic and organic loading from the proposed subdivision.
(A) The certification shall clearly identify the point of connection if the connection is not within the boundaries of the proposed subdivision.
(B) It is the responsibility of the owner to consider the capacity and ability of the system to provide sewer service to the proposed subdivision in accordance with existing laws, regulations and permit requirements.
(ii) The information required by Section 6, Chapter 11, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations shall be provided by a registered professional engineer. If the necessary information is not already available, the owner of the sewage system has the discretion to require the subdivider to provide the required information.
(iii) The party responsible for operation and maintenance of the subdivision collection system will provide for certified operators pursuant to Chapter 5, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(d) In addition to the information required in part (a) (i) of this section, applications proposing the use of on-lot sewage systems shall contain information to document the following:
(i) Separation of the drainfield relative to groundwater and impervious soils will meet or exceed the minimum standards established in Chapter 25 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(ii) Soil percolation rates will meet or exceed the minimum standard established in Chapter 25 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(A) Percolation tests must be performed according to the procedure described in Chapter 25, Appendix A, of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations or other procedures approved by the department.
(B) Percolation tests are required for every third lot, or for each soil type as mapped by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), whichever requires the least number of percolation tests.
(I) A copy of the NRCS county soil map must be submitted if soil types and distributions were used to establish the number of percolation tests required.
(II) Percolation test data and results from existing permitted on- lot sewage systems on properties adjoining the proposed subdivision may be substituted for new tests when the existing test results were obtained from the same type of soils as those that exist within the proposed subdivision.
(C) Percolation test data, results, and map illustrating test locations shall be submitted in the application.
(iii) Topographic slope, or grade, for sufficient area within each lot within the proposed subdivision will meet or exceed the applicable minimum standards established in Chapter 25 of Water Quality Rules and Regulations, and will not result in a direct or indirect discharge of pollution at the surface, into a surface water body, or into a wetland.
(iv) A 1:24,000 scale U.S.G.S. topographic map illustrating and identifying watersheds located on, or draining into, under, or over the proposed subdivision, including all ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streams, surface waters, wetlands, and watershed boundaries within one-quarter (¼) mile of the proposed subdivision shall be included in the application.
(v) Each lot contains sufficient area for a replacement leach field.
(vi) The proposed population density of the subdivision, determined from the proposed type of use (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial, multiple use) of the subdivision.
(A) Applications for subdivisions proposing non-domestic use, or domestic use that exceeds 2000 gallons of wastewater per day on one or more lots of the subdivision must identify:
(I) The type(s), strength, and chemical composition of non- domestic wastes most likely to be disposed of, including the average and maximum daily flows;
(II) Specific lots within the subdivision where the disposal of non-domestic wastewater could occur; and
(III) Design(s) and treatment capabilities of the type(s) of on-lot sewage systems proposed to treat such wastes.
(vii) Groundwater and surface water use is protected, as documented by:
(A) Characterization of the geologic setting from well logs, soil borings, and/or published geologic maps and reports, including documentation of:
(I) Thickness, lithology, and extent of surficial materials;
(II) Stratigraphy, lithology, thickness, and extent of underlying geologic formations; and
(III) Faults, fractures, and karst features.
(B) Characterization of the hydrogeologic setting from well logs, soil borings, test pits, and/or published geologic maps and reports, including documentation of:
(I) Depth to groundwater, including seasonal fluctuations;
(II) Degree of groundwater hydraulic confinement;
(III) Vadose zone thickness, stratigraphy, and lithology; and
(IV) Degree of hydraulic connection and interaction between groundwater and surface water, where applicable.
(C) Classification of groundwater that is unconfined or semi-confined, according to the standards established within Chapter 8 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations must be established according to the following:
(I) A survey of the existing wells permitted by the State Engineers Office and completed within the unconfined or semi-confined aquifer within one (1) mile of the proposed subdivision must be included and contain:
(1.) A map illustrating well names and locations relative to the proposed subdivision;
(2.) State Engineers Office permitted use for each well; and
(3.) State Engineers Office appropriated production volume for each well.
(II) If there are no permitted wells within one (1) mile of the proposed subdivision a field survey shall be performed to identify and record all potential locations where unpermitted water users may be located and potential water use.
(III) If the well surveys in subsections (I) and (II) of this part do not reveal any existing wells used for domestic purposes, ambient groundwater quality of the unconfined or semi-confined aquifer must be established, either from existing representative sample results or by collection of new representative samples. At a minimum, analytical laboratory results must be provided for:
(1.) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
(2.) Nitrate + Nitrite as N
(3.) Total Coliform
(4.) Sulfates
(5.) Chloride
(6.) Zinc
(7.) Lead
(8.) Copper
(9.) Arsenic
(10.) pH
(11.) Selenium
(12.) Additional constituents as may be deemed necessary by the department to classify the groundwater.
(D) When groundwater is unconfined or semi-confined and is Class I groundwater as defined in Chapter 8 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, the following additional documentation must be provided:
(I) Horizontal and vertical extent of the aquifer;
(II) Type of flow (i.e., diffuse, porous, or conduit) within the aquifer;
(III) Direction and degree of hydraulic gradient;
(IV) Hydraulic conductivity of the saturated zone; and
(V) Porosity of the saturated zone.
(viii) Separation distances to wells and property boundaries are adequate, according to the following:
(A) Except as provided for in sub-part (B) of this part, where unconfined groundwater is Class I as defined in Chapter 8 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, small wastewater systems designed in accordance with Chapter 25, requirements and these regulations may be used provided that:
(I) The analysis described in Appendix A is provided in the application and determines that nitrates from on-lot sewage systems will not exceed 10 mg/L at the downgradient property boundary;
(II) The minimum isolation distances between drainfields and wells (completed or proposed within the unconfined aquifer), property boundaries, or surface waters as determined by the analysis described in Appendix B and provided in the application will be achieved or exceeded on each lot; and
(III) The analysis described in Appendix C is provided in the application and determines that nitrates from on-lot sewage systems will not exceed 10 mg/L in existing or proposed on-site public water supply wells, or off-site public water supply wells
(completed or proposed within the unconfined aquifer) .
(B) Unless the application materials demonstrate through fate and transport analysis that leachate will not impair ground water and/or surface water quality or use, enhanced treatment systems capable of achieving, at a minimum, the enhanced treatment standard must be used where:
(I) Small wastewater systems overlying unconfined Class I groundwater as defined in Chapter 8 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations and designed in accordance Chapter 25, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations fail to comply with one or more of the standards established in Section 7 (viii) (A) (I) through (III) of this section; or
(II) The geologic setting of the proposed subdivision indicates that sewage leachate may come into contact with faults, fractures, or karst features.
(C) Enhanced treatment systems must be capable of achieving, at a minimum, the following treatment standards prior to additional treatment or subsurface discharge:
(I) Fecal Coliform: < 800 colonies/100 mL (Maximum 30 day geometric mean);
(II) Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen: < 25 mg/L (Maximum 30 day average).
(D) Where an enhanced treatment system is used it must be constructed and operated in conjunction with a subsurface disposal system that meets or exceeds the requirements of Chapter 25, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(E) Where enhanced treatment systems are proposed or required, applications must contain a system design, developed and certified by a Wyoming licensed engineer, documenting the system’s ability to achieve the required treatment standards, and include:
(I) Plan view and cross-section view of a proto-type enhanced wastewater treatment system;
(II) Enhanced treatment system performance standards for the proposed system(s);
(III) Number of bedrooms or average daily volume of wastewater flow; and
(IV) Operation and maintenance (O&M) requirements necessary to ensure optimum system performance, which include:
(1.) Sampling points for effluent quality monitoring prior to discharge to the leach field shall be identified.
(2.) A conceptual schematic of how the system is constructed and how it is designed to work, including the flow paths of the waste, re-circulation pathways, detention or contact times, etc.
(3.) A complete set of the manufacturer’s O&M recommendations and specifications for the system, including part names and identification numbers for each of the system components for replacement purposes.
(4.) A summary or overview of the O&M requirements for all aspects of the system, identifying by component the frequency of inspection or servicing required and type of service needed to be performed to maintain the proper performance of the system.
(ix) Identification of the nearest facility that can and will accept septage wastes, and any limits, or conditions, of acceptance.
Section 8. Standards for Water Supply Systems
(a) All applications shall contain the following information:
(i) Identification of the type of water supply system proposed to serve the subdivision and identification of the entity or entities responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed facility;
(ii) The estimated average and maximum number of gallons per day for the subdivision water supply system;
(iii) Documentation that the proposed water supply system will be compatible with and not adversely affected by the sewage system proposed for the subdivision or any other sources of pollution within a reasonable distance;
(iv) List of all surface and groundwater rights which will be used or which may be affected, including state engineer application and permit numbers and description of expected effects;
(v) Plans for the mitigation of water right conflicts resulting from the use of water within the proposed subdivision; and
(v) The information required by W.S. 18-5-306 (a) (xi).
(b) In addition to the information required in part (a) of this section, applications proposing to connect to an existing water supply system shall contain the following:
(i) Documentation concerning the potability of the proposed water supply for the subdivision as evidenced by historic water quality analytical data and current compliance status;
(ii) Certification by the owner of the water distribution and treatment facilities that the system can and will provide adequate service to the proposed subdivision. This certification should address the willingness and a commitment of the owner to provide service, as well as the hydraulic capacity of the distribution system and the ability of the treatment facilities to provide potable water to the proposed subdivision;
(A) The certification shall clearly identify the point of connection if the connection is not within the boundaries of the proposed subdivision.
(B) It is the responsibility of the owner to consider the capacity and ability of the system to provide water service to the proposed subdivision in accordance with existing laws, regulations and permit requirements.
(iii) The information required by Section 6, Chapter 12, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations shall be provided by a registered professional engineer. If the necessary information is not already available, the owner of the water system has the discretion to require the subdivider to provide the required information.
(vi) The party responsible for operation and maintenance of the subdivision distribution system will provide for certified operators pursuant to Chapter 5, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(c) In addition to the information required in part (a) of this section, applications proposing to develop a new centralized water supply system shall contain the following:
(i) A demonstration that the water supply system is sufficient in terms of quality, quantity and dependability and will be available to ensure an adequate water supply system for the type of subdivision proposed. The report shall include a narrative summary of:
(A) Where the water supply system source is derived from groundwater, the geologic setting of the water supply system source and the area of influence such as nearby communities, sources of pollution, surface water bodies and aquifers described by a Wyoming registered professional geologist;
(B) A written report demonstrating that the proposed source is sufficient in terms of quality, quantity and dependability for the type of subdivision proposed;
(C) Source of the water to be used including proposed and existing surface and groundwater facilities and their locations;
(D) The proposed disposal of water not consumed, including water obtained under permits, storm drainage, dewatering, sewage and other wastewater sources;
(E) A delineation of primary sources of water, secondary sources and occasional or seasonal sources;
(F) Graphic location of all water supply sources including wells, raw water intakes, treatment facilities, treated water storage facilities and ponds;
(G) Documentation of all data sources on the occurrence and availability of surface and groundwater;
(H) Historic stream flows and well levels;
(I) Senior water rights;
(J) Flood damage and flood protection; and
(K) Impact of and protection from supply shortages.
(ii) The information required by Chapter 12, Section 6 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(iii) Confirmation that the owner of the subdivision distribution system will provide for certified operators pursuant to Chapter 5, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(iv) Water quality data that is representative of the proposed drinking water source must be provided for the metals, inorganic constituents, and microbial constituents with Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established pursuant to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
(d) In addition to the information required in part (a) of this section, applications proposing to use on-lot wells or surface water that will serve fewer than 25 people shall contain information describing the potential availability and quality of groundwater or surface water proposed within the subdivision. This information may consist of new data, existing data on other working wells in the area, or other data, including drilling logs, from a test well drilled within the proposed subdivision indicating soil types, depth, quantity and quality of water produced in the test well.
(i) For subdivisions proposing to use on-lot wells or surface water that will serve individual residences or fewer than 25 people, water quality data that is representative of the proposed drinking water source must be provided for the following analytes:
(A) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
(B) Nitrate + Nitrite as N
(C) Total Coliform
(D) Sulfates
(E) Calcium
(F) Magnesium
(G) Sodium
(H) Chloride
(I) Iron
(J) Zinc
(K) Lead
(L) Fluoride
(M) Manganese
(N) Copper
(O) Arsenic
(P) pH
(Q) Additional constituents as may be deemed necessary by the department.
(ii) Documentation of activities, within a distance of one quarter (¼) mile of the subdivision’s external boundaries, that may have potential to adversely effect the quality of the drinking water supply.
Section 9. Delegation of Review Authority to Counties
(a) Pursuant to W.S. 18-5-306 (c), to the extent requested by a county government, the administrator of the Water Quality Division, with the approval of the director of the Department of Environmental Quality, shall delegate authority to the county to:
(i) Review and approve any reports or studies required by this chapter and directed at determining the safety and adequacy of the proposed sewage or water supply system contained as part of a subdivision application;
(ii) Review and approve enhanced treatment systems, in accordance with Section 5, Chapter 11 of Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, that will meet or exceed the applicable standards within this chapter;
(iii) Issue construction permits as required by W.S. 35-11-301(a) (iii), and;
(iv) Issue operating permits as authorized by W.S. 35-11-301 (a) (iii).
(b) Any authority delegated under this section shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) The county entity shall demonstrate to the administrator of the Water Quality Division that all sewage or water supply systems will be reviewed by a qualified professional with expertise in surface and groundwater protection from pollution and safe and adequate water supply systems;
(ii) The county entity shall demonstrate that the review of water supply and sewage systems will be in a manner as stringent as the Department of Environmental Quality would require under this section;
(iii) The review of subdivisions with a proposed sewage system consisting of wastes requiring an underground injection control permit under Department of Environmental Quality regulations or sewage systems with a proposed surface water discharge shall not be delegated to the county; and
(iv) The administrator shall periodically review the administrative programs of each county governmental entity receiving a delegation of authority under this section and may, with the consent of the director, revoke or temporarily suspend the delegation agreement entered into with any entity which has failed to perform its delegated duties or has otherwise violated the terms of its agreement of delegation.
(c) To ensure consistent application of this rule, delegation agreements shall include an identification of methods and reporting for oversight of the county’s delegated authority.
Appendix A
Cumulative Nitrate Loading Analysis
In order to calculate the nitrate concentration from multiple septic systems at the downgradient property boundary of the proposed subdivision the following nitrogen mass balance equation - (Wehrmann Model) is used. If Co exceeds 10 mg/L NO3 as N, WDEQ recommend to the County Commission that the subdivision not be approved unless modified to achieve the standards within this chapter. Co= Vb Cb+ Vi Ci+ Vs Cs - Vp Cp / (Vb+ Vi+ Vs - Vp) Where: - Co = diluted concentration of NO3 as N leaving the subdivision Vb = volume of ground water entering the subdivision from upgradient area - Cb = ambient concentration of NO3 as N contained in the ground water entering the subdivision Vi = volume of precipitation infiltrating beneath the subdivision - Ci = concentration of NO3 as N contained in the infiltrating precipitation Vs = volume of septic effluent introduced beneath the subdivision - Cs = concentration of NO3 as N contained in the septic effluent (assume 40 mg/L for conventional septic systems, and manufacturer specifications (mg/L) for enhanced treatment systems) Vp = volume of ground water pumped by wells beneath the subdivision (use only if same aquifer as Vs) Cp = concentration of nitrate-nitrogen contained in the pumped ground water
Source: Wehrmann, H.A. 1984. Managing Ground Water Nitrate Quality by Mass Balance Modeling in the Rockton-Roscoe Area, Illinois. In Proceedings of the NWWA Eastern Regional Conference on Ground Water Management, National Water Well Association, Dublin, Ohio, pp. 558-587. Α − 1 Appendix B
Minimum Isolation Distance Analysis
VERTICAL TRAVEL TIME CALCULATION:
The following equation is used to determine the vertical travel time (t1) from the leach field to the water table:
Given: t1 = d * θ ÷ 0.5(α)
Where:
t1 = vertical travel time (years) α is total recharge (effluent + precipitation in cm/yr)
θ is volumetric soil moisture in a sandy clay (mL/cm3)
d is the depth to groundwater (cm) 0.5 is the infiltration factor (assumes 50% of precipitation will infiltrate the soil)
(Note: α, θ, and d will change from site to site.)
Example calculation of α:
Assuming that 100 gallons per day of wastewater will be generated per bedroom, a typical 3 bedroom house is expected to discharge an average of 300 gallons per day.
Total yearly effluent discharge = 300 gallons/day * 365 days/year * 1 ft3/7.48 gallons = 14,639 ft3
Next, calculate the required soil absorption surface area (square feet) by referencing Figure 7 of Chapter 25 of Water Quality Rules and Regulations. The sizing of a leach field is dependant upon the soil percolation rate and the average daily effluent discharge. For this example use the median soil percolation rate of 15 minutes per inch. Also, use the previously calculated 300 gallons per day effluent discharge per house.
Required soil absorption infiltrative area = 300 gallons/day * 1ft2 day/0.52 gallons = 577 ft2
Next, calculate the pro-rated inches per year of effluent recharge to the aquifer:
14,639 ft3 * (577 ft2)-1 = 25.4 ft * 12 inches/ft = 304 inches/year
To obtain TOTAL average annual recharge to the aquifer (effluent + precipitation) add the average annual precipitation for the area (15 inches/year) to the pro-rated effluent recharge, which equates to 319 inches/year or 810 cm/year (α). Note the average annual precipitation for
Β − 1 an area can be obtained from Chapter 17, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations
(Figure 2) or from the USDA. National Resources Conservation Service.
Volumetric Soil Moisture Content at Field Capacity
| Soil Type | Volumetric Soil Moisture Content @ Field Capacity, θ, mL/cm3 | | --- | --- | | Cobble sand | 0.045 | | Sand | 0.062 | | Sandy loam | 0.190 | | Loam | 0.232 | | Silty loam | 0.284 | | Sandy clay loam | 0.244 | | Clay loam | 0.310 | | Silty clay loam | 0.342 | | Sandy clay | 0.321 (default) | | Silty clay | 0.371 | | Clay | 0.378 |
Volumetric Soil Moisture Content @ Field Soil Type Capacity, θ, mL/cm3
Cobble sand 0.045
Sand 0.062
Sandy loam 0.190
Loam 0.232
Silty loam 0.284
Sandy clay loam 0.244
Clay loam 0.310
Silty clay loam 0.342
Sandy clay 0.321 (default)
Silty clay 0.371
Clay 0.378
- Source: WDEQ Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 17
Β − 2 HORIZONTAL TRAVEL TIME CALCULATION:
The following equation is used to determine, based upon the advective flow equation, the distance at which leachate in groundwater will reach a downgradient well or surface water body, or migrate beyond the property boundary over a travel-time period of two years*.
The distance (x) which leachate will migrate vertically (t1) and horizontally (t2) over a travel- time period of two years (t) is calculated as follows:
Calculate horizontal travel time (t2):
(t2) = 2 years - (t1)
Where:
(t1) = vertical travel time
Calculate the horizontal linear velocity:
Given: v = ki/n
Where:
v = average groundwater linear velocity k = hydraulic conductivity of the saturated aquifer (feet/day) i = hydraulic gradient (feet/feet) n = effective porosity (dimensionless)
Next, calculate the horizontal travel distance, x:
x = t2 * v
t2 = horizontal time of travel x = the minimum allowable isolation distance
- If the calculated vertical travel time is 2 years or greater the horizontal travel time analysis does not need to be completed.
Source: Fetter, C.W. 1994. Applied Hydrogeology, 3rd Edition, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 691 pp.
Β − 3 Appendix C
Public Water Supply Analysis
The following equations are used to calculate the nitrate concentration at a public drinking water supply well from drainfields that fall within the capture zone of the well, as defined below. If Cp - exceeds 10 mg/L NO3 as N, WDEQ will recommend to the County Commission that the subdivision not be approved unless modified to achieve the standards within this chapter.
First, calculate the capture zone for the water supply well using the following formula:
CFR = √Qt / 7.48nHpi
Where:
CFR = Calculated fixed radius of pumping well Q = average annual pumping rate (gallons/year) t = time of travel (years); assume 2 years unless a steady-state capture zone is calculated.
7.48 = conversion factor (ft3 to gallons) n = effective porosity H = length of well screen (feet) pi = 3.14
Next, the volume of aquifer water flowing beneath a drainfield located within the capture zone is calculated using the following formula:
Qleach = (KiA)7.48*z
Where:
Qleach = volume of water flowing beneath the drainfield (gallons/day) K = hydraulic conductivity (feet/day) i = hydraulic gradient
A = cross-sectional dimensions of drainfield (length x depth); assumed to be 75 feet long by 30 feet deep.
z = number of wastewater treatment systems within the CFR
Next, the nitrate concentration beneath the drainfield is calculated by mixing the septic leachate with the aquifer water flowing beneath the drainfield (Qleach) using the following formula:
Cr = ((Qseptic *Cseptic) + (Qleach * Cleach)) / (Qseptic + Qleach)
C − 1 Where:
Cr = diluted nitrate concentration beneath the septic drainfield (mg/L) Qseptic = discharge of septic (gallons/day) = (300 *z) Cseptic = average nitrate concentration of septic leachate (assume 40 mg/L for conventional septic systems; manufacturer specifications (mg/L) for enhanced treatment systems) Qleach = volume of water flowing beneath the drainfield (gallons/day) Cleach = ambient nitrate concentration in ground water (mg/L) 300 = average daily leachate discharge for a 3 bedroom home
z = number of wastewater treatment systems within the CFR
Next, the volume of water contained within the well cylinder (from pumping) is calculated using the following equation:
Qwell = n((pi)(HCFR^2))*7.48 / 730
Where:
Qwell = well discharge (gallons/day)
Finally, the concentration of nitrates within the well cylinder is calculated using the following equation:
Cp = ((Qleach + QsepticCr)+(QwellCwell)) / (Qleach + Qseptic + Qwell)
Where:
Cp = Concentration of nitrates within the pumping well (mg/L) Cwell = ambient nitrate concentration in ground water (mg/L) = Cleach
Χ − 2
History
- Effective 2012-07-31
Chapter 24 Class VI Injection Wells and Facilities Underground Injection Control Program
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 1 Authority
These regulations are promulgated pursuant to Wyoming Statutes (W.S.) §§ 35‑11‑101 through 2005, specifically § 313.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 2 Definitions
The following definitions supplement the definitions contained in Section § 35‑11‑103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(a) "Abandoned well" means a well whose use has been permanently discontinued or that is in a state of disrepair such that it cannot be used for its intended purpose or for observation purposes. Temporary or intermittent cessation of injection operations is not abandonment.
(b) "Aquifer" means a zone, stratum, or group of strata that can store and transmit water in sufficient quantities for a specific use.
(c) "Area of review" means the subsurface three-dimensional extent of the carbon dioxide plume, associated pressure front, and displaced fluids, as well as the overlying formations, and surface area above that delineated region.
(d) "Background" means the constituents or parameters and the concentrations or measurements that describe water quality and water quality variability prior to the underground injection.
(e) "Bore/casing annulus" means the space between the wellbore and the well casing.
(f) "Carbon dioxide plume" means the underground extent, in three dimensions, of an injected carbon dioxide stream.
(g) "Carbon dioxide stream" means carbon dioxide, plus associated substances derived from the source materials and any processing, and any substances added to the stream to enable or improve the injection process. Within this Chapter, the term "carbon dioxide stream" does not include any carbon dioxide stream that meets the definition of a hazardous waste under 40 C.F.R. § 261.3.
(h) "Casing" means a pipe or tubing of appropriate material, of varying diameter and weight, lowered into a borehole during or after drilling to support the sides of the hole to prevent the walls from caving, to prevent loss of drilling mud into porous ground, or to prevent water, gas, or other fluid from entering or leaving the hole.
(i) "Casing/tubing annulus" means the space between the well casing and the tubing.
(j) "Cementing" means sealing the annular space around the outside of a casing string using a specially formulated mixture to hold the casing in place and prevent any movement of fluid in this annular space. Cementing also includes operations to seal the well at the time of abandonment.
(k) "Class I well" means a well used to inject hazardous or non-hazardous industrial, commercial, or municipal waste beneath the lowermost formation containing, within one-quarter (1/4) mile of the well bore, an underground source of drinking water.
(l) "Class II well" means any commercial or non-commercial well used to dispose of water or fluids directly associated with the production of oil or gas, any well used to inject fluids or gas for enhanced oil recovery, or any well used for the storage of liquid hydrocarbons.
(m) "Class V facility" means any property that contains an injection well, drywell, or subsurface fluid distribution system that is not defined as a Class I, II, III, IV, or VI well in these Regulations. A Class V facility includes all systems of collection, treatment, and control that are associated with the underground injection.
(n) "Class VI well" means a well that is used for injecting a carbon dioxide stream for geologic sequestration that:
(i) Is not experimental in nature and injects a carbon dioxide stream for geologic sequestration, beneath the lowermost formation containing an underground source of drinking water;
(ii) Has been granted a waiver of the injection depth requirements pursuant to requirements of Section 15 of this Chapter; or
(iii) Has received an expansion to the areal extent of an existing Class II enhanced oil recovery or enhanced gas recovery aquifer exemption pursuant to Section 16 of this Chapter.
(o) "Confining zone" means a geological formation, group of formations, or part of a formation stratigraphically overlying the injection zone(s) that act(s) as a barrier to fluid movement. For Class VI wells operating under an injection depth waiver, confining zone means a geologic formation, group of formations, or part of a formation stratigraphically overlying and underlying the injection zone(s) that acts as a barrier to fluid movement.
(p) "Contaminant" means any pollution; wastes; or physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.
(q) "Corrective action" means the use of Administrator-approved methods to ensure that wells within the area of review do not serve as conduits for the movement of fluids into geologic formations other than those authorized under the permit.
(r) "Duly authorized representative" means a specific individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity. The authorization shall be made in writing by a responsible corporate officer and shall be submitted to the Administrator.
(s) "Endanger" means to expose to actions or activities that could pollute an underground source of drinking water.
(t) "Exempted aquifer" means an aquifer or a portion thereof that meets the criteria in the definition of underground source of drinking water but that has been exempted according to the procedures in Section 16 of this Chapter.
(u) "Fact sheet" means a document briefly setting forth the principal facts and the significant factual, legal, methodological, and policy questions considered in preparing the draft permit.
(v) "Geologic sequestration project" means an injection well or wells used to emplace a carbon dioxide stream into an injection zone for geologic sequestration. It includes the subsurface three-dimensional extent of the carbon dioxide plume, associated pressure front, and displaced fluid, as well as the surface area above that delineated region.
(w) "Groundwater" means subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil materials such that they may be considered water saturated under hydrostatic pressure.
(x) "Groundwaters of the State" are all bodies of underground water that are wholly or partially within the boundaries of the State.
(y) "Hazardous waste" means a hazardous waste as defined in 40 C.F.R. § 261.3.
(z) "Indian lands" and "Indian country" means:
(i) All land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and, including rights-of-way running through the reservation;
(ii) All dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States whether within the original or subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or without the limits of a state; and
(iii) All Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights-of-way running through the same.
(aa) "Injectate" means the material injected through any underground injection facility.
(bb) "Injection zone" means a geologic formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that is of sufficient areal extent, thickness, porosity, and permeability to receive carbon dioxide through a well or wells associated with a geologic sequestration project.
(cc) "Log" means a written record progressively describing the strata and geologic and hydrologic character thereof to include electrical, radioactivity, radioactive tracer, temperature, cement bond and similar surveys, a lithologic description of all cores, and test data.
(dd) "Long string casing" means a casing that is continuous from at least the top of the injection interval to the surface and that is cemented in place.
(ee) "Packer" means a device lowered into a well to produce a fluid-tight seal.
(ff) "Plugging" means the act or process of stopping the flow of water, oil, or gas into or out of a formation through a borehole or well penetrating that formation.
(gg) "Plugging record" means a systematic listing of permanent or temporary abandonment of water, oil, gas, test, exploration, and waste injection wells. A plugging record may contain a well log, description of amounts and types of plugging material used, the method employed for plugging, a description of formations that are sealed, and a graphic log of the well showing formation location, formation thickness, and location of plugging structures.
(hh) "Plume stabilization" has been achieved when the carbon dioxide stream that has been injected subsurface essentially no longer expands vertically or horizontally and poses no threat to underground sources of drinking water, human health, safety, or the environment, as demonstrated by a minimum of three (3) consecutive years of monitoring data.
(ii) "Post-injection site care" means the monitoring, measurement, verification, and other actions (including corrective action) needed to ensure that underground sources of drinking water are not endangered following the cessation of injection, and plugging and abandonment of injection wells until plume stabilization has been achieved and certified by the Administrator, as required under Section 24 of this Chapter.
(jj) "Pressure front" means the zone of elevated pressure that is created by the injection of the carbon dioxide stream into the subsurface. The pressure front of a carbon dioxide plume refers to a zone where there is a pressure differential sufficient to cause movement of injected fluids or formation fluid if a migration pathway or conduit existed.
(kk) "Radioactive waste" means any waste that contains radioactive material in concentrations that exceed those listed in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, Table II, Column 2.
(ll) "Receiver" means any zone, interval, formation, or unit in the subsurface into which a carbon dioxide stream is injected.
(mm) "Responsible corporate officer" means a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy- or decision-making functions for the corporation.
(i) For a corporation, "responsible corporate officer" means:
(A) A president, secretary, treasurer, or vice president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy- or decision-making functions for the corporation; or
(B) The manager of one (1) or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities employing more than 250 persons or having gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25 million (in second quarter 1980 dollars), if authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures.
(ii) For a partnership, "responsible corporate officer" means a general partner.
(iii) For a sole proprietorship, "responsible corporate officer" means the proprietor.
(iv) For a municipality, state, federal or other public agency, "responsible corporate officer" means the principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For the purposes of this definition, a principal executive officer of a federal agency includes:
(A) The chief executive officer of the agency; or
(B) A senior executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency, such as a Regional Administrator.
(nn) "Secondarily affected aquifer" means an aquifer affected by migration of fluids from an injection facility that does not directly discharge into the secondarily affected aquifer.
(oo) "Site closure" occurs when a geologic sequestration project is released from post-injection site care responsibilities and the Administrator certifies site closure pursuant to Section 24(b)(iii) of this Chapter.
(pp) "Surface casing" means the first string of well casing to be installed in the well.
(qq) "Underground injection" means a well injection, a subsurface discharge, a discharge into a receiver, or the subsurface emplacement of fluids through a well.
(rr) "Underground source of drinking water" or "USDW" means an aquifer or portions thereof that is not an exempted aquifer and:
(i) Supplies any public water system; or
(ii) Contains a sufficient quantity of groundwater to supply a public water system, and
(A) Currently supplies drinking water for human consumption; or
(B) Contains fewer than 10,000 mg/L total dissolved solids.
(ss) "Water quality management area" means the area delineated for the protection of water quality under a Department-approved plan developed under Sections 303, 208, or 201 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq. as amended.
(tt) "Well" means :
(i) An opening, excavation, shaft, or hole in the ground allowing or used for underground injection or monitoring;
(ii) An improved sinkhole; or
(iii) A subsurface fluid distribution system.
(uu) "Well plug" means a watertight and gastight seal installed in a borehole or well to prevent movement of fluids.
(vv) "Well stimulation" means any process used to clean the wellbore, enlarge channels, or increase pore space in the interval to be injected and includes surging, jetting, blasting, acidizing, and hydraulic fracturing.
(ww) "Workover" means to pull the tubing, packer, or any downhole hardware from the well and inspect, replace, or refurbish it prior to placing that hardware back in service, or to enter the hole with any drilling tool.
(xx) "Wellhead protection area" means the area delineated for the protection of a public water supply utilizing a groundwater source under a Department-approved plan developed pursuant to Section 1428 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300h-7, or Section 1453 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300j-13.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 3 Applicability
(a) Construction, installation, operation, monitoring, testing, plugging, post-injection site care, and modification of any Class VI well shall be allowed only in accordance with this Chapter.
(b) This chapter applies to all Class VI wells.
(i) This Chapter applies to owners, operators, and permittees of Class VI wells.
(ii) This Chapter applies to any Class I industrial, Class II, or Class V experimental or demonstration carbon dioxide injection project that is converted to a Class VI well. A permitted Class I, Class II, or Class V injection well may be converted to a Class VI well by obtaining a Class VI permit pursuant to this Chapter.
(A) To convert a permitted Class I, Class II, or Class V injection well to a Class VI well, the applicant shall:
(I) Apply for a Class VI permit;
(II) Demonstrate to the Administrator that the well was engineered and constructed to meet the requirements of Section 14(a) of this Chapter; and
(III) In lieu of meeting the requirements of Section 14(b) and Section 17(a) of this Chapter, demonstrate to the Administrator that the well will ensure protection of USDWs and will not endanger any USDW.
(B) After December 10, 2011, owners or operators of Class I wells previously permitted for the purpose of geologic sequestration and Class V experimental technology wells no longer being used for experimental purposes that will continue injection of carbon dioxide for the purpose of geologic sequestration shall obtain a Class VI permit.
(C) If the Administrator determines that a converted Class I, Class II, or Class V injection well will not endanger any USDWs, the Administrator may exempt the well from the requirements of Section 14(b)(i) - (vii) and Section 17(a)(i)-(v) of this Chapter.
(c) The injection of carbon dioxide for purposes of a project for enhanced recovery of oil or other minerals approved by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is not subject to the provisions of this Chapter unless the operator converts to geologic sequestration upon the cessation of oil and gas recovery operations or as otherwise required by the Commission or Director.
(d) For owners or operators of Class II wells described in W.S. § 35-11-313(c):
(i) The Director's determination of primary purpose and increased risk to a USDW shall include, at a minimum, an evaluation of the following criteria:
(A) Increase in reservoir pressure within the injection zone(s).
(B) Increase in carbon dioxide injection rates.
(C) Decrease in reservoir production rates.
(D) Distance between the injection zone(s) and USDWs.
(E) Suitability of the Class II area of review delineation.
(F) Quality of abandoned well plugs within the area of review.
(G) The owner's and/or operator's plan for recovery of carbon dioxide at the cessation of injection.
(H) The source and properties of the injected carbon dioxide.
(I) Any additional site-specific factors as determined by the Administrator.
(ii) An owner or operator may apply for a Class VI permit upon recommendation by the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission supervisor, or by the Commission, that regulation of a Class II enhanced recovery operation be transferred to the Department.
(iii) An owner or operator of a Class II enhanced recovery operation shall apply for a Class VI permit within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice from the Director that a Class VI permit is required.
(e) The requirements to maintain and implement approved plans, and maintain adequate financial responsibility, are directly enforceable regardless of whether the requirements are conditions of the permit.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 4 Processing Permits
(a) The following permit processing procedures are applicable to all Class VI permits:
(i) The applicant shall submit the permit application to the Division in a format required by the Administrator.
(ii) Within sixty (60) days of submission of an application, the Administrator shall make an initial determination of completeness. An application shall be determined complete when the Administrator receives an application and any supplemental information necessary to determine compliance with this Chapter. The completeness of any application for a permit shall be judged independently of the status of any other permit application or permit for the same facility or activity.
(iii) Re-submittal of information by an applicant for an incomplete application will restart the process described in this Section.
(iv) At the end of any 60-day review period where an application is determined complete, the Administrator shall :
(A) Prepare a draft permit for issuance or denial;
(B) Prepare a fact sheet on the proposed operation;
(C) Provide public notice pursuant to Section 27 of this Chapter; and
(D) Notify in writing, the contacts, for any states or Tribes provided pursuant to Section 10(b)(xxxvi) of this Chapter.
(b) If the Director intends to modify, terminate, revoke, or reissue a permit, the Administrator shall prepare a draft permit incorporating the proposed changes and provide public notice pursuant to Section 27 of this Chapter.
(c) If the Director tentatively decides to deny the permit application, he or she shall issue a notice of intent to deny. A notice of intent to deny the permit application is a type of draft permit that follows the same procedure as any draft permit prepared under this section. If the Director's final decision is that the tentative decision to deny the permit application was incorrect, he or she shall withdraw the notice of intent and proceed to prepare a draft permit under this section.
(d) Prior to issuing a permit for a Class VI well, the Director shall consider :
(i) The final area of review based on modeling, using data obtained during logging and testing of the well and the formation as required by subparagraphs (b)(xviii), (b)(xix), (b)(xxvii), and (b)(xxviii) of Section 10 of this Chapter;
(ii) Any relevant updates, based on data obtained during logging and testing of the well and the formation as required by subparagraphs (b)(xviii), (b)(xix), (b)(xxvii), and (b)(xxviii) of Section 10 of this Chapter, to the information on the geologic structure and hydrogeologic properties of the proposed storage site and overlying formations, submitted to satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (b)(xi) of Section 10 of this Chapter;
(iii) The results of the formation testing program required by subparagraph (b)(xix) of Section 10 of this Chapter;
(iv) Final injection well construction procedures that meet the requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter;
(v) Any updates to the proposed area of review and corrective action plan, testing and monitoring plan, injection well-plugging plan, post-injection site care and site closure plan, or the emergency and remedial response plan submitted under Section 10(b) of this chapter that are necessary to address new information collected during logging and testing of the well and the formation as required by Section 10 of this Chapter.
(e) Permits may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated either in response to a petition from any interested person (including the permittee) or upon the Administrator's initiative.
(i) All petitions to modify, revoke and reissue, or terminate a permit shall be in writing and shall contain facts or reasons supporting the request.
(ii) If the Administrator decides a petition to modify, revoke and reissue, or terminate a permit is not justified, the Administrator shall send the petitioner a brief written response giving the reason for the decision. A petition for modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination shall be considered denied if the Administrator takes no action within sixty (60) days after receiving the written request.
(iii) Denials of petitions for modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination are not subject to public notice and comment.
(f) The Administrator shall review each permit at least once every five (5) years to determine whether it should be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 5 Denying Permits
(a) The Director may deny a permit for any of the following reasons:
(i) The application is incomplete;
(ii) The project, if constructed or operated, will violate applicable state surface or groundwater standards;
(iii) The application proposes the construction or operation of a project that does not meet the requirements of this Chapter;
(iv) The permitted facility would be in conflict with or is in conflict with a State-approved local wellhead protection plan, State-approved local source water protection plan, or State-approved water quality management plan; or
(v) Other justifiable reasons necessary to carry out the provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 6 Modifying Permits
(a) The Director may modify a permit when:
(i) Any material or substantial alterations or additions to the facility occur after permitting that justify the application of different permit conditions;
(ii) Any modification in the operation of the facility is capable of causing or increasing pollution in excess of applicable standards or permit conditions;
(iii) Information warranting modification is discovered after the operation has begun that would have justified the application of different permit conditions at the time of permit issuance;
(iv) Regulations or standards upon which the permit was based changed after the permit was issued;
(v) Cause exists for termination, as described in this Section, but the Department determines that modification is appropriate;
(vi) Modification is necessary to comply with applicable statutes, standards, or regulations;
(vii) The permit is transferred; or
(viii) The Administrator determines that permit changes are necessary based on:
(A) Area of review reevaluations under Section 13(c)(i) of this Chapter;
(B) Amendments to the testing and monitoring plan under Section 20(b)(xi) of this Chapter;
(C) Amendments to the injection well-plugging plan under Section 23(c) of this Chapter;
(D) Amendments to the post-injection site care and site closure plan under Section 24(a)(iv) of this Chapter;
(E) Amendments to the emergency and remedial response plan under Section 25(a) of this Chapter;
(F) A review of monitoring or testing results; or
(G) A determination that the injectate is a hazardous waste as defined in 40 CFR § 261.3.
(b) The Administrator may make minor modifications to permits with the consent of the permittee. The Administrator shall notify the permittee of minor modifications to its permit, and the modifications shall become final twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of such notice. Minor modifications may only:
(i) Correct typographical errors;
(ii) Require more frequent monitoring or reporting by the permittee;
(iii) Change an interim compliance date in a schedule of compliance, provided the new date is not more than 120 days after the date specified in the existing permit and does not interfere with attainment of the final compliance date requirement;
(iv) Allow for a permit transfer and change in ownership or operational control of a facility where the Administrator determines that no other change in the permit is necessary, provided that a written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between the current and new permittees has been submitted to the Administrator;
(v) Change quantities or types of fluids injected that are within the capacity of the facility as permitted and, in the judgment of the Administrator, would not interfere with the operation of the facility or its ability to meet conditions described in the permit and would not change its classification;
(vi) Change construction requirements approved by the Administrator pursuant to Section 9(b)(xxviii)(A)-(C) of this Chapter, provided that the alteration complies with the requirements of this Chapter;
(vii) Amend a well-plugging plan that has been updated under Section 23 of this Chapter; or
(viii) Amend a Class VI injection well testing and monitoring plan, well-plugging plan, post-injection site care and site closure plan, or emergency and remedial response plan where the modifications merely clarify or correct the plan.
(c) The Director may modify a permit to resolve issues that could lead to the revocation or termination of the permit under Section 7(a) of this Chapter.
(d) When the Director modifies a permit, only the conditions that are being modified shall be reopened when a new draft permit is prepared. All other aspects of the existing, unmodified permit shall remain in effect for the duration of the modified permit and the modified permit shall expire on the date when the original permit would have expired. Suitability of the facility location shall not be considered unless new information or standards indicate that a threat to human health, safety, or the environment exists that was unknown at the time of permit issuance.
(e) The Administrator may require the submission of a new application to modify a permit.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 7 Terminating, Revoking, and Reissuing Permits
(a) The Director may terminate a permit or revoke and reissue a permit for any of the following reasons:
(i) Noncompliance with terms and conditions of the permit;
(ii) Failure in the application or during the issuance process to disclose fully all relevant facts, or misrepresentation of any relevant facts at any time; or
(iii) A determination that the activity threatens human health, safety, or the environment and can only be regulated to acceptable levels by a permit modification or termination.
(b) As part of any notice of intent to terminate a permit, the Director shall order the permittee to proceed with reclamation within a reasonable time period.
(c) A revoked permit may be reissued only if a new application is submitted.
(d) When a permit is revoked and reissued, the entire permit is reopened as if the permit has expired and is being reissued, except that suitability of the facility location shall not be considered unless new information or standards indicate that a threat to human health, safety, or the environment exists that was unknown at the time of permit issuance. During any revocation and reissuance proceeding, the permittee shall comply with all conditions of the existing permit until a new final permit is issued.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 8 Transferring Permits
(a) To transfer a permit:
(i) The proposed permit transferee shall apply in writing as though that person were the original applicant for the permit; and
(ii) The proposed permit transferee shall agree to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the permit.
(b) Transfer of a permit is allowed only upon approval by the Director.
(c) When a permit transfer occurs pursuant to this section, the permit rights of the previous permittee automatically terminate.
(d) Transfer shall not be allowed if the permittee is in noncompliance with any term and conditions of the permit unless the transferee agrees to bring the facility back into compliance with the permit.
(e) A permit may be transferred by modifying the permit or by revoking and reissuing the permit to identify the new permittee and incorporate the requirements of this Chapter and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. § 35-11-101 et seq.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 9 Permit Conditions
(a) Permit conditions shall be incorporated either expressly or by reference. If incorporated by reference, a specific citation to the incorporated conditions shall be given in the permit.
(b) All permits issued under this Chapter shall contain the following conditions:
(i) A requirement that the permittee complies with all conditions of the permit, and a statement that any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of these regulations and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification, or for denial of a permit renewal application;
(ii) A stipulation that it shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit;
(iii) A requirement that the permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or correct any adverse impact on the environment resulting from noncompliance with this permit;
(iv) A requirement that the permittee properly operates and maintains all facilities and systems of treatment and control, and related appurtenances, that are installed or used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance includes effective performance, adequate funding and operator staffing and training, and adequate laboratory and process controls including appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems only when necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of the permit;
(v) A stipulation that the filing of a request by the permittee, or at the instigation of the Administrator, for a permit modification, revocation, termination, or notification of planned changes or anticipated non-compliance, shall not stay any permit condition;
(vi) A stipulation that the permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege;
(vii) A stipulation that the permittee shall furnish to the Administrator, within a specified time, any information that the Administrator requests to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating the permit, or to determine compliance with the permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the Administrator, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by the permit;
(viii) A requirement that the permittee shall allow the Administrator, or an authorized representative of the Administrator, upon the presentation of credentials, during normal working hours, to enter the premises where a regulated facility is located, or where records are kept under the conditions of this permit, and:
(A) Inspect the discharge and related facilities, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit;
(B) Review and copy reports and records required by the permit;
(C) Collect fluid samples for analysis for the purposes of ensuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act of any substances or parameters at any location;
(D) Measure and record water levels;
(E) Collect resource data as defined by W.S. § 6-3-414; and
(F) Perform any other function authorized by law or regulation.
(ix) A requirement that:
(A) If the facility is located on property not owned by the permittee, the permittee shall also secure from the landowner upon whose property the facility is located permission for Department personnel and their invitees to enter the premises where the facility is located, or where records are kept under the conditions of this permit, and collect resource data as defined by W.S. § 6-3-414, inspect and photograph the facility, collect samples for analysis, review records, and perform any other function authorized by law or regulation. The permittee shall secure and maintain such access for the duration of the permit and the post-injection site care and site closure period; and
(B) If the facility cannot be directly accessed using public roads, the permittee shall also secure permission for Department personnel and their invitees to enter and cross all properties necessary to access the facility. The permittee shall secure and maintain such access for the duration of the permit and the post-injection site care and site closure period;
(x) A requirement that the permittee furnishes any information necessary to establish a testing and monitoring pursuant to Section 20 of this Chapter. Conditions shall specify:
(A) Required monitoring including type, intervals, and frequency sufficient to yield data that are representative of the monitored activity including when appropriate, continuous monitoring;
(B) Requirements concerning the proper use, maintenance, and installation, of monitoring equipment or methods, including biological monitoring methods; and
(C) Reporting and notice requirements based upon the impact of the regulated activity and as specified in Section 22 of this Chapter. Reporting shall be no less frequent than specified in Section 22 of this Chapter;
(xi) A requirement that all samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be representative of the monitored activity and that records of all monitoring information be retained by the permittee;
(xii) A requirement that all applications, reports, and other information submitted to the Administrator contain the certifications required in Section 10(d) of this Chapter by a responsible corporate officer;
(A) A responsible corporate officer, as defined in Section 2(mm) of this Chapter, may authorize an individual or a position that does not meet the requirements of subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of Section 2(mm) to act as a "duly authorized representative." To authorize a duly authorized representative :
(I) A person who meets the requirements of subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of Section 2(mm) shall authorize the duly authorized representative in writing;
(II) The authorization shall specify an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity, such as the position of plant manager, operator of a well or a well field, superintendent, or position of equivalent responsibility; and
(III) The responsible corporate officer shall submit the written authorization to the Administrator.
(B) If an authorization under subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, the responsible corporate official shall notify the Administrator that the authorization is no longer accurate or shall submit to the Administrator a new authorization satisfying the requirements of subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph prior to or together with any reports, or information to be signed by a duly authorized representative.
(xiii) A requirement that the permittee give advance notice to the Administrator as soon as possible of any planned physical alteration or additions, other than authorized operation and maintenance, to the permitted facility and receive authorization from the Administrator prior to implementing the proposed alteration or addition;
(xiv) A requirement that any modification that may result in a violation of a permit condition shall be reported to the Administrator, and any modification that will result in a violation of a permit condition shall be reported to the Administrator through the submission of a new or amended permit application;
(xv) A requirement that any transfer of a permit shall first be approved by the Director, and that no transfer will be approved if the facility is not in compliance with the existing permit unless the proposed permittee agrees to bring the facility into compliance;
(xvi) A requirement that monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified in the permit;
(xvii) A requirement that reports of compliance or non compliance, or any progress reports on interim and final requirements contained in any compliance schedule (if one is required by the Administrator) shall be submitted no later than thirty (30) days following each schedule date;
(xviii) The following reporting and mitigation requirements:
(A) If any monitoring or other information indicates that any contaminant, the injected carbon dioxide stream, displaced formation fluids, or associated pressure front may endanger a USDW or threaten human health, safety, or the environment, the permittee shall:
(I) Immediately cease injection;
(II) Take all steps reasonably necessary to identify and characterize any release;
(III) Orally notify the Administrator within twenty-four (24) hours of discovering the condition; and
(IV) Provide a written report to the Administrator within five (5) days of discovering the condition. The written report shall contain:
(1.) A description of the endangerment and its cause;
(2.) The period of endangerment, including exact dates and times, and, if the endangerment has not been controlled, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and
(3.) The steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the endangerment;
(B) If the permittee discovers any noncompliance with a permit condition or a requirement of this Chapter that may cause fluid migration into or between USDWs, any malfunction of the injection system that may cause fluid migration into or between USDWs, or any excursion, the permittee shall:
(I) Orally notify the Administrator within twenty-four (24) hours of discovering the condition;
(II) Provide a written report to the Administrator within five (5) days of discovering the condition, which shall contain:
(1.) A description of the noncompliance, malfunction, or excursion and its cause;
(2.) The period of noncompliance, malfunction, or excursion, including exact dates and times, and, if the noncompliance, malfunction, or excursion has not been controlled, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and
(3.) The steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance, malfunction, or excursion.
.
(III) If an excursion is discovered, provide written notice to all surface owners, mineral claimants, mineral owners, lessees, and other owners of record of subsurface interests within thirty (30) days of discovering the excursion; and
(IV) Implement the emergency and remedial response plan approved by the Administrator;
(xix) A requirement that the permittee report all instances of noncompliance not already required to be reported under subparagraph (b)(xix)(B)of this Section, at the time monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in subparagraph (b)(xix)(B)(II) of this Section;
(xx) A requirement that if the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in a permit application, or submitted incorrect information in a permit application or in any report to the Administrator, the permittee shall promptly submit such facts or information;
(xxi) A requirement that the injection facility meet construction requirements outlined in Section 14 of this Chapter, that the permittee submit a notice of completion of construction to the Administrator, and that the permittee allows the Administrator to inspect the facility upon completion of construction and prior to commencing any underground injection activity;
(xxii) A requirement that the permittee notifies the Administrator before conversion or abandonment of the facility. Conversion refers to converting a Class VI well to a Class I, II or V well. The permittee shall apply for a permit for Class I and V as specified in WQR Chapter 27 or Class II through the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Upon receipt of the Class I, II or V permit, the permittee shall request the permit be terminated as outlined in Section 4(d);
(xxiii) A requirement that injection shall not commence until construction is complete, and that construction is complete when:
(A) The permittee has submitted a notice of completion of construction to the Administrator; and
(B) The Administrator has inspected or reviewed the injection well and found it is in compliance with the conditions of the permit;
(I) Within thirteen (13) days of the date of the notice in subparagraph (xxii) of this paragraph, the Administrator shall provide notice to the permittee of the intent to inspect or review the injection well. The notice shall include a reasonable time period in which the Administrator shall inspect or review the well; but
(II) If the Administrator does not provide the notice required by subparagraph (I) of this subparagraph, the requirement for prior inspection or review is waived, and the permittee may commence injection;
(xxiv) A requirement that the permittee shall establish mechanical integrity prior to commencing injection or on a schedule determined by the Administrator and that thereafter, the permittee shall maintain mechanical integrity as defined in Section 19 of this Chapter;
(xxv) A requirement that if the Administrator determines that a Class VI well lacks mechanical integrity and gives written notice of the determination to the permittee, the permittee shall:
(A) Cease injection into the well within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of the Administrator's determination unless the Administrator requires immediate cessation;
(B) Perform any construction, operation, monitoring, reporting, and corrective action that the Administrator requires to prevent the movement of fluid into or between USDWs caused by the lack of mechanical integrity, or plug the well pursuant to the requirements of Section 23 of this Chapter if allowed by the Administrator; and
(C) Not resume injection into the well until the Administrator provides written notice that the permittee has demonstrated mechanical integrity pursuant to Section 19 of this Chapter.
(xxvi) A requirement that, for any Class VI well that lacks mechanical integrity, injection operations are prohibited until the permittee shows to the satisfaction of the Administrator under Section 19 of this Chapter that the well has mechanical integrity;
(xxvii) A requirement that the permittee comply with a well-plugging plan that meets the requirements of Section 23 of this Chapter, which shall be incorporated into the permit; and
(xxviii) Conditions that implement the requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter. The conditions shall:
(A) Require all wells to achieve compliance with the requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter according to a compliance schedule established as a permit condition;
(B) Prohibit construction from commencing until a permit has been issued containing construction requirements;
(C) Require that all wells comply with the construction requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter prior to commencing injection operations. Changes in construction plans during construction may be approved by the Administrator as minor modifications. No such changes may be physically incorporated into construction of the well prior to approval of the modification by the Administrator.
(D) Include a corrective action plan as set forth in Section 13 of this Chapter;
(E) Require that all wells comply with the operational requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter;
(F) Establish any maximum injection volumes and pressures necessary to ensure that fractures are not initiated in the confining zone, to ensure that injected fluids do not migrate into any underground source of drinking water, to ensure that formation fluids are not displaced into any underground source of drinking water, and to ensure compliance with the operating requirements;
(G) Establish monitoring and reporting requirements set forth in Sections 20 and 22 of this Chapter. The permittee shall be required to identify types of tests and methods used to generate the monitoring data; and
(H) Require the permittee to comply with the financial responsibility requirements set forth in Section 26 of this Chapter.
(c) Permits for Class VI wells shall be issued for the operating life of the facility and extend through the post-injection site care period until the Administrator certifies site closure pursuant to Section 24(b)(iii) of this Chapter.
(d) Permits may be issued for individual Class VI wells and shall not be issued on an area basis for multiple points of discharge operated by the same person.
(e) Permits may specify a schedule of compliance leading to compliance with permit conditions, this Chapter, and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. § 35-11-101 et seq.
(i) Schedules of compliance shall require compliance as soon as possible, and in no case later than three (3) years after the effective date of the permit.
(ii) If a permit establishes a schedule of compliance that exceeds one (1) year from the date of permit issuance, the schedule shall set forth interim requirements and the dates for their achievement. The time between interim dates shall not exceed one (1) year unless, the time necessary for completion of any interim requirement is more than one (1) year and is not readily divisible into stages for completion, and in that case, the permit shall specify interim dates for the submission of reports of progress toward completion of the interim requirements and indicate a projected completion date.
(iii) The compliance schedule shall require the permittee to submit progress reports no later than thirty (30) days following each interim date and the final date of compliance.
(f) The Director shall include in permits, on a case-by-case basis:
(i) Conditions for monitoring, schedules of compliance, and any additional conditions necessary to prevent the migration of fluids into underground sources of drinking water. The Director shall evaluate what conditions are necessary and shall establish these conditions when issuing, modifying, or revoking and reissuing permits; and
(ii) Conditions to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements of this Chapter and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, W.S. § 35-11-101 et seq.
(g) To the extent possible under Section 9 of this Chapter, modified or revoked and reissued permits, shall incorporate all of the permit conditions required by this Section.
(h) When they meet the requirements of this Chapter and are approved by the Administrator, all plans shall be incorporated into the permit.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 10 Permit Application
(a) It is the operator's responsibility to apply for and obtain a permit in accordance with these regulations. Each application shall be submitted with all supporting data.
(b) In addition to the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(ii), a complete application for a Class VI well shall include:
(i) A brief description of the nature of the business and the activities to be conducted that require the applicant to obtain a permit under this Chapter;
(ii) The name, address, and telephone number of the operator, and the operator's ownership status and status as a federal, state, private, public, or other entity;
(iii) Up to four Standard Industrial Classification codes that best reflect the principal products or services provided by the facility;
(iv) The name, address, and telephone number of the facility;
(v) The location of the geologic sequestration project identified by section, township, range, and county, noting which sections (if any) include Indian lands;
(vi) Within the area of review, a listing and status of all permits or construction approvals associated with the geologic sequestration project received or applied for under any of the following programs or corresponding state programs:
(A) Hazardous Waste Management under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.;
(B) UIC Program under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq.;
(C) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.;
(D) Prevention of Significant Deterioration program under the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.;
(E) Nonattainment program under the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.;
(F) National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants pre-construction approval under the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.;
(G) Dredge and fill permitting program under section 404 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.;
(vii) Within the area of review, a list of other relevant permits associated with the geologic sequestration project that the applicant is required to obtain;
(viii) A statement of whether the geologic sequestration project is within a state-approved water quality management plan area, a state-approved wellhead protection area or a state-approved source water protection area;
(ix) A map showing the injection well(s) for which a permit is sought and the applicable area of review, consistent with Section 13 of this Chapter;
(A) Within the area of review, the map shall list the number, or name and location of:
(I) All injection wells, producing wells, abandoned wells, plugged wells, dry holes, or deep stratigraphic boreholes;
(II) All state- or EPA-approved subsurface cleanup sites;
(III) All water quality management plan areas, wellhead protection areas, and source water protection areas;
(IV) All surface bodies of water, springs, mines (surface and subsurface), quarries, and water wells;
(V) Other pertinent surface features, including structures intended for human occupancy;
(VI) Roads; and
(VII) State and Indian reservation boundaries;
(B) The applicant shall include on this map all relevant information of public record or known to the applicant; and
(C) The map shall also show known or suspected faults;
(x) A map delineating the area of review that:
(A) Meets the requirements of Section 13 of this Chapter;
(B) Is based upon modeling;
(C) Uses all available data, including data available from any logging and testing of wells within and adjacent to (within one (1) mile of) the area of review; and
(D) Describes the area of review by township, range, and section to the nearest ten (10) acres, as described under the general land survey system;
(xi) For the description required by W.S. 35-11-313(f)(ii)(A), sufficient information on the geologic structure and reservoir properties of the proposed storage site and overlying formations, including:
(A) Isopach maps of the proposed injection and confining zones, a structural contour map aligned with the top of the proposed injection zone, and at least two (2) geologic cross-sections of the area of review reasonably perpendicular to each other and showing the geologic formations from the surface to total depth;
(B) Location, orientation, and properties of known or suspected faults and fractures that may transect the confining zones in the area of review and a determination that they will not allow fluid movement;
(C) Information on seismic history that has affected the proposed area of review including knowledge of previous seismic events and history of these events, the presence and depth of seismic sources, and a determination that the seismicity will not allow fluid movement out of the injection zone;
(D) Data sufficient to demonstrate the effectiveness of the injection and confining zones, including:
(I) Data on the depth, areal extent, thickness, mineralogy, porosity, vertical permeability, and capillary pressure of the injection and confining zones within the area of review; and
(II) A description of geologic changes based on field data that may include geologic cores, outcrop data, seismic surveys, well logs, and names and lithologic descriptions;
(E) Geomechanical information on fractures, stress, ductility, rock strength, and in situ fluid pressures within the confining zone; and
(F) Geologic and topographic maps and cross-sections illustrating regional geology, hydrogeology, and the geologic structure of the local area;
(xii) A list of all wells and other drill holes within and adjacent to (within one (1) mile) the area of review. The list shall include a description of each well and drill hole type, construction, date drilled, location, depth, record of plugging and completion, and any additional information the Administrator requires;
(xiii) A list of the identity and location of all known wells within and adjacent to (within one (1) mile) the area of review that penetrate the confining or injection zone;
(xiv) Maps and stratigraphic cross-sections indicating the general vertical and lateral limits of all USDWs in the area of review; the location of water wells and springs in the area of review; the positions relative to the injection zones of all USDWS, water wells, and springs in the area of review, and the direction of water movement (if known);
(xv) For the characterization required by W.S. 35-11-313(f)(ii)(B), information necessary for the Division to classify the receiver and any secondarily affected aquifers under Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 8;
(xvi) Baseline geochemical data on subsurface formations, including all USDWs in the area of review;
(xvii) Proposed operating data, including:
(A) Average and maximum daily rate and volume and mass and total anticipated volume and mass of the carbon dioxide stream;
(B) Average and maximum surface injection pressure;
(C) The source of the carbon dioxide stream; and
(D) An analysis of the chemical and physical characteristics of the carbon dioxide stream and any other substances proposed for inclusion in the injectate stream; and
(E) Anticipated duration of the proposed injection periods;
(xviii) The compatibility of the carbon dioxide stream with fluids in the injection zone and minerals in both the injection and the confining zones, based on the results of the formation testing program, and with the materials used to construct the well;
(xix) Proposed formation testing program to obtain an analysis of the chemical and physical characteristics of the injection zone and confining zone and that meets the requirements of Section 17 of this Chapter;
(xx) Proposed stimulation program, a description of stimulation fluids to be used, and a determination that stimulation will not allow fluid movement out of the injection zone;
(xxi) Proposed procedure that outlines steps to conduct injection operations;
(xxii) A wellbore schematic of the subsurface construction details and surface wellhead construction of the injection and monitoring wells;
(xxiii) A demonstration, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that the injection wells will be sited in areas with a suitable geologic system that meets the requirements of Section 12(a) of this Chapter, including:
(A) Identification and characterization of additional zones, if they exist, that will impede vertical fluid movement, allow for pressure dissipation, and provide additional opportunities for monitoring, mitigation, and remediation; and
(B) Identification of vertical faults and fractures that transect the zones identified in subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph;
(xxiv) Injection well design and construction procedures that meet the requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter, including the information listed in Section 14(c)(ii) of this Chapter;
(xxv) Proposed area of review and corrective action plan that meets the requirements under Section 13 of this Chapter;
(xxvi) The status of corrective action on wells in the area of review;
(xxvii) All available logging and testing program data on the wells required by Section 17 of this Chapter;
(xxviii) A demonstration of mechanical integrity required by Section 19 of this Chapter;
(xxix) A demonstration, satisfactory to the Administrator, that the applicant has met the financial responsibility requirements of Section 26 of this Chapter;
(xxx) A written financial assurance cost estimate required by Section 26(b) of this Chapter;
(xxxi) A public liability insurance certificate that, in addition to meeting the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(ii)(O), demonstrates that the public liability insurance policy meets the requirements of Section 26(l)(i)(B) of this Chapter; identifies each facility by name, address, and EPA Identification Number; and identifies the amounts and types of coverage for each facility;
(xxxii) Proposed testing and monitoring plan required by Section 20 of this Chapter;
(xxxiii) Proposed injection and monitoring wells plugging plan required by Section 23 of this Chapter;
(xxxiv) Proposed post-injection site care and site closure plan required by Section 24(a) of this Chapter;
(xxxv) Proposed emergency and remedial response plan required by Section 25 of this Chapter;
(xxxvi) A list of contacts for states or Tribes on Indian lands identified pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(v) and (b)(ix)(A)(VII) of this Section; and
(xxxvii)Any other information requested by the Administrator.
(c) All applications for permits, reports, or information submitted to the Administrator shall be signed by a responsible corporate officer.
(d) The application shall contain the following certification by the responsible corporate officer signing the application:
"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."
(e) Sections of permit applications that represent engineering work shall be sealed, signed, and dated by a licensed professional engineer as required by W.S. § 33-29-601.
(f) Sections of permit applications that represent geologic work shall be sealed, signed, and dated by a licensed professional geologist as required by W.S. § 33-41-115.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 11 Prohibitions
(a) Pursuant to the provisions of W.S. § 35-11-301(a), no person shall:
(i) Discharge into, construct, operate, or modify any Class VI well unless permitted pursuant to this Chapter;
(ii) Discharge or inject to any zone except the authorized injection zone as described in the permit;
(iii) Conduct any injection activity in a manner that results in a violation of any permit condition or that conflicts with any representations made in a permit application;
(iv) Construct, operate, maintain, convert, plug, abandon, or conduct any other injection activity in a manner that allows the movement of fluid containing any contaminant into underground sources of drinking water, if the presence of that contaminant may cause a violation of any primary drinking water regulation contained in 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subparts E, F, and G, or may otherwise adversely affect human health, safety, or the environment. The applicant for a permit shall have the burden of showing that the requirements of this paragraph are met.
(v) Inject any hazardous waste that has been banned from land disposal pursuant to Wyoming Hazardous Waste Rules, Chapter 1;
(vi) Construct a new, operate an existing, or maintain an existing Class V well for non-experimental geologic sequestration
(b) Class VI wells shall inject only to receivers classified by the Department pursuant to Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 8, as Class V (Hydrocarbon Commercial) or Class VI groundwaters. No Class VI well shall inject to any Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV, or unclassified groundwaters.
(c) The Administrator shall designate and protect as underground sources of drinking water, all aquifers and parts of aquifers that meet the definition of "underground source of drinking water" in Section 2 of this Chapter, except to the extent there is expansion to the areal extent of an existing Class II enhanced oil recovery or enhanced gas recovery aquifer exemption for the exclusive purpose of Class VI injection for geologic sequestration under Section 16 of this Chapter.
(i) The Administrator may identify underground sources of drinking water by narrative description, illustrations, maps, or other means.
(ii) Other than EPA-approved aquifer exemption expansions that meet the requirements of Section 16 of this Chapter, new aquifer exemptions shall not be issued for Class VI injection wells. Even if an aquifer has not been specifically identified by the Administrator, it is an underground source of drinking water if it meets the definition in Section 2 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 12 Minimum Criteria for Siting Class VI Wells
(a) All Class VI wells shall be sited in areas with a suitable geologic system. The geologic system shall be comprised of:
(i) An injection zone of sufficient areal extent, thickness, porosity, and permeability to receive the total anticipated volume of the carbon dioxide stream; and
(ii) Confining zones that are free of transmissive faults or fractures and of sufficient areal extent and integrity to contain the injected carbon dioxide stream and displaced formation fluids and allow injection at proposed maximum pressures and volumes without initiating or propagating fractures in the confining zones or causing non-transmissive faults to become transmissive.
(b) Owners or operators of Class VI wells shall identify and characterize additional zones, if they exist, that will impede vertical fluid movement, allow for pressure dissipation, and provide additional opportunities for monitoring, mitigation, and remediation. Faults and fractures that transect these zones shall be identified.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 13 Area of Review Delineation and Corrective Action
(a) The owner or operator of a Class VI well shall prepare, maintain, and comply with a plan to delineate the area of review for a proposed geologic sequestration project, re-evaluate the delineation, and perform corrective action that meets the requirements of this Section and is approved by the Administrator. The area of review shall be based on computational modeling that accounts for the physical and chemical properties of all phases of the injected carbon dioxide stream. The area of review shall never be less than the area of potentially affected groundwater. An area of review and corrective action plan shall include the following information:
(i) The method for delineating the area of review that meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this Section, including the name, version and availability of the model that will be used, assumptions that will be made, and the site characterization data on which the model will be based;
(ii) A description of:
(A) The monitoring and operational conditions that would warrant a re-evaluation of the area of review prior to the next scheduled re-evaluation as determined by the minimum fixed frequency established in paragraph (c) of this Section.
(B) How monitoring and operational data (e.g., injection rate and pressure) will be used to evaluate the area of review; and
(C) How corrective action will be conducted to meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, including:
(I) What corrective action will be performed prior to injection;
(II) What, if any, portions of the area of review will have corrective action addressed on a phased basis and how the phasing will be determined;
(III) How corrective action will be adjusted if there are changes in the area of review; and
(IV) How site access will be ensured for future corrective action.
(b) Owners or operators of Class VI wells shall perform the following actions to delineate the area of review, identify all wells that require corrective action, and perform corrective action on those wells:
(i) Predict, using existing site characterization, monitoring and operational data, and computational modeling:
(A) The projected lateral and vertical migration of the carbon dioxide plume and formation fluids in the subsurface from the commencement of injection activities until the plume movement ceases;
(B) The pressure differentials, demonstrating that pressure differentials sufficient to cause the movement of injected fluids or formation fluids into a USDW or to otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment will not be present, or until the end of a fixed time period determined by the Administrator;
(C) The potential need for brine removal; and
(D) The long-term effects of pressure buildup if brine is not removed.
(ii) Use modeling that:
(A) Is based on:
(I) Detailed geologic data available or collected to characterize the injection zone, confining zone, and any additional zones; and
(II) Anticipated operating data, including injection pressures, rates and total volumes over the proposed operational life of the facility;
(B) Takes into account any relevant geologic heterogeneities, other discontinuities, data quality, and their possible impact on model predictions; and
(C) Considers potential migration through faults, fractures, and artificial penetrations.
(iii) Using methods approved by the Administrator, identify all penetrations, including active and abandoned wells and underground mines, in the area of review that may penetrate the confining zone, and provide a description of each well's type, construction, date drilled, location, depth, record of plugging and completion, and any additional information the Administrator may require;
(iv) Determine which abandoned wells in the area of review have been plugged in a manner that prevents the movement of:
(A) Carbon dioxide that may endanger USDWs or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment; or
(B) Displaced formation fluids, or other fluids, including the use of materials compatible with the carbon dioxide stream, that may endanger USDWs or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment; and
(v) Owners or operators of Class VI wells shall perform corrective action on any wells in the area of review that are determined to need corrective action, using methods designed to prevent the movement of fluid into or between USDWs including use of materials compatible with the carbon dioxide stream, where appropriate.
(c) At a fixed frequency, not to exceed two (2) years during the operational life of the facility or five (5) years during the post-injection site care period (until site closure) as specified in the area of review and corrective action plan, or when monitoring and operational conditions warrant, owners or operators shall:
(i) Re-evaluate the area of review in the same manner specified in subparagraph (b)(i) of this Section;
(ii) Identify all wells in the re-evaluated area of review that require corrective action in the same manner specified in subparagraph (b)(iv) of this Section;
(iii) Perform corrective action on wells requiring corrective action in the reevaluated area of review in the same manner specified in subparagraph (b)(v) of this Section; and
(iv) Submit an amended area of review and corrective action plan, or demonstrate to the Administrator through monitoring data and modeling results that no change to the area of review and corrective action plan is needed.
(A) Amendments to the area of review and corrective action plan shall be subject to approval of the Administrator.
(B) Amendments to the area of review shall be incorporated into the permit.
(C) Amendments to the area of review are subject to the permit modification requirements of Section 6 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 14 Construction and Operation Standards for Class VI Wells
(a) The owner or operator shall design, construct, and complete all Class VI wells to meet the construction standards in this Section and to:
(i) Prevent the movement of fluids into or between USDWs or into any unauthorized zones;
(ii) Allow the use of appropriate testing devices and workover tools; and
(iii) Allow continuous monitoring of the annulus space between the injection tubing and long string casing.
(b) Casing and cement or other materials used in the construction of each Class VI well shall have sufficient structural strength and be designed for the life of the well.
(i) All well materials shall be compatible with fluids with which the materials may be expected to come into contact and shall meet or exceed the following standards:
(A) American Petroleum Institute Specification 5CT;
(B) American Petroleum Institute RP 5C1;
(C) American Petroleum Institute RP 10B-2;
(D) American Petroleum Institute Specification 10A;
(E) American Petroleum Institute RP 10D-2;
(F) American Petroleum Institute Specification 11D1;
(G) American Petroleum Institute RP 14B; and
(H) American Petroleum Institute RP 14C.
(ii) The casing and cementing program shall be designed to prevent the movement of fluids into or between USDWs.
(iii) To allow the Administrator to determine and specify casing and cementing requirements, the owner or operator shall provide the following information in a construction design plan:
(A) Depth to the injection zone;
(B) Injection pressure, external pressure, internal pressure, and axial loading;
(C) Hole size;
(D) Size and grade of all casing strings (wall thickness, external diameter, nominal weight, length, joint specification and construction material), including whether the casing is new or used;
(E) Corrosiveness of the carbon dioxide stream and formation fluids;
(F) Down-hole temperatures and pressures;
(G) Lithology of injection and confining zones;
(H) Type or grade of cement and additives; and
(I) Quantity, chemical composition, and temperature of the carbon dioxide stream.
(iv) Casing shall extend through the base of the lowermost USDW above the injection zone and be cemented to the surface through the use of a single or multiple strings of casing and cement.
(v) At least one (1) long string casing, using a sufficient number of centralizers, shall be set to create a cement bond through the overlying and underlying confining zones.
(A) The long string casing shall:
(I) Extend to the injection zone;
(II) Be cemented by circulating cement to the surface in one (1) or more stages; and
(III) Be isolated by placing cement or other isolation techniques as necessary to provide adequate isolation of the injection zone and provide for protection of USDWs, human health, safety, and the environment.
(B) Circulation of cement may be accomplished by staging. The Administrator may approve an alternative method of cementing in cases where the cement cannot be recirculated to the surface if the owner or operator demonstrates by using logs that the cement does not allow fluid movement behind the wellbore.
(vi) Cement and cement additives shall be suitable for use with the carbon dioxide stream and formation fluids, and be of sufficient quality and quantity to maintain integrity over the operating life of the well.
(vii) The integrity and location of the cement shall be verified using technology capable of evaluating cement quality radially with sufficient resolution to identify the location of channels, voids, or other areas of missing cement to ensure that USDWs are not endangered and that human health, safety, and the environment are protected. The owner or operator shall provide a cement bond log (CBL) to the Administrator with an evaluation, certified by a licensed professional engineer or a licensed professional geologist, of the following:
(A) Quantitative estimations of the cement compressive strength;
(B) A bond index; and
(C) Qualitative interpretation of the cement-to-formation bond.
(c) All owners and operators of Class VI wells shall inject fluids through tubing with a packer set at a depth opposite a cemented interval at the location approved by the Administrator.
(i) Tubing and packer materials used in the construction of each Class VI well shall be compatible with fluids with which the materials may be expected to come into contact and shall meet or exceed the following standards:
(A) American Petroleum Institute Specification 5CT;
(B) American Petroleum Institute RP 5C1;
(C) American Petroleum Institute RP 10B-2;
(D) American Petroleum Institute Specification 10A;
(E) American Petroleum Institute RP 10D-2;
(F) American Petroleum Institute Specification 11D1;
(G) American Petroleum Institute RP 14B; and
(H) American Petroleum Institute RP 14C.
(ii) The Administrator shall determine and specify requirements for tubing and packer based on the following information:
(A) Depth of setting;
(B) Characteristics of the carbon dioxide stream (e.g., chemical content, corrosiveness, temperature, and density) and formation fluids;
(C) Maximum proposed injection pressure;
(D) Maximum proposed annular pressure;
(E) Maximum proposed injection rate (intermittent or continuous) and volume of the carbon dioxide stream;
(F) Size of tubing and casing; and
(G) Tubing tensile, burst, and collapse strengths.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 15 Class VI Injection Depth Waiver Requirements
(a) An owner or operator seeking a waiver of the requirement to inject below the lowermost USDW shall submit a supplemental report concurrent with the permit application. The report shall contain the following:
(i) A demonstration that the injection zones are laterally continuous, are not USDWs, and are not hydraulically connected to USDWs; do not outcrop within the area of review; have adequate injectivity, volume, and sufficient porosity to safely contain the injected carbon dioxide and formation fluids; and have appropriate geochemistry;
(ii) A demonstration that the injection zones are bounded by laterally continuous, impermeable confining units above and below the injection zones adequate to prevent fluid movement and pressure buildup outside of the injection zones;
(iii) A demonstration that the confining units are free of transmissive faults and fractures;
(iv) A characterization of the regional fracture properties and a demonstration that the fractures will not interfere with injection, serve as conduits, or endanger USDWs;
(v) A computer model demonstrating that USDWs above and below the injection zone will not be endangered as a result of fluid movement. The modeling shall be done in conjunction with the area of review determination described in Section 13 of this Chapter, is subject to the requirements of Section 13(b) of this Chapter, and shall be periodically reevaluated as required by Section 13(c) of this Chapter;
(vi) A demonstration that well design and construction, in conjunction with the waiver, will ensure isolation of the injectate in lieu of the requirements of Section 14(a)(i) of this Chapter and will meet the well construction requirements of paragraph (f) of this Section;
(vii) A description of how the monitoring and testing and any additional plans will be tailored to this geologic sequestration project to ensure protection of USDWs above and below the injection zone;
(viii) Information on the location of all public water supplies affected, reasonably likely to be affected, or served by USDWs in the area of review; and
(ix) Any other information requested by the Administrator.
(b) To inform the US EPA Regional Administrator's decision on whether to grant a waiver of the injection depth requirements of 40 C.F.R. §§ 144.6, 146.5(f), and 146.86(a)(1), the Administrator shall submit to the US EPA Regional Administrator documentation of the following:
(i) An evaluation of the following information as it relates to siting, construction, and operation of a geologic sequestration project with a waiver:
(A) The integrity of the upper and lower confining units;
(B) The suitability of the injection zone(s) (including lateral continuity, lack of transmissive faults and fractures, and knowledge of current or planned artificial penetrations into the injection zone(s) or formations below the injection zone);
(C) The potential capacity of the geologic formation(s) to sequester carbon dioxide, accounting for the availability of alternative injection sites;
(D) All other site characterization data, the proposed emergency and remedial response plan, and a demonstration of financial responsibility;
(E) Community needs, demands, and supply from drinking water resources;
(F) Planned needs and potential and future use of USDWs and non-USDW aquifers in the area;
(G) Planned or permitted water, hydrocarbon, or mineral resource exploitation potential of the proposed injection formation(s) and other formations both above and below the injection zone to determine if there are any plans to drill through the formation to access resources in or beneath the proposed injection zone(s) or formation(s);
(H) The proposed plan for securing alternative resources or treating USDW formation waters in the event of contamination related to the Class VI injection activity; and
(I) Any other applicable considerations or information requested by the Administrator;
(ii) Consultation with the public water system supervision directors of all states and Tribes having jurisdiction over lands within the area of review of a well for which a waiver is sought; and
(iii) Any written waiver-related information submitted by a public water system supervision director to the Department.
(c) Concurrent with the Class VI permit application public notice process pursuant to Section 27 of this Chapter, the Administrator shall give public notice that an injection depth waiver request has been submitted. The notice shall clearly state:
(i) The depth of the proposed injection zone(s);
(ii) The location of the injection wells;
(iii) The name and depth of all USDWs within the area of review;
(iv) A map of the area of review;
(v) The names of any public water supplies affected, reasonably likely to be affected, or served by the USDWs in the area of review; and
(vi) The results of any consultation between the UIC program and the Public Water System Supervision Directors within the area of review.
(d) Following the injection depth waiver application public notice, the Administrator of the Water Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality shall provide all the information received through the waiver application process to the US EPA Regional Administrator. Based on the information provided, the US EPA Regional Administrator shall provide written concurrence or non-concurrence regarding waiver issuance.
(i) If the US EPA Regional Administrator requires additional information to make a decision, the Administrator of the Water Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality shall provide the information. The US EPA Regional Administrator may require public notice of the new information.
(ii) The Administrator of the Water Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality shall not issue a depth injection waiver without receipt of written concurrence from the US EPA Regional Administrator.
(e) If an injection depth waiver is issued, within thirty (30) days of issuance, the EPA shall post the following information on the Office of Water's website:
(i) The depth of the proposed injection zone(s);
(ii) The location of the injection wells;
(iii) The name and depth of all USDWs within the area of review;
(iv) A map of the area of review;
(v) The names of any public water supplies affected, reasonably likely to be affected, or served by the USDWs in the area of review; and
(vi) The date of waiver issuance.
(f) Upon receipt of a waiver of the requirement to inject below the lowermost USDW for geologic sequestration, the owner or operator of a Class VI well shall comply with the following:
(i) All requirements of Sections 13, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, and 26 of this Chapter;
(ii) All the requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter with the following modified requirements:
(A) In lieu of meeting the requirements of Section 14(a)(i) of this Chapter, the Class VI well shall be constructed and completed to prevent the movement of fluids into any unauthorized zones, including USDWs;
(B) In lieu of meeting the requirements of Section 14(b) and 14(b)(i) of this Chapter, the casing and cementing program shall prevent the movement of fluids into any unauthorized zones including USDWs; and
(C) The casing shall extend through the base of the nearest USDW directly above the injection zone and shall be cemented to the surface or, at the Administrator's discretion, at another formation above the injection zone and below the nearest USDW above the injection zone;
(iii) All the requirements of Section 20 of this Chapter with the following modified requirements:
(A) The owner or operator shall monitor the groundwater quality, geochemical changes, and pressure in the first USDWs immediately above and below the injection zone(s) and in any other formation at the discretion of the Administrator; and
(B) The owner or operator shall conduct testing and monitoring to track the extent of the carbon dioxide plume and the presence or absence of elevated pressure (e.g., the pressure front) in the injection zone(s) by using:
(I) Direct methods, and,
(II) Indirect methods (e.g., seismic, electrical, gravity, or electromagnetic surveys and/or down-hole carbon dioxide detection tools), unless the Administrator determines, based on site-specific geology, that such methods are not appropriate;
(iv) All requirements of Section 24 of this Chapter with the following modified requirements:
(A) The owner or operator shall monitor the groundwater quality, geochemical changes and pressure in the first USDWs immediately above and below the injection zone and in any other formations at the discretion of the Administrator; and
(B) Testing and monitoring in the injection zone(s) to track the extent of the carbon dioxide plume and the presence or absence of elevated pressure (e.g., the pressure front) by using direct methods and indirect methods (e.g., seismic, electrical, gravity, or electromagnetic surveys and down-hole carbon dioxide detection tools) unless the Administrator determines, based on site-specific geology, that such methods are not appropriate; and
(v) Any additional requirements imposed by the Administrator to ensure protection of USDWs above and below the injection zone(s).
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 16 Expansion to the Areal Extent of Existing Class II Injection Well Aquifer Exemptions for Class VI Injection Wells
(a) The owner or operator of a Class II enhanced oil recovery or enhanced gas recovery well that requests an expansion of the areal extent of an existing aquifer exemption for the exclusive purpose of Class VI injection for geologic sequestration shall define (by narrative description, illustrations, maps, or other means) and describe (in geographic and/or geometric terms such as vertical and lateral limits and gradient that are clear and definite) all aquifers or parts thereof that are requested to be designated as exempted using the criteria in subparagraphs (b)(i)(A)-(C) of this Section.
(b) The Administrator may consider a request from an owner or operator of permitted Class II injection well to convert its well to a Class VI well and expand the areal extent of the existing Class II enhanced oil recovery or enhanced gas recovery aquifer exemption for the exclusive purpose of Class VI injection for geologic sequestration.
(i) The Administrator may approve the request if the existing aquifer exemption and the well meet the following conditions:
(A) The groundwater does not currently serve as a source of drinking water;
(B) The total dissolved solids content of the groundwater is more than 3,000 mg/L and less than 10,000 mg/L; and
(C) The groundwater is not reasonably expected to supply a public water system.
(ii) The Administrator may evaluate a request to expand the areal extent of an aquifer exemption of a Class II enhanced oil recovery or enhanced gas recovery well for the purpose of Class VI injection if the Administrator:
(A) Determines that the request meets the criteria for exemptions in subparagraphs (b)(i)(A)-(C) of this Section;
(B) Determines that the proposed injection operation will not at any time endanger USDWs including non-exempted portions of the injection formation; and
(C) Considers, in making the determinations required by subparagraphs (b)(ii)(A)-(B) of this Section, the following:
(I) Current and potential future use of the USDWs to be exempted as drinking water resources;
(II) The predicted extent of the injected carbon dioxide plume, and any mobilized fluids that may result in degradation of water quality over the lifetime of the geologic sequestration project, as informed by computational modeling performed pursuant to Section 13(b)(i) of this Chapter;
(III) Whether the areal extent of the expanded aquifer exemption is of sufficient size to account for any possible revisions to the computational model during reevaluation of the area of review, pursuant to Section 13(c) of this Chapter; and
(IV) Any information submitted to support an injection depth waiver request pursuant to Section 15 of this Chapter.
(c) Approvals under this Section are not final until:
(i) The Administrator submits the request as a revision to the state-administered program under 40 C.F.R. Part 147 or as a substantial revision of a state program under 40 C.F.R. § 145.32; and
(ii) EPA approves the revision.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 17 Logging, Sampling, and Testing Prior to Injection Well Operation
(a) During the drilling and construction of a Class VI injection well, the owner or operator shall run appropriate logs, surveys, and tests to determine or verify the depth, thickness, porosity, permeability, lithology, and salinity of any formation fluids in all relevant geologic formations to ensure the well meets the construction requirements of Section 14 of this Chapter and to establish accurate baseline data against which future measurements may be compared. The owner or operator shall submit to the Administrator a descriptive report prepared by a knowledgeable log analyst that includes an interpretation of the results of the logs and tests. At a minimum, the logs and tests shall include:
(i) Deviation checks measured during drilling on all holes constructed by drilling a pilot hole that is subsequently enlarged by reaming or another method. Deviation checks shall be at sufficiently frequent intervals to determine the location of the borehole and to ensure that vertical avenues for fluid movement in the form of diverging holes are not created during drilling;
(ii) Before and upon installation of the surface casing:
(A) Resistivity, spontaneous potential, and caliper logs before the casing is installed; and
(B) A cement bond and variable density log, or other approved device to evaluate cement quality radially with sufficient resolution to identify channels, voids, or other areas of missing cement and a temperature log after the casing is set and cemented;
(iii) Before and upon installation of the long string casing:
(A) Resistivity, spontaneous potential, porosity, caliper, gamma ray, fracture finder logs, and any other logs the Administrator requires for the given geology before the casing is installed; and
(B) A cement bond and variable density log, and a temperature log after the casing is set and cemented;
(iv) Tests designed to demonstrate the internal and external mechanical integrity of injection wells, which may include:
(A) A pressure test with liquid or gas;
(B) A tracer survey, such as oxygen-activation logging;
(C) A temperature or noise log; and
(D) A casing inspection log; and
(v) Any alternative methods that provide equivalent or better information and that are required or approved by the Administrator.
(b) The owner or operator shall take whole cores or sidewall cores of the injection zone and confining system as well as formation fluid samples from the injection zone(s).
(i) The owner or operator shall submit to the Administrator a detailed report prepared by a log analyst that includes:
(A) Well log analyses (including well logs);
(B) Core analyses; and
(C) Formation fluid sample information.
(ii) The Administrator may accept data from cores and fluid samples from nearby wells if the owner or operator can demonstrate that such data are representative of conditions in the wellbore.
(c) The owner or operator shall record the formation fluid temperature, formation fluid pH and conductivity, reservoir pressure, and static fluid level of the injection zone(s).
(d) The owner or operator shall determine fracture pressures of the injection and confining zones and verify hydrogeologic and geo-mechanical characteristics of the injection zone by conducting a pressure fall-off test, any other test requested by the Administrator, and:
(i) A pump test; or
(ii) Injectivity tests.
(e) The owner or operator shall provide the Administrator with the opportunity to witness all logging and testing by this section. The owner or operator shall submit a schedule of such activities to the Administrator prior to conducting the first test and shall notify the Administrator of any changes to the schedule thirty (30) days prior to the next scheduled test.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 18 Injection Well Operating Requirements
(a) The owner or operator shall ensure that injection pressure does not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the fracture pressure of the injection zone(s) to ensure that the injection does not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures in the injection zone(s).
(i) In no case may injection pressure cause movement of injection or formation fluids in a manner that endangers a USDW, or otherwise threatens human health, safety, or the environment.
(ii) In no case may injection pressure initiate fractures in the confining zones or cause the movement of injectate or formation fluids that endangers a USDW or otherwise threatens human health, safety, or the environment.
(b) Injection of the carbon dioxide stream between the outermost casing protecting USDWs and the wellbore is prohibited.
(c) The owner or operator shall fill the annulus between the tubing and the long string casing with a non-corrosive fluid approved by the Administrator. The owner or operator shall maintain on the annulus a pressure that exceeds the operating injection pressure, unless the Administrator determines that such requirement might harm the integrity of the well or endanger USDWs.
(d) Other than during periods of well workover or maintenance approved by the Administrator in which the sealed tubing-casing annulus is, by necessity, disassembled for maintenance or corrective procedures, the owner or operator shall maintain mechanical integrity of the injection well at all times.
(e) The owner or operator shall install and use continuous recording devices to monitor:
(i) Injection pressure; and
(ii) Injection rate, volume, and temperature of the carbon dioxide stream.
(f) The owner or operator shall install and use continuous recording devices to monitor the pressure on the annulus between the tubing and the long string casing and annulus fluid volume.
(g) The owner or operator shall install, test, and use alarms and automatic surface shut-off systems or, at the discretion of the Administrator, use down-hole shut-off systems (e.g., automatic shut-off, check valves) or other mechanical devices that provide equivalent protection, designed to alert the operator and shut-in the well when operating parameters such as injection rate, injection pressure, or other parameters approved by the Administrator diverge beyond ranges or gradients specified in the permit.
(h) If an automatic shutdown is triggered or a loss of mechanical integrity is discovered, the owner or operator shall immediately investigate and identify as expeditiously as possible the cause. If, upon such investigation, the well appears to be lacking mechanical integrity, or if monitoring required under paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) of this Section otherwise indicates that the well may be lacking mechanical integrity, the owner or operator shall:
(i) Immediately cease injection;
(ii) Take all steps reasonably necessary to determine whether there may have been a release of the injected carbon dioxide stream or formation fluids into any unauthorized zone;
(iii) Notify the Administrator within twenty-four (24) hours;
(iv) Restore and demonstrate mechanical integrity to the satisfaction of the Administrator as soon as practicable and prior to resuming injection; and
(v) Notify the Administrator when injection can be expected to resume.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 19 Mechanical Integrity
(a) A Class VI well has mechanical integrity if:
(i) There is no significant leak in the casing, tubing, or packer; and
(ii) There is no significant fluid movement into a USDW through channels adjacent to the injection wellbore.
(b) To evaluate the absence of significant leaks under subparagraph (a)(i) of this Section, owners or operators shall, following an initial annulus pressure test, continuously monitor injection pressure, rate, injected volumes, and pressure on the annulus between tubing, long string casing, and annulus fluid volume as specified in Section 18(e)-(f) of this Chapter.
(c) At least once per year, the owner or operator shall use one (1) of the following methods to determine the absence of significant fluid movement under subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Section:
(i) An approved tracer survey such as an oxygen-activation log; or
(ii) A temperature or noise log.
(d) If required by the Administrator, at a frequency specified in the testing and monitoring plan required in Section 20 of this Chapter, the owner or operator shall run a casing inspection log to determine the presence or absence of corrosion in the long-string casing.
(e) The Administrator may require any other test to evaluate mechanical integrity under this Section. The Administrator may allow the use of a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity other than those listed in paragraph (c) of this Section with the written approval of the US EPA Administrator. To obtain approval, the Administrator shall submit a written request to the US EPA Administrator that shall set forth the proposed test and all technical data supporting its use.
(f) In conducting and evaluating the tests enumerated in this section or others to be allowed by the Administrator, the owner or operator and the Administrator shall apply methods and standards generally accepted in the industry.
(i) When the owner or operator reports the results of mechanical integrity tests to the Administrator, the owner or operator shall include a description of the tests and the methods used.
(ii) In making an evaluation, the Administrator shall review monitoring and other test data submitted since the previous evaluation.
(g) The Administrator may require additional or alternative tests if the results presented by the owner or operator under paragraph (e) of this Section are not satisfactory to the Administrator to demonstrate that there is no significant leak in the casing, tubing or packer and that there is no significant movement of fluid into or between USDWs resulting from the injection activity.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 20 Testing and Monitoring Requirements
(a) The owner or operator of a Class VI well shall prepare, maintain, and comply with a testing and monitoring plan to verify that the geologic sequestration project is operating as permitted and is not endangering USDWs. The testing and monitoring plan shall be submitted with the permit application, shall be subject to Administrator approval, and shall include a description of how the owner or operator will meet the requirements of this Section, including accessing sites for all necessary monitoring and testing during the life of the project.
(b) In addition to the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313, testing and monitoring associated with geologic sequestration projects shall include:
(i) Analysis of the carbon dioxide stream with sufficient frequency to yield data representative of its chemical and physical characteristics;
(ii) Installation and use, except during well workovers, of continuous recording devices to monitor:
(A) Injection pressure;
(B) Injection rate and volume;
(C) Pressure on the annulus between the tubing and the long string casing;
(D) The annulus fluid volume added; and
(E) The pressure on the annulus between the tubing and the long string casing;
(iii) Corrosion monitoring of the well materials for loss of mass, loss of thickness, cracking, pitting, and other signs of corrosion, which shall be performed and recorded at least quarterly to ensure that the well components meet the minimum standards for material strength and performance set forth in Section 14(b) of this Chapter by:
(A) Analyzing coupons of the well construction materials placed in contact with the carbon dioxide stream;
(B) Routing the carbon dioxide stream through a loop constructed with the material used in the well and inspecting the materials in the loop; or
(C) Using an alternative method approved by the Administrator;
(iv) Periodic monitoring of the groundwater quality and geochemical changes above the confining zones that may be a result of carbon dioxide movement or displaced formation fluid movement through the confining zones or additional zones. The monitoring wells shall:
(A) Use specific information about the geologic sequestration project, including injection rate and volume, geology, the presence of artificial penetrations, and other relevant factors to establish the location and number of monitoring wells; and
(B) Use baseline geochemical data that have been collected under Section 10(b)(xvi) of this Chapter and any modeling results in the area of review evaluation required by Section 13(b) of this Chapter to establish the monitoring frequency and spatial distribution of monitoring wells;
(v) A demonstration of external mechanical integrity pursuant to Section 19(c) at least once per year until the well is plugged;
(vi) If required by the Administrator, a casing inspection log pursuant to requirements of Section 19(d) of this Chapter at a frequency established in the testing and monitoring plan;
(vii) A pressure fall-off test that identifies reservoir conditions with respect to flow dynamics at least once every five (5) years, unless more frequent testing is required by the Administrator based on site-specific information;
(viii) Testing and monitoring to track the extent of the carbon dioxide plume, the position of the pressure front, and surface displacement using:
(A) Direct methods in the injection zone(s); and
(B) Indirect methods in the injection zone (e.g., seismic, electrical, gravity, or electromagnetic surveys and/or down-hole carbon dioxide detection tools) unless the Administrator determines, based on site-specific geology, that such methods are not appropriate;
(ix) Based on site-specific conditions, surface air monitoring or soil gas monitoring to detect movement of carbon dioxide that could endanger a USDW or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment;
(A) The surface air or soil gas monitoring plan shall:
(I) Be based on potential risks to USDWs, and modeling within the area of review;
(II) Use baseline data to establish the monitoring frequency and spatial distribution of surface air monitoring or soil gas monitoring; and
(III) Specify how the proposed monitoring will yield useful information for the area of review delineation and the potential movement of fluid:
(1.) Containing any contaminant into USDWs in exceedance of any primary drinking water regulation under 40 C.F.R. Part 141; or
(2.) Which may otherwise adversely affect human health, safety, or the environment;
(B) If an owner or operator demonstrates that monitoring employed under 40 C.F.R. §§ 98.440 to 98.449 accomplishes the goals of subparagraph (b)(ix)(A) of this Section, the Administrator shall approve the use of monitoring employed under 40 C.F.R. §§ 98.440 to 98.449. An owner or operator who uses monitoring employed under 40 C.F.R. §§ 98.440 to 98.449 to meet the requirements of this Section shall comply with 40 C.F.R. §§ 98.440 to 98.449;
(x) Any additional monitoring, as required by the Administrator, necessary to support, upgrade, and improve computational modeling of the area of review re-evaluation required under Section 13(c) of this Chapter and as necessary to demonstrate that there is no movement of fluid containing any contaminant into USDWs in exceedance of any primary drinking water regulation under 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subparts E, F, and G, or which could otherwise adversely affect human health, safety, or the environment;
(xi) The owner or operator shall periodically review the testing and monitoring plan to incorporate monitoring data collected under this Section, operational data collected under Section 18 of this Chapter, and the most recent area of review reevaluation performed under Section 13 of this Chapter. The owner or operator shall review the testing and monitoring plan at least once every five (5) years. Based on this review, the owner or operator shall submit an amended testing and monitoring plan or demonstrate to the Administrator that no amendment to the testing and monitoring plan is needed. Any amendments to the testing and monitoring plan are subject to approval by the Administrator, shall be incorporated into the permit, and are subject to the permit modification requirements of Section 6 of this Chapter. Amended plans or demonstrations shall be submitted to the Administrator as follows:
(A) Within one (1) year of an area of review reevaluation;
(B) Following any significant changes to the facility, such as addition of monitoring wells or newly permitted injection wells within the area of review; or
(C) When required by the Administrator; and
(xii) A quality assurance and surveillance plan for all testing and monitoring requirements.
(c) The owner or operator shall create and retain records of all monitoring information that include:
(i) The date, time, and exact place, of sampling or measurements;
(ii) The individuals who performed the sampling or measurements;
(iii) The dates analyses were performed;
(iv) The individuals who performed the analyses;
(v) The analytical techniques or methods used; and
(vi) The results of such analyses.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 21 Record Retention
(a) An owner or operator of a Class VI well shall maintain records according to the following schedules:
(i) Calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required by this permit, and records of all data used to complete the application for this permit, for a period of at least three (3) years from the date of the sample, measurement, report, or application. This period may be extended by request of the Administrator at any time;
(ii) The nature and composition of all injected fluids until ten (10) years after the completion of any plugging and abandonment procedures under Section 23 of this Chapter;
(iii) All modeling inputs and data used to support area of review reevaluations under Section 13 of this Chapter shall be retained for ten (10) years;
(iv) The well-plugging report required by Section 23 of this Chapter, the site closure report required by Section 24 of this Chapter, and any post-injection site care data, (including data and information used to establish the post-injection site care time frame) shall be retained for ten (10) years following site closure;
(v) All data used to complete permit applications shall be retained for the life of the geologic sequestration project and for ten (10) years following site closure; and
(vi) All other monitoring records required by a permit shall be retained for a period of ten (10) years following site closure.
(b) The owner or operator must deliver the records to the Administrator at the conclusion of the retention period, and the records must thereafter be retained at a location designated by the Administrator for that purpose.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 22 Reporting and Notice Requirements
(a) The owner or operator shall provide the following reports to the Administrator, for each Class VI well:
(i) Semi-annual reports. Semi-annual reports required by the permit shall be submitted to the Administrator within thirty (30) days following the end of the period covered in the report and shall contain:
(A) Any changes to the physical, chemical, and other relevant characteristics of the carbon dioxide stream from the proposed operating data;
(B) Monthly average, maximum, and minimum values for injection pressure, flow rate and volume, and annular pressure;
(C) A description of any event that exceeds operating parameters for annulus pressure or injection pressure as specified in the permit;
(D) A description of any event that triggers a shutdown device required pursuant to Section 18(g) of this Chapter, and the response taken;
(E) The monthly volume of the carbon dioxide stream injected over the reporting period and project cumulatively;
(F) Monthly annulus fluid volume added; and
(G) The results of monitoring required by Section 20 of this Chapter;
(ii) Reports, within thirty (30) days, the results of:
(A) Periodic tests of mechanical integrity;
(B) Any other test of the injection well conducted by the owner or operator if required by the Administrator; and
(C) Any well workover; and
(iii) Reports, within twenty-four (24) hours, of:
(A) Any evidence that the injected carbon dioxide stream or associated pressure front may cause an endangerment to a USDW;
(B) Any noncompliance with a permit condition, or malfunction of the injection system, which may cause fluid migration into or between USDWs;
(C) Any triggering of a shut-off system, either down-hole or at the surface;
(D) Any release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere or biosphere indicated by the surface air or soil gas monitoring or other monitoring technologies required by Section 20(b)(ix) of this Chapter; and
(E) Any failure to maintain mechanical integrity.
(b) Owners or operators shall notify the Administrator in writing thirty (30) days in advance of:
(i) Any planned well workover;
(ii) Any planned stimulation activities, other than stimulation for formation testing conducted under Section 17 of this Chapter; and
(iii) Any other planned test of the injection well conducted by the owner or operator.
(c) Owners or operators shall submit all required reports, submittals, and notifications to both the Administrator and to EPA (in an electronic format acceptable to EPA).
(d) Owners or operators shall submit a written report to the Administrator of all remedial work concerning the failure of equipment or operational procedures that resulted in a violation of a permit condition at the completion of the remedial work.
(e) For any aborted or curtailed operation, the owner or operator shall submit to the Administrator a complete report within thirty (30) days of complete termination of the discharge or associated activity.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 23 Injection Well-plugging
(a) Prior to well-plugging, the owner or operator shall flush each Class VI injection well with a buffer fluid, determine bottom hole reservoir pressure, and perform a final external mechanical integrity test in accordance with Section 19 of this Chapter.
(b) The owner or operator of a Class VI well shall prepare, maintain, update on the same schedule as the update to the area of review delineation, and comply with a well-plugging plan that is approved by the Administrator. The well-plugging plan shall include the following information:
(i) Appropriate test or measure to determine bottom hole reservoir pressure;
(ii) Appropriate testing methods to ensure final external mechanical integrity as specified in Section 19 of this Chapter;
(iii) The type and number of plugs to be used;
(iv) The placement of each plug including the elevation of the top and bottom of each plug;
(v) The type and grade and quantity of material, suitable for use with the carbon dioxide stream, to be used in plugging; and
(vi) A description of the method of placement of the plugs.
(c) Any amendments to the injection well-plugging plan are subject to approval by the Administrator, shall be incorporated into the permit if approved, and are subject to the permit modification requirements of Section 6 of this Chapter.
(d) The owner or operator shall notify the Administrator, in writing, at least sixty (60) days before plugging a well.
(i) If any changes have been made to the original well-plugging plan, the owner or operator shall also provide the revised well-plugging plan with notice of its intent to plug the well.
(ii) The Administrator may allow a shorter notice period.
(e) Within sixty (60) days after completion of plugging and abandonment of a well or well field, the owner or operator shall submit to the Administrator a final report that includes:
(i) Certification of completion in accordance with approved plans and specifications by a licensed professional engineer or a licensed professional geologist; and
(ii) Certification of accuracy by the owner or operator and by the person who performed the plugging operation (if other than the owner or operator).
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 24 Post-injection Site Care and Site Closure
(a) The owner or operator of a Class VI well shall prepare, maintain, update on the same schedule as the update to the area of review delineation, and comply with a plan for post-injection site care and site closure that meets the requirements of subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Section and is approved by the Administrator.
(i) The post-injection site care and site closure plan is subject to approval by the Administrator in consultation with EPA.
(ii) The post-injection site care and site closure plan shall include the following information:
(A) A demonstration containing substantial evidence that the geologic sequestration project will no longer pose a risk of endangerment to USDWs and will not harm or present a risk to human health, safety, or the environment at the end of the post-injection site care timeframe. The demonstration shall be based on significant, site-specific data and information, including all data and information collected pursuant to Sections 10 and 12 of this Chapter;
(B) The site closure plan shall address all reclamation, monitoring, and remediation sufficient to show that the carbon dioxide stream injected into the geologic sequestration site will not harm human health, safety, the environment, or drinking water supplies;
(C) Detailed plans for post-injection monitoring, verification, maintenance, and mitigation;
(D) The pressure differential between pre-injection and predicted post-injection pressures in the injection zone;
(E) The predicted position of the carbon dioxide plume and associated pressure front at the time when plume movement has ceased and pressure differentials sufficient to cause the movement of injected fluids or formation fluids into a USDW are no longer present, as demonstrated in the area of review evaluation required under Section 13(b)(i) of this Chapter;
(F) A description of post-injection monitoring locations, methods, and proposed frequency;
(G) A proposed schedule for submitting post-injection site care monitoring results pursuant to Section 22(c) of this Chapter;
(H) The duration of the post-injection site care timeframe that ensures compliance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph;
(I) The results of computational modeling performed pursuant to delineation of the area of review under Section 13 of this Chapter;
(J) The predicted timeframe for pressure decline:
(I) Within the injection zone and any other zones such that formation fluids may not be forced into any USDWs; or
(II) To pre-injection pressures;
(K) The predicted rate of carbon dioxide plume migration within the injection zone, and the predicted timeframe for the cessation of migration;
(L) A description of the site-specific processes that will result in carbon dioxide trapping including immobilization by capillary trapping, dissolution, and mineralization at the site;
(M) The predicted rate of carbon dioxide trapping in the immobile capillary phase, dissolved phase, and mineral phase;
(N) The results of laboratory analyses, research studies, and field or site-specific studies to verify the information required in subparagraphs (J) and (K) of this paragraph;
(O) A characterization of the confining zones including a demonstration that they are free of transmissive faults, fractures, and micro-fractures and of appropriate thickness, permeability, and integrity to impede fluid (including carbon dioxide and formation fluids) movement;
(P) The presence of potential conduits for fluid movement, including planned injection wells and project monitoring wells associated with the proposed geologic sequestration project or any other projects in proximity to the predicted or modeled final extent of the carbon dioxide plume and area of elevated pressure;
(Q) A description of the well construction and an assessment of the quality of plugs of all abandoned wells within the area of review;
(R) The distance between the injection zone and the nearest USDWs above and below the injection zone; and
(S) Any additional site-specific factors required by the Administrator.
(iii) Information submitted to support the demonstration in subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Section shall meet the following criteria:
(A) All analyses and tests performed shall be accurate, reproducible, and performed in accordance with industry standards;
(B) Estimation techniques shall be appropriate;
(C) EPA-certified test protocols shall be used where available;
(D) Predictive models shall be appropriate and tailored to the site conditions, composition of the carbon dioxide stream and injection, and site conditions over the life of the geologic sequestration project;
(E) Predictive models shall be calibrated using existing information (which may be obtained from Class I, Class II, Class V experimental technology, or Class VI well sites) where sufficient data are available;
(F) Reasonably conservative values and modeling assumptions shall be used and disclosed to the Administrator whenever values are estimated on the basis of known, historical information instead of site-specific measurements;
(G) An analysis shall be performed to identify and assess aspects of the post-injection site care timeframe demonstration that contribute significantly to uncertainty. The owner or operator shall conduct sensitivity analyses to determine the effect that significant uncertainty may contribute to the modeling demonstration;
(H) An approved quality assurance and quality control plan shall address all aspects of the demonstration; and
(I) Any additional criteria required by the Administrator shall be met.
(iv) Upon cessation of injection, owners or operators of Class VI wells shall either submit an amended post-injection site care and site closure plan or demonstrate to the Administrator through monitoring data and modeling results that no amendment to the plan is needed. Any amendments to the post-injection site care and site closure plan shall be:
(A) Subject to approval by the Administrator;
(B) Incorporated into the permit; and
(C) Subject to the permit modification requirements of Section 6 of this Chapter.
(v) The owner or operator may amend the post-injection site care and site closure plan. The owner or operator shall re-submit the post-injection site care and closure plan for the Administrator's approval within thirty (30) days of amending the plan.
(vi) Upon receipt of the Administrator's approval of the post-injection site care and site closure plan, the owner or operator shall submit the proposed cost estimate for measurement, monitoring, and verification of plume stabilization required by Section 26(i) of this Chapter.
(b) The owner or operator shall monitor the site following the cessation of injection to ascertain the position of the carbon dioxide plume and pressure front and demonstrate that USDWs are not being endangered.
(i) The owner or operator shall continue to conduct monitoring as specified in the Administrator-approved post-injection site care and site closure plan until the Administrator certifies site closure pursuant to Section 24(b)(iii) of this Chapter.
(ii) The owner or operator may request that the post-injection site care and site closure plan be revised to reduce the frequency of monitoring, and the Administrator may approve the request if the owner or operator demonstrates that the plan should be revised.
(iii) Prior to certification of site closure, the owner or operator shall demonstrate to the Administrator, based on monitoring, other site-specific data, and modeling that is reasonably consistent with site performance, that no additional monitoring is needed to ensure that the geologic sequestration project does not, and is not expected to endanger a USDW or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment. In addition, the owner or operator shall demonstrate, based on the best available understanding of the site including monitoring data and modeling, that all other site closure standards and requirements have been met.
(iv) If the owner or operator does not demonstrate that the requirements of subparagraph (b)(iii) of this Section have been met, the owner or operator shall continue post-injection site care.
(v) The owner or operator shall notify the Administrator, in writing, at least 120 days before filing a request for site closure. At this time, if any changes have been made to the original post-injection site care and site closure plan, the owner or operator shall also provide the revised plan. The Administrator may allow a shorter notice period.
(vi) Post-injection site care shall continue for a period that meets the criteria of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(vi)(F).
(c) After the Administrator has certified site closure, the owner or operator shall plug monitoring wells in a manner approved by the Administrator that will not allow movement of injection or formation fluids.
(d) The owner or operator shall submit a site closure report within ninety (90) days after completion of all closure operations. The report shall include:
(i) Documentation of injection and monitoring well-plugging that meets the requirements of Section 23 of this Chapter and paragraph (c) of this Section;
(ii) A copy of a survey plat that has been submitted to the local zoning authority designated by the Administrator, and:
(A) The plat shall indicate the location of the injection well(s) and monitoring wells relative to permanently surveyed benchmarks; and
(B) The owner or operator shall also submit a copy of the plat to the US EPA Regional Administrator;
(iii) Documentation of appropriate notification and information to the State, local and tribal authorities that have authority over drilling activities to enable them to impose appropriate conditions on subsequent drilling activities that may penetrate the injection and confining zones;
(iv) Proof that the owner or operator has:
(A) Published notice of the application for site closure, including a mechanism to request a public hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation in each county of the proposed operation at weekly intervals for four (4) consecutive weeks; and
(B) Mailed notice of the application for site closure to all surface owners, mineral claimants, mineral owners, lessees, and other owners of record of subsurface interests that are located within one (1) mile of the proposed boundary of the geologic sequestration site; and
(v) Records of the nature, composition, and volume of the carbon dioxide stream.
(e) Each owner or operator of a Class VI injection well shall record a notation on the deed to the facility property or any other document that is normally examined during title search that will in perpetuity provide notice to any potential purchaser of the property, and shall file an affidavit in accordance with W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(vi)(G), that includes the following information:
(i) The fact that land has been used to sequester carbon dioxide;
(ii) The name of the State agency, local authority, or Tribe with which the survey plat was filed, as well as the address of the EPA regional office to which it was submitted; and
(iii) The volume of fluid injected, the injection zone or zones into which it was injected, and the period over which injection occurred.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 25 Emergency and Remedial Response
(a) All owners or operators of a Class VI well shall develop, maintain, and comply with an emergency and remedial response plan that describes actions to be taken to address movement of the injectate or formation fluids that endangers a USDW or threatens human health, safety, or the environment during construction, operation, closure, and post-closure periods.
(i) The emergency and remedial response plan shall be reviewed and updated, as necessary, on the same schedule as the update to the area of review delineation.
(ii) Any amendments to the emergency and remedial response plan shall be subject to approval by the Administrator, shall be incorporated into the permit, and are subject to the permit modification requirements of Section 6 of this Chapter. Amendments to the emergency and remedial response plan shall be submitted to the Administrator as follows:
(A) Within one (1) year of an area of review reevaluation;
(B) Following any significant changes to the facility, such as addition of injection or monitoring wells; or
(C) When required by the Administrator.
(iii) The emergency and remedial response plan shall account for the entire area of review delineated pursuant to Section 13 of this Chapter, regardless of whether corrective action in the area of review is phased.
(b) If any monitoring data or other information indicate that any contaminant, the injected carbon dioxide stream, displaced formation fluids, or associated pressure front may endanger a USDW or threaten human health, safety, or the environment, the owner or operator shall:
(i) Immediately cease injection;
(ii) Take all steps reasonably necessary to identify and characterize any release;
(iii) Orally notify the Administrator within twenty-four (24) hours of discovering the condition; and
(iv) Provide a written report to the Administrator within five (5) days of discovering the condition. The written report shall contain:
(A) A description of the noncompliance and its cause;
(B) The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times, and, if the noncompliance has not been controlled, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and
(C) Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.
(c) If an owner or operator discovers any noncompliance with a permit condition or a requirement of this Chapter that may cause fluid migration into or between USDWs, any malfunction of the injection system that may cause fluid migration into or between USDWs, or any excursion, the owner or operator shall:
(i) Orally notify the Administrator within twenty-four (24) hours of discovering the condition;
(ii) Provide a written report to the Administrator within five (5) days of discovering the condition, which shall contain:
(A) A description of the noncompliance, malfunction, or excursion and its cause;
(B) The period of noncompliance, malfunction, or excursion, including exact dates and times, and, if the noncompliance, malfunction, or excursion has not been controlled, the anticipated time it is expected to continue;
(C) Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance, malfunction, or excursion.
(iii) If an excursion is discovered, provide written notice to all surface owners, mineral claimants, mineral owners, lessees, and other owners of record of subsurface interests within thirty (30) days of discovering the excursion; and
(iv) Implement the emergency and remedial response plan approved by the Administrator.
(d) The Administrator may allow the owner or operator to resume injection prior to implementing the emergency and remedial response plan if the owner or operator demonstrates that the injection operation will not endanger USDWs or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment.
(e) If any water quality monitoring of a USDW indicates the movement of any contaminant into the USDW, except as authorized under this Chapter, the Administrator shall prescribe any additional requirements for construction, corrective action, operation, monitoring, reporting, or closure of the injection well that are necessary to prevent further movement, and:
(i) If the well responsible for the movement is authorized by permit, these additional requirements shall be imposed by modifying the permit; or
(ii) The Director may terminate or revoke and reissue the permit pursuant to Section 7 of this Chapter.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 26 Financial Responsibility
(a) Owners or operators of Class VI wells shall establish, demonstrate, and maintain financial responsibility for all applicable phases of the geologic sequestration project, including complete site reclamation in the event of default. The phases of a geologic sequestration project are :
(i) Permitting/characterization;
(ii) Testing and monitoring, pursuant to Section 20 of this Chapter;
(iii) Operations, including injection and well-plugging, pursuant to Sections 18 and 23 of this Chapter;
(iv) Post-injection site care, including plume stabilization, monitoring, measurement, verification, corrective action, and other actions needed to ensure that underground sources of drinking water are not endangered from the time of well-plugging until site closure is certified by the Administrator and above ground-reclamation is completed, pursuant to Section 24 of this Chapter; and
(v) Emergency and remedial response pursuant to Section 25 of this Chapter.
(b) The owner or operator shall develop and annually update in accordance with paragraph (f) of this Section, a written financial assurance cost estimate.
(i) The financial assurance cost estimate shall include the cost in current dollars of:
(A) Performing corrective action on other wells in the area of review that require corrective action under Section 13 of this Chapter;
(B) Plugging the injection wells under Section 23 of this Chapter;
(C) Post-injection site care and site closure under Section 24 of this Chapter;
(D) Testing and monitoring under Section 20 of this Chapter; and
(E) Emergency and remedial response under Section 25 of this Chapter.
(ii) The financial assurance cost estimate shall consider the following events:
(A) Contamination of underground sources of water including, drinking water supplies;
(B) Mineral rights infringement;
(C) Single large-volume release of carbon dioxide that impacts human health and safety or that causes ecological damage;
(D) Low-level leakage of carbon dioxide to the surface that impacts human health and safety or that causes ecological damage;
(E) Storage rights infringement;
(F) Property and infrastructure damage, including changes to surface topography and structures;
(G) Entrained contaminant releases of contaminants other than carbon dioxide;
(H) Accidents and unplanned events;
(I) Well capping and permitted abandonment; and
(J) Removal of above-ground facilities and site reclamation.
(iii) The owner or operator shall consider the Risk Activity Matrix in Appendix A of this Chapter to develop the financial assurance cost estimate.
(iv) The financial assurance cost estimate shall be based upon a multi-disciplinary analytical framework such as Monte Carlo or other commonly accepted stochastic modeling tools.
(A) Cost curves shall combine risk probabilities, event outcomes, and damages assessment to calculate expected losses under a series of events.
(B) For all cases of potential damages, the probability distributions should be identified for 50 percent, 95 percent, and 99 percent probabilities of occurrence.
(v) The owner or operator shall perform the financial assurance cost estimate for each phase separately.
(vi) The owner or operator shall base the financial assurance cost estimate on the costs to the regulatory agency of hiring a third party (that is not within the corporate structure of the owner or operator) to perform the required activities.
(vii) The financial assurance cost estimate shall account for the entire area of review delineated pursuant to Section 13 of this Chapter.
(viii) The owner or operator shall submit an updated financial assurance cost estimate to the Administrator annually within thirty (30) days of the anniversary date when the original financial assurance cost estimate was submitted.
(c) The financial responsibility instruments used shall be from the following list of qualifying instruments and shall be submitted on a Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality form:
(i) Irrevocable Trust Funds with government-backed securities;
(ii) Surety Bonds;
(iii) Irrevocable Letter of Credit;
(iv) Cash; or
(v) Federally Insured Certificates of Deposit.
(d) The qualifying instruments shall be sufficient to cover the cost of the financial assurance cost estimate required in paragraph (b) of this Section.
(e) The qualifying financial responsibility instruments shall comprise protective conditions of coverage that include at a minimum cancellation, renewal, continuation provisions, specifications on when the provider becomes liable following a notice of cancellation, and requirements for the provider to meet a minimum rating, minimum capitalization, and the ability to pass the bond rating test when applicable.
(i) An owner or operator shall provide that their financial mechanism may not cancel, terminate or fail to renew except for failure to pay such financial instrument.
(A) If there is a failure to pay the financial instrument, the financial institution may elect to cancel, terminate, or fail to renew the instrument by sending notice by certified mail to the owner or operator and the Director;
(B) The cancellation shall not be final for 120 days after receipt of cancellation notice;
(C) Within sixty (60) days of notice of cancellation, the owner or operator shall provide to the Director an alternate financial responsibility demonstration that meets the requirements of paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of this Section; and
(D) If an alternate financial responsibility demonstration is not acceptable (or possible), any funds from the instrument being cancelled shall be released within sixty (60) days of notification by the Director.
(ii) Owners or operators shall renew all financial instruments, if an instrument expires, for the entire term of the geologic sequestration project. The instrument may be automatically renewed as long as, at a minimum, the owner or operator has the option of renewal at the face amount of the expiring instrument.
(iii) Cancellation, termination, or failure to renew may not occur and the financial instrument shall remain in full force and effect in the event that on or before the date of expiration:
(A) The Administrator deems the facility abandoned.
(B) The permit is terminated, revoked, or a new permit is denied.
(C) Closure is ordered by the Director, a U.S. district court, or other court of competent jurisdiction.
(D) The owner or operator is named as debtor in a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code.
(E) The amount due is paid.
(f) The qualifying financial responsibility instruments are subject to approval by the Director. The use and length of pay-in-periods for trust funds and escrow accounts are also subject to approval by the Director.
(i) No Class VI permit shall be issued until and unless the Director has considered and approved the financial responsibility demonstration for all phases of the geologic sequestration project.
(ii) The Director may negotiate a satisfactory financial responsibility demonstration or deny a demonstration.
(iii) The owner or operator shall provide any updated information related to financial responsibility instruments on an annual basis, and if there are any changes, the Director shall evaluate the financial responsibility demonstration and determine whether the instruments used are adequate. The owner or operator shall maintain financial responsibility requirements regardless of the status of the Director's review of the financial responsibility demonstration.
(iv) The owner or operator shall provide an adjustment of the financial assurance cost estimate to the Administrator within sixty (60) days of receiving notice that the Administrator has determined that a demonstration of financial assurance is not adequate to cover the cost of corrective action, injection well-plugging, post-injection site care and site closure, and emergency and remedial response.
(v) During all phases of the geologic sequestration project, the owner or operator shall adjust the financial assurance cost estimate for inflation within sixty (60) days prior to the anniversary date of the establishment of the financial instruments used to comply with this Section and provide this adjustment to the Administrator. The owner or operator shall also provide to the Administrator written updates of adjustments to the cost estimate within sixty (60) days of any amendments to the area of review and corrective action plan, the injection well-plugging plan, the post-injection site care and site closure plan, the emergency and remedial response plan, and mitigation or reclamation costs that the State may incur as a result of any default by the permit holder.
(vi) Any decrease or increase to the financial assurance cost estimate shall be subject to approval by the Administrator. During all phases of the geologic sequestration project, the owner or operator shall revise the cost estimate no later than sixty (60) days after the Administrator has approved a request to modify the area of review and corrective action plan, the injection well-plugging plan, the post-injection site care and site closure plan, or the emergency and response plan, if the change in the plan increases the cost. If the change to the plan decreases the cost, any withdrawal of funds is subject to approval by the Administrator. Any decrease to the value of the financial assurance instrument is subject to approval by the Administrator.
(vii) Whenever the current financial assurance cost estimate increases to an amount greater than the face amount of a financial instrument currently in use, the owner or operator, within sixty (60) days after the increase, shall either cause the face amount to be increased to an amount at least equal to the current financial assurance cost estimate and submit evidence of such increase to the Administrator, or the owner or operator shall obtain other financial responsibility instruments to cover the increase. Whenever the current financial assurance cost estimate decreases, the face amount of the financial assurance instrument may be reduced to the amount of the current financial assurance cost estimate only after the owner or operator has received written approval from the Administrator.
(g) The owner or operator may demonstrate financial responsibility by using one (1) or multiple qualifying financial instruments subject to the following requirements:
(i) Owners or operators that propose to demonstrate financial assurance with surety bonds shall meet the following requirements:
(A) A corporate surety shall not be considered good and sufficient unless:
(I) It is licensed to do business in the State;
(II) The estimated bond amount does not exceed the limit of risk as provided for in W.S. § 26-5-110, nor raise the total of all bonds held by the applicant under that surety above three (3) times the limit of risk; and
(III) The surety agrees:
(1.) Not to cancel bond unless the Department gives prior written approval of a good and sufficient replacement surety with transfer of the liability that has accrued against the operator on the permit area, site, or facility;
(2.) To be jointly and severally liable with the permittee, owner, or operator.
(3.) To provide immediate written notice to the Department and operator once it becomes unable or may become unable due to any action filed against it to fulfill its obligations under the bond.
(B) If for any reason the surety becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the bond, the operator shall provide the required notice. Failure to comply with this provision shall result in suspension of the permit.
(C) The surety bond shall be submitted on a Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality form.
(ii) Owners or operators that propose to demonstrate financial assurance with cash, or government securities, or a combination of both, shall meet the following requirements:
(A) Securities that are unencumbered shall only include those that are United States government securities or state government securities that are acceptable to the Director. Government securities shall be endorsed to the order of the Department and placed in possession of the Department. Possession shall be in the form of the cash value of the irrevocable trust for the full amount of the reclamation obligation and payable to the Department and federally insured.
(B) An owner or operator shall satisfy the requirements of this subsection by establishing an irrevocable trust that conforms to the requirements below and submitting an originally signed duplicate of the trust agreement to the Director for consideration.
(I) The irrevocable trust shall be submitted to the Director on the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Irrevocable Trust Form and be signed by the owner, operator, or guarantor as principal and the financial institution as Trustee, and made payable to the Department;
(II) The Trustee shall be a bank organized to do business in the United States that has the authority to act as a trustee and whose trust operations is regulated and examined by a federal agency;
(III) The irrevocable trust shall be cash funded for the full amount of the financial assurance obligation to be provided in the irrevocable trust before it may be approved to satisfy the requirements of financial assurance in lieu of a bond. For purposes of this subsection, "the full amount of the financial assurance obligation to be provided" means the amount of coverage required to be provided by paragraphs (b) and (i) of this Section, less the amount of financial assurance obligation that is being provided by other financial assurance mechanisms being used to demonstrate financial assurance by the owner, operator, or guarantor;
(IV) Any bond may be canceled by the surety only after ninety (90) days written notice to the Director, and upon receipt of the Director's written consent, which may be granted only when the requirements of the irrevocable trust have been fulfilled; and
(V) Irrevocable trust forfeiture proceedings shall occur only after the Department provides notice to the owner or operator and trustee pursuant to W.S. 35-11-701 that a violation exists and the Environmental Quality Council has approved the request of the Director to begin forfeiture proceedings.
(iii) Owners or operators that propose to demonstrate financial assurance with irrevocable letters of credit shall meet the following conditions:
(A) The irrevocable letter of credit shall be payable to the Department in part or in full upon demand and receipt from the Director of a notice of forfeiture issued in accordance with paragraph (t) of this Section;
(B) The irrevocable letter of credit shall not be in excess of ten percent of the issuing or supporting bank's capital surplus account as shown on a balance sheet liabilities certified by a certified public accountant;
(C) The Director shall not accept standby letters of credit;
(D) The Director shall not accept letters of credit from a bank for any person, on all permits held by that person, in excess of the limitations imposed by W.S. §13-3-
402; and
(E) The irrevocable letter of credit shall provide that:
(I) The bank will give prompt notice to the owner or operator and the Director of any notice received or action filed alleging the insolvency or bankruptcy of the bank or alleging any violations of regulatory requirements that could result in suspension or revocation of the bank's charter or license to do business;
(II) In the event the bank becomes unable to fulfill its obligations under the letter of credit for any reason, notice shall be given immediately to the owner or operator and the Director; and
(III) Upon the incapacity of a bank by reason of bankruptcy, insolvency, or suspension or revocation of its charter or license, the owner or operator shall be deemed to be without performance bond coverage in violation of the Act. The Director shall issue a notice of violation against any owner or operator who is without bond coverage, specifying a reasonable period to replace bond coverage, not to exceed ninety (90) days. During this period the Director or the Director's designated representative shall conduct weekly inspections to ensure continuing compliance with other permit requirements, the regulations and the Act. If the notice is not abated in accordance with the schedule, a cessation order shall be issued.
(IV) The irrevocable letter of credit may be cancelled by the surety only after ninety (90) days notice to the Director, and upon receipt of the Director's written consent, which may be granted only when the requirements of the bond have been fulfilled.
(F) The irrevocable letter may only be issued by a bank organized to do business in the U.S. that identifies by name, address, and telephone number an agent upon whom any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the bank may be served.
(I) If the bank fails to appoint or maintain an agent in this State, or whenever any such agent cannot be reasonably found, then the Director shall be an agent for such bank upon whom any process, notice or demand may be served for the purpose of this Chapter. In the event of any such process, the Director shall immediately cause one copy of such process, notice or demand to be forwarded by registered mail to the bank at its principal place of business. The Director shall keep a record of all processes, notices, or demands served upon him under this paragraph, and shall record therein the time of such service and his action with reference thereto.
(II) Nothing herein contained shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the bank in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.
(h) The owner or operator shall maintain financial responsibility and resources until:
(i) The Administrator receives the site closure report and certifies site closure.
(A) When the conditions of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(vi)(F) have been met, the owner or operator may submit a written request to the Administrator to release the retained financial assurance instruments; and
(B) The Administrator shall evaluate the request within sixty (60) days of the receipt of the financial assurance release request.
(I) If the Administrator finds the owner or operator has demonstrated the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(vi)(F) have been met, the Administrator shall prepare a draft recommendation to the Director to approve the request and provide public notice pursuant to Section 27 of this Chapter.
(II) Re-submittal of information by an operator for an incomplete demonstration of the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(vi)(F) will restart the process described in this subsection.
(III) If the Administrator finds the owner or operator has not demonstrated the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(vi)(F) have been met, the Administrator shall prepare a draft recommendation to the Director to deny the request.
(C) After receiving public comment and holding a hearing (if a hearing is held) pursuant to Section 27 of this Chapter, the Director shall determine whether the operator has demonstrated the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(vi)(F) have been met.
(I) If the Director finds the owner or operator has demonstrated the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(vi)(F) have been met, the Director shall notify the owner or operator and request the State Treasurer to release that portion of the final financial assurance instruments. The State Treasurer shall then return the financial assurance instruments constituting that portion of the financial assurance so retained.
(II) If the Director finds the owner or operator has not demonstrated the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313(f)(vi)(F) have been met, the Director shall notify the owner or operator by registered mail within a reasonable time after the request is filed. The notice shall state the reasons for denial and shall recommend corrective actions.
(ii) The well has been converted in compliance with the requirements of Section 9(b)(xxii) of this Chapter; or
(iii) The transferor of a permit has received notice from the Director that the owner or operator receiving transfer of the permit, the new permittee, has demonstrated financial responsibility for the well.
(iv) The owner or operator meets the requirements for release from a financial instrument in the following circumstances:
(A) The owner or operator has completed the phase of the geologic sequestration project for which the financial instrument was required and has fulfilled all its financial obligations as determined by the Director, including obtaining financial responsibility for the next phase of the geologic sequestration project, if required;
(B) The owner or operator has submitted a replacement financial instrument and received written approval from the Director accepting the new financial instrument and releasing the owner or operator from the previous financial instrument; or
(C) The owner or operator has submitted a revised financial assurance cost estimate for the remaining phases of the geologic sequestration project. The revised financial assurance cost estimate may demonstrate that a partial release of the financial instrument is warranted and will still provide adequate financial assurance for the remainder of the geologic sequestration project. Partial release of the financial instrument is at the discretion of the Director.
(i) Within a reasonable time following certification of site closure by the Administrator, plume stabilization, the completion of all remediation work, and release of all other financial assurance instruments, the owner or operator shall submit a proposed cost estimate for measurement, monitoring, and verification of plume stabilization. The Administrator shall evaluate and determine whether the proposed cost estimate is adequate.
(j) The owner or operator shall notify the Director by certified mail of adverse financial conditions, such as bankruptcy, that may affect its ability to complete injection well-plugging and post-injection site care and site closure.
(i) The owner or operator shall notify the Director by certified mail of the commencement of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming the owner or operator or the third-party provider of a financial responsibility instrument as debtor, within ten (10) days after commencement of the proceeding.
(ii) An owner or operator who fulfills the requirements of this Section by obtaining an irrevocable trust fund, surety bond, or irrevocable letter of credit shall be deemed to be without the required financial assurance in the event of:
(A) Bankruptcy of the trustee or issuing institution;
(B) A suspension or revocation of the authority of the trustee institution to act as trustee of the institution issuing the irrevocable trust fund, surety bond, or irrevocable letter of credit; or
(C) If the license to do business in Wyoming of the surety issuing financial assurance is suspended or revoked.
(iii) Within sixty (60) days after such an event the owner or operator shall establish other financial assurance that meets the requirements of paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of this Section.
(k) The Department shall conduct bond forfeiture proceedings pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-421. If the forfeited financial assurance instrument is inadequate to cover the costs of the closure, mitigation, reclamation, measurement, monitoring, verification, and pollution control, the Department may request that the Attorney General bring suit to recover costs against the owner, operator, or permittee.
(l) The owner or operator shall obtain and maintain public liability insurance for a geologic sequestration project.
(i) The public liability insurance policy shall:
(A) Include coverage for the major risks identified in Appendix A to this Chapter;
(B) Provide minimum coverage that:
(I) Accounts for site-specific risk factor and bond adjustment factor calculations, based on the previous year's information; and
(II) Is at least $15 million per occurrence with an annual aggregate of at least $45 million, exclusive of legal defense costs; and
(C) Include a rider that requires the insurer to notify the Administrator whenever substantive changes are made to the policy, including any termination or failure to renew.
(ii) The owner or operator shall recalculate the minimum coverage amount of the public liability insurance policy annually and at the same time that the owner or operator updates the financial assurance cost estimate pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. The owner or operator shall submit a copy of the current public liability insurance policy annually and at the same time that the owner or operator submits an updated financial assurance cost estimate pursuant to subparagraph (b)(viii) of this Section.
(iii) The owner or operator shall maintain the public liability insurance policy until the Administrator certifies that plume stabilization has been achieved.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 27 Public Participation, Public Notice and Public Hearing Requirements
(a) The Administrator shall give public notice if a draft permit has been prepared, after receiving a financial assurance release request pursuant to Section 26(h)(i)(A) of this Chapter and finding the operator has met the requirements of W.S. 35-11-313(f)(vi)(F), or if a hearing has been scheduled.
(i) Public notice of the preparation of a draft permit shall allow at least sixty (60) days for public comment.
(ii) Public notice of a hearing or recommendation to release financial assurance after certifying site closure shall be given at least thirty (30) days before the hearing.
(iii) Public notice of a hearing may be given at the same time as public notice of the draft permit or of a draft recommendation to release financial assurance after certifying site closure, and the two notices may be combined.
(b) Public notice shall be given by:
(i) Providing a copy of the notice, a copy of the fact sheet, the permit application (if any), and the draft permit (if any) to the following persons:
(A) The applicant, by certified or registered mail;
(B) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8 Drinking Water Program, by mail;
(C) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Underground Injection Control Program, by mail;
(D) Wyoming Game and Fish Department;
(E) Wyoming State Engineer;
(F) State Historical Preservation Officer;
(G) Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission;
(H) Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division;
(I) Wyoming State Geological Survey;
(J) Wyoming Water Development Office;
(K) Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division;
(L) Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division; and
(M) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
(N) Federal agencies with jurisdiction over fish, shellfish, and wildlife resources and over coastal zone management plans;
(O) The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation;
(P) Any Tribes with Indian reservations and Indian lands identified pursuant to Sections 10(b)(v) and 10(b)(ix)(A)(VII) of this Chapter;
(Q) Persons on the mailing list developed by the Department, including those who request in writing to be on the list and participants in hearings in that area who request to be on "area" mailing lists; and
(R) Any unit of state or local government having jurisdiction over the area where the facility is proposed to be located.
(ii) Publishing the notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the location of the facility or operation; and
(iii) At the discretion of the Administrator, any other method reasonably expected to give actual notice of the proposed action to the persons potentially affected by it, including press releases or any other forum or medium to elicit public participation.
(c) All public notices issued under this chapter shall contain the following minimum information:
(i) Name and address of the Department;
(ii) Name and address of the owner, operator, permittee, or permit applicant, and, if different, of the facility or activity regulated by the permit;
(iii) A brief description of the business conducted at the facility or activity described in the permit application, described in the draft permit, or subject to regulation under this Chapter;
(iv) The type and quantity of wastes, fluids, or pollutants that are proposed to be or are being treated, stored, disposed of, injected, emitted, or discharged;
(v) A brief summary of the basis for the draft permit conditions, including references to applicable statutory or regulatory provisions;
(vi) Reasons why any requested variances or alternatives to required standards do or do not appear justified;
(vii) Name, address and telephone number of a person from whom interested persons may obtain further information, including copies of the draft permit, statement of basis, fact sheet, and the application; and
(viii) A brief description of comment procedures, including:
(A) Procedures to request a hearing;
(B) The beginning and ending dates of the comment period;
(C) The address where comments may be submitted; and
(D) Other procedures that the public may use to participate in the final permit decision.
(d) In addition to the information required in paragraph (c) of this Section, any notice for a hearing shall contain the following:
(i) Reference to the date of previous public notices relating to the permit;
(ii) Date, time, and place of hearing; and
(iii) A brief description of the nature and purpose of the hearing, including applicable rules and procedures.
(e) The Department shall provide an opportunity for the applicant, permittee, owner, operator, or any interested person to submit written comments regarding any aspect of a permit or to request a hearing.
(i) During the public comment period, any interested person may submit written comments on the draft permit and may request a hearing. Requests for hearings shall be made in writing to the Administrator and shall state the reasons for the request.
(ii) The Administrator shall hold a hearing whenever the Administrator finds, on the basis of requests, a significant degree of public interest in a draft permit.
(iii) The Administrator may hold a hearing whenever a hearing may clarify issues involved in a permit decision.
(iv) The public comment period shall automatically extend to the close of any hearing. The Administrator may also extend the comment period by so stating at the hearing.
(f) The Director shall render a decision on the draft permit within sixty (60) days after completion of the public comment period if no hearing is held. If a hearing is held, the Director shall make a decision on any Department hearing as soon as practicable after receipt of the transcript or after the expiration of the time set to receive written comments.
(g) At the time a final decision is issued, the Administrator shall respond in writing to comments received during the public comment period or during the hearing held by the Department. This response shall:
(i) Specify any changes that have been made to the permit and the reasons for the changes; and
(ii) Briefly describe and respond to all comments stating a technical or regulatory concern that is within the authority of the Department to regulate.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.24.10052021 § 28 Incorporation by Reference
(a) These rules incorporate by reference the following statutes, rules, and regulations in effect as of July 1, 2020:
(i) 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, Table II, Column 2, available at http://www.ecfr.gov;
(ii) 40 C.F.R. §§ 98.440 to 98.449,, available at http://www.ecfr.gov;
(iii) 40 C.F.R. § 141, Subparts E, F, and G, available at: http://www.ecfr.gov;
(iv) 40 C.F.R. § 261.3 available at: http://www.ecfr.gov;
(v) American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice, API RP 14C, Recommended Practice for Analysis, Design, Installation and Testing of Safety Systems for Offshore Production Facilities, Recommended Practice 14C, (2018), referred to as "API RP 14C", available at https://www.apiwebstore.org/publications/item.cgi?af9eaacd-f8b0-4d7c-bfa7-2c39a409f892;
(vi) American Petroleum Institute Specification, API Spec 10A, Specification for Cements and Materials for Well Cementing. 25th Edition, (2019), referred to as "API Specification 10A", available at https://www.apiwebstore.org/publications/item.cgi?82493435-f281-45d8-af82-07ad8131cb56;
(vii) American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice, API RP 10D-2, Centralizer Placement and Stop-collar Testing, (2020), referred to as "API RP 10D-2", available at https://www.apiwebstore.org/publications/item.cgi?7ad6705a-954e-476c-b520-47cbbdce9f06;
(viii) American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice, API RP 10B-2, Recommended Practice for Testing Well Cements, (2019), referred to as "API RP 10B-2", available at https://www.apiwebstore.org/publications/item.cgi?3c1808c7-6312-4b8d-b3de-291ef79704c5;
(ix) American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice, API RP 14B, Design, Installation, Repair, and Operation of Subsurface Safety Valve Systems, (2012), referred to as "API RP 14 B", available at https://www.apiwebstore.org/publications/item.cgi?a1711f10-0121-4c12-936c-471c97a19f93;
(x) American Petroleum Institute Specification, API Spec 5CT, Specification for Casing and Tubing, (2019), referred to as "API Specification 5CT", available at https://www.apiwebstore.org/publications/item.cgi?5b345884-5a3a-4889-8066-60f93e467f29;
(xi) American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice, API RP 5C1, Recommended Practices for Care and Use of Casing and Tubing, (2020), referred to as "API RP 5C1", available at https://www.apiwebstore.org/publications/item.cgi?010058af-29b1-412c-b892-ec3e5583c534; and
(xii) American Petroleum Institute Specification, API Spec 11D1, Packers and Bridge Plugs, (2015), referred to as "API Specification 11D1", available at https://www.apiwebstore.org/publications/item.cgi?4828a454-0fea-451b-a61b-18304836ea91.
(b) For these rules incorporated by reference:
(i) The Environmental Quality Council has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules;
(ii) This Chapter does not incorporate later amendments or editions of incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations; and
(iii) All incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations are available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Cheyenne office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov or from (307) 777-7937.
Appendix A. Risk Activity Table
Major Risk (Feature, Event, or Process)
1
Mineral Rights Infringement (Trespass)
1.1
Leakage migrates into mineral zone or hydraulic front impacts recoverable mineral zone; causes may include plume migration different than modeled.
1.2
Post injection discovery of recoverable minerals.
1.3
New technology (or economic conditions) enables recovery of previously un-economically recoverable minerals.
1.4
Act of God (e.g. seismic event).
1.5
Formation fluid impact due to CO2 injection.
1.6
Address also contributing causes 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 4.3, and 4.4
2
Water Quality Contamination
2.1
Leakage of CO2 outside permitted area.
2.2
Leakage of drilling fluid contaminates potable water aquifer.
2.3
Rock/acid water (i.e. geochemistry) interaction contaminates potable water by carryover of dissolved contaminants.
2.4
Act of God (e.g. seismic event).
2.5
Formation fluid impact due to CO2 injection.
2.6
See also contributing causes 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 4.3, and 4.4
3
Single Large Volume CO2 Release to the Surface - Asphyxiation/Health/Ecological
3.1
Overpressurization (i.e. induced).
3.2
Caprock/reservoir failure.
3.3
Well blowout (e.g. at surface or bore failure below ground), includes monitoring wells - Causes could include seal failure (e.g. well, drilling or injection equipment).
3.4
Major mechanical failure of distribution system or storage facilities above ground or below ground (i.e. near the surface).
3.5
Orphan well failure (e.g. well not identified prior to injection).
3.6
Sabotage/Terrorist attack (e.g. on surface infrastructure).
3.7
Act of God (e.g. major seismic event)
4
Low Level CO2 Release to Surface - Ecological damage due to low-level releases; potential asphyxiation of human or ecological receptors
4.1
Overpressurization (i.e. induced).
4.2
Caprock/reservoir failure (e.g. Plume migrates along fault line/fissure to surface).
4.3
Incomplete geological seal (e.g. inaccurate characterization of sub-surface geology).
4.4
Well seal failure (e.g. well, drilling or injection equipment) including monitor wells
4.5
Mechanical failure of distribution system or storage facilities above or below ground (e.g. near surface).
4.6
Orphan wells (e.g. well not identified prior to injection).
4.7
Induced seismicity leading to leakage.
4.8
Act of God (e.g. seismic event).
Risk Activity Table (continued)
Major Risk (Feature, Event, or Process)
5
Storage Rights Infringement (CO2 or other entrained contaminant gases) - Form of Mineral Rights Infringement
5.1
Leakage migrates into adjacent pore space; causes may include plume migrates faster than modeled.
5.2
Post injection decision (e.g. due to new technology or changed economic conditions) to store gas in adjacent pore space.
5.3
Acts of God affecting storage capacity of pore space.
5.4
Formation fluid impact due to CO2 injection.
5.5
Will also require primary contributing causes 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 4.3, and 4.4
6
Modified Surface Topography (subsidence or uplift) Resulting in Property/Infrastructure Damage
6.1
Induced Seismicity - Pressure from geochemistry induced reactivation of historic fault or dissolution of material caused by subsidence.
6.2
Formation fluid impact due to CO2 injection.
7
Entrained Contaminant (Non-CO2) Releases
7.1
Change in CO2 composition/properties (e.g. concentration of contaminate in CO2 supply increases).
7.2
Microbial activity initiated by injection process or composition.
Will also require primary contributing causes 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 4.3, and 4.4
8
Accidents/Unplanned Events (Typical Insurable Events)
8.1
Surface infrastructure damage
8.2
Saline water releases from surface storage impoundment.
History
- Effective 2021-10-05
Chapter 25 Septic Tanks, Soil Absorption Systems, and Other Small Wastewater Systems
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 1 Authority
This rule is promulgated pursuant to Wyoming Statutes (W.S.) 35-11-101 through 35-11-1904, specifically 35-11-302(a)(iii).
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 2 Objective
This Chapter contains the minimum standards for the design and construction of small wastewater systems that are defined by W.S. 35-11-103(c)(ix). In addition, this Chapter contains the minimum standards for the design and construction of Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class V facilities 5C1-5C3, 5C6, 5D1, 5E1, 5E3-5E5 as defined in Chapter 27, Appendices C and D.
The following situations will require the application package to be sealed, signed, and dated by a professional engineer (PE): non-domestic wastewater from commercial and industrial facilities, high strength wastewater, individual permits to construct, or standard soil absorption systems with a soil percolation rate that is either less than 5 minutes per inch (mpi) or more than 60 minutes per inch (mpi).
These standards pertain to permits required pursuant to Chapters 3 and 25, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations. The installation of all components of a small wastewater system require a permit to construct. Permits to construct are specified throughout this chapter as general permits, described in Chapter 3, Section 7; permit by rule, described in Chapter 3, Section 8; or as individual permits to construct, described in Chapter 3, Section 6.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 3 Timing of Compliance with These Regulations
Any Chapter 3 permit-to-construct issued for facilities subject to this chapter prior to the effective date of these regulations, and any facility authorized under the Division's "General Permit to Construct, Install, Modify or Operate a Small Wastewater Facility" shall remain covered under those permits. New construction or modification of existing facilities following the effective date of this regulation must obtain authorization under a new permit.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 4 Definitions
(a) "100 year floodplain" means a tract of land throughout a watershed that has a one-in-one hundred chance or occurrence of flooding in any given year or a return period of once every 100 years , as determined by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or a local planning and development authority.
(b) "Absorption surface" means the interface where treated effluent infiltrates into native or fill soil.
(c) "Bed" means a soil treatment and dispersal system where the width is greater than three (3) feet.
(d) "Bedrock" means geological layers, of which greater than fifty percent (50%) by volume consist of unweathered in-place consolidated rock or rock fragments. Bedrock also means weathered in-place rock that cannot be hand augered or penetrated with a knife blade.
(e) "Bedroom" means any room that is or may be used for sleeping.
(f) "Blackwater" means water containing fecal matter and/or urine.
(g) "Five day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5)" means a measurement of the dissolved oxygen used by microorganisms in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter during a five (5) day period.
(h) "Building sewer" means the pipe that carries wastewater from the building.
(i) "Chamber" means a domed open bottom structure that is used in lieu of perforated distribution pipe and gravel media.
(j) "Delegated small wastewater program" means a local governmental entity, delegated by the Administrator, with the authority to administer the provisions of W.S. 35-11-301(a) (iii) for small wastewater systems pursuant to the provisions of W.S. 35-11-304.
(k) "Direct human consumption food crops" are crops consumed directly by humans. These include but are not limited to fruits, vegetables, and grains grown for human consumption.
(l) "Domestic wastewater" means a combination of the liquid or water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and other establishments arising from normal living activities.
(m) "Domestic septage" means liquid or solid material removed from a waste treatment vessel that has received only wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and other establishments arising from normal living activities.
(n) "Dosing tank" means a tank equipped with an automatic siphon or pump designed to discharge effluent on an intermittent basis.
(o) "Effluent" means liquid flowing out of a septic tank, other treatment vessel, or system.
(p) "Effluent filter" means a removable, cleanable device inserted into the outlet piping of a septic tank or other treatment vessel designed to trap solids that would otherwise be transported to the soil absorption system or other downstream treatment components.
(q) "Evapotranspiration" means the combined loss of water from soil by evaporation from the soil or water surface and by transpiration from plants.
(r) "Greywater" means untreated wastewater that has not been contaminated by any toilet discharge; that is unaffected by infectious, contaminated, or unhealthy bodily wastes; and does not present a threat from contamination by unhealthful processing, manufacturing, or operating wastes. "Greywater" includes but is not limited to wastewater from bathtubs, showers, washbasins, clothes washing machines (unless soiled diapers are serviced), laundry tubs, and kitchen sinks.
(s) "Grease interceptor" means a device designed to separate fats, oils, and grease from wastewater.
(t) "Groundwater" means subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil materials such that they may be considered water saturated under hydrostatic pressure.
(u) "High groundwater" means seasonally or periodically elevated levels of groundwater.
(v) "High strength wastewater" means a wastewater stream with a BOD5 higher than 200 mg/L.
(w) "Holding tank" means a watertight receptacle designed to receive and store wastewater.
(x) "Manifold" means a non-perforated pipe that distributes effluent to individual distribution pipes.
(y) "Mound system" means an onsite wastewater system where any part of the absorption surface is above the elevation of the existing site grade and the absorption surface is contained in a mounded fill body above the grade.
(z) "Mulch basin" means an excavated area that has been refilled with a highly permeable media, organic and inorganic materials intended to distribute greywater to irrigate vegetation.
(aa) "Pathogens" are disease-causing organisms. These include, but are not limited to certain bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and viable helminth ova.
(bb) "Percolation rate" means the time expressed in minutes per inch required for water to seep into saturated soil at a constant rate.
(cc) "Pipe invert" means the bottom of the internal surface of the pipe.
(dd) "Percolation test" means the method used to measure the percolation rate of water into soil as described in Appendix A.
(ee) "Permit by rule" means an authorization included in these rules that does not require either an individual permit or a general permit. A facility that is permitted by rule must meet the requirements found in this chapter, but is not required to apply for and obtain a permit to construct and operate the facility.
(ff) "Pressure distribution" means a network of pipes in which effluent is forced through orifices under pressure.
(gg) "Restrictive layer" means a nearly continuous layer that has one or more physical or chemical properties that significantly impede the movement of water and air through the soil or that restrict roots or otherwise provide unfavorable root conditions. Examples are bedrock, cemented layers, and dense layers.
(hh) "Septage" means liquid or solid material removed from a waste treatment vessel that has received wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and other establishments.
(ii) "Septic tank" means a watertight tank designed and constructed to receive and treat raw wastewater
(jj) "Serial distribution" means a group of trenches arranged so that the total effective absorption area of one trench is used before liquid flows into the next trench.
(kk) "Service provider" means a person authorized and trained by a system manufacturer or their vendor to operate and maintain any proprietary system.
(ll) "Soil absorption system" means a shallow, covered, excavation surface, or mound made in unsaturated soil into which wastewater effluent from the septic tank is discharged through distribution piping for application onto absorption surfaces through porous media or manufactured components.
(mm) "Trench" means an absorption surface with a width of three (3) feet or less.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 5 Design Flows
The volume of wastewater shall be determined by one of the following:
(a) Tables 1 and 2 provided in this section.
(b) Metered water supply data from the facility.
(c) Metered water supply data from another facility where similar water demands have been demonstrated.
Table 1. Residential Design Flow Rates per Bedroom (gallons per day, gpd)1
1 bedroom
150
2 bedrooms
280
3 bedrooms
390
4 bedrooms
470
5 bedrooms
550
6 bedrooms
630
1An unfinished basement is considered two (2) additional bedrooms.
2The design flow shall be increased by eighty (80) gpd for each additional bedroom over six (6).
Table 2. Non-Residential Wastewater Design Flow Rates1
Facility
Unit
Flow (gallons/unit/day)
Airports
person
4
Apartment
bedroom
120
Automobile Service Station
vehicle served
10
Bars
seat
20
Bathhouses and swimming pools
person
10
Campgrounds (w/ toilets only)
person
25
Campgrounds (w/shower facility)
person
45
Church
person
4
Country Club
member
25
Day School, Office Building, Retail Store, Warehouse (no showers)
person
15
Hospital
bed
250
Industrial Building (sanitary waste only)
employee
20
Laundry (self-service)
machine
450
Mobile Home
bedroom
see table 1
Motel, Hotel, Resort
bedroom
140
Recreational Vehicle
each
100
Rest Home, Care Facility, Boarding School
bed
100
Restaurant
meal
10
Restaurant ( kitchen waste only)
meal
6
Theater
seat
3
1Values shown in the above table are the typical flow rates from Wastewater Engineering Treatment and Reuse, Metcalf and Eddy, 2003.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 6 Systems Not Specifically Covered by This Rule
This section is provided to encourage new technology and equipment and provide a process for evaluating and permitting designs that deviate from this rule. The proposed construction of facilities and processes not in compliance with this rule may be permitted provided that the facility, when constructed and operated, meets the objective of these rules.
(a) Each application for a permit to construct shall include an engineering design report, detailed construction plans, and technical specifications for all piping, tanks, and equipment. All of the documents shall have a suitable title showing the owner's name and the Wyoming registration number, seal, and signature of the engineer.
(b) Each application for a permit to construct will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis using the best available technology. The application shall include at least one of the following:
(i) Data obtained from a full scale, comparable installation that demonstrates the acceptability of the design.
(ii) Data obtained from a pilot plant operated under the design condition for a sufficient length of time to demonstrate the acceptability of the design.
(iii) Data obtained from the theoretical evaluation of the design that demonstrates a reasonable probability the facility will meet the design objectives.
(iv) An evaluation of the flexibility of making corrective changes to the constructed facility in the event it does not function as planned.
(c) If an applicant wishes to construct a pilot plant to provide data necessary to show the design will meet the purpose of the act, a permit to construct must be obtained.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 7 Site Suitability
(a) Small wastewater systems must be located where the surface drainage is sufficient to allow proper operation of the small wastewater system. Avoid depressions and bases of slopes and areas in the path of runoff from roofs, patios, driveways, or other paved areas unless surface drainage is provided. Small wastewater systems shall not be located beneath buildings, parking lots, roadways, driveways, irrigated landscaping, or compacted areas.
(b) The site must include area for both the proposed soil absorption system and a future replacement soil absorption system. Both the proposed and replacement soil absorption systems shall be sized to receive one-hundred (100%) percent of the wastewater flow. If a trench system is used, the replacement soil absorption system may be located between the trenches of the proposed soil absorption system if there is at least nine (9) feet of spacing between trench sidewalls.
(c) For standard soil absorption systems, effective suitable soil depth shall extend at least four (4) feet below the bottom of the soil absorption system to any restrictive layer, fractured rock, or highly permeable material.
(d) The depth to high groundwater shall be at least four (4) feet below the bottom of the absorption surface for all treatment systems except pressure distribution. For pressure distribution systems, the depth to high groundwater shall be at least three (3) feet below the bottom of the absorption surface if the percolation rate of the soil is five (5) minutes per inch or greater (5-60 mpi).
(e) Slope
(i) Table 3 shows the maximum permissible slopes of the site on which an absorption system may be constructed
Table 3. Slope and Percolation Rates for Absorption Systems
Percolation Rate (minutes/inch)
Maximum Slope1
5
25%
6-45
20%
46-60
15%
1 Flatter slopes may be required where the effluent surfaces downslope.
(ii) Serial distribution, with the use of drop boxes or approved fittings, is the preferred installation method for sloping terrain. The bottom of individual trenches shall be level and the trenches shall be constructed to follow the contours of the land.
(iii) The placement of multiple trenches, with each subsequent trench down slope of the previous trench shall be avoided when the addition of effluent to the soil absorption system trenches may lead to either an unstable slope or seepage down slope.
(iv) All absorption surfaces must be located at least 15 horizontal feet from the top of any break in slope that exceeds the maximum slope allowed.
(f) Soil Exploration Pit and Percolation Tests
(i) Delegated small wastewater programs shall require a percolation test in addition to the soil exploration pit.
(ii) A minimum of one soil exploration pit within the proposed soil absorption system location shall be excavated to a minimum depth of four (4) feet below the bottom of the proposed soil absorption system to evaluate the subsurface conditions.
(iii) The percolation test shall be performed in accordance with Appendix A of this chapter. An evaluation of the soil texture, in the proposed soil absorption system location, by a person experienced in soils classification, may be used as an additional tool to confirm the percolation rate.
(g) Minimum horizontal setback distances (in feet) are as follows:
Table 4. Minimum Horizontal Setbacks for Domestic Wastewater in Feet1, 2
From
To Septic Tank Or Equivalent
To Absorption System
Wells (includes neighboring wells)
50
100
Public Water Supply Well
100
2002
Property Lines
10
10
Foundation Wall (w/o drains)
5
10
Foundation Wall (with drains)
5
25
Potable Water Pipes
25
25
Septic Tank
N/A
10
Surface Water, Spring (including seasonal and intermittent)
50
50
Cisterns
25
25
1 For disposal of non-domestic wastewater, the setback distance shall be determined by a hydrogeological study in accordance with Section 17(b) of Chapter 3, but shall not be less than the distances shown in Table 4.
2 Small wastewater systems that discharge to the same aquifer that supplies a public water supply well and are located within Zone 1 or 2 (Attenuation) of the public water supply well, as determined by Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Source Water Assessment Project (2004) or as established in Section 2 of the Wyoming Wellhead Protection Guidance Document (1997), shall provide additional treatment. These systems will be required to obtain an individual permit to construct and will require that a PE sign, stamp, and date the application, as stated in Section 2 of this chapter. The additional treatment shall be in accordance with Chapter 3 Section 2(b)(ii). The treatment system shall be designed to reduce the nitrates to less than 10 mg/L of NO3- as N and provide 4-log removal of pathogens before the discharge leaves the property boundary of each small wastewater system.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 8 Soil Absorption System Sizing
(a) The total infiltration surface area of a soil absorption system shall be calculated by dividing the design flow rates (gpd) from Table 1 or Table 2 by the loading rate (gpd/ft2) found in Table 5.
Table 5. Rates of Wastewater Application for Soil Absorption System Areas
Percolation Rate (mpi)
Loading Rate (gpd/ft2)
Percolation Rate (mpi)
Loading Rate (gpd/ft2)
5
0.80
21
0.45
6
0.75
22
0.44
7
0.71
23-24
0.43
8
0.68
25
0.42
9
0.65
26-27
0.41
10
0.62
28-29
0.40
11
0.60
30-31
0.39
12
0.58
32-33
0.38
13
0.56
34-35
0.37
14
0.54
36-37
0.36
15
0.52
38-40
0.35
16
0.50
41-43
0.34
17
0.49
44-46
0.33
18
0.48
47-50
0.32
19
0.47
51-55
0.31
20
0.46
56-60
0.30
(b) The total infiltration area shall be defined as follows:
(i) For standard trenches the total infiltration area shall be calculated based on the following formula:
A = Total infiltration area
L = Total length of trench
W = Bottom width
S = Sidewall height of 12 inches or less
(A) The sidewall height is the depth below the flowline of the pipe to the bottom of the trench.
(B) The maximum credit for sidewall height shall not exceed twelve (12) inches even if the actual sidewall height exceeds twelve inches.
(ii) For chamber trenches, the total infiltration area shall be calculated based on the following formula:
A = Total infiltration area
L = Total length of trench
E = Effective bottom width (Multiply width of the chamber by factor of 1.43 to get effective bottom width)
S = Sidewall height of 12 inches or less
(A) The factor of 1.43 incorporates a thirty percent (30%) reduction of the bottom area.
(B) The maximum credit for sidewall height shall not exceed twelve (12) inches even if the actual sidewall height exceeds twelve (12) inches.
(C) The sidewall height is the height of the slotted sidewall of the chamber or depth below the flow line of the inlet pipe, whichever is less.
(D) The total length of the trench is the number of chambers in a row multiplied by the length of one piece of chamber.
(iii) For standard bed systems, the total infiltration area shall be calculated based on the following formula:
A = Total infiltration area
L = Total length of bed
W = Width of the bed
(A) The sidewall credit shall not be used in calculating the total infiltration area for a bed system.
(iv) For chamber bed systems, the total infiltration area shall be calculated based on the following formula:
A = Total infiltration area
L = Total length of bed
E = Effective bottom width of the chamber (Multiply width of the chamber by factor of 1.43 to get effective bottom width)
R = Number of chamber rows (Multiply effective bottom width of chamber by number of chamber rows to get effective bottom width of bed.)
(A) The factor of 1.43 incorporates a thirty percent (30%) reduction of the bottom area.
(B) The total length is the number of chambers in a row multiplied by the length of one piece of chamber.
(c) Coarse sand or soils having a percolation rate less than one (1) minute per inch (mpi) are unsuitable for subsurface effluent disposal. These soils may be used if a one (1) foot layer of fine sand or loamy sand is placed below the constructed soil absorption system. The soil absorption system shall be sized based on the percolation rate of the fill material.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 9 Building Sewer Pipes
All building sewers shall be installed in accordance with the 2012 International Plumbing Code (IPC). In the absence of a locally approved plumbing code, and in addition to the IPC, the building sewer shall comply with the following:
(a) Suitable building sewer pipe materials are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). The septic tank inlet and outlet pipes shall be schedule 40 PVC or ABS pipe and shall span the excavations for the septic tank and/or dosing chamber. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-3034 Standard Dimension Ratio (SDR) 35 plastic pipe may be used if the void at the tank's side is filled with material that is granular, clean, and compacted.
(b) Building sewer pipes shall be sized to handle the peak hourly flow from the building and shall not be smaller than four (4) inches in diameter. When two different sizes or types of sewer pipes are to be connected, a proper type of fitting or conversion adapter shall be used.
(c) Sewer pipe shall not decrease in size flowing downstream.
(d) Building sewer pipes shall be laid at a standard slope of 1/4 inch per foot, and shall not be flatter than 1/8 inch per foot.
(e) Cleanouts shall be provided between the structure and the tank, at branch connections, every change in alignment, and at least every 100 feet in straight runs.
(f) All sewer piping shall be laid on a firm bed throughout its entire length. It shall be protected from damage due to rocks, hard lumps of soil, debris, and the like.
(g) Special care shall be used to prevent lateral movement or deformation during backfill. The backfill material shall be compacted to a density at least equivalent to the trench walls. Backfill over the pipe shall be of sufficient depth to protect the pipe from expected traffic loads and the wastewater from freezing.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 10 Septic Tanks and Other Treatment Tanks
(a) Septic Tanks
(i) Septic tanks shall be fabricated or constructed of concrete, fiberglass, thermoplastic or an approved material. Tanks shall be watertight and fabricated to constitute an individual structure, and shall be designed and constructed to withstand anticipated loads. As part of the application review process, Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division (DEQ/WQD) or the delegated small wastewater program shall review the design of prefabricated septic tanks for compliance with applicable construction standards.
(ii) The septic tank shall be placed on a level grade and a firm bedding to prevent settling. Where rock or other undesirable protruding obstructions are encountered, the opening for the septic tank shall be over excavated, as needed, and backfilled with sand, crushed stone, or gravel to the proper grade.
(A) Septic tanks shall not be buried deeper than the tank manufacturer's maximum designed depth for the tank. The minimum depth of soil cover over the top of the tank is six (6) inches.
(B) Backfill around and over the septic tank shall be placed in such a manner as to prevent undue strain or damage to the tank or connected pipes.
(C) Septic tanks shall not be placed in areas subject to vehicular traffic unless engineered for the anticipated load.
(iii) Size
(A) The minimum liquid volume of a septic tank shall be 1000 gallons for residences up to a four (4) bedroom capacity. Additional capacity of 150 gallons per bedroom shall be provided for each bedroom over four (4).
(B) Septic tanks for high strength wastewater or non-residential units shall have a minimum effective liquid capacity sufficient to provide at least 48 hour retention at design flow or 1,000 gallons, whichever is greater.
(iv) Configuration
(A) Single compartment septic tanks shall have a length to width ratio of no less than two (2) to one (1), or be partitioned to protect against short circuiting flow.
(B) For septic tanks with two (2) compartments or more, the inlet compartment shall not be less than one-half (1/2) of the total capacity of the tank.
(C) The liquid depth shall be between three (3) feet and six (6) feet.
(D) The tank partition shall allow the venting of gases between compartments and out through the vent stack on the plumbing system of the house.
(E) The inlet and outlet on all tanks or tank compartments shall be provided with open-ended sanitary tees or baffles made of approved materials constructed to distribute flow and retain scum in the tank or compartments.
(I) The tees or baffles shall extend above the liquid level a minimum distance of five (5) inches.
(II) The inlet tees or baffles shall extend below the liquid level at least eight (8) inches but no more than 40% of the liquid level. The outlet tees or baffles shall extend below the liquid level at least ten (10) inches but no more than 45% of the liquid level.
(III) A minimum of one (1) inch of clear space shall be provided over the top of the baffles or tees for venting.
(IV) The inlet pipe shall be at least two (2) inches higher than the outlet pipe. The outlet elevation shall be designed to provide a minimum distance of nine (9) inches or twenty (20) percent of the liquid depth between the top of the liquid and the bottom of the septic tank cover for scum storage and the venting of gases.
(v) If additional septic tank capacity over 1,000 gallons is needed, it may be obtained by joining tanks in series provided the following requirements are met:
(A) The inlet of each successive tank shall be at least two (2) inches lower than the outlet of the preceding tank, and shall have no tee or baffle except for the inlet to the first tank and the outlet for the last tank.
(B) The first tank or the first compartment of the first tank shall be equal to fifty percent (50%) or larger of the total septic tank system volume.
(vi) An access opening shall be provided to each compartment of the septic tank for inspection and cleaning.
(A) The access opening(s) in the cover/lid of the tank shall have a minimum diameter of twenty (20) inches. Both inlet and outlet devices shall be accessible.
(B) The riser from the access opening shall terminate at a maximum of six (6) inches below the ground surface. Riser covers terminating above grade shall have an approved locking device.
(vii) Land application of domestic septage in remote areas that meet the conditions found in Appendix B will be permitted as a permit by rule. Delegated small wastewater programs may issue individual permits.
(viii) An effluent filter with an opening of 1/8-inch or smaller shall be provided on the outlet of a septic tank or other tank that precedes a small diameter pressure distribution system.
(b) Dosing Tanks
(i) Dosing tanks shall meet the same material and installation requirements as septic tanks. Dosing tanks shall have a minimum 20-inch diameter access opening and it shall have a riser from the access opening to the ground surface. The following table shall be used to calculate the size of the dosing tank:
Table 6. Dosing Tank Volume (gallons)
Average Design Flows (gpd)
0-499
500-999
1000-1499
1500-2000
Between Pump "off" and Tank Inlet
350
700
1000
1300
Between Tank Inlet and Alarm Switch
200
400
600
800
Between Alarm switch and Pump "on"
50
100
100
100
Between Pump "on" and Pump "off"
100
200
300
400
Recommended Pump Capacity (gpm)
10
20
30
40
(ii) High water alarms shall be provided for all tanks that use pumps or siphons. The alarm device shall be an audible alarm or an indoor illuminated alarm or both.
(iii) The minimum effluent level shall achieve complete submergence of the pump.
(iv) Dosed systems using a siphon shall have a dose counter installed to check for continued function of the siphon.
(c) Holding Tanks
(i) Holding tanks shall meet the same material requirements as septic tanks. Holding tanks shall have a twenty (20)-inch minimum diameter access opening. A riser shall be brought to ground surface from the access opening.
(ii) Holding tanks shall not be used for residential systems when other alternative systems are available, except on a temporary, seasonal or intermittent basis, or when used to correct a failed soil absorption system when other alternatives are unavailable.
(iii) Holding tanks must be located in an area readily accessible to the pump truck and where the tank itself will not float due to high groundwater. If seasonal high groundwater may be present, the tank shall be properly anchored.
(iv) The minimum liquid volume shall be the greater of 1,000 gallons or seven (7) days storage based upon flow rate determined from Section 5.
(v) All holding tanks shall be equipped with a high-water level alarm. The device shall be an audible alarm or an indoor illuminated alarm or both. The device shall be installed so that the alarm is triggered when the water level reaches 3/4 of the tank capacity.
(vi) A design package for holding tanks is provided online at the Division's website to assist the applicant in submitting a completed application for coverage under the general permit for small wastewater systems. The worksheet and calculations were prepared by a registered professional engineer employed by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. The general design requirements stated in this section are incorporated into the worksheets such that by properly completing the forms and installing the components, the system will comply with these requirements.
(d) Grease Interceptors
(i) A commercial or institutional food preparation facility with a waste stream containing fat, oil, and grease (FOG) in excess of 25 mg/L shall install an exterior grease interceptor or a device approved by the delegated health department or county. Facilities that typically have waste streams high in FOG are, but not limited to, restaurants, cafeterias, slaughterhouses, and institutional kitchens.
(ii) Waste streams high in FOG shall be plumbed separately and directly to a grease interceptor prior to the waste treatment process.
(iii) Waste streams from sanitary facilities such as bathrooms, toilets, urinals, or other similar fixtures shall not be discharged into the grease interceptor. These sources must be connected at least four to six (4-6) feet downstream of the grease interceptor's discharge. The design shall prevent any backflow from the sanitary sources into the grease interceptor.
(iv) Only one source facility per grease interceptor shall be allowed.
(v) Grease interceptors shall be located so that they are easily accessible for inspection, cleaning, and removal of the collected wastes. The interceptor shall not be closer than fifteen (15) feet from the last discharging fixture and no further away than thirty-five (35) feet.
(vi) Grease interceptors shall have at least two (2) compartments with a 20-inch minimum diameter access opening for each compartment for cleanout. Each access opening shall have a riser brought to the surface and have a sealed lid that is rated for any anticipated load. There shall be a means provided to sample the effluent.
(vii) There shall be no internal cleanout tees or bypasses.
(viii) The inlet and outlet of the grease interceptor shall be vented. The vent pipe shall be at least two (2) inches in diameter. The inlet and outlet vents shall not be interconnected.
(ix) The outlet pipe invert shall be no more than two (2) inches lower than the inlet invert.
(x) The dividing wall between compartments shall be the same height as the other walls and the cover should contact the top of the dividing wall. If the partition/dividing wall does not contact the cover, the outlet tee or baffle shall extend below the liquid level, 40-50% of the total liquid depth.
(xi) The effluent from each compartment shall be drawn from the bottom of a riser pipe that terminates at least eighteen (18) inches below the inlet pipe invert of that same compartment.
(xii) Grease interceptors shall be accessible during normal business hours without interrupting normal business operations.
(xiii) Grease interceptors shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and applicable requirements of this section. A copy of the manufacturer's instructions shall be submitted with every permit to construct application submitted to DEQ/WQD.
(xiv) Grease interceptors shall be sized according to the following:
Kitchens (grease, garbage)
Number of meals per peak hour
X
Waste Flow rate*
X
Retention time**
X
Storage factor***
=
Interceptor size (liquid capacity)
*Waste flow rate - see Table 2.
**Retention times
Kitchen waste:
Dishwasher and/or disposal
2.5 hours
Single service kitchen:
Single serving with disposal
1.5 hours
***Storage factors
Fully equipped commercial kitchen
8 hr. operation: 1 16 hr. operation: 2 24 hr. operation: 3
Single service kitchen:
1.5
(A) The minimum interceptor size (liquid capacity) shall be 750 gallons.
(e) Other Interceptors
(i) Interceptors are required for oil, grease, sand, and other substances harmful or hazardous to the building drainage system, or the small wastewater treatment system.
(A) Laundries
(I) Commercial laundries, laundromats, and dry-cleaners shall be equipped with an interceptor in order to reduce the quantity of lint and silt that enter the collection system.
(II) The system must be of adequate size and design to allow for cool-down of wastewater so that separation can be more readily achieved.
(III) The interceptor shall be installed with a wire basket or similar device. The wire basket or similar device shall be removable for cleaning and shall prevent passage into the drainage system of solids 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) or larger in size, such as string, rags, buttons, or other materials that are detrimental to the waste treatment system.
(IV) Sizing must be in accordance with the following formula:
Laundries (grease, lint, silt)
Total gallons per cycle
X
Cycles per hour
X
Retention time*
X
Storage factor**
=
Interceptor
*Retention times
Institutional laundries
2.5 hours
Standard commercial laundry
2.0 hours
Light commercial laundry
1.5 hours
**Storage factors
8 hours of operation
1.0
12 or more hours of operation
1.5
(B) Car Washes
(I) Where automobiles are washed (including detail shops using hand-wash practices), separators shall have a minimum capacity of 1000 gallons for the first bay, with an additional 500 gallons of capacity for every other bay.
(II) Additionally, wash racks must be constructed to eliminate or minimize the impact of run-off from rain/storm events. Minimum requirements are roofed structures with at least two walls and appropriate grading to prevent stormwater infiltration into the sanitary sewer.
(III) An effluent sampling point is required.
(f) Abandonment of Septic and Holding Tanks
The following is the procedure to abandon septic tanks and holding tanks when the system is upgraded, equipment replacement is necessary, or central sewer lines are made available:
(i) The abandoned tank should be pumped and the septage hauled to a licensed facility approved to receive the waste or the septage pumped into the newly constructed septic or holding tank. Discharging to a central sewer requires coordination with, and the approval of, the owner/operator of the sewer system.
(ii) Once the abandoned tank is empty, it should be removed and the excavation backfilled. As an alternative to removing the tank, the access covers can be removed; the bottom drilled or broken up sufficient to drain; and the tank filled with native soil, pit run, or sand.
(iii) If the abandoned tank is part of a Class V UIC facility, the abandonment must also be in compliance with Chapter 27, Section 17.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 11 Effluent Distribution Devices
Distribution boxes and flow divider tees are suitable for level or nearly level ground and are installed before the soil absorption system with the goal of splitting flows equally between soil absorption system laterals. Drop boxes are suitable for sloping ground and are installed to achieve serial loading.
(a) Distribution Boxes
(i) The distribution box shall be installed on a level, stable base to prevent tilting or settling, and to minimize movement from frost heave.
(ii) Boxes shall be watertight and constructed of concrete or other durable material.
(iii) Boxes shall be designed to accommodate the inlet pipe and the necessary distribution lines. The inlet piping to the distribution box shall be at least one (1) inch above the outlet pipes and all pipes shall have a watertight connection to the distribution box.
(iv) The box shall be protected against freezing and made accessible for observation and maintenance.
(v) Boxes shall have flow equalizers installed on each outflow.
(b) Flow divider tees may be used in place of distribution boxes.
(c) Drop boxes are suitable for sloping ground and are installed to achieve serial loading. The drop boxes shall meet the requirements in paragraphs (a)(i through v) of this section.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 12 Standard Soil Absorption Systems
(a) General Design Requirements:
(i) All soil absorption systems shall be designed in such a manner that the effluent is effectively filtered and retained below the ground surface. The absorption surface accepts, treats, and disperses wastewater as it percolates through the soil.
(ii) Soil absorption systems shall not be excavated when the soil is wet enough to smear or compact easily. Open soil absorption system excavations shall be protected from surface runoff to prevent the entrance of silt and debris. All smeared or compacted surfaces shall be raked to a depth of one (1) inch, and loose material removed before filter or filler material is placed in the soil absorption system excavation.
(iii) Soil absorption systems shall be designed to approximately follow the ground surface contours so that variation in excavation depths will be minimized. The trenches may be installed at different elevations, but the bottom of each individual trench shall be level throughout its length.
(iv) Shallow soil absorption system depths are encouraged to promote treatment and evapotranspiration. The minimum soil cover depth over the soil absorption system is one (1) foot. The maximum depth to the bottom absorption surface of a soil absorption system is five (5) feet. Finished grading shall prevent ponding and promote surface water runoff.
(v) Pipes, chambers or other products shall be bedded on firm, stable material. Heavy equipment shall not be driven in or over soil absorption systems during construction or backfilling.
(vi) Standard trenches refer to perforated pipe embedded in aggregate-filled trenches that shall conform to the following:
(A) The perforated pipe shall have a minimum diameter of 4 inches. Suitable pipe materials include: ASTM D-2729-11 PVC, ASTM D-3034-08 PVC, Schedule 40 PVC ASTM d1784-11, and ASTM F810-07 PE.
(B) The aggregate shall be crushed rock, gravel or other acceptable, durable and inert material that is free of fines, and has an effective diameter between ½ inch and 2- ½ inches.
(C) Prior to backfilling, the aggregate shall be covered throughout with a woven/non-woven geotextile material or a three (3) inch layer of straw.
(D) Aggregate shall extend the full width and length of the soil absorption system to a depth of at least twelve (12) inches with at least six (6) inches of drain gravel under the distribution pipe and at least two (2) inches over the distribution pipe.
(E) Maximum width of trench excavation is three (3) feet.
(F) Minimum spacing of trenches (wall to wall) is three (3) feet. Trench spacing shall be increased to nine (9) feet when the area between each trench is considered as reserve area. For clay loam soils that have percolation rates greater than 60 min/in., the nine (9) foot spacing shall also be required but it is not considered as reserve area.
(vii) Standard beds shall conform to the same pipe and aggregate requirements for trenches as found in subparagraphs (vi)(A through D) of this section. Standard beds shall also conform to the following:
(A) The soils shall have percolation rates less than 60 minutes per inch (5-60 mpi). The bottom of the bed must be level, therefore the site shall be relatively flat, sloping no more than one (1) foot from the highest to the lowest point in the installation area.
(B) Distribution laterals within a bed must be spaced on not greater than six (6) feet centers. Sidewalls shall not be more than three (3) feet from a distribution lateral.
(C) Beds must not be wider than twenty-five (25) feet if gravity distribution is used. Multiple beds must be spaced at one-half the bed width.
(D) Rubber tired vehicles must not be driven on the bottom surface of any bed excavation.
(viii) Chambered trenches, when used in lieu of perforated pipe and aggregate, shall be installed in conformance with the manufacturer recommendations. No cracked, weakened, modified, or otherwise damaged chamber units shall be used in any installation.
(A) All chambers shall be an open, arch-shaped structure of durable, non-degradable design, suitable for distribution of effluent without filter material.
(B) All chamber endplates shall be designed so that the bottom elevation of the inlet pipe is at least six (6) inches from the bottom of the chamber.
(C) Inlet and outlet effluent sewer pipes shall enter and exit the chamber endplates. Inspection ports shall be installed at all outlet effluent sewer pipes.
(D) All chambers shall have a splash plate under the inlet pipe or another design feature to avoid unnecessary channeling into the trench bottom.
(E) The maximum width of the bottom absorption surface for a chambered trench is three (3) feet. The excavation to install a chambered trench may exceed three (3) feet.
(F) Minimum spacing of trenches (wall to wall) is three (3) feet. Trench spacing shall be increased to nine (9) feet when the area between each trench is considered as reserve area. For clay loam soils that have percolation rates greater than 60 min/in., the nine (9) foot spacing shall also be required but it is not considered as reserve area.
(ix) Chambered beds shall conform to the same requirements for chambered trenches as found in subparagraphs (viii)(A through D) of this section. Aggregate, as specified in subparagraph (vi)(B) of this section, or native soil shall be used to fill the space between the chambers.
(x) Serial Sidehill Trench:
(A) A minimum of six (6) feet of undisturbed soil shall be maintained between adjacent trench or bed side walls.
(B) The bottom of each serial trench or bed system shall be level.
(C) The overflow pipe between serial soil absorption systems shall be set no higher than the mid-point of the upstream distribution pipe. The overflow pipe shall not be perforated.
(b) A design package for standard soil absorption systems is provided online at the Division's website to assist the applicant in submitting a completed application for coverage under the general permit for small wastewater systems. The worksheet and calculations were prepared by a registered professional engineer employed by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. The general design requirements stated in this section are incorporated into the worksheets such that by properly completing the forms and installing the components, the system will comply with these requirements.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 13 Pressure Distribution Systems
(a) General Design Requirements:
(i) The basic elements of a pressure distribution system include a dosing tank, filter, and a means to deliver specified doses to a small diameter pipe network within a soil absorption system. Pressure distribution is required for mound systems or for bed systems with a width greater than twenty-five (25) feet.
(ii) Pumps must be sized to match the distribution system curve or demand. Pumps shall be designed for sewage pumping applications and be accessible from the ground surface.
(iii) The control system for the pump and dosing tank shall, at a minimum, consist of a "pump off" switch, a "pump on" switch, and a "high liquid alarm".
(A) All electrical connections must be made outside of the chamber in either an approved weatherproof box or an explosion-proof junction box.
(B) The wiring from the junction box to the control box must pass through a sealing fitting to prevent corrosive gases from entering the control panel.
(C) All wires must be contained in solid conduit from the dosing chamber to the control box.
(iv) The pressure transport piping between the tank and the soil absorption system shall be designed to prevent freezing.
(A) The ends of lateral piping shall be constructed with long sweep elbows or an equivalent method to bring the end of the pipe to finished grade. The ends of the pipe shall be provided with threaded plugs, caps, or other devices to allow for access and flushing of the lateral.
(B) All joints in the manifold, lateral piping, and fittings shall be solvent-welded using the appropriate joint compound for the pipe material. Pressure transport piping may be solvent-welded or flexible gasket jointed.
(C) Where automatic siphons or other devices are used, they shall be designed to empty the dosing tank in less than ten (10) minutes.
(v) The pressure distribution system shall have a combination of at least three (3) vertical feet of filter sand and/or unsaturated native soil above the high groundwater level. The filter sand shall conform to ASTM C-33, with less than 2% passing the #200 sieve.
(b) A design package for pressure distribution systems is provided online at the Division's website to assist the applicant in submitting a completed application for coverage under the general permit for small wastewater systems. The worksheet and calculations were prepared by a registered professional engineer employed by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. The general design requirements stated in this section are incorporated into the worksheets such that by properly completing the forms and installing the components, the system will comply with these requirements.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 14 Sand Mound Systems
The sand mound consists of a sand fill, an aggregate bed and a soil cap.
(a) Selection Criteria:
The high groundwater level, bedrock, or impervious clay layer is less than four (4) feet below the bottom of the soil absorption system excavation.
(b) Site Requirements:
(i) A minimum of one (1) foot of vertical separation of the native soil is required between the bottom of the sand fill and the top of the high groundwater level, any restrictive layer, or any highly permeable material.
(ii) The percolation rate of the native soil at the interface of the sand fill shall be greater than five (5) and less than sixty (60) minutes per inch (5-60 mpi). The percolation shall be measured in the top twelve (12) inches of native soil.
(c) General Design Requirements:
(i) Sand Layer
(A) Filter sand shall conform to ASTM C-33, with less than two percent (2%) passing through the #200 sieve.
(B) The minimum depth of sand below the aggregate bed surface shall be one (1) foot.
(C) The sand mound shall have a combination of at least four (4) vertical feet of filter sand and unsaturated native soil above the high groundwater level.
(I) For sand mounds using pressure distribution systems, the depth to high groundwater shall be three (3) feet below the bottom of the absorption surface if the percolation rate of the soil is five (5) minutes per inch or greater (5-60 mpi).
(D) The top of the sand layer under the aggregate bed shall be level in all directions.
(E) The sand layer shall fill around the perimeter of and to the top of the aggregate bed.
(F) The slope of all sides shall be three (3) horizontal to one (1) vertical or flatter. The side slopes shall be graded to prevent seepage and/or ponding at the bottom of the slope.
(G) The infiltration area, which is the bottom of the sand fill, shall be calculated by dividing the design flowrates (gpd) from Table 1 or Table 2 by the loading rate (gpd/ft2) found in Table 5.
(ii) Aggregate Bed
(A) The aggregate shall be crushed rock, gravel or other acceptable, durable and inert material that is free from fines, and has an effective diameter between one-half (1/2) inch and two and one half (2 ½) inch.
(B) The aggregate bed depth shall not be less than nine (9) inches with a minimum of six (6) inches of clean aggregate placed below the distribution pipe and two (2) inches above the distribution pipe. The aggregate shall be covered with an approved geotextile material after installation and testing of the pressure distribution system.
(C) The design shall be a long, narrow bed design with a maximum width of twenty-five (25) feet.
(D) The infiltration area, which is the bottom of the aggregate bed, shall be calculated by dividing the design flowrates (gpd) from Table 1 and Table 2 by the loading rate of 0.8 gpd/ft2.
(iii) Soil Cover
(A) The soil cap shall be constructed of a sandy loam, loamy sand, or silt loam. The depth of the soil cap shall be at least six (6) inches at the edges to twelve (12) inches at the center. The slope of all sides shall be three (3) horizontal to one (1) vertical or flatter.
(B) A layer of top soil at least six (6) inches thick shall be placed over the entire sand mound area. The sand mound should be planted with vegetation that does not require watering and will not establish deep roots. Native grasses are commonly used.
(d) A design package for sand mound systems is provided online at the Division's website to assist the applicant in submitting a completed application for coverage under the general permit for small wastewater systems. The worksheet and calculations were prepared by a registered professional engineer employed by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. The general design requirements stated in this section are incorporated into the worksheets such that by properly completing the forms and installing the components, the system will comply with these requirements.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 15 Small Wastewater Lagoons
(a) Selection Criteria:
(i) Lagoons shall only be considered in areas of Wyoming where the annual evaporation exceeds the annual precipitation during the active use of the lagoon.
(ii) Lagoons shall only be allowed when the percolation rate exceeds sixty (60) minutes per inch and the soil extends vertically down at least two (2) feet from the bottom of the lagoon to the seasonal high groundwater table or bedrock formations.
(iii) A lagoon shall not be constructed within the 100 year floodplain.
(b) General Design Requirements:
(i) Beyond the horizontal setback distances requirements specified in Section 7(g) of this rule, the lagoon shall not be placed within one hundred (100) feet of the owner's property line.
(ii) The use of a septic tank that meets the specifications in Section 9 of this rule shall be required before the small wastewater lagoon.
(iii) The lagoon shall be located and constructed so it will not receive surface runoff water.
(iv) The slope of the lagoon site shall not exceed five percent (5%).
(v) The lagoon site must be located in an area of maximum exposure to sun and wind.
(vi) The lagoon shall be designed for complete retention.
(vii) The area of the lagoon shall be calculated based on the following formula.
A = Area of the lagoon (in square feet) at the maximum operating depth of five (5) feet.
Q = Average daily sewage flow, gallons per day. (Multiply values from Table 1 or 2 by 0.6 to get average daily flow.)
E = Average annual lake evaporation in inches per year. (Note: lake evaporation is less than pan evaporation; lake evaporation equals pan evaporation times a pan coefficient of 0.7)
P = Average annual precipitation rate in inches per year.
S = Seepage rate in decimal form, in inches per day.
(viii) The slopes of the dikes shall not be steeper than three (3) horizontal to one (1) vertical. The minimum width of the top of the dike shall be four (4) feet.
(ix) All fill shall consist of impervious material that is well compacted and free of rocks, frozen soil, or other large material.
(x) The minimum operating depth shall be two (2) feet. The dikes shall provide a minimum freeboard of two (2) feet.
(xi) The floor of the lagoon shall be level and maintained free of all vegetation.
(xii) The influent line into the lagoon must discharge near the center.
(xiii) A cleanout, with a tightly fitting cap, or manhole shall be provided in the influent line near the dike.
(xiv) The area around the small wastewater lagoon shall be fenced to preclude the entrance of livestock, pets, and humans. The fence shall be equipped with a locking gate. The gate shall have a sign indicating "NO TRESPASSING - WASTEWATER LAGOON".
(c) A design package for a small wastewater lagoons is provided online at the Division's website to assist the applicant in submitting a completed application for coverage under the general permit for small wastewater systems. The worksheet and calculations were prepared by a registered professional engineer employed by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. The general design requirements stated in this section are incorporated into the worksheets such that by properly completing the forms and installing the components, the system will comply with these requirements.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 16 Privies or Outhouses
Privies or outhouses that meet the requirements of this section are permitted by rule. A permit by rule requires the owner to submit the information contained in paragraph (g) of this section to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division prior to constructing or installing the facility. By submission of the required information, the owner acknowledges and certifies they will comply with the requirements contained in this section.
Pre-fabricated privies or outhouses shall be sealed, water-tight vaults and shall meet the following conditions:
(a) The horizontal setback distance requirements for sealed privies or outhouses shall comply with Section 7(g) for septic tanks.
(b) The depth to seasonally high groundwater from the bottom of a water tight vault shall be sufficient to prevent floatation of the empty vault.
(c) The vault must have sufficient capacity for the dwelling served, and must have at least 27 cubic feet or 200 gallons of capacity.
(d) Privies or outhouses must be insect tight; must have a self-closing door; the privy or outhouse seat must include a cover; and all exterior openings, including vent openings, shall be screened.
(e) Privies or outhouses must be adequately vented.
(f) Privies or outhouses shall not be constructed within the 100 year floodplain.
(g) Owner's name, address, phone number, legal description of privy or outhouse (address, latitude/longitude, or ¼ ¼ section), and the date construction or installation will begin.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 17 Greywater Systems
Greywater systems that meet the requirements of this section are permitted by rule. A permit by rule requires the owner to submit the information contained in paragraph (e) of this section to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division prior to constructing, modifying, or installing the system. By submission of the required information, the owner acknowledges and certifies they will comply with the requirements contained in this section.
(a) Greywater Operation and Requirements
(i) Restrictions
(A) Greywater shall not leave the property on which it is generated. Ponding or runoff is prohibited.
(B) Greywater systems shall not be installed in a delineated floodplain.
(C) The volume of greywater shall not exceed an average of 2000 gallons per day.
(D) Greywater shall not come in direct contact with or adversely impact surface or groundwater.
(E) Food crops for direct human consumption should not be harvested for 30 days after application of greywater.
(ii) Odor control of the greywater system shall meet the requirement of Wyoming DEQ Air Quality Regulations Chapter 2, Section 11.
(iii) If the greywater system is to be used during the winter, the greywater system shall be designed to prevent freezing.
(b) Estimating Greywater Discharge
(i) The greywater discharge for single family and multi-family dwellings shall be calculated by estimates of greywater use based on water use records, or the following procedure:
(A) The number of occupants of each dwelling unit shall be calculated as 2 occupants per bedroom.
(B) The estimated greywater flows of each occupant shall be calculated in gallons per day (gpd) as follows:
Showers, bathtubs and wash basins - 25 gpd/occupant
Laundry - 15 gpd/occupant
(ii) The total number of occupants shall be multiplied by the applicable estimated greywater discharge as provided above and the type of fixtures connected to the greywater system.
(c) Greywater System Configurations
(i) All greywater systems shall have means to direct greywater to either the blackwater system or the greywater system.
(ii) Diverter valves shall not have the potential to allow backflow from the blackwater system into the greywater system.
(iii) Greywater used for surface irrigation should be disinfected. The disinfection should achieve a fecal coliform level of 200 cfu/100 mL or less.
(d) Setbacks
(i) A 30 foot buffer zone is required between the greywater application site and adjacent property lines and any public right-of-way.
(ii) A 30 foot separation distance is required between greywater application sites and all surface waters.
(iii) A 100 foot separation distance is required between greywater application sites and all potable water supply wells.
(e) Owner's name, address, phone number, legal description of greywater system (address, latitude/longitude, or ¼ ¼ section), and the date construction or installation will begin.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 18 Operation and Maintenance
(a) For any system that disposes of wastewater through land application or subsurface filtration, the owner shall not add any chemical or biochemical additive to the system that would adversely affect the quality of the groundwater as stated in the WDEQ Water Quality Rules & Regulations, Chapter 8.
(b) Septic tanks shall be pumped as needed to prevent solids carryover into the soil absorption system.
(c) Holding tanks and sealed vaults shall be pumped prior to reaching their maximum capacity.
(d) Any service provider that pumps septic tanks, holding tanks, or sealed vaults, shall dispose of the wastewater contents at a permitted wastewater treatment facility or in a manner approved by the Division or delegated authority.
(e) Damaged fittings and broken, crushed or plugged piping associated with any small wastewater system shall be replaced in a timely manner.
(f) Composting or non-discharging toilets, where permitted, shall have their waste disposed of at a permitted wastewater treatment facility or landfill, or in a manner approved by the Division or delegated authority.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 19 Commercial and Industrial Wastes and/or Domestic Wastes Greater Than 2000 Gallons per Day
(a) Commercial/industrial wastewater systems or combination commercial/industrial and domestic wastewater systems are subject to applicable requirements listed in sections 1 through 15 of this chapter, in addition to requirements in this section.
(b) If the wastewater is classified as, or determined to be hazardous, toxic, and/or contain petroleum products, the applicant shall demonstrate to the Administrator that any discharge or seepage from the wastewater facility will not cause a violation of the surface and/or groundwaters of the state in accordance with Chapter 1, "Quality Standards for Wyoming Surface Waters" and Chapter 8, "Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters."
(c) If the impact of the hazardous, toxic, and/or petroleum products cannot be determined and mitigated, disposal of the wastewater using a soil absorption system shall be prohibited.
(d) Pre-treatment of the wastewater to remove the hazardous, toxic, and/or petroleum products shall be required prior to disposal if deemed necessary to protect the Groundwater(s) and Surface Water(s) of the State.
(e) The minimum horizontal setback distances (in feet) shown in Table 7 shall be maintained for commercial and industrial wastes and/or wastes greater than 2000 gallons per day but less than 10,000 gallons per day.
Table 7. Minimum Horizontal Setbacks for Commercial and Industrial Wastes in Feet1
From
To Septic Tank Or Equivalent
To Absorption System
Wells (includes neighboring wells)
50
200
Public Water Supply Well
100
5002
Property Lines
10
10
Foundation Wall (w/o drains)
5
10
Foundation Wall (with drains)
5
50
Potable Water Pipes
25
50
Septic Tank
N/A
10
Surface Water, Spring (including seasonal and intermittent)
50
100
Cisterns
50
50
1 For systems larger than 10,000 gallons per day, the isolation distance shall be determined by a hydrogeological study in accordance with Section 17(b) of Chapter 3, but shall not be less than those shown in Table 7.
2 Wastewater systems that discharge to the same aquifer that supplies a public water supply well and are located within Zone 1 or 2 (Attenuation) of the public water supply well, as determined by Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Source Water Assessment Project (2004) or as established in Section 2 of the Wyoming Wellhead Protection Guidance Document (1997), shall provide additional treatment. These systems will be required to obtain an individual permit to construct and will require that a PE sign, stamp, and date the application, as stated in Section 2 of this chapter. The additional treatment shall be in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 2(b)(ii). The treatment shall reduce the nitrates to less than 10 mg/L of NO3- as N and provide 4-log removal of pathogens before the discharge leaves the property boundary of each small wastewater system.
APPENDIX A Percolation Test Procedure
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 1 Purpose
(a) Percolation tests are used to determine absorption system site suitability and to size the absorption system.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 2 Procedure
(a) General Requirements:
(i) Percolation tests shall not be conducted in test holes that extend into groundwater, bedrock, or frozen ground.
(ii) The percolation test shall be conducted only after the soil exploration pit has been dug and examined.
(iii) A minimum of three (3) percolation test holes are required.
(iv) The percolation test holes shall be spaced uniformly over the proposed soil absorption system site.
(b) Preparation
(i) A twelve (12) inch diameter hole shall be dug or bored to the proposed depth of the soil absorption system.
(ii) The walls shall be vertical, with the natural soil surface exposed without smearing.
(iii) The sides and bottom shall be scarified with a sharp pointed instrument and the loose material shall be removed from the hole.
(iv) Two (2) inches of gravel or coarse sand shall be placed in the bottom of the hole to prevent it from scouring and sealing during water addition.
(c) Presoaking
(i) The purpose of presoaking is to have the water conditions in the soil reach a stable condition similar to that which exists during continual wastewater application. The minimum time of presoaking varies with soil conditions but must be sufficiently long so that the water seeps away at a constant rate. The following presoaking instructions are usually sufficient to obtain a constant rate.
(A) Fill each hole with clear water to a level at least eighteen (18) inches above the gravel or coarse sand. If the eighteen (18) inches of water seeps away in eighteen (18) minutes or less, add eighteen (18) inches of water a second time. If the second filling of eighteen (18) inches of water seeps away in eighteen (18) minutes or less, this indicates the soil is sandy and is excessively permeable. The soil absorption system shall meet the requirements of Section 8 (c).
(B) If either the first or second fillings of eighteen (18) inches of water does not seep away in ninety (90) minutes, eighteen (18) inches of water must be maintained in the hole for at least four (4) hours to presoak the test hole. After the four (4) hours of water contact time, wait at least twelve (12) hours before starting the percolation rate measurement.
(d) Percolation Rate Measurement
(i) Fill each test hole with twelve (12) inches of water and allow the soil to rehydrate for fifteen (15) minutes prior to any measurements.
(ii) Establish a fixed reference point to measure the incremental water level drop at constant time intervals. The water level drop should be measured to the nearest ⅛ of an inch and the minimum time interval is ten (10) minutes.
(iii) Refill the test hole to twelve (12) inches above the gravel before starting the measurements. Continue to measure the incremental water level drop at a constant time interval until a consistent incremental water level drop is achieved. A consistent water level drop is achieved when three (3) consecutive water level drops are within ⅛ inches of each other.
(iv) Before the water level drops below one (1) inch above the gravel, refill the test hole to twelve (12) inches and continue to measure the incremental water level drop.
(v) The percolation rate is calculated for each hole using the following formula:
Time Interval (Minutes) =
Final Water Level Drop (inches)
Percolation Rate (minutes/inch)
(vi) If only three to five percolation tests are performed, the design percolation rate for the absorption system is the largest rate from all the holes tested. If six or more percolation tests are performed, the design percolation rate for the absorption system is the average of all the holes tested as determined by the above formula.
(e) The following information shall be recorded:
(i) Date(s) of test(s);
(ii) Location, diameter, and depth of each test hole;
(iii) Duration of presoak;
(iv) Time of day for beginning and end of each water-level drop interval;
(v) Each water-level drop measurement;
(vi) Calculated percolation rate;
(vii) Name and signature of person performing test;
(viii) Name of owner or project name; and
(ix) Certification that the percolation test was done in accordance with Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 25 Appendix A.
APPENDIX B Land Application of Domestic Septage in Remote Areas
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.25.06292018 § 1 Restrictions and Requirements
To qualify for the land application of domestic septage in remote areas, the following conditions must be met:
(a) Location restrictions:
(i) Domestic septage generated on a specific property may be land applied on said property, and shall not be transported to another location for land application.
(ii) No land application of domestic septage shall occur within 1,000 feet of all adjacent properties.
(iii) No land application of domestic septage shall occur within 300 feet of a public road, permanent surface water body, or intermittent stream.
(b) Site restrictions:
(i) The land application of domestic septage shall only occur on those sites with established vegetation such as rangeland, pasture or hay meadows.
(ii) No more than 5,000 gallons of domestic septage per acre per year shall be land applied.
(iii) No land application of domestic septage shall occur where the site's slope exceeds five percent (5%) or where the depth to groundwater is less than four (4) feet.
(iv) The land application of domestic septage shall not occur between November 1 and May 1, or any other time when frozen or saturated ground conditions exits.
(v) No public access shall be allowed to any site where domestic septage has been applied for at least one (1) year following application.
(vi) No grazing animals shall be allowed access to any site where domestic septage has been land applied for at least thirty (30) days following application.
(c) Crop restrictions:
(i) No root crops shall be harvested from soils where domestic septage has been land applied for at least thirty-eight (38) months following application
(ii) No truck crops (harvested parts touch land surface) shall be harvested from soils where domestic septage has been land applied for at least fourteen (14) months following application.
(iii) No commodity crops (other food, feed, and fiber crops whose harvested parts do not touch land surface) from soils where domestic septage has been land applied shall be harvested for at least thirty (30) days following application.
(iv) No turf shall be harvested from soils where domestic septage has been land applied for at least one (1) year following application.
(d) Reporting Requirements:
(i) The property owner shall notify the appropriate Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division (DEQ/WQD) District Engineer prior to the land application of domestic septage to confirm the requirements and to arrange a possible DEQ/WQD inspection of the land application.
(ii) All records related to each septage application will be maintained for at least five (5) years.
(iii) There is a worksheet provided online at the Division's website that must be completed, signed, and returned to the DEQ/WQD, or the appropriate delegated local permitting authority, within 15 days of the land application.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Chapter 26 Well Construction Standards
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 1 General Information
This part contains minimum standards for design and construction and for the abandonment of wells covered by this part. The applicant or permittee shall provide for design and construction to protect Groundwaters of the State in accordance with the water quality standards contained in Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
All American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM), American Water Works Association (AWWA) and American Petroleum Institute (API) specifications listed are intended to mean the latest revision.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 2 Definitions Specific to Chapter 26
(a) "Abandoned well" means a well regulated under this part for which use has been discontinued for more than one year and the owner does not desire to maintain this well for future use; or its use has been permanently discontinued or is in such a state of disrepair that it cannot be used for its intended purpose.
(b) "Annular space" means the space between the well casing and the wall of the drilled hole or between two well casings.
(c) "Artificial recharge well" means well constructed to introduce water into the ground as a means of replenishing groundwater basins.
(d) "Commercial, municipal and industrial waste well" means well constructed to dispose of unusable waste or contaminated water resulting from a commercial activity, municipal collection, storage or treatment facility or an industrial activity.
(e) "Conductor casing" means a tubular retaining structure installed in the upper portion of a well between the wall of the drilled hole and the inner well casing.
(f) "Confining formation" means an impermeable bed or a bed of distinctly lower permeability than the adjacent material in which groundwater may be moving.
(g) "Destroyed well" means a well that has been properly filled so that it cannot produce water nor act as a vertical conduit for the movement of groundwater.
(h) "Geothermal well" means a well constructed to extract or return water to the ground after it has been used for heating or cooling purposes.
(i) "Key seating" means a stuck drill pipe or casing caused by an abrupt change in direction or dogleg in the drilled hole.
(j) "Miscellaneous discharge well" means a well constructed for a special process discharge of limited time and scope.
(k) "Observation and monitor well" means a well constructed for the purpose of observing or monitoring groundwater conditions.
(l) "Production casing" means a tubular retaining structure installed in the upper portion of a well between the wall of the drilled hole and the inner well casing.
(m) "Sounding tube" means the access to the well casing that allows the water level in the well to be periodically determined. All sounding tubes should have a screw cap.
(n) "Special process discharge well" means a well constructed for the use of a subsurface discharge for recovering a product or fluid at the surface. Special process discharges are defined in detail in Chapter 9, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(o) "Test well" means a well constructed for obtaining information needed to design a well prior to its construction. Test wells are cased and could be converted to observation or monitoring wells.
(p) "Watertight" means impermeable to water except when under such pressure that structural discontinuity is produced.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 3 Application
These standards shall apply to the types of wells listed below. Before a change of use for an existing well can occur, construction standards contained in this part shall be met for the new use.
(a) Well type list requiring permits under Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(i) Commercial, municipal and industrial waste wells.
(ii) Special process discharge wells.
(iii) Artificial recharge and miscellaneous discharge wells.
(iv) Geothermal wells.
(v) Observation and monitoring wells.
(vi) Test wells.
(b) Standards concerning construction, maintenance and operation of oil or gas producing, storage, injection or disposal wells are administered by the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and therefore are not contained herein.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 4 Well Construction Not Specifically Covered By This Part; Deviations
(a) The Administrator may grant a deviation from the standards provided the applicant or permittee can supply documentation of reliability, mechanical integrity, design and construction to protect Groundwaters of the State in accordance with the water quality standards contained in Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations. Such documentation shall include:
(i) Theoretical technology; or
(ii) Full scale operation at another site with similar conditions; or
(iii) A pilot project of scope and length to justify a deviation.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 5 Well Location/Siting
(a) The top of the casing shall terminate above grade or above any known conditions of flooding from runoff or standing water. The area around the well shall slope away from the well. Surface drainage shall be directed away from the well.
(b) Where a well is to be near a building, the well shall be located at a distance from the building to provide access for repairs, maintenance, etc.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 6 Sealing the Annular Space
The annular space shall be sealed to protect it against contamination or pollution by entrance of surface and/or shallow subsurface waters. Annular seals shall be installed to provide protection for the casing against corrosion, to ensure structural integrity of the casing, and to stabilize the upper formation.
(a) Minimum depths of seal below ground surface for various uses of wells will be:
Type Well Minimum Depth of Seal Commercial, municipal and industrial waste 30 feet
Special process discharge 30 feet
Artificial recharge and miscellaneous discharge 30 feet
Geothermal wells 30 feet
Observation and monitoring 20 feet
Test wells 30 feet
(b) Sealing conditions. Following are requirements to be observed in sealing the annular space.
(i) Wells situated in unconsolidated, caving material shall have an oversized hole, at least four inches greater in diameter than the production casing, drilled. A conductor casing shall be installed. The space between the conductor casing and the production casing shall be filled with sealing material. The conductor casing may be withdrawn as the sealing material is placed.
(ii) Wells situated in unconsolidated material stratified with significant clay layers shall have an oversized hole of at least four inches greater in diameter than the production casing drilled, with the annular space filled with sealing material. If a clay formation is encountered within five (5) feet of the bottom of the seal, the seal should be extended five (5) feet into the clay formation.
(iii) Wells situated in soft consolidated formations shall have an oversized hole of at least four inches greater in diameter than the production casing. The annular space between the production casing and the drilled hole shall be filled with sealing material.
(iv) Wells situated in "hard" consolidated formations (crystalline or metamorphic rock) shall have an oversized hole drilled with the annular space filled with sealing material.
(c) Sealing material. The sealing material shall consist of neat cement grout, sand cement grout, bentonite clay or concrete.
(i) Cement used for sealing mixtures shall meet the requirements of ASTM C150 "Standard Specifications for Portland Cement" or API 10B "Recommended Practices for Testing Oil-Well Cements and Cement Additives". Materials used as additives for Portland Cement mixtures in the field shall meet the requirements of ASTM C494 "Standard Specifications for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete" or API RP 10B.
(ii) Neat cement shall be composed of one sack of Portland Cement (94 pounds) to 4½ to 6½ gallons of clean water.
(iii) Sand-cement grout shall be composed of not more than two parts by weight of sand and one part of Portland cement to 4½ to 6½ gallons of clean water per sack of cement.
(iv) Concrete used shall be "Class A" or "Class B". Aggregates shall meet the requirements of ASTM C33 "Standard Specifications for Concrete Aggregates".
(v) Special quick-setting cement, retardants to setting, and other additives, including hydrated lime to make the mix more fluid or bentonite to make the mix more fluid and reduce shrinkage, may be used.
(vi) Bentonite clay mixtures shall be composed of bentonite clay and clean water thoroughly mixed before placement so that there are no balls, clods, etc.
(vii) Used drillers mud or cuttings or chips from drilling the borehole shall not be used as sealing material.
(viii) The minimum time that must be allowed for materials containing cement to "set" shall be in accordance with ASTM C150 or API RP10B. When necessary these times may be reduced by use of accelerators as determined by the well contractor.
(d) Thickness of seal. The thickness of the seal shall be at least two (2) inches and not less than three (3) times the size of the largest coarse aggregate used in the sealing material
(e) Placement of seal. Before placing the seal, all loose cuttings, chips, or other obstructions shall be removed from the annular space by flushing with water or fluid drilling mud. The sealing material shall be placed when possible, in one continuous operation from the bottom up. The fluid used to force the final sealing material through the casing shall remain under pressure, to prevent back flow, until the sealing material is set.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 7 Surface Construction Features
(a) Openings. Openings into the top of the well that are designed to provide access to the well, (e.g.), for measuring, chlorinating, adding gravel, etc., shall be protected against entrance of surface waters or foreign matter by installation of water tight caps or plugs. Access openings designed to permit the entrance or egress of air or gas shall terminate above the ground and above known flood levels and shall be protected against the entrance of foreign materials by installation of down turned and screened "U" bends. All other openings (holes, crevices, cracks, etc.) shall be sealed.
A sounding tube, tap hole with plug, or similar access for the introduction of water level measuring devices may be affixed to the casing of the well as long as the proper seal is maintained. Access ports for water level or pressure measuring devices are required by the State Engineer on all wells greater than four inches diameter.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 8 Casing
(a) The casing shall provide structural stability to prevent casing collapse during installation as well as drill hole wall integrity when installed, be of required size to convey liquid at a specified injection/recovery rate and pressure, and be of required size to allow for sampling.
(i) Steel casing shall meet the following conditions:
(A) Standard and line pipe. This material shall meet one of the following specifications:
(I) API Std. 5L, "Specifications for Line Pipe."
(II) API Std. 5LX, "Specifications for High-Test Line Pipe."
(III) ASTM A53 "Standard Specification for Pipe Steel, Black and Hot Dipped, Zinc Coated Welded and Seamless."
(IV) ASTM A120 "Standard Specifications for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Welded and Seamless, for Ordinary Uses."
(V) ASTM A134 "Standards Specifications for Electric-Fusion (arc) - Welded Steel Plate Pipe (Sizes 16 inches and over)."
(VI) ASTM A135 "Standard Specifications for Electric -
Resistance - Welded Steel Pipe."
(VII) ASTM A139 "Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion (arc) - Welded Steel Pipe (Sizes 4 inches and over)."
(VIII) ASTM A211 "Standard Specifications for Spiral - Welded
Steel or Iron Pipe."
(IX) AWWA C200 "AWWA Standard for Steel Water Pipe 6 inches and Larger."
(B) Structural steel. This material shall meet one of the following specifications:
(I) ASTM A36 "Standard Specification for Structural Steel."
(II) ASTM A242 "Standard Specifications for High Strength Low Alloy Structural Steel."
(III) ASTM A283 "Standard Specification for Low and Intermediate Tensile Strength Carbon Steel Plates, Shapes and Bars of Structural Quality."
(IV) ASTM A441 "Tentative Specifications for High-Strength Low Alloy Structural Manganese Vanadium Steel."
(V) ASTM A570 "Standard Specification for Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet and Strip, Structural Quality."
(C) High Strength Carbon steel sheets or "well casing steel." Each sheet of material shall contain mill markings that identify the manufacturer and specify that the material is well casing steel that complies with the chemical and physical properties published by the manufacturer.
(D) Stainless Steel casing shall meet the provisions of ASTM A409 "Standard Specification for Welded Large Diameter Austenitic Steel Pipe for Corrosive or High Temperature Service."
(ii) Plastic can also be used for casing in many locations and under a variety of circumstances. The two groups of plastic materials available are thermoplastics and thermosets.
(A) Thermoplastics. This material shall meet the requirements of ASTM F 480 "Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Water Well Casing Pipe and Couplings made in Standard Dimension Ratios (SDR)."
(B) Thermosets. This material shall meet the requirements of the following specifications:
(I) ASTM D2996 "Standard Specification for Filament Wound Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Pipe."
(II) ASTM D2997 "Standard Specification for Centrifugally Cast Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Pipe."
(III) ASTM D3517 "Standard Specification for Reinforced Plastic Mortar Pressure Pipe."
(IV) AWWA C950 "AWWA Standards for Glass - Fiber - Reinforced Thermosetting - Resin Pressure Pipe."
(iii) Concrete pipe used for casing should conform to the following specifications:
(A) ASTM C14 "Standard Specifications for Concrete Sewer, Storm
Drain, and Culvert Pipe."
(B) ASTM C76 "Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe."
(C) AWWA C300 "AWWA Standards for Reinforced Concrete Pressure Pipe, Steel Cylinder Type, for Water and Other Liquids."
(D) AWWA C301 "AWWA Standards for Prestressed Concrete Pressure Pipe, Steel Cylinder Type, for Water and Other Liquids."
(iv) Galvanized sheet metal pipe or natural wood shall not be used as casing.
(b) All casing shall be placed with sufficient care to avoid damage to casing sections and joints. All joints in the casing above the perforations or screens shall be watertight. The uppermost perforations shall be at least below the minimum depth of seal. Casing shall be equipped with centering guides to ensure even thickness of annular seal and/or gravel pack.
(i) Metallic casing. Steel casing may be joined by either welding or by threading and coupling.
(ii) Plastic (non-metallic) casing. Depending on the type of material and its fabrication, plastic casing may be joined by solvent welding or may be mechanically joined. Compatibility between potential contaminants and the sealing agent used shall be demonstrated.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 9 Sealing/Cementing Off Strata
Where a well penetrates more than one aquifer or water bearing strata, every aquifer and/or strata shall be sealed off to prevent migration of water from one aquifer or strata to another.
(a) Strata shall be sealed off by placing impervious material opposite the strata and opposite the confining formation(s). The seal shall extend above and below the strata no less than ten (10) feet. The sealing material shall fill the annular space in the interval to be sealed, and the surrounding void spaces that might absorb the sealing material. The sealing material shall be placed from the bottom to the top of the interval to be sealed.
(b) Commercial, municipal and industrial waste and artificial recharge wells shall be sealed/ cemented in order that all aquifers are isolated over the entire length of casing(s) and shall be surrounded by a minimum of two (2) inches of sealant. The sealant/cement plug used to isolate the aquifer(s) shall extend fifty (50) feet above and below the interface between confining layer and the aquifer(s).
(c) Sealing material shall consist of neat cement, cement grout, or bentonite clay as per Section 6 (c).
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 10 Well Construction, Completion, Development and Evaluation
(a) Developing, redeveloping, or conditioning a well shall be done by methods that will not cause damage to the well or cause adverse subsurface conditions that may destroy barriers to the vertical movement of water between aquifers.
(b) The well opening shall be closed with a cover to prevent the introduction of undesirable material into the well and to ensure public safety whenever the well is not in use or when maintenance is being performed on the well.
(c) During well development, every well shall be tested for plumbness and alignment in accordance with AWWA or API approved standards, (i.e., deviation checks). The plumbing and alignment tests shall be documented to ensure problems such as key seating, or fatigue failures will not occur.
(d) All injection/recharge wells used for discharge of commercial, municipal or industrial wastes shall inject fluid through a tubing with a packer set immediately above the injection zone or tubing with an approval fluid seal as an alternative.
(e) At a minimum, all commercial, municipal and industrial waste, special process discharge, artificial recharge and miscellaneous discharge wells deviation checks and cement bond logs shall be conducted and documented. The Water Quality Division should be contacted prior to well construction or operation to determine the need for additional logs and tests.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.26.06292018 § 11 Plugging and Abandonment
(a) All wells that are no longer useful (including test wells) must be plugged in order to ensure that groundwater supply is protected and preserved for further use and to eliminate the potential physical hazard. A well is considered "abandoned" when it has not been used for a period of one year, unless the owner demonstrates their intention to use the well again by properly maintaining the well in such a way that:
(i) The well has no defects that will allow the impairment of quality of water in the well or in the water bearing formations penetrated.
(ii) The well is covered and the cover is watertight.
(iii) The well is marked so that it can be clearly seen.
(iv) The area surrounding the well is kept clear of brush or debris.
Observation or test wells used in the investigation or management of usable sources of groundwater by state agencies or by engineering or research organizations are not considered "abandoned" so long as they are maintained for this purpose. These wells shall be covered with an appropriate cap, and labeled for their particular use.
(b) Preliminary work. Before a well is plugged and abandoned, it shall be investigated by the permittee (owner/ operator) to determine its condition, details of construction and whether there are obstructions that will interfere with the process of filling and sealing.
(c) Filling and sealing. Following are requirements to be observed when plugging wells:
(i) Wells wholly situated in unconsolidated material in an unconfined groundwater zone shall have the uppermost thirty (30) feet sealed with impervious material. The remainder of the well shall be filled with clay, sand, or other suitable inorganic matters as described in paragraph e.
(ii) Wells penetrating several aquifers or formations containing usable water sources shall have the uppermost thirty (30) feet sealed with an impervious material. All screened or perforated intervals shall be sealed to prevent vertical movement of waters from the producing or injected formation. Impervious material shall be placed opposite the confining formation above and below (and including) the screened or perforated interval for a minimum of fifty (50) feet or more.
(iii) Any uncased hole below the well shoe shall be filled with an impervious material as described in paragraph e. to a depth of at least fifty (50) feet above the shoe.
(iv) Whenever production casing has been severed or inadvertently removed the well bore shall be filled with impervious material from a point fifty (50) feet below to a point 50 feet above the point of severance or to the surface limit.
(v) Wells penetrating creviced or fractured rock shall have the portions of the well opposite this formation sealed with neat cement, sand cement grout or concrete. If these formations extend to considerable depth, alternate layers of coarse stone and cement grout or concrete may be used to fill the well.
(vi) Wells in nonfractured, consolidated formations shall have the uppermost thirty (30) feet filled with impervious material and the non-creviced, consolidated formation portion of the well may be filled with clay or other suitable material.
(d) Placement of material. The following requirements shall be observed in placing fill or sealing a plugged or abandoned well.
(i) No material shall be placed in the well unless the Administrator has been notified that plugging and abandonment operations are to commence. A minimum of thirty (30) days notice must be given.
(ii) The well shall be filled with the appropriate material as described in paragraph e. from the bottom of the well up.
(iii) Sealing materials shall be placed in the interval or intervals to be sealed by methods that prevent free fall, dilution and/or separation of aggregates from cementing materials.
(iv) When the underground pressure head producing flow is such that a counterpressure must be applied to force a sealing material into the annular space, this counterpressure shall be maintained for the length of time required for the cementing mixture to set as specified in Section 6, paragraph (c) (viii) of this part.
(v) To ensure that the well is filled and there has been no bridging of the material, verification shall be provided that the volume of material placed in the well installation at least equals the volume of the empty hole.
(e) Material. Requirements for sealing and fill materials are as follows.
(i) Impervious sealing materials. Sealing materials shall have a permeability of 10 - 7 cm/sec or less. Impervious materials include neat cement, sand-cement grout, concrete, and bentonite clay as described in Section 6, paragraph (c). Used drilling muds are not acceptable.
(ii) Filler material. Materials such as clay, silt, sand, gravel, crushed stone, native soil, and mixtures of these materials, as well as those described in paragraph (i) above may be used as filler material. Material containing organic matter or used drilling muds shall not be used.
(f) Markings. The top of the plug of any plugged and abandoned well shall show clearly, by permanent markings, whether inscribed in the cement or on a steel plate embedded in the cement, the permit number, well identification number and date of plugging.
(g) Reports. Within fifteen (15) days after a well has been plugged and abandoned, the owner shall file a plugging record with the Water Quality Division.
History
- Effective 2018-06-29
Chapter 27 Underground Injection Control Program Class I and V Wells
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 1 Authority
These regulations are promulgated pursuant to W.S. 35-11-101 through 1413, specifically 302, and no person shall cause, threaten or allow violations of any provision contained herein. These regulations fulfill Wyoming state obligations under Section 1422 of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and Federal Underground Injection Control regulations found in 40 CFR 124 and 40 CFR 144-148 (both as of December 7, 1999).
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 2 Definitions
The following definitions supplement those definitions contained in Section 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(a) "Aquifer" means a zone, stratum or group of strata that can store and transmit water in sufficient quantities for a specific use.
(b) "Area of review" means the area for which information and analyses shall be submitted as part of an underground injection control permit application, and reviewed for issuance of a permit. The area of review must include all portions of an aquifer which will be affected in a measurable way within ten (10) years of the granting of a permit, assuming that the permit is complied with.
(c) "Background" means the constituents or parameters and the concentrations or measurements which describe water quality and water quality variability prior to the subsurface discharge.
(d) "Bore/casing annulus" means the space between the well bore and the well casing.
(e) "Casing/tubing annulus" means the space between the well casing and the tubing.
(f) "Cementing" means to seal the annular space around the outside of a casing string using a specially formulated Portland cement mixture or other hydraulic cement mixture to hold the casing in place and prevent any movement of fluid in this annular space. Cementing also includes operations to seal the well at the time of abandonment.
(g) "Cesspool" means a drywell that receives solely untreated domestic sewage, and which sometimes has an open bottom and/or perforated sides.
(h) "Class I well" means a well used to inject hazardous or non-hazardous industrial, commercial or municipal waste beneath the lowermost formation containing, within one- quarter (1/4) mile of the well bore, an underground source of drinking water.
(i) "Class II well" means a well regulated by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, other than a Class II commercial disposal well, which injects fluids:
(i) Which are brought to the surface in connection with natural gas storage operations, or conventional oil or natural gas production. Non-hazardous gas plant wastes may be disposed of in a class II well pending Environmental Protection Agency co-approval.
(ii) For enhanced recovery of oil or natural gas.
(iii) For storage of hydrocarbons which are liquid at standard temperature and pressure.
(j) "Class III well" means a well used for in situ mining which injects for extraction of minerals, or products, or recovers recovery fluids, minerals or products, including a well used in:
(i) Mining of sulfur by the Frasch process.
(ii) In situ mining of uranium or other metals; this category includes in situ production from ore bodies that have not been conventionally mined by means of an open pit or underground excavation.
(iii) In situ mining of salts, trona, or potash.
(iv) Underground coal gasification operations.
(v) Solution mining of open pits or underground excavations used for the production of minerals, such as stopes leaching.
(vi) Fossil fuel recovery including coal, lignite, oil shale, and tar sands.
(vii) Experimental technologies, such as pilot scale in situ mining wells in previously unmined areas.
(k) "Class IV well" means a well used to dispose of hazardous waste or radioactive waste into or above a formation which contains, within one-quarter (1/4) mile of the well bore, an underground source of drinking water. Class IV wells are prohibited by this Chapter.
Except that a well is not class IV if it is used to inject contaminated groundwater that has been treated and reinjected into the same formation from which it is drawn for the purpose of aquifer remediation where the ultimate cleanup criteria is protective of groundwater standards of these regulations.
(l) "Class V facility" means any property which contains an injection well, drywell, or subsurface fluid distribution system which is not defined as a Class I, II, III, or IV well in this chapter. The Class V facility includes all systems of collection, treatment, and control which are associated with the subsurface disposal. Appendix C of this chapter contains a list of Class V facilities.
(m) "Cone of influence" means that area around a well within which increased discharge zone pressures caused by the injection would be sufficient to force fluids into an under- ground source of drinking water.
(n) "Confining zone" means the zone in the well designated in the permit application to provide hydrologic separation between the receiver and any underground source of drinking water.
(o) "Domestic sewage" means liquids or solid wastes obtained from humans and domestic activities including wastewater from activities such as showers, toilets, human wash basins, food preparation, clothes washing, and dishwashers.
(p) "Draft permit" means a document indicating the tentative decision by the department to issue or deny, modify, revoke and reissue, or terminate a permit. A notice of intent to terminate a permit and a notice of intent to deny a permit are types of draft permits. A denial of a request for modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination is not a draft permit. A draft permit for issuance shall contain all conditions and content, compliance schedules and monitoring requirements required by this chapter.
(q) "Drywell" means a well, other than an improved sinkhole or subsurface distribution system, completed above the water table so that its bottom and sides are typically dry, except when receiving fluids.
(r) "Duly authorized representative" means a specific individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity. The authorization shall be made in writing by a responsible corporate officer and shall be submitted to the administrator.
(s) "Endangerment" means exposure to actions or activities which could pollute groundwaters of the State.
(t) "Fact sheet" means a document briefly setting forth the principal facts and the significant factual, legal, methodological, and policy questions considered in preparing the draft permit. Fact sheets for Class I wells are incorporated into the public notice.
(u) "Fluid" means any material which flows or moves, whether semisolid, liquid, sludge, gas or any other form or state.
(v) "General permit" means a permit issued to a class of operators, all of which inject similar types of fluids for similar purposes. General permits require less information to be submitted by the applicant than individual permits and do not require public notice for a facility to be included under the authorization of a general permit.
(w) "Groundwater" means subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil materials such that they may be considered water saturated under hydrostatic pressure.
(x) "Groundwaters of the state" are all bodies of underground water which are wholly or partially within the boundaries of the state.
(y) "Hazardous waste" means a hazardous waste as defined in 40 CFR 261.3.
(z) "Improved sinkhole" means a naturally occurring karst depression which has been modified by man for the purpose of directing and emplacing fluids into the subsurface.
(aa) "Individual permit" means a permit issued for a specific facility operated by an individual operator, company, municipality, or agency. An individual permit may be established as an area permit and include multiple points of discharge that are all operated by the same person.
(bb) "Injectate" means the wastewater being disposed of through any underground injection facility after it has received whatever pretreatment is done.
(cc) "Lithology" means the description of rocks on the basis of their physical and chemical characteristics.
(dd) "Long string casing" means a casing which is continuous from at least the top of the injection interval to the surface and which is cemented in place.
(ee) "Log" means to make a written record progressively describing the strata and geologic and hydrologic character thereof to include electrical, radioactivity, radioactive tracer, temperature, cement bond and similar surveys, a lithologic description of all cores, and test data.
(ff) "Mechanical integrity" means the sound and unimpaired condition of all components of the well or facility or system for control of a subsurface discharge and associated activities.
(gg) "Permit" means a Wyoming Underground Injection Control permit, unless otherwise specified.
(hh) "Permit by rule" means an authorization included in these rules which does not require either an individual permit or a general permit. A facility which is permitted by rule must meet the requirements found in this chapter, but is not required to apply for and obtain a permit to construct and operate the facility.
(ii) "Permittee" means the named permit holder.
(jj) "Point of compliance" means a point at which the permittee shall meet class of use standards for the receiver.
(kk) "Point of injection" means the last accessible sampling point prior to waste fluids being released into the subsurface environment through a Class V injection well. For example the ‘point of injection' of a Class V septic system might be the distribution box - the last accessible sampling point before the waste fluids drain into the underlying soils. For a dry well, it is likely to be the well bore itself.
(ll) "Public hearing" means a non-adversary hearing held by the administrator or director of the department. The hearing is conducted pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Rules of Practice and Procedure.
(mm) "Radioactive waste" means any waste which contains radioactive material in concentrations that exceed those listed in 10 CFR Part 20, Appendix B, Table II, Column 2 as of December 22, 1993.
(nn) "Receiver" means any zone, interval, formation or unit in the subsurface into which fluids and pollutants are discharged.
(oo) "Responsible corporate officer" means a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy- or decision-making functions for the corporation.
(pp) "Secondarily affected aquifer" means any aquifer affected by migration of fluids from an injection facility, when the aquifer is not directly discharged into.
(qq) "Septic system" means a facility that is used solely to emplace domestic sewage below the surface and is comprised of a septic tank and subsurface fluid distribution system.
(rr) "Source water protection area" means the area delineated for the protection of ground and surface water sources for a public water supply under a department approved plan developed pursuant to Section 1453 of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
(ss) "Subsurface discharge" means a discharge into a receiver.
(tt) "Subsurface fluid distribution system" means an assemblage of perforated pipes or drain tiles used to distribute fluids below the surface of the ground. Subsurface fluid distribution systems include but are not limited to drain fields, leach fields, mounded leach fields, leach lines, bed type distribution systems, and gravel-less chamber type distribution systems.
(uu) "Underground source of drinking water" means those aquifers or portions thereof which have a total dissolved solids content of less than 10,000 mg/L, and are classified as either Class I, II, III, IV (a), or Special (A), pursuant to Chapter 8, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters, Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(vv) "Vadose Zone" means the unsaturated zone in the earth, between the land surface and the top of the first saturated aquifer which is not a perched water aquifer. The vadose zone characteristically contains liquid water under less than atmospheric pressure, and water vapor and air or other gases at atmospheric pressure. Perched water bodies exist within the vadose zone.
(ww) "Water quality management area" means the area delineated for the protection of water quality under a department approved plan developed under Sections 303, 208 and/or 201 of the Federal Clean Water Act, as amended.
(xx) "Well" means an opening, excavation, shaft or hole in the ground allowing or used for an underground injection or for the purpose of extracting a fluid, mineral, product or pollutant from the subsurface or for monitoring.
(yy) "Wellhead protection area" means the area delineated for the protection of a public water supply utilizing a groundwater source under a department approved plan developed pursuant to Section 1428 of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
(zz) "Workover" means to pull the tubing, packer, or any downhole hardware from the well and inspect, replace, or refurbish it prior to placing that hardware back in service, or to enter the hole with any drilling tool.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 3 Applicability
These regulations shall apply to all Class I, Class IV, Class V, commercial oil field waste disposal wells and those gas plant waste wells not regulated by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. In addition, these regulations shall apply to any discharge to the subsurface, including the vadose zone, for all of the types of discharges listed in Appendix C of this chapter.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 4 Timing of Compliance with These Regulations for Class V Wells
Any Class V permit issued under Chapters 9 or 16, Water Quality Rules and Regulations, prior to the effective date of these regulations shall remain in effect until replaced by an individual permit, a general permit or permit by rule pursuant to this chapter. Existing individual permits issued under Chapters 9 or 16 will be reviewed on a five (5) year basis pursuant to Section 6 (c) of this chapter. Any individual permit issued pursuant to Chapters 9 or 16 prior to the effective date of these regulations fulfills all of the requirements to obtain a permit under this chapter.
(a) All operators of existing systems which are required to obtain an individual permit under these regulations shall obtain a permit by April 14, 2000.
(b) General permits
(i) Within two (2) years of the effective date of the general permit, all operators of existing facilities which require coverage shall:
(A) Apply for coverage under the general permit.
(B) Apply for an individual permit for the facility.
(C) Retain an existing permit issued under Chapter 9.
(D) Cease discharging fluids to the subsurface.
(ii) All operators of facilities which are required to be covered by a general permit which are constructed after the effective date of these regulations shall apply for and obtain coverage prior to the construction of the facility.
(iii) Facilities will be covered by general permits as soon as the department has issued a written statement of acceptance to construct and operate the facility under the general permit. The department will issue a statement either accepting the operation for coverage under a general permit, or denying coverage under a general permit within 60 days of the date when the operator has requested coverage.
(c) Permit by rule
(i) All operators of existing facilities permitted by rule shall submit inventory information to the department within one (1) year of the effective date of this chapter.
(ii) All operators of facilities permitted by rule which are to be constructed after the effective date of these regulations shall submit inventory information to the department prior to constructing the facility.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 5 Control of Class I well subsurface discharges; permit required; aquifer exemptions
(a) Class I wells shall be allowed only pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations, and this chapter.
(b) Discharges into or construction of Class I wells are prohibited unless a permit has been obtained from the Department of Environmental Quality through the Water Quality Division.
(c) Injections from Class I wells shall be restricted to those receivers defined as Class VI groundwaters by the department pursuant to Chapter 8, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters, Water Quality Rules and Regulations and receivers which have obtained an aquifer exemption pursuant to this section.
(d) Permits may be issued for individual wells or on an area basis except Class I hazardous waste wells, which shall have individual permits.
(e) The procedure for obtaining an aquifer exemption from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shall be as follows:
(i) Water Quality Division shall submit one complete copy of the application, the Draft Permit, and the public notice to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8. This submission shall be made so that EPA receives the complete application at least twenty (20) days prior to the scheduled start of the public comment period.
(ii) When the aquifer exemption request is for an aquifer containing 3,000 mg/L or more of total dissolved solids, the following procedure shall be used: Within forty five (45) days of EPA receipt of a complete aquifer exemption request, EPA shall provide the department a written interim determination of intention to issue or deny the aquifer exemption pending receipt and review of the results of the public participation process conducted by the department. The interim response will become final if there are no comments relating to the aquifer exemption request during the comment or hearing process. If comments are received during the public comment or hearing process, the interim response will become final if not modified by EPA in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt of all comments.
(iii) An aquifer exemption request for an aquifer containing less than 3,000 mg/L of total dissolved solids requires the aquifer exemption request to be processed as a program revision pursuant to 40 CFR 145.32.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 6 Permits and Permit Applications
(a) It is the operator's responsibility to make application for and obtain a permit in accordance with these regulations. Each application must be submitted with all supporting data.
(b) All permits issued under this chapter, whether individual permits, or general permits, shall be for no more than ten (10) years duration.
(c) Each permit shall be reviewed by the department at least once every five (5) years for continued validity of all permit conditions and contents. Permits that do not satisfy the requirements of these regulations are subject to modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination pursuant to this chapter.
(d) Sections of permit applications filed under this chapter which represent engineering work shall be sealed, signed, and dated by a licensed professional engineer as required by Wyoming Statutes, Title 33, Chapter 29.
(e) Sections of permit applications filed under this chapter which represent geologic work shall be sealed, signed, and dated by a licensed professional geologist as required by Wyoming Statutes, Title 33, Chapter 41.
(f) A complete application for a Class I well shall include:
(i) A brief description of the nature of the business and the activities to be conducted that require the applicant to obtain a permit under this chapter.
(ii) The name, address and telephone number of the operator, and the operator's ownership status and status as a Federal, State, private, public or other entity.
(iii) The name address and telephone number of the facility. Additionally, the location of the facility shall be identified by section, township, range and county, and whether or not it is located on Indian lands.
(iv) A calculation of the area of review, which requires the calculation of the cone of influence and the area of the ultimate limit of emplaced waste.
(A) The formula for determining the cone of influence is:
Where:
r = Radius of the cone of influence of an injection well (feet)
K = Hydraulic conductivity of the injection zone (feet/day)
H = Thickness of the injection zone (feet)
t = Time of injection (days)
S = Storage coefficient (dimensionless)
Q = Injection rate (cubic feet/day)
B = Original hydrostatic head of injection zone (feet) measured from the base of the injection zone
W = Hydrostatic head of underground source of drinking water (feet) measured from the base of the injection zone
G = Specific gravity of fluid in the injection zone (dimensionless)
P = 3.142 (dimensionless)
(B) A volume calculation to determine the maximum area that the injected waste could occupy shall be submitted on all new Class I wells. This calculation determines the total amount of void space around the well and assumes that the injected fluid completely displaces the formation water.
(C) A Class I non-hazardous waste well's area of review shall never be less than one-quarter (1/4) mile, the cone of influence, or the area of emplaced waste, whichever is greatest.
(D) A Class I hazardous waste well's area of review shall never be less than two (2) miles, the cone of influence, or the area of emplaced waste, whichever is greatest.
(E) All Areas of Review shall be legally described by township, range and section to the nearest quarter quarter of a section.
(v) Information about the proposed facility, including:
(A) A description of the substances proposed to be discharged, including type, source, and chemical, physical, radiological and toxic characteristics; and
(B) Construction and engineering details in accordance with Section 12 of this chapter.
(vi) Information, including the name, description, depth and geology of the receiver and confining zone and the hydrology, fluid chemistry, fluid pressure, temperature, fracture pressure and the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the receiver.
(vii) Water quality information, including background water quality data, which will facilitate the classification of any groundwaters which may be affected by the proposed discharge. This must include information necessary for the Water Quality Division to classify the receiver as class VI under Chapter 8 Section 4(d)(9) of the Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(viii) A topographic and other pertinent maps, extending at least one (1) mile beyond the property boundaries of the facility, but never less than the area of review, depicting:
(A) The facility and each of its intake and discharge structures;
(B) Each of its hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities;
(C) Each well where fluids from the facility are injected underground;
(D) Other wells, springs, and surface water bodies, and drinking water wells listed in public records or otherwise known to the applicant within a minimum one-quarter (1/4) mile of the facility property boundary, or further, as the administrator may determine is necessary; and
(E) General geology and hydrogeology in the area.
(ix) A list of other relevant permits, whether federal or state, that the facility has been required to obtain, such as construction permits.
(x) A listing of all wells that penetrate the confining zone and are within the area of review, and records of plugging or completion, sufficient to satisfy the administrator as to the adequacy of the plugging or completion.
(A) For those wells that the administrator determines have not been adequately plugged, completed, or abandoned, or for wells which lack supporting information, the applicant shall also submit a plan to prevent movement of fluids into Underground Source of Drinking Waters through these wells, and this plan, after approval or modification by the administrator, shall be incorporated as a permit condition.
(xi) Detailed plans for:
(A) Monitoring volume and chemistry of the discharge, and water quality of water wells within the area of review;
(B) Monitoring injection and annular pressures in the well, to minimize the potential for fracturing of the confining zone and below the receiver; and
(C) Corrective action to cope with alarms, shut-downs, malfunctions or well failures, so as to prevent endangerment of groundwater.
(xii) Information sufficient to demonstrate mechanical integrity of the well, and compatibility between the proposed discharge and the well material.
(xiii) Information sufficient to demonstrate compliance with Sections 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 19 of this chapter.
(xiv) All applications for permits shall be signed by a responsible officer as follows:
(A) For a corporation - by a responsible corporate officer. For the purpose of this section, a responsible corporate officer means:
(1.) A President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Vice President of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision making functions for the corporation; or
(2.) The manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities employing more than 250 persons or having gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25 million (in second quarter 1980 dollars), if authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures.
(B) For a partnership or sole proprietorship -- by a general partner or the proprietor, respectively;
(C) For a municipality, state, federal or other public agency -- by either the principal executive officer or ranking elected official.
(xv) The application shall contain the following certification by the person signing the application:
"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."
(xvi) All relevant data used to complete permit applications shall be kept for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of signing.
(g) For Class V facilities the following are applicable:
(i) A permit is required.
(ii) Construction, installation, modifications or operation of Class V facilities shall be allowed only in accordance with these regulations.
(iii) Discharges into, or construction of, any Class V facility are prohibited unless permitted pursuant to this chapter.
(iv) Every facility shall be covered by one of the three types of permitting systems: individual; general; or permit by rule. The following sections of these regulations describe the permitting method for and subclasses of facilities. The owner or operator of a facility that can be covered by a general permit or authorized under permit by rule may apply for and be permitted by an individual permit if the owner or operator desires. Operators who do not meet the requirements for a general permit or permit by rule must obtain an individual permit prior to installation or construction of the Class V facility.
(v) Permits may be issued for individual facilities or they may be issued on an area basis for multiple points of discharge operated by the same person.
(vi) A separate permit to construct is not required under Chapter 3, Water Quality Rules and Regulations for any Class V facility. Requirements of the Chapter 3 permit to construct will be included in the underground injection control permit issued under this chapter.
(h) Permit conditions and contents.
(i) All Class I permits issued under this chapter shall contain the following conditions:
(A) A requirement that the injection pressure shall be limited to the fracture pressure of the receiver, except as necessary during well stimulation, and, within one (1) year of the issuance of the permit, the operator shall conduct a step-rate injection test to determine the actual fracture pressure of the receiver.
(B) A requirement that mechanical integrity shall be maintained continuously and be reviewed at least every five (5) years. The test used to determine mechanical integrity shall be a two-part test approved by the administrator, who shall approve only those tests that have been approved first by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Drinking Water.
(I) Part one of the mechanical integrity test shall demonstrate the absence of leaks through the packer, tubing, casing, and well head.
(II) Part two of the mechanical integrity test shall demonstrate the absence of fluid movement behind the casing.
(III) Proposed mechanical integrity tests that have not yet been approved shall be submitted to the administrator who shall forward the information to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Drinking Water along with a request for approval, if, in the administrator's opinion, it will adequately determine mechanical integrity of the well system. A previously unauthorized mechanical integrity test submitted for approval shall include:
(1.) The proposed method for demonstrating the lack of significant leaks in the well;
(2.) The proposed method for showing the absence of significant fluid movement; and
(3.) Any technical data supporting the use of this test.
(C) A Class I well that cannot demonstrate mechanical integrity shall be shut down until such time as the mechanical integrity has been restored.
(D) A requirement that the packer be set within five-hundred (500) feet of the top of the receiver, unless the administrator allows some other specific interval to be used to set the packer, but always within the zone covered by excellent cement bond as shown by the cement bond log.
(ii) Special conditions for Class I hazardous waste wells.
(A) All Class I hazardous waste wells permitted under this chapter shall be subject to the special permit conditions listed below in addition to the conditions applicable to all Class I well permits in this chapter.
(B) All hazardous waste injection permits issued under this chapter shall include the following conditions:
(I) A requirement that the operator shall maintain a casing/tubing annulus pressure that exceeds the operating injection pressure, unless the administrator determines that such a requirement might harm the integrity of the well. The fluid used in the casing/tubing annulus shall be noncorrosive, and shall contain a corrosion inhibitor.
(II) A requirement that the operator shall follow special procedures when wastes have the potential to react with the injection formation or to generate gases either during or after injection. These procedures may take the form of special permit conditions that limit the temperature or pH of the injected waste and require the operator to follow procedures necessary to assure that pressure imbalances which might cause a backflow or blowout do not occur.
(III) A requirement that the operator shall install, maintain, and use continuous recording devices to monitor the injection pressure, flow rate, temperature, of injected fluids and pressure on the casing/tubing annulus, and shall install and use automatic alarm and shut-off systems designed to shut down the well when pressures, flow rates, and other parameters approved by the administrator exceed the range specified in the permit.
(IV) A requirement that the operator have a trained operator onsite at all times the well is operating.
(V) A requirement that if an automatic alarm or shutdown is triggered, the operator shall immediately investigate and identify as early as possible, the cause of the alarm or shutdown. If, upon such investigation, or if required monitoring indicates, that the well is lacking in mechanical integrity, the operator shall:
(1.) Cease all injections of waste fluids immediately.
(2.) Take all necessary steps to determine the presence or absence of a leak.
(3.) Notify the administrator within twenty-four (24) hours after the alarm or shutdown, using procedures and criteria listed in paragraph (h)(iii)(Q) of this section.
(4.) The operator shall restore and demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the administrator, mechanical integrity prior to resuming injection activities.
(VI) A requirement that whenever the operator obtains evidence that there may have been a release of injected wastes into an unauthorized zone, regardless of whether or not an automatic alarm or shutdown was triggered, the operator shall:
(1.) Immediately cease all injection activities.
(2.) Notify the administrator pursuant to the procedures outlined in paragraph (h)(iii)(Q) of this section. In addition to the information required by paragraph (h)(iii)(Q) of this section, the operator shall also include, as part of the written submission, a proposed remedial action plan, designed to minimize the adverse impact of the unauthorized release.
(3.) Comply with the requirements of any remedial action plan approved by the administrator.
(4.) Where the unauthorized release is into a Class I aquifer, as classified under Chapter 8, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters, Water Quality Rules and Regulations, which is currently serving as a water supply, the operator shall place a notice, describing the unauthorized release and the actions taken, in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the release.
(5.) The administrator may allow the operator to resume injection prior to completion of cleanup operations if the operator demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the administrator, that the injection activity will not endanger any Underground Source of Drinking Waters.
(VII) A requirement that the operator notify the administrator and obtain his approval prior to conducting any well workover.
(VIII) A requirement that the operator comply with the following federal regulations contained in 40 CFR 264 or applicable state hazardous waste regulations:
(1.) Identification numbers.
(2.) Recordkeeping and reporting for manifested wastes.
(3.) Manifest discrepancies.
(4.) Operating record requirements.
(5.) Annual reporting requirements and unmanifested waste reports.
(6.) Personnel training requirements.
(IX) When abandonment is completed, the operator must submit to the administrator certification by the operator and certification by an independent registered professional engineer that the facility has been closed in accordance with the specifications detailed in the closure plan in Section 17 of this chapter.
(iii) All individual and general permits issued under this chapter shall contain the following conditions:
(A) A requirement that the permittee comply with all conditions of the permit and any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of these regulations and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, revocation, or modification.
(B) A requirement that if the permittee wishes to continue injection activity after the expiration of the permit, the permittee must apply to the administrator for, and obtain, a new permit.
(C) A stipulation that it shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit.
(D) A requirement that the permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or correct any adverse impact on the environment resulting from noncompliance with this permit.
(E) A requirement that the permittee properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control which are installed or used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance includes effective performance, adequate funding and operator staffing and training, and adequate laboratory and process controls including appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems only when necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of the permit.
(F) A stipulation that the filing of a request by the permittee, or at the instigation of the administrator, for a permit modification, revocation, termination, or notification of planned changes or anticipated non-compliance, shall not stay any permit condition.
(G) A stipulation that this permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege.
(H) A stipulation that the permittee shall furnish to the administrator, within a specified time, any information which the administrator may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating the permit, or to determine compliance with the permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the administrator, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by the permit.
(I) A requirement that the permittee shall allow the administrator, or an authorized representative of the administrator, upon the presentation of credentials, during normal working hours, to enter the premises where a regulated facility is located, or where records are kept under the conditions of this permit, and inspect the discharge and related facilities, review and copy reports and records required by the permit, collect fluid samples for analysis, measure and record water levels, and perform any other function authorized by law or regulation.
(J) A requirement that the permittee furnish any information necessary to establish a monitoring program pursuant to Section 15 of this chapter.
(K) A requirement that all samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be representative of the monitored activity, and records of all monitoring information be retained by the permittee. The monitoring information to be retained shall be that information stipulated in the monitoring program established pursuant to the criteria in Section 15 of this chapter.
(L) A requirement that all applications, reports, and other information submitted to the administrator contain certifications as required in Section 6 (f) (xv) of this chapter, and be signed by a person who meets the requirements to sign permit applications found in Section 6 (f) (xiv), or for routine reports, a duly authorized representative;
(M) A requirement that the permittee give advance notice to the administrator as soon as possible of any planned physical alteration or additions, other than authorized operation and maintenance, to the permitted facility and receive authorization prior to implementing the proposed alteration or addition.
(N) A requirement that any modification which may result in a violation of a permit condition shall be reported to the administrator, and any modification that will result in a violation of a permit condition shall be reported to the administrator through the submission of a new or amended permit application.
(O) A requirement that any transfer of a permit must first be approved by the administrator, and that no transfer will be approved if the facility is not in compliance with the existing permit unless the proposed permittee agrees to bring the facility into compliance.
(P) A requirement that monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified elsewhere in the permit.
(Q) A requirement that reports of compliance or non-compliance with, or any progress reports on interim and final requirements contained in any compliance schedule, if one is required by the administrator, shall be submitted no later than thirty (30) days following each schedule date.
(R) A requirement that confirmed noncompliance resulting in the migration of injected fluid into any zone outside of the permitted receiver must be orally reported to the administrator within 24 hours, and a written submission shall be provided within five (5) days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the excursion. The written submission shall contain:
(I) A description of the noncompliance and its cause.
(II) The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times, and, if the noncompliance has not been controlled, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and
(III) Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.
(S) A requirement that the permittee report all instances of noncompliance not already required to be reported under paragraphs (h) (iii) (P) through (R) of this section, at the time monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in paragraph (h) (iii) (R) of this section.
(T) A requirement that in the situation where the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in a permit application, or submitted incorrect information in a permit application or in any report to the administrator, the permittee shall promptly submit such facts or information.
(U) A requirement that the injection facility meet construction requirements outlined in Section 10 of this chapter, and that the permittee submit notice of completion of construction to the administrator and allow for inspection of the facility upon completion of construction, prior to commencing any injection activity.
(V) A requirement that the permittee notify the administrator at such times as the permit requires before conversion or abandonment of the facility.
(W) A requirement that an abandonment report, detailing the compliance abandonment procedures outlined in the original permit application, or describing any deviations from the original plan, be submitted as soon as practicable after abandonment, and is complete.
(X) A requirement that injection may not commence until construction is complete.
(Y) In addition to the conditions required of all permits, the administrator may establish, on a case-by-case basis, conditions as required for monitoring, schedules of compliance, and such additional conditions as are necessary to prevent the migration of fluids into underground sources of drinking water.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 7 Permit Processing Procedures
(a) For Class I wells the following are applicable:
(i) The applicant shall file seven (7) copies of the permit application with the Water Quality Division.
(ii) Within sixty (60) days of submission of the application, the administrator shall make an initial determination of completeness. An application shall be determined complete when the administrator receives an application and any supplemental information necessary to determine compliance with these regulations.
(iii) An incomplete application will be processed in the following manner:
(A) For an extremely incomplete application, additional information shall be requested in detail or the application will be returned to the applicant. Incomplete permit applications will result in permit denial.
(B) If an application is denied because of incompleteness necessitating a request for additional information, the applicant shall have a maximum of six (6) months to comply with the requests. If the applicant fails to provide the requested information within that period, the entire incomplete application shall be returned.
(C) Resubmittal of information by an applicant on an incomplete application will begin the process described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section.
(iv) During any sixty (60) day review period where an application is determined complete, the administrator shall take one of the following actions:
(A) Prepare a draft permit for issuance or denial, prepare a fact sheet on the proposed operation, and provide public notice pursuant to Section 21; or
(B) Provide the applicant notice that the permit is deficient and state the deficiencies in the application.
(v) Determinations of deficiency by the Department are appealable by the applicant to the Environmental Quality Council. Requests for appeal must be in writing, state the reasons for appeal, and be made to both the Director and the Chairman of the Environmental Quality Council. A deficient application is considered a permit denial but is not subject to the public notice requirements of Section 22 unless a hearing is requested by the applicant. Resubmittal of information for a deficient application will start the sixty (60) day review period again.
(vi) Denials of permit applications will be pursuant to procedures outlined in paragraph (d) of this section.
(vii) All draft permits for Class I wells require public notice pursuant to Section 21 of this chapter.
(b) For Class V wells that require an Individual Permit, the following are applicable:
(i) The applicant shall submit five (5) copies of the permit application to the division.
(A) Within 60 days of submission of the application, the administrator shall make an initial determination of completeness. An application shall be determined complete when the administrator receives an application and any supplemental information necessary to determine compliance with these regulations.
(ii) Resubmittal of information by an applicant on an incomplete application will begin the process described in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this section.
(iii) During any 60 day review period where an application is determined complete, the administrator shall prepare a draft permit for issuance or denial, prepare a fact sheet on the proposed operation, and provide public notice pursuant to Section 21.
(iv) A denial of the application by the department is appealable by the applicant to the Environmental Quality Council in accordance with the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Requests for appeal must be in writing, state the reasons for appeal, and be made to both the director and the chairman of the Environmental Quality Council.
(c) For Class V wells that require a General Permit, the following are applicable:
(i) In order to be covered by a general permit, an operator must submit all information required in Section 9 (c) (i), (ii), and (iii), plus any additional information required to be submitted or reported in the issued general permit. The submittal requesting coverage by a general permit shall be signed by a person meeting the same signatory requirements of Section 6 (f) (xiv) and shall be certified in accordance with Section 6 (f) (xv). Facilities will be covered by general permits as soon as the department has issued a written statement of acceptance to allow the construction and operation of the facility under the general permit. The department will issue an authorization accepting the operation for coverage under the general permit or denying coverage under the general permit, within 60 days of the date when the operator requested coverage. Requests for coverage under a general permit, which do not meet the requirements for general permit pursuant to this chapter, may be denied by the administrator.
(ii) If a general permit has been issued by the department, an operator of a facility must register the facility with the department and sign a statement agreeing to be bound by the conditions of that permit. Failure to register for general permit coverage, when available, is the same as operation of a facility without a permit, unless an individual permit has been obtained.
(iii) Once issued, general permits must remain the same for all persons covered by the permit. A general permit may be modified in accordance with Section 7 (d) (vii). Any such modification must cover all persons covered by the permit.
(d) Permit modification, denial, revocation, termination and transfer.
(i) Permits may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated either at the request of any interested person (including the permittee or licensee) or upon the administrator's initiative. However, permits may only be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for the reasons specified in this section. All requests shall be in writing and shall contain facts or reasons supporting the request.
(ii) If the Administrator decides the request is not justified, he or she shall send the requester a brief written response giving the reason for the decision. A request for modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination shall be considered denied if the Administrator takes no action within 60 days after receiving the written request. Denials of requests for modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination are not subject to public notice and comment. Denials by the administrator may be appealed for hearing to the Environmental Quality Council by a letter briefly setting forth the relevant facts.
(iii) If the administrator tentatively decides to modify or revoke and reissue a permit, a draft permit incorporating the proposed changes shall be prepared. The administrator may request additional information and, in the case of a modified permit, may require the submission of an updated application. In the case of revoked and reissued permits, the administrator shall require the submission of a new application.
(iv) In a permit modification under Section 7 (d) (vii) of this chapter, only those conditions to be modified shall be reopened when a new draft permit is prepared. All other aspects of the existing permit shall remain in effect for the duration of the unmodified permit and the modified permit shall expire on the date when the original permit would have expired. When a permit is revoked and reissued under this section, the entire permit is reopened as if the permit has expired and is being reissued. When the entire permit is reopened, the modified permit shall be issued for no more than ten (10) years. During any revocation and reissuance proceeding, the permittee shall comply with all conditions of the existing permit until a new final permit is issued.
(v) Proposed permit modifications, revocations or terminations shall be developed as a draft permit and are subject to the public notice and hearing requirements outlined in Section 21.
(vi) For Class I wells the administrator shall modify a permit or license when:
(A) Any material or substantial alterations or additions to the facility occur after permitting or licensing, which justify the application of permit conditions that are different or absent in the existing permit; or
(B) Any modification in the operation of the facility is capable of causing or increasing pollution in excess of applicable standards or permit conditions.
(C) Information warranting modification is discovered after the operation has begun that would have justified the application of different permit conditions at the time of permit issuance;
(D) Regulations or standards upon which the permit or license was based have changed by promulgation of amended standards or regulations or by judicial decision after the permit was issued;
(E) Cause exists for termination, as described in this section, but the department determines that modification is appropriate; or
(F) Modification is necessary to comply with applicable statutes, standards or regulations.
(vii) For Class V wells the administrator may modify a permit when:
(A) Any material or substantial alterations or additions to the facility occur after permitting or licensing, which justify the application of permit conditions that are different or absent in the existing permit;
(B) Any modification in the operation of the facility is capable of causing or increasing pollution in excess of applicable standards or permit conditions;
(C) Information warranting modification is discovered after the operation has begun that would have justified the application of different permit conditions at the time of permit issuance;
(D) Regulations or standards upon which the permit was based have changed by promulgation of amended standards or regulations, or by judicial decision after the permit was issued;
(E) Cause exists for termination, as described in this section, but the department determines that modification is appropriate; or
(F) Modification is necessary to comply with applicable statutes, standards or regulations.
(viii) Minor modifications of permits may occur with the consent of the permittee without following the public notice requirements. Minor modifications will become final twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of such notice. For the purposes of this chapter, minor modifications may only:
(A) Correct typographical errors;
(B) Require more frequent monitoring or reporting by the permittee;
(C) Change an interim compliance date in a schedule of compliance, provided the new date is not more than 120 days after the date specified in the existing permit and does not interfere with attainment of the final compliance date requirement;
(D) Allow for a change in ownership or operational control of a facility where the administrator determines that no other change in the permit is necessary, provided that a written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between the current and new permittees have been submitted to the administrator;
(E) Change quantities or types of fluids injected that are within the capacity of the facility as permitted and, in the judgment of the administrator, would not interfere with the operation of the facility or its ability to meet conditions described in the permit and would not change its classification;
(F) Change construction requirements approved by the administrator pursuant to department rules and regulations provided that any such alteration shall comply with the requirements of this chapter; or
(G) Amend an abandonment plan.
(ix) For a Class I well the administrator may deny a permit for any of the following reasons:
(A) The application is incomplete; or
(B) Other justifiable reasons necessary to carry out the provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(C) If the applicant has been and continues to be in violation of the provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(x) For Class I wells the administrator shall deny a permit for any of the following reasons:
(A) The project, if constructed and/or operated, will cause violation of applicable state surface or groundwater standards;
(B) The application contains a proposed construction or operation which does not meet the requirements of this chapter; or
(C) The application does not provide documentation to comply with financial responsibility requirements of Section 19.
(D) The administrator shall deny any permit for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has denied an aquifer exemption.
(E) When the department intends to deny a permit for any reason other than an incomplete or deficient application, a draft permit shall be prepared and public notice issued pursuant to Section 21.
(xi) For Class V wells the director may deny an individual permit for any of the following reasons:
(A) The application is incomplete;
(B) The project, if constructed and/or operated, will cause violation of applicable state surface or groundwater standards;
(C) The application contains a proposed construction or operation which does not meet the requirements of this chapter;
(D) The permitted facility would be in conflict with or is in conflict with a state approved local wellhead protection plan, state approved local source water protection plan, or state approved water quality management plan; or
(E) Other justifiable reasons necessary to carry out the provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(F) If the director intends to deny an individual permit for any reason other than an incomplete or deficient application, a draft permit shall be prepared and public notice issued pursuant to Section 21 of this chapter.
(xii) The administrator may revoke and reissue or terminate a permit for any of the following reasons:
(A) Noncompliance with terms and conditions of the permit;
(B) Failure in the application or during the issuance process to disclose fully all relevant facts, or misrepresenting any relevant facts at any time; or
(C) A determination that the activity endangers human health or the environment and can only be regulated to acceptable levels by a permit modification or termination.
(xiii) The administrator may modify a permit or license to resolve issues that could lead to the revocation or consider any of the reasons in the preceding paragraph as sufficient justification to terminate a permit or license. The administrator as part of any notification of intent to terminate a permit or license shall order the permittee or licensee to proceed with reclamation on a reasonable time period.
(xiv) Permits for Class I wells will be automatically terminated after closure and release of the financial responsibility requirements of Section 19 by the department.
(xv) Transfer of a permit is allowed only upon approval by the administrator. When a permit transfer occurs pursuant to this section, the permit rights of the previous permittee will automatically terminate.
(A) The proposed permit holder shall apply in writing as though that person was the original applicant for the permit and shall further agree to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the permit.
(B) Transfer will not be allowed if the permittee is in noncompliance with any term and conditions of the permit, unless the transferee agrees to bring the facility back into compliance with the permit.
(C) When a permit transfer occurs, the administrator may modify a permit pursuant to this section. The administrator shall provide public notice pursuant to Section 21 for any modification other than a minor modification defined by this section.
(D) The potential transferee shall file a statement of qualifications to hold a permit with the administrator.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 8 Records and Reports
(a) Monitoring reports required by the permit shall be submitted to the administrator.
(b) Monitoring results shall be reported in the annual reports unless otherwise specified.
(c) The permittee shall submit a written report to the administrator of all remedial work concerning the failure of equipment or operational procedures which resulted in a violation of a permit condition, at the completion of the remedial work.
(d) For any aborted or curtailed operation, in lieu of an annual report, a complete report shall be submitted within thirty (30) days of complete termination of the discharge or associated activity.
(e) Routine periodic reports required by the permit shall be submitted to the administrator within thirty (30) days following the end of the period covered in the report. Reports shall include, if applicable, the following information:
(i) An accounting of the total volume of fluid injected for the period covered by the report, the year to date, and the life of the well to date.
(ii) An analysis of the physical, chemical and other relevant characteristics of the injected fluid.
(iii) A complete description of any event that triggered any alarm or shutdown the well, and the response taken.
(iv) A complete description of any event where maximum annular or injection pressures, as specified in the permit, were exceeded.
(v) The average, maximum and minimum injection pressures for each month.
(vi) Any well workover.
(f) Quarterly and annual reports for hazardous waste wells shall also include a description of any change in the volume of fluid in the casing/tubing annulus of the well, and an explanation of the temperature/volume relationships covering the fluid. Any addition or withdrawal of fluids from the casing/tubing annulus shall be noted.
(g) The results of any mechanical integrity test, or any other testing done on a well, shall be submitted to the administrator within thirty (30) days or with the next quarterly report, whichever comes later, following the completion of the test.
(h) The permittee shall retain all monitoring records required by the permit for a period of three (3) years following facility closure.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 9 Individual Permits for Class V Facilities
(a) The operator shall submit an application and obtain a permit prior to the construction, installation, modification or operation of any facility in the following subclasses: 5A3; 5B3; 5B5; 5C1; 5C2; 5C3; 5D1; 5D3; 5D4; 5E3, 5E4 and 5F2 unless the facility is covered by a general permit. In addition, any facility not authorized under Sections 10 and 11, and operators directed by the administrator to obtain an individual permit, shall obtain an individual permit under this section.
(b) The operator is responsible to make application for and obtain a permit. Each application must be submitted with all supporting data required in this chapter.
(c) A complete application for a Class V facility individual permit shall include:
(i) A brief description of the nature of the business and the activities to be conducted that require the applicant to obtain a permit under this chapter.
(ii) The name, address and telephone number of the operator, and the operator's ownership status and status as a federal, state, private, public or other entity.
(iii) The name address and telephone number of the facility. Additionally, the location of the facility shall be identified by section, township, range and county.
(iv) A calculation of the area of review including:
(A) A calculation to determine the maximum area affected by the injected waste for all Class V facilities constructed or modified after the effective date of these regulations. This calculation determines the total amount of void space around and down gradient from the point of injection and uses accepted groundwater theory to determine the extent of any affected groundwater around the facility.
(B) A Class V area of review shall never be less than the area of potentially impacted groundwater.
(C) All areas of review shall be legally described by township, range and section to the nearest ten (10) acres as described under the general land survey system.
(v) Information about the proposed facility including:
(A) A description of the substances proposed to be discharged, including type, source, and chemical, physical, radiological and toxic characteristics; and
(B) Construction and engineering details in accordance with Section 13 of this chapter and Chapter 11 Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(vi) Information, including the name, description, depth, geologic structure, faulting, fracturing, lithology, hydrology, and fluid pressure of the receiver and any relevant confining zones. The fracture pressure of the receiver shall be submitted only if the injection is under pressure into a confined aquifer.
(vii) Water quality information including background water quality data which will facilitate the classification of any groundwaters which may be affected by the proposed discharge. This must include information necessary for the division to classify the receiver and any secondarily affected aquifers under Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(viii) A topographic and other pertinent maps, extending at least one (1) mile beyond the property boundaries of the facility, but never less than the area of review, depicting:
(A) The facility and each of its intake and discharge structures;
(B) Each well, drywell or subsurface fluid distribution system where fluids from the facility are injected underground;
(C) Other wells, springs, and surface water bodies, and drinking water wells listed in public records or otherwise known to the applicant within the area of review; and
(D) Bedrock and surficial geology, geologic structure, and
hydrogeology in the area.
(ix) A list of other relevant permits, whether federal or state, that the facility has been required to obtain, such as construction permits. This includes a statement as to whether or not the facility is within a state approved water quality management plan area, a state approved wellhead protection area or a state approved source water protection area.
(x) Detailed plans for monitoring the volume and chemistry of the discharge, and water quality of selected water wells within the area of review in accordance with Section 15 of this chapter.
(xi) All applications for permits, reports, or information to be submitted to the administrator shall be signed by a responsible officer as described in Section 6(f)(xiv) and the application shall contain the certification contained in Section 6(f)(xv) of this chapter.
(xii) All data used to complete permit applications shall be kept by the applicant for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of signing.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 10 General Permits for Class V Facilities
(a) The department may develop and issue general permits pursuant to these regulations which cover Class V facilities for the following subclasses: 5A1, 5A2, 5B1, 5C4, 5C5, 5C6, 5D1, 5D2, 5E1, 5E3, and 5E5. The administrator may issue general permits in other categories as the need arises. 5E3 facilities which were permitted as small wastewater systems prior to April 14, 1998 are permitted by rule under Section 8(c)(v) and are not covered by this section. Facilities in these subclasses which have already been issued individual permits under Chapter 9 or Chapter 16, Water Quality Rules and Regulations may continue under these permits until they are terminated, revoked and reissued, or canceled at the request of the operator. Coverage shall not be extended to any facility if such a facility would be in violation of any state approved source water protection area. Facilities in these subclasses not presently covered by an individual permit will be authorized by permit by rule until the general permit for the specific subclass is issued. The operator of a facility listed in this section shall have two (2) years after the date of issuance of the general permit to:
(i) Obtain coverage under the issued general permit;
(ii) Submit an application and receive an individual permit under this chapter.
(iii) Continue to be covered by a permit issued pursuant to Chapter 9 of these regulations.
(iv) Abandon the facility in accordance with Section 18.
(b) General permits shall also include:
(i) The permit conditions required in Section 6(h)(iii).
(ii) A requirement to submit information necessary for the department to make an assessment of the vulnerability of the environment and public health to the injection from the Class V well. Such information may include the depth to the groundwater table at the disposal field, groundwater quality or existing available information on the lithology, geology, hydrogeology and the location of the following items within 1/4 mile of the Class V facility:
(A) All water supply wells and the uses of each respective well;
(B) All property boundaries and land uses;
(C) All surface water bodies or springs; and
(D) All known sources of groundwater contamination or pollution.
(E) All state approved source water protection areas, wellhead protection areas, 201 service areas, or water quality management plan areas.
(iii) Depth below the ground surface for the point of injection and for the well screening in all wells within the area of review;
(iv) A requirement for facilities constructed after April 14, 1998 that the operator certifies the facility will meet the design, construction, and operational performance requirements in Section 13 for the specific subclass of facility.
(v) A requirement that the operator submit the disposal capacity of the facility in gallons per day as calculated using Tables 1 and 2, Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 25. Some facilities may be required to monitor the volume of injectate actually disposed of, or the volume of water used in the area served by the Class V facility.
(c) The administrator may require any operator covered by a general permit to obtain an individual permit for the facility when a review of the information submitted under this section indicates that the general permit would not be protective of groundwater in that specific case. Any operator covered by a general permit may at any time apply for and obtain an individual permit for the same facility. Once issued, an individual permit will replace coverage by the general permit for that facility.
(d) General permits will contain the subclass of injection facility covered, the geographic area covered, the general nature of the fluids to be discharged, and the location of the receiver where the discharge will be allowed. General permits will follow the public notice requirements of Section 22 of this chapter. During each five (5) year review of a general permit, a public notice shall be issued by the department stating that a five (5) year review has been done, listing the facilities covered by a general permit, and stating where the public may obtain a copy of the permit.
(e) Operators of new injection facilities who believe that their facility may be covered by a general permit in class 5C6 facilities may apply for coverage under the general permit for that subclass. If not accepted for coverage under this general permit, the operator shall apply for an individual permit under subclass 5C3.
(f) Operators of new injection facilities who believe that their facility may be covered by a general permit in class 5E5 facilities may apply for coverage under the general permit for that subclass. If not accepted for coverage under this general permit, the operator shall apply for an individual permit under subclass 5E3.
(g) In order to obtain coverage under the general permit all operators of class 5C6 and 5E5 shall submit detailed construction drawings and an abbreviated groundwater study showing the approximate depth to groundwater and a list of water wells within one half mile of the facility.
(h) General permits may be written to require the operator to monitor the water quality of the injected fluid and to submit the information to the department. Existing facilities under this section may be required to monitor injectate quality on a one time basis, on a quarterly basis, a semi-annual basis or annual basis depending on the ability of the facility to cause adverse environmental damage or affect human health.
(i) General permits for Class 5C5 coal bed methane injection facilities shall require that:
(i) Each operator provide background information showing that the class of use under Chapter 8 for each injection zone will not be violated by the injection of coal bed methane produced water.
(ii) A valid pressure falloff curve be recorded for each well within one (1) year of the start of injection into that well.
(iii) The pressure of injection be continuously recorded and that the pressure of injection be limited to no more than the fracture pressure of the receiving formation. This requirement can be met by assuming that the fracture gradient of the receiver is .70 psi/foot of depth and using the depth of the topmost perforation in making the calculation.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 11 Permit by Rule for Class V Facilities
The types of Class V facilities listed in this section represent minimal threats to pollute groundwater. The referenced facilities which meet the requirements of this section are permitted by rule. A permit by rule requires the owner or operator to submit information contained in this section before construction, installation or modification of a facility and to meet the performance standards contained in this section and in Section 13 of this Chapter. No facility shall be located within a state approved local wellhead protection area, state approved source water protection area or a state approved water quality management area which is in conflict with any of those plans.
(a) A facility permitted by rule under this section shall meet the following conditions:
(i) In addition to the information listed in Section 9 (c) (i), (ii) and (iii) of this chapter, the operator shall submit the following inventory information to the department prior to construction for facilities constructed after the effective date of these regulations and within one (1) year of the effective date of these regulations for existing facilities: (Facilities which are already registered with the Underground Injection Control Program, or which were issued a permit under Chapters 3, 9 or 16, need not send a new registration, but may be asked for updated information from time to time.)
(A) The location of the facility, either a complete legal description or latitude and longitude preferably within a (ten) 10 meter accuracy.
(B) Type and general description of the quality of the injected fluid.
(C) The disposal capacity of the facility in gallons per day.
(D) Depth of injection zone.
(E) Whether or not the facility is operating, temporarily abandoned, or permanently abandoned.
(ii) The facility shall be designed, constructed and operated to protect groundwater standards contained in Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations and performance standards found in this section and in Section 13 of this chapter.
(iii) Chemical, bacteriological, radiological additives, hazardous substances or toxic substances additives shall not be mixed in the injected fluid at any time during use of the water, prior to injection or during injection.
(iv) Any violation of the requirements of these regulations by a Class V facility operator permitted by rule shall be reported to the department by telephone within twenty-four (24) hours of the time when the operator becomes aware of the violation. A written report shall be filed by the operator with the department within seven (7) days detailing steps which have been taken and will be taken to eliminate the violation.
(b) All facilities, referenced in this section, which do not meet the requirements of subsection (a) shall obtain an individual permit under this chapter. For facilities constructed or modified after the effective date of these regulations requiring an individual permit, the owner or operator shall obtain the permit prior to any construction.
(c) The following classes of facilities are permitted by rule under this section:
(i) 5B2 facilities, except any facility which injects wastewater or contains polluted groundwater or surface water in concentrations above the receiver use standards contained in Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(ii) After the effective date of these regulations, coal bed methane operators cannot be covered by 5B2 aquifer recharge rule authorizations. All coal bed methane disposal systems must be covered by a general permit or an individual permit under this chapter if they inject into an Underground Source of Drinking Water, or a Class II permit issued by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission if they inject into a Class VI aquifer.
(iii) 5B4 facilities, provided that the water injected will not cause a groundwater standards violation under Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(iv) 5B6 and 5B7 facilities;
(v) 5D5 facilities, except those facilities receiving water polluted above the receiving groundwater class of use standards contained in Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations and facilities injecting swimming pool wastes into a Class I groundwater.
(vi) 5E3 facilities which were originally permitted under a small wastewater system permit issued by the Department of Environmental Quality or a local government delegated the authority to issue small wastewater system permits, located within any five (5) acres of land where the cumulative maximum peak daily wastewater flow injected from other small wastewater system permitted facilities under the same ownership would exceed 2,000 gallons per day.
(vii) 5F1 facilities, provided that information contained in Section 13 (m) of this chapter is submitted.
(d) A permit by rule where the operator has provided the necessary information shall be valid until the facility is properly closed pursuant to these regulations or until a permit has been issued or denied under this chapter.
(e) The administrator may request information from the owner or operator of a well or facility permitted by rule to determine whether the facility may be causing a violation of groundwater use standards in Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations, the construction standards found in this chapter and in Chapter 11, Water Quality Rules and Regulations, or any other requirements of this chapter. Such information may include, but is not limited to:
(i) Analysis of injected fluids and periodic submission of reports of such monitoring.
(ii) Groundwater monitoring and periodic submission of reports of such monitoring.
(iii) Description of receiving strata.
(iv) Well locations and down gradient use of groundwater.
(f) Any request for information under this section shall be made in writing and include a brief statement of the reasons for requesting the information. An owner or operator shall submit the information within the time frames provided in the request for information.
(g) The administrator may require any operator permitted by rule to obtain an individual permit for the facility when a review of the information submitted under paragraph (e) of this section indicates that the permit by rule would not be protective of groundwater in that specific case.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 12 Construction Standards for Class I Wells
(a) All existing and new Class I wells shall be constructed to prevent the movement of fluids into any underground source of drinking water, permit the use of testing devices and workover tools, and permit continuous monitoring of injection tubing and long string casing, as required under Sections 6 (h)(i) and 6 (h)(ii) of this chapter.
(b) All well materials shall be compatible with the wastes that may be contacted. The applicant shall submit data necessary to document compatibility.
(c) Casing and cement used in the construction of each newly drilled well shall be designed for the life expectancy of the well. The applicant shall provide all information required to make a determination based on these factors:
(i) Depth to the injection zone.
(ii) Injection pressure, external pressure, internal pressure, and axial loading.
(iii) Hole size.
(iv) Size and grade of all casing strings (wall thickness, diameter, nominal weight, length of joints, joint specifications and construction material).
(v) Corrosiveness of injected fluid, formation fluids, and temperatures.
(vi) Lithology of injection and confining intervals.
(vii) Type or grade of cement.
(d) Construction requirements for Class I hazardous waste wells.
(i) For casing and cementing requirements, the applicant shall provide all information necessary to make a determination of adequacy based on quantity and chemical composition of injected fluids.
(ii) One surface casing string shall, at a minimum, extend into the confining zone below the lowest Underground Source of Drinking Water and be cemented by circulating cement from the base of the casing to the surface, using a minimum of one-hundred twenty percent (120%) of the calculated annular volume. The administrator may require more than one- hundred twenty percent (120%) when the geology or other circumstances warrant a greater percentage.
(iii) At least one long string casing, using a sufficient number of centralizers, shall extend to the receiver and shall be cemented by circulating cement to the surface in one or more stages:
(A) Of sufficient quantity and quality to withstand the maximum operating pressure.
(B) In a quantity no less than one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the calculated volume necessary to fill the annular space. The administrator may require more than one hundred twenty percent (120%) when the geology or other circumstances warrant a greater percentage.
(iv) Circulation of cement may be accomplished by staging. The administrator may approve an alternative method of cementing in cases where the cement cannot be recirculated to the surface, provided the operator can demonstrate by logs that the cement is continuous and does not allow fluid movement behind the casing.
(v) Casings, including any casing connections, must be rated to have sufficient structural strength to withstand, for the life the well, the maximum burst and collapse pressures which may be experienced during the construction, operation, and closure of the well. Casings shall also be rated to withstand the maximum tensile stress which may be experienced at any point along the entire length of the casing during construction, operation, and closure of the well.
(vi) At a minimum, cement and cement additives shall be of sufficient quantity and quality to maintain mechanical integrity over the design life of the well.
(vii) For tubing and packer, the applicant shall provide all information necessary to make a determination of adequacy based on these factors:
(A) Depth of setting.
(B) Characteristics of the injection fluid, including chemical content, corrosiveness, temperature, and density.
(C) Injection pressure.
(D) Annular pressure.
(E) Rate (intermittent or continuous), temperature, and volume of injected fluid.
(F) Size of casing; and
(G) Tubing tensile, burst, and collapse strengths.
(viii) During the drilling and construction of a Class I hazardous waste well, appropriate logs and tests shall be run to determine or verify the depth, thickness, porosity, permeability, and rock type of, and the salinity of any entrained fluids in all relevant geologic units to assure compliance with the performance standards of Section 16 of this chapter, and to compile baseline data against which future measurements may be compared. A descriptive report interpreting results of such logs and tests shall be prepared by the operator and submitted to the administrator. At a minimum, such logs shall include:
(A) Deviation checks made during drilling of all Class I hazardous waste wells. Such checks shall be done at sufficiently frequent intervals to determine the location of the borehole.
(B) Such other logs and tests as may be needed after taking into account the availability of similar data in the area of the drilling site, the construction plan and the need for additional information that may arise as construction of the well progresses. At a minimum, the following logs shall be required:
(I) When installing the surface casing: resistivity, spontaneous potential, and caliper logs shall be run before the installation of the casing. A cement bond log and variable density log and temperature log are required after the surface casing is installed and before the well is deepened.
(II) When installing the long string casing: resistivity, spontaneous potential, porosity, caliper, gamma ray and fracture finder logs are required before the casing is installed. After the casing is installed and cemented, a cement bond log and variable density log are required before the well is completed.
(III) The administrator may allow the use of an alternative to the logs described above, when, in the administrator's opinion, the alternative will provide equivalent or better information.
(C) A mechanical integrity test as described in Section 6(h)(i) of this chapter.
(D) Whole core or sidewall cores of the confining zone and receiver and formation fluid samples from the receiver shall be taken. The administrator may accept cores from nearby wells if the operator can demonstrate, to the administrator's satisfaction, that core retrieval is not possible, and the other cores are representative of the conditions in the well. The administrator may require the operator to core other formations in the borehole.
(ix) The fluid temperature, pH, conductivity, pressure, and static fluid level of the discharge zone shall be recorded during construction.
(x) At a minimum, the following information about the injection and confining zones shall be calculated or determined during construction:
(A) The physical and chemical characteristics of the rock itself; and
(B) Physical and chemical characteristics of the formation fluids.
(C) Upon completion of construction, but still prior to operation, the operator shall conduct either pump tests or injectivity tests to verify the hydrogeologic characteristics of the discharge zone.
(e) Fluid seals are not allowed in place of a packer in any Class I well.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 13 Construction and Operation Standards for Class V Wells
(a) All Class V facilities must meet or exceed the design standards of these regulations including Part B of Chapter 11 and Chapter 26, Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(b) All Class V facilities shall be constructed to permit the use of testing devices, and allow monitoring of injected fluid quality. Class V facilities shall be constructed to provide for metering of the injectate volume if the individual or general permit requires such metering.
(c) All heating and cooling facilities (5A1, 5A2 and 5A3) shall include:
(i) Provision for the use of non-toxic circulating medium in closed loop systems or an operating system which cannot be made to operate with fluid leaking.
(ii) Provision for operations without the use of corrosion inhibitors, biocides, or other toxic additives in open loop systems.
(iii) Provisions to control the total dissolved solids of waters injected into open loop systems to the class of use standard.
(iv) Provisions for automatic shutdown of the system in the event of a fluid loss from a closed loop system or a loss of any product to an open loop system.
(v) Provisions to ensure that injected water does not come to the surface or flood any subsurface structure in the immediate vicinity of the injection system.
(vi) Provisions to ensure that known groundwater contamination is not spread by the direct injection of contaminated water or by movement of contamination from one zone to another caused indirectly by the injection.
(d) All mining, sand and backfill facilities (5B1) shall include:
(i) Provision for insuring mechanical integrity of any well designed to remain in service for more than 60 days.
(ii) Provision for controlling the type of material injected and to insure that no hazardous waste is injected.
(iii) Provision for leak detection in all surface piping.
(iv) Provision for insuring that the backfill remains within the permitted area of injection.
(v) Provision to insure that the injection does not cause a groundwater standards violation for the class of use of the receiver.
(e) All beneficial use injection facilities (5B2, 5B3, 5B4, 5B5, 5B6, and 5B7) shall include:
(i) Plans to insure that contaminants do not enter the injection stream.
(ii) Information to show that the injection will accomplish the desired goal stated in the application.
(iii) Target restoration values for the groundwater in the affected area being remediated for 5B5 facilities.
(f) All commercial and industrial Class V facilities (5C1, 5C2, 5C3 and 5C4) shall:
(i) Include a pre-treatment plan to insure that toxic materials (substances) are not discharged to the groundwater at concentrations higher than the class of use standards found in Chapter 8, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations or any primary drinking water standard found in 40 CFR 141 (as of June 6, 2001), whichever is more stringent;
(ii) Conform to applicable construction standards found in Chapter 25, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations; and
(iii) Include, at a minimum, annual sampling of the waste injected as part of the monitoring plan for the facility.
(g) When a 5C3 facility receiving slaughter house wastes can demonstrate that no violations of groundwater standards will occur, the facility shall be:
(i) Designed for the following minimum disposal capacities:
(A) 300 gallons per day for plant cleanup plus.
(B) 25 gallons per head of cattle slaughter capacity.
(C) 40 gallons per head of hog slaughter capacity.
(D) 35 gallons per head of sheep slaughter capacity.
(E) Appropriate capacity for any other species slaughtered on a per head basis.
(ii) Designed to prevent the disposal of blood and viscera into the septic system except as a small incidental portion of the total flow. Blood and viscera shall be sent to a rendering plant or other approved disposal or recycling system.
(iii) A grease trap shall be provided ahead of the septic system with a total capacity equal to one half of the total required capacity of the septic tank.
(h) All drainage facilities (those with the code number 5D on Appendix C) shall include:
(i) A plan to preclude the inadvertent introduction of contaminants into the wastewater stream.
(ii) An operations and maintenance manual detailing maintenance required, reporting requirements for known spills affecting the facility, and steps to be taken to prevent the introduction of contaminants in the event of a spill within the area served by the facility.
(iii) Maps showing the area where runoff will be transported to the drainage facility.
(i) All agricultural drainage facilities (5D1) injecting surface runoff from animal waste piles, feedlots, or dairy operations for which a demonstration can be made that the groundwater standards can be met, shall be designed for treatment in a septic tank, lagoon, or other treatment technology prior to injection. The following requirements apply to these systems:
(i) The treatment facility shall be sized for the strength and solids content of the wastewater to be treated.
(ii) The flow capacity requirements shall include all runoff from operations within the collection area and all runoff from precipitation up to and including a 25 year, 24 hour design storm.
(iii) The flow capacity requirements for drainage from a fully enclosed dairy or feeding operation shall be as follows:
(A) 20 gallons per day per animal up to 50 pounds.
(B) 100 gallons per day per animal up to 500 pounds.
(C) 200 gallons per day per animal over 500 pounds.
(iv) The subsurface fluid distribution system shall be designed in accordance with general design requirements found in Chapter 25.
(j) All sewage disposal (5E) facilities shall:
(i) Conform to applicable construction standards found in Chapter 25, Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations;
(ii) Comply with applicable sections of Chapter 11, Parts B and C, Water Quality Rules and Regulations for all piping systems or storage facilities feeding existing or Class V facilities constructed after the effective date of these regulations; and
(iii) Be designed for the maximum daily peak flow determined from Tables 1 and 2 of Chapter 25, Water Quality Rules and Regulations. In addition, whenever multiple points of discharge under one owner within any five (5) acres of land have a design capacity under Chapter 25 to inject more than a total of 2,000 gallons per day of domestic sewage, they shall be permitted under this chapter in the same manner that they would be permitted if all the waste were delivered to a single point of discharge.
(k) All aquaculture return flow facilities (5E1) shall include pretreatment in a lagoon, septic tank, or oxidation ditch sized for the strength and volume of the wastes to be disposed of.
(l) All domestic wastewater treatment plant disposal facilities (5E4) shall also include:
(i) Provisions for filtering of the waste and disinfection of the injectate.
(ii) An environmental monitoring program, including pre-discharge, operational monitoring, and post discharge monitoring.
(iii) Monitoring of the injectate on at least a weekly basis for nitrate as N, ammonia as N, and coliform bacteria.
(iv) Design to prevent groundwater standards violations as defined by Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
(v) The points of compliance shall be at down gradient monitor wells installed on land owned by the same utility that operates the treatment plant and injection facilities whenever the point of injection is not the point of compliance.
(vi) Requirements for the submission, approval and conformance with an operational and maintenance manual.
(m) All cathodic protection facilities (5F1) shall include:
(i) A seal of sodium bentonite or sodium bentonite grout is required from the surface to a minimum depth of three (3) feet. A second sodium bentonite or sodium bentonite grout seal is required for a minimum thickness of three (3) feet, just above the top of the coke breeze. After the sodium bentonite has been placed in the hole, it shall be hydrated to insure a proper seal. The remainder of the hole between these seals may be backfilled with cuttings. The above seals may be placed directly in the hole or may be placed outside of a surface pipe of sufficient length to reach down to the anodes. If a surface pipe is used, no seals are required inside the pipe except during final abandonment.
(ii) All aquifers encountered while drilling shall be isolated from one another using a bentonite seal of at least two (2) feet in vertical dimension.
(iii) The coke breeze shall be a high quality product containing a minimum of leachable metals or organic pollutants. The coke breeze shall not discharge any pollutant which will cause a groundwater standard violation.
(iv) Surface access to the anode shall be kept sealed and locked at all times when the anode is not actually being serviced.
(v) Each separate aquifer penetrated shall require a separate breather pipe. Each aquifer shall remain in hydrologic isolation from each other if they were isolated prior to installation.
(vi) If it becomes necessary to wet any anode installed under this section, only water from a public water supply or water meeting all of the standards for Class I groundwater of the state shall be used unless the division is first supplied with an analyses of the water for approval.
(vii) Each 5F1 facility shall be marked in the field with a sign showing the name, address, and telephone number of the operator who installed the system. Upon abandonment, such markers shall remain in place.
(viii) A 5F1 facility shall not be installed within 200 feet of any pipeline, wellhead, storage tank, mud pit or other potential source of pollution unless the operator's surface rights prevent this requirement from being met.
(n) Except for beneficial use facilities, Class V facilities shall not be located within
200 feet of any active public water supply well, regardless of whether or not the well is completed in the same aquifer. This minimum distance may increase or the existence of a Class V facility may be prohibited within a state approved wellhead protection area, source water protection area or water quality management plan area.
(o) Class 5C6 and 5E5 facilities shall meet the construction standards and separation distances appropriate for the design flow as shown in Chapter 25.
(p) Class 5C5 coal bed methane injection facilities shall:
(i) Provide for metering of water injected into each well.
(ii) Be constructed to insure that the water injected reaches the intended receiver and only the intended receiver. The intended receiver shall be identified by geologic formation and/or member name as well as the depth of that receiver below ground surface.
(iii) Provide for disinfection of the water injected if analysis shows that coliform bacteria, sulfate reducing bacteria or iron fixing bacteria are present in the water as pumped from the coal seam. Treatment methods must be methods that would be appropriate for treating water in a public water supply system.
(iv) Provide for injection at a pressure of less than the fracture pressure of the receiver.
(v) Provide for monitoring of the quality of the injected water on a periodic basis.
(vi) Provide notification of the intent to obtain coverage under the general permit to all surface owners, mineral owners or water rights owners, oil and gas owners and the owners of coal leases within one-half mile of the proposed point of injection.
(vii) Provide for pressure testing of the casing before injection and at least once every five (5) years thereafter. The casing shall be pressure tested up to an indicated surface pressure of 700 psi and held for 15 minutes. A passing result is indicated if the casing still has 690 psi at the end of the 15 minute shut in time.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 14 Siting conditions for Class I Wells
(a) All Class I wells shall be situated such that they inject into a formation that is beneath the lowermost Underground Source of Drinking Water within one-quarter (1/4) mile of the well or within two (2) miles for Class I hazardous waste injection wells, and the discharge zone has sufficient permeability, porosity, thickness, and extends over a sufficient area to prevent migration of fluids into any underground source of drinking water.
(b) Class I wells shall be limited to areas that are determined by the administrator to be geologically suitable for the prevention of migration of fluids into underground source of drinking waters. In determining geological suitability, the administrator shall consider the following information submitted by the applicant:
(i) An analysis of the structural and stratigraphic geology, hydrogeology, and seismicity of the region.
(ii) An analysis of the local geology and hydrogeology of the well site, including, at a minimum, detailed information regarding the stratigraphy, structure, and rock properties, aquifer hydrodynamics, and mineral resources.
(iii) A determination that the geology of the area can be described confidently, and, for hazardous waste wells only, that the waste fate and transport can be accurately predicted through the use of models.
(c) The operator shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the administrator that:
(i) The confining zone is free from faults or fractures over an area sufficient to prevent the migration of fluids into a underground source of drinking water, and contains at least one formation of sufficient thickness and characteristics capable of preventing vertical propagation of fractures; and
(ii) The confining zone is separated from the base of the lowermost underground source of drinking water by at least one (1) sequence of permeable and less permeable strata that will provide an added layer of protection in the event of fluid movement through an unlocated borehole or fault.
(iii) Within the area of review, the piezometric surface of the fluid in the receiver is less than the piezometric surface of the lowermost underground source of drinking water considering density effects, injection pressures, and any significant pumping of the overlying aquifer; or
(iv) There are no underground sources of drinking waters present.
(d) The administrator may approve a site which does not meet the above requirements, if the operator can demonstrate that because of the site's geology, nature of the waste, or other considerations, it would not cause endangerment to any underground source of drinking waters.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 15 Environmental Monitoring Program
(a) The monitoring program shall be adequate to ensure knowledge of migration and behavior of the discharge in the receiver.
(i) Monitoring may be required for any circumstance where groundwaters of the state could be affected.
(ii) The extent and design of a monitoring system shall be sufficient to deal with the pollution potential of the proposed discharge.
(iii) Before construction or installation of a Class I or V facility, a monitoring program, when required, shall be adequate to establish baseline conditions of the receiver.
(b) The monitoring program shall consist of any or all of the following:
(i) Pre-discharge or pre-operational monitoring.
(ii) Operational monitoring.
(iii) Post-discharge or post-operational monitoring.
(iv) Record keeping and reporting.
(v) Such additional requirements established by the administrator to meet the purposes of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and these regulations.
(c) Each monitoring program shall include maps and cross-sections, where appropriate, showing the location, lithology, and screening interval of each monitoring site.
(d) The operator is responsible for properly installing, operating, maintaining and removing all necessary monitoring equipment.
(e) The operator shall develop and follow a written waste analysis plan that describes the procedures to be carried out to obtain detailed chemical and physical analyses of a representative sample of the waste, including quality assurance procedures to be used. Once approved by the department, the operator shall not deviate from the plan without filing an amended plan and obtaining department approval for that amended plan. At a minimum, any plan shall include:
(i) The parameters for which the waste will be analyzed, the rationale for the selection of these parameters, and the test methods to be used to test for these parameters.
(ii) The sampling method that will be used to obtain a representative sample of the waste.
(iii) The operator shall repeat the analysis of the injected wastes in the manner and on the schedule described in the waste analysis plan, and when process or operating changes occur that may significantly alter the characteristics process, or operating changes occur that may significantly alter the characteristics of the waste stream.
(A) The operator shall conduct continuous or periodic monitoring of selected parameters as required by the administrator.
(B) The operator shall ensure that the plan remains accurate and the analyses remain representative.
(f) Requirements for Class I Wells:
(i) At a minimum, the permittee shall monitor the pressure in the injection zone annually, including at a minimum, a shutdown of the well for a time sufficient to conduct a valid observation of the pressure falloff curve.
(ii) When prescribing a monitoring system, the administrator may also require:
(A) Continuous monitoring for pressure changes in the first aquifer overlying the confining zone. When such a well is installed, the operator shall, on a quarterly basis, sample the aquifer and analyze for constituents specified by the administrator.
(B) The use of indirect, geophysical techniques to determine the position of the waste front, the water quality in a formation designated by the administrator, or to provide other site specific data.
(C) Periodic monitoring of the groundwater quality in the first aquifer overlying the receiver.
(D) Periodic monitoring of the groundwater quality in the lowermost underground source of drinking water; and
(E) Any additional monitoring necessary to determine whether fluids are moving into or between any aquifers penetrated by the well.
(F) The administrator may require seismicity monitoring when he has reason to believe that the injection activity may have the capacity to cause seismic disturbances.
(iii) Testing and monitoring requirements for all Class I hazardous waste wells shall include:
(A) Submission of information by the applicant demonstrating that the waste stream and its anticipated reaction products will not alter the permeability, thickness, or other relevant characteristics of the confining or discharge zones such that they would no longer meet the requirements specified when the area of review was calculated.
(B) Submission of information by the applicant demonstrating that the waste will be compatible with the well materials with which the waste is expected to come into contact and a description of the methodology used to make that determination. Compatibility for purposes of this requirement is established if contact with injected fluids will not cause the well materials to fail to satisfy any design requirement imposed under Section 12 of this chapter.
(C) The administrator shall require continuous corrosion monitoring of the construction materials in the well for all wells where the pH of the injection fluid is less than two (2) or greater than eleven (11), and may require such monitoring of other wastes. This monitoring may be conducted by placing samples of the well construction materials in contact with the waste stream or routing the waste stream through a loop constructed of the same materials used in the well, or by using an alternative method approved by the administrator.
(D) If a corrosion monitoring program is required, the test shall use identical materials to those used in the construction of the well, and such materials shall be continuously exposed to the operating pressures, temperatures, and flow rates of the injection operation as measured at the well head. The operator shall monitor the materials for loss of mass, thickness, pitting, and other signs of corrosion on a quarterly basis to ensure that the well components meet the minimum standards for material strength and performance set forth in Section 12 of this chapter.
(iv) In addition to the above-mentioned requirements, operators of Class I hazardous waste wells shall also conduct mechanical integrity testing as follows:
(A) The long string casing, injection tubing, and annular seals shall be tested by means of an approved pressure test with liquid or gas on an annual basis and whenever there has been a well workover.
(B) The bottom-hole cement shall be tested by means of an approved radioactive tracer survey annually.
(C) An approved temperature, noise, or other approved log shall be run at least once every five (5) years to test for movement of fluid along the borehole. The administrator may require such tests whenever the well is worked over.
(D) Casing inspection logs shall be run at least once every five (5) years, unless the administrator waives this requirement due to well construction or other factors which limit the test's reliability.
(E) Any other test approved by the administrator may also be used. Procedures for approval of unauthorized mechanical integrity tests are outlined in Section
6(h)(i)(B) of this chapter.
(F) The administrator shall be given the opportunity to witness all logging and drill stem testing done by the operator at any time during the permitting of any well under this chapter. The operator shall submit a schedule of such planned logging and testing to the administrator at least thirty (30) days prior to the first test.
(g) Requirements for Class V Wells:
(i) All Class V permits shall contain a point of compliance. The point of compliance shall be the point of injection or specific monitor wells located down gradient of the injection facilities.
(A) For facilities where the point of compliance is the point of injection, the fluid to be injected shall be limited to the class of use standards for the receiver as found in Chapter 8 of these regulations or any primary drinking water standard found in 40 CFR 141, (as of June 6, 2001) whichever is more stringent. The permittee may be required to maintain monitor wells in the vicinity of the discharge for the purpose of monitoring flow direction and monitoring groundwater quality in the event of non-compliance with the permit.
(B) For facilities where the point of compliance is at one or more down gradient monitor wells, the department shall establish permit limitations at the monitor well(s) consistent with the class of use of the receiver or any secondarily affected aquifer or surface water. Where necessary to protect existing or future uses, permit limitations may be established at the point of compliance which are more stringent than the class of use standard.
(C) Facilities where subsurface treatment is anticipated may be required to monitor the injected fluid at the point of injection. Permit limits may be established at the point of injection which exceeds the class of use standard for the affected aquifer, provided that a demonstration is made showing that a class of use standards violation will not occur at a point of compliance downgradient from the point of injection. Permit limits of this nature are intended to provide early warning of possible non-compliance at the point of compliance.
(h) Procedures and methods for sample collection and analyses shall be implemented by the permittee to ensure that the samples are representative of the groundwater, water, or wastes being sampled.
(i) Sample collection of groundwater shall be of such frequency and of such variety (season, time, location, depth, etc.) to properly describe the groundwater, and shall be accomplished by the methods and procedures described in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency manual RCRA Groundwater Monitoring Technical Enforcement Guidance Document, September, 1986, unless alternate methods and procedures are approved by the administrator.
(j) Analysis of all samples shall be accomplished pursuant to Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Sections 7 and 8.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 16 Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Sample Collection and Analysis
(a) Procedures and methods for sample collection and analyses shall be implemented by the permittee to ensure that the samples are representative of the groundwater, water, or wastes being sampled.
(b) Sample collection of groundwater shall be of such frequency and of such variety (season, time, location, depth, etc.,) to properly describe the groundwater, and shall be accomplished by the methods and procedures described in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency manual RCRA Groundwater Monitoring Technical Enforcement Guidance Document, September,1986, unless alternate methods and procedures are approved by the administrator.
(c) Analysis of all samples shall be accomplished pursuant to Chapter 8, Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Sections 7 and 8.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 17 Closure of Hazardous Waste Wells
(a) The operator of a Class I hazardous waste well shall prepare, maintain, and comply with a plan for closure of the well and post-closure care of the well that meets the standards for well closure required in paragraph (d) of this section and post-closure care required in paragraph (e) of this section and is acceptable to the administrator. The obligation to implement the closure and post-closure plan survives the termination of a permit or the cessation of injection activities. The requirement to maintain and implement an approved plan is directly enforceable regardless of whether the requirement is a condition of the permit.
(i) The operator shall submit the plan as part of the permit application, and, upon approval by the administrator, the plan shall be incorporated as a condition of any permit issued.
(ii) The operator shall submit any proposed significant revision to the method of closure reflected in the plan for approval by the administrator no later than the date on which notice of closure is required under paragraph (b) of this section.
(iii) The plan shall ensure financial responsibility as required in Section 19 of this chapter.
(iv) The closure plan shall include the following information:
(A) The type and number of plugs to be used.
(B) The placement of each plug including the elevation of the top and bottom of each plug.
(C) The type, grade, and quantity of material to be used in plugging.
(D) The method of placement of the plugs.
(E) Any proposed test or measure to be made.
(F) The amount, size, and location (by depth) of casing and any other materials to be left in the well;
(G) The method and location where casing is to be parted, if applicable.
(H) The procedure to be used to meet the requirements of paragraph (d)(5) of this section;
(I) The estimated cost of closure.
(J) Any proposed test or measure to be made.
(v) Post-closure plans shall include the following information:
(A) The pressure in the injection zone before injection began.
(B) The anticipated pressure in the injection zone at the time of closure.
(C) The predicted time until pressure in the injection zone decays to the point that the well's cone of influence no longer intersects the base of the lowermost Underground Source Drinking Water.
(D) Predicted position of the waste front at closure.
(E) The status of any required cleanups; and
(F) The estimated cost of proposed post-closure care.
(vi) The administrator may modify a closure plan in accordance with the procedures outlined in Section 7 of this chapter governing modification of permits.
(vii) An operator of a Class I hazardous waste injection well who ceases injection temporarily, may keep the well open provided:
(A) The operator receives authorization from the administrator.
(B) The operator has described actions or procedures, satisfactory to the administrator, that the operator will take to ensure that the well will not endanger Under- ground Source of Drinking Waters during the period of temporary disuse. These actions and procedures shall include compliance with the technical requirements applicable to active injection wells unless waived by the administrator.
(viii) The operator of a well that has ceased operations for more than two years shall notify the administrator at least thirty (30) days prior to resuming operation of the well.
(b) The operator shall notify the administrator at least sixty (60) days prior to closure of a well. The administrator may allow a closure period of less than sixty (60) days.
(c) Within sixty (60) days after closure or at the time of the next quarterly report, whichever is less, except if the next quarterly report is due within fifteen (15) days, in which case the sixty (60) day requirement will be used, the operator shall submit a closure report to the administrator.
(i) Such report shall contain a certification by the operator and the person who performed the closure, if different from the operator, of the accuracy of the report, and:
(A) A statement that the well was closed in accordance with the closure plan previously submitted and approved by the administrator.
(B) Where actual closure differed from the plan previously submitted, a written statement specifying the differences between the previous plan and the actual closure.
(d) Standards for well closure.
(i) Prior to well closure, the owner or operator shall observe and record the pressure decay for a time specified by the administrator, who shall then analyze the pressure decay and the transient pressure observations conducted to determine whether the injection activity has conformed with predicted values.
(ii) Prior to well closure, appropriate mechanical integrity testing shall be conducted to ensure the integrity of that portion of the long string casing and cement that will be left in the ground after closure. Testing methods shall be similar to the mechanical integrity tests required during the operating life of the well.
(iii) Prior to well closure, the well shall be flushed with a buffer fluid.
(iv) Upon closure, a Class I hazardous waste well shall be plugged with cement in a manner that will not allow the movement of fluids into or between any underground source of drinking water.
(v) Placement of the cement plugs shall be accomplished by circulating cement to the bottom of the well using a working string. The working string shall be removed as the cement is pumped. The cement used shall be of a variety such that the working string can be withdrawn while still allowing the well to be filled with cement.
(vi) Each plug used shall be appropriately tagged and tested for seal and stability before closure is completed.
(vii) The well to be closed shall be in a state of static equilibrium with the mud weight equalized top to bottom, either by circulating the mud in the well at least once or by a comparable method described by the administrator, prior to the placement of the cement plugs.
(e) Post-closure care.
(i) The operator shall continue and complete any required cleanup action.
(ii) The operator shall continue to conduct any groundwater monitoring required under the permit until pressure in the injection zone decays to the point that the well's cone of influence no longer intersects the base of the lowermost Underground Source of Drinking Water. The administrator may extend the period of post-closure monitoring if he or she determines that the well may endanger an Underground Source of Drinking Water.
(iii) The operator shall submit a survey plat to the local zoning authority designated by the administrator, indicating the location of the well relative to permanently surveyed benchmarks. A copy of the plat shall be submitted to the Regional administrator of the U.S. EPA Region 8, the Wyoming State Engineer's Office, and to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
(iv) The operator shall retain for a minimum of three (3) years following well closure, records reflecting the nature, composition and volume of all injected fluids. The administrator shall require the operator to deliver the records to the administrator at the conclusion of this retention period.
(f) Each owner of a Class I hazardous waste well, and the owner of the surface or subsurface property on or in which a Class I hazardous waste well is located, must record a notation on the deed to the facility property or on some other instrument which is normally examined during title search that will in perpetuity provide any potential purchaser of the property the following information:
(i) The fact that the land in question has been used to manage hazardous waste.
(ii) The name of the State agency or local authority with which the plat was filed, as well as the address of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 to which it was submitted.
(iii) The type and volume of waste injected, the injection interval or intervals into which it was injected, and the period over which injection occurred.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 18 Abandonment of Class V Facilities
(a) After the effective date of these regulations, Class V facilities may be abandoned in place if the following conditions are met and if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the administrator that:
(i) No hazardous waste has ever been discharged through the facility.
(ii) No radioactive waste has ever been discharged through the facility.
(iii) All piping allowing for the discharge has either been removed or the ends of the piping have been plugged in such a way that the plug is permanent and will not allow for a discharge.
(iv) All accumulated sludges are removed from any septic tanks, holding tanks, lift stations, or other waste handling structures prior to abandonment.
(b) Facilities which cannot demonstrate compliance with subsection (a) (i) or (a) (ii) of this section, may be abandoned in place if:
(i) Tests are run on sludges accumulated in the septic tanks, holding tanks, lift stations, or other waste handling structures which shows that none of these materials contain characteristic hazardous waste or radioactive waste.
(ii) Monitoring of the groundwater in the immediate area of the facility shows that there are no toxic materials (substances) present in the groundwater at levels higher than class of use standards, which are present as a result of the injection.
(iii) Some other method is determined to be acceptable to the administrator which demonstrates compliance with Chapter 8 of these regulations and prevents the movement of fluid containing any contaminant into an underground source of drinking water, if the
presence of that contaminant may cause a violation of any primary drinking water standard found in 40 CFR 141 (as of June 6, 2001).
(c) Facilities which cannot make the demonstrations required under either subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be excavated to the point where contamination is no longer visible in the soil. At that point, samples shall be taken of the soil for all hazardous constituents which may have been discharged through the system. Materials excavated shall be removed from the site for disposal under approval of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Division.
(d) Cathodic protection (5F1) facilities will be considered to have made the demonstrations required under subsections (a) and (b) if no waste has been disposed of into the facility. After they have fulfilled their useful purpose, they shall be abandoned by filling all breather pipes with an impervious material and removing all surface installations down to a depth of three (3) feet. All anodes where the construction included a surface casing shall also have the surface casing cut off three (3) feet below grade and a plug or cap shall be installed on the surface casing. It is not necessary to remove the coke breeze, anodes, and seals during abandonment. The administrator may approve other alternatives for abandonment if they provide adequate environmental protection.
(e) Prior to abandoning any class 5C4 automotive waste disposal facility, the operator shall provide thirty (30) days notice to the administrator.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 19 Financial responsibility
(a) The permittee of any Class I well shall demonstrate and maintain financial responsibility and resources to close, plug, abandon, reclaim, and maintain post-closure care for the underground injection operation in a manner prescribed by the Administrator. The permittee shall show evidence of such financial responsibility to the Administrator.
(b) All Class I hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste underground injection facilities and Class V coalbed methane produced water underground injection facilities that are permitted, are issued a permit renewal, or are issued a permit transfer after July 1, 2018, shall provide financial assurance in accordance with W.S. 35-11-302(a)(viii).
(i) Permittees shall provide financial assurance within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the rule or as described below, whichever is later:
(A) Thirty (30) days prior to drilling of the permitted well(s) for new facilities; or
(B) Prior to authorization of a permit renewal for existing facilities; or
(C) Prior to authorization of a permit transfer; or
(D) The well has been converted in compliance with the requirements of 40 CFR 144.51(n), in effect as of July 1, 2018.
(c) At a minimum, the permittee shall prepare a written estimate, in current dollars, of the cost of plugging and abandonment of the well, surface reclamation, post-closure care, removal of infrastructure including but not limited to piping, above and below ground tanks, buildings, impoundments, access roads, fencing, electrical facilities, or any other physical materials used in the operation and maintenance of the injection well.
(i) The permittee shall adjust the cost estimate for inflation and increases in costs:
(A) For Class I hazardous waste underground injection facilities, within thirty (30) days after each anniversary of the date on which the first cost estimate was prepared.
(B) For Class I non-hazardous waste underground injection facilities and Class V coalbed methane produced water underground injection facilities, within sixty (60) days after each anniversary of the date on which the first cost estimate was prepared.
(ii) The permittee shall revise the cost estimate whenever a change in the plan increases the cost, and adjust the revised cost estimate for inflation.
(iii) For Class I hazardous waste wells, the cost estimate must equal the cost at the point in the facility's operating life when the extent and manner of its operation would be the most expensive.
(d) The permittee shall keep the following at the facility during the operating life of the facility:
(i) The latest cost estimate and;
(ii) The latest adjusted cost estimate when the cost estimate in paragraph (i) above has been adjusted.
(e) The amount of the funds available shall be no less than the amount identified as the estimated cost.
(f) The obligation to maintain financial responsibility survives the termination of a permit or the cessation of injection. The requirements to maintain financial responsibility are enforceable regardless of whether the requirement is a condition of the permit
(g) The permittee of each facility shall establish financial assurance for each new and existing Class I hazardous waste or non-hazardous waste underground injection facility or Class V coalbed methane produced water injection facility and shall choose from the qualifying instruments below:
(i) Corporate surety bonds,
(ii) Federally insured Automatically Renewable Certificates of Deposit (C.D.),
(iii) U.S. Treasury Bonds, Bills, or Notes,
(iv) Cash,
(v) Letters of Credit, or
(vi) A combination of the above instruments may be submitted.
(h) Upon completion of any of the activities identified in the cost estimate, the amount of the financial surety required may be reduced by the Administrator.
(i) In addition to the other requirements of this section, the permittee of a Class I well injecting hazardous waste shall comply with the financial responsibility requirements of 40 CFR 144 Subpart F, which are in effect as of July 1, 2018.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 20 Prohibitions
(a) In addition to the requirements in W.S. 35-11-301 (a), no person shall:
(i) Conduct any authorized injection activity in a manner that results in a violation of any permit condition or representations made in the application, the request for coverage under the general permit, individual permit, or permit by rule. A permit condition supersedes any application content.
(ii) Construct, install, modify or improve an authorized injection facility except in compliance with the permit requirements.
(b) All Class IV wells are prohibited.
(c) Requirements for Class I Wells:
(i) No person shall conduct any authorized injection activity in a manner that results in a movement of fluids out of the receiver, including, but not limited to:
(A) No zone or interval other than that represented as the discharge zone in the permit shall be used as a receiver for the discharge.
(B) No uncased hole may be used as a conduit for the discharge, excepting that portion of a hole in the discharge zone.
(C) No annular space between the wall of the hole and casing in the hole may be used as a conduit for the discharge, excepting in that portion of a hole in the discharge zone.
(ii) No solvent wastes which are listed hazardous waste numbers F001, F002, F003, F004, or F005 under 40 CFR 261.31 shall be injected underground in any Class I well unless those wastes are waste solvent mixtures that do not exceed or are treated to not exceed the standards listed in Appendix A.
(iii) No dioxin containing wastes which are listed hazardous waste number F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, F027 or F028 under 40 CFR 261.31 shall be injected underground in any well unless those wastes do not exceed, or are treated to not exceed the standards listed in Appendix B.
(iv) Treatment to meet appendix A or B limitations shall be accomplished according to a state hazardous waste treatment permit issued by the department. Dilution is prohibited as a substitute for treatment of wastes listed in subsections paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above.
(v) No person shall inject any hazardous waste which has been banned from land disposal pursuant to 40 CFR 268.41 or department regulations, as applicable, unless:
(A) The hazardous waste has first been treated to a concentration of less than the levels specified in 40 CFR 268.41 or 40 CFR 268 Appendix I, or department regulations, as applicable.
(B) An exemption petition has been submitted and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 148.20, or department regulations, as applicable. After approval of such a petition, the operator is required to comply with all conditions contained as part of the granting of the petition.
(d) Requirements for Class V Wells:
(i) No person shall discharge to any zone except the authorized discharge zone as described in the permit.
(ii) The construction of any Class 5C4 facility after the effective date of these regulations is prohibited.
(iii) No person shall inject any hazardous waste which has been banned from land disposal pursuant to Chapter 1, Wyoming Hazardous Waste Rules and Regulations unless the disposal conforms to that chapter.
(iv) No drainage facility, subclass 5D1 through 5D5 shall be constructed so as to directly receive any waste other than natural precipitation or natural groundwater unless permitted under an individual permit.
(v) No heating and cooling facility, subclass 5A1 through 5A3, shall be constructed so as to receive any waste other than cooling water. No corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, biocides, antifreeze agents, salts, or refrigerants shall be added to the water prior to injection.
(vi) No abandoned drinking water well shall be used as a disposal well unless it can be demonstrated that the waste being disposed of will leave the class of use of the affected groundwater unchanged. The class of use referred to is determined under Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 8 Quality Standards for Wyoming Ground Waters.
(vii) No wastewater produced by electric power generation from geothermal fluids shall be disposed of in any Class V injection facility. Such wells are Class I injection wells and are covered by regulations in this chapter.
(viii) No wastewater produced by recovery of brines and extraction of halogens shall be disposed of in any Class V injection facility. Such wells are Class I injection wells and are covered by regulations in this chapter.
(ix) No person shall construct and/or operate any cesspool after April 14, 1998. No Class V facility which receives domestic sewage shall be constructed and/or operated after April 14, 1998 unless the waste is first treated in a septic tank, or other pre-treatment device. Prior to closure of any cesspool, the operator shall notify the administrator thirty (30) days in advance.
(x) The operation of any Class V septic system with liquid waste visible on the ground surface shall be considered a failure of the system and a violation of these regulations.
(xi) An operator of a facility which is authorized by rule is prohibited from injection into the facility:
(A) Upon failure to submit inventory information prior to construction for facilities constructed after April 14, 1999.
(B) Upon failure to comply with a request for information under Section 11 (e) of this chapter.
(xii) Pumping domestic sewage out of any Class V facility for any use other than disposal to an approved facility is prohibited.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 21 Public Participation, Public Notice and Public Hearing Requirements
(a) Public notice is not required for minor modifications or for a permit denial where the application is determined incomplete or deficient in accordance with Section 7 unless the permittee or applicant requests a hearing before the council pursuant to this section.
(b) The administrator shall give public notice for any of the following actions:
(i) The administrator has prepared a draft permit which is intended for issuance, denial or reissuance.
(ii) The administrator intends to modify a permit.
(iii) The administrator intends to revoke or terminate a permit.
(iv) Any hearing held as a result of a request for hearing on above actions or department actions appealable to the council.
(c) Public notice is not required for any facility permitted by rule or for any facility covered under general permit. The department shall issue one public notice creating the general permit and then notice at each subsequent five (5) year review.
(d) The administrator shall include a thirty (30) day public comment period for any action on items (b)(i), (ii) or (iii) or thirty (30) days notice before any hearing date as part of the public notice. When two notices are required, they may be given at the same time.
(e) Public notice shall be given by:
(i) Mailing a copy of the notice to the following persons:
(A) The applicant, by certified or registered mail. For general permits this includes all persons registered as operators of facilities which the department believes will be covered by the general permit.
(B) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(C) Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
(D) Wyoming State Engineer.
(E) State Historical Preservation Officer.
(F) Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation.
(G) Land Quality Division.
(H) Persons on the mailing list developed by including those who request in writing to be on the list and soliciting persons for "area lists" from participants in proceedings in that area.
(I) Any unit of local government having jurisdiction over the area where the facility is proposed to be located.
(ii) Publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the location of the facility or operation.
(iii) At the discretion of the administrator, any other method reasonably expected to give actual notice of the action in question to the persons potentially affected by it, including press releases or any other forum or medium to elicit public participation.
(f) All public notices issued under this chapter shall contain the following minimum information:
(i) Name and address of the department.
(ii) Name and address of permittee or permit applicant, and, if different, of the facility or activity regulated by the permit. For general permits, this includes a list of existing facilities and the location of each facility which will be covered by the general permit. If new facilities may be covered under a general permit as they are constructed, then that fact will also be stated.
(iii) A brief description of the business conducted at the facility or activity described in the permit application or the draft permit. For general permits a generic statement of the type of facility to be covered is all that is required.
(iv) Name, address and telephone number of a person from whom interested persons may obtain further information, including copies of the draft permit, as the case may be, statement of basis or fact sheet, and the application.
(v) A brief description of comment procedures, procedures to request a hearing, and other procedures which the public may use to participate in the final permit decision.
(vi) Any additional information considered necessary and proper.
(g) In addition to the information required in (f) of this section, any notice for public hearing shall contain the following:
(i) Reference to the date of previous public notices relating to the permit.
(ii) Date, time and place of hearing.
(iii) A brief description of the nature and purpose of the hearing, including applicable rules and procedures.
(h) The department shall provide an opportunity for the applicant, permittee, or any interested person to submit written comments regarding any aspect of a permit including, but not limited to, permit issuance, denial, modification, revocation and reissuance, termination, or transfer and/or to request a public hearing.
(i) All information received on or with the permit application shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying except such information as has been determined to constitute trade secrets or confidential information pursuant to W.S. 35-11-1101. The department shall provide facilities for inspection and copying of all non-confidential documents. Copying shall be at the expense of the person requesting copies.
(j) During the public comment period, any interested person may submit written comments on the draft permit and may request a public hearing. Requests for public hearings on permit applications or modifications must be made in writing to the administrator and shall state the reasons for the request. Requests for public hearings on permit issuance, denial, revocation, termination, or any other department action appealable to the Council, shall be made in writing to the chairman of the council and the department and state the grounds for the request.
(i) Requests for public hearings based on contested issues may be filed at any stage of the permitting process; and
(ii) After notice is given for public comment, requests for public hearings must be filed within thirty (30) days after the last publication of the public notice.
(k) The administrator shall hold a hearing whenever the administrator finds, on the basis of requests, a significant degree of public interest in a draft permit. The administrator has the discretion to hold a hearing whenever such a hearing may clarify issues involved in a permit decision.
(l) The Council shall hold hearings pursuant to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Rules of Practice and Procedure.
(m) Public hearings will be held in the geographic area wherein the proposed discharge is located, or as nearby as reasonable. Public hearings will be held pursuant to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Rules of Practice and Procedure.
(n) The public comment period shall automatically extend to the close of any public hearing. The administrator may also extend the comment period by so stating at the public hearing.
(o) The director shall render a decision on the draft permit within thirty (30) days after the completion of the comment period if no hearing is requested. If a hearing is held, the director shall make a decision on any department hearing as soon as practicable after receipt of the transcript or after the expiration of the time set to receive written comments.
(p) At the time a final decision is issued, the department shall respond, in writing, to those comments received during the public comment period or comments received during the allotted time for a hearing held by the department. This response shall:
(i) Specify any changes that have been made to the permit.
(ii) Briefly describe and respond to all comments voicing a legitimate regulatory concern that is within the authority of the department to regulate.
(q) The response to comments shall also be available to the public.
(r) Requests for a contested case hearing on a permit issuance, denial, revocation, termination, or any other final department action appealable to the Council, shall be made in writing to the chairman of the Environmental Quality Council and the director and state the grounds for the request pursuant to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Rules of Practice and Procedure.
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.27.12032018 § 22 Class I Permits Issued Before the Effective Date of These Regulations
Any Class I well permitted before the effective date of these regulations shall be reviewed pursuant to Section 6(h).
APPENDIX A
Parameter
Maximum Allowable Concentration
Acetone
.05
mg/L
N-Butyl alcohol
5.00
mg/L
Carbon disulfide
1.05
mg/L
Carbon tetrachloride
.05
mg/L
Chlorobenzene
.05
mg/L
Cresols and cresylic acid
.75
mg/L
Cyclohexanone
.125
mg/L
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
.65
mg/L
Ethyl acetate
.05
mg/L
Ethyl benzene
.05
mg/L
Ethyl ether
.05
mg/L
Isobutanol
5.00
mg/L
Methanol
.25
mg/L
Methylene chloride
.20
mg/L
Methyl ethyl ketone
.05
mg/L
Methyl isobutyl ketone
.05
mg/L
Nitrobenzene
.66
mg/L
Pyridine
.33
mg/L
Tetrachloroethylene
.05
mg/L
Toluene
.33
mg/L
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
.41
mg/L
1,2,2-Trichloro-1,2,2 Trifluoroethane
.96
mg/L
Trichloroethylene
.062
mg/L
Trichlorofluoromethane
.05
mg/L
Xylene
.05
mg/L
Polychlorinated biphenols
500.00
mg/L
APPENDIX B
Parameter
Maximum Allowable
Concentration
HxCDD-All hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins
1
ppb
HxCDF-All hexachlorodibenzofurans
1
ppb
PeCDD- All pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins
1
ppb
PeCDF-All pentachlorodibenzofurans
1
ppb
TCDD-All tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins
1
ppb
TCDF-All tetrachlorodibenzofurans
1
ppb
2,4,5 Trichlorophenol
50
ppb
2,4,6 Trichlorophenol
50
ppb
2,3,4,6 Tetrachlorophenol
100
ppb
Pentachlorophenol
10
ppb
APPENDIX C SUBCLASSES OF CLASS V FACILITIES
SUBCLASS
DESCRIPTION
HEATING AND COOLING FACILITIES
5A1
Direct Heat Reinjection Facilities - Reinject geothermal fluids used to provide direct heat for large buildings, developments or aquiculture facilities.
5A2
Heat Pump/Air Conditioner Return Flow Facilities - Reinject groundwater used to heat or cool a building in a ground based heat pump system, or used to inject heat only using a closed loop heat pump system
5A3
Cooling Water Return Flow Facilities - Receive non-contact cooling water from industrial processes, both open and closed loop processes.
BENEFICIAL USE INJECTION FACILITIES
5B1
Mining, Sand or Backfill Facilities - Used to inject a fluid mixture of sand, cement, fly ash used as a pozzalin, or mill tailings into mined out portions of underground mines.
5B2
Aquifer Recharge Facilities - Receive water specifically for storage of water underground. Must be coupled with the ability to withdraw stored water at a later date for beneficial use. Coal bed methane operators cannot dispose of their produced water in class 5B2 injection wells after the effective date of these rules.
5B3
Saline Water Intrusion Barrier Facilities - Receive fresh water to prevent the continued migration of saline water into a fresh water aquifer. Includes projects installed to control contaminant plumes by injection of clean water.
5B4
Subsidence Control Facilities - Receive fresh water for the purpose of controlling subsidence caused by an overdraft of water, oil or natural gas.
5B5
Facilities which inject fluids and are used to prevent, control or remediate aquifer pollution, which are not owned or controlled by the Department of Environmental Quality. All 5B5 facilities are covered under Article 16 of the Environmental Quality Act
5B6
Department Controlled Facilities - Facilities which inject fluids and are used to prevent, control or remediate pollution, remediate subsiding mine sites, or produce other beneficial results which are owned or controlled by the Department of Environmental Quality. These facilities include but are not limited to, facilities under the supervision of Water Quality Division's Underground Storage Tank Program, facilities under the control and direction of the Abandoned Mined Lands Program, and facilities under the supervision of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Division. Control may be exercised through ownership, operation, or by administrative orders, stipulated settlements, consent decrees or other legal methods which result in control of a facility by the department.
5B7
Air sparging facilities - Facilities used to inject only air for the purpose of either encouraging microbial breakdown of hydrocarbons or removing of volatile chemicals by vapor extraction.
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
5C1
Air Scrubber Waste Disposal Facilities - Inject wastes from air scrubbers used to remove sulphur, fly ash, or other contaminants.
5C2
Water Treatment Brine Disposal Facilities - Receive brine from water softening or other water treatment.
5C3
Industrial Process Water and Waste Disposal Facilities - Receive wastes generated by industrial and commercial processes. Examples include but are not limited to wastes from car washing, taxidermy, metal plating, printing, silk screening, refining, slaughter houses, and chemical manufacturing companies.
5C4
Automotive Waste Disposal Facilities - Inject waste from floor drains or sinks where repair work is done on machinery of any description.
5C5
Coal Bed Methane Injection Facilities - Inject groundwater produced in the process of coal bed methane extraction into a receiving aquifer containing water of the same or lower class of use.
5C6
Small Commercial Disposal Systems - Inject wastewater which is of similar quality to domestic sewage which does not technically meet the definition of domestic sewage, in quantities of less than 2,000 gallons per day.
DRAINAGE FACILITIES
5D1
Agricultural Drainage Facilities - Receive irrigation tailwaters, other field drainage, animal yard, feedlot, or dairy runoff, and other agricultural wastewater.
5D2
Storm Water Drainage Facilities - Receive storm water runoff from paved areas, including parking lots, streets, residential subdivisions, building roofs, highways, etc.
5D3
Improved Sinkholes - Receive storm water runoff from developments located in karst topographic areas.
5D4
Industrial Drainage Facilities - Receive storm runoff from areas susceptible to spills, leaks, and other chemical discharges.
5D5
Special Drainage Facilities - Receive water from sources other than direct precipitation. Examples of thistype include landslide control drainage facilities, potable water tank overflow drainage facilities, swimming pool drainage facilities, and lake level control drainage facilities.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
5E1
Aquaculture Return Flow Facilities - Receive injectate from aquaculture operations.
5E2
Untreated Domestic sewage Disposal Facilities - Receive untreated domestic sewage from single or multiple sources. Does not include subsurface fluid distribution systems with septic tanks ahead of the subsurface fluid distribution system. Includes all cesspools, regardless of capacity.
5E3
Domestic Subsurface Fluid Distribution Systems - Receive more than
2,000 gallons per day of domestic sewage with only primary treatment such as effluent from a septic tank. In addition, any facility injecting domestic sewage within any five (5) acres of land is a class 5E3 facility whenever multiple 5E facilities under one owner inject a cumulative maximum peak design flow of more than 2,000 gallons per day of domestic sewage.
5E4
Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Disposal Facilities - Dispose of treated domestic waste after treatment to at least secondary treatment standards.
5E5
Small Domestic Subsurface Fluid Distribution Systems - Receive less than 2,000 gallons per day as an average of a typical week, of domestic sewage with only primary treatment in a septic tank. These systems are designed to accept more than 2,000 gallons per day at a peak and are not small wastewater systems. No class 5E5 system has a required design capacity in excess of 5,000 gallons per day.
MISCELLANEOUS CLASS V FACILITIES
5F1
Cathodic Protection Facilities -Facilities constructed with coke breeze and dust control oil for use as a permanent anode in a cathodic protection system for a fluid conveyor system or fluid containment system composed of metallic material.
5F2
All other facilities that inject fluids into or above an underground source of drinking water which do not fall into Classes I, II, III, or IV injection facilities.
APPENDIX D TYPES OF PERMITS REQUIRED TIMING OF COMPLIANCE
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
TYPE OF PERMIT
WHEN REQUIRED
5A1
Direct Heat Reinjection Facilities
General Permit
2 years after date of general permit
5A2
Heat Pump/Air Conditioner Return Flow Facilities
General Permit
2 years after date of general permit
5A3
Cooling Water Return Flow Facilities
Individual Permit
April 14, 2000
5B1
Mining, Sand or Backfill Facilities
General Permit
2 years after date of general permit
5B2
Aquifer Recharge Facilities
Permit by Rule
register by April 14, 1999
5B3
Saline Water Intrusion Barrier Facilities
Individual Permit
April 14, 2000
5B4
Subsidence Control Facilities
Permit by Rule
register by April14, 1999
5B5
Facilities used to prevent, control or remediate aquifer pollution, which are not owned or controlled by the Department of Environmental Quality
General Permit
2 years after the date of the general permit
5B6
Department Controlled Facilities
Permit by Rule
Register by April 14 1999
5B7
Air Sparging Facilities
Permit by Rule
Register by April 14 1999
5C1
Air Scrubber Waste Disposal Facilities
Individual Permit
April 14, 2000
5C2
Water Treatment Brine Disposal Facilities
Individual Permit
April 14, 2000
5C3
Industrial Process Water and Waste
Individual Permit
April 14, 2000
5C4
Existing Automotive Waste Disposal Facilities
General Permit
2 years after date of general permit
5C4
New Automotive Waste Disposal Facilities
Ban
April 14, 1998
5C5
Coal Bed Methane Injection Facilities
General Permit
Within 6 months of the date of issue for the general permit for existing facilities, and before injection for all new facilities
5C6
Small Commercial Disposal Systems
General Permit
2 years after the date of the general permit
5D1
Agricultural Drainage Facilities
General Permit
2 years after the date of the general permit
5D2
Storm Water Drainage Facilities
General Permit
2 years after the date of the general permit
5D3
Improved Sinkholes
Individual Permit
April 14, 2000
5D4
Industrial Drainage Facilities
Individual Permit
April 14, 2000
5D5
Special Drainage Facilities
Permit by Rule
Register by April
14, 1999
5E1
Aquaculture Return Flow Facilities
General Permit
2 years after date of general permit
5E2
Existing Untreated Domestic sewage Disposal Facilities (Cesspools)
Ban
April 14, 1998
5E3
Existing Domestic Subsurface Fluid Distribution Systems
General Permit
2 years after date of general permit
5E3
Existing Domestic Subsurface Fluid Distribution Systems - Permitted as a small wastewater facility
Permit by Rule
register by April
14, 1999
5E4
New Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Disposal Facilities
Individual Permit
April 14, 2000
5E5
Small Domestic Subsurface Fluid
Distribution Systems
General Permit
2 years after the date of the general permit
5F1
Cathodic Protection Facilities
Permit by Rule
register by April
14, 1999
5F2
All other facilities that inject fluids into or above an underground source of drinking water which do not fall into Classes I, II, III, or IV injection facilities
Individual Permit
April 14, 2000
History
- Effective 2018-12-03
Chapter 28 Standards for Issuing Permits for Commercial Oilfield Wastewater Disposal Facilities
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.28.11142025 Standards for Issuing Permits for Commercial Oilfield Wastewater Disposal Facilities
CHAPTER 28
STANDARDS FOR ISSUING PERMITS FOR COMMERCIAL OILFIELD WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
Section 1. Authority.
This rule is promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Wyoming Statutes (W.S.) § 35-11-101 through § 35-11-2005, specifically W.S.§ 35‐11‐301(a)(i), W.S.§ 35‐11‐301(a)(iii), W.S. § 35-11-302(a)(iii), W.S.§ 35‐11‐306, and W.S.§ 35‐11‐307.
Section 2. Applicability.
(a) This Chapter contains the minimum standards for the design and construction of commercial oilfield waste disposal facilities that are required to obtain a permit under W.S. § 35-11-301(a)(iii), W.S. § 35-11-306, and Water Quality Rules Chapter 3. In addition, this Chapter contains operation, monitoring, and reporting requirements for commercial oilfield waste disposal facilities.
(i) All applicants for a Water Quality Rules Chapter 3 permit to construct, install, modify, or operate a commercial oilfield waste disposal facility shall meet all minimum standards of this Chapter.
(ii) No permit to construct, install, modify, or operate a commercial oilfield waste disposal facility shall be issued to a facility that does not meet the minimum standards of this Chapter.
(iii) All commercial oilfield waste disposal facilities shall be constructed, installed, and operated in accordance with permits issued pursuant to this Chapter.
(b) The installation of any component of a commercial oilfield waste disposal facility requires a permit to construct.
(c) Commercial oilfield waste disposal facilities are authorized to accept exempt exploration and production (E&P) wastes.
(i) Non‐exempt, non‐hazardous waste may be approved on a case‐by‐case basis, at the permittee's request.
(ii) The Division requires hazardous waste characteristic analysis of all non-exempt wastes proposed to be disposed of at a commercial oilfield waste disposal facility. Additional or reduced sampling may be required by the Division based on the type of waste to be disposed of and the generator's knowledge of the waste, including waste origin, composition, the process producing the waste, feedstock, and other reliable and relevant information. If any of the hazardous waste regulatory levels are exceeded, the wastes shall be disposed of at a facility approved to accept hazardous wastes.
(d) Pursuant to the provisions of W.S. § 35-11-109 (a)(ii) and W.S. § 35-11-1104(a)(iii), while subject to the requirements of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, noncommercial oilfield waste disposal facilities permitted by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission are exempt from the requirements of this Chapter.
Section 3. Timing of Compliance with These Regulations.
Any facility covered by an individual permit issued pursuant to Water Quality Rules Chapter 3 prior to the effective date of this chapter shall remain covered under that permit. New construction or modification of existing permitted facilities must obtain authorization under a new permit, in accordance with Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 12(e), subject to the requirements of this Chapter.
Section 4. Definitions.
(a) The definitions in this Section supplement those definitions contained in W.S. § 35-11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
(b) "Commercial oilfield waste disposal facility" (COWDF) means a facility that:
(i) Receives or has received produced water, exempt exploration and production waste, or non-hazardous non-exempt wastes approved by the Department, for treatment, storage, or disposal in pits, evaporation ponds, or surface impoundments; and
(ii) Receives or has received produced water, exploration and production waste, or other approved wastes from persons other than the owners and operators of the facility.
(c) "Exempt exploration and production (E&P) waste(s)" means drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastewater associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas or geothermal energy that are solid wastes but that are not identified as hazardous wastes under 40 CFR § 261.4(b)(5).
(d) "Groundwater" means subsurface water that fills available openings in rock or soil materials such that they may be considered water saturated under hydrostatic pressure.
Section 5. Facilities and Systems not Specifically Covered by these Standards.
(a) Each application for a permit to construct a facility under this section shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The Administrator may approve applications demonstrating the constructed facility can meet the purpose of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and this Chapter.
(b) The following information shall be included with the application for a permit to construct, install, modify, or operate a commercial oilfield waste disposal facility not specifically covered by these standards:
(i) Data obtained from:
(A) A full-scale, comparable installation that demonstrates the acceptability of the design; or
(B) A pilot plant operated under the design condition for a sufficient length of time to demonstrate the acceptability of the design; or
(C) A theoretical evaluation of the design that demonstrates a reasonable probability that the facility will meet the design objectives.
(ii) An evaluation of the flexibility of making corrective changes to the constructed facility in the event it does not function as planned.
(c) If an applicant wishes to construct a pilot plant to provide the data necessary to meet the requirements of this Section, then the applicant must obtain a permit to construct.
Section 6. Site Suitability.
(a) The applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed facility location complies with W.S. § 35-11-306(a)(i)-(ii).
(b) Additionally, the applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed facility location:
(i) Is positioned so that the depth to the highest seasonal groundwater is at least 5 feet below the secondary liner;
(ii) Is outside of the 100-year floodplain of surface waters of the State; and
(iii) Is not within ephemeral drainages into which natural runoff may flow or enter.
Section 7. Permits, Permit Application, and Recordkeeping Requirements.
(a) Applications for a permit to construct, install, modify, or operate a commercial oilfield waste disposal facility shall meet the requirements of Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 4.
(b) The application shall:
(i) Include signatures of:
(A) The surface estate owner of record or legal designee authorizing legal access, or documentation of right of way in cases of state or federal land ownership; and
(B) The operator.
(ii) Include the following components:
(A) An engineering design report that meets the requirements of Section 9 of this Chapter;
(B) A construction plan that meets the requirements of Section 10 of this Chapter;
(C) Monitoring and reporting that meet the requirements of Section 11 of this Chapter;
(D) An operation and maintenance plan that meets the requirements of Section 12 of this Chapter; and
(E) Closure and post-closure plans that meet the requirements of Water Quality Rules Chapter 14, Section 3 and a corrective action plan that meets the requirements of Water Quality Rules Chapter 14, Section 4.
(iii) Be submitted to the Division in a format required by the Administrator, including plans, specifications, design data, or other pertinent information covering the project, and any additional information required by the Administrator.
(iv) Include certification under penalty of perjury that the applicant has secured and will maintain permission for Department personnel and their invitees to access the facility, including permission to:
(A) Access the land where the facility is located;
(B) Collect resource data as defined by W. S. § 6-3-414; and
(C) Enter and cross all properties necessary to access the facility if the facility cannot be directly accessed from a public road.
Section 8. Annual Reporting Requirements.
(a) The permittee shall submit to the Division by April 1 of each year an annual report that includes:
(i) The name of the facility, the Division-issued COWDF identification number, the name of the owner, the reporting contact, and permit numbers for the facility;
(ii) Description of any modification and operation details of the facility from the previous calendar year, any anticipated construction, modification, or operational changes for the upcoming calendar year;
(iii) A discussion and analysis of the groundwater monitoring results, including a graph of the last 5 years of data in a format approved by the Administrator;
(iv) A discussion and analysis of the leak detection monitoring results from the previous calendar year and any corrective actions taken;
(v) Annual sampling results of evaporation ponds from the previous calendar year;
(vi) The annual revised cost estimates for closure, post-closure, and corrective action, and the financial assurance instruments that are required by Water Quality Rules Chapter 14, Sections 3 and 4; and
(vii) Wastewater transfer records from the previous calendar year, as required by Section 11(f)(i) of this Chapter.
(b) Reporting requirements are subject to modification by the Administrator.
Section 9. Engineering Design Report.
(a) An engineering design report is required for each permit application and shall include:
(i) A description of the facility site and location including:
(A) The legal description of the present and projected facility property boundary, including existing and proposed buildings and facilities; and
(B) The surface and mineral owner(s) of record.
(ii) A geotechnical report for the proposed site that includes:
(A) Groundwater information, including the depth to groundwater;
(B) A summary of all subsurface investigations;
(C) A subsurface soil profile;
(D) Exploration logs;
(E) Laboratory or in-situ test results;
(F) Interpretation and analysis of subsurface investigations;
(G) Specific engineering recommendations for design; and
(H) Solutions or discussion of anticipated problems.
(iii) A detailed description of the types of waste(s) to be accepted at the facility that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A) Produced water;
(B) Well completion and stimulation products;
(C) Wastes from production separators;
(D) Gas plant dehydration wastes;
(E) Gas plant sweetening wastes; and
(F) A list of anticipated generators of the waste(s).
(iv) A description of design conditions that includes:
(A) Identification of required performance characteristics of all construction materials;
(B) The type, size, strength, operating characteristics, rating or requirements for all:
(I) Mechanical and electrical equipment;
(II) Laboratory fixtures and equipment;
(III) Operating tools; and
(IV) Chemicals (where used).
(C) Construction and installation procedures;
(D) Testing requirements to ensure materials and equipment meet design standards;
(E) Waste treatment, storage, and disposal methods; and
(F) Summary of operation procedures.
(v) A geologic report, signed and sealed by a Wyoming Professional Geologist in accordance with W.S. § 33-41-115(c), that includes:
(A) A stratigraphic column that illustrates the thickness and geologic names of alluvial materials and geologic formations that comprise the unsaturated, or vadose, zone;
(B) A description of the lithology and hydraulic conductivity of materials and geologic formations comprising the unsaturated zone, the first encountered groundwater, and the uppermost aquifer underlying the proposed facility;
(C) A potentiometric map of the uppermost water bearing zone beneath the facility that:
(I) Illustrates the locations and use of all wells within 1 mile of the proposed facility, clearly identifying those wells producing in whole, or in part, from the uppermost water bearing zone, and including project borings or wells; and
(II) Includes a description of the uppermost aquifer in terms of its relative confinement, permeability, and porosity.
(vi) Documentation that the proposed facility will comply with Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 4 and Section 14.
(vii) A sampling and analysis plan that satisfies the monitoring requirements of Section 11 of this Chapter.
(viii) Details of the leak detection system that satisfies the requirements of Section 11 of this Chapter.
(b) Engineering design drawings are required for each permit application and shall include:
(i) On each page:
(A) A suitable title block that includes the applicant's name, facility name, and Division assigned COWDF identification number, and the revision date and number; and
(B) The seal and signature of the Wyoming Professional Engineer.
(ii) A plan set that includes:
(A) A scaled site plan; and
(B) A cover sheet with an index as the first page of each plan set.
(iii) The following components:
(A) North arrow and drawing scale;
(B) Legend;
(C) Fencing and security;
(D) Topographic features and contours with indicated datum;
(E) Soil and subsurface geological characteristics;
(F) Location of soil borings, bedrock elevations, and seasonal high groundwater elevations;
(G) Locations and dimensions of piping, including those in and under buildings;
(H) The location of all cross-sections and profiles, which shall be identified in the plan views;
(I) Locations of buildings, evaporation ponds, pits, tanks, utilities, and roads;
(J) Scaled geologic cross-sections with the evaporation ponds' geometry, monitoring wells, borings, and groundwater observations (if present) superimposed on the geologic cross-sections;
(K) Present and proposed access, including a map of the access route(s) to the facility from the nearest public road;
(L) The distances to occupied dwelling buildings or school buildings; and
(M) Prevailing wind direction.
Section 10. Minimum Design and Construction Standards.
(a) Receiving facility and phase separation facility designs shall meet the following standards:
(i) Liquid hydrocarbons shall be removed from wastewater before it is discharged to the evaporation ponds.
(ii) All open-topped tanks in the receiving facility and the phase separation facility shall be covered with netting, screen, or other approved method to prevent the entry of birds and other wildlife. The netting, screen, or approved covering shall be constructed to remain intact and above the surface of the liquid in the tank even during winds up to 80 mph, or when weighted with snow, ice, or rain.
(b) To protect birds and other wildlife, evaporation ponds shall be kept virtually oil free at all times or shall be completely netted or screened to the standards required for open-topped tanks. Hydrocarbon sheen on any part of the evaporation ponds shall be removed immediately.
(c) The facility design shall meet the following earthwork standards:
(i) For evaporation ponds specified to be lined with a geomembrane liner:
(A) Rocks larger than 6 inches in length shall not be placed within 5 materials that could damage the geomembrane shall be removed from the surface to be covered with the geomembrane.
(B) Material containing by volume less than 25% of rock larger than 6 inches and less than 12 inches in length may be placed in the remainder of the embankment.
(ii) Outer dike slopes shall not be steeper than a ratio of 1 vertical to 3 horizontal in order to prevent surface runoff from entering the evaporation ponds. The Administrator may require flatter slopes to maintain slope stability.
(iii) Inner dike slopes shall be between a ratio of 1 vertical to 4 horizontal and 1 vertical to 3 horizontal.
(iv) The minimum top dike width shall be 12 feet to allow access to maintenance vehicles. Top dikes wider than12 feet shall be required when necessary to ensure structural stability.
(v) Freeboard design shall:
(A) Demonstrate with calculations the compensation for wave action due to evaporation pond design, meteorological, and topographic conditions in order to prevent unauthorized discharges to the air, land or Waters of the State; and;
(B) Be a minimum of three feet at the maximum operating level.
(d) The facility design shall meet the following liner base, primary and secondary liner, and leak detection system standards:
(i) All evaporation ponds shall be constructed with a compacted clay secondary liner base or a geosynthetic clay secondary liner base that is contoured to include individual sub-cells that can be isolated if a leak is detected, as required in Section 10(d)(iv)(C)(I).
(A) Compacted clay secondary liner bases shall be a minimum of 1 foot thick with a maximum permeability of 1 X 10-5 cm/sec and shall be constructed with maximum compacted lifts of one-half foot.
(I) Tests for water content and density shall be taken during the placement of each lift of the liner base.
-
Either permeability testing of undisturbed core samples from the in-place seal or detailed tests such as particle size distribution and Atterberg limits shall be conducted.
-
Detailed tests shall confirm that the soil specified was used for liner construction. 1 test shall be conducted per acre per lift. For core sampling of the in-place liner, 1 core of the completed liner shall be tested per acre.
-
The permittee shall provide the Division a written certification by a Wyoming Professional Engineer that the base was constructed according to the permit and that final testing indicated results within the allowable limits established by the permit.
(II) For compacted clay secondary liner bases, a method of maintaining the seal at or above optimum moisture conditions is required.
(B) Geosynthetic clay secondary liner bases installed according to the manufacturer's instructions are acceptable, provided that:
(I) Geosynthetic clay liner bases shall have a maximum hydraulic conductivity of 1 X 10-8 cm/sec;
(II) The manufacturer of the geosynthetic clay liner base shall have more than 10M ft2 of their product installed;
(III) The geosynthetic clay liner base installation contractor shall be approved by the manufacturer; and
(IV) Geosynthetic clay liners that are used as secondary liner bases require surface erosion and abrasion protection and shall be protected during installation consistent with the manufacturer's requirements. If interior pond slopes steeper than 3:1 horizontal to vertical are proposed, the factor of safety for slope failure on the composite liner shall be shown to be at least 1.5:1.
(C) Handling, installation, and testing of geosynthetic clay liners shall be in accordance with the following specifications:
(I) ASTM D5887/D5887M-23;
(II) ASTM D5888-19;
(III) ASTM D5889/D5889M-18(2022);
(IV) ASTM D5890-19;
(V) ASTM D5891/D5891M-19;
(VI) ASTM D5993-18(2022);
(VII) ASTM D6072/D6072M-19e1;
(VIII) ASTM D6102-23;
(IX) ASTM D6243/D6243M-20;
(X) ASTM D6788-02(2017);
(XI) ASTM D6495/D6495M-18(2022);
(XII) ASTM D6768/D6768M-20;
(XIII) ASTM D6496/D6496M-23a;
(XIV) ASTM D6243/D6243M-20; and
(XV) GRI GCL3.
(ii) All evaporation ponds shall be constructed with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane secondary liner that shall have a minimum thickness of 40 mils.
(A) HDPE geomembrane liners that conform to Geosynthetic Research Institute Standard Specification GRI-GM13, are acceptable.
(B) Handling, installation, and testing of HDPE liners shall be in accordance with the following specifications:
(I) GRI GM13;
(II) GRI GM9;
(III) ASTM D751-19;
(IV) ASTM D792-20;
(V) ASTM D814-95(2020);
(VI) ASTM D882-18;
(VII) ASTM D1004-21;
(VIII) ASTM D1203-23;
(IX) ASTM D1204-14(2020);
(X) ASTM D1505-18;
(XI) ASTM D1593-22;
(XII) ASTM D1603-20;
(XIII) ASTM D1790-21;
(XIV) ASTM D3895-19;
(XV) ASTM D4218-20;
(XVI) ASTM D4833/D4833M-07(2020);
(XVII) ASTM D5199-12(2019);
(XVIII) ASTM D5321/D5321M-21;
(XIX) ASTM D5397-20;
(XX) ASTM D5596-03(2021);
(XXI) ASTM D5721-22;
(XXII) ASTM D5885/D5885M-20;
(XXIII) ASTM D5994/D5994M-10(2021);
(XXIV) ASTM D6392-23;
(XXV) ASTM D6497/D6497M-02(2021);
(XXVI) ASTM D6693/D6693M-20;
(XXVII) ASTM D7466/D7466M-23; and
(XXVIII) ASTM D7238-20.
(C) The liner manufacturer shall have more than 10M ft2 of their product installed.
(D) Geomembrane liners installed and operated according to this Section shall not allow a discharge to groundwater by direct or indirect discharge, percolation or infiltration.
(iii) All evaporation ponds shall be constructed with a leak detection system that when installed, shall allow monitoring as required in Section 11(b) of this Chapter.
(iv) The leak detection system shall include drainage layers between the primary and secondary liners that shall have a minimum hydraulic transmissivity of 1 gpm/foot.
(A) Synthetic drainage media may be used.
(B) The drainage layer shall have a minimum grade of 0.4 %.
(C) Perforated or slotted collection lines shall be installed in the drainage layer arranged to create sub-cells with a maximum area of 2 acres or less.
(I) Collection lines shall be configured to isolate sub-cells in the collection system for the purpose of locating leaks.
(II) No portion of the drainage layer shall be more than 140 feet from a collection line.
(D) The collection lines shall drain to a sump contained by the secondary liner.
(I) The sump shall be designed so that the maximum high liquid level during operating conditions is below the invert of any collection line discharging to the sump.
(II) The sump shall be large enough to allow a pump to be installed to remove all fluid from the sump.
(E) The maximum allowable leakage rate for the primary liner is 500 gallons/acre-day, with action leakage rates for the primary liner as follows, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator:
(I) Leakage rates that exceed 125 gallons/acre-day shall require the operator to develop a plan to identify the source of the leakage, submit the plan to the Administrator for review and approval within 1 month upon discovery of the leakage, and implement the approved plan;
(II) Leakage rates that exceed 250 gallons/acre-day shall require the operator to complete all requirements of Section 10(d)(iv)(E)(I) and to notify the Administrator of the leak in writing within 5 business days; and
(III) Leakage rates that exceed 500 gallons/acre-day shall require the operator to complete all requirements of Section 10(d)(iv)(E)(I), notify the Administrator of the leak in writing within 5 business days, and cease discharge to the identified leaking pond(s) until the operator submits confirmation to the Administrator that all necessary corrective action measures to mitigate the liner leakage have been implemented and the operator has received written authorization from the Administrator to resume discharges.
(F) The Administrator may require additional leak-detection monitoring wells to assess impacts to the environment pursuant to Chapter 3, Section 4 Groundwater Monitoring, and Section 14, Environmental Monitoring Program for Protection of Waters of the State.
(F) The Administrator may require additional leak-detection monitoring wells to assess impacts to the environment pursuant to Chapter 3, Section 4 Groundwater Monitoring, and Section 14, Environmental Monitoring Program for Protection of Waters of the State.
(v) All evaporation ponds shall be constructed with a primary liner that shall be an HDPE geomembrane liner with a minimum thickness of 60 mils.
(A) HDPE geomembrane liners shall conform to Geosynthetic Research Institute Standard Specification GRI-GM13;
(B) Handling, installation, and testing of HDPE liners shall meet the requirements of paragraph (d)(ii)(B) of this Section;
(C) The liner manufacturer shall have more than 10M ft2 of their product installed;
(D) Geomembrane liners installed and operated according to this subparagraph shall not allow a discharge to groundwater by direct or indirect discharge, percolation, or filtration.
(vi) Designs that propose enhanced evaporation shall include controls and operational protocols to prevent unauthorized discharges to air, land, and Waters of the State.
Section 11. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
(a) All applications for a permit to construct shall include:
(i) Documentation that demonstrates the groundwater monitoring wells comply with the construction standards of Water Quality Rules Chapter 26;
(ii) Either the groundwater review information required by Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 4 or the information required by Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 14;
(iii) The ambient groundwater quality information for all monitoring wells for the Department to use to determine the groundwater class of use;
(A) The monitoring wells shall be sampled and tested prior to any wastewater disposal into the evaporation ponds; and
(B) The monitoring wells shall be sampled and tested 1 time for the parameters listed in Water Quality Rules, Chapter 8, Table 1.
(iv) A groundwater monitoring program as required by Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 14, and plans for record-keeping and reporting.
(v) The operational monitoring plan shall include a sampling and analysis plan for each evaporation pond.
(A) The sampling and analysis plan shall identify the evaporation pond locations and the methodology to be used to conduct monitoring at the evaporation ponds; and
(B) The analyte list and monitoring frequency are subject to revision as required by the Administrator.
(b) After approval by the Administrator, the monitoring program shall be incorporated as a permit condition to ensure compliance with Water Quality Chapter 8, Section 4(d)(v)(A) and Section 4(d)(vi)(A).
(c) All monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with an Administrator-approved sampling and analysis plan. The sampling and analysis plans shall be included as part of the operation and maintenance (O&M) Plan.
(d) Leak detection system monitoring.
(i) The leak detection system's inspection pipes shall be inspected weekly for the first month and monthly thereafter.
(ii) The permittee shall keep a log of the inspection results. If fluid is found:
(A) The permittee shall notify the Administrator within 24 hours of discovery.
(B) The operator shall obtain samples from the inspection pipes and the evaporation cell(s) that have been tested, in accordance with US EPA SW-846, for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) (modified for gasoline and diesel range hydrocarbons), chlorides, total dissolved solids (TDS) and sulfates.
(C) The permittee shall report the sample results to the Administrator as soon as they are available.
(e) Upon discovering a leak or fluid in the leak detection system, the permittee shall submit a plan and schedule to investigate the leak and repair the liner in accordance with requirements of Section 10(d)(iv)(E).
(f) Facilities that transfer wastewater shall:
(i) Maintain written records of all wastewater transfers that include:
(A) The date(s) of transfer;
(B) The volume of wastewater to be transferred;
(C) A description of the method of transfer;
(D) A copy of the written agreement(s) between the facility and the receiving parties that will be accepting the wastewater for reuse that identifies:
(I) The name, address, legal description by latitude and longitude, and telephone number for the receiving party;
(II) The receiving party's intended use of the transferred wastewater; and
(III) The location(s) where the wastewater will be applied or reused.
(ii) Maintain onsite all records required in this section and make the records available to Division representatives upon request. All records shall be compiled in an approved format and shall be included in the annual report, as required by Section 8(a)(vii) of this Chapter;
Section 12. Operation and Maintenance Plan.
(a) An operation and maintenance (O&M) plan is required for each new or modified facility and shall include the following information:
(i) An introduction that includes an overview of the facility and operational processes;
(ii) Process flow diagram;
(iii) Wastewater receiving procedures, including procedures for refusing loads that may not conform to permit requirements or facility policies;
(iv) Copies of all state and federal permits associated with the facility;
(v) Record keeping and reporting procedures;
(vi) Planned work and facility operation schedules;
(vii) Staffing and management structure;
(viii) Maintenance and inspection procedures;
(ix) Sampling and analysis plans for groundwater monitoring, evaporation pond monitoring, and leak detection system monitoring; and
(ix) A contingency plan that includes:
(A) A discussion of how hazards to human health and the environment will be minimized in case of fires, explosions, or unplanned sudden or non-sudden release of waste or waste constituents to soil, surface water, or groundwater;
(B) Procedures for notifying appropriate State or local agencies with designated response roles; and
(C) Reporting thresholds, response procedures, and recordkeeping requirements for spills, fires, explosions, and other possible failures.
(b) The O&M plan shall be submitted to the Division prior to 50 % completion of construction. Administrator approval of the final O&M plan is required prior to any water disposal into evaporation ponds.
Section 13. Public Participation, Public Notice, and Public Hearing Requirements.
(a) The Administrator shall give public notice for any of the following actions:
(i) The Administrator has prepared a draft permit for a new facility that is intended for issuance.
(ii) The Administrator intends to modify a permit by:
(A) Increase the treatment capacity as described in Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 4(d)(ii)(A);
(B) Issuing a permit for compliance with Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 4(d)(iii); or
(C) Amending permit conditions for which the Administrator, at their discretion, determines there is a significant degree of public interest, pursuant to Water Quality Rules Chapter 3, Section 4(g).
(iii) The Department intends to schedule a hearing.
(b) The Administrator shall include a 30-day public comment period for any action on items (a)(i), or (a)(ii) of this Section and shall provide at least 30 days public notice before any hearing held pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section.
(c) Public notice shall be given by:
(i) Mailing a copy of the notice to the applicant, by certified or registered mail.
(ii) Mailing a copy of the notice to the following:
(A) Bureau of Land Management;
(B) Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission;
(C) Wyoming Game and Fish Department;
(D) Wyoming State Engineer; and
(E) Any unit of local government having jurisdiction over the area where the facility is proposed to be located.
(iii) Electronic notification of the notice to those individuals that subscribe to the Division's electronic notification list;
(iv) Publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the location of the facility or operation.
(d) All public notices issued under this Chapter shall contain the following minimum information:
(i) Name and address of the Department;
(ii) Name and address of the permittee or permit applicant, and, if different, of the facility or activity regulated by the permit;
(iii) A brief description of the business conducted at the facility or activity described in the permit application or the draft permit;
(iv) Name, address and telephone number of a person from whom interested persons may obtain further information, including, where applicable, copies of the draft permit, statement of basis, fact sheet, and the application;
(v) A brief description of comment procedures, procedures to request a hearing; and
(vi) Any additional information required by the Administrator.
(e) In addition to the information required in paragraph (d) of this Section, any notice for a public hearing shall contain the following:
(i) Reference to the date of previous public notices relating to the permit;
(ii) Date, time and place of the hearing; and
(iii) A brief description of the nature and purpose of the hearing.
(f) The Department shall provide an opportunity for the applicant, permittee, or any interested person to submit written comments regarding permit issuance, modification, or to request a public hearing.
(g) During the public comment period, any interested person may submit written comments on the draft permit and may request a public hearing, in writing to the Administrator and shall state the reasons for the request.
(h) The Director shall render a decision on the draft permit within 30 days after completion of the comment period if no hearing is requested. If a hearing is held, the Director shall make a decision on any Department hearing as soon as practicable after receipt of the transcript or after the expiration of the time set to receive written comments.
(i) At the time a final decision is issued, the Department shall respond, in writing, to those comments received during the public comment period and comments received during the allotted time for a hearing held by the Department. This response shall:
(i) Specify any changes that have been made to the permit; and
(ii) Briefly describe and respond to all comments that express a regulatory concern within the authority of the Department to regulate.
(j) The response to comments shall be available to the public.
Section 14. Incorporation by Reference.
(a) The following codes, standards, rules, and regulations referenced in this Chapter are incorporated by reference:
(i) ASTM International Standard D1004-21, Standard Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting, February 23, 2021, referred to as "ASTM D1004-21";
(ii) ASTM International Standard D1203-23, Standard Test Methods for Volatile Loss from Plastics Using Activated Carbon Methods, November 22, 2023, referred to as "ASTM D1203-23";
(iii) ASTM International Standard D1204-14(2020), Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature, April 14, 2020, referred to as "ASTM 1204-14(2020)";
(iv) ASTM International Standard D1505-18, Standard Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique, May 10, 2018, referred to as "ASTM D1505-18";
(v) ASTM International Standard D1593-22, Standard Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Plastic Film and Sheeting, September 12, 2022, referred to as "ASTM D1593-22";
(vi) ASTM International Standard D1603-20, Standard Test Method for Carbon Black Content in Olefin Plastics, March 25, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D1603-20";
(vii) ASTM International Standard D1790-21, Standard Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastic Sheeting by Impact, February 10, 2021, referred to as "ASTM D1790-21";
(viii) ASTM International Standard D3895-19, Standard Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Polyolefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, August 21, 2023, referred to as "ASTM D3895-19";
(ix) ASTM International Standard D4218-20, Standard Test Method for Determination of Carbon Black Content in Polyethylene Compounds By the Muffle-Furnace Technique, March 26, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D4218-20";
(x) ASTM International Standard D4833/D4833M-07(2020), Standard Test Method for Index Puncture Resistance of Geomembranes and Related Products, June 03, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D4833/D4833M-07(2020)";
(xi) ASTM International Standard D5199-12(2019), Standard Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness of Geosynthetics, June 20, 2019, referred to as "ASTM D5199-12(2019)";
(xii) ASTM International Standard D5321/D5321M-21, Standard Test Method for Determining the Shear Strength of Soil-Geosynthetic and Geosynthetic-Geosynthetic Interfaces by Direct Shear, June 22, 2021, referred to as "ASTM D5321/D5321M-21";
(xiii) ASTM International Standard D5397-20, Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Stress Crack Resistance of Polyolefin Geomembranes Using Notched Constant Tensile Load Test, June 11, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D5397-20";
(xiv) ASTM International Standard D5596-03(2021), Standard Test Method For Microscopic Evaluation of the Dispersion of Carbon Black in Polyolefin Geosynthetics, May 11, 2021, referred to as "ASTM D5596-03(2021)";
(xv) ASTM International Standard D5721-22, Standard Practice for Air-Oven Aging of Polyolefin Geomembranes, January 07, 2022, referred to as "ASTM D5721-22";
(xvi) ASTM International Standard D5885/D5885M-20, Standard Test Method for Oxidative Induction Time of Polyolefin Geosynthetics by High-Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry, September 14, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D5885/D5885M-20";
(xvii) ASTM International Standard D5887/D5887M-23, Standard Test Method for Measurement of Index Flux Through Saturated Geosynthetic Clay Liner Specimens Using a Flexible Wall Permeameter, November 06, 2023, referred to as "ASTM D5887/D5887M-23";
(xviii) ASTM International Standard D5888-19, Standard Guide for Storage and Handling of Geosynthetic Clay Liners, May 19, 2019, referred to as "ASTM D5888-19";
(xix) ASTM International Standard D5889/D5889M-18(2022), Standard Practice for Quality Control of Geosynthetic Clay Liners, October 12, 2022, referred to as "ASTM D5889/D5889M-18(2022)";
(xx) ASTM International Standard D5890-19, Standard Test Method for Swell Index of Clay Mineral Component of Geosynthetic Clay Liners, May 30, 2019, referred to as "ASTM D5890-19";
(xxi) ASTM International Standard D5891/D5891M-19, Standard Test Method for Fluid Loss of Clay Component of Geosynthetic Clay Liners, August 21, 2019, referred to as "ASTM D5891/D5891M-19";
(xxii) ASTM International Standard D5993-18(2022), Standard Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of Geosynthetic Clay Liners, October 12, 2022, referred to as "ASTM D5993-18(2022)";
(xxiii) ASTM International Standard D5994/D5994M-10(2021), Standard Test Method for Measuring Core Thickness of Textured Geomembranes, July 05, 2021, referred to as "ASTM D5994/D5994M-10(2021)";
(xxiv) ASTM International Standard D6072/D6072M-19e1, Standard Practice for Obtaining Samples of Geosynthetic Clay Liners, July 10, 2023, referred to as "ASTM D6072/D6072M-19e1";
(xxv) ASTM International Standard D6102-23, Standard Guide for Installation of Geosynthetic Clay Liners, May 5, 2023, referred to as "ASTM D6102-23";
(xxvi) ASTM International Standard D6243/D6243M-20, Standard Test Method for Determining the Internal and Interface Shear Strength of Geosynthetic Clay Liner by the Direct Shear Method, March 25, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D6243/D6243M-20";
(xxvii) ASTM International Standard D6392-23, Standard Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Nonreinforced Geomembrane Seams Produced Using Thermo-Fusion Methods, November 06, 2023, referred to as "ASTM D6392- 23";
(xxviii) ASTM International Standard D6495/D6495M-18(2022), Standard Guide for Acceptance Testing Requirements for Geosynthetic Clay Liners, October 12, 2022, referred to as "ASTM D6495/D6495M-18(2022)";
(xxix) ASTM International Standard D6496/D6496M-23a, Standard Test Method for Determining Average Bonding Peel Strength Between Top and Bottom Layers of Needle-Punched Geosynthetic Clay Liners, May 15, 2023, referred to as "ASTM D6496/D6496M-23a";
(xxx) ASTM International Standard D6497/D6497M-02(2021), Standard Guide for Mechanical Attachment of Geomembrane to Penetrations or Structures, July 08, 2021, referred to as "ASTM D6497/D6497M-02(2021)";
(xxxi) ASTM International Standard D6693/D6693M-20, Standard Test Method for Determining Tensile Properties of Nonreinforced Polyethylene and Nonreinforced Flexible Polypropylene Geomembranes, July 17, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D6693/D6693M-20";
(xxxii) ASTM International Standard D6768/D6768M-20, Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength of Geosynthetic Clay Liners, May 8, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D6768/D6768M-20";
(xxxiii) ASTM International Standard D6788-02(2017), Standard Specification for Repositionable Pressure-Sensitive Flags, September 1, 2017, referred to as "ASTM D6788-02(2017)";
(xxxiv) ASTM International Standard D7238-20, Standard Test Method for Effect of Exposure of Unreinforced Polyolefin Geomembrane Using Fluorescent UV Condensation Apparatus, July 08, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D7238-2020";
(xxxv) ASTM International Standard D7466/D7466M-23, Standard Test Method for Measuring Asperity Height of Textured Geomembranes, December 07, 2023, referred to as "ASTM D7466/D7466M-23";
(xxxvi) ASTM International Standard D751-19, Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics, May 20, 2019, referred to as "ASTM D751-19";
(xxxvii)ASTM International Standard D792-20, Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement, July 29, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D792-20";
(xxxviii) ASTM International Standard D814-95(2020), Standard Test Method for Rubber Property-Vapor Transmission of Volatile Liquids, February 21, 2020, referred to as "ASTM D814-95(2020)";
(xxxix) ASTM International Standard D882-18, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting, August 15, 2018, referred to as "ASTM D882-18";
(xxxx) Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR § 261.4(b)(5), in effect as of July 28, 1994, available at: http://www.ecfr.gov;
(xxxxi) Geosynthetic Research Institute Standard Specification GRI-GCL3, Test Methods, Required Properties, and Testing Frequencies of Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs), as revised on November 21, 2019, referred to as "GRI-GCL3";
(xxxxii) Geosynthetic Research Institute Standard Specification GRI-GM9, Cold Weather Seaming of Geomembranes, as revised on January 10, 2013, referred to as "GRI-GM9";
(xxxxiii) Geosynthetic Research Institute Standard Specification GRI-GM13, Test Methods, Test Properties and Testing Frequency for High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Smooth and Textured Geomembranes, as revised on July 17, 2023, referred to as "GRI-GM13";
(xxxxiv) Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste: Physical/Chemical Methods Compendium (SW-846), published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as revised June 08, 2020, referred to as "US EPA SW-846".
(b) For these rules incorporated by reference:
(i) The Environmental Quality Council has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules.
(ii) This Chapter does not incorporate later amendments or editions of incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations.
(iii) All incorporated codes, standards, rules, and regulations are available for public inspection at the Department's Cheyenne office. Contact information for the Cheyenne office may be obtained at http://deq.wyoming.gov or from (307) 777-7937.
History
- Effective 2025-11-14
Chapter 29 Geologic Sequestration Special Revenue Account Requirements
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.29.08192022 § 1 Authority
These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, specifically §§ 313 and 318.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.29.08192022 § 2 Definitions
The following definitions supplement those contained in W.S. § 35- 11-103 of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act:
(a) "Carbon dioxide stream" means carbon dioxide, plus associated substances derived from the source materials and any processing, and any substances added to the stream to enable or improve the injection process. Within this Chapter, the term "carbon dioxide stream" does not include any carbon dioxide stream that meets the definition of a hazardous waste under 40 C.F.R. § 261.3.
(b) "Class II well" means any commercial or non-commercial well used to dispose of water or fluids directly associated with the production of oil or gas, any well used to inject fluids or gas for enhanced oil recovery, or any well used for the storage of liquid hydrocarbons.
(c) "Class VI well" means a well that is used for injecting a carbon dioxide stream for geologic sequestration that:
(i) Is not experimental in nature and injects a carbon dioxide stream for geologic sequestration, beneath the lowermost formation containing an underground source of drinking water;
(ii) Has been granted a waiver of the injection depth requirements pursuant to requirements of Water Quality Rules Chapter 24, Section 15; or
(iii) Has received an expansion to the areal extent of an existing Class II enhanced oil recovery or enhanced gas recovery aquifer exemption pursuant to Water Quality Rules Chapter 24, Section 16.
(d) "Geologic sequestration project" means an injection well or wells used to emplace a carbon dioxide stream into an injection zone for geologic sequestration. It includes the subsurface three-dimensional extent of the carbon dioxide plume, associated pressure front, and displaced fluid, as well as the surface area above that delineated region.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.29.08192022 § 3 Applicability
This Chapter applies to all owners, operators, and permittees of Class VI wells.
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
Wyo. Code R. 020.0011.29.08192022 § 4 Requirements
(a) Owners, operators, and permittees of Class VI wells shall pay a fee into the geologic sequestration special revenue account of seven cents on each ton of carbon dioxide injected for storage during the period of carbon dioxide stream injection into subsurface geologic formations in Wyoming.
(b) The Administrator shall assess fees based on the reporting requirements outlined in Water Quality Rules Chapter 24, Section 22(a)(i)(E).
(c) The Administrator shall give written notice of the amount of assessed fee and the basis for such fee assessment to the owner or operator of the facility annually. The assessed fee is due on receipt of the notice.
(d) Failure to pay fees is a violation of this section and may be cause for the revocation of any permit issued under Water Quality Rules Chapter 24.
(e) Once the Administrator has received the plugging and abandonment final report required by Water Quality Rules Chapter 24, Section 23(e):
(i) The Administrator will assess any remaining fees for the calendar year and shall give written notice of the amount of the assessed fee and the basis for such fee assessment to the owner or operator of the facility within 30 days;
(ii) The assessed fee is due on receipt of the notice; and
(ii) No further fees will be assessed, subject to paragraph (g) of this Section.
(f) Upon receipt of the proposed cost estimate for measurement, monitoring, and verification of plume stabilization that the owner or operator has submitted in accordance with Chapter 24, Section 26(i), the Administrator shall:
(i) Verify the owner or operator has demonstrated site closure certification in accordance with Chapter 24, Section 24;
(ii) Verify the owner or operator has obtained a release of all financial assurance instruments in accordance with Chapter 24, Section 26;
(iii) Verify the owner or operator has obtained a termination of the permit;
(iv) Evaluate the proposed cost estimate and the monies available in the special revenue account, including accumulated interest;
(v) Consider project-specific risk assessments and projected schedule of activities (e.g., post-injection site care);
(vi) Evaluate whether sufficient funds are available to carry out the required activities; and
(vii) Make a recommendation to the Director to allow the owner or operator to cease fee payment or to require additional payments into the special revenue account.
(g) If the Director determines that there are insufficient monies available in the special revenue account, including accumulated interest, based on the cost estimate submitted for the Administrator's evaluation, the owner or operator shall make additional payments into the special revenue account to ensure that sufficient funds are available to execute the required activities on the date at which they may occur.
(h) If the special revenue account balance, including accumulated interest, is sufficient to cover the proposed cost estimate, then the Director shall administer the funds in the account for the activities identified by W.S. § 35-11-318(c).
History
- Effective 2022-08-19
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